Dick groped around in the darkness
for some weapon. No stick was at hand, but at his feet lay a jagged
stone weighing all of a pound. He took it up and held it in readiness.

Closer and closer came Vorlange, turning now to the right and now to the
left, for following the trail among the rocks and brush was no easy
matter.

"Might as well give yourselves up!" he called out. "I am bound to spot
you sooner or later."

To this neither offered any reply, but Dick felt Nellie shiver. They
could now see the flare of the torch plainly, for Vorlange was less than
thirty feet away.

Presently the spy uttered a low cry of pleasure. He had found several
footprints, where Dick had slipped from a rock into the dirt. Now he
came straight for them, waving the torch above his head that it might
throw its light to a greater distance.

[Illustration: "Dick had let fly the jagged stone, taking him directly
in the forehead and keeling him over like a tenpin"]

"So there you are!" The man caught sight of Nellie's dress. "I told you
I would catch you. It's not such an easy matter to get away from Louis
Vorlange. The next time I lock you up--oh!"

A deep groan escaped the spy. Dick had let fly the jagged stone, taking
him directly in the forehead and keeling him over like a tenpin. The
blow left a deep cut from which the blood flowed in a stream, and
Vorlange was completely stunned.

"Oh, Dick, have you--you--killed him?" burst from Nellie's lips, in
horror.

"I guess not, Nellie; he's stunned, that's all. Come, let us run for it
again--before that Indian changes his mind and comes back."

"You might take his pistol," suggested the quick-witted girl.

"A good idea--I will. Now let me carry you again, I see you can hardly
stand on that foot." For Nellie had limped along a dozen steps in great
pain.

"But I am so heavy, Dick----"

"Never mind, I can carry you a little distance, at least."

"You had better save yourself and let me go."

"What! Nellie, do you think me so selfish? Never! Come, and we'll escape
or die in the attempt."

And catching her up as before, he started off on as rapid a gait as the
weight of his fair burden would permit.

A distance of a hundred yards had been covered and Dick found himself
ascending a slight hill. The climb was by no means easy, yet he kept on
manfully, knowing what capture by Yellow Elk might mean.

"He would tomahawk me and carry Nellie off," he thought, and it would be
hard to sa