Many of the men raised their muskets, and in the
excitement of the moment, would have fired, had they not
been restrained by their officers, who pointed out the
certain destruction it would entail on the unfortunate
Clara. With the rapidity of thought, Wacousta had snatched
up his victim, while the attention of the troops was
directed to the singular conversation passing between
the governor and Sir Everard Valletort, and darting
through one of the open angles already alluded to, had
gained the rampart before they had recovered from the
stupor produced by his daring action. Stepping lightly
upon the pegs, he had rapidly ascended to the utmost
height of these, before any one thought of following him;
and then grasping in his teeth the cord which was to have
served for his execution, and holding Clara firmly against
his chest, while he embraced the smooth staff with knees
and feet closely compressed around it, accomplished the
difficult ascent with an ease that astonished all who
beheld him. Gradually, as he approached the top, the
tapering pine waved to and fro; and at each moment it
was expected, that, yielding to their united weight, it
would snap asunder, and precipitate both Clara and himself,
either upon the rampart, or into the ditch beyond.
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