neglecting the caution given him, had exposed himself to
the murderous aim of this fierce being, who was apparently
a scout sent for the purpose of watching the movements
of the garrison. The direction of the firing, the allusion
made to the regimentals, nay, the scalp itself, which he
knew from the short crop to be that of a soldier, and
fancied he recognised from its colour to be that of his
servant, formed but too conclusive evidence of the fact;
and, bitterly and deeply, as he gazed on this melancholy
proof of the man's sacrifice of life to his interest,
did he repent that he had made him the companion of his
adventure, or that, having done so, he had not either
brought him away altogether, or sent him instantly back
to the fort. Commiseration for the fate of the unfortunate
Donellan naturally induced a spirit of personal hostility
towards his destroyer; and it was with feelings strongly
excited in favour of him whom he now discovered to be
the brother of his guide, that he saw him spring fiercely
to the attack of his gigantic opponent. There was an
activity about the young chief amply commensurate with
the greater physical power of his adversary; while the
manner in which he wielded his tomahawk, proved him to
be any thing but the novice in the use of the formidable
weapon the other had represented him. It was with a
feeling of disappointment, therefore, which the peculiarity
of his own position could not overcome, he saw Ponteac
interpose himself between the parties.

Presently, however, a subject of deeper and more absorbing
interest than even the fate of his unhappy follower