He had heard enough to suggest to him a plan of action. He knew that I was in a house, that there was some one with me, that Luke Redman was going to drive us out by fire, and that there were two ways of escape for us—one by the window, which was guarded by all the robber gang, and the other by this secret passage-way, over which Jake alone stood sentry.
Mark inferred, from what Barney said, that I and my companion were ignorant of the existence of this last avenue of escape; but he knew of it, and couldn’t he put his knowledge to some use? Could he not secure Jake, or knock him over, and go into the passage-way and release us?
The idea was no sooner conceived than he proceeded to put it into practice. He arose slowly and cautiously to his feet, hoping to creep upon Jake unobserved; but a twig which snapped under his feet betrayed him.
The sentry turned on the instant, only to find himself covered by Mark’s double-barrel, which was aimed straight at his heart.
“Consarn it all, don’t!” cried Jake, turning as pale as death, and trembling in every limb. “Turn that we’pon t’other way, can’t you?”
“Silence!” commanded Mark. “If you speak above your breath again, you are a gone Dragoon.”
Just at this moment, when Mark was about to lay down his gun to secure his prisoner, help arrived.
A lithe, active figure, clad in buckskin, glided through the cane as easily and noiselessly as a serpent, and before the sentry knew that there was an enemy in his rear, the strong arms of “Mark Two Times” were clasped about him, and he was thrown to the ground.
It was an operation of no difficulty to bind him, for Jake, fearing the double-barrel, submitted without a word of remonstrance.
As soon as the prisoner was secured, the young Indian turned to Mark in great excitement. He had heard strange things and seen strange sights while he was skulking about the house.