The Mohegan Maiden — page 41: what you’re looking at

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

A CRITICAL POSITION. r 43 Not more than thirty yards of distance separating the parties, it was hardly probable that either would fire in vain, if the mark was well presented. Both parties, therefore, kept carefully concealed, waiting the opportune moment for an attack or retreat. : Archibald used various devices for drawing the Indians’ fire, but without success. The red-men were quite as wary %$ himself, and not easily caught by a trick. ‘Sundry glances which he cast forth very cautiously, as- sured him that they, too, were plotting. And their plot was likely to take a much more definite form than any thing he Could oppose to it. One of their number was moving down the Tavine, so as to flank the scout’s position, while the other Maintained his original tree. In this manner Archibald Must soon be exposed to the aim of one or the other of his adversaries. | How was he to avoid this piece of strategy? Retreat he Could not, as that would invariably expose him to a swift Messenger from one or the other of his foes. There was no Other tree at hand, behind which he could, seek shelter, nor Could he rush upon either of his foes without insuring his.own death. In this case there was but one thing he could do— Wait in his present position and trust his skill to give him the first and a fatal shot. He had not long to wait before the critical moment came. he savage who was gliding from right to left, gained a point Whence he commanded a view of Archibald’s hiding-place. Cre he paused, and leveled his gun. The scout’s movement Was quick, for he realized that life or death hung upon Slender threads. As the Indian bent over his head to take ‘im, he necessarily made something of an exposure of it. Archibald’s gun was upon the niark, and he quickly pulled the trigger. The reports of his rifle and that of the Narragansett, were almost simultaneous, and singular as it might seem, both missed their mark. The scout heard a dull “chunk” close beside him, as bis antagonist’s ball lodged in the huge chest- nut which sheltered him, and his own missive just grazed the Cheek of the savage. The Narragansetts had feared the death-dealing rifle of the Comiclboooks.com