Part 14 (2/2)

NELLIE'S FLIGHT

Over and over on the stone flooring rolled the booain off to one side, where there was a slight hollow still wet from the recent storm

pawnee Brown had Yellow Elk by the throat and across the back, while the Indian held his antagonist by the shoulder with one hand, while trying to beat his brains out with the pistol that was in the other

Once Yellow Elk succeeded in getting in a glancing blohich drew blood, but did no great har The redskin was choking His eyes bulged fro out several inches

”Ugh!” gasped the Indian chief In vain he tried to shake off that grip

It was like that of a bulldog and could not be loosened He struck out wildly, but the pistol butt only landed upon pawnee Brown's shoulder, a shoulder that was as tough as iron and could stand any a

Suddenly the tactics of the Indian changed Knowing that he was in i how unlikely it was that he could throw off his assailant, he let fall his pistol and caught the booan to roll toward the fire, which was now blazing up htly than ever

The scout saw the redskin's intention instantly, but before he could stop it both he and his enemy were close to the flaave another roll, which took both hie of the blaze

”Take care! You will be burnt up!” cried Nellie Winthrop, and gave a screaht pawnee Brown by the arm and attempted to draw hireat scout had already changed his tactics, feeling convinced that to choke Yellow Elk was now impossible His hand left the redskin's throat, to double up and sail forth into a crushi+ng blohich took the Indian chief beneath the eyes and made him see more stars than were ever beheld in the blue canopy of heaven As Yellow Elk fell back pawnee Brown did likewise, but in a different direction

The Indian was now in the midst of the fla Excited as he was, pawnee Brown did not let the intonation of that cry escape hie well, he kneas more than a cry of terror or pain, it was a call for help! Other Indians must be somewhere in the vicinity

”You had better run for it!” he said, turning to Nellie ”Mount my horse--the mare the Indian had--and ride down the ravine”

”Run?” she faltered

”Yes, and hurry Hark! As I thought! Other Indians are coht The footsteps sounded from the opposite end of the cave, which had two entrances, similar to each other

By this ti around like ato beat out the fla

As Nellie ran off, pawnee Brown drew his pistol, resolved to not only defend hiirl's retreat as well

Little did he dream of the fresh perils which awaited Nellie What those perils were the immediate chapters which folloill relate

As Yellow Elk danced around, pawnee Brown leveled his revolver at him

Crack! went the weapon and the Indian chief fell back with a wound through his shoulder The flickering of the fire-light had saved him from death

A cry that was little less than a hoop now sounded out, and with this four other Indians appeared, thom pawnee Brown had before seen in Yellow Elk's coers to hi!” howled Yellow Elk, in his native tongue ”Shoot the dog down!”

”pawnee Brown!” grunted one of the newcomers, and up went several pistols The scout fired at the sae Indians threw up his hands and fell lifeless But the bullet this Indian had sent on its mission struck the boo of the cave senseless

When pawnee Brown ca in every portion of his body, for in their usual custo hi hi in this cruel performance