"Make haste, massa,--him go directly,--Sambo see him
get up."

All was breathless attention among the group of officers;
and when the sharp ticking sound produced by the cocking
of the rifle of their companion fell on their ears, they
bent their gaze upon the point towards which the murderous
weapon was levelled with the most aching and intense
interest.

"Quick, quick, massa,--him quite up," again whispered
the boy.

The words had scarcely passed his lips, when the crack
of the rifle, followed by a bright blaze of light, sounded
throughout the stillness of the night with exciting
sharpness. For an instant all was hushed; but scarcely
had the distant woods ceased to reverberate the
spirit-stirring echoes, when the anxious group of officers
were surprised and startled by a sudden flash, the report
of a second rifle from the common, and the whizzing of
a bullet past their ears. This was instantly succeeded
by a fierce, wild, and prolonged cry, expressive at once
of triumph and revenge. It was that peculiar cry which
an Indian utters when the reeking scalp has been wrested
from his murdered victim.

"Missed him, as I am a sinner," exclaimed Sir Everard,
springing to his feet, and knocking the butt of his rifle