ilized give over fighting, then even the red Indians
may be persuaded to follow their example. As for their methods of
warfare, they are but the counterparts of those practised by our own
savage ancestors a few centuries ago; while in their torture of
captives they are only reproducing the acts of civilized Romans,
mediaeval knights, and the Holy Inquisition. It is not long since,
even in England, Elizabeth Gaunt was burned to death at Tyburn for
yielding to the dictates of compassion and giving shelter to a
political offender; nor are the cries for mercy of the martyrs tortured
at Smithfield stakes yet forgotten. The torture of New England witches
is recent history, while the dismal record of devilish tortures
inflicted by white men upon Indian captives is unbroken from the days
of Columbus. Did not Frontenac cause an Iroquois warrior to be burned
alive in order to terrorize his fellows? Did not--"

The honest major was so warmed to his subject that he might have
discoursed upon it indefinitely, had he not been startlingly
interrupted. He and his wife were retracing their steps toward the
house, and, as before, the Scotch maid, with her toddling charge, was
some paces behind them. At a wild scream from the girl those in
advance turned in time to see the flying form of a young Indian, who
had just emerged from the near-by forest, fall headlong at her feet.
His naked body was pierced by wounds, and his strength was evidently
exhausted. As he fell, a second Indian, in whose right hand gleamed a
deadly tomahawk, leaped from the woodland shadows, and, with a yell of
triumph, bounded toward his intended victim. He was closely followed
by two others.

As the Scotch girl stood motionless with terror, little Donald,
evidently believing this to be some new form of game provided for his
especial edification, ran forward with a gurgle of delight, stumbled,
and fell directly across the head of the prostrate Indian. But for the
child's sudden movement the keen-bladed hatchet in the hand of the
foremost pursuer, already drawn back for the deadly throw, would have
sped on its fatal mission.

With a cry of anguish Mrs. Hester sprang toward her baby; but quicker
than she, with a leap like that of a panther, Major Hester gained the
spot first, snatched up his child, and, over the body of the young
Indian, sternly confronted his scowling pursuers.

CHAPTER II

THE MAJOR GAINS A FRIEND AND MAKES AN ENEMY

For some s