A rifle-shot terminated the tableau!
Hondurah staggered to his feet, tore the mask from the face of the nearest Indian, and recognized one of the chiefs whom he had reduced.
The Indian pushed Hondurah off; but the red right arm executed a fearful sweep, and the knife cleft the conspirator’s heart!
Both Hondurah and the traitor were dead when they touched the ground, and the remaining masks, five in number, turned to fight the new foes, that sprung upon them like a brace of tigers.
The time taken up by Hondurah’s death-vengeance seemed but a minute, so rapidly did the several events follow each other, and Clearwater, bewildered to distraction, raised herself on her elbow, and watched the battle above her.
CHAPTER XII.
THE DEAD HAND.
The deceiving braves whom Hondurah had punished had obeyed his injunction.
Accidentally discovering the cave that contained Clearwater, they at once redoubled their search for the vengeful father, who sought her and her half-breed lover, determined that he should keep his vow, and then fall himself for the dishonor he had heaped upon them.
Oagla spoke the truth when he said that Hondurah would rouse the whirlwind if he punished the young braves, and the whirlwind which he did call into existence was destroying, as the reader has just seen.
The torches that dropped from the hands of the savages at the opening of the unexpected attack, afforded light for the combatants, whose features were soon recognized by the Indian girl, too weak to rise and lend assistance.