He had seen Tom and me looking out of our prison and heard Luke Redman tell us that if we did not come down he would burn the house. He had seen him carry his threat into execution, and he knew that unless something turned up in our favor very speedily, our chances for life were small indeed.
It took him a long time to tell this, for, as was always the case with him when he became excited, he forgot his English and rattled away in Indian.
“I understand what you mean,” interrupted Mark. “I know that my brother is in great danger, and I think, too, that I know where to look for him. Jake, how long is this passage-way, and where does it lead to?”
“Now hold your grip till I tell you, won’t you?” growled Jake.
“You will tell me now—this very instant,” said Mark.
“Don’t!” exclaimed the frightened Dragoon, seeing that the double-barrel was once more pointed his way. “It’s about twenty yards long, an’ leads to the rooms whar them fellers is. Turn that shootin’-iron t’other way, can’t you?”
Mark did not stop to ask any more questions, because he believed he had heard all that it was necessary for him to know; and, besides, the light that now began to shine through the cane warned him that the fire was gaining headway, and that there was no time to be lost.
At a sign from him, the young Indian seized Jake by the shoulders while Mark raised his feet, and between them he was carried into the passage-way, where he was laid upon the floor, and left with the assurance that his safety depended upon his observing the strictest silence.
The passage-way was about three feet wide, and quite high enough to allow Mark and his companion to stand upright.
Luke Redman had doubtless built it in order that he might have a way of escape in case his hiding-place was discovered and surrounded by the settlers.