sition. He had lain clinging with all his might
to that stone ever since he had fallen, in the full belief that if he
slackened his hold he would glide off into the depths and fall to the
bottom; but as in his calmer frame of mind he began to test this, he
found that loosening his desperate grasp made no difference, that where
he lay was fairly level, and that he was safe enough so long as he could
retain his nerve.

His left arm ached violently, but there was nothing the matter with his
right, and to his great satisfaction his rifle was beside him, with
pouch, pistol, and hunting-knife.

He began to examine his rifle-lock, and found all was right there, and
that by moving a little he could place the stone between himself and his
enemy so that he would not only have a breastwork over which to fire,
but a protection to turn aside arrows sent for his destruction.

He turned cautiously aside, for he felt that cunning eyes might be
watching him; but in spite of the caution he could not evade the quick
glance of the watching enemy.

Chris grasped the fact, and quick as thought, as his rifle now rested
upon the top of the stone, brought the sight to bear upon the Indian.

It was to save his life, he knew, for his enemy was as quick in his
movements as he, with the result that a well-aimed arrow flashed across
the intervening distance like a ray of light, which was quenched in the
puff of white smoke which darted from the boy's rifle. Then
simultaneously with the report there was a sharp _click_, and the tough
reed-like piece of wood glanced away, diverted from the object at which
it was aimed, while as Chris peered with starting eyes over the top of
the stone which had saved him from a grievous wound, if not from death,
he saw beneath the smoke which floated upwards another of the Indians
rolling over three or four times before descending into the depths below
with ever-gathering speed.

There was another chorus of yells from overhead, and though he could not
see them, Chris felt assured that the enemy were raging about the top of
the cliff, seeking to send arrows at him; and he had additional proof of
this being a fact, for _crack_!--_crack_!--_crack_!--_crack_! four
reports came from below, with what effect he could not tell, but it
seemed certain that his friends had fired at the enemy, whose yelling
ceased, a strange and terrible silence succeeding the cries.

Chris re-loaded his empty barrel and looked sharply i