50 Life of Auduhofh 



which it required little shrewdness in me to guess. I 

 tapped my dog gently, he moved his tail, and with 

 indescribable pleasure I saw his fine eyes alternately 

 fixed on me and raised towards the trio in the corner. 

 I felt that he perceived danger in my situation. The 

 Indian exchanged the last glance with me. 



" The lads had eaten and drunk themselves into such 

 condition that I already looked upon them as hor^ de com- 

 bat ; and the firequent visits of the whiskey bottle to the 

 ugly mouth of their dam, I hoped would soon reduce her 

 to a like state. Judge of my astonishment when I saw 

 that incarnate fiend take a large carving-knife, and go to 

 the grindstone to whet its edge. I saw her pour the water 

 on the turning machine, and watched her working away 

 with the dangerous instrument, until the cold sweat 

 covered every part of my body, in despite of my determin- 

 ation to defend myself to the last. Her task finished, 

 she walked to her reeling sons, and said, ' There, that'll 



soon settle him ! Boys, kill yon , and then for the 



watch ! ' 



" I turned, cocked my gun-locks silently, touched my 

 faithful companion, and lay ready to start up and shoot 

 the first who might attempt my life. The moment was 

 fast approaching, and that night might have been my last 

 in this world, had not Providence made provision for my 

 rescue. All was ready. The infernal hag was advancing 

 slowly, probably contemplating the best way of despatch- 

 ing me whilst her sons should be engaged with the Indian. 

 I was several times on the eve of rising, and shooting her 

 on the spot, but she was not to be punished thus. The 

 door was suddenly opened, and there entered two stout 

 travellers, each with a long rifle on his shoulder. I 

 bounced up on my feet, and making them most heartily 

 welcome, told them how well it was for me that they 

 should have arrived at that moment. The tale was told 



