ifle and it was with great
difficulty he kept his footing. He struggled against the rushing waters,
and finally reached the opposite bank; the second one now stepped into
the stream and ordered Mayall to follow. Mayall made every appearance of
preparing to follow, until the Indian reached the rapid current; then,
turning suddenly upon the Indian on the shore, at one blow with the
stock of his gun he laid him dead at his feet. As quick as thought,
before his body had fairly reached the ground, Mayall seized his rifle
and shot the Indian in the stream. Then tearing the Indian's belt from
his body (for it was hurrying times), he jumped behind the trunk of the
nearest tree that would shelter him, as a ball from the Indian's rifle
on the opposite bank whistled by his head, which he had anticipated, and
moved as quickly as possible, to avoid his deadly aim. They now stood on
opposite banks, each behind the trunk of a tree, with an empty rifle in
their hands. The rifles were quickly loaded and prepared for the deadly
combat, and the life of one at least must be sacrificed. After Mayall's
gun was in readiness he cautiously peered out; but seeing the Indian's
rifle aimed directly at him he dodged suddenly back, just in time to
save his life; for the very instant Mayall dodged back his head, a ball
from the Indian's rifle grazed the bark of the tree, and whistled away
among the forest trees. Mayall now thought of taking the advantage of
the Indian by aiming his rifle directly at his hiding-place and firing
at the first appearance of the Indian's head, but in this he was
disappointed; for the Indian, seeing Mayall's rifle aimed at his head,
drew it back so quickly that the ball cut a channel in the bark where
the Indian's eye appeared. Mayall loaded again as hastily as possible,
and stood for a moment, hesitating what course to pursue, satisfied that
the Indian warrior was his equal in aim and courage. He cast his eye
back into the forest, and readily saw the trees stood thick, and by
drawing the Indian's fire he could make a quick and safe retreat. But
that would not answer--he would be hunted down and surprised, and his
life would never be safe. Mayall quickly resolved that the Indian or
himself must fall on that ground, and the only means now left him was
stratagem. He drew his ramrod from his rifle, and putting his hat on the
end, pushed it out carefully, to prevent the Indian from discovering the
deception. It had the desired e