Then he returned toward the encampment, and began spying around for something that would be of advantage, and to learn where the girl was concealed, and to take measures to steal her away, if such a thing should prove to be possible.
Chance brought him to the vicinity of the cave of the Medicine, at the very moment when he was releasing the traitor Parsons, and when the twain had departed, he could not resist the temptation to explore the bowels of the earth, and learn what it contained. But he very soon paid the penalty of his folly, and death had laid his iron hand upon him.
Not being familiar with the locality, and the mysteries contained within, he stumbled along in the darkness, came suddenly upon the hissing, snarling wildcat, and as it sprung fiercely toward him, he leaped to avoid it, and fell directly into the clutches of the huge bear that had been watching him with open jaws and snapping eyes, and was instantly imprisoned by its mighty arms!
Had he been possessed of any weapon, even a knife—the battle would have been short and decisive. But he had nothing save his naked hands to fight with, and it would have been madness to attempt such a thing, for the brute was of monstrous size.
"Ef I don't play 'possum I'm a gone sucker," muttered the scout as he relaxed his muscles, fell to the rocky floor, held his breath, and remained motionless.
It was a difficult task, however, to remain so, for the bear was moving him around, and its long sharp claws scratching his flesh, and any instant his heart might be torn out. A very difficult task indeed, and nothing but the frontier training and strong self-command of the scout enabled him to counterfeit death. Yet he did so, until almost exhausted, and then as a favorable opportunity presented itself, he rolled swiftly away, and as soon as out of reach, grunted forth, as if in answer to the astonished and angry brute:
"You hug most mighty clus, that am er fact. Er leetle too much so fer friendship, and I rayther reckon once will do me fer er lifetime. No, I shan't fergit yer—shall remember yer at least ontil I git short of meat and want er roast or er steak."
A few moments given to rest, and he dodged between the watching animals, and was about to pass out when the hissing of the snakes (that had been aroused by the noise) caught his ear, and he stopped, listened and gave vent to his surmises:
"Here's more deviltry. But the old humbug knows what he am erbout, and keeps a supply of ash leaves on hand. Perhaps I'll come and see ye ag'in, ladies and gentlemen," making a bow in the direction of the den, "but I hain't got time now—have rayther pressin' business on hand." And he went out and carefully closed the opening to the cave in the same manner as he had found it.
And as he dared not venture near the wigwams until night came, he crawled into a neighboring thicket through which the trail to a spring passed, and covering himself with brush and leaves, waited very anxiously for the darkness.