THE BLACK BEAK. 243 



At the same moment (for all this happened almost 

 with the rapidity of thought), and whilst the Vir- 

 ginian was reloading his rifle, we heard an explosion 

 which sounded like the rumbling of thunder. It 

 came from the mountain ; and then we heard such 

 a yell as no one can forget when he has once heard 

 it. It was the Avar-cry of the Comanches, and at 

 that same time we saw a body of men rushing on 

 towards us. There was not a moment to be lost. 



" The Indians are on us. Save yourself ! " cried 

 the Virginian, and turning his horse round, he 

 started off in a gallop, crying " Save yourself! Save 

 yourself ! " 



The advice was excellent, but how was I to follow 

 it ? My horse stood immovable and resisted every 

 effort. As a last resource, I jumped off him and 

 climbed up an oak in the hope of concealing myself. 

 I had scarcely reached my hiding-place when a 

 party of from twenty to thirty savages, all deco- 

 rated with war paint, and their heads covered 

 with feathers, entered the valley. Tiiey were the 

 Comanches. 



On perceiving my horse, which still remained 

 motionless, the Eed Skins halted. One of them 

 approached the animal and seized it by the bridle ; 

 but the rest of the part}^, having now caught sight 

 of the flying Virginian, rushed onwards in pursuit 

 of him, with a yell that shook the very leaves around 

 me. This terrible cry seemed to revive the energies 



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