ite the
villainous nature of the youth, he entertained a strong regard for Avon,
and upon that regard he wrought, by representing the sorrow that would
come to him, if his uncle suffered further. He knew his heart would be
broken and he could never, never recover from his woe.

To Shackaye's reply that the chief Wygwind meant to allow the friends
of the prisoner to buy him back, Captain Shirril dwelt upon the
impossibility of such a thing. He pressed his view of the case with such
vigor that Shackaye, influenced alone by his gratitude to Avon, agreed
to conduct the captain out of the hills, where he could make his way to
camp undetected, provided the interview between Wygwind and the Texan
was not ended in time for the Comanches to discover what had been done.

It need not be said that Captain Shirril seized the opportunity thus
offered, and began limping forward, behind his guide, who encountered
Avon Burnet a few minutes later.

The expectation was that Shackaye would return to camp with his two
friends, since he would be assured of good treatment despite his former
unfaithfulness, and especially since it was unsafe for him to remain
among those to whom he could never justify his course of action. But
after the captain was assisted on the back of Thunderbolt, and his
nephew took his place, so as to help him in keeping his seat, the young
Comanche obstinately refused.

They tarried to urge him to save his life by such a course, but he ended
the argument by abruptly turning about and hurrying along the path,
where he speedily vanished.

"There's no use of waiting," said the captain, starting Thunderbolt
forward; "I can't understand his obduracy."

"He must be afraid of our men."

"But he knows the danger is a thousandfold greater among his own
people--hark!"

The sharp report of a rifle rang among the hills behind them,
accompanied by a wild cry of mortal pain.

"He has paid with his life for his friendship!" whispered the captain,
instantly spurring up Thunderbolt to a dead run.

Such was the truth. Shackaye could offer no excuse for what he had done,
nor did he attempt to do so. His act was discovered sooner than he
anticipated, and he died at the hands of the infuriated chieftain
Wygwind, before those whom he had saved were beyond reach of the sound
which told of the completion of the tragedy.

The Comanches attempted pursuit, but the start obtained by the
fugitives, brief as it was, sufficed, and they