attack until the arrival of assistance, and
he had strong hopes that he could succeed in doing it.

Not Oonomoo's personal fear, but his excessive anxiety for the safety
of Fluellina, induced him now to adopt a resort that was fatal in its
consequences. Knowing that Captain Prescott and his men could be at no
great distance, he gave utterance to a loud, prolonged whoop, which he
knew some of the rangers would recognize as a call for assistance, and
consequently hasten to his aid. Unfortunately, the Shawnees also
understood the meaning of the signal, and satisfied that not a moment
was to be lost, they boldly left their cover and advanced to the attack.

The foremost of the approaching savages fell, shot through the heart by
the rifle of young Niniotan, and almost at the same instant the one by
his side had the ball of Oonomoo's rifle sent crashing through his
brain. The Huron now sprung to the side of his wife, and drawing his
knife in his left, and his tomahawk in his right hand, he stood at bay!

It was a scene worthy the inspired pencil of the artist. The
malignant, scowling Shawnees, steadily advancing upon the dauntless
Huron, who, though his moccasins were soaked with the blood from his
own wounds, stood as firm and immovable as the adamantine rock. His
left leg was thrown somewhat in advance of his right, as if he were
about to spring, but in such a manner that his weight was perfectly
balanced. The knife was held firmly, but not as it would have been
were he about to strike. The tomahawk, however, was drawn back, as if
he were only holding it a second, while he selected his victim. His
eyes! no imagination can conceive their fierce electric glitter as
their burning gaze was fixed upon his merciless enemies. Black as
midnight, they seemed to emit palpable rays, that shot through the air
with an irresistibly penetrating power, and not once was their awful
power eclipsed for an instant by the closing of the eyelid.

Onward came the exultant Shawnees. There was no checking them, and
throwing all his mighty strength in his right arm, Oonomoo hurled his
tomahawk like a thunderbolt among them. Striking an Indian fair
between the eyes, it clove his skull as if it had been wax; and
striking another on the shoulder, cut through the flesh and bone as if
they were but the green leaves of the trees above, Fluellina sunk down
by the feet of her husband in prayer, while he, changing his knife to
his right hand,