fugitive to clear at its nearest point.  Already had he approached within a few paces of its brink, and every eye was fastened on the point where it was expected the doubtful leap would be taken, when suddenly, as if despairing to accomplish it at a bound, he turned to the left, and winding along its bank, renewed his efforts in the direction of the bridge.  This movement occasioned a change in the position of the parties which was favourable to the pursued.  Hitherto they had been so immediately on a line with each other, it was impossible for the detachment to bring a musket to bear upon the warrior, without endangering him whose life they were anxious to preserve.  For a moment or two his body was fairly exposed, and a dozen muskets were discharged at intervals from the square, but all without success.  Recovering his lost ground, he soon brought the pursued again in a line between himself and the detachment, edging rapidly nearer to him as he advanced, and uttering terrific yells, that were echoed back from his companions on the brow of the hill.  It was evident, however, his object was the recapture, not the destruction, of the flying man, for more than once did he brandish his menacing tomahawk in rapid sweeps around his head, as if preparing to dart it, and as often did he check the movement.  The scene at each succeeding moment became more critical and intensely interesting.  The strength of the pursued was now nearly exhausted, while that of his formidable enemy seemed to suffer no diminution.  Leap after leap he took with fearful superiority, sideling as he advanced.  Already had he closed upon his victim, while with a springing effort a large and bony hand was extended to secure his shoulder in his grasp.  The effort was fatal to him; for in reaching too far he lost his balance, and fell heavily upon the sward.  A shout of exultation burst from the English troops, and numerous voices now encouraged the pursued to renew his exertions.  The advice was not lost; and although only a few seconds had elapsed between the fall and recovery of his pursuer, the wretched fugitive had already greatly increased the distance that separated them.  A cry of savage rage and disappointment burst from the lips of the gigantic warrior; and concentrating all his remaining strength and speed into one final effort, he bounded and leapt like a deer of the forest whence he came.  The opportunity for recapture, however, had been lost in his fall, for already the pursued was within a few feet of the high road, and on the point of turning the extremity of the bridge.  One only resource was now left:  the warrior suddenly checked himself in his course, and remained stationary; then raising and dropping his glittering weapon several times in a balancing position, he waited until the pursued had gained the highest point of the open bridge.  At that moment the glittering steel, aimed with singular accuracy and precision, ran whistling through the air, and with such velocity of movement as to be almost