John was a man of quick decision and resolute action. All the meaning of the situation flashed upon his mind. They were but two, and outnumbered six or eight to one; they had but one gun, that empty, fifty feet distant toward the foe. But the way was open to the fort, across the clearing and through the woods. Had he been alone, he would have sprung to the path in a moment and gained a good start on the savages. But Stephen had the unfortunate habit of hesitating in emergencies. Whenever startled or surprised he seemed powerless to act, and would stand as one dazed. John had to go to him, therefore, take him by the shoulders, turn him about, and say,
"Run to the fort!" pushing with the word to get him started. Once going, however, he ran like a frightened doe; so hard, indeed, that without the restraint and guidance of his brother he would have been exhausted early in the race.
The Indians, of course, on finding their approach discovered, sprang nimbly to the pursuit, but they had at first to run up hill, and when they came to the tree the foremost stopped to examine the gun and pouches, and a dispute arose over their possession. This was quickly settled by the chief, but every moment gained was precious to the fugitives.
Any company of men in danger must needs have a captain, and John was born for a commander, whether of two or fifty. He set the pace which he believed Stephen could keep to the end, and said:
"Don't look back; I will keep watch on the Indians for us both. We must not follow our usual path too closely. If the way is clear we must cut short wherever we can."
John had taken note as they ran of several important facts. Only two or three of the Indians carried rifles, and they were not among the foremost. He believed that, in accordance with the report he had heard, the guns were empty.
The Indian who had secured the white man's rifle had stopped to load it, and was now far in the rear. It was the evident purpose of the leaders to run their victims down and kill them with tomahawk and knife; then, if possible, they would surprise the fort, massacre the inmates, and carry away the ammunition there to be found.
The reason for their confidence soon became apparent. Stephen, notwithstanding his brother's advice, could not avoid now and then turning his head for a backward glance, and he it was who first recognized in the foremost runner a famous Indian chief named Bigfoot, known as the bravest warrior and swiftest runner of the Wyandotte tribe. It was reported, also, that he had three brothers, nearly equal to himself in swiftness, who usually went with him on his expeditions.
There had not been a doubt in the mind of John about his own ability to outrun the Indians. The question from the first had been how to save Stephen, and this new discovery made the situation desperate. The boy could run very swiftly for a short distance, but he lacked the endurance of a fully developed man. In spite of his brother's encouragement his steps began to flag. Bigfoot was easily gaining upon them, and three others were not far behind him. Soon he came so near that John feared he might, by a quick rush, be able to throw his tomahawk with deadly effect. He said to Stephen,
"Jump behind the big tree we are coming near, but keep on running."