troublesome
steer, with the captain attentively watching him, Shackaye remounted his
horse, from which he had been thrown, and made all haste to the hills.

Wygwind and his warriors were ready, and indeed met him on his way
thither. He took no part in the fight, but watched it from his refuge.
When the last desperate struggle took place he spurred forward and
joined the assailants.

The intention of the Comanches had been to shoot down Avon, but to spare
his uncle, and it was curious that the very opposite result was
effected. It was impossible that Captain Shirril should escape in the
melee, though his foes meant only to shoot down the horses and slay his
companion.

Shackaye arrived at the critical moment, when the helpless leader was
being lifted upon the horse of Wygwind in front of him, and Avon lay
senseless beneath the body of the mustang. The fact that Thunderbolt was
still lying on the ground bleeding from his two flesh wounds led to the
belief that he was mortally hurt, and no effort, therefore, was made to
take him away.

Despite the savage nature of Shackaye, a feeling of gratitude had been
roused within him by the act of Avon in saving him from the enraged
steer. Whether the white youth was already dead or not he did not know,
but he interposed a vigorous plea that no further harm should be done
him. He had performed his own part so well that his prayers had some
effect, while the necessity for urgent haste in leaving before the
arrival of the cowboys, who were coming over the ridge, led to the
flight of the whole party of Comanches without harming a hair of his
head.

It will be readily understood that none of the warriors could hold any
suspicion of Shackaye's loyalty toward them and their interests. When,
therefore, the time came for the opening of the negotiations with the
cowboys, the wounded and unarmed captain was left in charge of Shackaye,
while the others went forward and maintained their places within reach
of Wygwind and Richita, during their interview with Gleeson. This was
simply prudence on their part, since they knew there was the best reason
for believing the whites would instantly seize any advantage offered
them.

Captain Shirril now did an exceedingly clever thing. He saw it was
useless to appeal to Shackaye's kindly feelings toward himself, but he
had noticed his vigorous efforts to save his nephew from harm, when he
lay senseless under the body of the mustang. He saw that, desp