rl it at her head, when Loraine
with the butt of a pistol struck down his arm; and at that instant a
horseman was seen on the top of the ridge. The stranger was old Sass.
At a glance he took in the state of affairs. Instead of descending,
however, he turned round and shouted loudly in Cree--

"Come on, come on! Here are your enemies, here are your enemies! We've
a fine band of them in our power. Quick, quick, or they will escape
us!"

Then, as if his followers were close behind, he began to descend almost
as rapidly as had the younger men. The Blackfeet, evidently believing
that in another minute a large body of their foes would be upon them,
turned their horses' heads, and without looking again at the top of the
ridge, began a rapid retreat, carrying Mysticoose along with them, their
flight hastened by the loud shout which, Hector and Norman setting the
example, was raised by the white men.

Norman had not forgotten the poor fellow who had fallen in his defence,
and succeeded in catching him as he came to the surface, and dragging
him to the shore.

"We must get to the top of the hill and show ourselves, or the Blackfeet
may suspect the trick we played them," said old Sass. "That done, we'll
ride as fast as our horses' legs can carry us to Fort Duncan. I'll help
you with that poor fellow," he added, addressing Norman. "Here, friend,
mount your horse; many a man has ridden a score of miles with a worse
wound."

The half-breed, knowing that his life depended upon his following the
advice, succeeded in getting into his saddle, when the whole party,
winding their way up the height, which was of no great elevation, showed
themselves on the summit, appearing as if they were the front rank of a
body of horsemen about to descend to the river. Such was the idea, in
all probability, that the Blackfeet entertained as they were seen in the
distance galloping off to the south-west.

The party had to make a considerable circuit, and notwithstanding their
wish to hurry forward were compelled frequently to proceed at a foot
pace, although they pushed on whenever the ground would allow.

On reaching the top of the hill overlooking the prairie on the southern
side of the river, they caught sight of the Blackfeet band in the
distance, galloping, it appeared, towards the fort. Whether they
themselves were perceived, they could not tell; but Norman fancied that
he saw a band separate from the rest, and direct their cours