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'I was in a rage, he said, looking at our hero, because you refused this favour; but I did not mean to strike. His looks, however, as he spoke, belied the declaration. 'I will need you, he said, nodding to The Lifter; 'and you come, of course, to Murfrey. Roland said nothing, but sat apart, his weapon in his pocket, ready for immediate use.
Don't you think she's a beauty; a what 'ill I call her? a Diana! yes, that must be her name. Now go and take care of Diana of the Swamp. The chief had become jocose; for here was the lovely prey safe within the toils. A minute later he called. 'Here, Joe' and Murfrey came. 'If you get a chance to make an end of that d d fellow Gray, do so. I do not, want the two to begin coddling.
'We had better be moving, Miss, Murfrey said, walking to her side; for it was arranged that the Captain should stay behind to blind the track made by the single sled, and, with the deaf-mute, put pursuers on the wrong scent. He was very skilful at this sort of thing and the rest were not. Hence his remaining behind.
Not an act of hers escaped the jealous eye of Murfrey; and as the miserable girl was in the act of passing something to Roland, the robber gave her a violent blow upon the arm. 'You are too d d ready with your attentions, he growled, and then swore a terrible oath. Nancy turned and looked upon him with flashing eyes; and ferocious and bloody as the man was, she did not fear him.
But it was too late with the Ethiopean; for as the word 'buglahs, issued the second time from his lips, he was struck upon the head with a club and knocked senseless. 'Here, said The Lifter, 'take this, handing the bag of booty to Murfrey. In an instant the band of desperadoes were making their flight through the pines; but not before several bullets had been sent whizzing among them.
On the following morning the chief and Murfrey went away again; and in obedience to the command of the hag our hero, accompanied by The Lifter, who had instructions to shoot him if he attempted to escape, proceeded to a portion of the bush not far distant to cut firewood. Although he had 'roughed it' for many a season in the woods, Roland was clumsy enough at the regular work of woodcutting.
But I will make no investigation, for if I did and found the charge made good, I should shoot you where you stand. I will take your word upon it. The Lifter did not wince under the harangue. He did not, indeed, look at his father at all, but kept his eye upon Murfrey. 'And, said he, 'before I reply, may I ask what you ought to do to anybody guilty of slandereen?
The captive did not seem to hear the words addressed to her, but stood there most hopeless and distrait in the opening dawn, tears streaming out of her beautiful eyes. Murfrey turned away for a moment to speak with his leader as to what he ought to do. This gave The Lifter who was standing near an opportunity to whisper in her ear, for he had drawn quite close to the girl. 'Fear not!
The captain sent The Lifter out to fetch the animal in, but the poor brute seemed to know that harm was intended, and it went back further into the bush. All the night it cried there; but at sunrise Murfrey crept out with a long-barrelled gun and shot it. They had now reached the extremity of the tunnel, and Nancy suggested that they should hasten back.
Facing in such a manner that the entire gang was in front of him he drew his pistol, and by the aid of his left arm began to make his way up the tree. He paused on the first limb, for he perceived that Murfrey was about to spring upon him.
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