The exasperated chief ordered the fire kindled. At that instant, Drake gave the imitation of the tree toad, and three guns belched forth, and three dusky Indians bit the earth in death. At the same instant, the two Quicks sprang forward to release Cahoonshee. Rolla went for the fourth Indian and soon had him by the throat. Drake made for the remaining one with his knife. At the discharge of the guns the survivor seized his bow and arrows and drew it on Drake. But Drake was so close to him that the arrow flew over his head. But in so doing, he lost his knife. Then they grappled in deadly combat and struggled toward the precipice that yawned several hundred feet beneath them, each one exerting himself might and main to throw the other over and save himself. The brink is reached, and Drake hurled the Indian off, but his own momentum carried him off, and they both disappeared in the abyss below. Saved, exclaimed Tom as he sundered the last thong that bound Cahoonshee. Yes, but at a fearful cost. A young life has gone out to save an old wreck that nature will soon remove. What mean you, Cahoonshee? I mean that Drake has gone to the spirits-land. Did you not see him leap from the cliff and follow the Indian in his downward flight? So sudden had been the charge, and exciting the contest that the Quicks had failed to see the fearful leap that Drake and the Indian had taken, and for the moment were speechless. There, said Cahoonshee, pointing to the highest point of the cliff, there is where they went down and, now lays a mangled corpse at the bottom. But we must find the body. Just then Rolla set up a howl that echoed up and down the valley. That means something, exclaimed Cahoonshee, go and see what the dog is making such a noise about. Tom crawled to the edge of the precipice and looked over. Some hundred feet down he saw a dark object in a large birch tree. What do you see, asked the elder Quick. A man, replied Tom, but whether it is Drake or the Indian I cannot tell. It is Drake, exclaimed Cahoonshee. The dog would have remained silent if it had been the Indian. Speak, and see if he will answer you. Just then Drake’s voice was heard deep down the mountain. Hello, Drake, is that you? Yes. Are you hurt? No, but I am wedged in the crotch of the tree and can’t get out. Tom, tell him to remain quiet a few minutes and we will help him out, said Cahoonshee. Quick and Cahoonshee trimmed up a grape vine and lowered it down to Drake. He tied it around his body and by the united strength of those on the cliff, Drake was hauled to the top. [Illustration: RESCUE OF DRAKE AT SKULL ROCK.] Bravo boy! Bravo boy! exclaimed Cahoonshee, the great spirit is on your side. That may be, replied Drake, but if it had not been for you and the grape-vine, I think I should have hung there until the crows had picked my bones.