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CHAPTER VI.


POKE STOVER TO THE FRONT.


"Here they come, Dan!"

"Yes, Ralph. Watch your chance, and fire at the fellow on the left. I'll take the one on the right."

There was no time to say more, for now the Comanches were close to the cabin. Both youths were tremendously excited, but they felt that it was a case of life or death, and did their best to nerve themselves accordingly. Each picked his man, and both guns rang out at the same time. The reports had not yet died away when the red skin aimed at by Dan flung up one arm and sank back, badly wounded in the side. Ralph had missed his mark by a few inches.

The sudden attack brought the remaining Indians to a halt, and for a second they appeared not to know what to do next. Then the wounded man staggered back toward the timber, and with another war-whoop the others continued toward the cabin.

The boys had no time left to reload, and caught up the pistols and let drive again. This time it

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