Year: 1872

willingly your two captives, and we will
depart in peace, leaving you this wretch
to dispose of as you please, or must we
gain possession of the objects which
brought us here by force-by death to
you who are our foes ?p


Another savage yell ascended, as they
exclaimed in a voice: "Deathl DEATH
But the captives escape not while fol-
lower of Hard Heart remains to avenge
his deathp' and with simultaneous
rush the contest began. Four of the
most desperate of their number plunged
forward siezing the two captives and
their faithful preservers, when the three
young men, with the dexterity of well
skilled fencers, warded off the blows
which in a moment more would have
laid them PROSTATE and bleeding. AS
Harry caught the uplifted arm of one
assassin, another struck him a blow
which felled him to the ground, but
scarce was he down ere the murderous
wretch lay beside him groaning in his
death agonies, while Clarence and Rob-
est raised him, seeing him revive, and
finding his wound TO be slight, they left
him TO the care of Lodi and Catherine,
while they returned to the scene of
bloodshed.


Eight of the savages who had deter
mined to avenge their chiefs death al
ready lay dead upon the ground, while
several more were wounded, when
Lemitren, who had always been the
confident of Hard Heart, took the hand
of Many Canoes, saying:


''Let the red chief return to his tribe
He is welcome to the captives; but
leave us the white chief, who is no
friend to us if he could revenge himself
Leave us him, and we are satisfied that
you are brave"


'Tt shall be rs you wish. Though
Many Canoes have lost two of his brav-
est men, still he bears not malice; and as
he has power to take the ca.ptives
whether or not, is more willing to COM
ply with terms of no more bloodshed.
He will see that the pale-face is restored
to her home while he leaves yonder
demon at your mercy. And may your
punishment not be too mildr added
he in q loud voice, looking towards
Norman. "Many Canoes would see
him die ere he leaves, but knowing the
hate which the warlike Natchitoches
bear their enemies, hesitates not to leave
him in their hands,"


During all the slaughter and confusion
Norman had still been kept in bondage,
scarcely daring TO open his mouth,
though in his rage could be fairly heard
the gnashing of those magnificent teeth,
which had always been his pride.


"Wretch! thy career has at last been
run! Thou hast filled the measure of
thy guilt, and the time has at last ar
rived when thou shalt be the one to suf-
fer! Many Canoes would have allowed
himself the pleasure of loosening thy
scalp were il not for the last wish of
White Star, whose young life was
blasted by your accursed presence. But
as I am still her avenger, 1 will leave
you in the hands of those who will show
you no pity, no mercy, but will see you
tortured as you would have had this
pale chief" laying his hand upon Clar-
ence, "but who will bear your innocent
victims in safety to their home, while
you are left to fall into the pit you so
expertly dug for him. Hai ha! ha,
How feelest thou now, hey? Ha! ha!
ha! My peerlest White Star, you are
avengedp' and crossing his large sinewy
arms across his broad breast, Many
Canoes stood cycling the doomed man,
who was caught in his own net.


"Mercy! have mercyw roared the
T now penitent Norman. "Only cut these
bands and let me free and my whole life
shall be devoted to you and your cause"
"Ha! hap sneered Many Canoes.
''My cause is finished, when you are
disposed of, villain! The bands will
give way sooner than you care for,
think; so do not beg, coward The
pale-faee who stole into happy homes
and crushed the trusting hearts which


were sheltered there, thought the heart.
: less act but pleasant amusement, never


thinking or caring for the misery and
desolation which followed; but, now


when he finds himself a helpless victim
sues for mercy, hey? Ha! ha! ha
: Beg for it from the Good Spirit, who
only will show you any" and turning


without paying any heed to the heart
rending petitions and golden offers o
the hapless victim, beckoned to Lod
and Catherine. Obeying, they came


forward, leading Sonora and Rissey
whose radiant countenance displayed
fully her inward feelings.


The NatchitOches in their fanciful eos
tunes were grouped together upon one
. side, cycling their victim with sidelonl


glanees, as they watched Many Canoe


and his friends, whom they now seemed
r to fear.


4 Sonora was supported by Clarence
g with Harry, who had recovered from !
S slight bruise on the shoulder, upon TIN
s other side leaning on the arm of Robert
Behind them stood Lodi and Catherine
;, with Rissey, whose face was beamini
with smiles, between them-thus form
y ing picture striking in contrast, as tn
u happy faces of some betokened the joy o


speedy release from their irksOm
d bondage and their anticipated return &
u their happy home; while the Histories
o countenance of Norman showed plainly