me."

And, setting the example, he began to creep from cover to cover, after
uttering a low cry, to which his followers responded by imitating their
leader's actions.

"Keep down low, Master Bart," whispered Joses. "That's the way. The
chimney's only about three hundred yards back. We shall soon be there,
and then we can laugh at these chaps once we get a good start up. We
must leave the fish though, worse luck. There won't be so many of 'em
to eat it though as there was at first. Hallo! How's that?"

The reason for his exclamation was a shot that whizzed by him--one fired
from a long way down the canyon in the way they were retreating, and, to
Bart's horror, a second and a third followed from the same direction,
with the effect that the savages who had attacked first gave a
triumphant yell, and began firing quicker than before.

"Taken between two fires, Master Bart," said Joses, coolly; "and if we
don't look out they'll be up to the chimney before we can get there, and
then--"

"We must sell our lives as dearly as we can, Joses," cried Bart.

"Good, lad--good, lad!" replied Joses, taking deadly aim at one of the
Indians up the river, and firing; "but my life ain't for sale. I want
it for some time to come."

"That's right; keep up the retreat. Well done, Beaver!"

This was an account of the action of the chief, who, calling upon three
of his men to follow him, dashed down stream towards the chimney,
regardless of risk, so as to hold the rear enemies in check, while Bart,
Joses, and the other three Indians did the same by the party up stream,
who, however, were rapidly approaching now.

"I want to know how those beggars managed to get down into the canyon
behind us," growled Joses, as he kept on steadily firing whenever he had
a chance. "They must have gone down somewhere many miles away. I say,
you mustn't lose a chance, my lad. Now then; back behind those rocks.
Let's run together."

_Crack_--_crack_--_crack_! went the Indians' rifles, and as the echoes
ran down the canyon, they yelled fiercely and pressed on, the Beaver's
men yelling back a defiance, and giving them shot for shot, one of which
took deadly effect.

There was a fierce yelling from down below as the savages pressed
upwards, and the perils of the whole party were rapidly increasing.

"Didn't touch you, did they, Master Bart?" cried Joses from his
hiding-place.

"No."

"Keep cool, then. Now, Injuns! Another run for it--qui