Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1904-03-18

killed dead Look at him-look at that
scalp! I'd have him killed If l dropped
dead for ii the next instant"
Beverley shuddcred. The argument
was horribly convincing, and yet, some
how. the desire to save Long Hair
overbore everything else in his mind.
He could not cease his efforts. 1t SEEM
ed to him as if he were pleading for
Alice herself. Captain Farnsworth,
strange to say was the only man in the
fort who leaned to Beverley's side, but
he was reticent, doubtless feeling that
his position as British prisoner gave
him no right to speak, especially when
every lip around him was muttering
something about "infamous scalp buy
ers and Indian partisans," with whom
he was prominently counted by the
speakers.
AS Clark had said the die was cast.
Long Hair, bound to n stake, the scalp
still dangling at his side, grimly faced
his eXecutioners. who were eager to
fire. He appeared to be proud of the
fact that he was going to be killed.
zone thing | can say of him." Helm
remarked to Beverley-"he's the grand
est specimen of the ANIMAL might
say the brute-man that l ever saw,
red. white or black. Just look at his
body and limbs, Those muscles are
perfectly marvellous
HE saved my life, and | must stand
here and see him murdered" the young
man replied with intense bitterness.
oil Int ho hi nj al hot
he could say. He felt inefficient and
detected, almost desperate.
Clark himself, not willing to cast re-
sponsbiity upon n subordinate. made
ready to give the fatal order. Turning
to Long Hair first, he demanded of
him as well as he could in the Indian
dialect, of which he had a smattering,
what he had to say at his last moment.
The Indian Strengthened his already
upright form and by a strong bullying
of his muscles snapped the thongs that
bound him. Evidently he had not tried
thus to free himself. 1t was rather a
spasmodic expression of savage digni-
| ty and pride. One arm and both his
legs still were partially confined by the
bonds, but his right hand he lifted,
with gesture of immense self salts
faction, and pointed at Hamilton.
Indian brave; white man coward, "
| he said, scowling scornfully. Long
Hair tell truth; white man lie!'
Hamlton's countenance did not
change its calm, cold expression. Long
Hair gazed at him fixedly for a long
| flo
trated hate and contempt. Then he
tore the scalp from his belt and flung
it with great force straight toward the
captive governors face. 1t fell short,
but the look that went with it did not,
and Hamilton recoiled.
At that moment Alice arrived. Her
coming was just in time to interrupt
Clark, who had turned to the waiting
| platoon with the order of death on his
lips. She made no noise, save the hut-
tering of her skirts and her loud and
rapid painting on account of her long,
hard run. She sprang before Long
Hair and faced the platoon.
you cannot, you shall not kill this
man" she cried in voice loaded with
|
Woman never looked more thrillingly
beautiful to man than she did just
then to all those rough. stern back
woodsmen. During her flight her hail
had fallen down, and it glimmered like
soft sunlight around her face. Some
thing compelling flashed out of her
| eyes, an expression between a trium
| nj % icfi IL
beseechment 1t took Colonel Clark's
breath when he turned and saw heI
standing there and heard her words.
This man saved Lieutenant Bever
ley's life" she presently added, getting
peter control Of her voice and sending
into 1t thrilling timbrs. You shall
not harm him; you must not do it!'
Beverley was astounded when he
saw her. the thing was so unexpected
so daring and done with such high, i'm
perious force. Still 1t was but a real
izatiOn of what he had imagined she
would be upon occasion. He stood gaz
ing at her, as did all the rest, while she
faced Clark and the platoon of rifle
men. To hear his own name pass her
qulN Gil uS ups III lhul lOlt anu III tud
connection seemed to him a consecra
ton.
Would you be more savage thar
your Indian prisoner" she went on
LESS grateful than he for life saved
l did him a small-a very small-serv
ice once, and in memory of that ht
saved Lieutenant Beverley's life, be
cause-because"-she faltered for sin
gle breath, then added clearly and will
magnetic sweetness-"because Lieuten
ant Beverley loved me and because
loved him. This Indian Long Hail
showed a gratitude that could over
come his strongest passion. You white
men should be ashamed to fall below
his standard"
Her words went home. 1t was as Il
the beauty of her face, the magnetism
of her lissome and symmetrical form
the sweet fire of her eyes and the pas
ste 10 of hau