While thus engaged, Hamilton, who was watching his opportunity,
knocked down the Indian who guarded him, sent Durant whirling round like a
top to the distance of ten or twelve feet, seized Ellen in his arms, and
with strength almost superhuman, and a speed miraculous under the
circumstances, bounded away in the direction of the approaching horsemen,
who were now visible through the interstices of the forest, a good way off,
but coming rapidly on to the rescue, though, as yet, in ignorance of their
near proximity to friends and foes.
"Seize them! seize them!--shoot the infernal dog!" roared Durant, in a
hoarse voice of passion and rage, so soon as he recovered from the
astonishment and fright into which the unceremonious assault of Hamilton
had thrown him.
[Illustration: "Hamilton knocked down the Indian who guarded him, sent
Durant whirling round like a top to the distance of ten or twelve
feet."--See page 54.]
His first command was not obeyed, for Hamilton and Ellen were already
beyond reach when the order was given; but the second one led to the
discharge of two guns without effect, and the leveling of a third by
Ramsey, with a coolness and steadiness of nerve and aim which gave
assurance of success. His finger was on the trigger, when Durant himself
threw up the muzzle of the rifle, and sent the ball whizzing through the
air, some ten feet above the heads of the fugitives.
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