ump of appropriativeness--took possession of all the goods within
their reach. This was seen by the more sanguinarily disposed of the
party, who turned their rage towards their companions, and, rushing on
them, attempted to retake the articles they considered theirs. A
fearful scuffle ensued: some, it appeared to us, were struck dead, or
desperately wounded; but in the uncertain light afforded by the fire we
could not exactly see what had happened. We could only make out that
the whole party were quickly stretched on the ground, the victors and
the vanquished lying side by side, including the chief, who appeared to
be as helpless as the rest.

At length their shouts and groans were silenced. Not a sound reached
our ears. Now was our opportunity; but in vain we endeavoured to break
loose from our bonds. The savages had fastened them too securely to
enable us to liberate ourselves. Dick made desperate efforts to reach
with his mouth the rope which secured his arms.

"If I could but once get my teeth to it, I would soon bite it through,"
he exclaimed.

But again and again he tried to no purpose. We all followed his
example, with the same result. In the morning, the savages would too
probably recover, and revenge themselves on our heads for the death of
their companions whom they themselves had killed. Hour after hour went
by, and each brought us nearer to the moment that we must expect a
fearful death.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

We and the savage Redskins were both utterly helpless; they from being
overcome by liquor, we from having our arms firmly bound to the trees.
All the efforts we had made to liberate ourselves had only tended to
draw more tightly the thongs; while we were left to contemplate the
dreadful fate to which we were doomed as soon as the savages had
recovered from the fumes of the spirits they had swallowed. All sorts
of horrible ideas passed through my mind. Should a pack of wolves come
to the camp, they might, helpless as we were, tear us to pieces, as well
as the unconscious Indians. It would be a worse fate than any the
savages might inflict upon us. Scarcely had the idea entered my brain,
than the well-known howls and yelps of the animals I dreaded reached my
ears. Louder and louder they grew. They were approaching the camp. In
a few minutes they would be upon us. It was no fancy of my brain, for
my companions heard them also. Darkness prevented us from seeing each
other's countenan