At that juncture the Irishman detected a movement among the wood and
undergrowth of the ravine, and his rifle was at his shoulder like a flash.
Fred understood, or, rather, suspected, the cause of the trouble, though
he saw nothing. Only a few seconds elapsed when the trigger was pulled.
The sharp crack of the weapon had scarcely broke the stillness when the
shriek of a warrior was heard only a few feet away, followed by a
threshing of the vines and vegetation, as the comrades of the slain brave
caught and hurriedly dragged him back toward the greater ravine beyond.

"That'll taich 'em to be more respictful in the traitment of gintlemen,"
remarked Mickey, who had recovered something of his natural recklessness,
and was reloading his gun with as much _sangfroid_ as though he had just
dropped an antelope, and wished to be ready for another that was expected
along the same path.

Fred had detected the rustling movement among the shrubbery made by the
redskin in stealing upon them, but he saw nothing of the savage himself,
and was not a little startled when his friend fired so quickly, and the
result was so manifest.

If the victim of this rather hastily fired shot was unable to appreciate
the lesson from its having a too personal application to himself, his
companions appreciated it fully. It taught them that the way of pursuit
was not open and undisputed by any means, and the few who were hurrying
forward rather rashly were not only checked, but forced backward. Matters,
for the moment, were brought to a stand still.

"They'll be back again," added Mickey, after reloading his piece, "and, as
they mean to have our topknots, as the hunters say, we'll wipe out as many
as we kin before they git them. And now, me laddy, will ye allow me to