. The faithful Indian's
handsome face betrayed no fear, but it was evident that he had given
up all hopes of deliverance. With eagle eye he watched the ceremonies,
and, as he saw them approach their fatal termination, began to chant
his death-song. Captain Manly understood Indian customs, and telling
certain of his men to make sure of the savages nearest Long Hair, he
gave the signal, and the bullets of the ten unerring marksmen mowing
them down, firing from the other detachments following with deadly
effect.

The panic of the Indians was indescribable; for the firing from so
extended a line gave the impression of a much larger force than had
really attacked them. Their confusion was increased also at seeing
some soldiers issue from the woods, mounted; for the captain had given
orders, in case there was a panic, for a portion of the command
quietly and quickly to take to their horses and pursue the fugitives.
Thinking themselves attacked by superior numbers of both cavalry and
infantry, the Indians were at the mercy of the soldiers, who shot and
sabred them with small opposition.

As soon as Captain Manly saw the effect of the first volley, he said
to Tom,--

"I shall leave Long Hair in your charge."

For with delicate magnanimity he would have Tom be the deliverer of
the noble Indian who had perilled his life for Tom.

The lad needed no second hint, but sprang away, and severed the thongs
that bound his Indian friend to the death-stake.

"Ugh! Tom good friend; big soldier-boy," ejaculated the grateful
Indian.

"Are father and mother safe?" asked Tom.

"In cabin there," replied Long Hair.

Tom hurried forward towards the dwelling, but Long Hair seized him,
saying,--

"Maybe they think you Injun; shoot you!" for his keen eye had caught
sight of the muzzle of a gun pointing at them from out an aperture in
the building. "White chief come soon," he immediately added. "They no
fire at you; see, gun gone."

Scarcely had he uttered these words, when the outer door opened, and
Tom saw his mother standing there, for she had discerned him in the
deepening twilight, and recognized him as her son. Tom, with a bound,
hastened to her, and as she folded him in her arms, and tenderly
kissed him, he inquired,--

"But where is father?"

"Speak softly," she replied, as she led the way to a bed in a corner
of the inner building, on which lay Mr. Jones. "He is wounded," said
she, mournfully, "and is sleeping now. We canno