52 The Winning of the West 



protect him. The moment for starting arrived ; the 

 big drum was beaten; and Kenton sprang forward 

 in the race. 46 Keeping his wits about him he sud- 

 denly turned to one side and darted off with the 

 whole tribe after him. His wonderful speed and 

 activity enabled him to keep ahead, and to dodge 

 those who got in his way, and by a sudden double 

 he rushed through an opening in the crowd, and 

 reached the council-house, having been struck but 

 three or four blows. 



He was no further molested that evening. Next 

 morning a council was held to decide whether he 

 should be immediately burnt at the stake, or should 

 first be led round to the different villages. The 

 warriors sat in a ring to pass judgment, passing the 

 war club from one to another; those who pass it in 

 silence thereby voted in favor of sparing the prisoner 

 for the moment, while those who struck it violently 

 on the ground thus indicated their belief that he 

 should be immediately put to death. The former 

 prevailed, and Kenton was led from town to town. 

 At each place he was tied to the stake, to be switched 

 and beaten by the women and boys; or else was 

 forced to run the gantlet, while sand was thrown 

 in his eyes and guns loaded with powder fired 

 against his body to burn his flesh. 



Once, while on the march, he made a bold rush 

 for liberty, all unarmed though he was ; breaking out 

 of the line and running into the forest. His speed 



46 For this part of Kenton's adventures compare the "Last 

 of the Mohicans." 



