azor.

With the blood streaming down his face Jake ran for dear life in the
direction taken by the remainder of the party, and now fully realizing
the danger he had brought upon them.

"I deserve to be killed," he said to himself, "and if that Poyor don't
try to even up things with me for this night's job it'll be because he's
a better Indian than I ever gave him credit for."

When the remainder of the party reached the end of the broad street with
the welcome shelter of the forest not more than half a mile away, Jake
was ten or twelve yards in the rear, and three times that distance
behind him were a dozen men who appeared to be gaining each instant.

Again Poyor spoke to Cummings, and again the latter stopped suddenly and
wheeled about: but this time there was no warning shout to prevent the
rifle from being discharged.

There was a loud report, a cry of pain from one of the pursuers, and all
halted for an instant to aid their wounded companion.

When Cummings turned to continue the flight Jake was by his side, saying
as they ran:

"If it comes to close quarters I'll drop behind, and make as long a
fight as I can, which will give the rest a chance to gain on the crowd."

"They would surely kill you. There could be no hope in a hand to hand
struggle."

"I know that, and it will be no more than I deserve. If I hadn't been
such a fool you would have got through without turning a hair."

This confession and the proposition to sacrifice himself had the effect
of dissipating Cummings' anger, and he said decidedly:

"We will stick together and take even chances. No matter what has been
done one shall not be sacrificed to save the rest unless I, who brought
you here, am that one."

To carry on any extended conversation and at the same time continue the
pace was out of the question, and during the next five minutes not a
word was spoken.

Now there were two dozen pursuers, and the boys had become so nearly
exhausted that Teddy felt positive that he could not keep on his feet
long enough to reach the forest.

Poyor, seeing that both the boys had nearly run their race, shouted in
his own language a few words to Cummings, clasped his panting companions
by the waist, and, although thus burdened, soon drew away from both the
white men.

Nearer and nearer come the pursuers.

Once more Cummings halts, discharges his rifle, and then presses
forward.

Poyor gains the shelter while the others are a hundred yards aw