saw each other that neither had time to raise his rifle. The
warrior, a tall, powerful man, dropping his gun and snatching out
a knife, sprang at once upon his enemy.

Henry was borne back by the weight and impact, but, making an
immense effort, he recovered himself and, seizing the wrist of
the Indian's knife hand, exerted all his great strength. The
warrior wished to change the weapon from his right band, but he
dared not let go with the other lest he be thrown down at once,
and with great violence. His first rush having failed, he was
now at a disadvantage, as the Indian is not generally a wrestler.
Henry pushed him back, and his hand closed tighter and tighter
around the red wrist. He wished to tear the knife from it, but
he, too, was afraid to let go with the other hand, and so the two
remained locked fast. Neither uttered a cry after the first
contact, and the only sounds in the dark were their hard
breathing, which turned to a gasp now and then, and the shuffle
of their feet over the earth.

Henry felt that it must end soon. One or the other must give
way. Their sinews were already strained to the cracking point,
and making a supreme effort he bore all his weight upon the
warrior, who, unable to sustain himself, went down with the youth
upon him. The Indian uttered a groan, and Henry, leaping
instantly to his feet, looked down upon his fallen antagonist,
who did not stir. He knew the cause. As they fell the point of
the knife bad been turned upward, and it had entered the Indian's
heart.

Although he had been in peril at his hands, Henry looked at the