He was just in time to detect the dark form of an Indian dart behind the foliage an hundred yards down the path.

Joe expected to see other Indians, and to hear more shots, but he was mistaken.

Evidently the savage was alone, for the tree Joe had taken refuge behind was scarcely large enough to screen his body, which disadvantage the other Indians would have been quick to note.
Joe closely watched the place where his assailant had disappeared, and presently saw a dark hand, then a naked elbow, and finally the ramrod of a rifle.

The savage was reloading.

Soon a rifle-barrel protruded from behind the tree.