u won't help me, I'll call
the Indians." But Joe was saved the trouble. He had scarce uttered the
word when all four of the Indians suddenly appeared, and throwing down
their wood, proceeded with much haste to put their horrid purpose in
execution. They heaped up the fagots around their victims, until they
reached half way to their chins, and when all was ready, they paused,
before applying the fire, to enjoy the terrors of their captives.

"You cold--me make some fire to warm--huh," said the old Indian,
addressing Joe, while the others looked on with unmixed satisfaction.

"Oh! my dear Mr. Osage, if you only knew how much money you'd lose by
killing me, I know you'd let me go!" said Joe, in tremulous but
supplicating tones.

"You lie--you got no money," replied the savage; and, stooping down,
he began to split some dry wood into very small pieces to kindle with.
Joe looked on in despair, and seemed to anticipate a blister from
every splinter he saw. It was different with Sneak. Almost hid by the
wood heaped around him, he embraced every opportunity, when the eyes
of the savages were turned away, to endeavour to extricate himself
from the cords that bound him to the tree. Hope had not yet forsaken
him, and he resolved to struggle to the last. When the old savage had
split off a large quantity of splinters and chips, he gathered them up
and began to arrange them in various parts of the pile of green timber
preparatory for a simultaneous ignition. While he was thus engaged,
Sneak remained motionless, and assumed a stoical expression of
features. But when he turned to Joe, Sneak again began to tug at the
cord.

"Oh pray, Mr. Indian!" exclaimed Joe, when he saw the savage carefully
placing the combustible matter in all the crevices of the pile around
him--"just only let me off this time, and I'll be your best friend all
the rest of your life."

"Me warm you little--don't cry--poor fellow!" replied the Indian,
striking a light with flint and steel.

"Oh, Sneak, if you've got a knife, run here and cut me loose, before
I'm burnt to death!" said Joe, in the most heart-moving manner.

"Keep your mouth shet!" said Sneak; "jest wait till they go to put
some fire here, and I'll show you a thing or two," he continued,
pouring a handful of _powder_ among the dry splinters. The effect of
the explosion when the Indians attempted to surprise Glenn's premises
occurring to Sneak, and recollecting that he had a quantity of powder