in rapid succession as he
ceased speaking, and the two leaders disappeared immediately; but
whether they had been hit by the leaden messengers, or only frightened,
no one could say.

Teddy raised his gun as a third man pressed forward, and, as he
afterward confessed, closed his eyes while pulling the trigger, for to
fire deliberately at a human being was something inexpressibly terrible.

Even if he did not hit the mark the bullet must have gone so near the
man as to frighten him, for when Neal discharged his weapon at a fourth
Indian the entire party beat a retreat, disappearing behind the ledge.

"They can't send an arrow from that distance with any accuracy of aim,"
Cummings said in a tone of satisfaction, "therefore we may count on
keeping them back until night, at all events."

"And then what?" Teddy asked with a shudder.

"That is something we won't talk about yet awhile," was the grave reply.
"We've got at least twelve hours before us, providing they don't catch
us napping, and at such a time as this it is a much longer lease of life
than I expected."

Teddy and Neal looked at each other in silence. The situation must
indeed be desperate if Cummings could count on remaining at liberty only
one day, and then----

In fancy Teddy could see them led back to the Silver City as prisoners.
He almost heard the strains of music while they were marched into the
temple amid the slender, silver-tipped columns, with the throng of
people following to witness the torture and final stroke which should
relieve them from suffering.

"What is the matter?" Neal whispered. "You have turned as white as a
ghost."

"I was thinking of what will happen when those murderers get us in their
power."

"Don't do anything of the kind; it is too terrible. I will die here
fighting rather than be taken prisoner."

"And is that all the hope we have left?"

"To be killed here? Perhaps not; but it is far preferable to the torture
Poyor and Cummings say is sure to be our portion in case of capture."

Neal's face was also pale; but there was a certain look of determination
about it which told he had made up his mind for the worst, and would
struggle manfully to the end.

Jake on the contrary, was nearly paralyzed with fear. He understood now
if never before all the trouble he had brought upon his companions,
first by making their presence in the city known, and, lastly, by
betraying the whereabouts of the party when he ventured out o