“Will you renounce it, if by that you could save the life of William and become his wife with my consent?”
“I would not renounce that faith to add one moment to my life. Now, more than ever, do I see and feel its excellency. But you, my father, in whom it shines, may, by a protracted life, disseminate that faith to thousands.”
“Shall I insure the faith of others by my own apostacy? You have my answer.”
Rebecca gave one wild, frantic shriek, and was forced, almost lifeless, from the embraces of Harris.
“And what says Dahona now?”
“I will not renounce my faith.”
The signal was given, and the men arranged themselves between the river and the stake, and two or three sprung forward and applied their torches to the dry wood; slowly the smoke ascended, and then the blaze crept upward, while the loud shouts of the exulting savages drowned the prayer and groans of Harris and the wild shrieks of Rebecca.
“Apply the tortures,” said the chief, and he sprung forward to give the example; when, suddenly, he pitched forward upon the fire, and the crack of numerous rifles told whence his death had come.
In one minute the ground was filled with Indians of another tribe, and the survivors of the invading band ware escaping down the river.
Through the mingled throng of living, and over the bodies of the dead, sprung one being upon the burning pile, and with a hatchet released the sufferer from his perilous position, as the fire was doing the work which the savages had left unaccomplished.