He had not gone far when his ears caught the sound of clattering hoofs. He looked down the path before him and saw Rodger Rainbolt, the ranger, coming toward him.
Stopping, he placed one foot in advance of the other, seized his club in both hands, and swinging it aloft, cried out:
“Stop! stop! stop, my lord, or I’ll beat you, beat you down!”
CHAPTER XIX.
A CHIEF’S DEATH
It required but a single glance for Frank Armond to recognize two of the three men seated around the glowing fire in the cavern, called by the two hunters Bear’s Cave. They were Ralph Rodman and his brother Willis. The third person, the reader will readily guess, was Gustave Barker.
A shout of joy escaped Frank’s lips when he saw his friend and brother were safe.
In a moment they were grouped around the fire, greeting each other as though they had been separated for years.
“But where is Walter?” asked Willis.
“The good Lord only knows,” responded Frank; “he became separated from me to-day while being pursued by a band of Indians. I hope, however, he is safe.”