Fierce was the contest. The young man attempted to free himself from the grasp of his opponent; now they strove to seize each other by the throat; now his antagonist bore back the chief by making a desperate spring as his feet for a moment touched the ground; but if the older man allowed himself to retreat, it was only for the purpose of wearing out the strength of the younger, which he knew would soon be exhausted.
A DEADLY EMBRACE.
Winnemak now seized one of his antagonist's arms, and with a movement as quick as thought threw him on his back across his own knee; then pressing him down, it appeared to me that he intended to break his spine. A fearful shriek, wrung from him by the agony he was suffering, escaped the lips of the young brave; his eyes closed—the struggle was over. Still Winnemak did not let go his victim, but gazing fiercely down on his countenance until all appearance of life had ceased, he hurled the body to the ground. As he did so he exclaimed, "Stay there! You have betrayed me once; you would have stolen my daughter; you will no longer have the power to follow your evil practices."
The combat was over as I reached the place.
"Is he dead?" I asked, as I gazed down on the face of the vanquished brave.
"He will die," answered Winnemak; "but he still breathes."
"But I thought you wished to gain information from him?" I observed, feeling anxious to preserve the life of the poor wretch.
"I did; but now I would rather enjoy the pleasure of seeing him die."