XVIII.
Sire Williams shuddered thus to realize
What he had hoped was but his fancy's fear;
But yet he quelled each symptom of surprise,
And thus to Waban: "Brother, be your ear
Quick as the beaver's, and your searching eyes
Like to the eagle's, and, the foeman near,
Be your heart bolder than the panther's, when
He slays the growling bear and drags him to his den."
XIX.
They left the steep, and, o'er the woodland plain,
Passed with all speed the tender group could make;
They ford the rivers, and their course maintain
Through ancient groves, where, bare of broom and brake,
The lurking foe might scant concealment gain;
Waban still moved before, and nothing spake;
His rapid glance scanned every thicket near,
And when he paused he bent the listening ear.
XX.
Hour after hour the hunter thus did go,
His eyes still roving and his ears still spread;
His was a spectre's glide;—but toiling slow,
The lagging group pursued with faltering tread.
At last he paused beneath a birchen bough,
Where the dense alders formed a barricade,
And there awaited them.—With anxious breast
Williams approached, and thus his guide addrest:
XXI.
"Sees not my brother that the shadows grow
Fast tow'rd the east, and that the forest brown
Soon hides the sun?—then whither does he go
To rest in safety till the morrow's dawn."
