was excited by the scene he
was enacting, and the feelings of his race were aroused within him with
a violence that had been long unknown to him. He felt the joy that
savage natures feel in revenging themselves on their foes; and he
forgot the influence that Henrich's example and precepts of forbearance
had so lung exerted over his conduct, though they had not yet succeeded
in changing his heart.

'Heap the pile high!' he cried; 'and let the flames bring back the
light of day, and show me the death struggles of him who would have
slain me, and all I love on earth. Drag the wretch forward, and bind
him strongly. The searching flames may yet have power to conquer his
calm indifference.'

The lighted brand was ready, and the victim was led to the foot of the
pile. A rope was passed around his arms, and the noose was about to be
drawn tight, when, quick as lightning, the devoted victim saw that
there was yet one chance for life. The river was rolling beneath his
feet. Could he but reach it! His arms were snatched from those who held
them with a sudden violence, for which they were unprepared; and, with
one desperate bound, the prisoner gained the steep bank of the broad
dark stream. Another moment, and a heavy plash was heard in the waters.

Darkness was gathering around the scene; and those who looked into the
river could distinguish no human form on its surface.

'Fire the pile!' cried Tisquantum; and the flames burst up from the dry
crackling wood, and threw a broad sheet of light on the dark stream
below.

'He is there!' again shouted the infuriated Chieftain. 'I see the white
foam that his rapid strokes leave behind him. Send your arrows after
him, my brave warriors, and suffer him not to escape. Ha! will Mahneto
let him thus avoid my vengeance?'

The bow-strings twanged, and the arrows flew over the water. Where did
they fall? Not on Coubitant's struggling form; for he had heard the
Sachem's command, and had dived deeply beneath the surface of the
water, and changed his course down the stream. When he rose again, it
was in a part of the river that the flames did not illuminate; and
those who sought his life saw him no more.

'Surely he was wounded, and has sunk, never to rise again!' exclaimed
Henrich. 'His doom has followed him!'

'Mahneto be praised!' cried Tisquantum; 'but I would I had seen him
writhing in those flames!' And he turned and left the spot.

Coubitant gained the western shore of the rive