h savage war-whoops, that proclaimed as clearly as words the
state of affairs on the opposite side of that narrow neck of land.
In an instant, Donald Hester, so frenzied by his sister's appeal for
aid as to be well-nigh unconscious of his own movements, seized his
rifle, plunged into the forest, and was dashing recklessly in the
direction of the ominous sounds.
The Senecas, whom he thus left to their own devices, and who had long
been expecting some such moment, acted with almost equal promptness in
making prisoners of the two remaining white men. A few minutes of
animated discussion as to what should be done with them ensued. All
were impatient to join their fellow savages, and share in the spoils of
their certain victory, to which they also wished to add their own
trophies. But what should be done with the white medicine man? He was
too fat to be urged at speed through the forest. They feared to kill
him, for they believed him to be of a weak mind, and therefore under
the direct protection of the Great Spirit. Besides, being bald-headed,
he could furnish no scalp, and was therefore not worth killing.
In this dilemma, the Zebra conceived an idea which his companions
greeted with grunts of approval, and immediately proceeded to carry
out. A few minutes later the horrified paymaster, as naked as when he
was born, was seated in his own bathtub, precariously maintaining his
balance, and floating away before a gentle off-shore breeze, over the
vast watery solitude of Lake Erie.
As the Indians watched him, until he was but a white speck in the
gathering gloom, they reasoned that if he were indeed a medicine man he
could take care of himself; if he were crazy, the Great Spirit would
protect him. And if he were merely an ordinary mortal he would surely
be drowned; while, in no case, would blame be attached to them.
Then they gathered up his half-dozen precious wigs, all of which had
been laid out for inspection, that their owner might decide in which
one he should appear before the ladies, but which the Indians only
regarded as so many scalps; concealed the canoe, together with much of
their newly acquired property, and started toward the scene of battle.
Two stalwart warriors, seizing the unfortunate and bewildered "Tummas"
by the shoulders, rushed him along at breathless speed, occasionally
urging him to greater exertions by suggestive pricks from the sharp
points of their knives.
Although Donald had star
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