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"They were Youghtenunds," I said, in the low tones we used e spoke at all, "and they went to the southward"

"We may thank our stars that they missed our trail," Diccon answered

We spoke no ain toward the south The day wore on, and still ithout pause Sun and shade and keen wind, long stretches of pine and open glades where we quickened our pace to a run, dense woods, snares of leafless vines, swah which we toiled so slowly that the heart bled at the delay, streams and fallen trees,--on and on we hurried, until the sun sank and the dusk ca in upon us

"We've dined with Duke Humphrey to-day," said Diccon at last; "but if we can keep this pace, and don't e, or have to fight the wolves to-night, we'll dine with the Governor to-morrow What's that?"

"That" was the report of a musket, and a spent ball had struckthe flesh beneath the leather of my boot

We wheeled, and looked in the direction whence lead coht to be seen It was dusk in the distance, and there were thickets too, and fallen logs Where that ambuscade was planted, if one or twenty Indians lurked in the dusk behind the trees, or lay on the further side of those logs, or crouched within a thicket, no mortal man could tell

"It was a spent ball," I said "Our best hope is in our heels"

"There are pines beyond, and sht to run from an Indian!"

Without more ado we started If we could outstrip that ht had fallen, all er, and even an Indian ht reach soround was smooth before us,--too smooth, and slippery with pine needles; the pines thehtly and easily, husbanding our strength Now and again one or the other looked behind, butonly the pines and the gathering dusk Hope was strengthening in us, when a second bullet dug into the earth just beyond us

Diccon swore beneath his breath "It struck deep," he "

A minute later, as I ran with my head over my shoulder, I saw our pursuer, dimly, like a deeper shadow in the shadows far down the arcade behind us There was but one man,--a tall warrior, strayed aside from his band, perhaps, or bound upon a warpath of his own The lish fool had sold hie