CHAPTER XXX. 



A FRIEND IN NEED. 



M V T this moment, the sharp crack of the Texan's Winchester rang out, and th* 

 \ 1 leader, with a frantic shriek, flung up his arms and fell headlong across his 

 \ intended victim. 



Jack Harvey sprang from behind the tree, and, with a wild shout, dashed at the 

 natives, who, tarrying only long enough to catch a single glimpse of the terrible 

 figure, fled into the jungle, as if death itself was at their heels. The rescuer had no 

 wish to harm any one beside the leader, who was in the act of putting a fellow being 

 to death, but, had the others shown hostility, he was ready to open on them. 



Jack was used to scenes of violence, but it was with a shudder that he drew the 

 inanimate form from the prostrate figure, which seemed as much terrified as were 

 his tormentors by the sight of the white man who had interfered in his behalf. 



A flirt or two of the keen knife and the prisoner was free, but he lay still, too 

 much overcome to move. " Come, old chap, it's a good time for you to leave,'* 

 called Jack, seizing his arm and lifting him almost bodily to his feet. 



The poor fellow stared at him for a moment, and then, with a howl, ran to the 

 river, leaped in, and began swimming frantically for the other shore. As he did so, 

 his friend, who stood on the bank calmly watching him, laughed outright at the 

 affrighted glances he cast over his shoulder, several times diving beneath the. sur- 

 face, as if he expected that the weapon which had destroyed the chieftain was about 

 to be turned against him. 



" I'm afraid he don't appreciate what I've done," was the conclusion of the 

 Texan, " and, if that is so, he won't be the first person that has been in that fix." 



There was no need of staying in the vicinity, especially since he believed the 

 savages were likely to rally from their panic and return to the spot, with the proba- 

 bility of making it unpleasant, to say the least, for him. Accordingly, the Texan 

 started to return to his mustang. 



He had taken but a few steps, when he found himself face to face with two of 

 the warriors who had fled in such panic but a few minutes before. 



They seemed to have recovered from their terror, and become very combative. 

 Their huge mouths were parted in hideous grins, which displayed their stained 

 teeth, and one of them brandished his spear threateningly. 



" I'm agreeable," called Jack, with another war whoop, making a tremendous 

 bound toward them. At that moment, the fellow with his uplifted spear flung it, 

 but he was so disconcerted by the unexpected charge, that the weapon went wide 

 of its mark, without any dodging on the part of Jack Harvey, who whipped cut one 

 of his revolvers and let drive with a couple of charges. 



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