The youth sat in the tree-top for an hour before he stirred a limb. Then upon the dead breast he made the cross which the Jesuits had preached to his Indian brethren, and slowly descended.
The hand, with its treasure, reposed in his medicine-bag, and he assured himself of its safety many times as he hurried from the ghastly tree.
* * * * * * *
The White Tiger was not knocked wholly insensible in the cave by Mossuit; but he perfectly simulated insensibility, while the savage ran with him through the forest.
Soon, however, the chief encountered the same band which had disposed of Doc Cromer, and the youth, apparently still unconscious, was left under the charge of two warriors while Mossuit returned to the cave with the remainder of the new band.
The boy heard their steps die away in the distance, and in silence nerved himself for a hazardous task. On account of his seeming unconsciousness he was not securely bound, and at an hour when the two guards, seated on the ground, thought not of an attack, he sprung erect and felled one with a club which fortunately lay at his hand.
The second savage rose, but was met with his comrade’s gun, which crushed his head and placed him forever hors de combat. Then two scalps were torn away, and the double cross of the White Tiger marred the foreheads of the fallen braves.
“Now for the cave,” murmured the victor. “The red fellows shall pay dearly for this night’s work.”
He saw the flash of the four Indian guns on the cliff, heard the battle between his friends and the savages in the mouth of the cave, but knew that he could not help them.
He saw Mossuit emerge with his captives, and followed the band, though at a respectful distance.