It was an oppressively warm day, and we had a ride of many miles before
us, ere we could hope to reach the point where we expected to intercept
the savages. We rode swiftly along over the beautiful green rolling
prairie, pausing for nothing, until Jerry proposed a halt for a few
moments, while he made a _reconnoissance_.

Approaching the top of a slight eminence, he dismounted, and carefully
picketing his horse, dropped upon his hands and knees, and stealthily
crept to the top. A single glance sufficed to show him the situation; and
he returned to us, vainly endeavoring to repress the excitement that was
plainly visible in every movement, as he said, in a low voice,--

"We kin ketch 'em, boys, sartin. It's a woman, for sure, riding on a
pony, with one of the varmints on each side of her; but we've got to
hurry some."

Then striking his spurs deep into his horse's flanks, he was soon far in
advance of us. An hour's ride, and we came to a halt; our horses reeking
with sweat, and panting like frightened deer.

Once more Jerry crept cautiously to the top of the bluff. Again we saw
his head appear for an moment above the level of the waving grass that
grew on the summit; then he carefully arose upon his feet, and, standing
erect, gazed about him for an instant, to again drop to the earth, and
quickly make his way towards us.

I had watched his movements with a nervous curiosity that I could not
repress; and now, as he came towards us, saw that the time for action had
come. Hurriedly he told us that the party were not a mile away; but he
had failed to discover the two braves with the prisoner, who were