ses, lengthy as their start was, the
party under Chichester saw their pursuers plainly in their rear before
the day was two-thirds passed, and Captain Jack, hurrying up the rear
all he could, sent word to Chichester that the reds were gaining
rapidly.

Chichester sent word back to press the rear forward at its utmost speed.
He could see timber ahead, and if they could only reach it, they might
be able to make a stand. Satisfied, from the report of Willie Pond, that
over one hundred well-armed and well-mounted Indians were on his trail,
fearful that many of his men would flinch in battle, he dared not, with
the few that were true, make a stand on the open plain.

Had all been like Wild Bill, California Joe, and Captain Jack, he would
have halted, rested his horses, and given the reds battle rather than
fly from even treble his number. But he knew well that a few cowards
would weaken the rest, and he wanted to get some shelter before he met
such odds.

The timber was yet fully two hours' ride distant, half of the
pack-horses had given out and been left, and many of the mounted men
complained that they could not keep their horses much longer in the
column.

Sam Chichester had been obliged to slacken the pace in front, and the
enemy were gaining so fast that the glitter of their arms, could be seen
even and the dust-cloud that rose above them.

Suddenly another column of dust was seen, and this appeared to come from
the direction of the timber, though south of the route the Black Hillers
were taking.

"Men!" muttered Sam Chichester, "there's no use in our running much
farther. If that new cloud of dust is made by Indian's, all that we can
do is to sell our lives as dearly as we can. We will soon know one thing
or the other."

"They're not on the line we're taking. They can't be coming for us,"
said Captain Jack, who had ridden to the front. "They're coming in our
flank."

"And night is coming, too," growled California Joe. "If we can keep on
for two hours more, we'll have darkness to shield us, for no red will
fight in the dark without he attacks, and has camp-fires to light up
with."

"We'll keep them, on while an animal will move, and when we must, turn
and fight for life or vengeance, if we must go under," said Chichester.
"Forward, men--forward once more!"

Again Captain Jack took the post of honor, for such indeed was the rear
guard in this case. Suddenly, on looking back, he saw that the Indians,
instea