There is no country in Europe that would willingly claim
you for its subject. Nay, even the savage race, with whom
you are now connected, would, if apprised of your true
nature, spurn you as a thing unworthy to herd even with
their wolf-dogs."

A fierce sardonic laugh burst from the lips of the warrior,
but this was so mingled with rage as to give an almost
devilish expression to his features.

"Ignominy--ignominy!" he repeated, while his right hand
played convulsively with the handle of his tomahawk; "is
it for a De Haldimar to taunt me with ignominy? Fool!"
he pursued, after a momentary pause, "you have sealed
your doom." Then abruptly quitting the handle of his
weapon, he thrust his hand into his bosom, and again
drawing forth the reeking scalp of Donellan, he dashed
it furiously in the face of his prisoner. "Not two hours
since," he exclaimed, "I cheered myself with the thought
that the scalp of a De Haldimar was in my pouch. Now,
indeed, do I glory in my mistake. The torture will be
a more fitting death for you."

Had an arm of the insulted soldier been at liberty, the
offence would not have gone unavenged even there; for
such was the desperation of his heart, that he felt he
could have hugged the death struggle with his insolent
captor, notwithstanding the fearful odds, nor quitted
him until one or both should have paid the debt of fierce
enmity with life. As it was he could only betray, by his