tion still farther to
kill--to take yet another life before parting with his own.

It was hopeless, useless slaughter; but it was sweet. Almost insane
with anger, he thought it sweet.

Three dusky antagonists lay dead at his feet, and he was rushing across
the corral in search of a fourth. A giant figure loomed up before him,
looking more gigantic from the magnifying effect of the smoke. It was
not that of a savage; it was Walt Wilder.

"Dead beat!" hoarsely and hurriedly muttered the guide. "We must go
under, Frank. We're boun' to go under, if we don't--"

"Don't what, Walt?"

"Git away from hyar."

"Impossible."

"No. Thar's still a chance, I think--for us two anyways. There ain't
many o' the others left, an' ef thar war, we can't do 'em any good now.
Our stayin' 'ud be no use--no use dyin' along wi' 'em; while ef we get
clar, we mout live to revenge 'em. Don't ye see our two horses are
still safe? Thar they air, cowerin' clost in agin one o' the waggons.
'Tain't much kit? I admit; still thar's a shadder. Come, Frank, and
let's try it."

Hamersley hesitated. It was at thought of deserting even the last of
his faithful followers, who had sacrificed, or were still sacrificing,
their lives in his service. But, as the guide had truly said what good
could he do them by staying and getting killed? And he might survive to
avenge them!

The last reflection would have decided him! But Wilder had not waited
for him to determine. While speaking the urgent words, he laid his huge
hand upon Hamersley's shoulder and half led, half dragged him in the
direction of the horses. "Keep hold o' yur rifle, though it air empty,"
hurriedly counselled the guide. "If we shed get away, it will be
needed. We mout as well go under hyar as be upon the pararira without a
gun. Now mount!"

Almost mechanically the young Kentuckian climbed upon the back of the
horse nearest to him--his own. The guide had not yet mounted his; but,
as could be seen through the smoke, was leaning against the wheel of one
of the waggons. In an instant after Hamersley perceived that the
vehicle was in motion, and could hear a slight grating noise as the tire
turned in the sand. The great Conestoga, with its load had yielded to
the strength of the Colossus.

In another instant he had sprung upon his horse's back and riding close
to Hamersley, muttered in his ear, "Now I've opened a crack atween two
o' the wehicles. Let's cut out throug