It was hard to imagine how the servant could identify it, for it was in the shadow of the trees, though a small, natural clearing was in sight, that itself being the guiding landmark.
But nothing was seen or heard that could justify the declaration of Gravity, who stood intently listening.
"I don't hear nuffin'," said he, a moment later. "I guess dey hab gone to sleep, and am snorin'. You ain't skeered, be you, lieutenant?"
"What is there to scare us?" asked Fred.
"I don't know ob nuffin, but I thought mebbe you knowed."
Just then Gimp got down on the ground, and pressed his ear to the earth. Immediately he called out:
"I hear footsteps—plain as day—jes' listen!"
Fred Godfrey knelt, and, Indian-like, touched his ear to the ground. As he did so, he caught sounds as if made by the feet of persons moving near them.
"I believe they are white men—God grant they are! Don't make any noise and we will soon find out."
Although he had little experience as a woodman, Fred believed, from the peculiarity of the slight noises that reached his ear, that they were those of his own race.