Hector had escaped his savage pursuer, and was again crouching at the heels of his master's horse.

But the broad circle of light was gradually increasing in extent and power, and the old man, whose eye and judgment so rarely failed him, patiently awaited a more propitious moment for his enterprise.
"Now, Ishmael, my man, if sight and hand ar' true as ever, now is the time to work upon these Redskins, who claim to own all your property, even to wife and children! Now, my good man, prove both breed and character!" A distant shout was heard in the direction of the approaching party of the squatter, assuring the female garrison that succour was not far distant.

Esther answered to the grateful sounds by a cracked cry of her own, lifting her form, in the first burst of exultation, above the rock in a manner to be visible to all below.

Not content with this dangerous exposure of her person, she was in the act of tossing her arms in triumph, when the dark figure of Mahtoree shot into the light and pinioned them to her side.

The forms of three other warriors glided across the top of the rock, looking like naked demons flitting among the clouds.