om her
horse--wait upon her! Go! villain, go!"

"I swar' Marian, by the livin'--"

His speech was interrupted. At that moment Su-wa-nee, who had shot her
horse clear from the _entourage_, of her guards, came galloping upon the
ground. I was myself so surprised at this proceeding, that I could not
stir from the spot; and not until the Chicasaw had passed directly in
front of us and halted there, could I believe that I was otherwise than
dreaming. Wingrove appeared equally the victim of a bewildered
surprise. As Su-wa-nee drew up, she gave utterance to a shrill scream;
and flinging herself from her horse, rushed onward in the direction of
Marian. The latter had turned away at the conclusion of her frantic
speech; and was now close to the bank of the stream, with her back
towards us. There was no mistaking the intention of the Chicasaw. The
hideous expression of her face--the lurid fire burning in her oblique
eyes--the white teeth shining and wolf-like--all betrayed her horrid
design; which was further made manifest by a long knife seen glittering
in her grasp! With all my voice I raised a warning shout! Wingrove did
the same--so, too, the Utahs, who were following their captive. The
shout was heard, and heeded. Fortunately it was so: else in another
instant warning would have been too late, and the vengeful Chicasaw
would have launched herself upon her unconscious victim. The huntress
faced round on hearing the cry. She saw the approaching danger; and,
with the subtle quickness of that Indian nature common to both, she
placed herself in an attitude of defence. She had no weapon. Her late
love scene needed none. Her rifle had been left by the butte, and she
was without arm of any kind; but, quick as thought, she wound the
Mexican _serape_ about her wrist, and held it to shield her body from
the threatened thrust. The Chicasaw paused, as if to make more certain
of her aim; and for a moment the two stood face to face--glaring at each
other with that look of concentrated hate which jealousy alone can give.
It was the enraged tigress about to spring upon the beautiful panther
that has crossed her path.

All this action was well-nigh instantaneous--so quick in its occurrence,
that neither I nor Wingrove could get up in time to hinder the
assailant. We both hastened forward as fast as it was in our power; but
we should have been too late, had the thrust been better aimed, or less
skilfully avoided. It was