“Rather a bold undertakin’,” he exclaimed. “I wonder they tried to board a craft under full sail; they must have know’d they’d fall; though they did show good grit.”
“But why,” queried Mr. Markley, “did they not commence their attack upon the horses. Had they but killed them, we should have been at their mercy.”
“All policy, sir, as the lawyers say. Ye see they wanted hosses worse nor skalps, and so we saved our hair.”
“I have no doubt,” returned the elder Markley. “But I tell you, David, it seems hard for me to shoot a human being, even in self-defense. To think that I have lived for fifty years, and to-night, for the first time, have been necessitated to take human life.”
“Jest so,” returned David. “But you mustn’t git squeamish over it. I well remember the first time I had to kill a human, an’ how I felt, but that’s no use. When it’s got to be done, why let fly, that’s all!”
At length they reached a more open portion of the wood, and here David proposed to part company. The wagon was stopped, hasty but affectionate farewells spoken, strong hands pressed in a last fond grasp. Then the young men leaped from the vehicle and quickly left the road, while the father took the reins, and the wagon then rattled swiftly on its way to security. Davy stood watching it until lost to view.
“Now, boys,” he said, in a cautious voice, “we’re in for it in earnest. There’s no back down now. The first thing we’ve got to do is to git behind the Injins. Then there’ll be but little danger, unless we have to go clear back to Wild Bill’s settlement. Now, before we start, there’s one or two things ye want to always observe. Never fire a gun when ye can help it, unless yer in a safe place or in a mighty tight one. Then be careful of the trail. Make as little as possible, and walk in Injin file when ye can. The first thing we’ve got to do, is to git back, as I said, and the red-skins are so sharp on trail we must throw ’em off a little. Of course they think we all went off in that wagon, but they’ll find their mistake. So long as our tracks points toward the risin’ sun, they’ll not mind ’em much. By goin’ right ahead a quarter of a mile, we’ll strike the creek. There we’ll take to the water and come back till we see fit to leave it.”
The scout shouldered his rifle and pushed forward, his companions following his example. The way was clear, and they were aware if anything was accomplished under cover of the night, it must be speedily done. The stream was quite shallow, and assuring themselves that the foe was not upon them, the party stepped quickly in. Some time passed in complete silence; the only sound to be heard was the light ripple of the waters, as the men pressed cautiously forward. Finally the scout paused, and bent his head in a listening attitude.
“It’s as I thought, boys,” he said. “We are gettin’ too near the mahogany villains.”
The young men listened. They could hear the distinct tumult of warriors, and it was evident the stream would take them too near the sanguinary foe. The scout listened again.