A few moments later, the British soldiers were close enough for the bullets from the rifles to reach them, and the settlers began firing.
Yells of anger went up from the lips of the redcoats.
CHAPTER XIV
Friends in Need
Dick Dare and Ben Foster were never nearer death’s door than at the moment when the flames of the fires built around them, as they stood tied to trees, began to scorch their clothing.
Both youths were very brave, but there was something so terrible about being burned at the stake, that a feeling of horror took hold upon them.
The Indians now leaped to their feet and began jumping about, and uttering cries, evidently of enjoyment at the spectacle that they were about to witness.
Then, just as the flames were about to begin burning the clothing of the youths, they felt the ropes that bound them to the trees loosen, and to the ears of each came the words: “When I say, ‘now,’ leap away from the tree and run for your life.”
The voices were strange to the youths, but they realized that the words were uttered by friends, and each replied, cautiously:
“All right.”
Smoke was going up from the fires, and when there came a moment that a thick sheet of smoke lay for a few moments between the youths and the redskins, they heard the word, “Now!”