Teddy was about to ask if he could take off the pack, for the cords were cutting into his flesh in a painful manner; but the Indian checked him with a quick motion of the hand.
The party were now near where it was supposed a line of sentinels was stationed, and, holding his finger to his lips, Cummings gave them to understand that the utmost silence must be preserved.
Again Poyor went forward alone, and the tired boys sat with their backs against a tree thinking only of Jake and his possible fate.
The silence was so profound as to be almost alarming. Here and there amid the foliage could be seen countless fire-flies; but not even the rustling of the leaves broke the stillness, and it did not require any very great stretch of the imagination to fancy that the enemy were lurking close at hand awaiting an opportunity to spring upon them.
Once a rat-like tuza ran past within a few inches of Teddy's feet, and as the boy leaped up in affright, fancying the vengeful Indians had discovered him, it was with difficulty he repressed a cry of alarm.
With so many horrible things to think of it was a decided relief when Poyor came gliding noiselessly back to announce that the journey could be continued, and once more the little party picked their way over fallen and decaying timber, or through thickets where thorns tore both clothing and flesh.
After a time they reached ascending ground, showing that they were on the foot hills of the range, and the advance became more laborious, until, shortly before sunrise, Neal declared that he could go no farther.
"We must stop," he whispered to Poyor. "I have held out as long as possible, and could not keep on half a mile more if the enemy were in close pursuit."
The Indian nodded his head to signify that the halt should be made, and a few moments later he turned aside into a small ravine or cut on the side of the hill.
Here he threw down his burden, and the boys followed the example, paying no attention to the advantages or disadvantages of the spot as a refuge during the day which was so near at hand.