ne hand she held a
crucifix to her lips, the other was on her rosary. The sight of his
mother in such a situation, stirred up daring thoughts in the bosom of
the heroic boy--but he laid powerless in his uncle's naked brawny arms.
He tried to disengage himself, but at the slightest movement, Mecumeh,
though still sleeping, seemed conscious, and strained him closer to him.
At last the strong sleep, that in the depth of the night steeps the
senses in utter forgetfulness, overpowered him--his arms relaxed their
hold, and dropped beside him and left Louis free.

"He rose cautiously, looked for one instant on the indians, and assured
himself they all slept profoundly. He then possessed himself of Mecumeh's
knife, which lay at his feet, and severed the cord that bound his mother
to the tree. Neither of them spoke a word--but with the least possible
sound they resumed the way by which they had come from the shore. Louis
in the confidence, and Marguerite with the faint hope of reaching it
before they were overtaken.

"You may imagine how often the poor mother, timid as a fawn, was
startled by the evening breeze stirring the leaves, but the boy bounded
forward as if there were neither fear nor danger in the world.

"They had nearly attained the margin of the river, where Louis meant to
launch one of the canoes and drop down the current, when the indian yell
resounding through the woods, struck on their ears. They were missed,
pursued, and escape was impossible. Marguerite panic-struck, sunk to the
ground. Nothing could check the career of Louis. "On--on, mother," he
cried, "to the shore--to the shore." She rose and instinctively followed
her boy. The sound of pursuit came nearer and nearer. They reached the
shore, and there beheld three canoes coming swiftly up the river.
Animated with hope, Louis screamed the watch word of the garrison, and
was answered by his father's voice.

"The possibility of escape, and the certain approach of her husband,
infused new life into Marguerite. "Your father cannot see us," she said,
"as we stand here in the shade of the trees; hide yourself in that
thicket, I will plunge into the water." Louis crouched under the bushes,
and was completely hidden by an overhanging grape-vine, while his mother
advanced a few steps into the water and stood erect, where she could be
distinctly seen. A shout from the canoes apprised her that she was
recognised, and at the same moment, the indians who had now reach