meditated flight.

"This surpasses all I have heard from the wretches," Jasper exclaimed,
stopping his ears, equally in horror and disgust.

"'Tis their music, boy; their drum and fife; their trumpets and
clarions. No doubt they love those sounds; for they stir up in them
fierce feelings, and a desire for blood," returned the Pathfinder,
totally unmoved. "I thought them rather frightful when a mere
youngster; but they have become like the whistle of the whippoorwill
or the song of the cat-bird in my ear now. All the screeching
reptyles that could stand between the falls and the garrison would
have no effect on my narves at this time of day. I say it not in
boasting, Jasper; for the man that lets in cowardice through the
ears must have but a weak heart at the best; sounds and outcries
being more intended to alarm women and children than such as scout
the forest and face the foe. I hope the Sarpent is now satisfied,
for here he comes with the scalp at his belt."

Jasper turned away his head as the Delaware rose from the water,
in pure disgust at his late errand; but the Pathfinder regarded his
friend with the philosophical indifference of one who had made up
his mind to be indifferent to things he deemed immaterial. As
the Delaware passed deeper into the bushes with a view to wring
his trifling calico dress and to prepare his rifle for service, he
gave one glance of triumph at his companions, and then all emotion
connected with the recent exploit seemed to cease.

"Jasper," resumed the guide, "step down to the station of Master
Cap, and ask him to join us: we have little time for a council, and