oot, and galloped forward at right angles to the course
they had been pursuing.

"Why, that is Rochford," cried Carlos; "and the Indian is that rascal
Spotted Wolf."

Scarcely had he spoken than we saw the Indians bend their bows; but they
apparently dared not shoot for fear of killing Spotted Wolf as well as
Rochford,--thus enabling the horse to carry both the Indian and his
prisoner to a considerable distance from them. We immediately pursued
them, regardless of the party on foot; but Tim having charge of one of
the led horses, and I of the other, we dropped somewhat behind Captain
Norton and Carlos. I could see that Rochford was struggling violently
with the Indian, when presently he managed to free his arms from the
rope which bound them behind his back, and pressing those of the Indian
close to his side, he seized the reins, and endeavoured to check the
horse's course.

The captain and Carlos, urging on their steeds, were in a short time
almost up alongside them. I saw Rochford turn to one side, as if
speaking to Captain Norton; and while he was doing so, what was my
horror to see Carlos, making his horse spring forward, plunge his long
knife into the Indian's breast, exclaiming, as I afterwards learned--

"Take that, you wretched spy; you'll no longer play us any of your
tricks!"

He had driven his weapon right home, and as he withdrew it, the blood,
which flowed in a full stream, showed the fatal nature of the wound.

Tim and I now came up. Carlos, with the greatest unconcern, handed his
knife to Rochford, saying--

"Here, Rochford, take this and cut the thongs which bind you to the
Indian, and tumble the body out of the saddle."

"What have you done, Carlos?" cried Rochford. "We might have kept the
man as a hostage, and have made him useful."

"It is too late to think of that now; see, he is already dying!" replied
Carlos.

Rochford took the knife, and cutting the cords allowed the Indian's body
to fall from the horse. I was horrified and grieved at what my young
cousin had done; but he, apparently considering that he had done nothing
unusual, exclaimed--

"Let the savage lie where he has fallen; we must push on if we wish to
save our lives."

That he was right in this respect was very certain. Rochford, who was a
first-rate rider, without stopping the horse, seated himself in the
saddle, and galloped on alongside Captain Norton. I made up to them,
eager to learn what had happened.

R