Pull steady!"

Inch by inch Alf felt the mud release its hold upon its prey, as he
strained every ounce of strength to drag his friend from the clammy
grip. It was a tremendous effort, for the boy was slight, and the hold
of the muskeg added weight to Bob's by no means slender bulk. But at
last Arnold's arms were clear, and in time he was dragged so far that he
could rest his breast upon the structure.

Then Alf paused for breath. But he did not delay long. He set his teeth
and once more resumed his task. Then he made the woods ring with a
triumphant "Eureka!" for Bob lay safe upon the bridge!

Bannock barked for joy also, and struggled up to scamper back to his
master.

"Just in the nick of time! You've saved my life!" muttered Bob
gratefully, when he recovered a little of his strength after a short
rest.

Alf's reply was characteristic.

"You'll take a deal of washing, old man, before you're fit for decent
society again!"

The warmth of the sun soon restored some of the old energy to the
chilled body, and after a time Bob recovered sufficiently to crawl to
safety in the wake of his rescuer.

And when solid land was regained poor old Mackintosh was fairly crying
with joy.

"Lads, lads! but God's been kind to us this day!" he was saying, while
the tears ran down his manly, weather-beaten cheeks. Then he made all
laugh by suddenly starting with a look of horror in his face as he
exclaimed--

"Ma conscience! But the birds will be burnt to cinders by this time!"

CHAPTER XII

CRAFTY TACTICS

So unexpected had been Thunder-maker's tactics and so immediate the
response of his people, that the attack was over before the Englishmen
were well aware that it had begun. Not that any foreknowledge would have
availed them much. They were unarmed, while the Dacotahs were both armed
and numerous. Still, the average Englishman does not like to be trussed
up without showing some marked resistance. It makes him feel small to be
trapped without dealing a blow in self-defence.

The place was brilliantly lit with burning brands which many of the
Indians had brought, and the camp was in an uproar with the voluble
chatter of the men as they crowded round the captives, while
Thunder-maker excitedly cried out his story of the affair.

So well did the Medicine Man concoct his lies so as to work upon the
feelings of his people that meanwhile it seemed as though the Englishmen
were in for a hot time. Indeed, so great w