to the negro to move ahead, repeating his petition for him to exercise
the most extreme caution in all his movements.

After all, the young man knew that the peril of both lay in the habitual
recklessness of the ignorant fellow.

At first Zeb entirely overdid the matter. The trained elephant that
steps over the prostrate and pompous form of Van Amburgh, was not more
careful and tardy in the performance of his feat than was the negro in
passing the unconscious form of a Shawnee. Although Leland deemed this
circumspection unnecessary, he did not protest, as he feared, in case he
did so, the negro would run into the opposite extreme.

The foot of Zeb was lifted in the very act of stepping over the third
and last savage, when a smoldering ember parted, and a twist of flame
flared up. At that instant, he looked down and recognized in the
features of the Indian, the one who had taken such especial delight in
tormenting him through the day. The negro paused while he was yet
astride of him.

"Look dar!" he whispered, "dat's him; tired himself out so much pullin'
at my wool, dat he is sleepin' like a chicken in de egg."

Leland made no reply, but motioned for him to proceed; but Zeb
stubbornly maintained his position.

"Look what a mouf he has!" he added; "tremenjus! If 'twas only two, free
inches wider on each side, he mought outshine me; but it's no use de way
de affair is got up jes' now."

"Go on! go on!" repeated Leland, shoving him impatiently with his hand.

"In jes' one minit. Dat's him dat bothered me so much to-day. I'd like
to smoke him for it! Gorra! if he hain't woke. Dar--take dat!"

The savage, who had been awakened and alarmed by the voice of the negro,
received a smashing blow in his face, that straightened him out
completely. Realizing his imminent peril, Leland at once leaped away in
the woods at the top of his speed, the negro taking a direction almost
opposite. Every Shawnee was aroused; the critical moment for the
fugitives was upon them.

CHAPTER X.

THE BRIEF REPRIEVE.

Leland succeeded in getting outside the circle of savages when, feeling
himself in the open woods, he dashed away at the top of his speed. He
ran with astonishing swiftness for a few moments, when, as might
naturally be expected, he so exhausted himself that he was scarcely able
to stand.

From the moment of starting, the Shawnees seemed to understand the
identity of the fugitives; and while they did not neglect to