undred yards or so and then
proceed more cautiously, so as to make sure the enemy was asleep.

All at once he stopped short, startled.

The enemy was not asleep, for he saw a dark shadow pass before the
glowing light.

The adventurer stopped short for a few moments, but not in hesitation.
It was merely to alter his plan of attack; but the next minute all
planning was cast to the winds, for there rang out on the night air a
wild cry for help--such an appeal as he had himself uttered so short a
time before.

The cry was repeated, sending a thrill of excitement through the
listener, and telling its own tale. To the hearer it was as plain as if
he had been told that the gang of ruffians had waylaid another
unfortunate, who was about to share his own fate.

He rushed forward at once, and as he ran and stumbled he could see that
a desperate struggle was going on, figures in fierce contention passing
in front of and once trampling through the fire, whose embers were
kicked and scattered in all directions.

Suddenly two figures stepped aside into the full light, leaving two
others wrestling together; and this was the opportunity needed. Their
first victim could see plainly that the former were enemies, and
stopping short when about twenty yards away, he fired. Both turned to
gaze in the direction from which the flash and report had come.

They were in time to see another flash. Another report raised the
echoes, and they turned and fled.

Then the struggle ceased, and the adventurer saw another figure
disappearing into the darkness after his two companions.

As he dashed off the young fellow rushed up in time to seize the victim,
who staggered helplessly, trampling among the burning embers, among
which he would have fallen but for the willing hands which dragged him
aside, and lowered him down, before their owner began to kick about and
scatter the fire, which hissed and smoked and steamed, as snow was
heaped over, and raised a veil to hide the pair from their enemies while
the bright light was dying out.

The next act was to find out whether the enemy were yet in the vicinity.
The adventurer advanced for some distance into the darkness, but all
was still.

Satisfied that he could not be seen, the young man went on for some
little distance; but it was evident that the sudden attack had done its
work, and the party had fled for their lives.

"The question is, will they recover themselves and come back?" he
mut