e these fellows; never fear,
we will look after ourselves."

I hesitated to desert my faithful friends.

"Go, I say--go, Ralph!" again cried Bartle. "It will make it more
difficult for us to escape if you remain."

It was probable, I saw, that Bartle and Gideon, with their great
strength and activity, might by themselves be able to cut their way
through a host of foes, although with me to protect they might find the
task too great even for them.

"Good-bye, then; I hope we shall meet all right before long," I
exclaimed.

"Never fear, lad," cried Bartle, as I bounded off up the canon, my rifle
at my back, with three spare cartridges, and my pistol in my belt.

For some seconds the Indians did not observe what I was about, and I
soon had a good start of them. When at length they did catch sight of
my figure, dimly seen in the gloom of early morning, for it was scarcely
yet daylight, several started off in chase. I saw that they were
coming, but I did not stop to count their number. I was well acquainted
with every inch of the ground, which it was not likely that they were,
and I knew I should have abundance of hiding-places between the rocks
and crags, among which I might baffle pursuit. My purpose then was to
cross the torrent at a narrow part where a tree hung over it, and to
make to the northward, where I hoped to join Uncle Jeff and Clarice at
Winnemak's camp.

The Indians, however, had no intention of allowing me to escape. On
they came, uttering loud shrieks and shouts, expecting to strike terror
into my heart, and make me yield. Two or three were in advance of the
rest, and one especially seemed to be gaining on me. I would not
willingly have taken his life, but too probably, should I not stop his
progress, he would take mine. Having reached a rock, I sprang behind
it; then unslinging my rifle, I stepped out and took steady aim at the
advancing foe, who fell back shot through the body. His fall had the
effect of stopping the others, who lifted him up to ascertain if he were
dead, thus affording me time to reload my rifle, and gain several more
yards in advance. I could thus bring down another enemy, if necessary,
at a distance, and still have my pistol and sword to defend myself in a
closer encounter.

I had not forgotten my two brave friends. I only wished that they had
accompanied me, for we might, on the ground I had now reached, have set
a whole host of our enemies at defiance.

I sprang