lding the reins with one hand
and his rifle with the other. A minute had taken him clear of the
undergrowth, and once more he was on the prairie.

Ned did not look back for some time. He heard several shots, but he
judged by the reports that he was practically out of range. Now he began
to feel sanguine. His horse was good and true, and he rode well. As
long as the bullets could not reach and weaken, he felt that the
chances were greatly in his favor. He was riding almost due north and
the prairie stretched away without limit, although the forest extended
for a long distance on his right.

He now straightened up somewhat in the saddle, but he did not yet look
back, fearing that he might check his speed by doing so, and knowing
that every moment was of the utmost value. But he listened attentively
to the pursuing hoofs and he was sure that the beat was steadily growing
fainter. The gap must be widening.

He glanced back for the first time and saw about twenty Mexicans spread
out in the segment of a circle. They rode ponies and two or three were
recoiling lariats which they had evidently got ready in the hope of a
throw. Ned smiled to himself when he saw the lariats. Unless something
happened to his horse they could never come near enough for a cast. He
measured the gap and he believed that his rifle of long range would
carry it.

One of the Mexicans rode a little in front of the others and Ned judged
him to be the leader. Twisting in his saddle he took aim at him. It is
difficult to shoot backward from a flying horse, but Ned had undergone
the wilderness training and he felt that he could make the hit. He
pulled the trigger. The jet of smoke leaped forth and the man, swaying,
fell from his saddle, but sprang to his feet and clapped his hands to
his shoulder, where the boy's bullet had struck.

There was confusion among the Mexicans, as it was really their leader
whom Ned had wounded, and, before the pursuit was resumed with energy,
the fugitive had gained another hundred yards. After that, the gap
widened steadily, and, when he looked back a second time, the Mexicans
were a full quarter of a mile in the rear. He maintained his speed and
in another hour they were lost behind the swells.

Sure that he had now made good his escape, Ned pulled his horse down to
a walk. The good animal was dripping with foam and perspiration and he
did not allow him to cool too fast. Without his horse he would be lost.
But when they ha