In the pursuit of the Indians went Barringford and Dave, Rodney being too exhausted and suffering too much from his wounds to fight more. The course lay along a hill, and the rangers in the squad numbered eight.
"This is our chance to teach 'em the lesson they need," cried Barringford. "Come on!" and he went ahead, with Dave beside him.
The rangers had discovered and fired on six red men, when they came to a ragged patch of timber, with rocks on the south side. Here there was a spring, and all stopped for a much-needed drink. They were just getting the water, when there came a shower of arrows, one taking Dave in the side.
"Look out, they are coming back at us!" was the alarm, and in a trite some of the rangers were on the retreat. Then Barringford found himself surrounded, and was forced to seek shelter among the tall trees back of the spring.
Dazed by the turn of affairs, and with an intense pain in his side, Dave started to run. He felt like fainting and could scarcely see. He plowed along into some brushwood, and then scrambled over some rocks. Back of the latter was a hollow, and here he rolled over and over, until he reached a good-sized hole and tumbled in. He felt some dead leaves falling down on top of him,—and then he knew no more.
In the meantime, Barringford was having a struggle for life with three warriors who had attacked him, and he had no chance to see what had become of his younger companion. He discharged his rifle at one Indian with good effect and then swung the rifle around by the barrel.
"Keep yer distance, ye varmints!" he roared. "Keep yer distance, ye sons o' the Evil One!" And then, as one red man leaped at him with upraised tomahawk, around came his firearm, and the Indian was sent to the ground with a shattered skull. Seeing the fate of his two companions, the third Indian took to his heels and disappeared among the trees.
The fighting continued for the best part of half an hour, and then even the distant firing came to an end. Several times Barringford looked about him, but saw nothing of Dave.
"Must have gone back to camp," he murmured, hopefully, and returned with what was left of the rangers. He looked everywhere for Dave, and then rejoined Rodney.
"Have ye seen Dave?" he questioned.