instant an Indian sprang up, bow in hand, from the other side of the
trunk, and shot an arrow, which quivered in the ground close by my
uncle's side. He rushed forward, on seeing this, and before the Indian
could fix another arrow had felled him to the earth with his sword. The
next moment a large party of Indians appeared on the top of the ridge,
and a shower of arrows fell close to us: happily, none took effect, and
I saw my uncle drop so as to conceal himself behind a log, while he
levelled his rifle over it at the Indians. As he saw the Indians about
to shoot, Tim pulled me behind the nearest tree, and probably saved me
and himself from being wounded by the arrows,--which, as it was,
whistled close to our ears. Before the Indians could move forward, my
uncle fired, and a tall warrior, who seemed to be their chief, fell
wounded to the ground. This evidently disconcerted them.

"Now is our time," cried my uncle. "Barry--Tim--call the mule-boys and
follow me;" and leaping over the log, he dashed down the ravine, sword
in hand, and rapidly climbed the opposite side.

We obeyed his orders, and the Indians, seized with a sudden panic on
seeing us coming, and probably believing others were to follow, took to
their heels, leaving their chief bleeding on the ground. We fired,--as
did my uncle, who had reloaded his gun,--to expedite their movements,
and two more fell dead, the rest continuing their flight.

"Though he is an enemy, we must not let this fellow bleed to death,"
said my uncle, stooping down. "Come, Barry, we'll bind up his wound and
carry him along with us; perhaps he may be able to give us some
important information, and at all events we shall learn why he attacked
us."

My uncle soon stopped the flow of blood from the Indian's side; and the
muleteers having brought the animals round by crossing the valley a
little way above where we stood, we placed our captive on one of them.
We then, guided by Candela, hurried forward on our journey, keeping a
sharp look-out lest the fugitive Indians should return.

CHAPTER FOUR.

APPROACH MY HOME--A WELCOME--MY SISTER NORAH--THE INDIAN'S WOUND
DRESSED--HE TAKES HIS MEDICINE FROM NORAH--HIS GRATITUDE--MY FAMILY--A
HAPPY EVENING--CANDELA LEAVES US--OUR RELATIVE, DON FERNANDO SERRANO--
GERALD AND I PAY HIM A VISIT--THE BARAWA INDIANS--OUR COUSINS--DONNA
ISABELLA MONTEROLA--I PRACTISE WITH THE LANCE--WIN DONNA ISABELLA'S
APPROVAL--WE TAKE OUR DEPARTURE--SWIM A