rously near-near
enough, in fact, to fire a bullet that did not miss the fugitive much.
It aroused Henry's anger. He took it as an indignity rather than a
danger, and he resolved to avenge it. So far as firing was concerned, he
was at a disadvantage. He must stop and turn around for his shot, while
the Iroquois, without even checking speed, could fire straight at the
flying target, ahead.

Nevertheless, he took the chance. He turned deftly on the snowshoes,
fired as quick as lightning at the swift Mohawk, saw him fall, then
Whirled and resumed his flight. He had lost ground, but he had inspired
respect. A single man could not afford to come too near to a marksman so
deadly, and the three or four who led dropped back with the main body.

Now Henry made his greatest effort. He wished to leave the foe far
behind, to shake off his pursuit entirely. He bounded over the ice
and snow with great leaps, and began to gain. Yet he felt at last the
effects of so strenuous a flight. His breath became shorter; despite
the intense cold, perspiration stood upon his face, and the straps that
fastened the snowshoes were chafing his ankles. An end must come even to
such strength as his. Another backward look, and he saw that the foe was
sinking into the darkness. If he could only increase his speed again, he
might leave the Iroquois now. He made a new call upon the will, and
the body responded. For a few minutes his speed became greater. A
disappointed shout arose behind him, and several shots were fired. But
the bullets fell a hundred yards short, and then, as he passed over a
little hill and into a wood beyond, he was hidden from the sight of his
pursuers.

Henry knew that the Iroquois could trail him over the snow, but they
could not do it at full speed, and he turned sharply off at an angle.
Pausing a second or two for fresh breath, he continued on his new
course, although not so fast as before. He knew that the Iroquois would
rush straight ahead, and would not discover for two or three minutes
that they were off the trail. It would take them another two or three
minutes to recover, and he would make a gain of at least five minutes.
Five minutes had saved the life of many a man on the border.

How precious those five minutes were! He would take them all. He ran
forward some distance, stopped where the trees grew thick, and then
enjoyed the golden five, minute by minute. He had felt that he
was pumping the very lifeblood from his h