rs for some time, he at length came upon the prostrate group
of the Oneidas. Trusting to the vigilance of the garrison, the savages
were all buried in slumber, and were outspread along the grassy floor,
enwrapped in their blankets. The wily Mohawk went in like a serpent
among them, and having recognized their sleeping chief by the eagle
plume upon his head, he drew his scalp-knife, and with one mortal blow
drove the weapon to the very heart of the dreamer. He then in an instant
severed the bleeding scalp from the head, and sprang away to make good
his escape, but was followed as instantly by a dozen dark forms, which
bounded after him like so many leaping panthers. Still the daring young
brave would have successfully effected his escape but for an unfortunate
accident. With one quick bound he overleaped the barriers of the fort,
but in alighting heavily on the sod he severely sprained his ankle,
which so disabled him, that he fell an easy prey into the hands of his
pursuers. He was instantly firmly bound with cords, and dragged back,
amidst savage jeers and menaces, into the fortress.

On the following day the luckless captive was led away by his enemies to
their neighboring village, which was situated at Messessaga Point, near
the fortress. The warriors sadly bore, on a litter of branches, the body
of their slain chieftain, leading beside it their pinioned captive. As
they approached to the little rude hamlet where they dwelt, a motley
crowd of old men, women, and children, came forth to welcome their
return; but when they beheld the ghastly body of their late chief, and
the drooping looks of the warriors, their joyful cries were exchanged
for wails of lamentation, and they tore their hair, and expressed the
most violent emotions of grief. They wept over the bleeding corpse of
the victim, while they derided and buffeted the helpless prisoner. But
the stout-hearted Wauchee moved onwards with a firm and erect gait,
disturbed neither by the blows nor the menaces that were directed
against him. He only exclaimed, "You have slain my chief and father, and
lo! I have also struck down the head of your nation. It is well. Slay
me--torture me, if you will. I can bear unmoved any torments you may
inflict."

The captive, still bound securely with thongs of deer-hide, was thrust
into a cabin; and two stout warriors were appointed to watch over him by
day and night, and were charged to use the utmost vigilance in
preventing his esc