“I should reckon the red fiends did hunt for me,” replied the youth. “Day and night, since the massacre, I have had legions of dusky foes on my trail, but I have succeeded in eluding them, and when they least expected the White Tiger, he would leap upon them, and bury his teeth in their flesh.”
The half-breed uttered a low ejaculation of supreme satisfaction.
Now all conversation ceased, and presently Ahdeek found himself standing alone against a ragged wall. His companion had suddenly, noiselessly deserted him, and presently the whine of a panther’s cub saluted his ears.
“Nobody in castle,” muttered Ahdeek, starting forward, and when he had advanced several steps the flash of flints greeted his vision.
“The coast is clear, boy,” said the Destroyer, looking up from the fire he was kindling. “We’ll enjoy a rest now, and then we’ll see if we can’t find the ring, the ghost, and at the same time, pay the Indians for killing our trader friends.”
The half-breed threw himself before the blaze, and tenderly removed his hunting-coat.
“White Tiger look at shoulder now,” he said; “it beginning to hurt.”
But the boy did not reply. He was gazing at the opposite wall of the cavern, and slowly, and apparently without noticing Ahdeek, he drew a torch from the fire and rose to his feet.
Ahdeek regarded him, silenced by wonder, and afraid to move.
Once or twice the youth flourished the flambeau about his head, to brighten the blaze, and then approached the wall with rapid strides.