This fact the three remaining warriors knew, and with wild yells they bounded on up the steep ascent, while their pale but daring girl foe stood her ground with clubbed rifle to meet them. Such was the sight that greeted the eyes of Red Hand, and his surprise for a moment kept him motionless. Another bound of the leading warrior carried him almost within reach of the clubbed rifle, and the uplifted tomahawk showed that the girl would be killed unless Red Hand acted quickly. And Red Hand did act quickly. His rifle butt touched his shoulder, his red forefinger tripped the trigger, the splendid weapon hurled forth its deadly pill, and the Sioux sank dead at the feet of the girl he would have slain. Before the startled comrades of the fallen brave could fly, there followed two more quick reports from Red Hand’s rifle, and the two dropped dead in their tracks. In utter surprise, and with astonishment upon every feature of her face, the rescued girl rapidly descended the slope, picking up her belt as she came, and stood before Red Hand, her manner that of commingled timidity and fearlessness, while in a voice strangely melodious she said: “I thought the paleface hunters did not dare come into this unknown land of the Indian.” “Yet I find here a young girl, and one who it seems can take care of herself,” and Red Hand pointed to the dead and wounded Sioux that had fallen by the girl’s rifle. “But I should not now be alive had it not been for your true aim, sir; and from my heart I thank you.” The girl grasped the hand of the scout, to let it fall next instant with a half cry of terror, as her eyes fell upon the red stain. At her sudden action, Red Hand’s face flushed and then turned deadly pale; but controlling any emotion he might feel, he replied: “I am glad my footsteps led me here to serve you; but can I ask if you live in these hills?” “My home is far away from here, sir. Are you alone?” The girl asked the last question almost in a whisper. “No one is near us now; but I have comrades camped down the gorge.” The face of the girl took on a startled expression, and she seemed hesitating in her own mind as to the best course to pursue. In silence Red Hand gazed upon her. At length she spoke, and her voice was firm: “I am thankful to you for my life, sir, and there is one other that will bless you for it; but it couldn’t be that you should meet--no, no, I must leave----” “Hold, I beg you! You live here in this wild wilderness, you a mere child, and yet one whose language and address are not of the border, and you would leave me without one word of explanation?” said Red Hand, with surprise. “Yes, sir; though I wish I could invite you to seek the shelter of my home after what you have done for me. But I cannot, for there is one other whom I must consult. One day, perhaps, we may meet again; now, we must part, and I beg you, as a true man, not to strike my trail and follow me.”