“What’s the matter, Deerfoot?” he exclaimed angrily as the Pottowattomie made no move to help him.
Just at that moment, however, Deerfoot snatched his tomahawk from his belt and hurled it with all his force.
CHAPTER XIX
A LIVELY SKIRMISH
Robert wheeled instantly to discover the cause of Deerfoot’s action. He was not a second too soon, for, as he turned, a tomahawk whizzed past his head, missing him only by a few inches. His sudden movement had saved his life.
As if springing from the ground itself, an Indian bore down upon him. The redskin was scarcely ten feet distant when the startled boy first caught sight of him. On he came with knife upraised, shouting his war whoop. Fury was depicted in every line of the Indian’s countenance. Robert had his rifle in his hand, but, he had no time to take aim, so swiftly did his enemy charge. Instinctively, however, the young volunteer started to raise the gun to his shoulder. He realized at once that he would not have time to take aim, and accordingly before the barrel was above the level of his hips he fired.
Even at so short a distance the bullet went wild. The report of the gun, the flash and the smoke checked the Indian momentarily, however, and this check undoubtedly saved Robert’s life. Following the discharge of the gun, almost instantly Deerfoot hurled himself through the air upon the body of the onrushing Sac. The two men came together with a thud and a moment later they were struggling on the ground.
Robert was so stunned by the unexpected turn of events that he merely stood and looked at the fight going on at his feet. Joseph, on the other hand, had not lost his wits for even an instant.
“Jump in there and help Deerfoot, Bob!” he cried. “What are you standing around doing nothing for?”
To Robert it had seemed as if this contest was to be just like the one he had decided in Deerfoot’s favor only a few moments before. It was hard for him to distinguish one Indian from the other, but he stood over the two, ready to follow Joseph’s instructions the moment an opportunity should offer.
Deerfoot’s opponent had a long knife in his hand. He struggled desperately to get a chance to use it, while Deerfoot fought with all his strength to prevent this move. He had seized his adversary by the wrist and clung desperately to the hand which was holding the deadly knife.