"One thing is certain, I can't walk just yet," said Tom. "When I put my foot down it's like a thousand needles darting through my leg."
"Let us go below and hunt up some water," said Sam; and after waiting a while longer they descended into the small brush. Aleck soon found a pool not far distant, and to this they carried Tom, and after all had had a drink, the swollen ankle was bathed, much to the sufferer's relief.
Slowly the time dragged by until morning. As soon as the sun was up Aleck announced that he was going back to the hostelry to see how the land lay.
"But don't expose yourself," said Tom. "I am certain now that is a regular robbers' resort, or worse."
Aleck was gone the best part of three hours. When he returned he was accompanied by Cujo. The latter announced that all of the other natives had fled for parts unknown.
"The inn is deserted," announced Aleck. Even that colored wife of the proprietor is gone.
"And did you find any trace of Dick and my uncle?" asked Sam.
"We found out where dat struggle took place," answered, Aleck. "And Cujo reckons as how he can follow de trail if we don't wait too long to do it."
"Must go soon," put in Cujo for himself.
"Maybe tomorrow come big storm—den track all washed away."