for your lives!" cried Henry Waters, who, now that
his work was done, flung aside his iron bar and sledge.

At a word of command from Oracus his warriors formed a hollow square
about the escaping fugitives, and moved off as rapidly as they could.

Everybody was bewildered. Everybody running into the street was asking:

"What has happened? What has gone amiss?"

"They are rescuing the prisoners," shouted Mr. Parris, wildly. "Don't
you see them hurrying away with them."

He ran to the sheriff and cried:

"Bestir yourself! Do you not see they are taking your prisoners away?"

"I have no deputies," answered the sheriff. "They number hundreds, and
the Indians are with them."

"Nonsense! They are only disguised, and are not a dozen. Come! I will go
with you."

Four or five by-standers, being thus emboldened, offered to go
themselves and aid in recovering the prisoners.

"Come! I will lead you!" cried the eager preacher, allowing his zeal to
overcome his discretion.

They ran after the escaping party, and Mr. Parris, either being more
zealous than the others, or more swift of foot, outran them and, eluding
some of the Indians, who tried to intercept him, ran to where Charles
Stevens was half leading and half dragging his mother and Cora from the
village.

"Fire-brand of hades! you shall not escape me," cried Mr. Parris seizing
Cora's shoulder with a clutch so fierce as to make her cry out.

Charles released both his mother and Cora, and, seizing Mr. Parris by
the throat, hurled him to the ground, and raised a hammer to brain him;
but at this moment a strong hand seized his arm, and the calm, kind
voice of Mr. Waters said:

"Stay your hand, Charles. Do the man no harm."

Next moment, a pair of dusky hands seized Mr. Parris, and he was hurried
away to the rear. Mr. Henry Waters caused a couple of guns to be fired
in the air in order to intimidate their pursuers. This had the desired
effect, and the mention of Indians was sufficient to drive all to the
defense of their homes.

The fugitives reached the forest before the sheriff and Mr. Parris could
get an armed party in pursuit.

They followed them to the brook, and fired a volley at them, but in
vain. The number of accused who escaped on that night, has been
estimated at from twenty to one hundred.

CHAPTER XVII.

OUT OF THE FRYING PAN INTO THE FIRE.

Though high the warm, red torrent ran,
Between the flames that lit the sky;
Yet, for