“Then why didn’t you show it to those fellows when they caught you, an’ saved us all this trouble.”
“I hadn’t de time, honey. Dey done cum so quick I couldn’t mo’n wink afore de ropes was woun’ all ober me.”
“You managed to make considerable noise, just the same.”
“Dat’s wha’ I’se boun’ ter do so’s you’se would hyar me.”
“There’s no use arguin’ with the old fool,” Jenkins said, impatiently. “We’ve got to get back to the shaft, an’ if we don’t move mighty lively the whole crowd will be down on us.”
Even in the face of their danger the boys had allowed their thoughts to be occupied with the cook to the exclusion of everything else, and now, as they gazed toward the fire, it could be seen that the blacks were making ready for a regular battle.
The repulsive-looking old men had come from the cave, and were now addressing their followers, probably for the purpose of inciting them to fight, and the more courageous had already advanced toward the thicket, as if ready to wreak vengeance.
Four were receiving considerable attention as their companions bound up the wounds inflicted by the revolvers; but none were in such a dangerous condition but that they could give a good account of themselves in the chase which would probably ensue, and Jenkins said, regretfully:
“We oughter been more careful. What they want is a good lesson, an’ if we’d succeeded in killin’ half a dozen, the rest wouldn’t be so bold.”
“We’ve done mischief enough,” Gil said, with a shudder, “and if we can get back to the tunnel it is to be hoped they’ll leave us alone.”