"Our scalps are of more value than the refreshing of our inward man," answered the Dominie. "We must not think of breakfast, dinner, or supper, until we get inside the fort, and then we will take all three in one. Go on, lads, go on." Urging on our horses, we had already reached the ground over which we had previously hunted on our first expedition, and knew the way perfectly, but still the fort was far distant, and we could not yet distinguish the flag which waved above it. "We shall get in safe enough now, and perhaps be laughed at for running away from an imaginary foe," cried Dan. I was about to answer, when Dio, who had turned in his saddle to look behind him, exclaimed-- "Dare am de Indians. I see de heads of dem an' de horses 'bove de green grass far 'way." We all looked, to be certain that the black was right. There could be no doubt about the matter. To escape them by concealing ourselves was impossible, even though the sun might have prevented them as yet from seeing us. They had got hold of our trail and were following that up. All we could do was to trust to the fleetness of our steeds and endeavour to reach the fort before they should overtake us. Martin proposed that we should let go the laden animals as they detained us considerably. "We will not do that until the enemy are much nearer than they are now," answered the Dominie. "On, boys, on! we will still keep ahead of them." We used our spurs and whips to encourage our poor beasts, which were already showing signs of "knocking-up." From a glance I took of the pursuing foe, I saw that they were a large band, against whom it would be useless to make a stand. If overtaken they would to a certainty kill us for the sake of our scalps. They were getting nearer and nearer; I looked out anxiously for the fort. At length the flag appeared in sight; it was a cheering spectacle.