On I went: the Indian was so close that I could feel his
horse's breath, and the idea came across my mind that the brute was
trying to catch hold of the calf of my leg. At a hundred yards I
could see Maud's face quite plain, and then I felt certain I was
saved. She looked as steady as if she had been taking aim at a
mark, and the thought flashed across me of how last week she had
hit a small stone on a post, at eighty yards, first shot, when
Charley and I had missed it half a dozen times each. Then there was
a frightful yell, almost in my ear. Then I heard Maud cry out,
'Stoop, Hubert, stoop!' I was stooping before, but my head went
down to the horse's mane, I can tell you.' And then there was the
crack of the two rifles, and a yell of pain. I could not look
round, but I felt that the horse behind me had stopped, and that I
was safe. That's my story, papa."
A few more questions elicited from Mrs. Hardy all that she knew of
it, and then the warmest commendations were bestowed upon the
girls. Ethel, however, generously disclaimed all praise, as she
said that she should have done nothing at all had it not been for
Maud's steadiness and coolness.
"And now let us have our tea," Mr. Hardy said; "and then we can
talk over our measures for to-night.
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