oldier, very short rations for men
marching and fighting, as the savages dogged their footsteps and
inflicted considerable losses on them.

There were times on the retreat when it seemed the troops would be cut
off and annihilated. In this struggle Rodney bore his part so well as
to win the approval of his associates. One day on the retreat, when
the boy and the "Chevalier" were acting as flankers, scouting ahead
and outside the main body, Rodney saved his companion's life.

The "Chevalier" was not familiar with Indian methods of fighting and
held them in contempt. He and the boy had several arguments about the
matter, the former contending that a savage was dangerous only when
one was running away from him.

In the work they were now assigned to, it was a part of wisdom to
screen one's self behind trees, advancing quickly from one to
another.

The "Chevalier" declared he was not out in that country for the "fun
of dodging." Rodney, however, adhered to the practice, luckily for
both.

The "Chevalier" was striding along as though an enemy were not within
a hundred miles, when the lad's trained eye caught sight of the heel
of a savage, who was kneeling behind a big tree and waiting for his
foe to pass. The "Chevalier" was walking on, his head up, and in three
paces would have exposed himself to the redskin's rifle.

Rodney yelled an alarm and took a quick shot at the Indian's heel, the
only part of him exposed.

"Jump behind a tree and hold your fire," the boy had cried, for, if he
missed the savage, he would need the protection of the "Chevalier's"
rifle before he could reload. But his shot went true, as a howl from
the savage bore witness.

Startled by the cry and the report of the rifle, the "Chevalier," for
once, moved quickly to cover, and, between the two, they compelled the
Indian to surrender. He had a painful wound in his ankle and finally,
after being disarmed, was left behind, though some of the men wanted
to kill him.

The "Chevalier" extended his hand to Rodney, saying, "I have you to
thank for my poor existence. You did ill trying to do well, but of
course you didn't know it. Perhaps I will find a way to repay."

The man spoke seriously, not in a spirit of banter, and Rodney
wondered. When he told one of the men later what the "Chevalier" had
said, the fellow remarked: "So the Chevalier was solemn, was he?
Kain't be possible his mightiness is sufferin' from liver complaint
with only one ear o'