The reunited party then all took places in the "Nomad's" boat, towing the canoe astern.
A dull, gray dawn was just breaking as they set out once more for the mouth of the gorge that led to the sea. Rapidly they neared it. But as they did so Nat, who was gazing toward the shore, uttered a sudden cry of consternation. The others, following the direction of his gaze, could see crowds of savages running along the beach.
"What can they be after?" shouted Joe. "They seem to have some object in mind."
"A terrible one, I am afraid," said Nat gravely. He had guessed the meaning of the natives' haste.
"If I'm not mistaken—and I hope I am—they are headed for the gorge. They know we shall have to pass through it to escape."
"Well, what then?"
The question came from Cal, who was not particularly quick-witted, despite all his other good qualities.
"What then?" echoed Nat. "Why, if they get there first, they can hurl rocks or spears down on us and soon put us out of commission."
"What is to be done?" asked Joe, in a dismayed voice.
"We must get to the gorge first."