THE appearance of Ben Mace in the last scene may be briefly explained.
When he sprung away from the side of Scarred Eagle, it was not yet light. His pursuers were just able to catch the outlines of his figure as it disappeared in the bushes. He did not doubt his ability to escape by a straight run from the village; but he knew such a course would necessitate a long run and prevent his giving any further assistance to his friends.
One of Scarred Eagle’s expedients suggested itself, and with the thought he acted. Seizing a stone, he hurled it down the slope of ground, and then dodged close behind a bowlder. In the brief space necessary to do this, the pursuers dashed through the bushes, and in a second were past him. He rose quickly, and circling to the right, began to approach the upper extremity of the village.
The nature of the shouts and confusion led him to believe Rhodan was already a prisoner. He rightly conjectured that he might safely venture to the river-bank, and secrete himself, or have opportunity to join the party in the subterranean passage.
Favored by the degree of gloom still prevailing, he succeeded in reaching the opposite side of the camp, listening with wild anxiety to the Babel of cries all around him. He was about to hurry to the side of the river, when he obtained a view of the horde who at that moment brought the bodies of Hulet and Sly Hate from the rear of the hut. He had then no doubt his friend was certainly a prisoner, if not killed, and resolved to at once attempt joining those in the retreat.
He glided down the very path Moorooine had taken an hour before. To his surprise he noticed a tall Indian gliding before him in the same direction. Without pausing to think what the fellow’s object could be, he followed him close, till the latter reached the water, where a light canoe was drawn up. Into this the Indian hastily deposited a rifle and several other articles. Having done this, he wheeled about, and Mace was just in time to conceal himself in the shrubbery.
The Indian passed him, springing up the acclivity as if intent on some personal errand requiring great haste. As he disappeared, Mace laid his own rifle in the canoe, which he began to push swiftly toward the subterranean passage. He kept close under the bank, having no fears but that he would be able to accomplish his purpose undiscovered.
Within ten yards of the entrance he heard the reports of the rifles and the yells and rush that followed. And the next moment he swept into the passage and gained the rocky recess, where, to his deep surprise, he found not only the three rangers, who had just fled from above, but Brom Vail.
The three rangers had witnessed the commotion, and poured in the volley in hopes of diverting pursuit of the men whom they hoped had got a start from camp. The explanation of Mace, while it shed a little light upon the situation, left the fate of Scarred Eagle and Moorooine involved in uncertainty. They little knew that at that very moment the latter were snugly secreted in the very heart of the village.
A number of hours passed before they found opportunity to take a look over the camp—hours full of the deepest anxiety and suspense. Brom Vail at last managed to peer out, and saw that the Indians had withdrawn from the spot. Their hiding-place was yet unknown, but the Indians were gathered in knots in the midst of the camp. What had become of Rhodan and the Indian girl?
There was not yet a chance to leave the retreat without being discovered, and chafing with impatience, they consulted and watched during the long hours. At last, near nightfall, the coveted chance of stealing out was opened by the arrival of the posse bringing Devine a prisoner.
The plan of Brom was acted upon the moment the savage orgies commenced. Three were to steal around to the west and pour in a volley into the savage crew, volunteering to undertake the perilous task, and risk escape. Brom Vail, with Revel, took it upon himself to steal along the bank of the river, and attempt two things: the release of the Irishman, and to learn, if possible, something concerning Rhodan and the Indian girl. The young man was filled with sad forebodings in regard to these. His great joy, then, at the last dénouement may be imagined.
But their situation was yet extremely perilous, and all realized it. Of course an attempt to leave through the passage they had just entered was not to be thought of. And the water-passage—would not the terribly-aroused Indians guard its entrance, believing it communicated with their retreat?
“There’s little doubt of it,” said Brom, as they consulted. “They must ’a’ seen me in the scrimmage just now, an’ known me. That ’ud be enough, ’cos they know how I escaped afore.”
“Mebbe they didn’t know ye,” said Mace. “They hedn’t a chance ter look close, as to thet. Besides, you forgit that y’ur rig’s different frum what ’twas. Thet canoe I brought in helped ye to a change o’ garments as well’s to a rifle.”
At this moment dull sounds came faintly to their ears from above.
“The devils ar’ workin’!” remarked Scarred Eagle. “Take hold o’ here, Mace!”
The latter assisted him to push one of the canoes into the water. Scarred Eagle stepped in. Mace was about to follow.
“No, Ben,” said the other. “Wait here with the rest. One’s enough to reconnoiter now.”
He pushed off in the darkness, the others anxiously awaiting the result. Meantime they ever and anon put their ears close to the upward passage. The Miamis above were still at work endeavoring to force an entrance.
Ten minutes passed and Scarred Eagle came back with the canoe. The news he brought was any thing but encouraging. He had advanced far enough to see that a number of the enemy stood upon the high bank of the river, with their gaze fixed upon the subterranean entrance.
“They sartin suspect that it leads to our retreat,” he said. “But one thing ag’in’ ’em is ’t they ain’t got any canoes. Thet is, none thet I could diskiver.”
“Some above!” said Moorooine. “Up near fort. Mebbe git them.”
“It may be they will, gal,” said Rhodan. “We’ll know in the course of an hour. It’ll be dark by that time.”
The veteran scout sat down upon the hard bottom of the cave and became silent. There seemed no further chance for that species of strategy of which he was so perfect a master. A few hours would decide their fate, and all knew it.
A small keg of spirits and a quantity of jerked venison had been found in the canoe which Mace had brought in. All partook sparingly, and then, seeing that their weapons were in the best possible order, huddled together awaiting events.
At last the sounds made by the enemy above them ceased. They had evidently become satisfied that they were expending their strength for nothing. What would they next do?
“Ain’t it dark outside by this time?” inquired Brom at last.
“No, not yet,” replied Scarred Eagle. “It’s no use o’ pokin’ out that way till we’re sure ’tis.”
At this moment they heard the echoes of shouts above the dull roar of the waters. They at once knew the sounds must have come from near the east side of the camp, else they could not have reached their ears.
The rangers huddled close to the edge of the landing, and bent forward.
“The hellions ar’ makin’ ready to come at us here,” said Mace, grimly.
“Not yit,” remarked Scarred Eagle, who had stepped into the canoe in order to hear better. “I’d sooner think one or both of the others ar’ taken.”
“I kain’t b’l’eve but what they got off. I see ’em run the minit they fired. Thar couldn’t ’a’ b’en many thet follered ’em. The row we made brought most on ’em back. ’Twould be jest like the chaps to turn back ag’in the minit thar come a chance, though.”
“The Lord help ’em ef they be took, now,” said Scarred Eagle. “No kind of a chance ’s left us to help ’em, when thar’s so small a prospect o’ helpin’ ourselves. Step in here, Ben, an’ we’ll steal out a piece towarts the entrance.”
As the latter obeyed, Rhodan turned toward Brom.
“Tother canoe ’ll hold the rest on ye, boy. Ef ye hear a stone splash in the water hereaway, push out at once.”
In a moment longer he had turned the angle and disappeared.
Those behind now stationed themselves where they could hear the least unusual sound. None of them attempted to converse. Their suspense was too deep.
Half an hour thus passed, or rather dragged; for to those waiting, it seemed hours. What could keep Scarred Eagle and Mace? Directing Revel to steady the remaining canoe, Brom stepped to its further end, and managed to obtain a view outward. He saw an outline of the other canoe drawing silently toward him through the gloom, and far beyond he plainly distinguished one or two moving bodies, revealed by the degree of light prevailing outside.
As he stepped back, Scarred Eagle and Mace glided to the chamber and landed. Their report was not a cheering one. As Brom had suspected, the Indians in their canoes were watching the mouth of the passage.
“We must git to work quick!” said Scarred Eagle. “Them out yonder ain’t sure we’re in here, though they suspect it. Mebbe we kin cheat ’em ag’in.”
“Work is it?” exclaimed the Irishman. “I’m ready dthin—pwat’ll be doon?”
“It shall be your part to keep watch with Moorooine an’ see if them in the canoes ondertake to come in. The rest on us ’ll work at the passage in the rocks. Mace thinks thar’s a prospect of workin’ our way up so ’s to fire occasionally on them watchin’ above us. If we kin, it may draw ’em away from the mouth of the passage an’ gi’n us a chance to steal out in the canoes.”
Mace had already begun to remove some of the obstructions placed in the rocky passage. The rest fell to work with a will, leaving Devine and the Indian girl to watch the passage outward.
As previously mentioned, the way up through the rocks was devious and rough, and nearly thirty feet in extent. Half-way up was a kind of niche where three men might stand abreast. The rangers hoped to be able to fire upon the savages from this point. Could they do so, the Indians might possibly believe the rocky passage extended no further, and withdraw those who were stationed at the mouth of the water-passage.
They worked with the energy of men who realized that life is the stake. There was little danger of their being heard, as it was much easier to remove obstructions from the inside than from without.
In a few minutes they reached the desired point. Pausing they heard sounds, proclaiming the Indians had again resumed work.
“They’re gittin’ on faster now,” said Mace. “I judge they’ve got that big stone moved, but it’s cost ’em more ’n a good hours work. Ha—look out!”
As he spoke, a rumbling, heavy jar was felt, as a huge rock fell forward, lodging a few feet above them! Mace chuckled grimly.
“Thar! Ye see it got the better of the scamps. Thet ar was fixed for jest sich an occasion as this, but was never used afore. Now, it’s in sich shape that we couldn’t git out o’ here ourselves in less ’n half a day ef thar wa’n’t no one round to interfere.”
“It’s bad!” remarked Scarred Eagle. “We won’t have a chance to let ’em know we’re here except by shouting, an’ they’d see through that. If we could git in a shot or two now, they’d b’l’eve we war in the last extremity.”
As he spoke, “thump, thump,” came sounds from above. Pressing up as far as possible, between the wall and obstructions before them, he obtained a view of several dark figures relieved against a starlit sky in the distance.
“That bowlder broke a section of the ledge as it fell, an’ the devils ar’ makin’ thar way round it,” he whispered. “It’s jest the thing after all—reach my rifle here, Revel!”
Mace had made the discovery as soon as Rhodan. Revel handed them their weapons, and stepped back.
“Push y’ur weepon up as far as ye kin,” cautioned Scarred Eagle. “The report ’ll be less likely to echo back below us.”
But they withheld their fire. The Indians had suddenly ceased their work again, and not a glimpse of them could be seen. Minute after minute passed of unbroken silence.
“I had hoped they’d keep on!” said Scarred Eagle. “But their crazy rage is coolin’. Thet’s what’s made ’em work, when they mout ’a’ waited an b’en jest ’s sure. Ah-ha—what’s ter pay now?”