“Circumvent the varmints if we can. I know some of their tricks, and I’m going to play ’em off on them. The moon will be under a cloud ag’in in a minute and then I’ll see what can be done. Till then let’s keep on as we’ve been going.”
They went on for perhaps a dozen rods, and then the forest was buried in darkness again.
“Now is our time,” exclaimed the scout. “I’ll let these red-skins know that Dick, the Death-Dealer, is on their track yet. He’s sent a great many of ’em under, and he ain’t got through with the business yet. You, Sam, go slowly on with the wimmen, and Ned you come with me. You are a good shot and it may be that I shall have need of you.”
“You don’t want me, I expect,” said Peleg. “I never was very good at fighting, and besides I’ve got this ere pack to see to. If the red-skins get hold on it, I’m ruined etarnelly.”
“No, I don’t want you,” answered Dick. “Stay where you are, and try to keep that tongue of yours still. Mind your rifle, Ned, and come with me.”
The young man gave the hand of Ruth a warm pressure, and whispered a word of assurance in her ear. Then he allowed her to pass on, while he came and stood by the side of the scout, who did not stir out of his tracks until the others had moved on some dozen yards or more.
“What are you going to do?” he asked, in a low tone.
“Find out how many red-skins there is behind us, and shoot ’em all if we can. You see that big tree yonder. Well, get behind it, and shoot the first red-skin that shows himself. I’ll ’tend to the next one, that comes to hand. We’ve got to fight ’em here, or the gal is Rushing Water’s, and we lose our scalps in the bargain.”
“I am ready,” answered Ned. “I had rather die a dozen deaths and see her a corpse, than she should fall into the hands of the red-skins.”
“I don’t doubt it a bit, youngster. But between you and I, I’m afeard our chances are mighty slim. This is a ticklish scrape we’re in, and if we all get out of it and save our ha’r, we shall do well. But let’s take our places and see who comes along. If the red-skins have kept on track of us, they’ll show themselves in a minute or two. Mind that you don’t waste a bullet, for ev’ry shot is going to tell in this scrape.”