ed Jack, and secured the
figure behind him. Some time passed, however, before he gave the word.
The enemy were close at hand, but they were concentrated, as far as we
could judge by the sounds which reached us, on one side of the house,
and Uncle Jeff would be able to pass by them, and thus leave the road
open for us.

A few strokes cleared away the barricade. Uncle Jeff was to dash out
first, Bartle and Gideon were to follow, they understanding that I
should keep between them, while Klitz and Gillooly were to bring up the
rear.

"Now open the door!" cried Uncle Jeff.

Just as he spoke I looked around, and discovered that neither Klitz nor
Gillooly was behind me. What had become of them I could not tell; and
there was no time to consider, for the door was thrown open, and out
dashed Uncle Jeff, directing his course by the path down the valley.

For some seconds he was not observed by the enemy, until he went
clattering away down the steep path at a pace which would have brought
many a steed on his knees. But Jack knew what he was about. Not until
Uncle Jeff found that the enemy had seen him did he utter a sound. He
then gave vent to a loud shout, which rang through the air, echoing from
rock to rock. It had the effect he intended, and drew the attention of
our foes to him. A shower of bullets went whistling through the figure
and on either side of it; still the horse kept on his way uninjured.

[Illustration: A RACE FOR LIFE.]

The Indians, who had their horses tethered below, mounted in haste, and
pushed on in hot chase. But Uncle Jeff was on ahead of them, so, casting
off the straps which bound the figure, he let it fall to the ground,
whilst he, recovering his proper position, turned round, and shaking his
fist at his astonished foes, continued his course at increased speed.

We of course could not see what occurred, but we heard of it
afterwards.

CHAPTER VI.

WE ARE SURPRISED BY THE INDIANS WHILE LEAVING THE
HOUSE--BARTLE'S ADVICE--I AM PERSUADED TO ESCAPE ALONE--AN
EXCITING PURSUIT--FOOD AND REST--MY JOURNEY RESUMED--AMONG THE
MOUNTAINS--MY ANXIETY ABOUT MY FRIENDS--A WEARY DAY--AN INDIAN
IN SIGHT--FRIEND OR ENEMY?--A RECOGNITION--WINNEMAK AND HIS
BRAVES--I AM KINDLY TREATED--NO NEWS OF UNCLE JEFF--A SPY--WE
START IN PURSUIT OF HIM--THE SPY OVERTAKEN--A DEADLY
COMBAT--WINNEMAK OVERCOMES PIOMINGO--IS HE DEAD?--MY
INTERCESSION--ON THE WAY FOR WINNEMAK'S