Gary, and some five or six
other horsemen, who were dashing forward at a fast gallop; and checking
his fiery beast somewhat, he silently joined them. A little further on,
Reynolds observed an officer on foot, who, exhausted by his recent
exertions, and lame from former wounds, had fallen behind his
companions. On coming up, he recognized in the crippled soldier the
brave Captain Patterson; and with a magnanimity and self-sacrifice
worthy of all imitation, he instantly reined in his horse and
dismounted, while the others kept upon their course.

"Sir!" cried he to Patterson; "you are, I perceive, fatigued and weak.
Your life is in great danger. Mount, sir--mount! I am fresh and will
take my chance on foot."

"God bless you, sir!--God bless you for this noble act!" exclaimed
Patterson, as Reynolds assisted him, into the saddle. "If I escape--"

"Enough!" said Reynolds, hurriedly, interrupting him. "Fly, sir--fly!
God be with you! Adieu!"

And turning away as he spoke, he sprung down the side of the ridge, and
running along the edge of the river some little distance, plunged into
the water and swam to the opposite shore. Unfortunately for our hero,
he had changed his garments at Bryan's Station, and now wore a pair of
buckskin breeches, which, in swimming the stream, had become so soaked
and heavy that he was obliged to remove them in order to display his
usual agility. While seated upon the bank and occupied in this manner,
he was startled by a hand being placed upon his shoulder, and the
familiar grunt of an Indian sounding in his ear. On looking up, he at
once recognized the grim features of Wild-cat, and saw himself in the
power of some half a dozen savages.

"Me wanty you," said Wild-cat, quietly. "Kitchokema give much for Long
Knife. Come!"

There was no alternative now; and Algernon rose to his feet, and
suffered his weapons to be taken from him, with what feelings we leave
the reader to imagine. Taking him along, the savages set forward, on the
alert for other game; and presently three of them darted away in chase
of a party of whites; and directly after, two others, leaving our hero
alone with Wild-cat. Hope now revived that he might yet escape; nor
was he this time disappointed; for after advancing a short distance,
Wild-cat stooped down to tie his moccasin; when Reynolds immediately
sprung upon him, knocked him down with his fist, seized his rifle,
tomahawk, and knife, fled into the thicket, and reached B