Retreating down the passage, Pete told the others of his suspicions and a council of war at once followed.
“We’re hemmed in beyond a doubt,” said Jack finally.
“And the question is, how to get out,” put in the professor, as solemnly as if some question had been raised about the matter.
“Wall, if we don’t git out afore long, we’re gone coons,” was Pete’s gloomy contribution.
Suddenly Jack spoke up.
“Do you think the sentries saw or heard us, Pete?”
“No, I don’t. If they had, we’d uv heard of it by now. My idea of the situation is this: Ramon outwitted the Rangers and back tracked on us. Arriving at our camp and finding it deserted, he guessed we’d gone arter the treasure. The rascal thinks to himself that we will make fine cat’s-paws to draw his chestnuts out of the fire, and so, knowing he has us bottled up, he sets those sentries on duty arter he’s tracked us up the mountain side.”
“I guess that’s about it,” rejoined the boy; “the question is, what are we to do?”
“Wait till I go and look the land over a bit,” said Coyote. “In the meantime, put out those torches. If one of those greasers should come snooping into the passage, he might see the glow and nose us out.”