The poor fellow’s voice trembled with emotion.
“It’s b’en an onusual adventur’,” remarked Brom. “Of course we all mean to stick to each other. Thar’s three lost, not to speak of Hill. I hope ’e made good ’is escape. He couldn’t ’a’ done nothin’ for us. Thar wouldn’t ’a’ b’en one us alive ef ’t hadn’t b’en for—”
“—Dthe wan beside yees—why don’t ye spake it?” said the Irishman, as Brom paused. “Yes, God bless ’er. She’s a haro to dthe core, and wan I’d shed me besht blood for—thrue’s me father was a docthur w’u’d I. I what, they’re coomin’ back, an’ now I’m in hopes dthurt a way to l’ave dthis divule’s ragion.”
Not for a moment had Brom and his companions ceased to keep a sharp watch about them, and their brief conversation had been carried on in whispers. As Tim spoke, Revel and Goodbrand came up.
“The reds mistrust something, for they’ve started into the cave with torches,” said Revel. “Less move forward.”
“Thin we’ll hear from dthim soon, I’m thinkin’.”
“They’ll see the canoes we left, an’ that’ll tell the story.”
“It will, onless, as may happen, the canoes drifted down beyond the chamber,” said Brom. “In that case they’ll leave us a little more time.”
They were creeping cautiously up in the direction taken by the elder scouts. These had now been gone nearly half an hour. Suddenly Goodbrand, who was some paces ahead, put back his hand and sunk to the earth, the rest speedily following his example.
What had he discovered? In a few moments the question was answered. Three dark forms began to loom into view, dealing down the slope of the bluff. The rangers did not attempt even to exchange a hurried whisper. There was no need, for each of them comprehended the situation, and held the same theory. In some way Scarred Eagle and Mace had aroused the suspicion of these warriors, but evaded them. The latter, to satisfy their curiosity, were searching over the ground where they suspected an enemy had lurked.