Some one passed noiselessly through this opening ahead of him. Frank followed as silently as he could.
Outside he found at his side the one who had entered the cabin in that manner. This person lay flat on the ground and moved away with amazing deftness and silence.
Frank could not follow as easily, but he wormed along as best he could. In that manner they finally passed to the shelter of some scrubby bushes.
There Frank found a dark form sitting on the ground.
"Heap all right," whispered a voice. "You no make[Pg 63] a row when Joe him come. Joe he know you be ready if you find feather."
It was Crowfoot, the faithful old redskin.
"All right now. Make um no noise. Foller Joe," continued the Indian.
The old fellow did not hurry. He took his time to crawl along on hands and knees until they were far from the hut. At last he arose, and Frank followed his example. They bent low and went on like two dark shadows.
"Can we get out of the valley all right?" asked Merry.
"One man him guard this way to go out," said Joe.