The Mohegan Maiden — page 12: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

14 THE MOHEGAN MAIDEN. paces, until they were tolerably sheltered by the brow of the hill. Then, indicating with a sweeping motion of his hand, tlie route they should take, in case there was any necessity for moving from their present position, he remained with an anxioug gaze fixed in the direction of the river. : Soon the foremost of ‘the expected party broke into view. Archibald uttered an exclamation, and Christian raised him- self a trifle higher, as they realized that it was a fleeing squaw who came first. Close behind her, however, were three Nar- ragansett warriors. The ‘poor female was straining every nerve in the attempt to distance her pursuers, but it was at once apparent to the observers that her efforts were useless ; they were already close upon her, and before many rods had been passed over, she was aguin in their clutches. The cap- live struggled desperately, and it ores of her captors to urge her forward; but, with the power of numbers they hurried her along, and in a short time were lost to view, Then it was that Chiistian turned to Archibald, and while a look of intense earnestness burned upon his Swarthy fea- tures, he caught his white friend by the shoulder, saying, “The Mohegan squaw! She must not go: me take her away |” A | “Ts that a Mohegan maid?’ demanded Archibald, «“T supposed it was one of their own women. How came they with her ?” . Oe “Suppose stole,” was the quick reply, « Shining Star/good squaw; me know her well; me So to get her away; not ask you to go.” | The last sentence was added as he saw Archibald exam- ining the flint to his gun. But the young scout had no idea of allowing his Indian ally to go forth alone to combat three Narragansetts, and so he briefly assured him. “I shall go with you, Christian ; Tam ready.” “So be me,” responded the Mohegan, dashing & quantity of fresh priming into the pan of his piece. “How do you know that the squaw was a Moheean 2” asked Archibald, as they passed over the hill, in the direction taken by the others, “I could not have told at that dis-' tance one from another. “All Indian women look alike to me,” : | comiclbooks.conn-