e is right," said Montague, turning to the missionary, who
stood regarding the party with anxious looks, quite unable to offer
advice on such an occasion, and clasping the little shoe firmly in both
hands; "it seems to me that those who know the customs of savage warfare
should give their advice first. You may depend on all the aid that it
is in my power to give."

"Ole Thorwald is our leader when we are compelled to fight in
self-defence," said Mr Mason; "would God that it were less frequently
we were obliged to demand his services. He knows what is best to be
done."

"I know what is best to do," said Thorwald, "when I have to lead men
into action, or to shew them how to fight. But, to say truth, I don't
plume myself on possessing more than an average share of the qualities
of the terrier dog. When niggers are to be hunted out of holes in the
mountains like rabbits, I will do what in me lies to aid in the work;
but I would rather be led than lead if you can find a better man."

Thorwald said this with a rueful countenance, for he had hoped to have
settled this war in a pitched battle; and there were few things the
worthy man seemed to enjoy more than a stand-up fight on level ground.
A fair field and no favour was his delight, but climbing the hills was
his mortal aversion. He was somewhat too corpulent and short of wind
for that.

"Come, Gascoyne," said Henry, "you know more about the savages than
anybody here, and if I remember rightly, you have told me that you are
acquainted with most of the mountain passes."

"With all of them, lad," interposed Gascoyne; "I know every pass and
cavern on the island."

"What, then, would you advise?" asked Montague.

"If a British officer can put himself under a simple trading skipper,"
said Gascoyne, "I may perhaps shew what ought to be done in this
emergency."

"I can co-operate with any one who proves himself worthy of confidence,"
retorted Montague, sharply.

"Well, then," continued the other, "it is in vain to think of doing any
good by a disorderly chase into mountains like these. I would advise
that our forces be divided into three. One band under Mr Thorwald
should go round by the Goat's Pass, to which I will guide him, and cut
off the retreat of the savages there. Another party under my friend
Henry Stuart should give chase in the direction in which little Alice
seems to have been taken, and a third party, consisting of his Majesty's
vessel the _Talisman