ith one in which
flashed lightning scorn, and repulsion, in which glowed a wonderful
defiance.

The cruel face of this man, the boastful barbarity of his manner,
the long, dark, bloody history which his presence recalled, was,
indeed, terrifying without the added horror of his intent toward
her, but now the self-forgetfulness of a true woman sustained her.

Girty and Deering backed out of the door. Heckewelder closed it, and
dropped the bar in place.

Nell fell over the table with a long, low gasp. Then with one hand
she lifted her skirt. Benny walked from under it. His big eyes were
bright. The young woman clasped him again in her arms. Then she
released him, and, laboring under intense excitement, ran to the
window.

"There he goes! Oh, the horrible beast! If I only had a gun and
could shoot! Oh, if only I were a man! I'd kill him. To think of
poor Kate! Ah! he intends the same for me!"

Suddenly she fell upon the floor in a faint. Mr. Wells and Jim
lifted her on the bed beside Edwards, where they endeavored to
revive her. It was some moments before she opened her eyes.

Jim sat holding Nell's hand. Mr. Wells again bowed his head.
Zeisberger continued to whittle a stick, and Heckewelder paced the
floor. Christy stood by with every evidence of sympathy for this
distracted group. Outside the clamor increased.

"Just listen!" cried Heckewelder. "Did you ever hear the like? All
drunk, crazy, fiendish! They drank every drop of liquor the French
traders had. Curses on the vagabond dealers! Rum has made these
renegades and savages wild. Oh! my poor, innocent Christians!"

Heckewelder leaned his head against the mantle-shelf. He had broken
down at last. Racking sobs shook his frame.

"Are you all right again?" asked Jim of Nell.

"Yes."

"I am going out, first to see Williamson, and then the Christians,"
he said, rising very pale, but calm.

"Don't go!" cried Heckewelder. "I have tried everything. It was all
of no use."

"I will go," answered Jim.

"Yes, Jim, go," whispered Nell, looking up into his eyes. It was an
earnest gaze in which a faint hope shone.

Jim unbarred the door and went out.

"Wait, I'll go along," cried Zeisberger, suddenly dropping his knife
and stick.

As the two men went out a fearful spectacle met their eyes. The
clearing was alive with Indians. But such Indians! They were painted
demons, maddened by rum. Yesterday they had been silent; if they
moved at all it had been with deli