In alarm they sprang to their feet, one to fall dead across the burning logs, a bullet in his brain, another to utter his dying war whoop as a leaden messenger from the scout’s repeating rifle pierced his heart. Bounding from his covert with a wild, prolonged, and ringing war whoop, one well known on the border, the scout rushed upon the two remaining redskins, but in dismay they had turned to flee, for their unseen foe had every advantage, and rapidly through the timber they darted to seek safety. A long, shrill whistle then pierced the grove as the horseman sped after them. Then another shot leaped from the scout’s rifle, and a fourth warrior fell to the ground in death agonies, while, brought to bay, the remaining redskin turned to meet his enemy. Raising his rifle, the savage fired hastily upon his rapidly advancing foe. But his aim was untrue, as a wild war whoop from the pursuer at once assured him, and the next moment the two met face to face, armed with their glittering knives. The Indian warrior, a man of herculean frame and strength, might have given Buffalo Bill a desperate encounter, but, just as their knives clashed, there came a rapid clattering of hoofs, and from the dark timber-dashed Midnight, neighing loudly, as he rushed to the side of his master. Believing a host of horsemen were upon him, the Sioux brave uttered a whoop of terror, and, before the scout could prevent, had darted away and disappeared in the thicket. “Old comrade, you have frightened that redskin almost to death,” laughed the scout, as Midnight halted beside him. Then he continued: “Let him go, poor devil, but sooner or later his time will come. Now to release the prisoners.” Quickly retracing his way toward the camp fire, the scout soon stood in the presence of the prisoners, saying, in a pleasant voice: “Cheer up, my friends, for I have charge of this ranch now.” “Oh, sir, you are very, very brave and noble, and you have saved us,” cried the girl, seizing his hands, as soon as her own were released from their bonds. “And I offer my thanks, sir, for I thought it all up with us,” said the girl’s companion. Both of them gazed earnestly into the face of the splendid-looking man before them, who replied: “No thanks for performing one’s duty; but you are not safe yet, for there may be more redskins about, so we’ll get away from here at once. You are not too tired to stand a rapid gallop, miss?” “Oh, no, sir,” she answered eagerly, “and it cannot be far to the wagon train, for we only left it about an hour before sunset.” “On what trail were you, can I ask?” “We were going toward the headwaters of the Republican River, on the trail from Fort Hays.” “Then your train is within twenty miles of here and doubtless encamped upon the river for the night. If you will aid me, we will take in the little lot of cattle the redskins have willed us and decamp.”