MIKi: FINK, THK KKKLBOATMAN. 179 



But in tlic midst of the witchery of this <iuiet sccue, 

 there sounded forth the terrible rifle, and the more 

 terrible war-whoop of the Indian. One of the boat- 

 men, asleep on deck, gave a stifled groan, turned upon 

 his face, and with a quivering motion, ceased to live. 



Not so with his companions — they in an instant, as 

 men accustomed to danger and sudden attacks, sprang 

 ready-armed to their feet ; but before they could dis- 

 cover their foes, seven sleek and horribly painted sav- 

 ages, leaped from the hill into the boat. The firing of 

 the rifle was useless, and each man singled out a foe, and 

 met him with the drawn knife. 



The struggle was quick and fearful ; and deadly 

 blows were given, amid screams and imprecations that 

 rent the air. Yet the voice of Mike Fink could be 

 heard in encouraging shouts above the clamor. 



" Give it to them, boys ! '' he cried, " cut their hearts 

 out ! choke the dogs ! Here's h-U a- fire and the river 

 rising ! " Then clenching with the most powerful of the 

 assailants, he rolled with him upon the deck of the boat. 

 Powerful as Mike was, the Indian seemed nearly a 

 match for him. The two twisted and writhed like ser- 

 pents, — now one seeming to have the advantage, and 

 then the other. 



In all this confusion there might occasionally bo 

 seen glancing in the moonlight the blade of a knife ; but 

 at whom the thrusts were made, or who wielded it, could 

 not be discovered. 



