Well was it, then, that Ethel was so accustomed to an out-of-door
life. Hope and fear lent speed to her feet, and running between her
father and brothers, she was able to keep up a speed equal to their
own.
Scarce a word was spoken, as with clinched teeth and beating hearts
they dashed along. Only once Mr. Jamieson said, "Can Ethel keep
up?" and she gasped out "Yes."
The whites had this great advantage in the race, that they knew
that they had only half a mile in all to run, and therefore put out
their best speed; whereas, although a few of the Indians saw the
importance of overtaking the fugitives on the plain, the greater
portion believed that their prey was safe in their hands, and made
no great effort to close with them at once. The whites, too, had
the advantage of being accustomed to walking exercise, whereas the
Indians, almost living on horseback, are seldom in the habit of
using their feet. Consequently the whites reached the narrow mouth
of the gorge a full hundred and fifty yards ahead of the main body
of the pursuers, although a party of their fastest runners was not
more than half that distance in their rear.
There was a general ejaculation of thankfulness as the parties now
halted and turned to face the enemy.
It was now that the full advantage of Mr.
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