r he might see me, for his eyes were
fixed on me every moment. I baked his corn cake in the ashes, and gave
it to him. By this time it was dark, but the light from our fire shone
far out into the woods.

"I noticed Red Feather did not watch me so closely, and his eyes would
now and then shut, for he was very tired.

"He leaned forward to light his pipe in the ashes, when instantly,
almost without thinking, I seized the hatchet, and struck him with all
my might.

"With a loud scream, I plunged into the woods toward home. Turning an
instant, I saw Mary spring up, totter, and fall. With another sharp
report came a twinge of pain in my side. Suddenly I fell, and in the
darkness of the woods, they passed on, leaving me stunned and nearly
dead.

"I will not tell you now, my dear Robbie, how I was cared for, and who
brought home little Mary and laid her to rest under the elm, beside
mother--but the bullet that struck me then, I still carry in my side,
and shall as long as I live.

"Many years have passed since that terrible day, but I can never forget
it. As long as the history of this country lasts, Indian Spring will be
remembered, and other boys will listen, with eyes as wide open as
yours, to the tale it has to tell."

* * * * *

Directions for Reading.--Should the second or third paragraph of the
lesson be read the faster?

When do we speak more rapidly--in telling an exciting story, or in
common conversation?

Do our feelings guide us when we speak slowly or rapidly?--when, we
speak quietly or forcibly?

Point out three paragraphs in the lesson that you would read as slowly
as Lesson XIII.; three that you would read more rapidly.

In reading rapidly, be careful not to omit syllables, and not to run
words together. (See Directions for Reading, page 42.)[05]

[05] See Lesson VII.

* * * * *

LESSON XV.

aft, _near the stern of a ship_.

anch'or, _a large iron for holding a ship_.

aimed, _directed or pointed at, as a gun_.

car'tridge, _a small case containing powder and ball_.

mood, _state of mind; temper_.

sul'try, _very hot_.

cleav'ing, _cutting through; dividing_.

dis cov'ered, _found out; seen clearly_.

buoys, _floats, made of wood, hollow iron, or copper_.

re sults', _what follows an act_.

* * * * *

AN ADVENTURE WITH A SHARK.

Our noble ship lay at anchor