quickly round, just in time to see him spring at the

horse's throat, and bring both steed and rider down

upon him. Dick's heart leaped to his throat. Had a

thousand savages been rushing on him he would have

flown to the rescue of his favourite; but an unexpected

obstacle came in the way. His fiery little steed, excited

by the headlong race and the howls of the Indians,

had taken the bit in his teeth and was now unmanageable.

Dick tore at the reins like a maniac, and in the

height of his frenzy even raised the butt of his rifle with