The Frontier Angel. Edward Sylvester Ellis

Stick by me, and I'll take you overboard."

      "Why not now, Jim?"

      "You see it's getting dark fast, and every minute will help us. By the eternal! do you know that feller on shore? It is McGable! Hello! the boat has struck!"

      Such was the case, and what was more alarming they were but a few rods from shore. It was noticed, too, that the wailing tone of the decoy had changed to a more commanding one, while the Frontier Angel had disappeared.

      "What does this mean, sir?" asked one of the oarsmen, thoroughly alarmed.

      "You're my prisoners, sir!" replied the stranger. "Don't get excited—it's no use. That man is McGable, and the Shawnees are waitin' fur yer ha'r. Ef you undertake to fight, you'll be tomahawked in a minute; but ef you give in nice like, p'raps some of yer'll be let alone. Ef you've no objections, I'll give the signal for 'em to come aboard."

      All except Peterson were paralyzed with horror, and seemed utterly speechless. He stepped deliberately forward and said:

      "I'd like to ax a question afore you does that thing. What yer going to do with me?"

      "Burn and toast you as soon as we get ashore."

      "I rather reckon not, old hoss. How does that suit?"

      Before even his victim divined his intention, the ranger brought his rifle to his shoulder and fired, his ball passing clean through the breast of the villain. The latter gave a spasmodic start and gasp, a groan, and sucking the breath through his teeth, fell forward, the blood spouting in a stream from his wound.

      "Hyer's as opines as how it won't be you that'll toast Jim Peterson just yit," remarked the ranger, coolly fastening his rifle to his back.

      "O God! what shall we do?" frantically wailed the settlers.

      "Fight! you was so anxious to see McGable, you'll have the chance now. Ef yer'd a minded what me and the Frontier Angel said, you wouldn't got into this fix. It won't do no good to touch the oars. You're fast in the mud, and have got to fight it out!"

      Instantly the shore became alive with savages. Yells that might have curdled a demon's blood rent[Pg 43]

       [Pg 44]

       [Pg 45] the air, and the whole mass of swarming bodies plunged into the shallow water, and made for the flat-boat. The whites discharged their shots, but the numbers and power of their enemies were irresistible. Onward they poured, shouting like madmen, and clambering up the sides, a scene of butchery took place that sickens the heart to contemplate.