With great caution and the utmost silence, the fugitives hurried through the forest, and in due time found themselves at the cave. Vic and Marion were beginning to wonder at their long absence, and were agreeably surprised at their sudden appearance. In reply to their questions, Wild Nat related the incidents of the race, adding:
“I reckon they’ll feel ruther cantankerus about losin’ us so slick, but I don’t feel pertikularly sorry for ’em. Ef it hadn’t been thet thar war quite so many of ’em, we’d ’a’ stood an’ had a scrimmage. I’d like tew have deprived ’em of their sculp-lock. He he! I tell ye, Vic, it war fun tew see thet darkey! His teeth chattered so, when we war in the woods, they follered us by the sound! It’s a fackt! I war ser’usly ’larmed for fear we should have tew chew his buffler-hump for him. Reckoned his teeth would all shake out.”
“Oh, g’way now!” said Scip. “It’s no such t’ing, Vic; he’s foolin’, he is! Warn’t I ’way behind, takin’ it cool, when ye fellers war runnin’ like mad? Jes’ ans’er dat, will ye.”
“Yes, ye war takin’ it cool! Ye war so scart ye almost fell off yer mule! Gallinippers! Ye ought tew heard him holler ’G’long!’ Wagh! Wagh!”
And the trapper “laughed till he cried” at the recollection, while the indignant darkey relapsed into sulky silence.
Wild Nat had jeered at the negro so frequently concerning his cowardice, that he was getting to be sensitive on that subject.
“How long will we have to stay here?” asked Marion.
“’Bout two days, I reckon,” replied Vic. “Thar’s one thin’ thet I don’t see how we are goin’ tew’ git around. Thar’s no hoss for Marion, an’, blow me, ef I know whar we ar’ goin’ tew git one.”
“It’s a poser,” said Wild Nat, “but I’ve heern say thet perseverance an’ sweet ile will overcome any thin’, an’ we’ve got the perseverance, if not the ile. Mebby buffler-fat would ans’er, though.”
For the remainder of the day no one left the cave, but at dark Wild Nat went out to attend to the animals, and insisted on having Scip accompany him. That worthy rather demurred.
“Yer afraid!” said the trapper, contemptuously.
“Ain’t neither, tell you. Nebber war scart in my life,” retorted the darkey. “De trufe is, my head aches, an’ I don’ feel like walkin’.”
“Head aches!” ejaculated the trapper. “Wal, I should think it would! Ef my teeth had danced a double-shuffle for the length of time yern did, I couldn’t speak in a month. Don’t the hinge of yer jaw want ilein’?”
“Ye shet yer mouf!” replied Scip. “’S if I didn’t know ye’s a-lyin’. My teeth never chattered! I dunno what scart means; nebber war scart in my life!”
“I guess ye never war,” said Wild Nat. “Not more’n a thousand times. It war a sight, Vic, tew see him drum his mule an’ holler—”
“Shet up!” roared Scip. “Where’s my hat?”
And jamming his tile down over his woolly head, the darkey left the cave. The trapper followed, and in silence they took their way to the dell. Arrived at the narrow gorge which led thither, the trapper told the negro to remain there while he went and attended to the horses.
“Keep a sharp eye out for reds,” he added, “an’ if any of ’em gobbles ye up, jest holler an’ I’ll be here in time tew sculp ye.”
With which comforting remark he vanished in the darkness, leaving the terrified African to his own reflections. He by no means relished the idea of being there alone, but knowing there was no alternative, he fortified his courage as well as he was able, and tried to think there was no danger.
“No sorter use in me standin’ here,” he grumbled, after some time; “ain’t a spec’ o’ danger of eny one comin’ ’long. De trufe is, he’s coward hisself. What’s dat black t’ing? Oh, de Lor’! S’pose it should be an Injun! ’Tain’t dat; it’s nothin’ but a stump. Why don’t dat feller come ’long?”
He leaned against the rocky wall, and peered fearfully around him, as if expecting to see something advance from the darkness upon him. To his terror his expectations were realized. Before him, at the distance of half a dozen yards, rose up a tall, dark form, which advanced toward him, with uplifted arm.
“Oh, de Lor’, I’m a goner!” yelled the terrified African, as he turned and ran precipitately toward the cave, followed by the object of his fright, at a little distance behind.
“Ha! ha!” chuckled the pursuer, in a voice that sounded suspiciously like the trapper’s. “He feels like runnin’ ef not like walkin’! Guess I’ll stop; he’ll think I’m arter him all the same.”
And the mischievous trapper slackened his pace, and walked leisurely along. Not so with Scip. He made the best time he was capable of, and that was by no means slow—stumbling over sticks and stones in his headlong career, and not once stopping to look behind. As he bowled along, head down and arms flying, he was suddenly grasped and thrown to the ground.
Wild Nat, walking slowly at some distance behind, was startled suddenly by a succession of yells and shrieks of the negro, of such an earnest and explosive kind, as convinced him something serious was the matter.
Grasping his knife and revolver, he bounded forward, and in a moment had reached the scene. In the darkness he could only distinguish several dark forms struggling on the ground, among which he had no difficulty in recognizing Scip, from the volley of exclamations and ejaculations, interspersed with grunts and groans, which issued from his mouth.
The trapper fired his revolver at two of the enemy and then grappled with a third, leaving only one for the negro to contend with. The trapper’s adversary was a large, muscular Indian, and for a time it seemed doubtful which one would come off conqueror. They rolled over and over in the darkness, sometimes the hunter uppermost and anon the savage. At length the trapper, whose right hand held the throat of the savage, and whose left pinioned the arm of his adversary, discovered that the Indian, with his unoccupied hand, was endeavoring to draw his knife. Still keeping his hold he waited till the knife was partly drawn from the sheath, and then letting go his hold on the savage’s throat, he grasped the knife and plunged it into his red bosom almost to the haft.
Shaking himself loose from his now helpless foe, he turned to see how the negro fared.
“Take dat!” he was saying, “an’ dat, an’ dat! Yah, yah! Guess ye never see dis nigger butt! I’ll learn ye to tackle niggers what’s walkin’ peaceably ’long an’ mindin’ dere own concerns. Don’t ye wish ye’d never see’d dis chile? Yah, yah!”
“Want enny help?” asked Wild Nat.
“Not a spec’! Dis chile’s good fur one Injum. He’s mos’ dead now. Take dat; durn ye,” and with a tremendous whack on his adversary’s head, the negro rose to his feet. In the excitement of the flight he had forgotten his cowardice and fought with a purpose, and to a purpose, as his prostrate foe showed.
“We’d better be gittin out o’ this,” remarked the trapper, as he coolly replaced his knife. “It’s noways likely these are all thar is about. And in view of this fact, it might be as well for us tew emigrate.”
Accordingly the two men left the spot in silence, and with great caution. The trapper well knew that the four Indians were not alone, and that in all likelihood there was a large party not far distant.
When near the cave they encountered Vic, who had sallied out on hearing the firing, and together they entered the cavern.
“Are you all safe?” asked Kent, anxiously, as the tall form of Wild Nat appeared from the passageway.
“Safe an’ sound,” responded the trapper, as the others entered.
“What was the trouble?” asked Kent.
“Wal, ye see,” said the trapper, with a sly twinkle, “Scip war walkin’ peaceably ’long, when he war set upon by four of the red niggers. Naterly enough, he didn’t like tew be disturbed in a quiet walk, an’ he—wal, he hollered a few, an’ I ’rived in time tew make the ’quaintance of three on ’em, an’ he finished t’other one.”
“Guess he wished he hadn’t ’sturbed a peaceable nigger,” said Scip, loftily.
“How’d ye come tew be down thar, when I told ye tew wait in the gorge till I come?” asked Wild Nat, gravely.
The negro was taken slightly aback.
“I—wal—ye see—I—I got tired waitin’ fur ye, so I started this way. I went slow, an’ knowed ye’d cotch me ’fore I got here,” stammered the confused darkey.
“Yas. Mought I ask what ye call goin’ fast, ef yer gait wasslow? I shouldn’t like tew run a race with ye efthet’sa slow gait with ye. Why didn’t ye hug thet feller thet ’peared to ye thar in the gorge, ’stead o’ runnin’ like a streak o’ lightnin’?” asked the trapper.
Scip stared. “I didn’t—I—Ineverrun!” he ejaculated at last. “Whar was you?”
“Wagh,” laughed Wild Nat. “I crept up thar an’ riz up suddently afore ye. Reckon yer blood must be kinder stagnated standin’ so long, an’ thought, a leetle exercise mought be good for ye. Ha! ha!” and the trapper laughed till the cave rung.
“’Twould ’a’ done ye good tew seen thet race,” he continued. “I’ve seen locomotives runnin’ full steam down grade, but it warn’t a cirkumstance ’long side o’ thet darkey! He looked like a streak o’ greased lightnin’, an’ went about as fast. Ef I could locomote in thet style, I wouldn’t look at enny hoss thet ever lived. I’d give up trappin’ an’ go tew carryin’ telegraff dispatches. ’Lectrical telegraff wouldn’t be nowhar, for speed.”
And again the trapper indulged in a hearty laugh, in which he was joined by the others, with one exception. Scip did not seem to see where the laugh came in, and sat in somber silence.
Shortly after this, they prepared for the night. Several skins were spread down and quite a comfortable couch formed for Marion, and the men stretched themselves out on the cave floor.
The following day wore wearily away. About noon Vic took his rifle and started out, saying:
“We’re ’bout out of grub, an’ I want tew stretch myself. Don’t worry ’bout the red-skins. Ef they hear my gun, which ’tain’t likely they will, as it’s got the faculty of not soundin’ off, they’ll know it’s a trapper or an Injun, an’ it’s the gal they’re arter. Ef they git arterme, I’ll bet they’ll have a chance tew measure sile.”
The cave was dreary enough. The only light was that afforded by a torch, and as, of course, the inmates were doomed to idleness, time passed rather slowly. Marion expressed a wish to see the cave, and Kent procured a torch and led the way, followed by Scip and the maid.
“Will you come?” asked Kent of the trapper, who made no movement to join them.
“No, guess not,” was the reply. “I’ve ’splored it often ’nough. Go ahead.”
The trio proceeded through the various rooms, wondering and admiring the structure, and to Marion, who had never before been in a cave, it was a wonderful place.
“One thing about this puzzles me,” said the young man, holding the torch aloft, as they stood in the furthest apartment, “and it is this. There is a slight circulation of air through the cavern, very perceptible when the stone is removed from the entrance; but there is no trace of an opening anywhere. I have searched repeatedly without success.”
“This apartment is higher than the other,” said Marion. “How gloomy it looks! Hold the torch this way, Wayne; I fancy that spot looks peculiar. Ah! it is an opening!”
“True,” said Kent, “but it is high up. And the wall is on such an angle that climbing is impossible. I regret it, as I have some curiosity to know where it opens. It seems strange that it should admit no light. It is at least twenty feet from the floor.”
Having thoroughly explored that part of the cavern, the party slowly retraced their steps to the first room. Vic had returned, and the two trappers sat in a dejected attitude, which struck Kent with a thrill of apprehension.
“What is the matter?” he asked.
“Ye look sort o’ down in de mouf,” said Scip, without waiting for a reply. “Yer lubly countenances is drawed down to a ’larming length. What’s up?”
“Matter enough,” said Vic, replying to Kent’s question. “The Injuns have discovered the cave, an’ we’re boxed up!”
Marion sunk down pale with apprehension.
“Oh de Lor’!” ejaculated Scip, “what’llwe do?”
“How did it happen?” asked Kent.
“Wal,” said Vic, “it war in this way. I war ’way up the creek two three miles, an’ I had a little bout with three copper-skins, an’ worsted two on ’em an’ t’other one took leg-bail. I kep’ a sharp look-out, an’ I’m powerful sartin there warn’t any o’ ’em follered me, but the fact is, thewoods is full of ’em. I seen more’n forty signs. I come back here an’hadn’t been here long when I heerd a noise at the doorway thar. I jest peeked out of the passage, an’ thar war a pesky red-skin peekin’ in! I got my gun up a leetle the quickest, but the imp see’d me an’ drawed back, an’ slammed the stun down in a jiffy. Then we heerd them jabberin’ out thar, an’ hootin’ an’ yellin’.”
“That must have been the noise I heard when in the further cave,” remarked Kent. “It was so faint I supposed it was Nat, and thought no more about it. If there was only another outlet to the place! We discovered a small opening in the last apartment, but it is twenty feet from the floor, and can not be reached.”
“Why?” asked Nat, “can’t we climb?”
“Law,” put in Scip, “the wall slants toward the middle of the room at the top. It’s like clim’in’ the underside of a ladder that’s set slantin’. Can’t be done,nohow.”
At the close of this scientific explanation, the trapper started up, and taking the torch, said:
“I’m goin’ tew see. Come, Kent.”
The young man followed, but in ten minutes they returned, saying that it would be impossible to escape through there, even if it led to the outer air, which was by no means certain.
“It’s entirely unpossible to reach thet hole,” said Wild Nat, throwing down the torch he held. “It can’t be done. We’re in a trap, thet’s sartin. We mought dig out ef the mountain warn’t so all-fired steep. As it is thar’s no chance tew come out fur enough from the alligators tew escape unseen; an’ thet ain’t the worst on’t nuther. Ninety-nine chances out’n a hundred, thet we’d come tew rocks thet would stop our tunnel.”
“It’s a tight place,” said Vic. “Fur’s I’m concerned, I shouldn’t mind runnin’ out thar an’ fightin’ my way, or die tryin’ it, but the gal’s a different matter.”
“Then I suppose we must content ourselves to stay here and starve,” said Kent. “Of course the Indians will stay here.”
“Incoorse,” said Vic, “but then,suthin’may turn up. We won’t give up anyhow. Be ye purty courageous, Marion?”
“I can stand it as long as any one,” she returned, bravely.
“Thet’s the talk!” said Vic. “Thar’s no danger of starvin’ for three days anyhow. This buffler-hump an’ haunch of venison will last thet long, an’ meantime we can use our wits tew find a way tew git out.”
The rest of the day passed slowly enough. None of the captives felt very cheerful, and but for their serious situation, Scip’s lamentations would have been ludicrous. He wished he had never come among “the Injuns,” and declared if he “ever got among white folks ag’in, guess nobody’d cotch him runnin’ ’round among wild Injuns!”
Night came at last, and the inmates of the cave retired as usual, with the exception of Wild Nat, who acted as sentinel. He took his station near the passage, and with old “Roarer,” across his knees, kept watch through the long night.
It was nearly morning, being the “darkest hour just before dawn,” when the hardy trapper, who had not once closed his eyes, heard a slight sound near the entrance of the passage. Instantly he was on the alert, and with ear strained, and eyes wide open, bent slightly forward, peering into the darkness.
The grating sound continued a moment, then a faint ray of light pierced the obscurity, and the outlines of a man’s head and shoulders appeared. In another moment the loud report of a rifle reverberated through the cavern, and with a howl of pain the form disappeared.
“Wagh!” chuckled the trapper, dropping the butt of his rifle to the ground. “Guessthetfeller won’t have any call to ’splore this ’ere vicinity jest at the present speakin’. Reckon thar was an idee struck him—or suthin’ else!
“All unanam’us!” he continued, as the sleeping men sprung up with exclamations of surprise, and the startled Marion asked what the matter was. “All right; I jest had occasion tew deal out justice tew a feller that was tryin’ tew sneak in without a pass! I sot as judge an’ jewry, an’ convicted the chap of evil intentions, an’ abated him, as a common nu’sance.”
“Zac’kly so,” said Vic. “I shouldn’t ’spose they’d be sich fools as tew think we’d sleep with both eyes shet. Guess they think we’regreen.”
“Reckon they’ll find we’ve got our eye-teeth cut,” said Wild Nat, as he rammed down a bullet.
“Oh, golly,” sighed Scip, “I wish I war safe in the States. ’Tain’t no fun ’tall, to fight Injuns.”
“I wish we were safe out of here,” said Kent, with an involuntary glance at Marion.
“I’m with ye thar,” said Vic, emphatically. “Freeze me ef I ain’t.”
“I wouldn’t mind it so much ef ’twarn’t for the gal,” said Wild Nat, in a low tone, “tho’ in course, I hain’t enny hankerin’ tew starve in here. My motter is, ’plenty of br’iled buffler-hump, an’ onlimited liberty.’”
The Indians were evidently satisfied with their attempt, for they made no further movement. Dawn soon came, but brought no change to the imprisoned party. The day wore on, noon followed morning, and evening noon, as Kent’s watch showed; and still there was no change. Immured in the bowels of the mountain, afar in the vast wilderness, with no human being who knew of their situation, save their merciless foes outside, how could they hope for aught save death?
It was the morning of the fourth day since the Indians had discovered the cave. The beleaguered whites had repeatedly endeavored to reach the opening in the last cavern, and had dug a tunnel in two directions, but were stopped both times after going a short distance by immense rocks. Their food was very nearly consumed, in spite of the fact that they had placed themselves on limited rations.
Vic, Wild Nat and Scip were prowling about the various rooms, endeavoring for the hundredth time, to discover some mode of escape, while in the outer cavern Marion and Kent, sat engaged in conversation.
“I could meet death bravely for myself,” Kent was saying,“but for you to die in such a fearful manner, away in this wilderness—oh, my darling, it is so hard!”
Marion looked up with a brave smile.
“Death will not seem hard, knowing that you love me,” she said, simply. “We will go together.”
He bent and kissed her.
“God bless you!” he said.
Silence fell between them then, broken by the entrance of Wild Nat, followed by the others. The tall form of the old hunter looked taller and more lank than ever, as he strode into the room and sat down with a sort of snort.
“This ’ere thin’ is gittin’ ruther tiresome,” he said, giving his speech emphasis by a series of nods. “I’ll be teetotally flumbustercated ’fore very long.Wouldn’tI jist like tew git a chance at them yaller-skinned coots out yonder! I’ll bet my jack-knife ag’in a chunk of lead, thet they’d wish they’d died years ago! Fact is,” went on the hunter, with a benignant grin, “I don’t believe it agrees with me tew not have ’nough tew eat. Some folks may git along ’ithout grub, but I sw’ar I can’t! My constertution ain’t adapted, so tew speak, tew livin’ on air. It ain’t, I vum!”
“Nor me nuther,” said Scip, lugubriously. “I hain’t had a square meal in four days. I can’t live on nuffin, an’ dar’s no use in t’inkin’ ob it. Ef I can’t hab suffin eatable ’fore long I shell be dwindled away to a skilleton. I wished I’d nebber come West.”
“We have heard nothing of the Indians since day before yesterday,” said Kent. “Is it not possible that they may have left?”
“Humph!” said Vic, who sat near; “ef you knowed ’em as well as I dew, ye wouldn’t think of sich a thing. They are layin’ low, in hopes thet we’ll be fools enough tew think they’re gone, an’ come out. A tomahawk waits for the fust man thet shows his head.”
Scip noticed Kent’s remark, but did not hear Vic’s reply, and appeared to be busily considering the chances of such a thing.
“Like ’nough dey have gone,” he said, after a little; “’twouldn’t do no hurt to see.”
“Wal,” said Vic, “s’posen ye go out an’ see.”
“Oh Lor’!” ejaculated Scip, “I can’t. S’pose dey was dar, whar’d I be? You g’long!”
“Wal,” said Vic, “I’m about caved in for want of some grub, an’ we are all in the same fix. I’m a-goin’ tew take jist one more tower of this honeycomb, an’ see ef I can’t find a hole out. Ef I can’t, we’ll begin another tunnel. We won’t stop tryin’; it’s root hog or die.”
“It is useless to try to find an opening,” remarked Kent. “We have searched over and again, and had there been one we must have found it.”
Vic took a survey of the cave, however, as he had done a dozen times before, and without success.
“Now, then,” he said, “let’s dig another tunnel. It’s doubtful, but thar’s a chance for success. Let’s begin here.”
It was with hope at a very low ebb that the men began the work. Their success had been so poor hitherto, that they were beginning to despair. One man worked at a time, and in order to advance as rapidly as possible they changed every twenty minutes, and the digger fell back to help to remove the dirt. For instance, Vic dug, pushing the dirt a little behind him. Scip came next, who pushed the dirt still further back to Kent, who advanced it to Wild Nat, whose business it was to keep the mouth of the hole clear. In this way they progressed rapidly, and in four hours had tunneled the distance of eighteen feet. Hope now began to rise. The soil was quite easily removed with their knives, and they had as yet experienced no difficulty with stones.
“We’re gittin’ along purty well,” remarked Wild Nat, as he industriously plunged his knife in the soil. “At this rate— Hello!”
His knife had struck something that sounded like stone. A gloom fell on the little party at the sound. Without a word the trapper continued his work, and in a moment the cause stood revealed. A huge rock—how large it was impossible to tell—obstructed the tunnel, and effectually cut off all hope in that direction. Dead silence reigned for a moment; then:
“Couldn’t we dig round it?” suggested Kent, eagerly.
“Not much use to try,” said Vic.
“We’ll see,” said Wild Nat.
They fell to work with a will. Fifteen minutes’ effort proved that it was impossible, and the work was abandoned. With sinking hearts the men returned to the cave to relate to the waiting Marion the result of their undertaking.
“Wal, what next?” said Vic, throwing himself at full length on the cave-floor.
No one replied. “Next” looked very much like starvation to all. Silence reigned for some time, then Kent said:
“I propose that we take some method to find out if the Indians are really there yet.”
“In course they be,” said Wild Nat; “but it’ll do no hurt tew see.”
There was a stout stick in the cave about six feet in length. Taking this, the old trapper walked into the passageway.
“Stand behind me, Vic, and be reddy to shoot the first critter ye see. Stand out of sight, the rest of ye.”
The trapper then advanced, closely followed by Vic, till he could reach the entrance by means of the pole he held. Then he took off his cap and hung it on the end of the stick, and pushed gently against the stone. It gave way after a moment, and the trapper pushed his pole forward till the top of the cap was in sight from outside. Silence followed, and he advanced it a few inches. Instantly a wild whoop rent the air, and half a dozen tomahawks were buried in the cap, as the savages dashed forward to the opening. One of the Indians exposed his person to view, and instantly Vic sent a bullet into him. The howl that followed proved that the wound was fatal. Wild Nat instantly drew back his stick, and the half-raised stone fell back to its place, while the two trappers backed into the cave.
“That’s over,” said Vic, “an’ jist as I told ye. Thar’s one red-skin less tew dance over our bodies, an’ thet’s one comfort.”
“I’m clean dun starved,” said Scip, after a pause, with a sidelong glance toward the little pile of dried buffalo-meat, all that remained of their provisions.
“Wal,” said Wild Nat, “so be we all, an’ as it’s now purty near night, I don’t know but we mought as well finish the meat. We may as well eat while thar’s vittals, as thar’s only’nough for one meal anyway, an’ not half a one at thet. Fall to!”
The half-starved party needed no second bidding, and in a short time the last morsel had vanished.
“Marion,” said Vic, “yer as near starved as eny of us, an’ ye don’t say a word. Yer the bravest gal I ever see’d.”
“No use in complaining, when it’s unavoidable,” she said, with a faint smile.
“Wal,” said Wild Nat, “I’ve got one more idee. Ef thet fails, then good-by tew Betsey. Our epertaphs is writ!”
“What’s the thin’ tew be done?” asked Vic, while the others listened eagerly for the reply.
“Ye all know thet hole in the furder cave? Wal, we’ve tried tew reach it an’ couldn’t. Now, in place of rocks an’ thin’s to stan’ on, which we hain’t got, only ’nough in all tew reach ’bout seven feet, tharfore I purpose tew let ’em reach thet fur, an’ thet two of us, Vic an’ I, as we’re tallest, stan’ on thar, an’ one of ye climb up on us an’ reach thet hole. It kin be done, an’ it shell.”
“And if we could get out there, no more of us than two could go, and Marion not at all,” said Kent.
“In course not, but, ef it goes to the outer world, I’ll go an’ git some game, an’ throw in for ye tew eat while I’m gone, an’ then I’ll p’int for somewhar arter help, ef I can’t dew no better. But ef I kin git out thar I’ll soon find a way tew git ye all out. Make a bark ladder or something like it, tew climb on. Whar thar’s a will thar’s a way. It only remains tew be seen ef one of us kin git out. So no more jabber till thet’s decided.”
Wild Nat and Scip repaired to the spot, leaving Kent to watch, lest the Indians should suddenly make a dash into the cave, of which, however, there was little danger.
The men first piled up all the rocks and stones they could find in the cavern, and when completed the platform was between seven and eight feet high.
“Now then, Scip,” said Wild Nat, “ye must climb on our shoulders. Think ye kin do it?”
“Guess so,” responded the negro; “used to be great hand to shin up de trees arter coons.”
The two trappers placed themselves side by side, in a convenientposition, and, though Nathan was considerably taller than Vic, an extra stone under the latter’s feet made up the deficiency. Scip was an expert climber, and he soon stood upright on their shoulders, whence he could reach the hole.
“Now ’vestigate, an’ be quick,” said Wild Nat, as the negro straightened himself up.
Scip ran his arm into the dark hole the whole length without touching any thing. Then, having been given the torch, he turned it so that the light should reveal the interior of the passage. It seemed to be a long one—how long it was impossible to say, since it extended beyond sight; but narrow, so very narrow after the first two feet as to render it impossible for a person to pass through.
Scip related these facts to the others, who were considerably discouraged by his report.
“Is thar any light at the other end?” asked Vic.
“Not dat I can see,” replied Scip; “it’s jist as dark as a pocket.”
“Try yer knife an’ see ef the rock can be cut,” said Wild Nat.
“Can’t make no ’pression on it,” was the answer.
“Wal, git down then.That’sall bu’sted.”
Scip turned to descend, but, somehow, in the act he lost his footing and rolled heavily down, striking the wall a hard thump with his head, and bringing up on the floor of the cave.
“Golly,” he muttered, rising to his feet, and rubbing himself dolefully, “dat ar’ war a hard tumble. Like to broke my skull.”
Wild Nat paid no attention to the negro’s complaints. He was looking at the wall with a new idea. Jerking out his tomahawk he hit the wall several times, and then jumped off the platform with a subdued yell.
“Wagh!” he ejaculated, “thet are’s wuth a fortune. Whoop!”
“What’s up?” queried Vic, who had been looking at Scip, and had not noticed Nathan’s maneuver.
“Suthin’ wuth while,” responded the trapper; “jest hear this, will ye?” and he tapped the wall a second time.
“Varmints!” ejaculated Vic, “it’s holler!”
“In course it is, an’ thar’s a cave t’other side. Maybe thar’s an openin’ out on’t tew. Ye see, the wall is limestone, I s’pose. What d’ye think o’ thet?”
“Whar’s my knife?” replied Vic, rather irrelevantly. “Let’sdig.”
All three fell to work resolutely. The limestone crumbled away under their knives slowly but surely; slowly but surely the cavity grew, till in fifteen minutes the point of Vic’s knife went through with a plunge to the other side. This was a fresh stimulus, and the knives flew fast. In a few moments, during which no one spoke, an opening sufficiently large to admit a man’s head was made; then Wild Nat took the torch and thrust it through the hole, and by its light anxiously surveyed the cavity. It was a room, about fifteen feet in length, and of an oval shape. The trapper only waited to take a hasty survey of the place, and then fell to work again with renewed energy. In fifteen minutes more, under their united efforts, the hole was sufficiently large to allow them to pass through.
“We won’t bother to tell Kent and the little ’un, till we see ef our molasses ain’t all soap,” said Wild Nat, as he crawled into the room, followed by the others. Seeing that there was an outlet to the room, the explorers did not wait to examine it, but hurried forward into the passage. It was a narrow, winding corridor, with damp, moldy walls, which terminated in a series of small caves opening one into the other by means of small openings at a little distance from the floor.
The party gave a brief glance to each successive room as they passed through, and soon reached the fifth and last one of the series. Here they found another narrow passage, differing from the other only in the fact that they appeared to be steadily ascending.
“Best tew keep purty still,” said Vic, in reply to some remark of Scip’s; “thar’s no knowin’ how clus we may be tew the painted devils outside. Ef we’re only fortunate enough tew— Varmints, thar’s a glimmer of daylight!”
The little party hurried forward, keeping as still as possible, and soon reached the opening. A faint ray, only, oflight entered, and Vic dropped beside the hole, and placing his head as near as possible, listened attentively.
“Silent as the grave,” he said, after a moment. “I guess we’re quite a ways from the mouth of t’other cave.”
He reached out his hand and tore away the weeds and stones that obstructed the way, and then cautiously advanced his head until he could see into the world beyond.
Twilight was settling down, but it was still light enough to enable him to see that they were much further up the hill than the entrance to the other cave, and some distance to the left of it. He could not see the Indians at the mouth of the cave, but could hear their voices. Taking a closer look of the place, he recognized it, and knew they were about a hundred yards from the other cave mouth; Deep Creek flowed tranquilly along about forty feet below him.
“We’re all right,” he whispered, as he drew back and Wild Nat took his place. “As soon as it’s dark we’ll bid adoo to this hole, an’ turn toes for Fort Laramie. We’ll hev tew keep powerful still, an’ work our passage with shut-off steam, or we’ll hev a score of red devils arter us in jest no time.”
“Look here,” said Nat, as he concluded his survey, “ye see it’s gittin’ dark fast. In half an hour it’ll be as dark as a pocket. Tharfore ye go back an’ tell Kent an’ Marion, an’ git reddy tew tramp, an’ I’ll stay here, an’ purty shortly go out to the gulch whar the animiles war hid, an’ git them ef the reds hasn’t made off with ’em.”
“Tain’t likely the hosses is disturbed, as the reds wouldn’t take ’em till they cl’ared the kitchen for good, an’ they hain’t done thet yit.”
“Ye know whar that all-fired big cottonwood leans over the creek?” added Wild Nat. “Wal, steer for thar as soon as it’s dark. I won’t be fur off. Signal, owl’s hoot.”
Vic nodded, and started for the first cave, followed by Scip.
The lovers were beginning to wonder at the long absence of their friends, and both anxiously awaited their return.
“What success?” asked Wayne, eagerly, as Vic entered.
“Knives is trumps!” replied Vic, “or I’m a knave. We’ve found a way out, so jist pack up yer duds an’ prepare to slide.”
Intensely delighted they were soon ready, and in half an hour Vic thought it was dark enough to start. Accordingly they left the scene of their troubles, and threaded the damp passages and low caverns to the other entrance.
“Keep powerful still,” admonished the trapper, as they neared the outside. “Don’t speak after we reach the open air, an’ walk mighty keerful; thar’s no tellin’ how clus the Injuns are. Varmints, but it’s a dark night! So much the better for us; now keep still.”
The trapper cautiously left the cave, followed by the others. When once outside Vic took the lead, and the others kept close to him, and in most profound silence they shaped their course toward the spot designated by Wild Nat.
A considerable time elapsed before they reached the leaning cottonwood. Wild Nat was not there, somewhat to Vic’s surprise and uneasiness, and the party quickly secreted themselves in the dense bushes near, so that, in case any straggling Indian came that way, they would be secure. Vic waited in some suspense for ten minutes, and then as the trapper was still absent, he concluded to give the signal.
Twice the long, solemn hoot of the owl rose on the air, so perfectly natural that Kent was surprised, and then, in a moment, came the answering hoot, thrice repeated, away to the left.
“All right!” said Vic; “he’ll soon be here.”
Ten more minutes passed, and then, clear and sweet, only a few yards distant, sounded the night-bird’s note,“Whippowil! whippowil!” in quick succession, twice repeated.
“Keep still!” admonished Vic; “I’m goin’ tew see what’s wanted. Thet’s Nat.”
The trapper dropped on his hands and knees, and crawled away. The trio in the thicket waited with intense solicitude for his return, but so silent was his approach, that he stood beside them before they were aware of it.
“All right!” he whispered. “He’s got the hosses up here a few rods away, an’ we must go to ’em. Come on.”
Again in silence the little party took up the line of march, and, piloted by Vic, soon arrived at the spot, where, close to the edge of the creek, stood the trapper and the horses.
“Mount,” he whispered, as they came up. “I’ve confiskated a Blackfoot’s animile, an’ as I dunno what sort of a kitten it is, I’ll ride it, an’ let Marion hev mine. Up with ye, little ’un!”
A moment sufficed for them all to mount, and then they started under the guidance of Wild Nat, who rode at once into the creek.
“Where ye goin’—” began Scip.
“Keep still,” ordered the hunter, “ef ye want tew keep yer skulp. Don’t splash the water so.”
All advanced with as much silence as possible. The very horses seemed to use caution, and all went well. Wild Nat followed down the stream for the distance of about four miles, determined to balk their enemies if possible. No alarm was heard behind them to indicate that their absence had been discovered, and they cherished strong hopes of escaping without detection and pursuit.
At the end of four miles the trapper led the way out of the creek, taking the left bank and heading his horse in a north-east direction. Considerable care was taken for some distance to cover the trail, but when a mile from the creek, the party abandoned the precaution as no longer necessary, and increased their hitherto slow pace to a gallop.
The darkness which had thus far been dense began to show signs of lifting. The clouds rolled away and allowed the stars to shine, and the dim light thus afforded enabledthe fugitives to see their way. For several miles they continued their pace, and it was only when the cave was a good ten miles behind, that Wild Nat slackened his speed, and broke the silence which had thus far reigned undisturbed, save for his laconic directions given at intervals.
“Thar,” he remarked, letting the reins fall loosely on his horse’s neck, while the others imitated his example, and all subsided into a walk. “Thar, I guess we’re about safe as fur asthemInjuns is concerned. I flatter myself that they don’t foller us very easy. Ef we don’t run afoul of another batch on ’em, we’ll stan’ a good chance of gittin’ off.”
“Golly!” ejaculated Scip. “I wish we could git somethin’ to eat. I’m jest clean starved.”
“Of course! Who ever knew a nigger that had enough?” responded Vic. “Wait till it’s light. I ain’t filled tew overflowing with vittals myself, and mean tew walk into a butcher-shop soon.”
“How did you contrive to get the horses, Nat?” asked Kent.
“Oh, I jest went round kinder cautious, an’ found they’s thar whar we placed ’em, an’ then I scouted round an’ see’d thet the reds warn’t near enough to hear, an’ led ’em out. Ez I couldn’t take but one at a time, it took me quite a spell, but arter I got our four out, an’ safe in a thicket, I jest detarmined tewr have another one. So I begun lookin’ round, an’ I found the Injuns’ hosses out a piece from the creek, an’ jest quietly took one on ’em. I reckon they’ll blowsomewhen they find we’ve gone an’ took the best hoss they had, but thet won’t disturb us in pertic’lar.”
“It’s rather remarkable that they hadn’t found ours before this time, isn’t it?” asked Kent.
“Wal, no, I dunno as ’tis,” replied Nat. “Ye see, thet’s a plaguey neat place tew put ’em. Ye can’t git in only one way, an’ thet’s rather on t’other side from the cave. Gallinippers, but the hosses war glad tew see me! Every one of ’em showed they war glad to see somebody ag’in.”
“I’m all-fired mad tew think thet the pesky varmints hev discovered thet cave,” said Vic. “It’s teetotally tew bad. Now it’s jest gittin’ in the edge of the best trappin’ time, an’ tew hev them upset our plans in this way is enough tew rile anybody.”
“What direction are we going?” asked Marion.
“North-east,” replied Wild Nat. “We’ll strike the emigrant trail a leetle arter sunrise, ef we hev good luck.”
Steadily throughout the night the little party kept on, and at sunrise reached the Sweetwater river. This they forded, and half an hour later they struck the trail, a little further down the river.
“Halt here for breakfast,” said Wild Nat, stopping in the edge of the woods, and slipping the saddle off his horse. “We’re ready ’nough for it, I guess.”
“Yes, but whar’s the vittals?” asked Scip.
“Can’t ye see them ducks yender by the river?” asked Vic. “We’ll hev some of them ef nothin’ else turns up.”
The whole party now dismounted. Nat proceeded to care for the animals and prepare a fire, while Vic and Kent took their rifles, and started toward the river.
Marion wandered about the edge of the grove, and plucked a few wild-flowers with the dew still on their bright petals, half forgetting her hunger in her admiration of the lovely scene before her.
The sun was just up, and the cool green woods were deliciously fresh and pleasant, with the dew on the leaves and grass, while the birds burst out in trills of melody among the branches. A squirrel ran along her pathway, stopping a moment to turn his head on one side, and scan her with his little bright eyes, and then with a “chit-er-e-e,” was off among the bushes.
Over the river the flocks of ducks rose and fell, and merrily through the forest rung the echoes of the hunters’ guns, showing they were not idle.
As she stood contemplating the scene, Scip loudly called her, and going to him she found him sitting on the ground, close up to the hollow end of a fallen tree, with something in his hands. He evidently was pleased, for his capacious mouth was stretched in a broad grin, showing at least twenty-four of his thirty-two glistening ivories.
“Yah, yah! Jest see here, Miss Marion.”
“What is it?” asked Marion, curiously, as she approached.
“Chickens,” responded Scip, holding up to view the mother partridge, and then cautiously withdrawing himself from thelog, he revealed to Marion’s admiring gaze a nest full of downy chicks and one or two eggs.
“How pretty!” she exclaimed, admiringly. “But how did you catch them, Scip? I always thought they would run.”
“Dey would,” replied Scip, with a chuckle, “only ye see dey couldn’t. As I’s comin’ ’long I jist see her settin’ here, and grabbed her ’fore ye could wink. Den as I sot ag’in’ de log, why ob course de chicks couldn’t git out.”
“They are frightened,” said Marion, touching one of the downy backs. “Let the mother go, Scip, and come away.”
“Y-e-s,” replied Scip, hesitatingly; “but I’s hungry, Miss Marion.”
“Nonsense! You don’t want to kill the bird and let the poor little ones starve?” said Marion. “Vic and Wayne will get plenty of food. Do let her go.”
Scip rose rather reluctantly and released the bird, with a longing look at her plump proportions, but getting a glimpse of the sportsmen returning with hands full of game, he followed Marion with alacrity.
“Jist look here, will ye?” said Vic, holding up to view a brace of ducks and a large goose. “Don’t thet look like eatin’?”
Kent followed with several more fowls, and they fell to work to prepare them for cooking. Hunger made nimble fingers, and in an incredibly short space of time half a dozen birds were impaled on sticks around the fire, soon sending forth the most appetizing odors. While the process of cooking was going forward, Vic was digging in the woods near and soon appeared with his hands full of white, fleshy-looking roots, washed clean in the river, which he pronounced good to eat, and the finely-browned birds being pronounced done by Wild Nat, the hungry travelers hastened to discuss them. The fowls were excellently flavored, and although in some places hardly done and guiltless of salt, our friends were not disposed to be particular, and it is doubtful if they ever ate another meal that relished so well. The old proverb says: “Hunger is the best sauce,” and in this case the half-starved fugitives found it so.
“Wal, I ’low thet we’d orter be movin’,” said Vic, whenthe repast was over. “Thar’s no knowin’ how many of our hospertable friends are arter us, an’ I, for one, hed jist as lief git tew Fort Laramie ’fore they overtake us, as not.”
“Count me in dar,” said Scip. “I’ve had ’nough o’demfor once.”
The horses were caught and saddled, and once more they were moving. Vic rode a few yards in advance, and Wild Nat about the same distance in the rear. Sharp look-out was kept for enemies, but, fortunately, none were seen, and the rejoicing travelers kept on their way unmolested. It was no part of their programme to dally by the way, that the Indians might overtake them in case they were following, and they traveled steadily, only stopping two hours at noon to allow their tired horses to feed and rest. Meeting with no obstacles and encountering no foes, their progress was rapid, and sunset found them about seventy miles from Fort Laramie. Here they encamped for the night, selecting a sort of grotto in some rocks, where they would be sheltered from observation. No one felt disposed to sit up “star-gazing,” and as soon as it was dark they prepared to “turn in.” The most sheltered situation was chosen for Marion, and a rude couch formed by means of boughs and blankets. The men lay down beside the fire, one remaining up to keep guard, and occasionally changing with the others, that all might receive the sleep so much needed.
Morning came clear and pleasant, and the travelers were early astir preparing breakfast, and getting ready to resume their journey.
“Grizzly ’round not long ’go,” said Vic, as he turned a huge dice of meat before the fire.
“Indeed!” exclaimed Kent. “Why do you think there was?”
“Seen his tracks,” replied Vic; “fresh, too.”