g from the
eyes of the Blackbird.

On the island more generous emotions were felt. From the eyes of its
occupants sleep had also fled--for if there be a moment in life, when
the hearts of the bravest may fail them, it is when danger is terrible
and inevitable, and when not even the last consolation of selling life
dearly is possible to them. Watched by enemies whom they could not see,
the hunters could not satisfy their rage by making their foes fall
beneath their bullets as they had done the evening before. Besides,
both Bois-Rose and Pepe knew too well the implacable obstinacy of the
Indians to suppose that the Blackbird would permit his warriors to reply
to their attacks; a soldier's death would have seemed too easy to him.

Oppressed by these sad thoughts, the three hunters spoke no more, but
resigned themselves to their fate, rather than abandon the unlucky
stranger by attempting to escape.

Fabian was as determined to die as the others. The habitual sadness of
his spirit robbed death of its terrors, but still the ardour of his mind
would have caused him to prefer a quicker death, weapon in hand, to the
slow and ignominious one reserved for them. He was the first to break
silence. The profound tranquillity that reigned on the banks was to the
experienced eyes of the Canadian and Pepe only a certain indication of
the invincible resolution of their enemies; but to Fabian it appeared
reassuring--a blessing by which they ought to profit.

"All sleeps now around us," said he, "not only the Indians on the banks,
but all that has life in the woods and in the desert--the river itself
seems to be running slower! See! the reflections of the fires die away!
would it not be the time to attempt a descent on the bank?"

"The Indians sleep!" interrupted Pepe, bitterly, "yes, like the water
which seems stagnant, but none the less pursues its course. You could
not take three steps in the river before the Indians would rush after
you as you have often seen wolves rush after a stag. Have _you_ nothing
better to propose, Bois-Rose?"

"No," replied he as his hand sought that of Fabian, while with the other
he pointed to the sick man, tossing restlessly on his couch of pain.

"But, in default of all other chance," said Fabian, "we should at least
have that of dying with honour, side by side as we would wish. If we
are victorious, we can then return to the aid of this unfortunate man.
If we fall, God himself, when we app