Both Kenton and Jazon understood every word and knew the
significance of such a command from the leader. It naturally came
into Kenton's mind that Hamilton had been informed of his visit to
Vincennes and had offered a reward for his capture. This being
true, death as a spy would be the certain result if he were taken
back. He might as well die now. As for Beverley, he thought only
of Alice, yonder as he had left her, a prisoner in Hamilton's
hands, Oncle Jazon, if he thought at all, probably considered
nothing but present escape, though he prayed audibly to the
Blessed Virgin, even while he lay helpless upon the ground, pinned
down by the weight of an enormous Indian. He could not move any
part of himself, save his lips, and these mechanically put forth
the wheezing supplication.
Beverley and Kenton, being young and powerful, were not so easily
mastered. For a while, indeed, they appeared to be more than
holding their own. They time and time again scattered the entire
crowd by the violence of their muscular efforts; and after it had
finally closed in upon them in a solid body they swayed and swung
it back and forth and round and round until the writhing, savage
mass looked as if caught in the vortex of a whirlwind. But such
tremendous exertion could not last long. Eight to one made too
great a difference between the contending parties, and the only
possible conclusion of the struggle soon came.
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