Josiah Socket was willing to try the experiment, and while passing over a wind-swept turn they left their former trail and hurried in among the trees. Then they passed over some rocks and into something of a hollow, where they came to a halt, with some high rocks behind them.
Here they waited over an hour in the darkness without anything coming to disturb them. Then, worn out, Mark dropped asleep, leaving Josiah Socket on guard for the time being.
CHAPTER XXI
ANOTHER BRUSH WITH THE INDIANS
When Mark awoke all was dark around him. He lay quiet for several minutes and then sat up.
"Mr. Socket!" he called out.
There was no answer, and much surprised the youth leaped to his feet. He saw a form some feet away and sprang toward it. It was that of Josiah Socket, and the man lay flat on his back in the snow.
"What is the matter? What has happened to you?" called out the boy and knelt down at the man's side. He saw that blood was flowing from a bruise on the right temple.
For answer there was a groan, and then Josiah Socket opened his eyes and tried to struggle to his feet. But he was too weak to do so.