a dozen jacks had pounced on the Indian. He went down under the
rush. Hippy saw them grab the fellow and hurl him into the middle of the
street. The Indian was on his feet in an instant, and, from the light
shed through the windows along the street, Hippy saw a knife flash in
the Indian's hand, saw the red man's arm shoot out, and a man fall,
uttering a howl.

The jacks hesitated briefly, then uttering angry yells they hurled
themselves upon the Indian, bore him to the ground, and began to kick at
him with their heavy boots.

Tom turned his pony and rode into the crowd at a gallop. Three
lumberjacks went down under his charge.

"The cowards!" raged Hippy, also charging into the group and completing
what his companion had begun.

"Run, you poor fish!" he yelled at the Indian, who had got to his feet
and stood dazedly gazing at his rescuers. "Run!"

The Indian, suddenly recovering himself, darted between two buildings
and disappeared.

"Good work!" chuckled Hippy, galloping up the street with Tom to join
the girls, who were waiting for them.

"Oh, that was splendid!" cried Anne Nesbit as Tom and Hippy rejoined the
party of Overland girls.

"It won't be splendid unless we step lively," answered Tom.

"Keep going, girls, keep going," urged Hippy.

"I hate to run away, but being a peace-loving person I run away whenever
a fight is suggested to me."

"We know it," observed Emma.

"Thanks! Which way do we go?" questioned Hippy.

"Straight ahead and take the first right-hand turn about a mile from the
village to reach Joe Shafto's place, the storekeeper told me," Grace
informed them.

The party galloped on until they reached the turn indicated by Grace
where they halted and consulted, deciding that the road to the right was
the one they should take. This road, according to Grace's information,
should lead them to Joe Shafto's place, ten or fifteen miles further on,
though it was not their purpose to go on to Joe's that night.

The Overland Riders walked their horses after making the turn, there
being no need for haste, as no one believed that the lumberjacks would
follow, and further, the Overlanders were looking for a suitable camping
place for the night.

"This appears to be a good place to make camp," finally called Tom Gray,
who was riding in the lead of the party. Tom pulled up and looked about
him, the others riding up to him and halting.

"No good!" answered a strange voice.

"What? Who said that