“Don’t laugh, Prim. They are doing their best to entertain us,” Terry answered as she clapped her hands, which sent the boys into still wilder stunts.
The girls were now in a worse jam than ever. Here they were perfectly safe, they felt sure. But how could they watch for Allan and Syd? How could they signal for help? When Terry explained this to Pedro, he produced the white cloth that Rosa had given them. Terry tore it to the proper size and shape to make an enormous letter T. Much against his wishes Pedro allowed the girls to climb out of the cave and direct the spreading of the cloth on the ground, where it could be seen from the sky.
“It’s only a long chance, Prim, but it’s the only thing I can think of. If we made a smoke signal or anything like that, Joe Arnold would suspect at once,” explained Terry.
“I know, but don’t you think he’ll suspect if he sees this white cloth spread out on the ground?” asked Prim.
Terry expressed her fears to Pedro, who was arranging the work of some men near-by. The big chief assured her that he would attend to that. His people would camp on the hill, then Joe Arnold would think that the cloth had something to do with the work of the tribe.
In less than an hour one or two huts were ready, a crude cooking place had been built and the women were preparing breakfast.
Terry and Prim wanted to stay above ground, but Pedro shook his head vigorously and explained that Joe Arnold was “very much bad,” and was planning to take them away where they would surely be killed.
Terry and Prim slid down the opening and reached the level in safety.
“After all, Prim, we have nothing to complain of. It’s a gorgeous place to be imprisoned. Let’s make the best of it and enjoy it, for we’re not apt to see anything like it again,” comforted Terry as she saw Prim’s frowning face.
“It’s all right here, but I’d rather stay in the open. Besides I’m beginning to like that savage tribe. I’ll say that Pedro is a prince.”