sional yells, which served to
show the fugitives that they at least did not gain ground.

A little to the right of the direction in which they were flying a blue
line was seen on the horizon. This indicated the existence of trees to
Joe's practised eyes; and feeling that if the horses broke down they
could better make a last manful stand in the wood than on the plain he
urged his steed towards it. The savages noticed the movement at once,
and uttered a yell of exultation, for they regarded it as an evidence
that the fugitives doubted the strength of their horses.

"Ye haven't got us yet," muttered Joe, with a sardonic grin. "If they
get near us, Dick, keep yer eyes open, an' look out for yer neck, else
they'll drop a noose over it; they will, afore ye know they're near, an'
haul ye off like a sack."

Dick nodded in reply, but did not speak, for at that moment his eye was
fixed on a small creek ahead which they must necessarily leap or dash
across. It was lined with clumps of scattered shrubbery, and he glanced
rapidly for the most suitable place to pass. Joe and Henri did the
same, and having diverged a little to the different points chosen, they
dashed through the shrubbery, and were hid from each other's view. On
approaching the edge of the stream, Dick found to his consternation that
the bank was twenty feet high opposite him, and too wide for any horse
to clear. Wheeling aside without checking speed, at the risk of
throwing his steed, he rode along the margin of the stream for a few
hundred yards until he found a ford--at least such a spot as might be
cleared by a bold leap. The temporary check, however, had enabled an
Indian to gain so close upon his heels, that his exulting yell sounded
close in his ear.

With a vigorous bound his gallant little horse went over. Crusoe could
not take it, but he rushed down the one bank and up the other, so that
he only lost a few yards. These few yards, however, were sufficient to
bring the Indian close upon him as he cleared the stream at full gallop.
The savage whirled his lasso swiftly round for a second, and in another
moment Crusoe uttered a tremendous roar as he was tripped up violently
on the plain.

Dick heard the cry of his faithful dog, and turned quickly round, just
in time to see him spring at the horse's throat, and bring both steed
and rider down upon him. Dick's heart leaped to his throat. Had a
thousand savages been rushing on him, he would have fl