was there before
him, and rode down upon him in such a way that he was compelled to take
to the open plain and run for his life.

His pursuer allowed him to run, keeping just close enough to him to
force him into the particular course he desired him to take. But the
savage proved, indeed, to be what his mother had styled him--a brave
chief. Apparently resolving rather to die than to be hunted thus like a
wolf, he halted suddenly, turned sharp round, and, crossing his arms on
his bare chest, looked Dick full in the face as he came up. Just as he
was within ten yards of him, the Indian drew his knife, and hurled it at
the breast of his enemy with such violence that it hissed in its passage
through the air. Dick received it on his shield, where it stood
quivering. Plucking it therefrom with a grim smile, he placed it in his
own girdle, and riding up to the Indian, sternly bade him mount in front
of him.

There was no refusing to obey that voice. The Indian cast one uneasy
glance towards his camp, which was now far away on the plain, but there
was no sign of any one coming to the rescue. His captor had got the
credit of being an evil spirit, and he felt that he was left to his
fate. A hasty repetition of the order compelled him to turn and seize
the mane of the horse. Dick held out his toe for him to step on; the
next moment he was seated in front of the pale-face, galloping towards
the mountains.

Whatever astonishment the Indian felt at this singular treatment, or
whatever his curiosity as to the result of it all, his countenance
expressed nothing but calm scorn and defiance. He was evidently working
himself into that state of mind which these redskin warriors endeavour
to assume when they are captured and taken to the stake and the torture,
there to prove their title to the name of brave by enduring the most
inconceivable agonies with stoical indifference, or there to bring
discredit on their tribe, infamy on their name, and joy to their
enemies, by breaking down under the infliction of tortures at the bare
mention of which humanity shudders.

For some time they maintained the same headlong speed. When, however,
all danger of pursuit was over, Dick drew rein, and proceeded more
leisurely, in order to relieve his now jaded steed. But that was a
steed of the true metal. It possessed that generous spirit which would
have induced it willingly to exert itself even to the death. Its owner
might have ridden i