Page:Edward S Ellis--The Hunter's Cabin.djvu/66

66 "It would be showing mercy to the merciless, and giving them, voluntarily, a chance to revenge it."

"But he will die—"

The report of the rifle interrupted her, and the wounded Indian, springing several feet in the air, fell dead to the ground.

"There is one disposed of," said Ferrington, coolly reloading his rifle, and returning to his former position. "It isn't likely the bush business will be attempted again tonight. How you making out, Hans?"

"Yaw, purty goot; I keeps much better watch as soon as I-lights mine pipe," he answered, walking to the light.

"If you see a leaf move, be on the look-out for danger. There is no telling how cunning the dogs are."

"Yaw; Hans Vanderbum knows all about dat."

For the space of over half an hour, nothing further transpired. But at the end of this time, Annie again called Ferrington to her side.

"If I am not greatly mistaken," said she, "I have seen Lion once or twice very near the spot where that bush lies."

Ferrington's heart beat violently, at the thought that Stanton had returned, and was perhaps waiting to signal the inmates of his cabin to admit him, and he was far less collected than our heroine, when he peered forth from the loop-hole at her side.

"The dog has appeared three times, just coming to the clearing and running back again. I can not understand the meaning of his movements. Can it be that father is killed, and he is striving to draw our attention to it?"

"I am sure not. In that case, he would come directly to the cabin door. It is singular that he should appear upon the spot where that Indian lies."

"That Indian does not lie there. His companion came a few minutes ago and dragged him away."

"Why did you not tell me of it? I might have shot him also."

"It was done so quickly that you would have been unable to do so. See! there is Lion, standing in full view. Would it not be best to go down and admit him?"