(原版)澳大利亞語文第五冊 LESSON 31
LESSON 31 THE RED INDIAN'S PRISONER
THE RED INDIAN'S PRISONER
IN the midst of winter a fierce fight was taking place between the English soldiers and the American Indians, and the Indians were in the full strength of their power. They were magnificent ［1］ to look at, but terrible in their cruelty.
A young English officer was savagely set upon by two Indians armed with hatchets ［2］ . He saw that escape was impossible, and determined to sell his life dearly.
As he struck at the two Indians a third approached—a noble-looking old man armed with a bow and arrow. As he came forward he slowly fitted an arrow to his bow.
The young Englishman expected the arrow to pierce his heart before the hatchets crashed through his skull. But, as the old man came nearer and raised the bow to aim, suddenly a strange expression appeared on his face; he let his bow fall.
No sooner did the two Indians behold the old man than they ceased their attack, and, after receiving some commands from him, sprang upon the white man and tied him to a tree.
Later on he was released, and, to his surprise and wonder, the officer found himself most kindly treated by the old man. The Indian, instead of killing him or leading him away with threats, encouraged ［3］ him by signs and smiles not to fear. He took the young man by the hand and guided him to a distant Indian camp.
It was now impossible to fight, on account of the winter, and all the Indians were trooping back to their homes. The Englishman found himself treated with the greatest kindness and courtesy by the strange old Indian. He could not understand what had earned him this treatment. The old man, who very often looked at him with eyes filled with sadness, taught him the Indian language and some of the arts that the Indians practiced.
The winter was passing away. Instead of being frightened, instead of groaning in captivity, instead of expecting every day some terrible torture ［4］ , the young Englishman delighted in the sports and adventures of the Indians.
But when the spring visited the earth there was a great stir among the Indians. The women sang war-songs; the braves ［5］ armed themselves for battle; the presence of war was felt in the air.
In spite of his great age the old Indian armed himself, and, accompanied by his prisoner, marched away towards the English. It was a long march—two hundred leagues ［6］ —and the way led across desolate ［7］ country.
At last, in the soft grey of an early dawn, the Indians came within sight of the English camp, and a halt was called. The old man led his prisoner away, pointed to the English camp, and then, regarding him wistfully ［8］ , said, "Behold thy brothers." After a pause he added, "Behold where they wait to give us battle."
Then in a sterner voice he said, "Hear me! I have saved your life. I have taught you to make canoes, bows, and arrows; to obtain the means for making them from the forest; to manage the hatchet; to take off the scalp ［9］ of an enemy. What were you when I took you to my cabin? Your hands were those of a child—they could neither nourish ［10］ nor defend you; your soul was in night; you knew nothing; you owe me everything. Will you be so ungrateful as to join your brothers and raise the hatchet against my people?"
To this appeal the young Englishman made the instant answer that he would lose a thousand lives rather than shed the blood of one of his Indian friends.
For some moments the Indian regarded the handsome youth with great earnestness. Then, with tenderness and sorrow, he asked, "Have you a father?"
He was alive when I left my country, replied the young man.
How miserable he must be, said the old man. Then, after a pause, he spoke again, saying, "Know you that I, too, have been a father. I am so no more. I saw my child fall in battle. He was at my side. I saw him die like a hero. And I have avenged him. Yes, I have avenged him."
He was greatly agitated as he said these words. Turning to the east, where the sun was beginning to make a splendour ［11］ of the dawn, he cried, "See you that beautiful sun? Have you pleasure in seeing it?"
Yes. I have pleasure in a fine sky.
I have it no more, said he.
For some time he kept silence. Then, pointing to a flowering tree sparkling with dew in the sunshine, he said, "See you that fair tree? Have you pleasure in looking at it?"
Yes.
I have it no more.
Then with a sudden hurry he exclaimed earnestly, "Go! Return to your country so that your father may again with pleasure mark the rising sun and behold the beauty of the springing ［12］ flower."
—Children's Magazine
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［1 ］ magnificent: Grand in appearance.
［2 ］ hatchet: Small axe used with one hand.
［3 ］ encouraged: Helped, strengthened, made bolder.
［4 ］ torture: Extreme pain, torment.
［5 ］ braves: Red Indian fighting men.
［6 ］ league: Three miles.
［7 ］ desolate: Laid waste, bare, forlorn.
［8 ］ wistfully: Thoughtfully, longingly.
［9 ］ scalp: The skin and hair on top of the head.
［10 ］ nourish: Feed. care for.
［11 ］ splendour: Grandeur, great display.
［12 ］ springing: Beginning to grow.
