With their knives they cut each a large bundle of grass, and returned to the cavern. The scout threw down his load, but the old trapper said:
"No, not thar. We must take ther animile inside, fur I an goin' ter hev this room full uv Injuns afore long."
"What do you mean?" asked the scout.
"Jest yer wait an' see," was all the reply he could get.
The old trapper was getting terribly excited about something, and it was not until after the huge rock door was between them and the outer cave that he regained his composure.
Kelly found a good place for his horse, and throwing a bundle of grass before him, left him to his own enjoyment. This done, he was about to seat himself beside the fire, when Bear-Paw said to him—"Kem with me," and they proceeded to the chasm, where they swung over.
From a recess in the wall the old man took a bow and arrows and a long rope, and led the way into the room used as the menagerie.
"Now," said he, "jest write er letter ter yer friend, an' I'll let him know whar yer ar'"—and while the scout was writing a few words to satisfy his friend of his safety, the old trapper went about among his animals, talking to them, and petting them in his usual manner.
When the letter was completed, he told Kelly to follow him, and then led the way to the rear entrance of the cave.
He soon arrived near the opening, where he halted and said: