dges!"

I did as directed, and what was my dismay to find that no more than
three rounds remained for each one of us! One of the poor fellows who
had been last hit had been employed in supplying us with cartridges, and
he had omitted to tell Uncle Jeff how short we had run.

"I wish I had let you go, Ralph," he said; "but it cannot be helped now.
We must cut our way out; it is possible that all of us who are alive
may succeed. If the enemy come on again, we must begin blazing away at
them as before; then, when our last shot is expended, we must burst open
the door and dart out. Call Bartle and Gideon, and I will tell them
what I propose doing. You and they are active, and know the country,
and if you can reach the mountains you may get off free; although it
will go hard, I fear, with the two troopers."

His two old followers, on hearing that the ammunition was almost
expended, agreed that it was the only course to pursue with any chance
of saving our lives.

Fortunately there were several swords, and we each of us provided
ourselves with one, and besides this we had a pistol apiece.

"Now, then," said Uncle Jeff, "I propose doing what will look like
deserting you, but in reality it is the best plan for saving your lives.
I am thinking of dressing up a figure, and placing it on Jack's back,
so as to partly cover me when I am mounted; and I will conceal myself by
hanging over along his neck. I will then dash out ahead of you, when
the enemy are certain to direct their fire at me, though I hope that
they will hit the figure instead. You, in the meantime, can make up the
valley; and as you know every inch of the ground, you will soon distance
them. What say you to my proposal, Bartle?"

"It is as good as any I can think of," answered Bartle. "I wish you
would let me ride the horse, though, for I think you run a greater risk
than any of us."

"No, no," answered Uncle Jeff; "although that may be true, it is my duty
to you all. And Jack knows me better than any one else; it won't be his
fault if he doesn't carry me clear."

I at once began to consider how I could make such a figure as would
answer Uncle Jeff's purpose, and as I was of an ingenious turn, I was
not long, with the aid of some pliable laths and some strips of
cow-hide, in making the framework; the arms I formed in the attitude of
holding the reins. The framework once formed, it was quickly clothed in
the costume generally worn by Uncle Jeff; and