along. The Indian, in
order the better to carry out his meditated deceit, had been imitating
the Knight's conduct, and on the discovery of the deer, his hunter's
instinct induced him to continue what his hypocrisy had begun.
Selecting the finest buck from the herd, Sir Christopher levelled his
piece and fired. A single instant stood, with erected heads, the
beautiful creatures, as if stupefied with astonishment, and then all
but one vanished in the wood--all but the stricken buck, who made one
bound, and fell to the earth. The prodigious leap testified to the
extremity of his terror and his hurt; and vain struggles to rise from
his knees, to its fatal character. With eyes fixed upon the struggling
deer, the Knight reloaded his gun, and then bounded down the declivity
after him.

Arrived at the margin of the stream, he discovered a canoe drawn up a
little way on the bank, approaching which, to push it into the water,
he suddenly found himself surrounded by a number of Indians. They were
the confederates of Quecheco, who had been for some time lying in wait
in the thick bushes. Simultaneously rushing forward, they attempted to
seize him; but this was no easy matter. A resolute, athletic man, with
body and sinews hardened; by his hunter's life, and accustomed to
exercise command over the natives, Sir Christopher shook roughly off
the hands laid on him, and shouting, "ha, villains!--death to
traitors!" presented his gun, before the terror of whose fatal
lightning his assailants recoiled. Keeping the muzzle of the piece
directed at them, and threatening with it any one who made a motion to
draw near, the Knight succeeded in getting the canoe afloat, when,
jumping in, he pushed from the shore. With a pole found in the canoe,
he strove to urge it across the stream; but, embarrassed with watching
his enemies, and swept down by the current, the effort was attended
with great difficulty. Meanwhile, the savages, who had hitherto
forborne any act that might endanger life, bearing in mind their
instructions, became apprehensive of losing him, and excited by his
resistance, began to shoot arrows at him. One of the missiles took
effect in the right arm of the Knight, just above the elbow, and the
pole dropped from his hand. At the same instant the canoe struck
against a submerged rock and upset. Taking advantage of the accident,
the Indians sprung into the water, and succeeded in mastering his
person.

"Quecheco," said the Knight,