The Mohegan Maiden — page 46: what you’re looking at

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

48 THE MOHEGAN MAIDEN. All his former apathy was gone, and, with a glance like that of a young panther, he drew forth the bow with which he was provided in addition to the gun he carried. Carefully selecting an arrow, he fitted it to the string, and then raised himself with the bow halfbent. The Narragansetts did not perceive the dusky head which rose from behind the bush; nor did they dream of the pres- ence of such a foe, till the arrow Winged its certain flight, and one of their number fell pierced in the breast. Without pausing 4 moment to allow their consternation to subside, the two rescuers grasped their guns, and with loud yells rushed upon the survivors. Utterly taken by surprise, the Narragansetts did not pause for any defense, but fled from the’ spot with al] speed. Most of their weapons were left behind, so that they were in no condition for resistance, even had they felt so inclined. The rescuers, therefore, contented themselves : with discharging their pieces after them, which proceeding tumbled one more of their number upon the ground. Archibald then drew his knife and rushed to the flaming pile, where the unknown stood calmly leaning against the tree. Though the flames were getting uncomfortably stifling, he be- trayed no emotion, but watched the proceedings of his de- liverers in the calmest manner possible. | Only when the cords which confined him were severed, he kicked away the blazing faggots, and remarked as he stepped forth : “Well and splendidly done, young man! You should make arms your profession. Believe me, you would become a splendid strategist, and a daring fighter !” The youth was utterly embarassed. He stood again in the presence of that strange man—stranger now than ever before. - But he felt that.something must be said, and quite confusedly he responded: “I know not, sir, what I might become in Europe, where every thing is reduced to a matter of science and study. But here no amount of military education can fit a man for a con- flict with these red devils.” “Partly right and partly wrong, my young friend. A military education, among other things, inures a man to comicbooks.con