f the approaching red men had fallen and
that the third warrior had darted rapidly away at the discharge of the
guns, both boys sprang to their feet, and, crouching low, began to run
through the corn.

Both were too experienced to lose their way easily, and not many minutes
had elapsed before Peleg, without speaking, laid his hand warningly on
his friend's shoulder. Instantly both stopped and listened.

Peleg believed that they had arrived near the border of the field. He
was fearful now that reserves had been stationed so that from whatever
side the unfortunate settlers might attempt to escape they would be met
by the bullets of the watching warriors. Both boys listened intently
until several minutes had elapsed.

"We had better separate here," whispered Israel. Peleg hesitated a
moment and then quietly nodded his assent. The possibility of escape,
slight as it was, would be increased if they proceeded singly rather
than together.

"You know the way to the Station?" whispered Peleg. Israel nodded his
head, and, moving to a place twenty feet to his left, turned, and in a
course parallel to the one Peleg was following, cautiously continued on
his way toward the border of the field.

When Peleg came near to the edge of the field he stopped once more and
peered cautiously all about him, listening for sounds that might
indicate the presence of his enemies. From behind him still were heard
the shouts and shrieks that were mingled with the reports of the guns
and the whoops of the excited Indians.

Somehow, in spite of his peril, the beat of the young settler's heart
seemed to be almost normal. He watched a little field mouse that
fearlessly peered up at him from the ground. He even counted the swings
of a spider making her web between the swaying branches of an enormous
stalk of corn.

Apparently the fighting was confined to the farther side of the field.
Only infrequent sounds of the conflict were heard at his right and left,
while from the region before him there had been almost no sounds of
conflict at all.

Was the border in front of him unguarded? Or was it doubly dangerous
because the Indians were attempting from the other three sides to drive
the unfortunate men into a trap?

Stealthily Peleg still crept forward. After each step he paused and
looked keenly about him as he listened for sounds which might indicate
renewed peril. He had seen nothing of Israel since his friend had left
him.

Suddenly he was