“You had better stay here,” he said, “until I go ahead and investigate a bit.”
So saying, he disappeared in the bushes.
A long time it seemed to them Dave was absent, and many fears of disaster began to beset them. What if he had fallen into the hands of savages? Without his directing mind they were no better than a ship without a rudder, in the midst of breakers. To be sure, they were expert woodsmen, unerring shots, healthy and vigorous. Yet, never before this night had they seen an Indian upon the war-path, or listened to their blood-curdling whoops. Nearly an hour had passed, and the anxiety of Alfred had reached a decisive pitch.
“I tell you, Charley,” he said, energetically, “I’m going to see if I can find Dave. Maybe he’s in hot-water, and I can help him. You had better remain here.”
But Charles would not remain and let his brother go alone; so, together they set forth upon their doubtful mission. They had proceeded some fifty yards when a slight rustling ahead startled them. Both prepared for the worst, but suspense changed to joy when a tall figure, which could not be mistaken, stepped into view. In a moment the scout was with them. A satisfied expression lighted up his features, as he said:
“It’s what I suspected, boys; the reds are tired out, and buildin’ fires all ’round. Most likely they’ll not move again till mornin’, and afore that time we’ll have ’em outwitted as easy as robbin’ a roost. We’ll jest pass around toward the south, and git beyond ’em; then, if we can strike the trail of them chaps what carried Miss Emily off, like enough we’ll overhal ’em afore daylight.”
Suddenly the leader stopped, and bent his ear to listen.
“To cover, boys, quick!” he whispered, “they’re comin’ this way.”
Without waiting a moment, he darted from view, and crept noiselessly away. The brothers followed his example, and the Indians, who a moment later had passed over the ground, had no suspicion that a white man was within miles of them. From their coverts the borderers counted sixteen, who passed in their usual file, each treading in the footsteps of his leader.
In a minute they had passed, and our party of adventurers again stood together. There were no sounds to indicate the presence of other foes, so they again set forward.