y; so we may now descend into the plain, and
see if we can learn who the unfortunate people were."

This was what I was wishing to do. We accordingly left the wood and
made our way down the hill, towards the remains of the waggon. We had
not got far, however, when we caught sight of three horsemen galloping
across the plain towards us. My companion scrutinised them narrowly.

"If they are friends, they have reason for their hurry; and if enemies,
the sooner we get under cover the better," he observed. "We must not
now attempt to reach the waggon. Ah! I understand all about it. See!
out there come a dozen or more horsemen. They must be Indians in
pursuit of the first--who, if I mistake not, are our friends. Come on,
Roger! they will reach the hill as soon as we do."

As he said this we retreated to the foot of the hill, and began to climb
it as rapidly as we could.

"But, if these are our friends, will they find their way to the cave?"
I asked.

"Yes, yes! Sandy knows it as well as I do," he answered, without
stopping.

We were just approaching the entrance of the cave, when the war-whoops
of the Indians, and their loud cries, as they shouted to each other,
reached our ears.

"They are making their way up the hill," said Samson. "Get inside, lad,
and prepare to close the entrance when I tell you."

The loud rustling sound of persons making their way through the
brushwood was heard, and presently Sandy, accompanied by Reuben and
Mike, sprang out from among the trees, and rushed towards the mouth of
the cavern.

"No time to be lost," sang out Sandy. "The Redskins are at our heels!"

In a moment they were all three within the cave. Old Samson was still
outside, and I saw him lift his rifle and fire. At the same moment two
arrows flew past his head--one sticking in the woodwork, the other
entering the cavern--and just then I caught sight of the fierce
countenances of half-a-dozen red warriors who were making their way
between the trees. Their leader, springing forward tomahawk in hand,
nearly reached Samson; when, with the agility of a far younger man, he
sprang through the opening, and I immediately closed the door--the sharp
blade of the weapon burying itself deep in the wood.

"Now, we'll give it them!" exclaimed Samson, as he and Sandy opened
three of the concealed loopholes, through which we thrust the barrels of
our rifles and fired on our assailants. Their leader fell dead, shot
through t