The Mohegan Maiden — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

A STRUGGLE IN THE WATER. 25 marked their previous movements, began to paddle back to- ward the distant shore from which they had emerged. *“ We'll let them go, Christian,” exclaimed Turner, with sub- dued joy. “We have slain enough of them, and if they Will go their own way, we will let them do so in peace. We've certainly taught them a lesson, and in future they will be more careful how they meddle with your people, as well as my own.” “That true,” remarked the Mohegan, as he gazed rather wistfully after the retreating boat-load of Narragansetts. “Me | like one more scalp! Me have him!’ He bounded down to the margin of the river, sprung into the canoe, and pushed it out to where the body of an Indian was still floating. It was the last oné which had fallen from — the boat, and he was much nearer the shore than at the mo- ment of meeting his fate. Christian noticed nothing detained in the appearance of the Indian, and the impetus of his boat carried it nearly to the floating body. He was already reaching over to grasp the 8calp- nto of the Narragansett, when he became conscious that ‘the eyes which hehad seen a moment before, fast. closed, Were open. Before he had time to think or realize as to the Meaning of the change, a powerful grasp seized the boat and emptied the Mohegan into the water! Christian was naturally astonished at the turn affairs had taken, nor did his astonishment seem likely to end without Sadder results. Almost at the instant he touched water, his Wrist was grasped, and the band containing his knife twisted Under him. ina fearful manner. Conscious: that he could én- dure but for a moment in this 1 manner, Christain did the first thing which occurred to his mind—dr opped the weapon to the bottom of the Connecticut; then with his other hand, he INanaged tg grasp the Narragansett by the scalp-lock, and Pcaine in sittin the head of the savage beneath the sur- ace, But that did not end the strumple One ‘and then the other of the red-men seemed to ttiumph, and it became very un- Certain which would finally succeed. Chance, however, fa- vored Christian. His adv ergary had been wounded, and wag Somewhat weakened from loss of blood. A cramp set in, and comicboolesxconn