The occupants of the approaching canoe, five in number, swept their bark suddenly aside not ten yards above the rangers, and began to glide toward them. Rhodan at once divined their object. It was not to again penetrate to the rocky chamber, but to gain a position where they could see if a light was visible therefrom.
It was too late for the rangers to move back without being heard. Nor did Scarred Eagle wish to. He had hopes that he could remain undiscovered, and that the explorers would soon turn back. If not, he was confident of being able to worst the fellows, and make good his retreat before others could interfere.
With their own canoes pressed close to the wall, and ready to use paddle or rifle as occasion might warrant, the borderers awaited developments with bated breath. Nearer came the canoe of the warriors, and lower crouched the whites. Suddenly the canoe stopped. It was so near that the rangers, looking toward the light, could make out the forms of its occupants peering forward into the darkness. For several moments they remained thus; then, dropping back upon foot and knee they swept back, and rejoined the others.
The rangers lost no time in making their exit from the place. One by one they ascended till only Scarred Eagle was left. Seizing the hand of Mace, he was assisted up, and in five minutes after the Indians had withdrawn, all of the whites were gliding away toward the opposite side of the bluff.
It was now considerably past midnight, and heavy clouds began to drift across the sky, rendering the starlight dim indeed. The little party soon halted at the edge of the water on the other side. They could plainly hear the excited jabber of Indian tongues behind them, and knew that no time was to be lost.
But how to escape from the bluff was the question now. To their right, after ascending the bluff, lay the deep forest. An attempt to escape that way would expose them to great danger, as it was quite certain some of the Miamis would be hovering near the place. Not a canoe was to be had, and not a log could be found on which to float to the forest further south.
After a short consultation Scarred Eagle and Mace left the rest, and ascended the bluff to reconnoiter. Goodbrand and Revel, moving apart, kept as sharp watch as possible around the left curve of the bluff toward the subterranean passage.
“Dthere must be a way for us now dthat we have got so fur out of it,” said Tim at length. “Och musha, me head!”
“I b’l’eve thar will, Tim,” replied Brom, who was supporting Moorooine, into whose willing ears he had been whispering. “You’ve had a hard one over gittin’ me clear. If I k’n ever pay ye back—”
“Luk, now!” interrupted the Irishman. “Sthop, ef yees don’t want to rise me. Is it of pay y’ur goin’ to talk, an’ to Tim Devine? Yees know betthur. Wouldn’t yees do as much for me, an’ more? We done dthe besht we c’u’d, though. Poor Dan Hicks! Och, musha! B’ated down; an’ him skulped before me very eyes!”