"Saw an Injun, just over thar!" cried the guard.
He had scarcely spoken when from a distance came a rifle shot, followed by another. Then an Indian burst into view, carrying a little white girl on his shoulder.
"White Buffalo and Nell, as I live!" came from James Morris's lips. He ran forward. "Nell, don't you know me?"
"Uncle Jim!" cried the girl. "And oh, there are Henry and Rodney, and Uncle Sam! Oh, I must be dreaming!"
"Here is Dave!" cried the trader, and he ran forward to meet his son. "And one of the twins!"
"And here is the other twin!" said Barringford.
There was no time, just then, to say for additional rifle shots could be heard. The Indians from the village were following up White Buffalo's warriors, and the latter were doing their best to hold them back, and thus cover the flight of their chief and Dave, with the children.
"Give it to 'em!" cried Barringford, as soon as he understood the situation. "Pepper 'em hot!" And as the nearest of Moon Eye's warriors came into sight the rangers fired a volley which laid three Indians low. The rest halted, and darted behind the trees.
"We must do our best to get back to the fort," cried James Morris.
"Wait till we count up this crowd that has attacked us," urged Rodney.