rections, keeping with
himself a few of the older warriors. Beverley was fed what he would eat
of venison, and Long-Hair made him understand that he would have to
suffer some terrible punishment on account of the action of his
companions.

Late in the day the scouts straggled back with the report that no track
or sign of the fugitives had been discovered, and immediately a
consultation was held. Most of the warriors, including all of the young
bucks, demanded a torture entertainment as compensation for their
exertions and the unexpected loss of their own prisoners; for it had
been agreed that Beverley belonged exclusively to Long-Hair, who
objected to anything which might deprive him of the great reward
offered by Hamilton for the prisoner if brought to him alive.

In the end it was agreed that Beverley should be made to run the
gauntlet, provided that no deadly weapons were used upon him during the
ordeal.

CHAPTER XIV

A PRISONER OF LOVE

Alice put on her warmest clothes and followed Captain Farnsworth to the
fort, realizing that no pleasant experience awaited her. The wind and
rain still prevailed when they were ready to set forth, and, although
it was not extremely cold, a searching chill went with every throb that
marked the storm's waves. No lights shone in the village houses.
Overhead a gray gloom covered stars and sky, making the darkness in the
watery streets seem densely black. Farnsworth offered Alice his arm,
but she did not accept it.

"I know the way better than you do," she said. "Come on, and don't be
afraid that I am going to run. I shall not play any trick on you."

"Very well, Mademoiselle, as you like. I trust you."

He followed her from the house. He was so filled with the bitterness of
what he was doing that he carried her sword in his hand all the way to
the fort, quite unaware that its point often touched her dress so that
she plainly felt it. Indeed, she thought he was using that ruffianly
and dangerous means of keeping pace with her. He had sent the patrol on
its rounds, taking upon himself the responsibility of delivering her to
Hamilton. She almost ran, urged by the strange excitement that burned
in her heart, and he followed somewhat awkwardly, stumbling over the
unfamiliar way in the rain and darkness.

At every step he was wishing that she would escape from him. Coarse as
his nature was and distorted by hardening experiences, it was rooted in
good English honesty and im