“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.”