and glided onwards, until the
distance betwixt himself and Holden was reduced to thirty feet.
The back of the latter was still towards the Indian, and he seemed
absorbed in contemplations that shut his senses to the admission
of outward objects. Again Ohquamehud paused, but it was only for a
moment, and then uttered in a distinct tone the word, "Onontio."

The sound caught the ears of Holden, who instantly turned, and beheld
the threatening looks and attitude of the savage. He comprehended, at
once, the hostile purpose of Ohquamehud, and the imminence of his own
danger, but betrayed not the slightest fear. His cheek blanched not.
His eye lost none of its usual daring as he surveyed the assassin; nor
did his voice falter, as, disguising his suspicions, he exclaimed--

"Ohquamehud! he is welcome. He hath come to listen to the voice of the
Great Spirit, who speaks in the Yaupaae."

"Onontio is mistaken," said the Indian. "The eyes of Ohquamehud
are sharp. They have seen the blood of his kindred on the hands of
Onontio, and he will wash it off."

"Indian, thou hast discovered--I know not how--that I once bore the
name you have mentioned. It was given to me in the days of madness and
folly by the western tribes. But, my hands are unstained by any blood,
save what was shed in fair and open warfare."

"Ha! Onontio hath forgotten the fight in the night of storms, on the
banks of the Yellow Wabash, when the sister of Ohquamehud was slain
and his brother pierced by the knife of the accursed pale face, with
the curling-hair."

"Indian! I sought to save the maiden's life. I can show the scar I
received in her defence. As for thy brother, I know naught of him. If
he fell by me, it was in the manner in which one brave warrior meets
another."

"It is a lie! The heart of the pale-face is fainting. He is a weasel,
that tries to creep through a small hole."

"If I were armed thou wouldst not dare to speak thus," said Holden,
some of the spirit of his youthful years flashing up. "But, go; thou
art a coward to come armed against a defenceless man."

"Onontio is a fool! Who told him to leave his rifle in his lodge? He
knoweth not so much as a beast or a reptile. When the bear roameth in
the forest, doth he leave his claws in his den, or the rattlesnake,
his teeth in the hole in the rocks? Let Onontio sing his death-song,
but, softly, lest the north wind bear it to the cub, who is waiting
for the second bullet in the pouch of Ohq