“Sir?” demanded Fredrich, in his turn surprised.
“Sir! You needn’t sir me, you young Paul Pry; I told you your meddlesome disposition would yet lead you into trouble.”
“Ah! yes, now I understand you, although for the moment I did not recognize you,” replied Fredrich, smiling calmly.
“And you have broken your oath never to reveal to mortal man what you knew of this place,” returned the chief, more and more amazed at his calm, self-possessed manner, while those around were speechless with surprise, that any one should thus dare to “beard the lion in his lair.”
“How do you know I have broken my oath?”
“How do I know? Is not your presence here alone sufficient proof? Who is your companion in this hazardous expedition?”
“If you remember rightly, my oath was worded thus—that I would never tell any one where the entrance to the cave was to be found. I have literally kept my word. I have not told, but I have come myself to release my friends whom you hold as captives. I have come to stop that fiendish business,” he said, pausing, and pointing to Dora’s lifeless form. “That villain says I am too late; but a short time will serve to prove that I am not.”
“Curse you! do you think I am going to stand this insolence, and from a mere boy? Seize him, and bind him instantly!” he cried, turning to his band, and fairly foaming at the mouth with rage.
Several men sprang forward to do his bidding, while he shouted to the rest:
“To arms, all of you! There is a traitor in the camp, I’ll swear.”