Having made friends of the young Indians, Dave asked them by signs what had become of Nell and the twins. They shrugged their shoulders and pointed to a wigwam at the other end of the village, in front of which an old and dirty squaw was sitting, weaving a basket. The wigwam was not far from the lake, and Dave noted with satisfaction that close at hand rested a canoe with two paddles.
As soon as it began to rain the young captive pretended to be very sleepy, and stretching himself several times, he at length lay down in the wigwam and began to snore. The young Indians, seeing this, called an old Indian to relieve them, and then walked off to their own resting place.
An hour passed slowly for Dave. It was now raining furiously and he knew that the streets of the Indian village must be deserted. Looking out of the corner of his eye, he saw the aged Indian sitting by the door of the wigwam more than half asleep.
"Now is my time," he thought, and turning over softly, he crept to the side of the shelter, where the wind had loosened one of the skins. In another instant he had rolled out, into the mud and the rain. Making certain that nobody was watching him, he started for the wigwam at the other end of the village.
Little Nell and the twins were sleeping soundly when the girl felt a hand pressed over her mouth. "It's Dave, Nell, don't make any noise," was whispered into her ear, and, inclined to cry out at first, she checked herself.
With the twins it was more difficult, but they soon understood, and while one clung to Dave, the other clutched Nell. Close at hand was the old squaw, but she was sleeping soundly, feeling assured that the youthful prisoners would not dare to venture away in such a storm as was raging.
Hardly daring to breathe, Dave led the way out of the wigwam and down to the lake front. The canoe had considerable water in it, and he had to turn the craft over before he allowed the others to enter. He stowed them safely in the bow and stern, then stepped in himself, took up one of the paddles and shoved off.
"Oh, Dave, can we get away?" whispered Nell.
"Hush! I'll do my best," he answered, softly.
Soon the shore of the lake was left behind. The rain pelted down furiously, wetting them to the skin. Occasionally there came a flash of lightning, followed by a rumble of thunder, which was far from pleasant.