It was with the view of harrowing
up the soul of one whom he had recognised as the officer
who had disabled him on the night of the rencontre on
the bridge, that he had bound Sir Everard to the tree,
whence, as we have already stated, he was a compelled
spectator of every thing that passed within the tent;
and yet with that free action of limb which only tended
to tantalize him the more amid his unavailable efforts
to rid himself of his bonds,--a fact that proved not only
the dire extent to which the revenge of Wacousta could
be carried, but the actual and gratuitous cruelty of his
nature.
One must have been similarly circumstanced, to understand
all the agony of the young man during this odious scene,
and particularly at the fierce and repeated declaration
of the savage that Clara should be his bride. More than
once had he essayed to remove the ligatures which confined
his waist; but his unsuccessful attempts only drew an
occasional smile of derision from his enemy, as he glanced
his eye rapidly towards him. Conscious at length of the
inutility of efforts, which, without benefiting her for
whom they were principally prompted, rendered him in some
degree ridiculous even in his own eyes, the wretched
Valletort desisted altogether, and with his head sunk
upon his chest, and his eyes closed, sought at least to
shut out a scene which blasted his sight, and harrowed
up his very soul.
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