Keeping twenty yards from the corner of
the fence, the fugitives wheeled round to the right, and the
Indians, with a cry of exultation, turned to the right also to cut
them off. The low treacherous wire was unnoticed, and in another
moment men and horses were rolling in a confused mass upon the
ground.
"Now," Charley said, "every barrel we have;" and from the top of
the tower a rain of lead poured down upon the bewildered Indians.
The horses, frightened and wounded, kicked and struggled
dreadfully, and did almost as much harm to their masters as the
deadly bullets of the whites; and when the fire ceased not more
than half of them regained their seats and galloped off, leaving
the rest, men and horses, in a ghastly heap. Seeing them in full
retreat, the occupants of the tower descended to receive Mr. Hardy
and Fitzgerald, Terence much delighted at having at last had his
share in a skirmish.
"Well done, boys! Very well planned, Charley!" Mr. Hardy said as he
reined in his horse. "That was a near escape."
"Not as near a one as Hubert has had, by a long way, papa."
"Indeed!" Mr. Hardy said anxiously. "Let me hear all about it."
"We have not heard ourselves yet," Charley answered. "It occurred
only a few minutes before your own. The girls behaved splendidly;
but they are rather upset now.
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