412 TKAVEL, ADVENTUKE, AND SPORT. 



cloud, raised himself upon his knee, and taking a 

 long and steady aim, nodded to his warriors. The 

 next instant five savages, pierced by as many bullets, 

 fell from their horses to the ground; a terrible yell 

 shattered the stillness of the night ; and with light- 

 ning swiftness El Sol sprang upon the terrified sur- 

 vivors, who, answering his war-whoop by cries of 

 terror, fled in confusion from the place. It needed 

 all the surprising rapidity and dexterity of the young 

 chief and his followers to secure six of the half-wild 

 horses, whose bridles, so swift and well-calculated 

 had been the movements of the Comanches, might 

 be said to fall from the hands of their slain riders 

 into those of the assailants. The remaining steeds 

 reared in extreme terror, and then, with neigh and 

 snort, dashed madly across the wide waste of the 

 steppe. 



Springing upon the backs of the captured animals, 

 the Comanches galloped to the shore. Scarcely had 

 they entered the canoe, astern of which the horses 

 were made to swim, when the bullets and arrows of 

 the pursuing foe whistled around them. 



"Will my son promise the Miko to be a good 

 father to the Oconees ? " said the old chief in a hol- 

 low voice, as they pulled out of range of the fire. 



" A father and a brother," answered the Comanche. 

 " But why does my father ask ? He will dwell long 

 and happily with his children." 



"Will El Sol swear it by the Great Spirit?" 



