"It was lucky for me.

I tried the dodge you taught me, but in my eagerness I missed." "Wal, you hadn't no call fer hurry.

You worked the trick clever, but you missed him when there was plenty of time.

I had to shoot over your shoulder, or I'd hev plugged him sooner." "Where were you ?" asked Joe.
"Up there by that bit of sumach!" and Wetzel pointed to an open ridge on a hillside not less than one hundred and fifty yards distant.
Joe wondered which of the two bullets, the death-seeking one fired by the savage, or the life-saving missile from Wetzel's fatal weapon, had passed nearest to him.
"Come," said the hunter, after he had scalped the Indian.
"What's to be done with this savage ?" inquired Joe, as Wetzel started up the path.
"Let him lay." They returned to camp without further incident.

While the hunter busied himself reinforcing their temporary shelter--for the clouds looked threatening--Joe cut up some buffalo meat, and then went down to the brook for a gourd of water.