lizing way. There was no starting at the
lightning, no attempt at running, but with a noiseless tread they stepped
daintily in the sand, pointing their ears hither and yon, and as it seemed
to me, affecting a little scarishness, though what they could hear when
the forest was so breathless, it was difficult to imagine; but every
little while they would both leap some fifteen feet across the road,
(which couldn't be affectation) shiver a little, and then pick their way
carefully as before. We could see nothing, hear nothing; but horses are
keen snuffers, and they might smell when we couldn't; but what was
singular, the vaulting was done from the same side of the road.

We were still keeping up a little small-talk, when some miles in the
forest, both horses, without any jump or start of any kind, stopped
suddenly; and looking ahead, we saw something moving stealthily toward us.
My companion cocked a pistol and challenged; but we only heard a little
grumbling, and I counted him a dead man; but before we had time to guess
about it, something brushed by, and by a flash of light we saw a glitter
of buttons, and a man on horseback. Whoever or whatever he was, we saw him
but a moment, and he was soon out of hearing. With a remark or two upon
the fool-hardiness of the man, we quickened our pace, and went on at a
dashing rate, abreast and Indian fashion, just as it happened; now one
leading and now the other, according to the wind of our horses; and in
this manner we were passing the most dangerous part of the road, when
there was a sudden whizzing about our ears, and the report of half a dozen
rifles. The little grey reared and plunged and I landed--where, I don't
know; but the next that I remember, I was standing alone in the pine
barren. I had been running for a long time; how far I couldn't tell, being
conscious only of dodging often from one tree to another. On looking about
I remarked that the clouds had opened a little, and that there was nothing
to be seen or heard in any direction. Presently I heard a yell, and
looking around, a strapping Indian, with his rifle drawn to his eye, fired
as I faced him, and the ball parted a lock of my hair in a manner very
embarrassing. I levelled upon the rascal, but missed fire; the rain had
wet the powder in the tube. The fellow took no pains to hide himself, but
was very coolly loading again, and had got his ball ready, when I once
more started off at full speed.

It was a sharp race,