AN ADVENTURE WITH THE BLACKFEET 111

been discovered, he rode at a gallop along the skirt
of the wood. Not a sound, save the clatter of his
unshod mare, was heard, until he had almost cleared
the dangerous ground. Then came the Blackfeet
war-whoop and the crack of rifles. His enemies
were in full chase.

The time had now come when the mettle both of
horse and rider would be tested to the utmost.
Wild Polly seemed to know the need, and put forth
all her energy, and, nerved by hopes of success, Ray
urged her to the top of her speed. Looking back
from time to time, he saw the wild Indian warriors
coming fast towards him, but still not gaining
‘ground. He knew that if he cut away the precious
bales of tobacco he could with ease out-distance
them ; but then the object of his journey would be
lost. For an hour the race for life was kept up.
The howling, whooping Indians, half a hundred in
number, galloped madly after him, their long spears
waving in the moonlight, and their black hair
streaming in the wind.

The path lay through a thicket of cane trees,
where the reeds rose ten feet high—dry, parched, and
crackling. Here Ray determined to make a stand;
but to his surprise he saw before him another foe,
mounted on a tall horse, and calmly waiting his
approach. Clutching a pistol, the clerk rode madly
forward against his new opponent, who, just in time
to save himself, cried “ All right—Saucy Nick!”