The two woman followed by Black Bill, terror stricken, joined the group.
This at least might be said of Hellena and the negro. The latter clinging to the skirts of the white maiden for protection, as a mortal in the midst of demons might be supposed to seek the protection of an Angel.
Captain Flint, now laying his hand violently on Lightfoot, said, "What does all this mean? do you expect to frighten me by your juggling tricks, you infernal squaw?" At these words he gave her a push that sent her staggering to the floor.
In a moment he saw his mistake, and went to her assistance (but she had risen before he reached her,) and endeavored to conciliate her with kind words and presents.
He took a gold chain from his pocket, and threw it about her neck, and drew a gold ring from his own finger and placed it upon hers.
These attentions she received in moody silence.
All this was done by Flint, not from any feelings of remorse for the injustice he had done the woman, but from a knowledge of how much he was in her power and how dangerous her enmity might be to him.
Finding that she was not disposed to listen to him, he turned from her muttering to himself:
"She'll come round all right by and by," and then addressing his men said:
"Boys, we must look into this matter; there's something about this cave we don't understand yet. There may be another one over it, or under it. We must examine."