Again Crusoe growled more angrily than before, and springing out of
the camp snuffed the breeze anxiously.
"Up, lads! catch the nags! There's something in the wind, for the dog
niver did that afore."
In a few seconds the horses were saddled and the packs secured.
"Call in the dog," whispered Joe Blunt; "if he barks they'll find out
our whereabouts."
"Here, Crusoe, come--"
It was too late; the dog barked loudly and savagely at the moment,
and a troop of Indians came coursing over the plain. On hearing the
unwonted sound they wheeled directly and made for the camp.
"It's a war party; fly, lads! nothin' 'll save our scalps now but our
horses' heels," cried Joe.
In a moment they vaulted into the saddle and urged their steeds
forward at the utmost speed. The savages observed them, and with an
exulting yell dashed after them. Feeling that there was now no need
of concealment, the three horsemen struck off into the open prairie,
intending to depend entirely on the speed and stamina of their horses.
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