to be completed. Hitherto he had moved under the friendly
cover of the underwood, the advantage of which had been
to conceal that part of his regimental trousers which
the blanket left exposed; and if he moved forward into
the clearing, the quick glance of an Indian would not be
slow in detecting the difference between these and his
own ruder leggings. There was no alternative now but to
commence his flight from the spot on which he stood; and
for this he prepared himself. At one rapid and comprehensive
view he embraced the immediate localities before him. On
the other side of the ravine he could now distinctly see
the English troops, either planning, as he conceived,
their own attack, or waiting in the hope of drawing the
Indians from their cover. It was evident that to reach
them the ravine must be crossed, unless the more circuitous
route by the bridge, which was hid from his view by an
intervening hillock, should be preferred; but as the
former had been cleared by Wacousta in his ascent, and
was the nearest point by which the detachment could be
approached, to this did he now direct his undivided
attention.

While he yet paused with indecision, at one moment fancying
the time for starting was not yet arrived, and at the
next that he had suffered it to pass away, the powerful
and threatening voice of Wacousta was heard proclaiming
the escape of his captive. Low but expressive exclamations
from the warriors marked their sense of the importance
of the intelligence; and many of them hastily dispersed
themselves in pursuit. This was the critical moment for