Another moment and Solomon would once more have made his tiger-spring, and flung himself upon the madman.
But that moment had sufficed for the Indian to take breath, and to receive a new impulse. This, time it was not hate or destructive fury. It was terror. The terrible struggle from which he had escaped with such difficulty had given a new turn to his frenzied thoughts. Fear overmastered him. A stifled exclamation escaped him. He started back.
Then he turned and ran.
He ran for his life; and in a few moments he had passed out of sight, and was lost amid the gloom of the forest and the night.
VII.
Passing the Night.—On Guard.—The watchful Sentinel.—Plans.—Through the Woods.—The winding River.—Fishing.—The overcast Sky. Arrival of Pat with startling Tidings.—A useless Search.
FOR a few moments the whole party stood, confounded by this new and sudden turn which events had taken.
“He’s gone, anyhow,” said Pat, who was the first to break the silence.
The other boys said nothing. As for Solomon, he stared for a few moments all around, and then quietly seated himself by the fire.