In this he knew he would have an advantage, inasmuch as he would get a good many hundred yards away before the savages could catch and mount their horses for the purpose of pursuing him, and he even hoped that they, seeing how far he was in advance of them, would abandon the idea of pursuit altogether.

All this thinking, and weighing of chances, and deciding was the work of a single half second, and the plan, once formed, was executed instantly.

Without pausing or turning he pushed his horse at a full run through the group of savages, receiving a glancing blow from a war club and dodging several others as he went.

He succeeded in getting possession of the rifle which stood by the bush, and reached the field before a gun could be aimed at him.

It was now his purpose to get so far ahead as to discourage pursuit, and with this object in view he continued to urge his horse forward at his best speed.