The trapper then advanced, closely followed by Vic, till he could reach the entrance by means of the pole he held. Then he took off his cap and hung it on the end of the stick, and pushed gently against the stone. It gave way after a moment, and the trapper pushed his pole forward till the top of the cap was in sight from outside. Silence followed, and he advanced it a few inches. Instantly a wild whoop rent the air, and half a dozen tomahawks were buried in the cap, as the savages dashed forward to the opening. One of the Indians exposed his person to view, and instantly Vic sent a bullet into him. The howl that followed proved that the wound was fatal. Wild Nat instantly drew back his stick, and the half-raised stone fell back to its place, while the two trappers backed into the cave.
“That’s over,” said Vic, “an’ jist as I told ye. Thar’s one red-skin less tew dance over our bodies, an’ thet’s one comfort.”
“I’m clean dun starved,” said Scip, after a pause, with a sidelong glance toward the little pile of dried buffalo-meat, all that remained of their provisions.
“Wal,” said Wild Nat, “so be we all, an’ as it’s now purty near night, I don’t know but we mought as well finish the meat. We may as well eat while thar’s vittals, as thar’s only ’nough for one meal anyway, an’ not half a one at thet. Fall to!”
The half-starved party needed no second bidding, and in a short time the last morsel had vanished.
“Marion,” said Vic, “yer as near starved as eny of us, an’ ye don’t say a word. Yer the bravest gal I ever see’d.”
“No use in complaining, when it’s unavoidable,” she said, with a faint smile.
“Wal,” said Wild Nat, “I’ve got one more idee. Ef thet fails, then good-by tew Betsey. Our epertaphs is writ!”
“What’s the thin’ tew be done?” asked Vic, while the others listened eagerly for the reply.
“Ye all know thet hole in the furder cave? Wal, we’ve tried tew reach it an’ couldn’t. Now, in place of rocks an’ thin’s to stan’ on, which we hain’t got, only ’nough in all tew reach ’bout seven feet, tharfore I purpose tew let ’em reach thet fur, an’ thet two of us, Vic an’ I, as we’re tallest, stan’ on thar, an’ one of ye climb up on us an’ reach thet hole. It kin be done, an’ it shell.”