e steed got the mischief in him at this moment. He must have
understood the treachery demanded of him, for instead of dashing off, as
was expected, he spitefully flung his head from side to side and reared,
with his fore-legs high from the ground.

Had Avon been on the open prairie, with time at his command, he would
have conquered the beast, as he had done many a time with others, but he
could not do so now. There was not the twinkling of an eye at his
disposal.

The mustang was still rearing and pawing the air, when Avon whisked over
his shoulder, like a skilled equestrian, landing nimbly on his feet, and
breaking into a dead run toward the cattle camp five miles away. His
action, as well as that of his horse, made known the astonishing truth
to the approaching Comanches.

Several warning whoops broke the stillness, and it seemed to the
fugitive that half the Indians were in pursuit of him. He glanced back
and was not a little surprised to observe that all were on foot. The
pony which had just been freed must have concluded to enjoy his liberty
while the chance was his, for, instead of going to his master, he
galloped whinnying in another direction.

But all of these men had mustangs, which, as has been said, were among
the finest of their species, and they were likely to take part in the
singular contest.

If the chase should retain its present character the young man had hope,
for he was one of the fleetest of Texans, who had never met his superior
among the veterans of the plains. The Comanches are also wonderfully
active on foot, and it remained to be decided whether they could
overtake him in a fair contest.

Avon Burnet ran as never before. He was speeding now for his own life
as well as for that of his friends, for they were in as urgent need of
help as ever. He knew his face was toward camp, he remembered the nature
of the ground, and had no fear, therefore, of stumbling into any
pitfalls.

Accustomed as the Comanches were to running, they must have been
surprised at the burst of speed shown by the young man, who seemed to be
going over the plain like the wind.

As he ran Avon cast furtive glances over his shoulder, and his heart
tingled when he saw that he was steadily drawing away from the four
figures which seemed to have sprung from the ground itself.

"Keep it up, boys," he muttered, "and see where you land. If you can
down me in _this style_, you are welcome."

But it was not to be expected