--had secretly determined,
if such a thing were possible, to save the life of Algernon; and took
this method as the only one likely to aid his purpose by protecting him
from immediate death.

The trial concluded, the council now broke up, and Girty was authorized
to inform the prisoners of their sentence; while four young braves were
selected to take charge of Algernon, and to set off with him, so soon as
the burning of Younker should be over, for Upper Sandusky, where he was
to be kept in durance until wanted. Advancing directly to the prisoners,
the renegade now said, with a sneer:

"Well, my beauties, are you ready to die?"

"We don't expect any thing else, Simon Girty," answered the old man
mildly.

"Don't you, by ----!" rejoined Girty. "Perhaps it's just as well you
don't--ha, ha, ha! Come, old dotard," he continued, "down on your marrow
bones and say your prayers; for, by ----! you will never behold the
setting of another sun."

"I've said my prayers regular for thirty year," answered Younker; "and
I've been ready to die whensomever the Lord should see fit to call me;
and therefore don't feel myself no more obligated to pray jest at this
particular time, than ef I war told I war going to live twenty year
more. It's only them as hain't lived right, that the near coming o'
death makes pray, more nor at another time; and so jest allow me, Simon
Girty, to return you your advice, which is very good, and which, ef you
follow yourself, you'll be likely to make a much better man nor you've
ever done afore."

"Fool!" muttered the renegade, with an oath. Then turning to Algernon,
he continued: "You, sirrah, are destined to live a little longer--though
by no design of mine, I can assure you. Don't flatter yourself, though,
that you are going to escape," he added, as he perceived the countenance
of Algernon slightly brighten at his intelligence; "for, by ----! if I
thought there was a probability of such a thing happening, I would brain
you where you sit, if I died for it the next moment. No, young man,
there is no escape for you; you are condemned to be burnt, as well as
Younker, only at another place; and, by ----! I will follow you myself,
to see that the sentence is enforced with all its horrors."

"For all of which you doubtless feel yourself entitled to my thanks,"
returned Algernon, bitterly. "Do your worst, Simon Girty; but understand
me, before you go further, that though life is as dear to me at the
present