Jet was growing weaker each moment.
Jim watched his companion anxiously, ready to take flight the instant he was overcome.
Jet knew exactly what would happen the instant he failed to show a bold front, and between two evils be chose the one which seemed the least.
Loading the gun and the revolver he laid both at his side, and stripped off his coat to stanch the flow of crimson fluid.
Sam must have seen this movement, for at that moment he ran for a clump of trees half a dozen yards farther off, and succeeded in gaining the desired spot before Jet could pick up his weapons.
"Why didn't you fire?" the latter asked sharply.
"I didn't know he was goin' to leave so sudden," was the innocent reply.
"That move was just what I've been trying to guard against, and now we must push back a bit, to prevent him from picking us off."
The small guide was only too willing to beat a retreat, even though it was only for a short distance, and he followed his companion quickly.
An overturned tree twenty feet away was the barricade Jet selected, and when they were sheltered by it he said: