The bold hunter shortened the bridle, backed his horse away from the hill a few feet, and then launched him into the air. The cry of defiance that he gave as he dropped down the steep slope could have been heard for miles around. Scarcely had he vanished from the crest of the hill when the faces of the Indians appeared over it. The edge of the bluff was instantly ringed with fire.
"He falls!" cried one from the fort.
"He is down!" screamed another.
"No, he makes it!"
"They've hit him!"
"He's reached the ground safe!"
"They've got him!"
"No, he's up again!"
"He's coming here!"
"To the gate! to the gate!"