CAPTAIN DAN HEKHIE. 437' 



His comrades had been surprised, no doubt, by the same 

 party which had pursued him, but with what result it was 

 impossible for him to tell certainly, though he had little 

 choice but to believe and fear the worst. Amid the multitude 

 of the tracks of unshod horses, he could distinguish the few 

 tracks of their shod horses. There was no trace of their 

 bodies in the hasty survey he had time to make, and it 

 seemed very strange that this dead warrior should be left 

 behind, so contrary to their well-known custom ! He followed 

 the trail for some time, with great caution, but could make 

 no discovery, except a great deal of blood on the ground, 

 until towards noon, when rising the comb of a steep ridge, 

 he looked down into the plain below upon a large body of 

 Indians, encamped about a mile distant. 



This was a startling sight, and they perceived him at the 

 same moment. Now he felt he would have indeed to run 

 for his life. One glance, as he wheeled, was sufficient to 

 show him warriors mounting the horses of his friends ! He 

 did not dread a race with the horses of the Indians so much, 

 because his horse was more than a match for the best of 

 theirs ; but the horses of his comrades were as swift, and in 

 every sense as good as his now they were to be turned 

 against him ! He cursed the rashness that had induced 

 him to follow up their trail, but this was no time to pause 

 for regrets he was off, down the hill, at the best speed 

 his horse, already somewhat fagged, could raise. All 

 depended upon getting back to the timber and losing 

 them ! He could hear their pursuing yells, distinctly, for 

 a moment, and this was no syren's music to draw him 

 back ! He had a good mile the start, but that was no 

 great matter, if, as he supposed, their horses were fresher 

 than his own ! He had not time now to feel any alarm, 

 but only that there was hot work before, and he -had it to 

 attend to ! His object was to get out of sight as soon as 

 possible, for he gained a great deal by compelling them 



