noon
Harrowing as were these reflections , he felt that immediate destruction , since it could not be avoided , would be rather a blessing than otherwise . But such , evidently , was not the purpose of his relentless enemy . Every species of torment which his cruel invention could supply would , he felt convinced , be exercised upon his frame ; and with this impression on his mind , it would have required sterner nerves than his , not to have shrunk from the very anticipation of so dreadful an ordeal . It was now noon , and yet no visible preparation was making for the consummation of the sacrifice . This , Captain de Haldimar imputed to the absence of the fierce Wacousta , whom he had not seen since the return of the warriors from their skirmish . The momentary disappearance of this extraordinary and ferocious man was , however , fraught with no consolation to his unfortunate prisoner , who felt he was only engaged in taking such measures as would render not only his destruction more certain , but his preliminary sufferings more complicated and protracted . While he was thus indulging in fruitless speculation as to the motive for his absence , he fancied he heard the report of a rifle , succeeded immediately afterwards by the war-whoop , at a considerable distance , and in the direction of the river .