He had taken no more than three steps, when he again stopped and peered aside. He was now but little more than a yard from the side of Joe Hill. He gazed around for a moment, and then bent lower down. He meant to know if the almost imperceptible stir made by Joe Hill was only fancy.
The Indian was speedily undeceived. Two long arms suddenly shot up, clasping his neck and throat like a vice. No power to cry out; nor to struggle. Two forms rose quickly, near Joe, and prevented this. The knife of one was sent to the Indian’s heart. Half a minute later, Hill released his grasp, and was creeping forward after his companions.
They were shortly within the edge of the woods. At that moment three rifles spoke opposite the open space and above them. As though frightened by the commotion, two distinct cries of a night-hawk followed close upon the echoes of the reports.
“I was right!” whispered Mace. “That volley tells it. They don’t suspect we’ve crossed the openin’. Come on!”
“No—here; not that way,” said Revel. “Furder south, in the direction of the night-hawk’s notes. They were made by the Injun girl, an’ mean, come. We’ll find it safer in that direction!”
And the prediction proved true. As the rangers crept in the direction indicated, their practiced ears heard stealthy footsteps a few rods away, approaching the open space they had just left.
Acting on the supposition that the way was clear before them, they ventured on more haste. Twenty minutes passed, and they were far from the scene of their late struggle. And all the while Will Revel was looking for some sign of Moorooine’s presence. The section of forest they were now in was not very dense, and the stars overhead afforded a faint light around them.
“We’re less ’n a mile from the lake,” said Mace, halting. “Scarred Eagle must ’a’ heerd the shots, an’ orter be clus by ef he landed anywhar opposite us. I’ll venture on a signal, anyhow.”
But another signal was given before him—that of the Indian girl, meaning “beware!” She was evidently at some point between them and the opening they had left. Were the Indians following them toward the lake?
A few moments of strict silence convinced them of this. Savages at the right, left, and not a hundred yards behind them.