Most of the men were ahead of the team with their bolos, cutting down and dragging away the trees and bushes, and thus forming a trail which would allow the wagons to pass. It was past six in the evening when the river was reached.
In order to gain as much time as possible, Stut and the boys concluded to push across, and move northwardly along the eastern bank, as it was evident the eastern shore afforded the best route.
Before the plan could be put into execution a body of Illyas appeared in force before them. They hastily drew back, and after consulting, concluded to proceed north along the western bank.
They had not proceeded a quarter of a mile before they ran into an ambush of Illyas, and two men were struck by arrows. Stut gave the order to fire, and the bush was cleared. Immediately a force appeared in their rear, but Stut advised an advance, as such a course would bring them closer to relief.
Another mile was traversed, but the first les[p. 160]son was heeded, and the enemy did not come close enough to enable the gunmen to get an opportunity to shoot. But now an unforeseen obstacle presented itself. They had been marching along the more or less elevated bank of the stream, and directly in their path was a stream flowing into the main one, with steep and rocky sides, so precipitous that it would be impossible for the wagons to cross them, heavily laden as they were.
The Illyas appeared in force behind them, and apparently none were to the front, thus indicating that they did not believe the wagons could cross, and in this they were right. It was growing dark. Harry suggested that they make camp and arrange for protection during the night.
This was done, the two wagons being placed thirty feet apart, and the fort sections were used to connect the rear ends of the wagons, so that a U-shaped fort was thus provided, the open end of the fort being toward the river, which was the side they had no fear of, so far as the savages were concerned.
While these preparations were going on no attempt was made to attack them. "They are either waiting for morning, or for reinforcements," was Stut's comment.
"Do you think it would be possible to get a messenger through to John?" asked George.
"Yes; but it would be better to send two."