The canoes of the rangers now rested in the middle of the channel. Goodbrand, shaking hands with his companions, let himself silently into the water and in a few seconds swam to the right wall, and as far up as it was safe to do. Glancing toward the light, his friends could make out the outlines of his form as he sought for a place to rest until the proper moment should arrive.
In a few moments they saw that he remained motionless, and waited for his signal. This was to have been a waving of his arm thrice. But the moments sped on and no signal came.
Scarred Eagle was about to push up nearer, when he observed Goodbrand relinquish his hold, and in a moment the latter had noiselessly swum back.
“What’s the trouble, Goodbrand?”
“No trouble,” he said. “Something good. Follow me close up. Some chance all get way—cheat all the warriors now. If mistook, then we can try other way jes’ same.” And without waiting for reply, Goodbrand let go the side of the canoe and swam back, as silently as before.
Word was passed to Brom, who was in the rear with Moorooine and the Irishman. Then the canoes were turned, and pushed close up beside the friendly Miami.
As yet the shouts and inquiries of the enemy were kept up from shore and stream. Their canoes remained in nearly the same position, and a continuous watch was maintained over the entire surface of water adjacent to the dark entrance.
“Here!” whispered Goodbrand as they came up. “Give me ramrod—quick!”
Taking one from the hands of Mace, he pushed it up in a slanting direction through a fissure in the rocks. The gaze of the rest following his movement, met a beam of pale light coming through the hole made in the loose earth above. By it they were enabled to see that the fissure was large enough for them to crawl through, and that the covering of earth above could be easily removed.
For a moment after making this discovery they remained inactive. The chance of escaping so unexpectedly presented, thrilled them one and all. And yet a single mishap might rob them of it forever and fatally.