The Mohegan Maiden — page 45: what you’re looking at

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

THE DEATH-FIRE. 47 “JT am willing to trust you,” was the whispered rejoinder ; “but be careful that you do not wait too long.” “Me know when right,” said Christian, shaking his head decidedly. cf] Satisfied that his Mohegan ally would select the proper Moment for an attack, Archibald examined the condition of his gun, and then waited for the progress of events, watching the proceedings of the warriors meantime. While doing so, & new idea struck him, ‘Will there not be other Narragansetts here before they light the fire?” he whispered. “TI ain’t afraid of those five, but if more of them should come, we would have to give up all idea of rescue. Here are as many as it would be prudent for us to fight, even to save+the life of a human being.” “Wo more come,” returned Christian. “Um all here now, have big fun while pale-face roast !” ) Still, Archibald was far from easy. Constantly his eye Scoured the forest about, fearful lest the distance should sud- denly swarm with hostile Indians, coming to defeat his plans, He did not feel that nervous dread now which he had felt a Short time previous; did not reflect how great his chance for death might be in the conflict for which he was so anxious. He only longed to gain the side of that mysterious man, to thank him for the salvation of Hadley, and learn who and What he was. The savages continued to gather in brushwood, and arrange the deadly pile quite deliberately, and Christian, with. keen eyes fixed upon their every movement, lay behind the busby Screen, | At length the preparations were completed, and with a Slance at the fast-sinking sun, the leader of the Indian band . 4pplied fire to the pile. Slowly it blazed up, until Archibald became fearfully excited, and was upon the point of rushing forth alone, to fall upon the exultant throng. But Christian held him back, whispering, “Go purty soon; me tell you when.” | | When assured that their victim was ready for the torture, the Narragansetts formed a broken circle, and began their devilish dancing and shouting. , Then it was that Christian seemed to change his nature, comiicbooks.com