‘I cannot, my son!’ replied the old man.  ’Farewell, my dear, my noble boy!—­farewell, my Oriana!’ And his head sank down upon the neck of his horse.

He would have fallen to the ground but for Henrich, who now checked the panting steeds, and sprang down to his feet in time to receive him in his arms.

Fly, Oriana!’ he exclaimed, as his wife also drew the bridle of her foaming horse by his side.  ’Fly, Oriana, my beloved! save your own life, and that of our child!  If possible, I will preserve your father—­ but if not, farewell! and God be with you!’

One moment Oriana urged her horse again to its swiftest pace, as if in obedience to her husband’s command—­the next, she was at Mailah’s side, holding her infant in one arm, white with the other she guided and controlled the terrified animal on which she rode.

‘Here, Mailah!’ she cried—­and she clasped the child to her breast, and imprinted one passionate kiss on its cheek—­’ Take my Ludovico, and save his life, and I will return to my husband and father.  If we follow you, well.  If not, be a mother to my child, and may the blessing of God be on you!’

She almost flung the infant into the extended arms of Mailah; and then, having with difficulty turned her horse, and forced him to retrace his steps, she again rejoined those with whom she was resolved to live or die.

One glance of affectionate reproach she met from her Henrich’s eyes:  but he did not speak.  With the assistance of Ludovico’s nurse, who rode behind him, he had just lifted Tisquantum to his own saddle, and was preparing to mount himself, and endeavor to support the unconscious old man, and again commence the race far life or death.  But it seemed a hopeless attempt—­so utterly helpless was the Sachem, and so unable to retain his seat.  Quick as thought Oriana unbound her long twisted girdle of many colors; and, flinging it to Henrich, desired him to bind the failing form of her father to his own.  He did so:  and the nurse having mounted behind Oriana, again the now furious steeds started forward.  All these actions had taken less time to perform than they have to relate; but yet the pursuing flames had gained much way, and the flight became more desperate, and more hazardous.  Again the prostrate forms of horses and their riders met the eyes of Henrich and Oriana; but in the thickness of the air, and the wild speed at which they were compelled to pass, it was impossible to distinguish who were the unhappy victims.

‘Heaven be praised!’ at length Henrich exclaimed—­and they were the first words he had uttered since the flight had been resumed—­’ Heaven be praised!  I see the rocks dimly through the clouds of smoke.  Yet a few moments, and we shall be safe.  Already the grass around us is shorter and thinner:  we are leaving the savanna, and shall soon reach the barren defile, where the flames will find no fuel’

The horses seemed to know that safety was near at hand, for they bounded forward with fresh vigor, and quickly joined the group of breathless fugitives, who, having reached the extremity of the prairie, had paused to rest from their desperate exertions, and to look out for those of their companions who were missing, but who they hoped would soon overtake them.