“What is it?” he cried; “what is wrong?” and as he spoke the lock of his double rifle gave forth two ominous clicks twice over.
“They have come round while we have been away,” whispered Bart hoarsely.
“They? Who? Our men?”
“No,” panted Bart; “the camp is surrounded by Indians.”
Chapter Six.
A Surgical Operation.
Dr Lascelles’ first movement was to run forward to the help of his child, Bart being close behind.
Then with the knowledge that where there is terrible odds against which to fight, guile and skill are necessary, he paused for a moment, with the intention of trying to find cover from whence he could make deadly use of his rifle. But with the knowledge that Maude must be in the hands of the Indians, whose savage nature he too well knew, his fatherly instinct admitted of no pause for strategy, and dashing forward, he ran swiftly towards the waggon, with Bart close upon his heels.