immediately by the report of a pistol.

"If you don't do anything worse than shoot, I shan't come to much
grief," he said, with a laugh. "Master Haines is not as wise a man as I
have supposed him to be if he thinks it is possible to bring his game
down by firing at random, for he surely can't see me."

Walter failed to realize that his movements could be plainly heard,
even though he was hidden from view by the foliage, and soon the sounds
of pursuit reached his ear.

"There is no need of the Indian while my horse is floundering among the
bushes," he muttered to himself. "Haines has mounted the other
animal,--was probably on his back before I started, and counts on
riding me down. He can do it, too!" Walter exclaimed, in a louder tone.
"Once he is where I can serve as a target, the chase will be brought to
a speedy end."

Now he understood that if he hoped to escape he must return to the
path, where the horse would have an Opportunity to show his speed, and
he wheeled him suddenly around, regardless of the risk of coming
directly upon Haines.

Fortunately his pursuer was not as near as he had fancied, and soon he
was riding at the best possible pace over the narrow path. He had
emerged beyond the spot where the half-breed was stationed, and before
him was nothing to jeopardize safety; it only remained to distance the
white man.

Two miles were traversed in a remarkably short space of time, and then
he was on that portion of the road which ran in a straight line through
a sort of clearing. That it was possible for his pursuer to see him
during a certain time was shown, as a bullet whistled within an inch of
the fugitive's head.

"That makes two shots, my friend," he said, as if to keep up his
courage. "Unless I am mistaken, you had only a couple of pistols, and
by the time they are reloaded I shall be screened by the bushes again."

That his calculations were not correct was shown as a second ball
passed uncomfortably close, and a third tore through his coat-sleeve,
causing the warm blood to gush down over his hand.

"Only a scratch, nothing more!" he shouted, and then he was among the
friendly shelter of the trees again.

The horse upon which Haines rode could not hold the pace, and when half
an hour had elapsed no sound of pursuit was heard.

It was time Walter gave the captured animal a breathing spell, if he
hoped to reach Salem as he had calculated, and he brought him to a
standstill while he pulled