CHAPTER XXII.
"O, time and death! with certain pace Though still unequal, hurrying on, O'erturning, in your awful race, The cot, the palace, and the throne!
"Not always in the storm of war, Nor by the pestilence that sweeps From the plague-smitten realms afar, Beyond the old and solemn deeps."--SANDS.
Besides the house with its walls of stone, however, there were numerousout-buildings. The carriage-house, stables, and home-barn were all ofstone also; but a brand thrown into a hay-mow would easily produce aconflagration. The barns, hay-ricks, etc., on the flats, and near thedwelling of Miller, were all of wood, according to the custom of thecountry, and it was not death to set fire to a barn. The "disguised andarmed" who should commit this last offence would incur no other riskthan that which had already been incurred in carrying out his desperateplans. I thought of these things for a moment, when I opened a passagethrough the currant bushes, intending to pass by a breach in the decayedfence into the garden, and thus by a private way to the house. To myastonishment, and in a slight degree to my alarm, a man stood before methe instant I emerged from the thicket.
"Who be--where go--what want?" demanded one of the real redskins,significantly; this being a sentinal of the party, whose vigilance evenmy guarded approach had not eluded.
I told him who I was, and that I came to seek the interpreter,Manytongues. No sooner was I recognized, than my red friend offered mehis hand to shake, American fashion, and seemed satisfied. He asked noquestion, manifested no curiosity at this visit at an hour so unusual,and took it all as one in ordinary life would receive a call in amorning between the permitted hours of twelve and three. _Something_ hadbrought me there, he must have known; but what that something was,appeared to give him no concern. This man accompanied me to the house,and pointed to the spot where I should find the person I sought, snoringon his well-shaken bundles of straw.
At the first touch of my finger, Manytongues awoke, and stood erect. Herecognized me in an instant, dark as was the room, and touching my armas a signal to follow, led the way into the open air. After moving outof ear-shot, he stopped and proceeded to business himself, like oneaccustomed to such interruptions.
"Anything stirring to-night?" demanded this frontier-man, with thecoolness of one who was ever ready. "Am I to call my redskins, or is itonly a notice that is to be given?"
"Of that you shall judge for yourself. You doubtless know the conditionof this part of the country, and the troubles that exist on the subjectof the rents paid for the use of the farms. What you saw to-day is aspecimen of the scenes that are now constantly acted among us."
"Colonel, I can't say I do rightly understand the state of things downhereaway," drawled out the interpreter, after yawning like a hound, andgiving me the most favorite title of the frontiers. "It seems to beneither one thing nor t'other; nuther tomahawk nor law. I can understandboth of _them_, but this half-and-half sort of thing bothers me, andputs me out. You ought to have law, or you hadn't ought; but what youhave should be stuck to."
"You mean that you do not find this part of the country either civilizedor savage. Not submitting to the laws, nor yet permitting the naturalappeal to force?"
"Something of that sort. The agent told me, when I came on with thisparty of redskins, that I was comin' down into a quarter of the countrywhere there was justices of the peace, and that no man, red or pale,could or should right himself. So we've all on us indivor'd to go bythat rule; and I can qualify that not a critter has been shot or scalpedsince we crossed the Mississippi. Some sich law was necessary among us,as we came from different and hostile tribes, and nothing would beeasier than to breed a quarrel among ourselves, if a body was sodisposed. But, I must say, that I'm not only disapp'inted myself, butmost of my chiefs be dreadfully disapp'inted likewise."
"In what particular have you been most disappointed?"
"In many matters. The first thing that set me athinkin' was to hearfolks read them newspapers. The way men talk of each other, in themthings, is wonderful, and to me it's a surprise any's left, at the endof the year, to begin the same game the next. Why, ColonelLittlepage----"
"I am no colonel--not even an ensign--you must be confounding me withsome other of my family."
"You _ought_ to be, sir, and I shall not do you the injustice to callyou by any lower title. I've known gentlemen of not one-quarter yourpretensions tarmed gin'rals, out west. I've hunted on the prer-ies thesetwenty-five years, and have now crossed the upper lakes six times, andknow what is due to a gentleman as well as any man. And so, as I wassayin', Colonel Littlepage, was men to _talk_ of each other out on theprer-ies as they _print_ of each other down here among themeetin'-'uses, scalps would be so plenty as to fall considerable invalie. I'm not at all spiteful, but my feelin's has been r'iled at onlyjust _hearin_' 'em things _read_, for, as for reading myself, that's athing I never condescended to. This somewhat prepared me for findin'things different as I got deeper into the settlement, and I've not beendisapp'inted so far as them expectations went--it's the old idee that'sbeen crossed."
"I am not astonished to hear this, and agree with you entirely inthinking that the nations which can withstand a press of which thegeneral character is as degraded as that of this country, must becomposed of beings of a higher order than man. But, to come to business;you must have some notions of these mock savages, and of the peoplecalled anti-renters?"
"Sort o', and sort o' not. I can't understand when a man has agreed topay rent, why he should not pay it. A bargain is a bargain, and the wordof a gentleman is as good as his bond."
"These opinions would surprise some among us, a few legislatorsincluded. _They_ appear to think that the moral test of every engagementis whether the parties like it or not."
"One word, if you please, colonel. Do they give in as much to complaintsof the owners of the sile as to the complaints of them that hire theland in order to work it?"
"Not at all. The complaints of the landlords would not find a singlesympathetic chord in the breast of the softest-hearted politician inAmerica, let them be ever so well-founded. Surely, _you_, who are arover on the prairies, can have no great respect for land titles?"
"The prer-ie is the prer-ie, colonel, and men live and act by prer-ielaw on prer-ie ground. But right is right, too, colonel, as well asprer-ie is prer-ie; and I like to see it prevail. I do not think youwill find a redskin among all the chiefs who are asleep under that roofwho will not give his voice again flying from the tarms of a solemnbargain. A man must be well steeped in the ways of the law, I shouldjudge, to bring his mind to such an act."
"Do these red-men, then, know anything of the nature of the difficultiesthat exist here?"
"They have heard on 'em, and have talked a good deal together on thesubject. It's opposyte to the very natur' of an Indian, like, to agreeto one thing, and to do another. But, here is a Chippewa, who is on thelookout. I will ask him a question, and you shall hear his answer."
Manytongues now spoke to the sentinel, who was sauntering near. After abrief exchange of questions and answers in the tongue of the latter, theinterpreter communicated what had passed.
"This Chippewa has heard somewhere," he said, "that there are folks inthis part of the world who get into wigwams, by agreeing to pay rent forthem, and, when once in possession, they want to fly from theiragreements, and make the man they got it from prove his right to it. Isthat true, colonel?"
"It is true, out of all question, and not only do the tenants wish toenact this treachery, but they have found others, that call themselveslegislators, who are willing to sustain them in the fraud. It is much asif you should borrow, or hire a rifle for a day's sporting, and when theman who let you have it, came to claim it at night, you should tell himto prove he was the right owner."
"What's that to me? I got the rifle of him; have no right but such as hehad; and am bound to stand by my bargain. No, no, colonel; not a redskinon the prer-ies but would revolutionize at that! But what may havebrought you here,
at this time o' night? Them that sleep in beds, don'tlike to quit them till mornin' comes to tell 'em to rise."
I then gave Manytongues an account of the visit I had received, withoutmentioning the name of Opportunity, however, and related the nature ofthe warning I had heard. The interpreter was in nowise disturbed at thisprospect of a collision with the Injins, against whom he had a grudge,not only on account of the little affair of the preceding day, butmainly in consequence of their having brought real savages intodiscredit, by the craven and clumsy manner in which they had carried outtheir imitation.
"Nothin' better is to be expected from such critturs," he observed,after we had discussed the matter together, at some little length,"though fire is held to be lawful warfare, even on the prer-ies. For mypart, I'm not at all sorry there is something to do; nor will my chiefsbe melancholy on this account, for it is dull work to be doing nothing,for months and months at a time, but smoking at councils, makingspeeches to folks who live by talking, and eating and drinking. Activityis the natur' of a prer-ie man, and he's always glad to pick his flint,after a spell of considerable quiet. I'll tell the Chippewa to step inand bring out the redskins, a'ter which you can give your orders."
"I could wish watchfulness rather than violence. The men can lie inwatch, near the principal buildings, and it might be well to have somewater ready, to extinguish any flames that may be lighted, before theyget too far ahead."
"Just as you say, colonel, for you are my captain-general. But I cantell you how I did once, out on the prer-ies, when I caught a rascal ofa Sioux blowing a fire he had kindled at one of my own lodges. I justlaid him on the flames, and let him put them out himself by bleeding onthem."
"We must have no violence, unless it become indispensable to save thebuildings. The law will not justify us in using our arms, except in theleast extremity. Prisoners I wish you to take; for they may serve ashostages, besides furnishing examples to intimidate other offenders. Irely on you to give due warning to our red friends on this subject."
The interpreter gave a sort of grunt, but he said nothing. Theconversation went no farther, however, just then; for, by this time, theIndians came stealing out of the house, every man of them armed, lookingdusky, prepared and full of wariness. Manytongues did not keep themlong, but soon told his story. After this, his authority appeared, in agreat measure, to cease. Flintyheart was now the most prominent of theparty, though Prairiefire, and another warrior, were also connected withthe orders given to the rest. I observed that Eaglesflight had no partin these arrangements, which were peculiarly military, though heappeared armed and ready, and went forth on the sudden call, like therest. In five minutes, the Indians were all off, principally in pairs,leaving the interpreter and myself still standing together, in front ofthe deserted house.
It was, by this time, past one o'clock, and I thought it probable myenemies would soon appear, if they came that night. Accompanied by theinterpreter, I took the way toward the Nest House, it occurring to methat arms might be wanted, in the course of the morning. On quitting myroom, the rifle and pistol provided by John had been left there, and Ithought of stealing into the house again, obtaining those weapons,extinguish my light, and rejoin my present companion, without givingalarm to any of the sleepers.
This plan was successfully executed, so far as ascending to my room anddescending to the door were concerned, but there it met with aninterruption. While in the very act of closing the little postern, as weused to call it, by way of pleasantry, I felt a small soft hand laid onthe one of my own which was drawing-to the door after me. In an instantI had turned, and was at the side of Mary Warren. I expressed mysurprise at finding her still up, and concern lest she might suffer inhealth, in consequence of so much unusual watchfulness.
"I could not sleep after what has passed to-night," she answered,"without knowing the meaning of all these movements. I have been lookingfrom my window, and saw you assist Opportunity to get on her horse, andafterward walk toward the old farm-house, where the Indians are lodged.Tell me, frankly, Mr. Littlepage, is there any danger to beapprehended?"
"I shall be frank with you, Mary"--how easy and pleasant it was to me touse this gentle familiarity, which might now be assumed withoutappearing to be presumptuous, under all the circumstances of ourintercourse; "I shall be frank with you, Mary; for I know that yourprudence and self-command will prevent any unnecessary alarm, while yourwatchfulness may be of use. There is some reason to fear the brand."
"The brand!"
"So Opportunity has given me reason to suppose; and I do not think shewould have ridden the distance she did at such an hour, unless herbusiness were serious. The brand is the proper instrument of theanti-renter, and renders his disguise convenient. I have got all thered-men on the lookout, however; and I do not think that mischief can bedone to-night, without its being detected. To-morrow, we can appeal tothe authorities for protection."
"I will not sleep this night!" exclaimed Mary, drawing the light shawlshe wore, as a protection against the air of that summer-night, moreclosely around her person, as a sterner being might be supposed to girdon his armor in a moment of peril. "I care not for rest. They ought not,they _shall_ not, Mr. Littlepage, do you this wrong. Have youapprehensions for this house?"
"One never knows. This house is not easily set fire to from without, andI scarcely think there can be any enemy within. The domestics are oldand tried, and I do not believe that either of them could be bought. Ifeel little apprehension, therefore, from any within, while I confess toa good deal from those without. Fire is such a dreadful foe, and one isusually so helpless against its ravages in the country! I will not askyou to retire, for I know you will not--nay, cannot sleep; but, bypassing from window to window, for the next hour, or until I rejoin you,your mind will be occupied, and possibly some injury might be prevented.An unseen observer from a window might detect an attempt that wouldescape those on the watch without."
"I will do so," said Mary, eagerly; "and should I discover anything, Iwill open a leaf of the shutter of my own room. You can then see thelight of the candle within, and by coming at once to this door, you willfind me here, ready to let you know my discovery."
With this understanding they parted, but not until I had shaken handsaffectionately with this gentle-looking, but really resolute andclear-headed girl. I rejoined Manytongues, who stood in the shadows ofthe piazza, where there was no possibility of his being seen, except byone quite near his person. After a brief explanation, we parted, onetaking the north side of the buildings, and the other the south, inorder to make certain no incendiary was at work on either of the wings.
The Nest House was much less exposed to attempts like those weapprehended, than most American dwellings. The structure being of stone,left but little inflammable material accessible; and the doors, on theexterior, were only two--those already mentioned. There was a greatgate, it is true; one large enough to admit a cart into the inner court,on the southern face of the wing, beneath the arch of which anincendiary might, indeed, make his attempt, though a practised roguewould at once see the difficulties. Little wood was even there, beyondthat of the massive gate itself, which, once burnt, would leave nofurther fuel for flames. I examined the place, notwithstanding; andfinding all safe on my side of the building, I went to rejoin theinterpreter, who was to meet me at the foot of a fine beech, whichspread its broad arms over the lawn, at the distance of about a hundredyards from the house, and so nearly in its front, as to afford us, inall respects, the most eligible position for sentinels on duty likeours, far or near.
At the foot of that beech I found Manytongues, and the deep obscurity inwhich his form was embedded, was, of itself, a high recommendation ofthe position. I did not see him until almost near enough to touch him.He was seated on a bench, and seemed entirely at his ease, like oneaccustomed to ambushes, vigilance, and midnight assaults. We exchangedreports, ascertained all was well, and then I took my seat at theinterpreter's side, willing to beguile the time by such discourse asoccurred to m
y mind.
"That was a most interesting scene, last evening," I remarked; "theinterview between Old Trackless and your red companions! I own a livelycuriosity to know what particular claim our aged friend has on thosedistant tribes, that chiefs of note have come so far to see him?"
"They have not come all the way from the prer-ies, to this spot, on anysuch ar'n'd, though I do not question their readiness to do so. In thefirst place, old age, when accompanied by wisdom, and sobriety, and agood character, goes a great way with savages, in gin'ral. But there issomething partic'lar about the acts of Susquesus that I do not know,which raises him higher than common in redskin eyes. I intend to l'arnwhat it is before we quit this country."
A pause succeeded; then I spoke of the "prer-ies," as almost all westernmen pronounce the word. I drew such an outline of the life as I supposedmy companion passed there, thinking it might be agreeable to hear hisown habits and enjoyments extolled.
"I'll tell you how it is, colonel," returned the interpreter, with alittle show of feeling; much more than he had previously manifested onany occasion during our short acquaintance; "yes, I'll jist tell you howit is. Prer-ie life is delightsome to them that loves freedom andjustice."
"Freedom I can understand," said I, interrupting him, in mysurprise--"but as for justice, I should think that laws are absolutelynecessary."
"Ay, that's a settlement idee, I know, but it's not as true as somesupposes. There is no court and jury like _this_, colonel," slapping thebreech of his rifle with energy, "and eastern powder conspired withGalena lead makes the best of attorneys. I've tried both, and speak onsartainty. Law druv' me out on the prer-ies, and love for them keeps methere. Down this-a-way, you're neither one thing nor tuther--law norrifle; for, if you _had_ law, as law _ought_ to be, you and I wouldn'tbe sitting here, at this time of night, to prevent your mock Injins fromsetting fire to your houses and barns."
There was only too much truth in this last position of thestraightforward interpreter to be gainsaid. After making some properallowances for the difficulties of the case, and the unexpectedcircumstances, no impartial man could deny that the laws had beentrifled with, or things never would have reached the pass they had: asManytongues affirmed, we had neither the protection of the law, nor theuse of the rifle. It ought to be written in letters of brass in all thehighways and places of resort in the country, that A STATE OF SOCIETYWHICH PRETENDS TO THE PROTECTION THAT BELONGS TO CIVILIZATION, AND FAILSTO GIVE IT, ONLY MAKES THE CONDITION OF THE HONEST PORTION OF THECOMMUNITY SO MUCH THE WORSE, BY DEPRIVING IT OF THE PROTECTION CONFERREDBY NATURE, WITHOUT SUPPLYING THE SUBSTITUTE. I dare say the interpreterand I sat an hour under that tree, conversing in low voices, on suchmatters and things as came uppermost in our minds. There was a good dealof true prer-ie philosophy in the opinions of my companion, which ismuch as if one should say his notions were a mixture of clear naturaljustice and strong local prejudices. The last sentiment he uttered wasso very characteristic as to merit particular notice.
"I'll tell you how it is, colonel," he said, "right is right, andnonsense is nonsense. If so be, we should happen to catch one of thesemocking rascals firing your house or barn, it would be a smart chance atjustice to settle things on the spot. If I had _my_ way, I should justtie the fellow, hands and feet, and toss him into the flames to help himalong with his own work. A rascal makes the best of kindling wood!"
Just at that instant I saw an upper leaf of the inside shutter of MaryWarren's room open, for my eye was resting on the window at that verymoment. The light had been brought so near the opening as plainly toshow the change, leaving no doubt that my fair sentinel within had madesome important discovery. At such a summons I could not hesitate; but,telling Manytongues to continue his watchfulness, I went across the lawnwith the steps of youth and haste. In two minutes my hand was on thelatch of the little door; and in two seconds more it was open, and Ifound myself standing in front of Mary Warren. A gesture from her handinduced me to be cautious, and closing the door silently, I asked anexplanation.
"Speak not too loud," whispered the anxious girl, preserving a wonderfulself-command, nevertheless, for the extraordinary circumstances in whichshe was placed. "I have discovered them; they are here!"
"Here!--not in the house, surely?"
"In the house itself!--in the kitchen, where they are kindling a fire onthe floor at this instant. Come quickly--there is not a moment to lose."
It may be well to explain here the arrangement of the kitchen andoffices, in order to render what is to follow the more intelligible. Thegateway mentioned cut the southern wing of the house into two equalparts, the chambers, however, extending the whole length, and of coursepassing over it. On the western side of this gateway were certainoffices connected with the eating-rooms, and those eating-roomsthemselves. On the eastern side were the kitchen, servants' hall,scullery, etc., and a flight of narrow stairs that led to the chambersoccupied by the domestics. The outside door to this latter portion ofthe building was beneath the arch of the gateway, one corresponding toit opening on its opposite side, and by means of which the service wasordinarily made. There was a court, environed on three of its sides bythe main edifice, and by two long, low wings that have been so oftenmentioned, while it was open on the fourth to the cliff. This cliff waslow land, while it was nearly perpendicular, it was possible for anactive man to ascend, or even to descend it, by clinging to the rocks,which were sufficiently ragged to admit of such an adventure. When a boyI had done both fifty times, and it was a somewhat common experimentamong the male domestics and hirelings of the household. It occurred tome at once that the incendiaries had most probably entered the house byascending the cliff, the kitchen of itself furnishing all the materialsto light a conflagration.
The reader will be assured that, after receiving the startlingcommunication of Mary Warren, I did not stop to discuss all thesematters with her. My first impulse was to desire her to run to thebeech, and bid Manytongues join me, but she refused to quit my side.
"No--no--no. You must not go to the kitchen alone," she said, hurriedly."There are _two_ of them, and desperate looking wretches are they, withtheir faces blackened, and they have muskets. No--no--no. Come, _I_ willaccompany you."
I hesitated no longer, but moved forward, Mary keeping close at my side.Fortunately, I had brought the rifle with me, and the revolving pistolwas in my pocket. We went by the eating-rooms and offices, the coursetaken by Mary herself on her watch; and who, in looking through a smallwindow of one of the last, that opened beneath the gateway, haddiscovered what was going on, by means of a similar window in thekitchen. As we went, the noble girl told me that she had kept movingthrough the lower rooms of the whole house during the time I had been onwatch out of doors, and attracted by the light that gleamed throughthese windows, she had distinctly seen two men, with blackened faces,kindling a fire in a corner of the kitchen, where the flames must sooncommunicate with the stairs, by means of which they would speedily reachthe attics and the wood-work of the roof. Fortunately, the floors of allthat part of the house were made of bricks; that of the servants' hallexcepted, which was a room beyond the narrow passage that contained thestairs. As soon as apprised of the danger, Mary Warren had flown to thewindow of her own room to make the signal to me, and then to the door tomeet me. But three or four minutes had elapsed between the time when shebecame apprised of the danger and that when we were walking hurriedly tothe window beneath the gateway.
A bright light, which shone through the opposite window, announced theprogress made by the incendiaries. Requesting Mary to remain where shewas, I passed through the door, and descended to the pavement of thegateway. The little window beneath the arch was too high for mypurposes, when on that level, but there was a row of low windows thatopened on the court. To one of these I moved swiftly, and got a clearview of all that was passing within.
"There they are!" exclaimed Mary, who, neglectful of my request, stillkept close at my side. "Two men with blackened faces, and the wood ofwhich they have
made their fire is blazing brightly."
The fire, now I saw it, did not confirm the dread I felt when I had itbefore me only in imagination. The stairway had an open place beneathit, and on the brick floor below had the incendiaries built their pile.It was constructed at the bottom of some of the common wood that wasfound there, in readiness for the wants of the cook in the morning,lighted by coals taken from the fireplace. A considerable pile had beenmade with the wood, which was now burning pretty freely, and the tworascals were busy piling on the chairs when I first saw them. They hadmade a good beginning, and in ten or fifteen minutes longer there is nodoubt that all that portion of the house would have been in flames.
"You said they had muskets," I whispered to Mary. "Do you see them now?"
"No: when I saw them, each held his musket in one hand, and worked withthe other."
I could have shot the villains without difficulty or risk to myself, butfelt deeply averse to taking human life. Still, there was the prospectof a serious struggle before me, and I saw the necessity of obtainingassistance.
"Will you go to my uncle's room, Mary, and tell him to rise immediately.Then to the front door of the house, and call out 'Manytongues, comehere as fast as possible.' It will take but two minutes to do both, andI will watch these rascals in the meantime."
"I dread leaving you here alone with the wretches, Mr. Littlepage,"whispered Mary, gently.
An earnest entreaty on my part, however, induced her to comply; and, nosooner did the dear girl set about the accomplishment of the task, thenshe flew rather than ran. It did not seem to me a minute ere I heard hercall to the interpreter. The night was so still, that, sweet as werethose tones, and busy as were the incendiaries, they heard them too; orfancied they heard something which alarmed them. They spoke to eachother, looked intently at their infernal work for a single instant,sought their arms, which were standing in the corner of the kitchen, andwere evidently preparing to depart.
The crisis was near. There was not time to receive assistance before thetwo fellows would be out, and I must either meet them in conflict, orsuffer them to escape. My first impression was to shoot down the leadingman, and grapple with the other ere he had time to prepare his arms. Buta timely thought prevented this hazardous step. The incendiaries wereretiring, and I had a doubt of the legality of killing a retreatingfelon. I believed that _my_ chances before a jury would be far less thanthose of an ordinary pickpocket, or highway robber, and had heard andread enough to be certain there were thousands around me who would fancyit a sufficient moral provocation for all which had passed, that I heldthe fee of farms that other men desired to possess.
A majority of my countrymen will scout this idea as forced andimprobable. But, majorities are far from being infallible in theirjudgments. Let any discreet and observant man take a near view of thatwhich is daily going on around him. If he do not find in men thisdisposition to distort principles, to pervert justice, and to attaintheir ends regardless of the means, then will I admit I do notunderstand human nature, as human nature exhibits its deformity in thisblessed republic of ours.
There was no time to lose, however; and the course I actually decided totake will be soonest told by relating things as they occurred. I heardthe door open, and was ready for action. Whether the incendiariesintended to retreat by the cliff, or to open the gate, which was barredwithin, I could not tell; but I was ready for either alternative.
No sooner did I hear a step on the pavement of the gateway than Idischarged my rifle in the air. This was done as an alarm-signal.Clubbing the piece, I sprang forward, and felled the foremost of the twowith a sharp blow on his hat. The fellow came down on the pavement likean ox under the axe of the slaughter-house. Dropping the rifle, Ibounded over his body, and grappled with his companion. All this wasdone so rapidly as to take the rascals completely by surprise. Sosudden, indeed, was my assault on the fellow who stood erect, that hewas under the necessity of dropping his rifle, and at it we went,clinched like bears in the death-hug. I was young and active, but myantagonist was the stronger man of the two. He had also the advantage ofbeing practised in wrestling, and I soon went down, my enemy falling ontop of me. Luckily, I fell on the body of the other incendiary, who wasjust beginning to discover signs of consciousness after the crushingblow he had received. My chance would now have been small but forassistance. The incendiary had caught my neck-handkerchief, and wastwisting it to choke me, when I felt a sudden relief. The light of thefire shone through the kitchen doors, rendering everything distinctbeneath the arch. Mary came flying back just in time to rescue me. Witha resolution that did her honor, she caught up the rifle I had dropped,and passed its small end between the bent arms of my antagonist and hisown back, raising it at the same time like a lever. In the briefinterval of breathing this ready expedient gave me, I rallied my force,caught my enemy by the throat, made a desperate effort, threw him off,and over on his side, and was on my feet in an instant. Drawing thepistol, I ordered the rascal to yield, or to take the consequences. Thesight of this weapon secured the victory, the black-faced villainshrinking back into a corner, begging piteously not to be shot. At thenext moment, the interpreter appeared under the arch, followed by astream of redskins, which had been turned in this direction by the alarmgiven by my rifle.