d the horse. It sprang
sideways from the path right into the bush, where a heavy branch caught
Red Fox right in the forehead.

One cry the Indian gave. Next moment both the riders were thrown
violently to the ground, while the broncho went off wildly and
riderless.

The folds of the blanket considerably lessened the shock of Alf's fall,
and as soon as he had collected his rudely scattered senses he did not
take long to emerge from his chrysalis-like state.

He sprang to his feet, prepared to be instantly on the defensive.

To his surprise he was unaccosted, and on turning he saw the Indian
lying face downwards upon the ground, while a red stream was making a
ghastly pool around his head.

Holden was by his enemy's side in an instant. He knelt down and turned
the man on his back. The movement was answered by a groan, but
apparently the Dacotah was unconscious, for he did not attempt to move,
and his eyes were closed.

A spring was close at hand. Alf tore off the scarf that he wore round
his throat in bushman fashion, soaked it in the water, and mopped the
redman's brow. Still there was no sign of returning senses, and the lad
was now grievously distressed at his enemy's disaster. He would have
been rejoiced to have vanquished the man, had the adventure terminated
in an unavoidable encounter. But now that Red Fox was in distress, all
hard feelings and resentment had left the lad's heart. He was all
sympathy for misfortune. That is the way of the truly brave.

Seeing that recovery was tardy, Alf tore the scarf in two pieces. With
one strip he bound the ugly wound that gaped in the Indian's forehead;
with the other he resumed his attentions by moistening his lips and
temples.

And by and by the redman opened his eyes. He looked up vacantly before
him, not seeming to understand what had taken place.

"That's good!" remarked Alf cheerfully. "You feel better now, don't
you?"

Red Fox looked straight into the boy's face, but without appearing to
recognise him. Then he muttered a few words in Indian and closed his
eyes again.

For some time he lay with his head resting against his nurse, while
Alf's thoughts began to wander to his absent father and the chum whom
he had left in such strange fashion.

Then he looked down again, and saw that the Indian was regarding him
with eyes wide open--looking at him in a peculiar wondering fashion, as
if he saw for the first time a being of some strange creation.

Holden smi