, be more effective,
than if all fire at the same time."

In a short time the band appeared, and it was well that they had no idea
of the distance the boys had traveled, as they came along rapidly,
following the plainly made tracks of the wagon.

"Now, ready boys; Tom and I will give them the first shot, and you may
fire the moment I give the command. Ready, Tom; fire."

Both shots took effect, and the astonishment of the savages, was
exhilarating to the boys. George and Ralph could hardly restrain
themselves. The warriors were in the open, and had little brush to serve
as a shield. For a moment they were entirely at a loss to know which
way to go.

"Give them a shot," whispered Harry, and as the two guns spoke, two more
fell, both wounded. Without waiting for another shot the rest of them
broke for the rear, and the boys appeared in the opening.

This was not necessary, as the depletion of the fighting force was a
sufficient argument for them to retreat.

"Hitch up the team as quickly as possible," and George and Ralph did not
wait to witness the flight. Harry and Tom remained on guard.

"Move the wagon to the north, and stop at every good place of
concealment, and we will remain as a rear guard. We have no assurance
that they will not follow up the attack."

After the wagon had gone on some distance, the two boys slowly effected
a retreat in the trail of the wagon. Only eight savages had been left
after the two fires.

During one of the temporary stops Harry observed: "When they retreated
we saw eight of them, and there are now only six following. What do you
suppose that means?"

"Those people are regular devils, and it is my opinion that there is
another force of them near, and the others have gone to bring
reinforcements."

"Run to the wagon quickly and tell them to force the yaks forwardly as
fast as possible. Wait just a moment." And Harry looked to the north and
continued: "Do you see the two large trees in the distance, a little to
the left? Tell them to drive for that with the utmost speed, and await
our coming."

Tom was off, and imparted the information, and Harry kept on retreating,
while the scouting party approached very cautiously, the apparent object
being to keep within sight of the trail.

When Tom returned Harry said: "I suppose we had better give them another
shot, to hold them off as far as possible. At the next place of
concealment, let us wait for them, until they are near enough