achery.'

A smile of scorn curled the lip of Coubitant, but he spoke not; and no
quivering feature betrayed any inward fear of the approaching agony.

'Hear me yet, Coubitant,' resumed the old Chieftain; and, as he spoke,
the strokes of his warriors' hatchets among the neighboring trees fell
on the victim's ear, but did not seem to move him. 'Hear me yet, and
answer me. Was it by your arts that Salon's soul was turned away from
his lawful Chief, and filled with thoughts of murder? Was he true to me
and mine until you returned to put evil thoughts into his heart? or had
pride and jealousy already crept in there, which you have only
fostered?'

'Salon hugged his chains till I showed him that they were unworthy of a
true-born Indian. The smooth tongue of the pale-face had beguiled him,
till I told him that it would lead him to ruin and subjection. Yes: I
taught Salon to long for freedom for himself, and freedom for his race.
And now he will die for it, as a red man ought to die. Let the same
pile consume us both!'

'No!' interrupted Henrich, eagerly. 'His guilt is far less than yours,
and mercy may be extended to him. By every law of God and man your
life, Coubitant, is forfeited; and justice requires that you should
die. But I would desire your death to be speedy, and I would spare you
all needless agony. My father,' he continued, addressing Tisquantum,
'let my request be heard in favor of Salon, that he may live to become
our trusty friend again; and since Coubitant must die, let it be by the
quick stroke of the knife, and not in the lingering horrors of the
stake.'

'Cease to urge me, my son,' replied the Chief, in a tone of firm
determination, that forbad all hope of success. 'I have said that
Coubitant shall die the death he intended for us; and his funeral pile
shall light up this spot ere I retire to my lodge. Salon, also, shall
die: but, as he was deceived by the greater villain, he shall die a
warriors death.'

The Sachem rose from his seat, and took a spear that leaned against the
trunk of the tree beside him.

'Now meet the stroke like a man!' he cried; and gathering his somewhat
failing strength, he bore with all his force against the naked breast
of Salon. The life-blood gushed forth, and he fell a corpse upon the
earth.

'Now drive in the stake, and heap the pile!' exclaimed the aged
Chieftain in a clear, loud voice of command, as he withdrew the bloody
lance, and waved it high above his head. He