But, not visible until one had turned the timber line and made a rise in the prairie was a distant range of hills.
Toward this the savages were going. If they reached them, they would certainly succeed in eluding their pursuer.
And the chances seemed good.
Frank saw, with a peculiar chill, that they were really liable to reach the point aimed at.
He sent the man on at full speed.
Barney placed himself at a loop-hole, and commenced firing as rapidly as he could at the fleeing foe.
The result was that many of them fell, and the others redoubled their exertions to make an escape.
On went the chase toward the distant range of hills.
Nearer and nearer drew the ponies to the objective point.
With sinking heart Frank saw that the Indians were likely to reach them before the Steam Man could overtake them.