MARTIN RATTLER. 251

for the lithe and naked Indians. They rapidly gained
on him, and he was about to turn at bay and fight
for his life, when he observed water gleaming through
the foliage on his left. Dashing down a glade, he
came to the edge of a broad river with a rapid cur-
rent. Into this he sprang recklessly, intending to
swim with the stream; but ere he lost his footing
he heard the low, deep thunder of a cataract a short
distance below! Drawing back in terror, he regained
the bank, and waded up a considerable distance in
the shallow water, so as to leave no trace of his foot-
steps. Then he leaped upon a rock, and catching
hold of the lower branches of a large tree, drew him-
self up among the dense foliage, just as the yelling
savages rushed with wild tumult to the water’s edge.
Here they paused, as if baffled. They spoke in
rapid, vehement tones for a few seconds, and then
one party hastened down the banks of the stream
towards the fall, while another band searched the
banks above. .

Barney’s heart fell as he sat panting in the tree,
for he knew that they would soon discover him.
But he soon resolved on a bold expedient. Slipping
down from the tree, he ran deliberately back towards
the village, and, as he drew near, he followed the

regular beaten track that led towards it. On the