is a gone
case, sure, and it looks as though we were ditto. Jerusalem! I wish
all the gold was back in Wolf Ravine, and we war a thousand miles from
this place.'

'Wishing'll do no good; there's only one chance I see, and that ain't
no chance at all.'

All, including the boy, eagerly looked up to hear the explanation.

'Some distance from hyar is some timbers, and in thar the reds have
left their animals. Ef we start on a run for the timbers, git thar
ahead of the Ingins, mount thar hosses and put, thar'll be some
chance. Yer can see what chance thar is fur that.'

It looked as hopeless as the charge of the Light Brigade.

Young Brainerd now spoke.

'It was I who got you into trouble, and it is I, that, with the
blessing of Heaven, am going to get you out of it.'

The three now looked eagerly at him.

'Is there no danger of the Indians firing upon us?' he asked of the
hunter.

'Not unless we try to run away.'

'All right; it is time to begin.'

The boy's first proceeding was to kindle a fire in the boiler of the
steam man. When it was fairly blazing, he continued to heap in wood,
until a fervent heat was produced such as it had never experienced
before. Still he threw in wood, and kept the water low in the boiler,
until there was a most prodigious pressure of steam, making its escape
at half a dozen orifices.

When all the wood was thrown in that it could contain, and portions of
the iron sheeting could be seen becoming red-hot, he ceased this, and
began trying the steam.

'How much can he hold?' inquired Hopkins.

'One hundred and fifty pounds.'

'How much is on now?'

'One hundred and forty-eight, and rising.'

'Good heavens! it will blow up!' was the exclamation, as the three
shrunk back, appalled at the danger.

'Not for a few minutes; have you the gold secured, and the guns, so as
to be ready to run?'

They were ready to run at any moment; the gold was always secured
about their persons and it required but a moment to snatch up the
weapons.

'When it blows up, run!' was the admonition of the boy.

The steam man was turned directly toward the wall, and a full head of
steam let on. It started away with a bound, instantly reaching a speed
of forty miles an hour.

The next moment it struck the bowlders with a terrific crash, shot on
over its face, leaving the splintered wagon behind, and at the instant
of touching ground upon the opposite side directly among the
thunderstruck Indians, it