e misfortune to engage in many such chases. To make a
slant at a fugitive, so as to cut him off, or to make a short cut and
head him, is pleasant if you be strong in wind and limb, but to creep up
right astern, inch by inch, foot by foot, yard by yard, and to overcome
him at last by sheer superiority and perseverance, is a disheartening
task.

That was the task we undertook the night we left the Indian camp, and
went off at full gallop over the rolling prairie in pursuit of the
scoundrel Attick and his crew.

But Indians are by nature persevering, and, for myself, I was roused to
the highest pitch of indignation and anxiety. Salamander and I had
ridden far and fast that day, besides which we had eaten only a mouthful
of pemmican and biscuit since breakfast; nevertheless, under the
excitement of the moment our weariness vanished, our hunger fled, and we
engaged in the pursuit with all the ardour of the youngest brave among
them.

Fortunately I had secured two exceptionally fine horses, so that they
were quite able to compete with the inferior, though fresher, horses of
the Indians.

"How long is it since you discovered that they were gone?" said I, as I
galloped alongside of Big Otter.

"Not more than an hour," he replied.

"Do you think they had a long start before that?"

"I cannot tell. Perhaps two hours, perhaps four. Certainly not five,
for they were seen in camp when the sun was high."

I was greatly relieved to learn that they had not got a longer start of
us, and very thankful that I had come up in time to join the pursuers.
I was calming down somewhat under the influence of these thoughts, when
I had a sudden feeling of being shot from a cannon into the air. This
was succeeded by a sensation of having my nose converted into a
ploughshare, and that was instantly followed by oblivion!

In the uncertain light my steed had put his foot in a badger hole--that
was all, but it sufficed to check the pace of the whole party!

On recovering I found my head on Salamander's knee. I felt dreamy and
indifferent. "What has happened?" I asked, in English.

Our interpreter, who had a tendency to answer in whatever language he
was addressed--whether English, French, or Indian--replied--

"Yoos bin a-most busted, sar!"

Suddenly the true state of the case flashed upon me. Langour fled. I
leaped up, and scrambled somehow into the saddle.

"Have I been long insensible, Salamander?" I asked, as we resumed