“Yes; let’s hear how it was,” said several as the two young persons appeared among the overjoyed whites, who gathered around them and shook their hands again and again.
Fred Wainwright related in a few brief words, how he had seen there was a good chance to get her away from the Indians without waiting for the return of his friend. At its conclusion the latter said,
“Well, you saved us a fight any way; and I s’pose that suits the gal better. Let’s mount and be off. Fred, we’ve only ’leven animals and there be ’leven of us. I’m mighty afraid you’ll have to take the gal on your hoss with you.”
This was nothing very dreadful, and the young people managed to survive it. Strange emotions thrilled the heart of Fred Wainwright, as he held the dear being close to him, and several times he was on the point of giving utterance to the tumultuous feelings which thronged upward,—but he restrained himself. The time had not yet come.
All night long they traveled their progress being necessarily slow. Nothing more was heard of their pursuers, and at daylight they halted on the ridge not more than half their distance accomplished.
“I will ascend to the top of the ridge and take observations. I swan if I feel quite safe!” remarked Mr. Swipes as he clambered to the top. Reaching the backbone of the ridge, he took a careful survey of the opposite plain which stretched far away to the South and South-West.
The next moment a loud shout was heard from the Yankee, and he was seen dancing and flinging his arms like a lunatic. All eyes were turned wonderingly toward him.
CHAPTER XIV.
CONCLUSION.
Leonidas Swipes continued dancing, shouting and gesticulating like a madman. He threw his hat in air, and, as it came down stamped upon it, turned summerset, hooted like an Indian, and finally shouted to the upturned faces below him.
“By jingo! just come up here! Did you ever see such a sight! Ki ’yi!” and he executed another double shuffle as a vent to his superabundant glee.