“I wouldn’t give that for the boy’s chances,” and he snapped his fingers at his side. “If Tecumseh catches the lost horses, may God help Charley then. God help him, anyhow!”
George Long repeated the prayer away down among the deepest and holiest shrines of his terror-frozen heart.
The next moment the runaway and his victim disappeared!
A snort from the black steed startled the couple, and with ready rope the trapper sprung forward. But, before he could secure his dearly-won prize, George Long touched his arm, and uttered a wild shriek.
“My God! Indians!”
In an instant Frontier Shack was on his feet.
His hurried look north-eastward showed him a line of dark forms between him and the horizon.
“Pawnees, by Joshua!”
The savages were distinctly visible, and the rider of the foremost horse could be easily recognized from the spot where the couple stood.
“Tom Kyle wants me,” said the Westerner, gritting his teeth. “The upper Pawnees hev told ’im about the fracas last night. We’re in for it now, and blood hes got to flow!”