For a minute the scout was undecided what to do.
He could not retreat up again over the roof, the way was so difficult; and if he could, it would amount to nothing for him to do so.
There was but one feasible course before him, and that he decided upon.
It was to leap down upon the head of the unsuspicious savage, bear him to the earth and slay him before he could utter a sound of alarm.
Taking his knife from his belt, he placed it between his teeth, and then fixing his hands firmly upon the eaves he was ready for the spring.
For only an instant did he hesitate, and then he went down upon the unsuspicious savage, whose first intimation of danger was the full force of the descending scout upon his head and shoulders.
No one taken at such a disadvantage could resist the shock, and the red-skin went down to the earth as suddenly as though the cabin itself had fallen upon him.
He tried to utter a cry of alarm, but it died away before his lips could give it utterance.
The fingers of the Death-Dealer were upon his throat with a grip like iron, and he could utter no sound.
Another moment, and the scout had his knife in his right hand, ready to strike a fatal blow.