True he had not noticed him after kicking the fire into life but having struck him a terrible blow on the head with his tomahawk, he had bestowed no second thought upon him, for other and more eventful things demanded his attention.
Now the mystery of the missing body engrossed his every thought. If the savage was a Chippewa, and had recovered from the blow, why did he not make his appearance to his brethren? Why should he depart, when, from some darkened spot, he could shoot his foes, for the Destroyer also noticed that the rifle which he had knocked from his hands was missing also.
Two of the Indians were ransacking the cave, while the others sat by the fire guarding their helpless captives.
Silver Rifle possessed but little for the fiends to take. A rifle or two fell into their hands, and these they brought to their comrades, with many manifestations of delight.
All at once, while the savages were admiring {a} head-dress, which they had discovered, one of the {red-skins} groaned and staggered from the fire.
The captives caught sight of an arrow in his side as he wheeled.
The other savages turned as a rifle cracked, and a figure leaped from the ground with a cry of vengeance.
A second brought the new-comer to his foes, and before they could meet him, two sweeps of the rifle lowered them to the ground!
The impetuosity of the sudden attack could not be withstood.
The victor’s knife glittered over the prisoners for a moment, then they sprung erect, and recognized their liberator!