As he was on the point of laying hold of the bridle of Imogene’s steed, he felt himself seized on either side by an iron grasp, while a brace of pistols were presented at his head.
“Villains! What means this?” he cried, struggling to free himself.
“That the tables are turned, chief, and you’re our prisoner,” replied War-Cloud, raising his weapon in a threatening manner.
“Ah, treason! You—” but before he could complete his sentence, he was dragged from his horse, disarmed, and firmly bound.
The Tory made a desperate attempt to regain his liberty, but, seeing how futile were his efforts, he sullenly resigned himself to his fate.
In a short time the party reached the American outposts, by whom they were conducted to the nearest frontier garrison, to the commander of which, War-Cloud related his adventures, and at the same time requested an escort to conduct his prisoner to Fort Ann the next morning, which was readily granted.
After paying his companions that had assisted him in Iron Hand’s capture, their portion of the reward, and exacting from them a promise that they would engage no longer in their former occupation, he dismissed them.
CHAPTER X.
THE MASK REMOVED.
While all in the garrison were bathed in quiet sleep, the slumbers of Captain Sherwood were broken. After spending a night of restlessness, he arose unrefreshed from the rude bed where he had thrown himself, and walked to his prison window.
That brilliant luminary, the sun, like a ball of golden fire, was just beginning to light up the eastern sky, giving promise of another bright autumnal day. As Edgar looked out upon the beautiful landscape painted by his Creator, a feeling of awe which he had never before experienced, crept over him.