d when she dragged herself
a few feet forward, all of her dress disappeared from the view of the
Indians, and she was as safe from their bullets as if behind the
river-bank itself.

A few more shots convinced the Shawnees of this, and they now sent
several bullets whistling over the heads of the Riflemen as if to
remind them that they were to receive attention. So long as the members
of the two parties maintained their respective positions, this affray
could amount to nothing; accordingly, several of the savages made an
effort to change their posts in such a manner as to outflank the
whites. Despite the admirable skill with which this attempt was made,
the deadly rifle of George Dernor brought down a warrior as he flitted
from tree to tree. This, for the present, put a stop to the movement
and turned the efforts of the savages in another direction.

Two brawny Shawnees, convinced that nothing could be done against the
Riflemen, renewed their attempts to secure a shot at the girl, who all
this time lay as motionless as if dead. They commenced working their
way slowly but surely toward the river, while she, unconscious of the
murderous stratagem, patiently awaited the turn of affairs which would
free her from her terrible thralldom. Finally, an Indian, who was
squatted behind a tree, gained a view of a tuft of her hair and brought
his rifle to his shoulder. The sunlight that scintillated along the
barrel of his weapon made it resemble a burnished spear, poised in his
hand, while following it up to the stock, not only his crooked arm
which supported the gun, but his entire profile was visible. Forgetting
his own peril in his anxiety to slay the helpless girl, the Shawnee
leaned several inches further forward, thereby discovering one-half of
his shaven head. Ere he could draw it back, the whip-like crack of
another rifle broke the stillness, and he fell forward on his face,
pierced through and through the brain.

"I've a great notion to break your head for you!" exclaimed Tom, in an
excited whisper to Dick, for it was the latter who had fired the fatal
shot.

"Why, what's up now?"

"I'd just got that Shawnee sure when you picked him off. Don't you
serve me that trick again."

With this ebullition, Tom subsided, and turned his attention once more
toward their common enemy.

The shot of Dick really decided the affray. It convinced the Indians
that not only were they unable to shoot the girl or avenge themselves
upon