"Jest as though I wanted to whistle!" was the curious reply and placing his finger in his mouth, the fellow gave a sound that would have done credit to an ordinary locomotive.
"If you make that noise again I'll shoot you," said the Rifleman, now fairly convinced that mischief was intended. Without heeding his threat, the sick man arose to the upright position, and with flashing eyes, repeated the sound.
"I gave you warning," said Dernor, raising his gun, pointing it at his breast, and pulling the trigger. It missed fire!
"I guess you'll have to fix up that load a little," said Zeke Hunt, "and afore you can do that, you're likely to have visitors."
The Rifleman clubbed his gun and advanced toward the man. The latter drew his knife, and said:
"Keep off, Lew Dernor; don't you know me?"
"I've been a fool," said the hunter. "Yes, I know you through your disguise, Simon Girty. I see what you have been trying to do, but you will never take one of us alive. I hear the tramp of the coming Indians that he has signaled," he added, addressing Edith, "and there is not a minute to lose."
So saying, he placed his arm around her waist, and started off at a rapid run.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE FLIGHT.