hither like the whirlwind, and it is
safe to believe that his Winchester would have done more effective
service than ever before. But the bright eyes which continually scanned
every portion of the murky heavens caught no glimmer of a single star.

The mustang gave a slight whinny and rose to a canter again, but was
roughly checked by his new master.

"What the mischief is the matter with you?"

Just then, something took shape in the gloom ahead. Avon stopped his
steed and leaned forward. Yes; it was unmistakable.

There it stood--a long, low cabin, whose familiar contour told the
alarming fact that he had come back to his starting-point, and was among
the Comanches in front of his own home!

CHAPTER XI.

CHANGING PLACES.

The triumph of the colored servant Dinah over the Comanche incendiary
may be described as overwhelming in its way.

The redskin was caught at so great disadvantage, that he was hurled from
the roof before he could check himself or make use of the knife he had
snatched from his girdle. Indeed, it was at the instant of striking his
vicious blow that he went over the eaves. This preserved his awkwardness
of posture, and prevented his making any preparation for the violent
fall.

The miscreant would have struck the ground with a "dull thud," but for
an unexpected buffer in the shape of one of his brother warriors, who
happened to be standing directly under. As a consequence, the sprawling
figure came down on the head and shoulders of the astounded Comanche,
who collapsed with a feeling that must have made him suspect the house
had fallen on him.

The mishap saved the victim of Dinah's wrath, but at a stunning cost to
the under fellow, who lay for a minute or two as if dead, before he was
able to regain his breath and climb to his feet.

In the meantime, the author of this catastrophe was wise enough to
improve the moments.

"Dar!" she muttered, checking herself on the edge of the roof, "I
reckons you know a blamed sight more dan you eber did afore, and arter
dis, when you tries to steal into a 'spectable lady's room, you'll knock
at de doah fust."

It was not to be supposed that in the darkness the Comanches below would
grasp the situation offhand, and, before they could do so, Dinah
scurried over the peak of the roof to the scuttle, which of course was
still open, and descended. In her haste, she stepped upon the back of
the chair, which tripped over, and she went down with a cras