A GLEAM OF HOPE.
"If that is the case," said the Texan, "we must take a roundabout way
to get out of here. The Indians seem to be getting plentier every
minute."
"You must be careful about making any noise, for you know what keen
ears they have."
"Never fear about me," replied the Texan; "keep close and walk quietly
as I do."
They began stealing around the edge of the clearing in search of
another path very rarely traveled, and which, it was reasonable to
suppose, was unknown to the Indians. They had taken scarcely a dozen
steps, however, when the young man heard a rustling footstep just in
front of him, and instantly stopped.
The next second he discovered several figures coming toward him, and
self-preservation made him wheel on his foot so rapidly, that it was
impossible to avoid making a little noise.
Slight as it was it caught the ear of the Comanches, one of whom
uttered a "woofh!" and moved rapidly toward him.
"Run for the house!" exclaimed Sebastian to Katrina, when he saw the
shape affairs had assumed; "hold the door ready for me, and I'll follow
in a minute."
There was no time for hesitation, and the light-footed girl started
for the house, running as she did when pursued by the ravenous bear.
Discovery was inevitable, and the instant she emerged into the
moonlight, two Comanches, repeating the "woofh!" dashed out after her.
But a lion appeared in the way, in shape of the Texan, who, brandishing
his terrible Bowie over his head, leaped in front, with a regular
screech of a yell, and made a murderous lunge with the weapon at the
nearest Comanche, who dodged it with the nimbleness of an athlete.
Sebastian made a sort of back-handed sweep at the other red-skin, who
avoided the blow with the same astonishing dexterity, and drew back to
a respectful distance.
This demonstration on the part of the Texan had the effect of checking
the rush after Katrina, who continued on her way, without pausing,
until, reaching the cabin, she dashed in, and holding the door, so that
she could close it in an instant, looked out upon the thrilling scene.
While the defensive, defiant attitude of the brave defender kept the
two Comanches from him, it did not "neutralize" their abilities by any
means. They too had knives, but the two together were not the equal of
the Bowie, in the hands of the wiry Texan; but their voices remained
to them, and the two set up some whoops and yells of such a peculiar
character, that the young man knew at once that they were intended as
signals, and they would be certain to bring others speedily to their
assistance.
So he began retreating toward the cabin, walking backward, and
presenting a defiant attitude to his enemies, who, following close,
still permitted a safe gap between them and him.
Now and then the Texan threw a quick glance over his shoulder, to make
sure that none of the treacherous red-skins were stealing upon him. He
was within a rod or so of the house, when he saw what he dreaded.
Some half a dozen Indians were hurrying to the spot, coming almost
directly from the rear, so that, if he remained where he was, he was
quite sure to be surrounded, and cut off entirely from reaching the
house.
Such a thing would have been madness upon the part of Sebastian, who
instantly turned, and ran at the top of his speed toward the house,
both parties of Indians converging in swift pursuit.
Katrina was on the look-out for him, and the instant he reached the
door, it was drawn open to admit him, and then closed as quickly.
She was prepared for such a crisis as this, and swift as came the
Comanches, by the time they threw themselves against the door, the
massive fastenings were in their place, and it presented as immovable a
front to the assault, as the side of the cabin itself.
There was only one window upon the lower floor, and as soon as the
Texan was certain of the door, he ran to this, reaching it scarcely a
moment too soon; for the head and shoulders of a sinewy Indian were
already through the opening.
The next minute, the body of the savage dropped back to the ground, as
limp and lifeless as a log of wood.
The Bowie-knife had done its work!
This decided repulse of the Comanches had the result of making them
more cautious. The whole party, numbering nearly a dozen, scattered
like a covey of partridges across the clearing until they reached the
wood, where they gathered together to consult how this fearful man was
to be routed out and their fallen companion avenged.
Sebastian gazed after them and saw one of the men as he skurried away,
bearing the body of the victim upon his shoulders.
Confident that they would speedily return to the assault, the Texan
stationed himself in the lower room, rifle in hand, ready to pick off
the first savage that exposed himself, while Katrina went to the upper
story, which, having a window upon each side, gave a better outlook
than from below.
As yet, the lovers had scarcely exchanged a word since entering the
building, except that he gave a few hurried directions, during the
first five minutes. The common danger was too great for wooing and
winning at such a time.
The respite now granted by the Comanches gave the young man a little
time to collect his thoughts and take in the "situation."
When he came to reflect upon what he had done, the conviction came to
him that a mistake had been made. By taking to the woods, he could
have vanquished the two red-skins who attacked, and then got away with
Katrina in the darkness before the others could come up. Thus clear of
all danger, and in the protecting shadows of the wood, he could easily
put her out of the reach of her foes before the dawn of morning.
But what had they done?
Nothing less than shut themselves in the cabin, where the red-skins, if
they chose to wait, could "gobble" them up at their leisure.
Sebastian reflected that there was not a mouthful of food in the
house, nor a drop of water, as it had been cleared of both, before the
principal furniture was removed. If the Indians chose to remain were
they were for a few days, their prey would drop like ripe fruit into
their hands.
But suppose, as was most probably the case, that they did not intend to
make a siege, what then?
There was only a single gun in the house, while there were so many on
the outside, Indian ingenuity could devise a safe means of getting so
near the cabin, that it would be about impossible to use this or any
other weapon, and then they could go to work, make their preparations
and burn down the structure.
As to the prospect of a rescue, the Texan saw none at all. These was no
military force at all in this part of the Republic, and of those who
were able to reach the settlement, it was not to be supposed that any
would venture out, while there was any reason to believe the Comanches
were anywhere within striking distance.
The situation was desperate at the best, but like a brave man he had no
thought of surrender, so long as he had a hand to raise in the defense
of himself and of her who was dearer to him than his own life.
Fully an hour passed, and not the slightest sign of an Indian was seen.
Sebastian grew tired of watching alone, and ascended to the upper room
to join Katrina.
The moonlight which entered the different windows, made it quite light
here, and he saw her at once as she came forward to meet him. He
pressed her to his heart, and imprinting a kiss upon her cheek, led her
back to the window at which she was standing when he entered.
"We are in a bad fix," he said.
"There is hope, I trust."
"I can not see any, or very little at least."
"Will they not leave after such a repulse?"
"I see no hope of it."
"They are moving very rapidly, and will not linger long in this
neighborhood. You know the Comanches go as quickly as they come."
"Not always; we have slain one of their number, and they will get even
with us if possible. If they can manage to put me out of the way, I
have no doubt they will be satisfied to take you and go."
"Oh, Sebastian!" she exclaimed, in a reproving, tender voice, "why do
you speak so lightly of so terrible a thing? Do you think I could live
after your death?"
"I don't doubt your love, dearest, and I shall stay here and fight to
the death for you; but, at such a time as this, there is nothing to be
gained by shutting our eyes to the truth."
"And you think the chances are against our escape?"
"Decidedly so; indeed, I see no prospect at all. I would rather fight
fifty Mexicans than a half-dozen of these Comanches. They are so
nimble, that it is the hardest thing in the world to hit one of them,
and they know how to strike out for themselves, and have got ten times
the courage of a greaser."
"And have they no mercy?"
"Mercy! I should like to see a red-skin with such a thing as mercy. I
have never come across one as yet. I am only sorry that I didn't pitch
into those two fellows, and then take to the woods with you, before the
others came up; but, as it is, we must fight it out to the bitter end
with them."
Katrina started.
"Oh, I have thought of something!" she exclaimed, in an eager and glad
voice.
"What is it?"
"I think I see a way of escape."
Her tones and manner showed that she was in earnest, and a slight
flutter of hope came to her lover at the thought.