There was little in common between the natural objects of that placid and rural scene and the fell passions that were so actively at work among the savages.  The whole of the landscape was bathed in the light of a clear, warm summer’s day.  These are the times when the earth truly seems a sanctuary, in spots remote from the haunts of men, and least exposed to his abuses.  The bees hum around the flowers, the birds carol on the boughs and from amid their leafy arbors, while even the leaping and shining waters appear to be instinct with the life that extols the glory of God.

As for the family near the palisaded hut, happiness had not, for many a month, been so seated among them, as on this very occasion.  Dorothy sympathized truly in the feelings of the youthful and charming bride, while Gershom had many of the kind and affectionate wishes of a brother in her behalf.  The last was in his best attire, as indeed were the females, who were neatly though modestly clad, and Gershom had that air of decent repose and of quiet enjoyment, which is so common of a Sabbath with the men of his class, among the people from whom he sprung.  The fears lately excited were momentarily forgotten.  Everything around them wore an air so placid; the vault above them was so profoundly tranquil; the light of day was so soft and yet so bright; the Openings seemed so rural and so much like pictures of civilization, that apprehension had been entirely forgotten in present enjoyment.  Such was the moment when Peter suddenly stood before le Bourdon and Margery, as the young couple sat beneath the shade of the oaks, near the spring.  One instant the Indian regarded this picture of young wedded life with a gleam of pleasure on his dark face; then he announced his presence by speaking.

“Can’t sit here lookin’ at young squaw,” said this literal being.  “Get up, and put thing in canoe.  Time come to go on path dat lead to pale-face country.”

“What has happened, Peter?” demanded the bee-hunter, springing to his feet.  “You come like a runner rushing in with his bad tidings.  Has anything happened to give an alarm?”

“Up, and off, tell you.  No use talkin’ now.  Put all he can in canoe, and paddle away fast as can.”  There was no mistaking Peter’s manner.  The bee-hunter saw the uselessness of questioning such a man, at a time like that, and he called to Gershom to join him.

“Here is the chief, to warn us to move,” said the bee-hunter, endeavoring to appear calm, in order that he might not needlessly alarm the females, “and what he advises, we had better do.  I know there is danger, by what has fallen from Pigeonswing as well as from himself; so let us lose no time, but stow the canoes, and do as he tells us.”