Eagerly the two that came from the thicket seized the girl. With a moan of anguish she fell fainting into their arms.
The bird was in the net.
CHAPTER X.
THE CABIN IN THE FOREST.
One of the white red-skins—for the two who had seized Virginia were the dark-skinned stranger, Benton, and the tool of Murdock, Bob Tierson, painted and disguised as Indians—tied a handkerchief tightly over the eyes of the senseless girl, completely blindfolding her.
When this had been accomplished, Murdock came from his covert in the bushes, and approached the two.
The blackened muzzle of Murdock’s rifle told plainly that it was he who had fired the shot which had stricken the young stranger, Harvey Winthrop, to the earth, even while the kisses of the girl he loved were fresh upon his lips.
“The girl has fainted,” said Benton, who supported the light form of the hapless Virginia in his arms.
“So much the better!” exclaimed Murdock; “it aids our purpose. We must convey her at once to the lonely cabin of the Kanawha.”
“And this critter?” said Bob, kicking the motionless form of Winthrop with his foot, carelessly, as he spoke.