“They will gain more confidence when they know the soldiers will aid them. They do not fear Smoholler’s braves, but his spirits.”
“Tell ’em they can not injure the white men.”
“That is their belief.”
“So much the better! Holloa! what’s broke loose now?”
This exclamation was drawn from Glyndon’s lips by a shout from one of the sentinels who guarded the breastwork. This shout was taken up by the other soldiers.
“Good heavens! the boys have escaped!” cried Lieutenant Gardiner, excitedly.
Glyndon, usually so placid, found his excitement contagious.
“Great Jericho! it’s more’n I expected!” he exclaimed. “I never thought to set eyes on ’em again.”
The shout of welcome at their appearance proved the regard in which the boys were held by the soldiers. They approached, rifle in hand, for their weapons had been restored to them by Smoholler when he suffered them to go free, and were overwhelmed with eager inquiries by Glyndon, Lieutenant Gardiner, Blaikie and Robbins.
Percy Vere recounted their adventure with the Prophet, and his narrative was embellished by supplementary remarks from Percy Cute, as he proceeded. Thus they told the story between them.