gic, four Indians were seen on
the backs of four of the best horses, yelling like fiends, and driving
all the other horses furiously before them over the plain.

How they got there was a complete mystery, but the men did not wait to
consider that point. Catching up their guns they sprang after them with
the fury of madmen, and were quickly scattered far and wide. Dick
ordered Crusoe to follow and help the men, and turned to spring on the
back of Charlie, but at that moment he observed an Indian's head and
shoulders rise above the grass, not fifty yards in advance from him, so
without hesitation he darted forward, intending to pounce upon him.

Well would it have been for Dick Varley had he at that time possessed a
little more experience of the wiles and stratagems of the Banattees.
The Snake nation is subdivided into several tribes, of which those
inhabiting the Rocky Mountains, called the Banattees, are the most
perfidious. Indeed, they are confessedly the banditti of the hills, and
respect neither friend nor foe, but rob all who come in their way.

Dick reached the spot where the Indian had disappeared in less than a
minute, but no savage was to be seen! Thinking he had crept ahead he
ran on a few yards further, and darted about hither and thither, while
his eye glanced from side to side. Suddenly a shout in the camp
attracted his attention, and looking back he beheld the savage on
Charlie's back turning to fly. Next moment he was off and away far
beyond the hope of recovery. Dick had left his rifle in the camp,
otherwise the savage would have gone but a short way--as it was, Dick
returned, and sitting down on a mound of grass, stared straight before
him with a feeling akin to despair. Even Crusoe could not have helped
him had he been there, for nothing on four legs, or on two, could keep
pace with Charlie.

The Banattee achieved this feat by adopting a stratagem which invariably
deceives those who are ignorant of their habits and tactics. When
suddenly pursued the Banattee sinks into the grass, and, serpentlike,
creeps along with wonderful rapidity, not _from_ but _towards_ his
enemy, taking care, however, to avoid him, so that when the pursuer
reaches the spot where the pursued is supposed to be hiding, he hears
him shout a yell of defiance far away in the rear.

It was thus that the Banattee eluded Dick and gained the camp almost as
soon as the other reached the spot where he had disappeared.

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