il he discovered on
the hard rock, where Gideon and I could not perceive the slightest
marks.

"That is Bartle," cried Gideon as we were climbing on. "Little chance,
however, of the poor fellow being alive. The cruel varmints! I'll punish
them one of these days for what they have done."

The expressions which his indignation drew forth were very natural, but
they were not in accordance with the precepts I had been endeavouring to
inculcate on Piomingo.

As we hastened on Gideon cried, "I think I saw his head move; if so, he
must be alive. We are coming! cheer up, cheer up, Bartle; we are coming
to your help!" he shouted.

The faint sound of a human voice was heard in return.

"He is alive," I exclaimed; "he is alive!" and I waved my cap as we
rushed to our friend's assistance.

Another minute, and we were by Bartle's side. We could perceive no
wound, but his eyes were starting from his head, and his tongue
protruded. Not a moment was lost in cutting the lashings with which he
was bound to the stump of a small tree, with another rough piece of wood
fastened across it. A few minutes later, and I believe he would have
breathed his last. We had fortunately brought with us a bottle of water
and some spirits, some of which we poured down his throat, and in a
wonderfully short time he revived, and was able to tell us what had
happened to him. He had rendered one of his captors a service on some
occasion, and this man had sufficient influence with the others to
preserve his life. When, however, they found themselves closely pursued
by our troops, they were about to kill him; but, at the instigation of
the brave who had hitherto saved him from being put to death, they
resolved to bind him to the tree and leave him. In all likelihood, his
friend had proposed this with the intention of afterwards returning and
setting him free.

As Bartle would certainly be unable to move for some time, Gideon and I
remained by him, while Piomingo returned to inform Sergeant Custis of
our success, and also to warn him that the enemy were not far ahead. The
sergeant, we afterwards heard, pushed rapidly on, and in a short time
came up with the party, and, by the careful way in which he approached,
took them completely by surprise. They attempted to defend themselves,
but the greater number were cut to pieces--a few only escaping to the
southward.

[Illustration: TO THE RESCUE!]

Gideon and I, I have said, had been left on the mountain-si