d.

The attempt was only a partial success. At the moment of rising, the
gaze of the captive was toward a point further down-stream; but the
figure of the hunter, as it rose and sunk from view, was in her field
of vision and did not entirely escape her notice. The unusual
occurrence drew her look thither, making it certain that a second
attempt, could it be made, would succeed far better than the first. All
this Lewis comprehended, and as quick as possible repeated his movement
precisely as before.

This time the girl saw him and perfectly understood his meaning; but,
with a precipitancy that filled the hunters with the greatest alarm,
she started directly toward them, with outstretched arms, as if
imploring assistance. It was at this instant that Lewis discovered a
quickness of perception, coolness and promptness of action that was
absolutely wonderful. Looking out upon the exciting drama being enacted
before him, he saw with unerring certainty how far the girl could run
before being fired at by the savages. Waiting until she had gone the
distance, he raised his head and shoulders to view, and called out in a
voice of thunder:

"I say, gal, drop flat on your face and stay there."

The quickness with which this command was obeyed, and the almost
simultaneous crack of two rifles, might well have caused the belief
that she had fallen because shot through the heart; but such was not
the case. The command of Lewis broke upon her like a thunder-peal, and
as quick as a flash of lightning did she comprehend the fearfully
imminent peril in which she was placed. So marvelously close had been
the calculation of the hunter, that at the very instant she obeyed him,
the rifle of the nearest Indian was pointed full at her. This did not
escape the eagle eye of O'Hara, who, with the same coolness that
characterized the action of his leader, discharged his piece at the
bronzed head of the Shawnee, his aim scarcely occupying a second. The
bullet sped sure, striking the savage at the very moment his own weapon
was fired, and his death-yell mingled with the whistle of his own
harmless rifle-ball.

Even in this moment of terrible danger, the manner in which the Indians
shifted to the opposite side of the trees could but attract the notice
of the hunters. It was simultaneous on the part of all, and resembled
that of automata, moved by machinery. First, every copper-colored body
was exposed to full view; and the next minute six gleaming