"What is to be done?" asked Hinton, as he shuddered at the scene before him. "I will tell _you_ what is to be done, Hayward," cried Branch. "I hold _you_ in my power, and I shall dictate my own terms." "What are they?" asked Hayward. "Let the entire party, excepting yourself withdraw some distance to the rear, and then swear by your honor that I shall not be molested, and shall be permitted to go as I please, and I will restore your sister. If you do not, she shall perish, even if I go with her!" The villain, who supposed his proposition would be readily accepted, had been partially thrown off his guard. With a cry of "Brother!" Mamie sprang suddenly to the ground. In doing so, she had collected all her strength, and, as she sprang, the concussion had thrown Branch backward, and he was falling over the ledge. He caught a small sapling in his fall, and there the villain hung, suspended over this dreadful gulf, only by the frail twig. He turned upward an imploring glance, but did not speak. He gazed below, and a thrill of terror shook his frame. "Your hour has come!" cried Hayward, as he approached the edge of the cliff. "No! no! me--me!" cried the Indian, stepping forward. "Oh! save me!" groaned Branch. "Pray," said Hayward, as he saw the tomahawk of the Indian raised high in the air. "Save me--save--" Branch spoke no more. The tomahawk had descended and severed the frail twig, to which Branch was clinging. A yell of terror rose upon the air, as Branch went whirling down, and then a dull, heavy thump was heard and all was still. Hayward pressed his lips upon his sister's forehead, and murmured, "The dream, darling--the dream!" "O brother," she sobbed, "I cannot speak--I am so happy!" Margrave had not been idle. He had taken a full share of embraces, and had handed Alibamo over to Adjutant Hinton, who appeared rather to relish that luxury, himself. Johnson was a silent spectator, but Nettleton was dancing with perfect ecstacy, as he exclaimed: "Well, I'm about the happiest darn skunk that ever did live!" "Fall-leaf, have you nothing to say?" asked Hayward. "Me kill--ugh!" he pointed toward the rocks below, and seemed perfectly satisfied. "Bad man--_much_ bad!" and he strode away up the path. Night was fast approaching, and the happily united friends set out for Springfield, which they reached in safety. Captain Hayward recovered from his wounds, and is still engaged in fighting his country's battles, while his lovely sister is happy in her home upon the lake. Adjutant Hinton is in the same regiment with Hayward, while Alibamo--_not_ Alibamo Margrave, but Alibamo _Hinton_, is adorning her husband's elegant home in New York, where she is its light and joy. She only awaits the return of Harry to render her perfectly happy. Nettleton thinks he is becoming less of a "skunk" every day, but still insists on remaining with Haywood, as his "body-guard." Fall-leaf still serves the army. AU REVOIR. ADVERTISEMENT