This hope was a vain one, as he soon discovered.

The Indians, infuriated by his boldness, mounted their horses and gave chase immediately.

Sam had an excellent habit, as we know, of keeping his wits about him, and of preparing carefully for difficulties likely to come.

The first thing to be done was to escape, if possible, and so he continued to press his high-spirited colt forward, while he debated the probabilities of being overtaken, and discussed with himself the resources at his command if the savages should come up with him.

He was armed now, at any rate, and if running should prove of no avail, he could and would sell his life very dearly.
Indeed the possession of the rifle roused all the spirit of battle there was in him, and great as the odds were against him, he was sorely tempted to pause long enough to shoot once at least.