Soon he came to the edge of a high bluff, and began a steep, precipitous descent. This brought him to the ocean’s edge.
He now had a walk of a mile before him, and proceededat a rapid pace, feeling secure against unwelcome meetings.
In fifteen minutes he was at Rocky Beach.
Why he should have taken this circuitous, laborious, and secret route to reach a point that was a pleasant four miles’ ride from Dalton, will duly appear.
He halted within a few rods of the rocky cavern, and blew a signal on a small, shrill whistle.
No answer came.
He blew again, and the signal remained unregarded, to his evident vexation.
The next instant he was startled by the sound of rapid footsteps. Roake and Snags came running from the cave, uttering cries of anger and alarm. They came almost upon Haywood.
“Here he is!” shouted Snags.
“What’s the matter, boys?” asked Haywood, in a low tone.