“Depend upon it,” he added, “cowards are never safer than brave men. The Indians despise cowards, and would be more likely to kill us if they found us cowering here in this hole like a parcel of wolf-cubs, than if we openly faced them and showed that we neither feared them, nor cared for them.”
“Hector, dear Hector, be not so rash!” cried his sister, passionately weeping. “Ah! if we were to lose you, what would become of us?”
“Never fear, Kate; I will run into no needless danger. I know how to take care of myself. I am of opinion, that the Indian camp is broken up; they seldom stay long in one place. I will go over the hills and examine the camp at a distance and the lake shore. You and Louis may keep watch for my return from the big pine that we halted under on our way hither.”
“But, Hector, if the savages should see you and take you prisoner,” said Catharine, “what would you do?” “I will tell you what I would do. Instead of running away, I would boldly walk up to them, and by signs make them understand that I am no scout, but a friend in need of nothing but kindness and friendship. I never yet heard of the Indian that would tomahawk the defenceless stranger that sought his camp openly in peace and goodwill.”
“If you do not return by sunset, Hector, we shall believe that you have fallen into the hands of the savages,” said Catharine, mournfully regarding her brother.
“If it were not for Catharine,” said Louis, “you should not go alone, but, if evil befel this helpless one, her blood would be upon my head, who led her out with us, tempting her with false words.”
“Never mind that now, dearest cousin,” said Catharine, tenderly laying her hand on his arm. “It is much better that we should have been all three together; I should never have been happy again if I had lost both Hec and you. It is better as it is; you and Hec would not have been so well off if I had not been with you to help you, and keep up your spirits by my songs and stories.”
“It is true, ma chère; but that is the reason that I am bound to take care of my little cousin, and I could not consent to exposing you to danger, or leaving you alone; so, if Hec will be so headstrong, I will abide by you.”
Hector was so confident that he should return in safety, that at last Louis and Catharine became more reconciled to his leaving them, and soon busied themselves in preparing some squirrels that Louis had brought in that morning.