Wait, they're coming a little closer." The two Senecas advanced about thirty yards, and stopped again.
"S'pose you fire at the one on the right, Henry," said Tom, "an' me an' Sol will take the one to the left." "All right," said Henry.

"Fire!" They wasted no time, but pulled trigger.

The one at whom Henry had aimed fell, but the other, uttering a cry, made off, wounded, but evidently with plenty of strength left.
"We mustn't let him escape! We mustn't let him carry a warning!" cried Henry.
But Shif'less Sol and Tom Ross were already in pursuit, covering the ground with long strides, and reloading as they ran.

Under ordinary circumstances no one of the three would have fired at a man running for his life, but here the necessity was vital.

If he lived, carrying the tale that he had to tell, a hundred innocent ones might perish.