Ellen Walton / Or, The Villain and His Victims

on as it could be done, to place that river between himself and captives and any

made; they were traced to their resting-place; the evident marks of a scuffle were visible; and the unanimous opinion of all was that they were in the hands of Indians. Preparations for pursuit were immediatel

t, and the lovers were not without hope that it would prove successful. In this hope, they, as far as circumstances and ability permitted, endeavored to retard the progre

r, and no friends in sight to bid them hope! Durant now concluded all was safe; and the malice of his heart, which the pressure of circumstance

ng you more particularly concerning my plans for the future. For the present, receive my assurances, that nothing else could give me such unbounded satisfaction as the felicity unspeaka

resolutely set herself against any display of fear, or the least manifestation of alarm, well knowing that

tramp of horses' feet was heard in the di

come! white

wn the Indian who guarded him, sent Durant whirling round like a top to the distance of ten or twelve feet, seized Ellen in his arms, and with strength almost superhuman, and a speed miraculous under the circumstances, bounded away

e voice of passion and rage, so soon as he recovered from the astonishment

im, sent Durant whirling round like a top to th

uns without effect, and the leveling of a third by Ramsey, with a coolness and steadiness of nerve and aim which gave assurance of success. His finger was on

all," he said. "The ball would have killed bot

ed up in his usually cowardly heart by the burning thirst for revenge which rankled in his bosom; and crying "Come!" he rushed to the spot where the lovers lay, followed by his comrade. Both were wounded, but neither was dead. Lifting the bleeding Ellen in his arms, he bore her back, while Ramsey and an Indian did the same by Hamilton. Springing into their canoes, and bending to the oars with all the strength they could muster, they were soon far

re effectually baffled in their designs, he gave orders to cease the frightening demonstrations, and continue their course. In a few minutes the Ohio shore was gained, and they soon buried themselves in the deep woods

es, but might prove fatal if not properly attended to. Durant's first care was to have them dressed and bound up; and he used every means within his reach to expedite their recovery. He had them

onvalescence was distinctly manifest, the crisis and the danger past, he began to torment his victims; the one of his wounded vanity, his disappointed avarice, and his venomous hate; the other of his envy and jealous malic

love. Your heart was already occupied, a circumstance you took good care to conceal. Thank my stars, my rival is

done to you that you sh

love, your hand, and made my life

ou, sir, attempted the part of a robber, not Mr. Hamilton. Now

I presume you have never beheld the sacrifice of a victim on a funeral pile, nor more t

e a strong impression; but whatever its real effect upon the mind of his au

ances; but that I would abhor the actors in the

d, and Durant changed his discourse from

and I now change the form of my query, and beg to know how you would probabl

s this heartless interrogation was fully comprehended, but

a harrowing one, but I do not an

l tell you at first, that th

e, I give you credit for too much humanity to believe your words are more t

ly my due; for I never was more earnest in my life, and it is

uced strength of body, to the feelings which, until now, she had kept in

by you through me; do not, then, make him the object of your wrath,

ore savage and determined in his intentions and avowals. The excitement of the interview, however, in her case, superinduced a state of fever, which bid fair, for a few days, to render her recovery very doubtful. This result was not expected by Durant, and he in turn became alarmed, lest his dearly bought vengeance should yet slip from him. Every exertion was put forth for her restoration, a

ministering to his revengeful desires. His idea looked to the accomplishment of this object, and he was fain to believe he saw a way to succeed. As Ellen was to act a part in his newly formed plan, his manner toward her changed. He was polite and respectful in his words and attentions

a new and better life, but my way is hedged up before me. I am an outcast of society, made so by my own acts, the dark enormity of which I now behold with astonishment, and, unless some great influence is brought to bear in my favor, I dare not return to a Christian community, and if I rema

e in the man's sincerity or not; bu

I can aid you in any way, I

thing but hatred from you by my acts. I will consult Mr. Hamilton on the subject,

himself before Hamilton, whom

r apartment of this rather dismal abode, and, I doubt not, have much influence over her. If so, I very

tion, and the impediments in the way, much in the same

severed myself by a rash act, committed in an hour of passion, and followed up by a strange course of infatuation ever since. I know of none upon whose names and aid I would sooner cast myself than upon you and Miss Walton, as your families are of the first respectability,

not as well prepared to scorn the motives of Durant, or penetrate his designs, as he might have been under more favorable auspices; and having no reason

you in so worthy a work; but, if need be, bear to her the assurance of my hearty approval of your designs and wishes, and that I

ble to her distrust, will you have the goodness

him the paper and a penc

in the way of his reformation. I most heartily approve his plans, as they seem to be the most judicious t

mil

ossed his features, and with the warmest thanks on his lips, he departed, and

on, whose opinion on the subject you will f

She read the lines traced

prove and as heartily enter into my plans, all d

pproves; and in all good endeavors, I shall be most happy

ied out. There are very few persons in the settlements who have any knowledge of my connection with the Indians, and my first request

cert

be but little,) to those who may ask you for information concerning me; but if you have nothing good to say, then th

es where your reputation is at stake, and to a

to make, and if to this you can give your assent,

sued; Ellen was in doubt as to the nature of the requirement, and he of the propriety of making it. But he had set his

to whom I can offer my hand, and having loved you so long and ardently, I can do nothing less than make this as my final request, that you consent to become my wife. I make this request the only condition of rele

ed by his seeming sincerity of manner into the hope that he was really desirous of reforming; and even now she could hardly believe her own ears, so consummate was his hypocrisy; but as the whole truth shone out to her compr

de to your las

y n

impos

e to wretchedness in this lif

e for my acts; and your repentance can be j

earnestly I may desire to do so; and if I go to the settlements, I shall be slain as a foe, unless pro

think your whole scheme a very thin and flimsy

ilton, as you have already seen, perfec

never mentioned to him; in this respect you have tried to deceive me; but to put the matter to rest, at once and foreve

w that I have the power of life and death over yourself and Hamilton, and I now ask you, as a last resort, to choose between assenting to become my wife and seeing your lover at the stake! You may well start and turn pale; for as sure as there is a sky above and the earth beneath us, I swear that one or the other fate shall be yours. Make y

e you in my estimation, I would spurn your offer as I would the proffered hand of Satan himself or of the vilest imp in the loathsome pit of night where he re

ly when the trying hour comes, pe

th you imagine me to possess; if I were poor, you would not even offer me your hand, let alone make such efforts to obtain it. I see through all your

ut I leave you for the present, to reflect on the subject,

far recovered as to be able to walk about. To him Durant appealed; but his offer of freedom, on condition of using his influence to i

his long threatened vengeance. The stake was prepared after the most approved Indian model, and the fagots piled high around it. The two victims were th

ut with the same result as before; they were pale wit

ifice yourself to save me," was Hamilton's language to his companion in distress. "Life witho

uation of such interchange of th

e, and an Indian stood ready with a torch to fire the

o Ellen, whom he had dragged to the spot. "His destiny is y

and scarcely able to

e done! I am prepa

hissed in her ear

that!" and she reeled

son, save yourself, save

calmed her in a mome

will not perjure my soul to save myself fr

ot be an honora

s,-ne

age, and the order was instantly obeyed by the