But although the heights were now alive with the dusky forms of naked warriors, who, from the skirt of the forest, watched the exertions of their fellows, the pursuit of the wretched fugitive was confined to these alone.  Foremost of the latter, and distinguished by his violent exertions and fiendish cries, was the tall and wildly attired warrior of the Fleur de lis.  At every bound he took he increased the space that divided him from his companions, and lessened that which kept him from his panting and nearly exhausted victim.  Already were they descending the nearest of the undulating hills, and both now became conspicuous objects to all around; but principally the pursuer, whose gigantic frame and extraordinary speed riveted every eye, even while the interest of all was excited for the wretched fugitive alone.

At that moment Halloway, who had been gazing on the scene with an astonishment little inferior to that of his comrades, sprang suddenly to his feet upon the coffin, and waving his hand in the direction of the pursuing enemy, shouted aloud in a voice of mingled joy and triumph,—­

“Ha!  Almighty God, I thank thee!  Here, here comes one who alone has the power to snatch me from my impending doom.”

“By Heaven, the traitor confesses, and presumes to triumph in his guilt,” exclaimed the voice of one, who, while closely attending to every movement of the Indians, was also vigilantly watching the effect likely to be produced on the prisoner by this unexpected interruption.  “Corporal, do your duty.”

“Stay, stay—­one moment stay!” implored Halloway with uplifted hands.

“Do your duty, sir,” fiercely repeated the governor.

“Oh stop—­for God’s sake, stop!  Another moment and he will be here, and I—­”

He said no more—­a dozen bullets penetrated his body—­one passed directly through his heart.  He leaped several feet in the air, and then fell heavily, a lifeless bleeding corpse, across the coffin.

Meanwhile the pursuit of the fugitive was continued, but by the warrior of the Fleur de lis alone.  Aware of their inefficiency to keep pace with this singular being, his companions had relinquished the chace, and now stood resting on the brow of the hill where the wretched Halloway had first recognised his supposed deliverer, watching eagerly, though within musket shot of the detachment, the result of a race on which so much apparently depended.  Neither party, however, attempted to interfere with the other, for all eyes were now turned on the flying man and his pursuer with an interest that denoted the extraordinary efforts of the one to evade and the other to attain the accomplishment of his object.  Although the exertions of the former had been stupendous, such was the eagerness and determination of the latter, that at each step he gained perceptibly on his victim.  The immediate course taken was in a direct line for the ravine, which it evidently was the object of the