The bronzed heads were now coming up out of the cabin rather too rapidly for the excited Irishman. Nevertheless it is by no means improbable, that at the disadvantage which he had his enemies, he would have successfully resisted them all, had not an accident turned the scales against him.
It has been stated that Teddy had no weapon but his knife, and in the melee he had not once thought of it, fighting, Irishman-like with his naked fists. The third face that appeared above the deck received a tremendous blow square on the nose, that completely mashed it; and another terrific right-hander gave the fourth savage a glimpse of more stars than are generally visible, and sent him as limp as a rag, back among his fellows.
The fight now culminated in the most glorious fun that the Irishman could have desired. He was striking out right and left his stunning blows, when, concentrating all his strength in his right arm, he dashed his fist at the savage who stood the tallest, intending to lay him insensible, when the agile foe dodged him, and carried forward by the momentum of his own blow, the Irishman went headlong right among the redskins, where he was, pounced upon, and bound in a twinkling.
“Thrate me gintlemanly,” he exclaimed, “ye can’t say but what I did yees; and dont come any of your tricks over me.”
The undaunted bravery and remarkable skill exhibited by the Irishman, could but excite admiration in his captors; and actuated by that chivalrous feeling existing in the breast of every brave-hearted being, whether he be savage or civilized, they forebore heaping any insult upon him, or offering him any indignity.
Some time after, the canoe came alongside, and he was handed over and deposited in it.
“Handle me with care,” remarked Teddy, “for ye can’t say that I didn’t handle yees in that manner. If ye don’t belave it look at them chaps’ noses there! Begorrah, but them’s the ornaments ye might be proud to wear!”
Shortly after, the canoe touched shore, and the Irishman’s lower limbs were unbound and he placed upon his feet.
“Just sarve my arms in the same manner,” said he, “and let’s pitch in, in thrue style. Be the powers but I wants a little exercise, and that’s the kind I always fancied. That’s what I took to when I was a wee childer.”
It is not probable that the Indians would have heeded this request, even had they understood it; but having no idea of the meaning of the words addressed them, of course Teddy’s wish was not gratified.