A DOUBLE CHASE.
Fred Wilson little guessed the good his daring course had accomplished
for his friends, or he would not have so bitterly cursed his foolhardy
daring in thus running into such a scrape. But the harm was did and he
could only strive his best to free himself from the dangerous position
it threw him into.
He slung his rifle across his back by the strap appended and thus with
his arms free, he dashed on with renewed speed; though the best pace
one could maintain there in such dense woods, was comparatively slow.
Still it tried one the greater, for a tree-trunk would not be visible
until almost run against, and then a quick, active leap was necessary
to avoid it.
Fred could hear the rush of many feet behind him, and also the
continued signaling of his foes, telling him that a stern race for
life and death was to be the result. And almost unconsciously the
presentiment that had before assailed him, returned with augmented
force.
Still he did not falter or neglect a single precaution by which his
case might be aided. His mind was made up to adopt a bold _ruse_, and
now he strained every nerve to its utmost tension in order to gain the
necessary vantage ground that would enable him to put this plan into
execution.
As he gained the beaten Trace, Wilson turned and dashed down it,
although he would thus lose some ground if his pursuers had spread out,
as he felt assured they had. But then he could place full confidence in
his fleetness of foot, and felt that with a clear road, he could easily
regain the ground thus lost.
Along the path he sped until he reached and passed the still-glowing
embers of his late home. But when about a half-mile beyond this, he
deemed his chance good enough, and pausing beneath a huge tree, he
clutched a low limb and adroitly swung himself up into the branches.
Here he lay still, striving to quiet his hard and rapid breathing, lest
it should betray his hiding.
It was a full minute before the first red-skin passed beneath his
perch, and Fred found that he had gained more ground than he had
supposed. Not noticing the sudden cessation of his footsteps, the Sioux
pressed on at hot speed, little dreaming how narrowly they were missing
their intended victim.
For some time after their passing Fred remained motionless, but then
he stealthily crept up higher until near the tree-top, where he could
remain hidden, even in the daytime, safe from all prying eyes, unless
their owner should take a fancy to climb the tree and make a close
examination; an occurrence that was not at all likely to take place,
as Fred's footprints had, in all probability, been obliterated by those
of the running savages.
For full an hour Fred remained there, but then, hearing no sound of
his foes, he descended, and struck once more into the woods. He had
pondered long and well over his situation, and knowing he could effect
nothing for his friends, owing to his ignorance of their whereabouts,
he had resolved to set out for the settlements, and, if possible, there
raise a force to return and either rescue them, if captured, or avenge
their murder, if dead, as he feared they were.
Before the day broke he had gained the open prairie, and then paused
in a clump of trees, in order to see if the coast was clear for his
further progress, as soon as the sun should arise. To hasten this end,
he scaled a tall tree, and from its top-branches, he eagerly scanned
the prairie, as well as the dim light would admit.
But until the sun had fairly arisen, his search was useless. Then,
however, his heart beat rapidly, and he saw how wise had been his
precaution.
At nearly a mile's distance, he could just distinguish the forms of a
number of human beings. Keenly observing them, he first saw that they
were in the direct Trace, and were approaching him at a rapid pace.
Then he perceived that they were Indians.
Fred hastily descended a few feet to where the limbs were thick, and
then crouched down, his eyes once more bent fixedly upon the foe. The
sun shone full upon them now, and he counted over a score in all.
As they descended into the hollow, he lost sight of them for a moment,
but then they reappeared upon the crest, next to the one upon which
stood the grove he had sought refuge in. The Trace ran within a few
yards of this _motte_, and the young man began to feel apprehensive as
to his own safety.
The savages kept on, and now Fred could distinguish the form and
features of a white man; of Dusky Dick, and his teeth grated fiercely
together as he felt a stern desire to avenge the supposed destruction
of his family upon the renegade. But to do so now would be equivalent
to his own death.
Then the party gained the ridge, and paused; some pointing toward the
_motte_ where the young man was concealed. As Fred anxiously watched
their every motion, he heard them yell wildly, and believed he was
discovered.
Throwing forward his rifle-muzzle, he glanced along the barrel. The
double sights drew full upon the head of the renegade, and only a
slight pressure of the forefinger would have sounded Dusky Dick's
death-knell.
But that pressure was not given, for just then the red-skins, led by
Dusky Dick, turned and dashed down the hillside, with long, loud yells.
In surprise Fred glanced at the further ridge, and a cry of wonder
broke from his lips.
He could quite plainly distinguish another party; these unmistakably
white. He also noted the flowing drapery of women; three in number. And
then the truth burst upon his mind like a revelation.
These were his friends, who had successfully passed through the trials
of that eventful night, only to be again confronted by their bitter and
relentless enemies, when just upon the verge of safety!
As he beheld them turn and flee, Fred hastily descended from his perch,
and then, without thought or reflecting upon the risk he would thus
incur, he dashed down the hill after the red-skins. Fortunately for
him, the entire thoughts of the Indians were turned upon the fugitives
before them, and not a backward glance was given, or else this rash
move would probably have resulted fatally for the young ranger. And
then they gained the ridge and passed beyond his sight.
Before he also gained the crest, Fred's natural good sense returned,
and he proceeded with more circumspection.
He kept tolerably well screened by the tall weeds, while descending,
until the savages were once more hidden from view behind a swell; and
then he dashed on with the velocity of a race-horse. As he gained the
second crest, Fred again paused.
He could still distinguish both parties, and then, as his eyes rested
upon the hills beyond, a glad cry broke from his lips, a bright light
filled his eyes, and after hesitating for a moment, he turned and
dashed at full speed along the back track, his eyes sparkling with a
new-born determination.