, "if he only would!"

Another arrow struck the rocks close to where Bourne and his friends
were watchfully scanning the gulch between them and the old camp, and
directly after a shot was fired, making every one start to look where
the little grey puff of smoke arose, and Wilton was calmly reloading his
rifle.

"I marked that fellow down," he said coolly.

"Did you hit?" said the doctor.

"I think so. He has altered his position, and is lying flat."

"Don't fire! A friend!" came in a familiar voice from behind them, and
the boys gave a cheer, which was answered by Griggs, who now appeared,
coming at a trot along the gulch from the direction of the gully, and
began to climb up on the doctor's side.

"I did hope to be in time," he said, as he reached Chris and lay down,
breathing hard. "Not done much, I hope?"

"You are in time," cried Chris, catching at the American's hand, to have
his own pressed firmly.

"We've been in great anxiety about you, Griggs," cried the doctor,
pressing his friend's other hand.

"You'd have felt worse than that, sir, if you'd seen my wig," said the
American, with a chuckle. "They came so near catching me that my hair
began to rise at the thought of being cut shorter than ever it was cut
before, and made into an ornament. They nearly had me before I got to
the first terrace. You know I--There's a chap yonder going to send an
arrow at us, Chris, lad. You'd better shoot."

Chris followed the direction indicated by the American's pointing
finger, saw where a big Indian was drawing his bow, showing only his
face and arms round a corner, and drew trigger, with the result that he
struck the stone and sent splinters flying, and after them the Indian,
evidently hurt badly, for he held his left arm with his right-hand.

"Go on, Griggs," said Chris, reloading. "You were saying, `You know
I--' and then you stopped."

"To be sure," said Griggs, whose breath was still coming in gasps, as he
lay on his chest with his rifle ready now for a shot. "I was going to
say, You know I can run fast."

"Yes, yes," cried Chris eagerly. "Go on."

"I did," said Griggs, "as hard as I could; but a galloping horse is too
much for me, and I won't back myself against one again."

"But you got into safety," cried Chris.

"Only just. I believe I saved myself by about one inch and a half.
That was enough, though, to let me shut and lock the door we had got
ready."

"Did you fire?" asked the doctor