But his body did not strike the stony wall.
No! it struck a wall of flesh and blood, and Artena and ’Reesa South were hurled ten feet backward by the strange weapon!
“Secure them!” cried Jack, pointing to the stricken girls with an air of triumph, and several braves snatched thongs from their girdles and sprung to the task.
The Indian’s invention had baffled his foes, and the hurling of the youth against them was an action unlooked-for by every occupant of the cave.
The force of the body was absolutely irresistible; it flew from Jack’s hands like a thunderbolt, and after prostrating the girls, it struck the foot of the wall beyond, and quivered there like a piece of raw liver.
Jack’s victory was greeted with wild shouts of approbation, and he stepped forward quietly and secured the Spencer which had fallen from Artena’s hands.
Then he stooped over Cohoon, and smiled faintly when he looked up at his braves again.
A moment later, the Warm Spring chief opened his eyes, and, with the assistance of his stern captor, rose to his feet.
His hands had been lashed to his side, but his nether limbs were free, and he looked around upon the scene.
Neither Artena nor ’Reesa had recovered from the attack. Side by side they lay, like corpses, in the light of the fire, and when the spy’s gaze fell upon them, he shot a look of vengeance at Jack.