Become the immediate prisoners
of Wacousta, they had been surrendered to that ferocious
chief to be dealt with as he might think proper; and, on
disembarking from the canoe in which their transit to
the main land had been descried that morning from the
fort, had been separated from their equally unfortunate
and suffering companions. Captain de Haldimar, Madeline,
and the Canadian, were delivered over to the custody of
several choice warriors of the tribe in which Wacousta
was adopted; and, bound hand and foot, were, at that
moment, in the war tent of the fierce savage, which, as
Ponteac had once boasted to the governor, was every where
hung around with human scalps, both of men, of women,
and of children. The object of this mysterious man, in
removing Clara to the spot we have described, was one
well worthy of his ferocious nature. His vengeance had
already devoted her to destruction; and it was within
view of the fort, which contained the father whom he
loathed, he had resolved his purpose should be accomplished.
A refinement of cruelty, such as could scarcely have been
supposed to enter the breast even of such a remorseless
savage as himself, had caused him to convey to the same
spot, him whom he rather suspected than knew to be the
lover of the young girl.
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