r
ears, followed by the whistling of arrows; and, turning round, we saw
fifty dark forms scampering after us. Had we possessed ammunition, we
should not have dreamed of taking to flight; but, without the means of
defending ourselves, it was the only safe thing to be done. The arrows
came fast and thick.

"Keep together lads," cried Dick, "never mind those bodkins, we shall
soon distance our pursuers."

I heard a sharp cry from Charley and turning round I saw an arrow
sticking in his side. The captain had already been wounded, but he did
not betray the fact of his being hurt.

Our horses, seeming to understand our dangerous position, stretched out
at their greatest speed. I turned round and could still see the Indians
coming on and discharging their arrows; but we were now beyond their
range, and, provided our horses kept their feet, we had no fear of being
overtaken. It was very trying to have to run away from foes whom we had
twice defeated, for we had no doubt that they were the same band of
Redskins we had before encountered and who now hoped, by approaching on
foot, to take us by surprise. Had not Charley's quick sight detected
them indeed, we should probably have lost our horses and have been
murdered into the bargain. On we galloped, yet for a long time we could
hear the shrieks and shouts of our distant foes. Their horses were not
likely to be far off, and we knew that they would probably return for
them and again pursue us. We must, therefore, put a considerable
distance between ourselves and them. Fortunately, not having tired our
steeds, we should be able to go on without pulling rein for the whole
day; we must, however, camp to feed them, but not for a moment longer
than would be absolutely necessary for the purpose. I asked Charley how
he felt.

"Never mind me," he answered, "the arrow hurts somewhat, but I would not
have our party stop to attend to me. If I feel worse I'll tell you,
lest I should drop from my horse."

The captain said not a word of his wound, nor did anyone else complain
of being hurt; though, as daylight increased, I observed blood streaming
from the leg of one of the Indians, and another with a pierced coat
through which an arrow had gone. At length our steeds gave signs of
being tired, and we ourselves had become very hungry. We agreed,
therefore, to pull up near a stream, with a knoll close to it, from
which we could obtain, through our spy-glasses, a wide view acros