ke puff
up quick as powder flash, and down come Indian like he shot. White squaw
take up big tomahawk, and strike both on the head. Me nearly in the door by
this time; big squaw jump at me with he great tomahawk, so big the great
chief no lift it, and lifted it to strike. Me no like to be killed by old
squaw, so me come away." A very marvelous story told the Indians, full of
high flourishes and exaggerations, but founded on truth, nevertheless.[B]

[Footnote B: "Western Adventure," page 187.]

Durant saw that some mistake had been made, and that his attempt had
signally failed, notwithstanding his confidence and boasting, and the care
with which he had laid his "hidden toils." He was greatly exasperated at
the failure of his plots, on the success of which he had built such
sanguine hopes.

After much reflection, and the formation and abandonment of many schemes
for the accomplishment of his object, he finally hit upon a plan which he
felt sure would succeed. This time he called into requisition the services
of his old crony in crime, the infamous, but not untainted, Ramsey. With
him and a couple of trusty Indians, he set out on his expedition, resolved
to succeed at the risk of his life. Ellen he would possess at all hazards.

The party reached a point which was as near the settlement as prudence
allowed them to go, and here, in the deep forest, his three companions hid
themselves, while he went forward to make observations, and work out the
details of the plot and attack. Stealthily approaching the vicinity of the
Waltons, he secreted himself in a hollow tree during the day, from an
orifice of which, at some distance from the base, he had quite a commanding
view of the adjacent country for a considerable distance either way. Here
he placed himself to make observations.

It was in the early part of autumn; the weather was mild and pleasant; the
forest had put on its diadem of rich colors, purple, scarlet and yellow,
and was gorgeously beautiful in the ripened glory of its drapery. The
season, the scene, the sunny warmth all invited to a participation in the
enjoyment which nature held out to those who would accept her bounty, and
refresh themselves in her sylvan bowers.

It was on the second day of his watch, that Durant had the satisfaction of
noticing the arrival of a gentleman at the house of Mr. Walton, which was
followed on the succeeding day by a circumstance which at once gave him
fresh encouragement and san