“Too bad, I am afraid he has fallen into the hands of the band which has just come in from the northwest.”
This was, indeed, surprising news for the boys, but he did not wait for their comments.
“Do not wait for us long, but go back to the wagon. I do not intend to come back until I get the Professor,” and he was away.
“I do not understand what to make of the different forces all concentrating at this point. There must be something up, sure.”
John followed the direction the Professor had taken, making a wide detour to the north, and it was well he did so, as the savages, having lost the trail, were now in consternation at the condition of things. They knew the white men must be lurking somewhere near, but the direction was a mystery.
The search was continued by John for over a quarter of an hour, when a shot rang out in the direction of the wagon, and as he turned to go back, was gratified to see the Professor several hundred feet away, waving to him, and together they started for the wagon.
When Ralph and Tom returned to the wagon and reported the situation, they were all in great excitement. They had no doubt but the savages would, sooner or later, discover the trail left by John and George, and this would lead to the wagon. In this they were not mistaken, for while it took some time to trace out the tracks made by them, they soon reached the wagon, and, in fact, entered the clearing before they had an idea they were so near the whites.
Harry showed himself above the top of the fort, and the savages, unused at the sight of such a spectacle, stood in amazement. He held up his hand, as several of the savages fitted arrows to their bows, as a signal not to fight, and they withdrew a short distance in consultation.
“If they only knew it, we could plug them without any difficulty at this distance,” remarked Harry. “What do you suppose they will attempt to do?”
“I only wish the Professor and John were here,” answered George.