The Pilgrims of New England | Page 9

_Thievish Harbor._ Several of these savages, in their strange attire of
skins, and feathers, and woven grasses, showed themselves among the
rocks that stood above the landing-place; but, regardless of the peaceful
signs that were made to them by Captain Standish and his crew, they
hastily retreated and when the party disembarked, not an Indian was to
be seen. With much circumspection, the captain advanced at the head
of his resolute band, who all held their muskets ready for action, if
self-defense should compel them to use them; but with a positive order
from their commander to refrain from any act of hostility so long as it
was possible to do so.
This command could not, however, be long obeyed; for as the party
proceeded through the rocks and stunted trees that lined the coast, they
came in sight of a burial ground, similar to that which had been
discovered in the first expedition, except that, in this case, the mounds
of earth were enclosed by a strong palisade of upright poles, bound
together firmly at the top. Through the interstices of these poles,
Standish and his men saw the glittering eyes of the savages watching
their approach; and before they could decide whether to advance or
retreat, a shower of arrows was discharged, several of which took effect,
though not mortally. This wanton aggression roused the spirit of the
sturdy Englishmen, and regardless of the efforts which Captain
Standish made to restrain them, a volley of musket balls instantly
replied to the challenge of the red men; and the wild cries that arose
from the cemetery plainly told that they had not sped in vain. Even
Rodolph Maitland was surprised out of his usual calm resolution and
presence of mind; for he saw his son fall bleeding to the ground,
pierced through the leg by an arrow, and almost involuntarily he fired
off his musket at an Indian whose body was more exposed than the rest,
and whose greater profusion of ornament showed him to be one of their
chief warriors. Rodolph saw him fall from the palisades on which he
had climbed to take a better aim at the white men; and instantly a gate
was opened in the enclosure, and, with a hideous yell, the savages
rushed forth, brandishing their spears and battle-axes, and shouting
their war-cry, 'Woach! woach! ha, ha, hach, woach!' Their number
appeared to be about thirty men; and Standish knew that his party,

several of whom were already slightly wounded, could not resist the
fury of their attack. He therefore gave the word for an instant retreat to
the boat, as the only means of safety. His gallant band would gladly
have pressed on, and met the savages in close combat; but they had
promised to obey their leader, and reluctantly they followed him to the
shore.
The path by which they had emerged on the burial-place was narrow
and winding, and they were soon hidden from the sight of the Indians;
but they heard their wild whoop among the rocks and bushes, and knew
that they were in eager pursuit. Maitland had caught up his wounded
boy in his arms, and now bore him rapidly forward; but the weight of
his burden, and the roughness of the way, retarded his steps and,
powerful as he was, he could not keep up with his comrades, who were
unconscious that he had fallen behind them. He thought of his wife--of
Henrich's mother--and he pat forth his utmost strength. Still the war cry
came nearer and nearer; and Henrich, who had hitherto uttered no
sound of pain, or word of complaint exclaimed wildly--
‘Father! I see them! There--there--they have entered the thicket, and
one has climbed the rock, and will soon overtake us. O, father, fly! for
his battle-axe is lifted up, and his eyes glare terribly'
Maitland's heart beat furiously. He could not pause, or turn, to look at
the coming foe; but his quick and ready mind was active in devising
some means of saving the life of his child.
'Load my gun, Henrich!' he exclaimed. 'I cannot long continue this
speed. Be steady, and be quick: our lives depend upon it!'
The gallant boy instantly obeyed the difficult command; and the instant
it was done, Rodolph dropped on one knee, supported his bleeding son
on the other, and taking a deliberate aim at the Indian, who was
preparing to leap from the rock into the path behind them, he fired. The
upraised arms of the savage fell powerless--the heavy axe dropped
from his hand--and, falling forward over the rock, he lay expiring in the
narrow pathway. The feathery coronets of several of his comrades were
seen above the bushes at some distance: and again the father raised his
son, who now hung fainting