“Wagh,” laughed Wild Nat. “I crept up thar an’ riz up suddently afore ye. Reckon yer blood must be kinder stagnated standin’ so long, an’ thought, a leetle exercise mought be good for ye. Ha! ha!” and the trapper laughed till the cave rung.
“’Twould ’a’ done ye good tew seen thet race,” he continued. “I’ve seen locomotives runnin’ full steam down grade, but it warn’t a cirkumstance ’long side o’ thet darkey! He looked like a streak o’ greased lightnin’, an’ went about as fast. Ef I could locomote in thet style, I wouldn’t look at enny hoss thet ever lived. I’d give up trappin’ an’ go tew carryin’ telegraff dispatches. ’Lectrical telegraff wouldn’t be nowhar, for speed.”
And again the trapper indulged in a hearty laugh, in which he was joined by the others, with one exception. Scip did not seem to see where the laugh came in, and sat in somber silence.
Shortly after this, they prepared for the night. Several skins were spread down and quite a comfortable couch formed for Marion, and the men stretched themselves out on the cave floor.
The following day wore wearily away. About noon Vic took his rifle and started out, saying:
“We’re ’bout out of grub, an’ I want tew stretch myself. Don’t worry ’bout the red-skins. Ef they hear my gun, which ’tain’t likely they will, as it’s got the faculty of not soundin’ off, they’ll know it’s a trapper or an Injun, an’ it’s the gal they’re arter. Ef they git arter me, I’ll bet they’ll have a chance tew measure sile.”
The cave was dreary enough. The only light was that afforded by a torch, and as, of course, the inmates were doomed to idleness, time passed rather slowly. Marion expressed a wish to see the cave, and Kent procured a torch and led the way, followed by Scip and the maid.
“Will you come?” asked Kent of the trapper, who made no movement to join them.
“No, guess not,” was the reply. “I’ve ’splored it often ’nough. Go ahead.”
The trio proceeded through the various rooms, wondering and admiring the structure, and to Marion, who had never before been in a cave, it was a wonderful place.