Why, I've got half the thing dug up already.' So saying, he led
the way to the grave, in which there was a large opening. Setting the
lantern down by the side of it, the two seized their spades and began to
dig as if in earnest.

"The fact is that the doctor was nearly as frightened as Wilson, and he
afterwards confessed to me that it was an immense relief to him when he
heard him fall down the bank of the creek, and knew by the growl he gave
that it was he.

"In about half an hour the doctor's spade struck upon the coffin lid,
which gave forth a hollow sound.

"`Now, then, we're about done with it,' said he, standing up to wipe
away the perspiration that trickled down his face. `Take the axe and
force up the lid, it's only fixed with common nails, while I--' He did
not finish the sentence, but drew a large scalping-knife from a sheath
which hung at his belt.

"Wilson shuddered and obeyed. A good wrench caused the lid to start,
and while he held it partially open the doctor inserted the knife. For
five minutes he continued to twist and work with his arms, muttering
between his teeth, every now and then, that he was a `tough subject,'
while the crackling of bones, and other disagreeable sounds, struck upon
the horrified ears of his companion.

"`All right,' he exclaimed at last, as he dragged a round object from
the coffin and let down the lid with a bang, at the same time placing
the savage's head with its ghastly features full in the blaze of the
lantern.

"`Now, then, close up,' said he, jumping out of the hole and shovelling
in the earth.

"In a few minutes they had filled the grave up and smoothed it down on
the surface, and then, throwing the head into the game-bag, retraced
their steps to the fort. Their nerves were by this time worked up to
such a pitch of excitement, and their minds filled with such a degree of
supernatural horror, that they tripped and stumbled over stumps and
branches innumerable in their double-quick march. Neither would confess
to the other, however, that he was afraid. They even attempted to pass
a few facetious remarks as they hurried along, but it would not do, so
they relapsed into silence till they came to the hollow beside the
powder-magazine. Here the doctor's foot happening to slip, he suddenly
grasped Wilson by the shoulder to support himself--a movement which,
being unexpected, made his friend leap, as he afterwards expressed it,
nearly out of his skin. This was