Chapter 20 - Page 2

on which the Castle stood,
clinging to the sands and weeds, as if life were to be retained by
this frenzied grasp of death. A blow sent into the pit of another's
stomach doubled him up like a worm that had been trodden on, and
but two able bodied foes remained to be dealt with. One of these,
however, was not only the largest and strongest of the Hurons, but
he was also the most experienced of their warriors present, and that
one whose sinews were the best strung in fights, and by marches on
the warpath. This man fully appreciated the gigantic strength of
his opponent, and had carefully husbanded his own. He was also
equipped in the best manner for such a conflict, standing in nothing
but his breech-cloth, the model of a naked and beautiful statue of
agility and strength. To grasp him required additional dexterity
and unusual force. Still Hurry did not hesitate, but the kick that
had actually destroyed one fellow creature was no sooner given, than
he closed in with this formidable antagonist, endeavoring to force
him into the water, also. The struggle that succeeded was truly
frightful. So fierce did it immediately become, and so quick and
changeful were the evolutions of the athletes, that the remaining
savage had no chance for interfering, had he possessed the desire;
but wonder and apprehension held him spell bound. He was an
inexperienced youth, and his blood curdled as he witnessed the fell
strife of human passions, exhibited too, in an unaccustomed form.

Hurry first attempted to throw his antagonist. With this view he
seized him by the throat, and an arm, and tripped with the quickness
and force of an American borderer. The effect was frustrated by
the agile movements of the Huron, who had clothes to grasp by, and
whose feet avoided the attempt with a nimbleness equal to that with
which it was made. Then followed a sort of melee, if such a term
can be applied to a struggle between two in which no efforts were
strictly visible, the limbs and bodies of the combatants assuming
so many attitudes and contortions as to defeat observation. This
confused but fierce rally lasted less than a minute, however; when,
Hurry, furious at having his strength baffled by the agility and
nakedness of his foe, made a desperate effort, which sent the Huron
from him, hurling his body violently against the logs of the hut.
The concussion was so great as momentarily to confuse the latter's
faculties. The pain, too, extorted a deep groan; an unusual
concession to agony to escape a red man in the heat of battle.
Still he rushed forward again to meet his enemy, conscious that
his safety rested on it's resolution. Hurry now seized the other
by the waist, raised him bodily from the platform, and fell with
his own great