"Save me—save—" Branch spoke no more.
The tomahawk had descended and severed the frail twig, to which Branch was clinging. A yell of terror rose upon the air, as Branch went whirling down, and then a dull, heavy thump was heard and all was still.
Hayward pressed his lips upon his sister's forehead, and murmured,
"The dream, darling—the dream!"
"O brother," she sobbed, "I cannot speak—I am so happy!"
Margrave had not been idle. He had taken a full share of embraces, and had handed Alibamo over to Adjutant Hinton, who appeared rather to relish that luxury, himself. Johnson was a silent spectator, but Nettleton was dancing with perfect ecstacy, as he exclaimed:
"Well, I'm about the happiest darn skunk that ever did live!"
"Fall-leaf, have you nothing to say?" asked Hayward.
"Me kill—ugh!" he pointed toward the rocks below, and seemed perfectly satisfied.
"Bad man—much bad!" and he strode away up the path.