"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 numerous
out-buildings. The carriage-house, stables, and home-barn were all of
stone also; but a brand thrown into a hay-mow would easily produce a
conflagration. The barns, hay-ricks, etc., on the flats, and near the
dwelling of Miller, were all of wood, according to the custom of the
country, and it was not death to set fire to a barn. The "disguised and
armed" who should commit this last offence would incur no other risk
than that which had already been incurred in carrying out his desperate
plans. I thought of these things for a moment, when I opened a passage
through the currant bushes, intending to pass by a breach in the decayed
fence into the garden, and thus by a private way to the house. To my
astonishment, and in a slight degree to my alarm, a man stood before me
the 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 even
my 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 me
his hand to shake, American fashion, and seemed satisfied. He asked no
question, 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 a
morning between the permitted hours of twelve and three. _Something_ had
brought 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, snoring
on his well-shaken bundles of straw.
At the first touch of my finger, Manytongues awoke, and stood erect. He
recognized me in an instant, dark as was the room, and touching my arm
as a signal to follow, led the way into the open air. After moving out
of ear-shot, he stopped and proceeded to business himself, like one
accustomed to such interruptions.
"Anything stirring to-night?" demanded this frontier-man, with the
coolness of one who was ever ready. "Am I to call my redskins, or is it
only a notice that is to be given?"
"Of that you shall judge for yourself. You doubtless know the condition
of this part of the country, and the troubles that exist on the subject
of the rents paid for the use of the farms. What you saw to-day is a
specimen of the scenes that are now constantly acted among us."
"Colonel, I can't say I do rightly understand the state of things down
hereaway," drawled out the interpreter, after yawning like a hound, and
giving me the most favorite title of the frontiers. "It seems to be
neither one thing nor t'other; nuther tomahawk nor law. I can understand
both of _them_, but this half-and-half sort of thing bothers me, and
puts me out. You ought to have law, or you hadn't ought; but what you
have should be stuck to."
"You mean that you do not find this part of the country either civilized
or savage. Not submitting to the laws, nor yet permitting the natural
appeal to force?"
"Something of that sort. The agent told me, when I came on with this
party of redskins, that I was comin' down into a quarter of the country
where 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 by
that rule; and I can qualify that not a critter has been shot or scalped
since we crossed the Mississippi. Some sich law was necessary among us,
as we came from different and hostile tribes, and nothing would be
easier than to breed a quarrel among ourselves, if a body was so
disposed. But, I must say, that I'm not only disapp'inted myself, but
most 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 hear
folks read them newspapers. The way men talk of each other, in them
things, is wonderful, and to me it's a surprise any's left, at the end
of the year, to begin the same game the next. Why, Colonel
Littlepage----"
"I am no colonel--not even an ensign--you must be confounding me with
some other of my family."
"You _ought_ to be, sir, and I shall not do you the injustice to call
you by any lower title. I've known gentlemen of not one-quarter your
pretensions tarmed gin'rals, out west. I've hunted on the prer-ies these
twenty-five years, and have now crossed the upper lakes six times, and
know what is due to a gentleman as well as any man. And so, as I was
sayin', Colonel Littlepage, was men to _talk_ of each other out on the
prer-ies as they _print_ of each other down here among the
meetin'-'uses, scalps would be so plenty as to fall considerable in
valie. I'm not at all spiteful, but my feelin's has been r'iled at only
just _hearin_' 'em things _read_, for, as for reading myself, that's a
thing I never condescended to. This somewhat prepared me for findin'
things different as I got deeper into the settlement, and I've not been
disapp'inted so far as them expectations went--it's the old idee that's
been crossed."
"I am not astonished to hear this, and agree with you entirely in
thinking that the nations which can withstand a press of which the
general character is as degraded as that of this country, must be
composed 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 people
called anti-renters?"
"Sort o', and sort o' not. I can't understand when a man has agreed to
pay rent, why he should not pay it. A bargain is a bargain, and the word
of a gentleman is as good as his bond."
"These opinions would surprise some among us, a few legislators
included. _They_ appear to think that the moral test of every engagement
is whether the parties like it or not."
"One word, if you please, colonel. Do they give in as much to complaints
of the owners of the sile as to the complaints of them that hire the
land in order to work it?"
"Not at all. The complaints of the landlords would not find a single
sympathetic chord in the breast of the softest-hearted politician in
America, let them be ever so well-founded. Surely, _you_, who are a
rover 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-ie
law on prer-ie ground. But right is right, too, colonel, as well as
prer-ie is prer-ie; and I like to see it prevail. I do not think you
will find a redskin among all the chiefs who are asleep under that roof
who will not give his voice again flying from the tarms of a solemn
bargain. A man must be well steeped in the ways of the law, I should
judge, to bring his mind to such an act."
"Do these red-men, then, know anything of the nature of the difficulties
that exist here?"
"They have heard on 'em, and have talked a good deal together on the
subject. It's opposyte to the very natur' of an Indian, like, to agree
to one thing, and to do another. But, here is a Chippewa, who is on the
lookout. I will ask him a question, and you shall hear his answer."
Manytongues now spoke to the sentinel, who was sauntering near. After a
brief exchange of questions and answers in the tongue of the latter, the
interpreter communicated what had passed.
"This Chippewa has heard somewhere," he said, "that there are folks in
this part of the world who get into wigwams, by agreeing to pay rent for
them, and, when once in possession, they want to fly from their
agreements, and make the man they got it from prove his right to it. Is
that true, colonel?"
"It is true, out of all question, and not only do the tenants wish to
enact this treachery, but they have found others, that call themselves
legislators, who are willing to sustain them in the fraud. It is much as
if you should borrow, or hire a rifle for a day's sporting, and when the
man who let you have it, came to claim it at night, you should tell him
to prove he was the right owner."
"What's that to me? I got the rifle of him; have no right but such as he
had; and am bound to stand by my bargain. No, no, colonel; not a redskin
on the prer-ies but would revolutionize at that! But what may have
brought you here, at this time o' night? Them that sleep in beds, don't
like to quit them till mornin' comes to tell 'em to rise."
I then gave Manytongues an account of the visit I had received, without
mentioning the name of Opportunity, however, and related the nature of
the warning I had heard. The interpreter was in nowise disturbed at this
prospect of a collision with the Injins, against whom he had a grudge,
not only on account of the little affair of the preceding day, but
mainly in consequence of their having brought real savages into
discredit, by the craven and clumsy manner in which they had carried out
their 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 my
part, I'm not at all sorry there is something to do; nor will my chiefs
be melancholy on this account, for it is dull work to be doing nothing,
for months and months at a time, but smoking at councils, making
speeches to folks who live by talking, and eating and drinking. Activity
is 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 in
and bring out the redskins, a'ter which you can give your orders."
"I could wish watchfulness rather than violence. The men can lie in
watch, near the principal buildings, and it might be well to have some
water ready, to extinguish any flames that may be lighted, before they
get too far ahead."
"Just as you say, colonel, for you are my captain-general. But I can
tell you how I did once, out on the prer-ies, when I caught a rascal of
a Sioux blowing a fire he had kindled at one of my own lodges. I just
laid him on the flames, and let him put them out himself by bleeding on
them."
"We must have no violence, unless it become indispensable to save the
buildings. The law will not justify us in using our arms, except in the
least extremity. Prisoners I wish you to take; for they may serve as
hostages, besides furnishing examples to intimidate other offenders. I
rely on you to give due warning to our red friends on this subject."
The interpreter gave a sort of grunt, but he said nothing. The
conversation went no farther, however, just then; for, by this time, the
Indians came stealing out of the house, every man of them armed, looking
dusky, prepared and full of wariness. Manytongues did not keep them
long, but soon told his story. After this, his authority appeared, in a
great measure, to cease. Flintyheart was now the most prominent of the
party, though Prairiefire, and another warrior, were also connected with
the orders given to the rest. I observed that Eaglesflight had no part
in these arrangements, which were peculiarly military, though he
appeared armed and ready, and went forth on the sudden call, like the
rest. In five minutes, the Indians were all off, principally in pairs,
leaving the interpreter and myself still standing together, in front of
the deserted house.
It was, by this time, past one o'clock, and I thought it probable my
enemies would soon appear, if they came that night. Accompanied by the
interpreter, I took the way toward the Nest House, it occurring to me
that arms might be wanted, in the course of the morning. On quitting my
room, the rifle and pistol provided by John had been left there, and I
thought of stealing into the house again, obtaining those weapons,
extinguish my light, and rejoin my present companion, without giving
alarm to any of the sleepers.
This plan was successfully executed, so far as ascending to my room and
descending to the door were concerned, but there it met with an
interruption. While in the very act of closing the little postern, as we
used to call it, by way of pleasantry, I felt a small soft hand laid on
the one of my own which was drawing-to the door after me. In an instant
I had turned, and was at the side of Mary Warren. I expressed my
surprise at finding her still up, and concern lest she might suffer in
health, 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 looking
from my window, and saw you assist Opportunity to get on her horse, and
afterward walk toward the old farm-house, where the Indians are lodged.
Tell me, frankly, Mr. Littlepage, is there any danger to be
apprehended?"
"I shall be frank with you, Mary"--how easy and pleasant it was to me to
use this gentle familiarity, which might now be assumed without
appearing to be presumptuous, under all the circumstances of our
intercourse; "I shall be frank with you, Mary; for I know that your
prudence and self-command will prevent any unnecessary alarm, while your
watchfulness 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 she
would have ridden the distance she did at such an hour, unless her
business were serious. The brand is the proper instrument of the
anti-renter, and renders his disguise convenient. I have got all the
red-men on the lookout, however; and I do not think that mischief can be
done to-night, without its being detected. To-morrow, we can appeal to
the authorities for protection."
"I will not sleep this night!" exclaimed Mary, drawing the light shawl
she wore, as a protection against the air of that summer-night, more
closely around her person, as a sterner being might be supposed to gird
on 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 you
apprehensions for this house?"
"One never knows. This house is not easily set fire to from without, and
I scarcely think there can be any enemy within. The domestics are old
and tried, and I do not believe that either of them could be bought. I
feel little apprehension, therefore, from any within, while I confess to
a good deal from those without. Fire is such a dreadful foe, and one is
usually so helpless against its ravages in the country! I will not ask
you to retire, for I know you will not--nay, cannot sleep; but, by
passing 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 would
escape those on the watch without."
"I will do so," said Mary, eagerly; "and should I discover anything, I
will open a leaf of the shutter of my own room. You can then see the
light of the candle within, and by coming at once to this door, you will
find me here, ready to let you know my discovery."
With this understanding they parted, but not until I had shaken hands
affectionately with this gentle-looking, but really resolute and
clear-headed girl. I rejoined Manytongues, who stood in the shadows of
the piazza, where there was no possibility of his being seen, except by
one quite near his person. After a brief explanation, we parted, one
taking the north side of the buildings, and the other the south, in
order to make certain no incendiary was at work on either of the wings.
The Nest House was much less exposed to attempts like those we
apprehended, than most American dwellings. The structure being of stone,
left but little inflammable material accessible; and the doors, on the
exterior, were only two--those already mentioned. There was a great
gate, 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 an
incendiary might, indeed, make his attempt, though a practised rogue
would at once see the difficulties. Little wood was even there, beyond
that of the massive gate itself, which, once burnt, would leave no
further fuel for flames. I examined the place, notwithstanding; and
finding all safe on my side of the building, I went to rejoin the
interpreter, who was to meet me at the foot of a fine beech, which
spread its broad arms over the lawn, at the distance of about a hundred
yards from the house, and so nearly in its front, as to afford us, in
all respects, the most eligible position for sentinels on duty like
ours, far or near.
At the foot of that beech I found Manytongues, and the deep obscurity in
which his form was embedded, was, of itself, a high recommendation of
the 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 one
accustomed to ambushes, vigilance, and midnight assaults. We exchanged
reports, ascertained all was well, and then I took my seat at the
interpreter's side, willing to beguile the time by such discourse as
occurred to my mind.
"That was a most interesting scene, last evening," I remarked; "the
interview between Old Trackless and your red companions! I own a lively
curiosity to know what particular claim our aged friend has on those
distant 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 any
such ar'n'd, though I do not question their readiness to do so. In the
first place, old age, when accompanied by wisdom, and sobriety, and a
good character, goes a great way with savages, in gin'ral. But there is
something 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'arn
what it is before we quit this country."
A pause succeeded; then I spoke of the "prer-ies," as almost all western
men pronounce the word. I drew such an outline of the life as I supposed
my companion passed there, thinking it might be agreeable to hear his
own habits and enjoyments extolled.
"I'll tell you how it is, colonel," returned the interpreter, with a
little show of feeling; much more than he had previously manifested on
any occasion during our short acquaintance; "yes, I'll jist tell you how
it is. Prer-ie life is delightsome to them that loves freedom and
justice."
"Freedom I can understand," said I, interrupting him, in my
surprise--"but as for justice, I should think that laws are absolutely
necessary."
"Ay, that's a settlement idee, I know, but it's not as true as some
supposes. There is no court and jury like _this_, colonel," slapping the
breech of his rifle with energy, "and eastern powder conspired with
Galena lead makes the best of attorneys. I've tried both, and speak on
sartainty. Law druv' me out on the prer-ies, and love for them keeps me
there. Down this-a-way, you're neither one thing nor tuther--law nor
rifle; for, if you _had_ law, as law _ought_ to be, you and I wouldn't
be sitting here, at this time of night, to prevent your mock Injins from
setting fire to your houses and barns."
There was only too much truth in this last position of the
straightforward interpreter to be gainsaid. After making some proper
allowances for the difficulties of the case, and the unexpected
circumstances, no impartial man could deny that the laws had been
trifled with, or things never would have reached the pass they had: as
Manytongues affirmed, we had neither the protection of the law, nor the
use of the rifle. It ought to be written in letters of brass in all the
highways and places of resort in the country, that A STATE OF SOCIETY
WHICH PRETENDS TO THE PROTECTION THAT BELONGS TO CIVILIZATION, AND FAILS
TO GIVE IT, ONLY MAKES THE CONDITION OF THE HONEST PORTION OF THE
COMMUNITY SO MUCH THE WORSE, BY DEPRIVING IT OF THE PROTECTION CONFERRED
BY NATURE, WITHOUT SUPPLYING THE SUBSTITUTE. I dare say the interpreter
and I sat an hour under that tree, conversing in low voices, on such
matters and things as came uppermost in our minds. There was a good deal
of true prer-ie philosophy in the opinions of my companion, which is
much as if one should say his notions were a mixture of clear natural
justice and strong local prejudices. The last sentiment he uttered was
so very characteristic as to merit particular notice.
"I'll tell you how it is, colonel," he said, "right is right, and
nonsense is nonsense. If so be, we should happen to catch one of these
mocking rascals firing your house or barn, it would be a smart chance at
justice to settle things on the spot. If I had _my_ way, I should just
tie the fellow, hands and feet, and toss him into the flames to help him
along 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 Mary
Warren's room open, for my eye was resting on the window at that very
moment. The light had been brought so near the opening as plainly to
show the change, leaving no doubt that my fair sentinel within had made
some important discovery. At such a summons I could not hesitate; but,
telling Manytongues to continue his watchfulness, I went across the lawn
with the steps of youth and haste. In two minutes my hand was on the
latch of the little door; and in two seconds more it was open, and I
found myself standing in front of Mary Warren. A gesture from her hand
induced me to be cautious, and closing the door silently, I asked an
explanation.
"Speak not too loud," whispered the anxious girl, preserving a wonderful
self-command, nevertheless, for the extraordinary circumstances in which
she 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 on
the 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 and
offices, in order to render what is to follow the more intelligible. The
gateway mentioned cut the southern wing of the house into two equal
parts, the chambers, however, extending the whole length, and of course
passing over it. On the western side of this gateway were certain
offices connected with the eating-rooms, and those eating-rooms
themselves. On the eastern side were the kitchen, servants' hall,
scullery, etc., and a flight of narrow stairs that led to the chambers
occupied by the domestics. The outside door to this latter portion of
the building was beneath the arch of the gateway, one corresponding to
it opening on its opposite side, and by means of which the service was
ordinarily made. There was a court, environed on three of its sides by
the main edifice, and by two long, low wings that have been so often
mentioned, while it was open on the fourth to the cliff. This cliff was
low land, while it was nearly perpendicular, it was possible for an
active 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 boy
I had done both fifty times, and it was a somewhat common experiment
among the male domestics and hirelings of the household. It occurred to
me at once that the incendiaries had most probably entered the house by
ascending the cliff, the kitchen of itself furnishing all the materials
to light a conflagration.
The reader will be assured that, after receiving the startling
communication of Mary Warren, I did not stop to discuss all these
matters with her. My first impulse was to desire her to run to the
beech, 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, with
their faces blackened, and they have muskets. No--no--no. Come, _I_ will
accompany 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 pistol
was in my pocket. We went by the eating-rooms and offices, the course
taken by Mary herself on her watch; and who, in looking through a small
window of one of the last, that opened beneath the gateway, had
discovered what was going on, by means of a similar window in the
kitchen. As we went, the noble girl told me that she had kept moving
through the lower rooms of the whole house during the time I had been on
watch out of doors, and attracted by the light that gleamed through
these windows, she had distinctly seen two men, with blackened faces,
kindling a fire in a corner of the kitchen, where the flames must soon
communicate with the stairs, by means of which they would speedily reach
the attics and the wood-work of the roof. Fortunately, the floors of all
that part of the house were made of bricks; that of the servants' hall
excepted, which was a room beyond the narrow passage that contained the
stairs. As soon as apprised of the danger, Mary Warren had flown to the
window of her own room to make the signal to me, and then to the door to
meet me. But three or four minutes had elapsed between the time when she
became apprised of the danger and that when we were walking hurriedly to
the window beneath the gateway.
A bright light, which shone through the opposite window, announced the
progress made by the incendiaries. Requesting Mary to remain where she
was, I passed through the door, and descended to the pavement of the
gateway. The little window beneath the arch was too high for my
purposes, when on that level, but there was a row of low windows that
opened on the court. To one of these I moved swiftly, and got a clear
view of all that was passing within.
"There they are!" exclaimed Mary, who, neglectful of my request, still
kept close at my side. "Two men with blackened faces, and the wood of
which they have made their fire is blazing brightly."
The fire, now I saw it, did not confirm the dread I felt when I had it
before me only in imagination. The stairway had an open place beneath
it, 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 was
found there, in readiness for the wants of the cook in the morning,
lighted by coals taken from the fireplace. A considerable pile had been
made with the wood, which was now burning pretty freely, and the two
rascals were busy piling on the chairs when I first saw them. They had
made a good beginning, and in ten or fifteen minutes longer there is no
doubt 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 with
the other."
I could have shot the villains without difficulty or risk to myself, but
felt deeply averse to taking human life. Still, there was the prospect
of a serious struggle before me, and I saw the necessity of obtaining
assistance.
"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, come
here as fast as possible.' It will take but two minutes to do both, and
I 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, no
sooner did the dear girl set about the accomplishment of the task, then
she flew rather than ran. It did not seem to me a minute ere I heard her
call to the interpreter. The night was so still, that, sweet as were
those tones, and busy as were the incendiaries, they heard them too; or
fancied they heard something which alarmed them. They spoke to each
other, looked intently at their infernal work for a single instant,
sought their arms, which were standing in the corner of the kitchen, and
were evidently preparing to depart.
The crisis was near. There was not time to receive assistance before the
two fellows would be out, and I must either meet them in conflict, or
suffer them to escape. My first impression was to shoot down the leading
man, and grapple with the other ere he had time to prepare his arms. But
a timely thought prevented this hazardous step. The incendiaries were
retiring, and I had a doubt of the legality of killing a retreating
felon. I believed that _my_ chances before a jury would be far less than
those of an ordinary pickpocket, or highway robber, and had heard and
read enough to be certain there were thousands around me who would fancy
it a sufficient moral provocation for all which had passed, that I held
the fee of farms that other men desired to possess.
A majority of my countrymen will scout this idea as forced and
improbable. But, majorities are far from being infallible in their
judgments. Let any discreet and observant man take a near view of that
which is daily going on around him. If he do not find in men this
disposition to distort principles, to pervert justice, and to attain
their ends regardless of the means, then will I admit I do not
understand human nature, as human nature exhibits its deformity in this
blessed republic of ours.
There was no time to lose, however; and the course I actually decided to
take will be soonest told by relating things as they occurred. I heard
the door open, and was ready for action. Whether the incendiaries
intended to retreat by the cliff, or to open the gate, which was barred
within, 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 I
discharged my rifle in the air. This was done as an alarm-signal.
Clubbing the piece, I sprang forward, and felled the foremost of the two
with a sharp blow on his hat. The fellow came down on the pavement like
an ox under the axe of the slaughter-house. Dropping the rifle, I
bounded over his body, and grappled with his companion. All this was
done so rapidly as to take the rascals completely by surprise. So
sudden, indeed, was my assault on the fellow who stood erect, that he
was 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 my
antagonist was the stronger man of the two. He had also the advantage of
being practised in wrestling, and I soon went down, my enemy falling on
top of me. Luckily, I fell on the body of the other incendiary, who was
just beginning to discover signs of consciousness after the crushing
blow he had received. My chance would now have been small but for
assistance. The incendiary had caught my neck-handkerchief, and was
twisting it to choke me, when I felt a sudden relief. The light of the
fire shone through the kitchen doors, rendering everything distinct
beneath the arch. Mary came flying back just in time to rescue me. With
a 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 his
own back, raising it at the same time like a lever. In the brief
interval 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 the
pistol, I ordered the rascal to yield, or to take the consequences. The
sight of this weapon secured the victory, the black-faced villain
shrinking back into a corner, begging piteously not to be shot. At the
next moment, the interpreter appeared under the arch, followed by a
stream of redskins, which had been turned in this direction by the alarm
given by my rifle.