Fiction > Book editions > London, 1889 - Master of Ballantrae

THE JOUllNEY IN THE WILDERNESS. 29^
minds of his companions. But indeed he was in a
position so entirely false (and even ridiculous) that all
his hahit of command and arts of pleasing were here
thrown awa3\ In the eyes of all, except Seeundra Dass,
he figured as a common gull and designated victiiu ;
going unconsciously to death ; yet he could not but
suppose himself the contriver and the leader of the ex-
pedition; he could scarce help but so conduct himself;
and at the least hint of authority or condescension, his
deceivers would be laughing in their sleeves. I was so
used to see and to conceive him in a high, authoritative
attitude, that when I had conceived his position on this
journey, I was pained and could have blushed. How
soon he may have entertained a first surmise, we cannot
know ; but it was long, and the party had advanced into
the Wilderness beyond the reach of any help, ere he was
fully awakened to the truth.
It fell thus. Harris and some others had drawn
apart into the woods for consultation, when they were
startled by a rustling in the brush. They were all
accustomed to the arts of Indian warfare, and Mountain
had not only lived and hunted, but fought and earned
some reputation, with the savages. He could move in
the woods without noise, and follow a trail like a hound;
and upon the emergence of this alert, he was deputed
by the rest to plunge into the thicket for intelligence.
He was soon convinced there was a man in his close
neighbourhood, moving with precaution but without art