millions of miles of the untrodden plains and forests, which she
could never hope to populate. He had laughed with others at these
claims, and had thought little enough of them when with father and
brother he set out for the western frontier.

There was then peace between the nations. Nor had it entered into
the calculations of the settlers that their white brethren would
stir up the friendly Indians against them, and bring havoc and
destruction to their scattered dwellings. That was a method of
warfare undreamed of a few years back; but it was now becoming a
terrible reality.

"But your life was spared?" said Humphrey at last; "and yet the
scalping-knife came very close to doing its horrid work."

"Yes: they spared me--he spared me--when he had made me suffer what
was tenfold worse than death; yet I wot well he only thought to
leave me to a lingering death of anguish, more terrible than that
of the scalping knife! They knew not that I had any to come to my
succour. When he drew off the howling Indians and left me bound to
the stump, he thought he left me to perish of starvation and
burning thirst. It was no mercy that he showed me--rather a
refinement of cruelty. I begged him to make an end of my wretched
life; but he smiled, and bid me a mocking farewell.

"Great God of heaven and earth, look down and avenge me of mine
adversary! I trust there are not many such fiends in human shape
even in the ranks of the jealous and all-grasping French. But if
there be, may it be mine to carry death and desolation into their
ranks! May they be driven forth from this fair land which they have
helped to desolate! May death and destruction come swiftly upon
them; and when they fall, let them rise up no more!"

"Amen!" said Humphrey solemnly; and the brothers sat in silence for
a great while, the gloom hiding them the one from the other, though
they knew that their hearts were beating in sympathy.

"The war has broken out," said Humphrey at last. "We can perchance
find our place in the ranks of those who go to drive out the
oppressive race, whose claims are such as English subjects will not
tolerate."

"Ay, there will be fighting, fighting, fighting now till they are
driven forth, and till England's flag waves proudly over this great
land!" cried Charles, with a strange confidence and exultation in
his tones. "England will fight, and I will fight with her. I will
slay and slay, and spare not; and I will tell this tale to all