Fall-leaf reached a narrow defile which led along the mountain's side and down to the river below, the detail ordered by Price as a pretended escort, were starting for headquarters. They met the Indian face to face, and comprehending the state of affairs, the corporal ordered,

"Seize him!"

A large knife flashed in the sunlight, which the Indian suddenly drew from concealment, and, as two of the guard sprang forward, it fell with crushing weight upon the brain of each. A third and a fourth shared the same fate.

But, at this instant one of the guard levelled a terrible blow at the head of the Indian, with the but of his musket.

Fall-leaf, staggering back, fell to the earth. Half a dozen bayonets were instantly pointed at his heart, but, as Price approached the spot at this moment, he cried:

"Alive! alive! take him alive! I will question him first—then torture him!"

In an instant the Indian was bound and helpless.

Price, as he rode up, followed by his aids, ordered Fall-leaf to arise. The Indian was only partially stunned by the blow, and obeying the summons, he stood erect.

"Now, dog!" said Price, "you shall confess."

"Me no confess!" answered Fall-leaf.

Price stamped his foot from very rage. Turning to the guard he said:

"Throw that hell-hound upon the fire between those burning logs!"

The Indian glanced at the burning mass, and then upon the objects by which he was surrounded. The guard were about to seize him, when, turning to Price, he said:

"Me tell all!"

"You will tell me all you know of the federal army, and of your own plans?" asked Price.

"Yes! Me hate you. Me fight you. You steal pale-face—Alibamo—"

Price started, turning pale as death, as he shrieked:

"Pitch him into the fire this instant!"

The guard seized the Indian, and were about to put the order into execution, when a man bearing the appearance of a rough mountaineer, sprang forward.

"Hold on a bit, general!" were his deliberately uttered words.

Then, with the most perfect coolness, he drew his knife and severed the cords which bound the wrists of Fall-leaf.

"And who are you?" asked Price in surprise.

"Your best friend, of course, general," was the laconic reply.

"I doubt it!"

"Then you believe I lie, do you?"

"Yes!"

"Well, I will not lie then. I am your enemy. The reason I called myself your friend was, because I intended to give you good advice!"

"Indeed! And what is this good advice?"

"Why, general, that you are too far from the main body of your troops with so small an escort. You had better return!"

"What do you mean?" asked Price, alarmed.

"I'll show you," was the reply. "Here, boys; come on, quick," he shouted, turning toward the dense thicket from which he had emerged.

"We are surprised! Fall back!" shrieked Price, as he wheeled his horse.

The guard had not waited for this command, but were already rapidly retreating toward the main camp, followed by the aids of Price.

The Indian and his rescuer had already mounted a cliff which overlooked the entire ground, and turning he cried:

"Look how the cowards run! Ha! ha! ha!"

Price heard the words, and the laugh of derision. He commanded a halt, and exclaimed:

"It was but a ruse! No troops excepting our own are near us. Follow me—we can yet overtake them. There is but one path leading down the mountain, and one along the ridge. Take the lower one, Rains, with forty men. I will take the upper path, and thus we will cut them off."

The order was at once executed, and the different detachments galloped along each mountain road.

"There they are!" cried Price, as he reached the highest mountain point, about four miles from his camp. "There is a path to the right of that ledge, which leads to the valley. Quick—intercept them. They are making for that spot."

The whole party dashed forward, but were just in time to see the rescuer of Fall-leaf spring from the rock and commence his rapid descent down the rugged pathway. A volley was fired after him, but without effect.

"But where is that red-skin?" asked Price. "He is not with that fellow, and I saw him standing upon that rock but a moment since."

"He may be concealed in some of the crevices in the ledge," replied one of the party.

Search was instantly made. In a few moments one of the aids cried:

"He is here! surround the rock—he cannot escape!"

Near the summit of the cliff there was a large oak tree, which at one time had been standing erect, but from lack of soil to secure its roots, had gradually settled down until its tops were some thirty or forty feet below its roots. It hung over a frightful precipice of over one hundred feet. Directly below grew a large tree, whose tops reached within fifteen or twenty feet of the declined oak's branches.

The Indian finding himself thus surrounded, did not hesitate an instant. On one side was the precipice—on all other sides, the infuriated soldiery, thirsting for his blood.

Quick as thought he sprang for the oak. Down its body and branches he ran, like a squirrel skipping from twig to twig.

"Fire!" shouted Price.

"Our pieces have all been discharged at the other spy. We must load."

"Well, quick—quick, or he will escape. By heavens, look!"

The Indian had reached the extreme branches of the declining oak. He paused an instant and then sprang for the tree below.

It was a fearful leap. But he succeeded in grasping one of the topmost branches. His weight bent the frail limb, and before he could grasp another, it had broken, and his form went whirling through the air. But his form was checked by striking one of the main limbs, and with an effort he secured a firmer hold. In an instant he had reached the body of the tree, and was safe.

As he reached the base of the ledge, he turned and cried:

"Price—me meet you again!"

CHAPTER II.

The Meeting—The tale of Wrong and Blood—The Avenger—The Oath—The Mountain Maid—The Lover.

When Fall-leaf reached the ground he started for the river, pursuing his way cautiously, but rapidly. Ever and anon he would pause and listen. It was evident he was pursued by the party from whom he had just escaped, but, as he passed along, their shouts were received only by a scornful curl of his bronze lip.

But he soon found more difficult objects with which to contend. As he emerged into an open space, he came suddenly upon the party under the command of Rains. He was not at once discovered. Bending to the earth, he crept cautiously along, concealing himself as best he could, by the under brush and tall grass. But he was not long to remain undiscovered. One of the rebel party, having espied the object of their pursuit, raised his rifle, and as its report rang through the forest, it was answered by a sharp cry of the Indian, who sprang into the air, and fell backward.

In an instant he was surrounded. Upon examination it was found that the bullet had penetrated his breast, rendering a dangerous, if not fatal wound, from which the blood was flowing profusely. He was quite conscious, but unable to move or speak.

"Shall I send a bullet through his brain?" asked one of the rebel band.

"It is unnecessary. That ugly wound in the breast will soon end him. But stay. His tribe must