In less than twenty minutes the vicinity had been practically cleared of savages.
They retreated to a point below where their ponies were corralled.
Mounting, they dashed away to the westward. The Steam Man pursued until finding a creek, they escaped for good.
But although the foe had been repulsed, matters were still bad enough.
Walter Barrows and Bessie Rodman were missing.
That they were captives was a forlorn hope. That they had been murdered was a dreadful fear.
Delay was almost fatal in this case. Without loss of time a good trailer was put upon the trail of the lovers.
Daylight was breaking in the east, and this enabled him to easily follow the trail.
Along the banks of the creek it ran for nearly a fifth of a mile.
Here without doubt was the spot where Barrows had been attacked by the Apaches.
There were footprints and marks of a struggle. A rifle, with broken stock, was picked up,
“It is Barrows’ gun,” said one of the Vigilants.
Blood was found upon the ground, but no trace of the bodies.
“They have been taken away as captives,” declared Harmon, positively. “There is no doubt of that.”
“Or thrown into the creek,” suggested one of the Vigilants.
Investigation for a moment gave the pursuers a thrill of horror.
There were footprints down to the water’s edge, and the marks of some heavy body dragged thither.
In the shallow water, protected by reeds, was a body.
For a moment all expected to recognize Barrows. But all drew a breath of relief.
The body was that of one of the Apaches. Doubtless it was one shot by Barrows, and his body had been thrown into this place to escape the notice of the white pursuers.
“That’s an Injun trick,” declared Harmon, positively. “I’m mighty well satisfied that the captives are alive.”
“Then let us take the trail,” cried Frank Reade, Jr. “If possible, we must rescue them.”
The question was settled at once. All sprung to saddle, and the trail, which was quite plain, was followed.
Across the prairies went the Steam Man, with the Vigilants behind.
Of course their horses could not compete with the Man on a level stretch, but Frank did not try to run away from them.
The Indians bore away to a southwesterly course, and soon a range of hills became visible above the horizon.