the war-whoop, at a considerable distance, and in the
direction of the river. In this impression he was confirmed,
by the sudden upstarting to their feet of the young
Indians to whose custody he had been committed, who now
advanced to the outer edge of the belt of forest, with
the apparent object of obtaining a more unconfined view
of the open ground that lay beyond. The rapid gliding of
spectral forms from the interior of the encampment in
the same direction, denoted, moreover, that the Indians
generally had heard, and were attracted by the same sound.

Presently afterwards, repeated "waughs!" and
"Wacousta!--Wacousta!" from those who had reached the
extreme skirt of the forest, fell on the dismayed ear of
the young officer. It was evident, from the peculiar
tones in which these words were pronounced, that they
beheld that warrior approaching them with some communication
of interest; and, sick at heart, and filled with
irrepressible dismay, Captain de Haldimar felt his pulse
to throb more violently as each moment brought his enemy
nearer to him.

A startling interest was now created among the Indians;
for, as the savage warrior neared the forest, his lips
pealed forth that peculiar cry which is meant to announce
some intelligence of alarm. Scarcely had its echoes died
away in the forest, when the whole of the warriors rushed
from the encampment towards the clearing. Directed by
the sound, Captain de Haldimar bent his eyes upon the
thin skirt of wood that lay immediately before him, and