he bodies of Indians.

There was no hesitation on the part of the survivors. The Great Spirit
had spoken to them in his displeasure, and those who had not been
smitten seized their horses, those which had no riders now kept with
them, and the whole band went off over the plain at full speed; while no
sooner were they well away upon the plain, than the Beaver and his party
laid their rifles aside, and dashed out, knife and hatchet in hand,
killing two or three injured men before the Doctor could interfere, as
he and Bart ran out, followed by Harry.

It was a hideous sight, and perhaps it was a merciful act the killing of
the wretches by the Beaver and his men, for they were horribly injured
by the explosion, while others had arms and legs blown off. Some were
crushed by the falling stones, others had been killed outright at first;
and as soon as he had seen but a portion of the horrors, the Doctor sent
Bart back to bid Maude be in no wise alarmed, for the enemy were gone,
but she must not leave the place where she was hiding for a while.

Bart found her looking white and trembling with dread, but a few words
satisfied her, and the lad ran back, to pass the horrible mass of
piled-up stones and human beings with a shudder, as he ran on and joined
the Doctor and Joses, who was standing outside his hiding-place,
perfectly unharmed, and leaning upon his rifle.

Bart was about to burst forth into a long string of congratulations, but
somehow they all failed upon his lips. He tried to speak, but he choked
and found it impossible. All he could do for a few moments was to catch
the great rough hands of Joses in his, and stand shaking them with all
his might.

Joses did not reply; he only looked a little less grim than usual as he
returned Bart's grip with interest.

"Why, you thought the Injun had got me, did you, Master Bart? You
thought the Injun had got me. Well, they hadn't this time, you see, but
I 'spected they'd find me out every moment. I meant to fight it out
though till all my powder was gone, and then I meant to back the horses
at the Injun, and make them kick as long as I could, for of course you
wouldn't have been able to come."

"I am glad you are safe, Joses," cried Bart, at last. "It is almost
like a miracle that they didn't find you, and that the explosion took
place. It must have been our keg of powder, Joses, that you hid under
the stones."

"Think so, Master Bart?" said Joses, as if deeply as