ched the margin of the
stream. Once more he turned round.

The chief and half a dozen of his followers were already on the borders
of the marsh, some going on one side, some on the other, to find a
harder part for crossing.

Happily, however, just then, the young ladies' steeds reached firmer
ground, and sprang forward. They were now making directly for the ford,
and Norman hoped once more, though almost against hope, that they might
get across in time to obtain another good start of their pursuers.

The savages, however, knowing the nature of the ground better than they
did, had succeeded in passing it much more rapidly, and Norman saw that
in a few minutes they would be up to them. He had almost lost all hope
of escape when two horsemen, evidently white men, appeared on the brow
of the ridge on the opposite side.

A glance must have shown them the state of affairs, and at the risk of
breaking their necks, they came rattling down the steep descent, the
horses sometimes sliding almost on their haunches, sometimes leaping
forward.

"That is Hector!" cried Norman, recognising his brother; and then the
thought occurred to him that he and his companion would share the fate
to which it appeared likely they were doomed. Hector and his companion,
who, as may be supposed, was Loraine, regardless of the danger into
which they were running, dashed forward, and without stopping, plunged
into the ford to meet the fugitives, who had all by this time began the
passage.

The appearance of only two white men did not deter the Redskins from
continuing the pursuit, and having, their guns in their hands, got
within thirty yards or so of the two attendants, they fired. Both shots
took effect.

One poor fellow fell from his horse; the other, though wounded, clung on
still, endeavouring to escape. The Indians came pressing on. One of
them, who had got abreast of his chief, attempted to grapple with
Hector, and Mysticoose himself was about to seize Sybil, when Loraine,
dashing forward and levelling a pistol, shot him in the arm. The limb
hung powerless at his side. But notwithstanding, taking the reins in
his teeth, the savage chief again attempted with his other hand to take
hold of her, while, fearing that she would escape him, he shouted to his
followers, who, with fearful shrieks, were pressing on. Her horse,
terrified by the sound, bounding forward, she escaped him. Enraged at
his failure, he lifted his tomahawk to hu