It was an oppressively warm day, and we had a ride of many miles before us, ere we could hope to reach the point where we expected to intercept the savages.  We rode swiftly along over the beautiful green rolling prairie, pausing for nothing, until Jerry proposed a halt for a few moments, while he made a reconnoissance.

Approaching the top of a slight eminence, he dismounted, and carefully picketing his horse, dropped upon his hands and knees, and stealthily crept to the top.  A single glance sufficed to show him the situation; and he returned to us, vainly endeavoring to repress the excitement that was plainly visible in every movement, as he said, in a low voice,—­

“We kin ketch ’em, boys, sartin.  It’s a woman, for sure, riding on a pony, with one of the varmints on each side of her; but we’ve got to hurry some.”

Then striking his spurs deep into his horse’s flanks, he was soon far in advance of us.  An hour’s ride, and we came to a halt; our horses reeking with sweat, and panting like frightened deer.

Once more Jerry crept cautiously to the top of the bluff.  Again we saw his head appear for an moment above the level of the waving grass that grew on the summit; then he carefully arose upon his feet, and, standing erect, gazed about him for an instant, to again drop to the earth, and quickly make his way towards us.

I had watched his movements with a nervous curiosity that I could not repress; and now, as he came towards us, saw that the time for action had come.  Hurriedly he told us that the party were not a mile away; but he had failed to discover the two braves with the prisoner, who were evidently lingering behind for some purpose.  His idea was to dash in between the separated party, and thus prevent them from uniting and rendering each other assistance.

Jerry took the lead; whispering to Hal to be sure and keep by my side, whatever might happen; we spurred our horses up the steep acclivity; our rifles cocked, and ready at the word to pour a volley into the savages.

We were discovered before we reached the top; for, with a yell, the three Indians who were in advance, turned their horses and galloped furiously back in the direction of the remainder of their party, who were not yet in sight.

It was a run for life.  Our horses fairly flew over the prairie, as we rapidly approached each other, almost at right angles.  I saw Jerry bring his rifle to his shoulder.  I noticed the long, bright barrel glisten in the sunlight, and then the little puff of white smoke curl gracefully up from the end, and knew that the foremost Indian had fallen, without looking towards him.

His two companions, with a yell of rage, hastily threw themselves over upon the sides of their horses as though to protect them from our expected volley.  But not a shot was fired.  We could neither of us shoot a rifle with accuracy while our horses were in motion.  What should we do?