where
the water, that must at some time have rushed out as a heavy fall,
smoothing the stones on either side, was now invisible, descending as it
did for about fifty feet into the valley amongst the rocks, and
plunging, mole-like, deep down beneath the surface, as if shunning the
light of day.

"Hah!" sighed the lad, as he stood upright and breathed deeply of the
soft pure air, for his difficulties seemed to be at an end, nothing
remaining for him to do but lower himself down amongst the rocks from
the rough ledge upon which he was perched, when his heart leaped at the
sound of a familiar voice hailing him with a cheery "Ahoy!"

CHAPTER FORTY FOUR.

OPEN-AIR SURGERY.

"Griggs!" shouted Chris excitedly.

"Why, there you are! The doctor's gone the other way to see if he could
find a gully by which he could climb up to try and find you. I came
this way. Same purpose, and I've got all the luck. Take care! Mind!
These stones are slippery."

"Yes, I'll mind," said Chris, as he descended the rocks backwards.
"This is nothing; but hadn't you better run and tell father you've found
me?"

"Nay! I'm not going to brag. I didn't find you; you seem to have found
me. Then you haven't broken your neck?"

"No."

"How many legs are snapped?"

"None," said Chris, who threatened to break one directly, so reckless
was his progress.

"Arms, then?"

"I'm all right, I tell you, only a bit knocked about; but where's Ned?"

"Along with his father on the upper terrace, giving the Indians a bit of
a shot now and then to keep them from coming up after the mules."

"But can they do it alone?"

"Oh yes; the brutes are sad cowards and don't like powder and shot at
all."

"There!" cried Chris, leaping to earth and coming close to the American.
"Now then, I want to join father."

"That's soon done," said Griggs; "but keep an eye up towards the top
yonder, and 'ware arrows."

"Yes, I know," said Chris excitedly.

"Of course you do; but they'll be pretty shy of showing themselves now,
after our bit of shooting."

"Walk quicker," said Chris. "But tell me, how did the enemy attack
you?"

"That's what we want you to tell us, lad. When they began we were
afraid they had got you. How did it all happen?"

Chris explained in a few words, and then began questioning, to learn how
those he had left behind were nearly taken by surprise, but their
preparations proved too perfect and a few shots had driven the Indians
b