When Johnny Brainerd recognized his signal, and beat a retreat, Baldy
began a cautious descent to his cave again. At this time it was
already growing dark, and he had to feel his way down again.

And so it came about, that not until he had reached the lowest limb,
did his trained ear detest a slight rustling on the ground beneath.
Supposing it to be either Mickey or Ethan, he continued his descent,
merely glancing below. But at that moment something suspicious caught
his eye, and peering down more carefully, he discovered a crouching
Indian, waiting with drawn knife until he should come within his
reach.

The trapper was no coward, and had been in many a hand to-hand tussle
before; but there was something in the character of the danger which
would have made it more pleasant for him to hesitate awhile until he
could learn its precise dimensions; but time was too precious, and the
next moment, he had dropped directly by the side of the red-skin.

The latter intended to make the attack, but without waiting for him,
Baldy sprung like a panther upon him and bore him to the earth. There
was a silent but terrific struggle for a few moments, but the
prodigious activity and rower of the trapper prevailed, and when be
withdrew from the grasp of the Indian, the latter was as dead as a
door nail. The struggle had been so short that neither Mickey nor
Ethan knew anything of it, until Baldy dropped down among them, and
announced what had taken place.

'Jerusalem! have they come as close as that?' asked the Yankee in
considerable terror.