n
was of opinion that the risk to the young lady would be too great; for
though the Indians in the village might very possibly have no fire-arms,
they had bows and arrows, and a chance arrow might strike her as well as
any of us. "We will wait another half-hour," he said; "and if Rochford
does not then appear with Miss Kearney, we will as Carlos proposes,
gallop into the village, and making directly for the chief's lodge--
which we shall know by its superior size and decoration--we will carry
away the lady if she be within it. We may possibly also rescue our
friend, should we find that he has been made a prisoner."

Captain Norton's plan exactly suited the ideas of the party; and I
regretted that we had not attempted it at first: we should have gained
much time, and run less risk than we were now likely to do.

That last half-hour appeared longer than any of its predecessors.
Rochford did not arrive. We tightened our saddle-girths, saw that our
bits were well fitted, and threw ourselves on horseback. There were but
four of us to oppose some scores of squaws, and we could not tell how
many old warriors, who, although unable to fight on the battle-field,
might prove no inconsiderable foes when defending their lodges. We at
first advanced slowly, that we might put our horses to full speed when
the time came for action. As may be supposed, we kept our swords loose
in their scabbards, and our rifles ready, with fresh ammunition for
reloading.

We had as yet encountered no one: it was evident that the inhabitants,
for some reason or other, must be all in the village. At length the
tops of the lodges appeared in sight. Our hearts beat quickly. The
sooner, after we were seen, we could reach the village the better.

"Forward!" cried Captain Norton. "Yonder is the point for which we must
aim."

We struck our spurs into our horses' flanks. Scarcely had we done so
than a chorus of yells and shrieks, in the shrillest of tones, broke on
our ears; and the next instant we saw a horse burst forth from amidst
the lodges with Rochford on its back, carrying Juanita before him.
Close at its heels came a whole herd of women--or rather furies they
appeared, from their fearful cries and wild gestures--while just over
their heads we could see several of the old warriors coming from various
directions, endeavouring as they moved along to fix their arrows in
their bows.

"Come with me, Carlos," cried Captain Norton. "Maurice an