"I can go out by way of the tunnel," said the youth. "And if it is dangerous I won't go any further than the hollow tree."
At first James Morris demurred, but as he also was anxious to know what was being done outside, he at length consented.
"But you must be careful, Henry," he said. "Those Indians may be up to some of their tricks."
The youth promised to be on his guard, and with a pistol in hand, and hunting knife in his belt, he slipped into the inner end of the tunnel, and worked his way slowly and cautiously along, under the palisade, and in the direction of the hollow tree.
The tunnel was just large enough for the youth to crawl along on hands and knees. The walls were composed largely of rocks, with here and there a patch of dirt, through which numerous tree roots protruded. Some rabbits had made their home in the tunnel, but they had been scared away by Tony Jadwin.
At last Henry gained the foot of the hollow tree. Here he had to squeeze his way between several thick roots. Close at hand was a small opening and through this he gazed, to learn if any of the enemy were at hand.
Not an Indian was in sight, and with increased caution, he drew himself up into the hollow tree until he reached an opening among the branches. Then he stuck his head out and looked around the forest fronting the trading-post.
"Well, I vow!" he muttered to himself. "Jean Bevoir, as sure as I am in this tree! How in the world did he get here, and what is he going to do?"