side. Be very sharp!"

"Yes, I's dar, stringing 'em up," he rejoined, as he turned away.

"Hark!" exclaimed Rosalind, when he had gone. "What noise is that?"

Leland listened awhile, and his heart died within him as he answered:

"Merciful Heaven! the house is on fire! All hope is now gone!"

"Shall we give ourselves up?" hurriedly asked Rosalind.

"No; come with me."

"Hurry up, massa, dey's gwine to roast us. De grease begins to siss in
my face a'ready," said Zeb, as he joined them.

The fugitives retreated to the lower story, and Leland led the way to a
door which opened upon the kitchen, at the end of the house. His hope
was that from this they might have a chance of escaping to the wood, but
a short distance off, ere they were discovered.

Cautiously opening the door, he saw with anxious, hopeful joy, that no
Indians were visible.

"Now, Rosalind," he whispered, "be quick. Make for the nearest trees,
and if you succeed in reaching them, pass to the river-bank and wait for
me. Move softly and rapidly."

Rosalind stepped quickly out. The yells of the infuriated savages
deafened her; but, although fearfully near, she saw none, and started
rapidly forward. Leland watched each step with an agony of fear and
anxiety which cannot be described. The trees were within twenty yards,
and half the distance was passed, when Leland knew that her flight was
discovered. A number of savages darted forward, but a shot from him
stopped the course of the foremost. Taking advantage of the confusion
which this had occasioned, Rosalind sprung away and succeeded in
reaching the cover; but here, upon the very threshold of escape, she was
reached and captured.

"Gorra mighty!" shouted Zeb, as he saw her seized and borne away. "Ef I
don't cowhide ebery nigger of 'em for dat trick."

And clenching his hands he stalked boldly forward and demanded:

"Whar's dat lady? Ef you doesn't want to git into trouble, I calkilate
you'd better bring her back in double-quick time."

Several savages sprung toward him, and Zeb prepared himself for the
struggle. His huge fist felled the first and the second; but ere he
could do further damage he found himself thrown down and bound.

"Well, dar, if dat ain't de meanest trick yet, servin' a decent prisoner
dis way. I'll cowhide ebery one ob you. Oh, dear, I wish I had de whip!"
he muttered, writhing and rolling in helpless rage upon the ground.

Leland had seen this occurrence and taken advanta