Then the three walked slowly toward the entrance to relieve Jake; but, to the surprise of all, he was not there.
"It is my fault," Neal cried while Cummings was looking around in the belief that the sentinel had gone to another portion of the cave and would soon be back. "I knew from what was said this forenoon that he had an idea of venturing out, and made up my mind to watch him closely; but the history lesson and the fishing caused me to forget it entirely."
"Do you mean that he has had an idea of leaving us?" Cummings asked in astonishment.
"No; he simply proposed to take a walk. He thinks it is as safe for him as for Poyor."
"But I, who surely understand the woods better than he, would not dare to attempt it."
"You know what he has done."
"If he does not lose his own life ours may be sacrificed," Cummings said passionately. "The Indian can go through the undergrowth without leaving any sign of his passage: but for Jake to do so is simply to set up a guide-board by which the enemy can find us."
"I should have told you at once," Neal said in self reproach.
"You are not to be blamed in the slightest; but if I could get my hands on him at this moment he would regret most sincerely ever having such a thought in his head."
"What will be the result?" Teddy asked in distress.