ontinue along the side of the hill, before the slope was sufficiently
gradual to permit me again to descend. I was aware that I had spent
much precious time in searching for a way down, and that, should I be
delayed much longer, my enemies would be upon me. I felt like a person
in a dreadful dream. I had got but a short distance down, when I saw
that, even although I was leading my horse, there would be a great risk
of our being rolled over. Still I hurried on, when again a precipice
yawned before me. Its depth I could not distinguish. Once more I led
my horse upwards, and then continued, as before, along the side of the
hill. At length I came to a slope, which, although rough, seemed
practicable. I might even ride down it if necessary, but without a
saddle there was the danger of slipping over the horse's neck. Boxer,
as if satisfied that we could get down, sprang forward. I followed, my
tired steed slipping down on his haunches. I had got about half-way to
the bottom, when I heard a shout, and for a moment looking round, I
caught sight of the figures of several Indians standing on the brow of
the hill, their outlines clearly marked against the sky. The next
instant a flight of arrows came flying after me. I heard them strike
the rocks behind, and on either side. Others followed, and I felt that
I was wounded; I hoped, however, but slightly. It would be better to be
dashed to pieces than be made a captive, or a target; so, springing on
my horse's back, I urged him down the steep descent. Gathering up his
legs, he dashed forward, while I leant back as much as possible, to
throw the weight off his shoulders. How I reached the bottom I could
scarcely tell. By this time the dawn had broken, and the daylight was
rapidly increasing. It enabled the Indians to see me more clearly, and
I knew that they would soon be close at my heels. My poor horse, too,
was becoming weaker and weaker, although, as he heard my voice, he
endeavoured to spring forward. The ground was far more uneven than any
I had passed over on either side of the hill. My pursuers' horses,
however, were probably suffering as much as mine was, but, then, should
theirs fail them, they might dismount and follow me on foot.
Notwithstanding this, I had no thought of giving in, and determined,
should my horse fall, that I would try the speed of my legs. I could
run as fast as most Indians, boasting as they do of their swiftness of
foot. Some dist