aggravation of his sufferings, to break down and subdue his proud
indomitable spirit.

The hour of execution had arrived. The pile was ready for its victim.
Every engine of torture, which savage ingenuity could invent, was
exhibited in dreadful array, within the area selected for the trying
scene. The whole nation was assembled to witness, and take part in the
ceremony, which had, in their view, all the solemnity and sacredness of
a religious rite. Ash-te-o-lah was led forth, unpinioned, into the
midst--for the red man would scorn the weakness of leading a victim in
chains to the altar.

The place of sacrifice was an open space near the bank of the river, the
dark forest frowning over it on every side, the entire foreground being
filled and crowded with an eager, angry multitude, to whom a sacrifice
was a feast, and revenge the sweetest luxury that could be offered to
their taste. Their wild parade, their savage dances, their hideous yells
and demoniacal looks and gestures, designed to terrify, only fired the
soul of Ash-te-o-lah to a yet prouder and more majestic bearing. His
firm step, his unblenching eye, his fearless and lofty port, touched
even his executioners with admiration, and struck his guards with a
momentary awe.

Suddenly, as with a bolt from the cloud, he dashed down those who stood
in his way, sprung out, and plunged into the water, swimming underneath,
like an otter, only rising occasionally to take breath, till he reached
the opposite shore. He ascended the steep bank at a bound; and then,
though the arrows had been flying thick as hail about him from the time
that he took to the water, and though many of the fleetest of his
enemies were, like very blood-hounds, close in pursuit of him, he turned
deliberately around, and with a graceful and becoming dignity, took a
formal leave of them, as if he would acknowledge the extraordinary
favors they had shown him. Then, raising the shrill war-whoop of
defiance, as his last salute, till some more convenient opportunity
should be afforded him to do them a warrior's homage, he darted off,
like a beast broke loose from its torturing enemies. Inspired with new
strength by his sudden release, and the returning hope of life, he flew
with a winged speed, so as entirely to distance the fleetest of his
eager pursuers. Confident in his speed, and assured that his enemies
could neither overtake nor surprise him, he rested nearly a whole day,
to recruit his wasted str