his eyes in the hope of detecting the cause of
the curious movement.

The gathering darkness made his vision quite uncertain; but he either
saw, or fancied he saw, a dark object among the limbs which resembled
the form of Baldy Bicknell, the trapper.

Johnny Brainerd would have given almost anything in the world could he
have understood what it all meant.

But the vary fact of these singular demonstrations was prima facie
evidence of the most unquestionable kind; and, after a moment's
consultation with himself, he began moving away, just as the sharp
crack of several rifles notified him of the fearful peril which he had
escaped.

CHAPTER XIV. THE HUGE HUNTER.

SIMULTANEOUS with the report of the rifles came the pinging of the
bullets about the ears of young Brainerd, who, having started the
steam man, kept on going until he was a considerable distance from the
ravine.

All the time he kept looking back, but could see nothing of his
enemies, nor could he detect the point from which the rifle-shots were
fired.

Now, as night descended over the prairie, and the retreat of his
friends became shrouded in impenetrable darkness, he fully appreciated
the fact that not only were they in great danger, but so was he
himself.

The heathenish terror with which the steam man had at first inspired
the savages had rapidly worn away, the circumstances unfortunately
having been such that they had very speedily learned that it was
nothing more than a human invention, which of itself could accomplish
little or no harm.

He could but reflect, as the man glided slowly along, that if he had
the three friends beside him, how easily they could glide away in the
darkness and leave all danger behind.

But they were in the extremity of peril already, and, reflect and
cogitate as much as he chose, he could see no earthly way of assisting
them out of their difficulty.

Besides the concern which he naturally felt regarding his friends,
there was a matter that more clearly related to himself that demanded
his attention.

The water in the tank was at its lowest ebb, and it would be dangerous
for him to attempt to run more than one hour or so longer before
replenishing it. Consequently he was unable to stand anything like
another chase from the Indians.

As the part of prudence, therefore, he turned toward the river,
following slowly along the bank, in quest of some place where it would
be easy and safe for hi