This was acceded to by the others, and Phil piloted the way along a by-path and through some stunted timber. Then it was a hit and miss progress for about a mile, and in the gathering dusk Phil would have been confused only that they were guided by lights in houses in the distance. "I say, what was that?" exclaimed Andy suddenly, as they took a detour to escape a reach of swampy ground. "Sounded like a horse's neigh and a great floundering in among that tangle of weeds yonder," said Phil, halting and gazing sharply in the direction indicated. "Mercy!" cried Andy with a decided shock. They all stood stock-still. Abruptly upon the quiet evening air and very near at hand, there rang out a fearful blood-curdling shriek. CHAPTER XIX "SACHEM" Ralph drew out the pistol he carried with a quick movement of his hand. Andy poised the heavy cudgel with which he had armed himself. Phil ran forward a few feet to try and get within range of a bulky moving object partially obscured by some high weeds. That fearsome yell was not repeated, but its echoes still vibrated in their ears. It had filled the near woods with alarm, and there was a vast fluttering and flight of birds among the trees. "It's a horse," said Phil, and he peered more closely. Then he ran in among the rushes. "A horse," and, added Phil instantly: "Why, sure as I live, a man, too!" Phil disappeared partly from view. The curious and startled Andy and Ralph could dimly make him out wading rapidly behind a screen of high flags. Then there was a great floundering. The curtain of reeds parted. There was Phil, struggling with a snorting horse. The animal was plunging and slipping on a slimy foothold. Phil dragged at the bridle. There was another piercing yell as the steed fell over sideways, apparently submerging a rider. Then the horse righted itself, and Phil, dodging its prancing hoofs, reached dry ground with the panting, breathless appeal to his astonished comrades: "Andy--Ralph--help me!" It took the combined efforts of the three boys--and they were exerted just in time--to pull the horse upright and onto solid ground. Once there, the animal stood snorting in fear and exhaustion and quivering all over like an aspen. Phil slipped his hand along the bridle and patted the dripping neck of the overwrought steed gently and soothingly. Then he and his comrades fixed their gaze on the burden that the horse bore. "Whew!" whistled Andy in the profoundest stupefaction. "Why," cried Ralph, in surprise and consternation, "It's an Indian." "Yes, but his plight!" said Phil, almost shocked beyond expression. "Boys, this is horrible."