saw, or fancied he saw, a dark object among the limbs which resembled
the form of Baldy Bicknell, the trapper.

Johnny Brainerd would have given almost anything in the world could he
have understood what it all meant.

But the vary fact of these singular demonstrations was prima facie
evidence of the most unquestionable kind; and, after a moment's
consultation with himself, he began moving away, just as the sharp
crack of several rifles notified him of the fearful peril which he had
escaped.

CHAPTER XIV. THE HUGE HUNTER.

SIMULTANEOUS with the report of the rifles came the pinging of the
bullets about the ears of young Brainerd, who, having started the
steam man, kept on going until he was a considerable distance from the
ravine.

All the time he kept looking back, but could see nothing of his
enemies, nor could he detect the point from which the rifle-shots were
fired.

Now, as night descended over the prairie, and the retreat of his
friends became shrouded in impenetrable darkness, he fully appreciated
the fact that not only were they in great danger, but so was he
himself.

The heathenish terror with which the steam man had at first inspired
the savages had rapidly worn away, the circumstances unfortunately