“You an’ Revel keep here, Mace. You’ll know if wanted!”
And as Scarred Eagle thus spoke, he hurried down after the Irishman. He found the Indian girl standing as far out as possible, gazing up the water-passage. Coming on slowly, were two canoes, each containing three or four Indians. They could be plainly distinguished, for a torch was fixed in the prow of the one ahead. It only cast light a few yards ahead and around them, so that the watchers had no fears of being discovered, till the canoe should approach nearer.
“They want to come, but ’fraid to,” whispered Moorooine.
“It shows they’ve doubts ’bout thar bein’ a hidin’-place in here. That’s in our favor, anyhow. Ef we could only make ’em b’l’eve thar w’an’t any, we’d soon git clear.”
The canoes came on very cautiously. Suddenly, the Indians, feeling the increased current, began to dip their paddles to prevent moving too fast. The one nearest the torch seized it, and waved it from side to side, examining the walls. But, save at the secret chamber, there was not the least cavity in the rocks.
They held their canoes nearly motionless, and peered into the unknown darkness. Evidently they did not like the idea of venturing further. They were not rid of the superstition about the place, and the gloomy depths, beyond, from which came a sullen roar, made them nervous.
Suddenly a prolonged, dull echo came to the ears of Scarred Eagle and Moorooine. They knew it was caused by rifle-reports up in the passage. Those in the canoes heard the echoes; but to them it was of frightful significance. Mingled with the sullen roar in the depths, it doubtless seemed to their startled imaginations, that the evil spirit of the cave was about to take vengeance on them for their temerity. At any rate, they pulled back with the utmost dispatch.
Leaving Moorooine to watch, Scarred Eagle sprung back and hastened up the passage. As he gained the spot, he heard yells outside plainly.
“We’ve hit one o’ the curs—what’s goin’ on below?” cried Mace. “Is thar a chance—”
“Yes; come on for y’ur lives!” interrupted Scarred Eagle.