"It is a sacrifice I command you to take advantage of—— No! you must obey, for I shall only be taken prisoner, and you can send a relief party from the agency to rescue me."
"Oh, can I?" and her face brightened.
"Yes; and you the Indians would not give up," he added, significantly. "Here we are at the ridge, so keep right on, sparing your horse all you can."
He slipped from the back of the horse as he spoke, at the same time striking the animal a sharp rap with his hat, which caused him to bound forward with increased speed.
"Good-by! but I can never forgive myself for this sacrifice you make for me," came back to the young officer, as unable to check her horse on the run down the ridge, Emma Foshay went flying away, leaving Kit Carey in the trail to stand at bay against fearful odds.
Knowing the country as he did, he had chosen well just where to leave the maiden to go on alone, for the nature of the ground was such just then that the Indians could be held at bay for a few minutes at least, while they could not make a flank movement of his position without a ride of half a mile out of their way.
This would give Emma Foshay a long start, which, with the greater speed of her horse, she could hold.
But what was to be his fate, Kit Carey did not know, though he was ready to meet it, be it what it might.