The missionary understood all that was said, and he was not a little appalled at the aspect of things.  For the first time he began to apprehend that he was in danger.  So much was this devout and well-intentioned servant of his church accustomed to place his dependence on a superintending Providence, that apprehension of personal suffering seldom had any influence on his exertions.  He believed himself to be an object of especial care; though he was ever ready to admit that the wisdom which human minds cannot compass, might order events that, at first sight, would seem to be opposed to that which ought to be permitted to come to pass.  In this particular Parson Amen was a model of submission, firmly believing that all that happened was in furtherance of the great scheme of man’s regeneration and eventual salvation.

With the corporal it was very different.  Accustomed to war with red men, and most acquainted with them in their worst character, he ever suspected treachery, and had followed Peter with a degree of reluctance he had not cared to express.  He now thoroughly took the alarm, however, and stood on his guard.  Although he did not comprehend more than half of that which Peter had said, he understood quite enough to see that he and the missionary were surrounded by enemies, if not by executioners.

“We have fallen into a sort of ambush here, Parson Amen,” cried the corporal, rattling his arms as he looked to their condition, “and it’s high time we beat the general.  If there were four on us we might form a square; but being only two, the best thing we can do will be to stand back to back, and for one to keep an eye on the right flank, while he nat’rally watches all in front; and for the other to keep an eye on the left flank, while he sees to the rear.  Place your back close to mine, and take the left flank into your part of the lookout.  Closer, closer, my good sir; we must stand solid as rooted trees, to make anything of a stand.”

The missionary, in his surprise, permitted the corporal to assume the position described, though conscious of its uselessness in their actual condition.  As for the Indians, the corporal’s manner and the rattling of his arms induced the circle to recede several paces; though nothing like alarm prevailed among them.  The effect, nevertheless, was to leave the two captives space for their evolutions, and a sort of breathing time.  This little change had the appearance of something like success, and it greatly encouraged the corporal.  He began to think it even possible to make a retreat that would be as honorable as any victory.

“Steady—­keep shoulder to shoulder, Parson Amen, and take care of your flank.  Our movement must be by our left flank, and everything depends on keeping that clear.  I shall have to give you my baggonet, for you’re entirely without arms, which leaves my rear altogether exposed.”

“Think nothing of your arms, Brother Flint—­they would be useless in my hands in any case; and, were we made of muskets, they could be of no use against these odds.  My means of defence come from on high; my armor is faith; and my only weapon, prayer.  I shall not hesitate to use the last on this, as on all other occasions.”