solved to join his friends and a feeling of
triumph began to rise within his breast as he saw them pushing steadily
onward. The ranch, however, was still at a considerable distance, while
the Indians were rapidly gaining ground.

At that moment to Dick's horror, the pony which Mary Jackson rode
stumbled and fell, sending its rider over its head. But the fair Mary,
besides being a splendid horsewoman, was singularly agile and quick in
perception. For some time she had anticipated the catastrophe, and, at
the first indication of a stumble, leaped from the saddle and actually
alighted on her feet some yards ahead. Of course she fell with some
violence, but the leap broke her fall and probably saved her neck. She
sprang up instantly, and grasping the reins, tried to raise her pony.
It was too late. The faithful creature was dead.

Jackson, pulling up, wheeled round and was back at her side instantly.
Almost at the same moment Dick Darvall came up, threw the mare almost on
her haunches, leaped from the saddle, and ran to Mary. As he did so,
the crash of a pistol shot at his ear almost deafened him, and a glance
showed him that Jackson had shot his horse, which fell dead close to his
daughter's pony.

"Kill your horse, Dick," he growled sharply, as he exerted his great
strength to the utmost, and dragged the haunches of his own steed close
to the head of the other. "It's our only chance."

Dick drew his revolver, and aimed at the heart of Black Polly, but for
the soul of him he could not pull the trigger.

"No--I won't!" he cried, grasping the lasso which always hung at the
saddle-bow. "Hobble the fore-legs!"

There was such determination in the sailor's command, that Jackson felt
bound to obey. At the same moment Dick bound the horse's hind-legs. He
fully understood what Jackson intended, and the latter was as quick to
perceive the seaman's drift. Seizing the reins, while his friend caught
hold of the lasso, Dick cried, "Out o' the way, Mary!" and with a mighty
effort the two men threw the mare on her side.

"First-rate!" cried Jackson, while his companion held down the animal's
head. "It couldn't have dropped better. Jump inside, Mary, an' lie
down flat behind your pony. Let Mary have the reins, Dick. She knows
how to hold its head down without showin' herself."

Even while he was speaking, Jackson and Dick leaped into the triangle of
horses thus formed, and, crouching low, disappeared from the sight