econds the three Indians, who were panting heavily from the
effect of their long chase through the forest, gazed in silence at the
white man who with the child in his arms so fearlessly confronted them.
Then the foremost of them, an evil-looking savage who bore the name of
Mahng (the Diver), motioned the major aside with a haughty wave of the
hand, saying: "Let the white man step from the path of Mahng, that he
may kill this Ottawa dog who thought to escape the vengeance of the
Senecas."

Without retreating an inch from his position, and still holding the
little Donald, who crowed with delight at sight of the Indians, Major
Hester replied:--

"Not even if the whole Seneca tribe demanded it would I allow this man
to be murdered in the presence of my wife. Nor, since my child has
saved his life, will I deliver him into your hands for torture. He has
sought my protection, and it shall be granted him until he is proved
unworthy of it. Let the sachems of your tribe lay this grievance
before Sir William Johnson. If the white chief decides that the
prisoner must be restored to them, and so orders, then will I give him
up, but not before. Now go, ere my young men, who are already
approaching, reach this place and drive you from it with whips, like
yelping curs."

Being sufficiently acquainted with the English language to comprehend
the purport of these remarks, the scowling savage made answer:--

"Who gave the white man the right to step between an Indian and an
Indian? This land is Indian land. The long house in which the white
man dwells belongs to the Indians, as did the forest trees from which
it is built. If the Indian says stay, then may you stay; if he says
go, then must you go. Let one of your young men but lift a hand
against Mahng, and this ground that has known the tread of the white
man shall know it no more forever. His house shall become a hooting
place for owls, and Seneca squaws shall gather the harvest of his
fields. Restore then to Mahng his prisoner, that there may be no bad
blood between him and his white brother."

"Never," replied Major Hester, who was sufficiently versed in the
Indian tongue to catch the general drift of these remarks.

He had hardly uttered the word ere Mahng stooped, darted forward with
deadly intent like a wild serpent, and sought to bury his gleaming
hatchet in the brain of his still prostrate foe.

Like a flash the major's strong right foot shot out; the heavy,
ho