Here they ducked them, keeping their heads for a long time under water, all the while yelling and laughing like so many demons.

The poor captives for a while believed that these women were about to drown them, and, tied as they were, they could make no effort to save themselves.

This, however, was not the intention of the squaws; they were only disposed to have as much fun out of them as possible.

After they had got tired of this amusement, they dragged the boys back again to the bank, and flung them dripping upon the grass.
But what was Basil doing all this time?
Did he not possess a charm about him, that would have put an end to all this torturing treatment, and have made the Indians friends instead of such cruel enemies?
Ah! poor Basil! he had suffered worse than any of the three.

I shall tell you how it was with him.
At their capture Basil had been stunned by the blow of a tomahawk.