betty zane-第44章
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followed by a screaming mob of squaws and young braves and children who threw sticks and stones at the hated Long Knife。
Soon the inhabitants of the camp congregated on the green oval in the midst of the lodges。 When the prisoner appeared they formed in two long lines facing each other； and several feet apart。 Isaac was to run the gauntletone of the severest of Indian tortures。 With the exception of Cornplanter and several of his chiefs； every Indian in the village was in line。 Little Indian boys hardly large enough to sling a stone； maidens and squaws with switches or spears； athletic young braves with flashing tomahawks； grim； matured warriors swinging knotted war clubs；all were there in line； yelling and brandishing their weapons in a manner frightful to behold。
The word was given； and stripped to the waist； Isaac bounded forward fleet as a deer。 He knew the Indian way of running the gauntlet。 The head of that long lane contained the warriors and older braves and it was here that the great danger lay。 Between these lines he sped like a flash； dodging this way and that； running close in under the raised weapons； taking what blows he could on his uplifted arms； knocking this warrior over and doubling that one up with a lightning blow in the stomach； never slacking his speed for one stride； so that it was extremely difficult for the Indians to strike him effectually。 Once past that formidable array； Isaac's gauntlet was run； for the squaws and children scattered screaming before the sweep of his powerful arms。
The old chiefs grunted their approval。 There was a bruise on Isaac's forehead and a few drops of blood mingled with the beads of perspiration。 Several lumps and scratches showed on his bare shoulders and arms； but he had escaped any serious injury。 This was a feat almost without a parallel in gauntlet running。
When he had been tied with wet buckskin thongs to the post in the center of the oval； the youths； the younger braves； and the squaws began circling round him； yelling like so many demons。 The old squaws thrust sharpened sticks； which had been soaked in salt water； into his flesh。 The maidens struck him with willows which left red welts on his white shoulders。 The braves buried the blades of their tomahawks in the post as near as possible to his head without actually hitting him。
Isaac knew the Indian nature well。 To command the respect of the savages was the only way to lessen his torture。 He knew that a cry for mercy would only increase his sufferings and not hasten his death；indeed it would prolong both。 He had resolved to die without a moan。 He had determined to show absolute indifference to his torture； which was the only way to appeal to the savage nature； and if anything could； make the Indians show mercy。 Or； if he could taunt them into killing him at once he would be spared all the terrible agony which they were in the habit of inflicting on their victims。
One handsome young brave twirled a glittering tomahawk which he threw from a distance of ten； fifteen； and twenty feet and every time the sharp blade of the hatchet sank deep into the stake within an inch of Isaac's head。 With a proud and disdainful look Isaac gazed straight before him and paid no heed to his tormentor。
〃Does the Indian boy think he can frighten a white warrior？〃 said Isaac scornfully at length。 〃Let him go and earn his eagle plumes。 The pale face laughs at him。〃
The young brave understood the Huron language； for he gave a frightful yell and cast his tomahawk again； this time shaving a lock of hair from Isaac's head。
This was what Isaac had prayed for。 He hoped that one of these glittering hatchets would be propelled less skillfully than its predecessors and would kill him instantly。 But the enraged brave had no other opportunity to cast his weapon； for the Indians jeered at him and pushed him from the line。
Other braves tried their proficiency in the art of throwing knives and tomahawks； but their efforts called forth only words of derision from Isaac。 They left the weapons sticking in the post until round Isaac's head and shoulders there was scarcely room for another。
〃The White Eagle is tired of boys；〃 cried Isaac to a chief dancing near。 〃What has he done that he be made the plaything of children？ Let him die the death of a chief。〃
The maidens had long since desisted in their efforts to torment the prisoner。 Even the hardened old squaws had withdrawn。 The prisoner's proud； handsome face； his upright bearing； his scorn for his enemies； his indifference to the cuts and bruises； and red welts upon his clear white skin had won their hearts。
Not so with the braves。 Seeing that the pale face scorned all efforts to make him flinch； the young brave turned to Big Tree。 At a command from this chief the Indians stopped their maneuvering round the post and formed a large circle。 In another moment a tall warrior appeared carrying an armful of fagots。
In spite of his iron nerve Isaac shuddered with horror。 He had anticipated running the gauntlet； having his nails pulled out； powder and salt shot into his flesh； being scalped alive and a host of other Indian tortures； but as he had killed no members of this tribe he had not thought of being burned alive。 God； it was too horrible！
The Indians were now quiet。 Their songs and dances would break out soon enough。 They piled fagot after fagot round Isaac's feet。 The Indian warrior knelt on the ground the steel clicked on the flint； a little shower of sparks dropped on the pieces of punk and thena tiny flame shot up； and slender little column of blue smoke floated on the air。
Isaac dim his teeth hard and prayed with all his soul for a speedy death。
Simon Girty came hurriedly through the lines of waiting； watching Indians。 He had obtained permission to speak to the man of his own color。
〃Zane； you made a brave stand。 Any other time but this it might have saved you。 If you want I'll get word to your people。〃 And then bending and placing his mouth close to Isaac's ear； he whispered； 〃I did all I could for you； but it must have been too late。〃
〃Try and tell them at Ft。 Henry；〃 Isaac said simply。
There was a little cracking of dried wood and then a narrow tongue of red flame darted up from the pile of fagots and licked at the buckskin fringe on the prisoner's legging。 At this supreme moment when the attention of all centered on that motionless figure lashed to the stake； and when only the low chanting of the death…song broke the stillness； a long； piercing yell rang out on the quiet morning air。 So strong； so sudden； so startling was the break in that almost perfect calm that for a moment afterward there was a silence as of death。 All eyes turned to the ridge of rising ground whence that sound had come。 Now came the unmistakable thunder of horses' hoofs pounding furiously on the rocky ground。 A moment of paralyzed inaction ensued。 The Indians stood bewildered； petrified。 Then on that ridge of rising ground stood； silhouetted against the blue sky； a great black horse with arching neck and flying mane。 Astride him sat a plumed warrior； who waved his rifle high in the air。 Again that shrill screeching yell came floating to the ears of the astonished Indians。
The prisoner had seen that horse and rider before； he had heard that long yell； his heart bounded with hope。 The Indians knew that yell； it was the terrible war…cry of the Hurons。
A horse followed closely after the leader； and then another appeared on the crest of the hill。 Then came two abreast； and then four abreast； and now the hill was black with plunging horses。 They galloped swiftly down the slope and into the narrow street of the village。 When the black horse entered the oval the train of racing horses extended to the top of the ridge。 The plumes of the riders streamed gracefully on the breeze； their feathers shone； their weapons glittered in the bright sunlight。
Never was there more complete surprise。 In the earlier morning the Hurons had crept up to within a rifle shot of the encampment； and at an opportune moment when all the scouts and runners were round the torture…stake； they had reached the hillside from which they rode into the village before the inhabitants knew what had happened。 Not
