“Couldn’t we dig round it?” suggested Kent, eagerly.
“Not much use to try,” said Vic.
“We’ll see,” said Wild Nat.
They fell to work with a will. Fifteen minutes’ effort proved that it was impossible, and the work was abandoned. With sinking hearts the men returned to the cave to relate to the waiting Marion the result of their undertaking.
“Wal, what next?” said Vic, throwing himself at full length on the cave-floor.
No one replied. “Next” looked very much like starvation to all. Silence reigned for some time, then Kent said:
“I propose that we take some method to find out if the Indians are really there yet.”
“In course they be,” said Wild Nat; “but it’ll do no hurt tew see.”
There was a stout stick in the cave about six feet in length. Taking this, the old trapper walked into the passageway.
“Stand behind me, Vic, and be reddy to shoot the first critter ye see. Stand out of sight, the rest of ye.”