Nearer and nearer he came, and at last the instant arrived for them to act.
Noiselessly they crept forth from their hiding-place and approached their intended victim.
Had he raised his eyes he must have seen them, but he did not.
With a spring like that of a panther the scout bounded upon him, and his enemies followed his example.
The struggle was a short one.
With the odds against him, and taken thus by surprise, the chief could make but slight resistance.
In a minute’s time he was thrown to the earth and his hands and feet firmly secured with strong thongs which the scout produced from about his person.
Not a word did the scout utter until this was accomplished, and the wily savage lay a helpless prisoner before them.
Then with his knife held menacingly above his breast, the scout demanded, while the rest of the party with eager looks gathered about them:
“Where is the pale-face maiden? Speak! and let your words be true ones, or you die at once.”