“Truly,” said Nathan, after reflecting awhile, “thee might make theeself of service to the maid, even in thee own way; but, verily, thee is an unlucky man, and thee brings bad luck wheresoever thee goes; and so I’m afeard of thee.”

“Afeard of your nose!” said Ralph, with great indignation; “ar’n’t I jist been slicked out of the paws of five mortal abbregynes that had me in the tugs? and ar’n’t that luck enough for any feller?  I tell you what, Nathan, me and you will snuff the track together:  you shall hunt up anngelliferous madam, and gin her my compliments; and, while you’re about it, I’ll steal her a hoss to ride off on!”

“Truly,” said Nathan, complacently, “I was thinking of that; for, they says, thee is good in a horse-pound; and it needs the poor maid should have something better to depend on, in flight, than her own poor innocent legs.  And so, friend, if thee thinks in thee conscience thee can help her to a strong animal, without fear of discovery, I don’t care if thee goes with me:  and, truly, if thee could steal two or three more of the creatures for our own riding, it might greatly advantage the maid.”

“Thar you talk like a feller of gumption,” said Ralph:  “only show me the sight of a bit of skin-rope for halters, and you’ll see a sample of hoss-stealing to make your ha’r stand on eend!”

“Of a truth,” said Nathan, “thee shan’t want for halters, if leather can make them.  There is that on my back which will make thee a dozen; and, truly, as it needs I should now put me on attire more suitable to an Injun village, it is a satisfaction thee can put the old garment to such good use.”

With these words, Nathan stripped off his coat of skins, so aged and so venerable, and gave it to the captain of horse-thieves; who, vastly delighted with the prize, instantly commenced cutting it into strips, which he twisted together, and fashioned into rude halters; while Nathan supplied its place by the loose calico shirt he had selected from among the spoils of the Indian party, throwing over it, mantle-wise, the broad Indian blanket.  His head he bound round with the gaudy shawl which he had also taken from the brows of a dead foe-man; and he hung about his person various pouches and ornamented belts, provided for the purpose.  Then, daubing over his face, arms, and breast with streaks of red, black, and green paint, that seemed designed to represent snakes, lizards, and other reptiles; he was, on a sudden, converted into a highly respectable-looking savage, as grim and awe-inspiring as these barbaric ornaments and his attire, added to his lofty stature, could make him.  Indeed, the metamorphosis was so complete, that Captain Ralph, as he swore, could scarce look at him without longing, as this worthy personage expressed it, “to be at his top-knot.”

In the meanwhile, Forrester had not deferred with patience to an arrangement which threatened to leave him, the most interested of all, in inglorious activity, while his companions were labouring in the cause of his Edith.  He remonstrated, and insisted upon accompanying them to the village, to share with them all the dangers of the enterprise.