CHAPTER XVII.
UNLOOKED-FOR AID.
With their heavily-laden pack-horses, lengthy as their start was, the party under Chichester saw their pursuers plainly in their rear before the day was two-thirds passed, and Captain Jack, hurrying up the rear all he could, sent word to Chichester that the reds were gaining rapidly.
Chichester sent word back to press the rear forward at its utmost speed.
He could see timber ahead, and if they could only reach it, they might be able to make a stand.

Satisfied, from the report of Willie Pond, that over one hundred well-armed and well-mounted Indians were on his trail, fearful that many of his men would flinch in battle, he dared not, with the few that were true, make a stand on the open plain.
Had all been like Wild Bill, California Joe, and Captain Jack, he would have halted, rested his horses, and given the reds battle rather than fly from even treble his number.

But he knew well that a few cowards would weaken the rest, and he wanted to get some shelter before he met such odds.
The timber was yet fully two hours' ride distant, half of the pack-horses had given out and been left, and many of the mounted men complained that they could not keep their horses much longer in the column.
Sam Chichester had been obliged to slacken the pace in front, and the enemy were gaining so fast that the glitter of their arms, could be seen even and the dust-cloud that rose above them.
Suddenly another column of dust was seen, and this appeared to come from the direction of the timber, though south of the route the Black Hillers were taking.
"Men!" muttered Sam Chichester, "there's no use in our running much farther.

If that new cloud of dust is made by Indian's, all that we can do is to sell our lives as dearly as we can.

We will soon know one thing or the other." "They're not on the line we're taking.