“The goof doesn’t even know he may be in danger,” Red muttered. “What are we going to do? Those guys may prove nasty.”
Brad was worried. Plainly the men were moving closer, for the splashing noises now could be heard distinctly. They knew one of the men had stumbled over a rock, for they heard him grunt as he picked himself up from the water.
The boys looked about for a hiding place.
Their only chance of avoiding detection was to step far back against the cave wall, away from the glare of the firelight.
“Quick!” Brad warned.
To try to take Old Miquel with them was out of the question. Retreating, the three Cubs sought the innermost recess of the cave. Flattening themselves against the moist wall, they breathlessly waited.
CHAPTER 17
RED’S MISTAKE
Scarcely had Brad, Dan and Red taken refuge than two shadowy figures emerged through the tunnel.
Watching tensely from a niche in the limestone shelf, they saw Eagle Feather climb nimbly from the floor of the underground stream to the rim of the circular chamber.
He stood there silhouetted in the opening, the firelight flickering upon his fierce features. In his hand was a drawn knife.