ficient to cause the effusion of the
blood--copious though it appeared to be; and I felt certain that no bone
had yet been broken--that no vital part of my body had been touched.

After about an hour had been spent by the savages in their fiendish
sport, the firing became suddenly suspended. I could not tell why; and
sought for an explanation by watching the movements of the marksmen.
Had they exhausted their ammunition? This was the idea that came
uppermost. The chiefs had turned face to face, and were again engaged
in some earnest deliberation. The subject of their talk was made known
by their gesticulations. They were pointing towards Sure-shot, who
still lay, as I have described, flat upon his face.

Wingrove was no longer there; nor yet Su-wa-nee! Where could they have
gone? I had seen both but the moment before! Had she unbound, and
rescued him? Was it about them that the savages were in consultation?
No; the result proved not. It was the deserter who was the object of
their attention--as was soon made manifest by their movements.

Half a dozen warriors were seen separating from the group and running up
to the spot where Sure-shot lay. Stooping around him, they undid his
fastenings; and then, having, raised him to his feet, commenced dragging
him towards the crowd of marksmen. The terrified man made no
resistance. It would have been idle. There was a brawny savage on each
side, grasping him by the wrist; and three or four behind pushing him
forward at a run. His long hair streaming loosely, strengthened the
expression of despair that was depicted upon his countenance. No doubt
he deemed it his last hour. Whether could they be dragging him?
Whither but to death? This was my own belief--at first; but in a few
minutes I had reason to change it. For a short while, Sure-shot was
encircled by the dusky forms, and I saw him not--or only the crown of
his head--conspicuous by its yellow hue among the darker _chevelures_ of
the Indians. What were they doing to him? I could not guess; but they
appeared to be offering him no further violence. After a time, the
group scattered from around him, and the ex-rifleman was again uncovered
to my view. With some surprise, I perceived that the expression of his
countenance had undergone a total change. It was no longer that of
terror--much less of despair. On the contrary, there was a certain air
of confidence visible both in his look and manner--as if somethi