“Brother, when Injins do as well as they know how, a warrior should forget their mistakes.  We wish to torment you, in a way to prove that you are all over man.  We wish so to torment you that you will stand up under the pain in such a way that it will make our young men think your mother was not a squaw—­that there is no woman in you.  We do this for our own honor, as well as for yours.  It will be an honor to us to have such a captive; it will be an honor to you to be such a captive.  We shall do as well as we know how.

“Brother, it is most time to begin.  The tormenting will last a long time.  We must not let the medicine-priest get too great a start on the path to the happy hunting-grounds of your—­”

Here, a most unexpected interruption occurred, that effectually put a stop to the eloquence of Ungque.  In his desire to make an impression, the savage approached within reach of the captive’s arm, while his own mind was intent on the words that he hoped would make the prisoner quail.  The corporal kept his eye on that of the speaker, charming him, as it were, into a riveted gaze, in return.  Watching his opportunity, he caught the tomahawk from The Weasel’s belt, and by a single blow, felled him dead at his feet.  Not content with this, the old soldier now bounded forward, striking right and left, inflicting six or eight wounds on others, before he could be again arrested, disarmed, and bound.  While the last was doing, Peter withdrew, unobserved.

Many were the “hughs” and other exclamations of admiration that succeeded this display of desperate manhood!  The body of The Weasel was removed, and interred, while the wounded withdrew to attend to their hurts; leaving the arena to the rest assembled there.  As for the corporal, he was pretty well blown, and, in addition to being now bound hand and foot, his recent exertions, which were terrific while they lasted, effectually incapacitated him from making any move, so long as he was thus exhausted and confined.

A council was now held by the principal chiefs.  Ungque had few friends.  In this, he shared the fate of most demagogues, who are commonly despised even by those they lead and deceive.  No one regretted him much, and some were actually glad of his fate.  But the dignity of the conquerors must be vindicated.  It would never do to allow a pale-face to obtain so great an advantage, and not take a signal vengeance for his deeds.  After a long consultation, it was determined to subject the captive to the trial by saplings, and thus see if he could bear the torture without complaining.

As some of our readers may not understand what this fell mode of tormenting is, it may be necessary to explain.