heart, which the pressure of circumstances had
kept smothered, began again to display itself. Pointing to the verdure-clad
and tree-crowned hills on the other side of the river, he said:

"Once there, amid the lovely groves of Ohio, and you are beyond the last
hope of recovery from my power, my beautiful girl! Then and there I shall
have the exquisite pleasure of informing you more particularly concerning
my plans for the future. For the present, receive my assurances, that
nothing else could give me such unbounded satisfaction as the felicity
unspeakable of having won my old and dear love from all competitors for her
hand and person, and the certain assurance, that, for the time to come, she
is all my own, without fear of rivalship!"

The bitter irony attempted in this malignantly polite address went to the
heart of the fair girl; but she resolutely set herself against any display
of fear, or the least manifestation of alarm, well knowing that the marks
of such emotions would but increase the revengeful feeling of delight
evinced by her adversary.

Just as Durant concluded his speech, the tramp of horses' feet was heard in
the distance, and the cry raised by the Indians:

"White man come! white man come!"

All hands sprung to unmoor the canoes, which were in readiness, concealed
among the drooping branches of some trees which overhung the margin of the
stream. While thus engaged, Hamilton, who was watching his opportunity,
knocked down the Indian who guarded him, sent Durant whirling round like a
top to the distance of ten or twelve feet, seized Ellen in his arms, and
with strength almost superhuman, and a speed miraculous under the
circumstances, bounded away in the direction of the approaching horsemen,
who were now visible through the interstices of the forest, a good way off,
but coming rapidly on to the rescue, though, as yet, in ignorance of their
near proximity to friends and foes.

"Seize them! seize them!--shoot the infernal dog!" roared Durant, in a
hoarse voice of passion and rage, so soon as he recovered from the
astonishment and fright into which the unceremonious assault of Hamilton
had thrown him.

[Illustration: "Hamilton knocked down the Indian who guarded him, sent
Durant whirling round like a top to the distance of ten or twelve
feet."--See page 54.]

His first command was not obeyed, for Hamilton and Ellen were already
beyond reach when the order was given; but the second one led to the
dis