A FOREST CHIEFTAIN. 1? 
as the result of some fearful supernatural agency 
The superstition acted naturally to their detri- 
ment, and increased the power of Will Smith, 
the Forest Chieftain, who, victor in repeated con- 
tests, they looked upon as the evil genius of their 
race—an instrument of vengeance sent by the 
Great Spirit. Their timidity in facing so terri- 
ble an enemy was the cause of an irresolution in 
their attacks which usually brought defeat, and 
facilitated, of course, the means of escape for the 
conqueror. Sometimes unexpectedly on the 
rear of his enemy, at others ahead of them, or 
incomprehensibly in the very midst of the fray, 
it seemed indeed as though the warrior had a 
“ charmed life.” True it was that a spell hung 
on the existence of this extraordinary man, who 
lived under the shadow of a great and inextin- 
guishable sorrow. The bitter remembrance of 
this it was, which, inciting a ceaseless desire of 
revenge, was the secret of his restless and san- 
guinary career. The blight of misery, as a 
plague-taint, separated him from his fellow 
men. 
Sternly and isolated he lived, for ever haunting 
the war path or the hunting trail of the Indians, 
from which their bravest leaders disappeared. 
Few among the border people approached or 
ventured to address the dreaded chieftain. A 
mystery surrounded him, which was the source 
2* - B 
