“I had a narrow escape,” was the answer. “But where have you been, and what brings your father and Pep Frost here?”
In the next few minutes each youth told his story, to which the other listened with interest.
“You were lucky to escape from that cave,” said Mr. Winship to Harry. “I have heard of such places before but have never seen one.”
From Joe, Harry learned that his chum and the others had been in hiding among the rocks and trees all night and a part of the forenoon, not being able to leave the vicinity because of Mr. Winship’s wounded leg. The Indians had scouted around for them for hours, but without locating them, and they had slipped away to the present location less than half an hour before.
“I must say I am mighty hungry,” said Pep Frost. “An’ if ye don’t mind I’ll follow up thet air b’ar Harry wounded an’ finish him an’ git the meat.”
The others did not object, and the old pioneer was soon on the trail of blood-spots.
“So my mother is in the hands of the Indians,” said Harry, when this news was at last broken to him. “Oh, Mr. Winship, this is terrible! And your daughter Harmony, too! What shall we do?”
“I am going on the trail of the redskins as soon as my wound will permit, Harry.”
“And I am going along,” put in Joe.
“Then I shall go too. I wish we had two more guns.”