 to their malignant feelings by the most menacing
gestures, against which neither the sex, nor the beauty of the sisters, was any
protection. The young soldier made a desperate, but fruitless, effort to spring
to the side of Alice, when he saw the dark hand of a savage twisted in the rich
tresses, which were flowing in volumes over her shoulders, while a knife was
passed around the head from which they fell, as if to denote the horrid manner
in which it was about to be robbed of its beautiful ornament. But his hands were
bound, and at the first movement he made, he felt the grasp of the powerful
Indian, who directed the band, pressing his shoulder like a vice. Immediately
conscious how unavailing any struggle against such an overwhelming force must
prove, he submitted to his fate, encouraging his gentle companions, by a few low
and tender assurances, that the natives seldom failed to threaten more than they
performed.
    But, while Duncan resorted to these words of consolation, to quiet the
apprehensions of the sisters, he was not so weak as to deceive himself. He well
knew that the authority of an Indian chief was so little conventional, that it
was oftener maintained by physical superiority, than by any moral supremacy he
might possess. The danger was, therefore, magnified exactly in proportion to the
number of the savage spirits by which they were surrounded. The most positive
mandate from him, who seemed the acknowledged leader, was liable to be violated,
at each moment, by any rash hand that might choose to sacrifice a victim to the
manes of some dead friend or relative. While, therefore, he sustained an outward
appearance of calmness and fortitude, his heart leaped into his throat, whenever
any of their fierce captors drew nigher than common to the helpless sisters, or
fastened one of their sullen wandering looks on those fragile forms, which were
so little able to resist the slightest assault.
    His apprehensions were however greatly relieved, when he saw that the leader
had summoned his warriors to himself in council. Their deliberations were short,
and it would seem, by the silence of most of the party, the decision unanimous.
By the frequency with which the few speakers pointed in the direction of the
encampment of Webb, it was apparent they dreaded the approach of danger from
that quarter. This consideration probably hastened their determination, and
quickened the subsequent movements.
    During this short conference, Heyward finding a respite from his greatest
fears, had leisure to admire the cautious manner in which the Hurons had made
their approaches, even after hostilities had ceased.
    It has already
