CHAPTER X.
COMPANIONS IN CAPTIVITY.
With his usual recklessness, Pat Mulroony, after arriving upon the hulk of the flat-boat, descended into the cabin. He had just reached the base, when he espied several Indians, and he immediately retreated to the deck again.
Knowing that he was "in for it," he turned, and catching the foremost Indian in his arms, threw him bodily into the water. The second he served in the same manner, when he found the redskins were coming up rather too fast for convenience. However, he gave the third a tremendous blow in the face, and commenced laying about him in regular Donnybrook style, when his foot slipped, and ere he could rise he was seized and bound.
"Trate me gintlemanly," said he, "for yese can't deny but what I sarved yese in the same manner."
The Indians could but respect the bravery he had shown, and they offered him no violence. He was then passed over the side into the canoe, and transported to the shore. Shortly after, his captors joined the main body, where he met Virginia Lander, in the same helpless situation as himself.
The Shawanoes were gathered in an irregular circle around the fire, some smoking, others chatting, and others apparently asleep.
The savages had thrown a brilliant crimson shawl over her shoulders, and her hair being as jetty black as theirs, and her head bowed, he had taken her for one of their number when he first looked upon them. Virginia sat with her head bowed, for her heart was stricken with grief. The picture of her cherished father springing up with his wild look, and running through the trees, pursued by his merciless enemies, was ever before her. She could not drive it from her, and shudder after shudder ran through her frame, and the tears trickled thick and fast between her fingers.
How changed since yesterday! Suffering, misfortune, and death, had come upon them—had swept her only relative upon earth from her, and separated her from him who was dearer than any relative could be! All alone—alone!