Our fate is inevitable.

In a few moments we must appear before the bar of God.

Let us make what preparation is yet in our power.' "'Oh, I cannot die!' exclaimed he, 'I am not fit to die--if I had but a short time to prepare--death is awful!' "I pointed to Ensign Ronan, who, though mortally wounded and nearly down, was still fighting with desperation on one knee.[35] "'Look at that man!' said I.'At least he dies like a soldier.' "'Yes,' replied the unfortunate man, with a convulsive gasp, 'but he has no terrors of the future--he is an unbeliever!' "At this moment a young Indian raised his tomahawk at me.

By springing aside, I partially avoided the blow, which was intended for my skull, but which alighted on my shoulder.

I seized him around the neck, and while exerting my utmost efforts to get possession of his scalping-knife, which hung in a scabbard over his breast, I was dragged from his grasp by another and older Indian.
"The latter bore me struggling and resisting towards the lake.
Notwithstanding the rapidity with which I was harried along, I recognized, as I passed them, the lifeless remains of the unfortunate surgeon.