If a man could walk from the cavern in that fashion, why might not the entire party, one after the other, file out in the same manner?
This was a natural question, but the settler was too wise to believe the attempt was feasible.
There would be nothing extraordinary in the fugitives' going to the top of the path without molestation, but it would be absurd to suppose they could walk off into the woods undisturbed, when such a vigilant foe was in watch for them.
The American Indian does not prosecute his warfare in that fashion.
CHAPTER XXIII.
The experience of Gravity Gimp, after reaching the outside of the cavern, was remarkable in more than one respect.
When he found himself creeping up the narrow path, to the high ground above, and realized that he would make a capital target for one or a dozen of the Seneca sharpshooters, his teeth fairly rattled, and he would have retreated, but for his affection for the members of the Brainerd family.
"'Spect dere's two hundred ob 'em a-settin' in a row on a log up dere and waitin' for me, and when I come along dey'll each one hit me ober de head wid de butt end ob dere tomahawks, and by de time dey gots frough I'll hab de headache so bad dat I'll be as dizzy as Haberkick down dere."
Gravity paused for a minute, and then resumed creeping forward. Within the succeeding ten minutes he had reached the high level ground above, without sight or sound of an Indian.