But he was borne far down-stream before he reached the opposite bank, and after dragging himself in the water, he lay exhausted upon the wet stones for several hours. Many times he caught the glimmer of torches that sought to reveal him to his foes; but their light did not penetrate the gloom that enveloped him, and so he escaped discovery.
He felt that his first shot had proved fatal, and congratulated himself that he had rid the world of one hateful excrescence—Baltimore Bob.
For in the person of the would-be assassin who bent over Cohoon, he recognized the white deserter; but was not aware that Rafe Todd and Baltimore Bob were identical.
Bob would have a motive for slaying the spies. No doubt he had penetrated their disguises, but could not convince Jack of their true character. Therefore he would slay them himself, and after the deed he would convince Mouseh that two spies had paid the penalty attached to such a venture as theirs.
“I’m not going back to camp till I see what has become of Artena,” muttered McKay, with determination. “I’m satisfied that the girl wouldn’t leave me of her own accord, and I don’t see how an Indian could take her off ’thout ’sturbin’ me. But I know what I can do. I can get out o’ this and hunt one o’ the boys up, and lead him back to Gillem with the news. I’ll do it.”
An examination of his revolvers proved that the waterproof cartridges had sustained their reputation in his battle with the waves; but he had been obliged to drop his carbine, in order to save his own life.
A great many tortuous windings brought him to daylight, but when his eyes greeted it, he paused and shook his head.
He dared not leave the lava-caves and search for his scouts during the day—so he accepted the situation and waited for darkness.
It came at last, and the captain of the scouts gained the outer crust of the lava beds, and inaugurated the search for his men. Even under the cover of darkness this service was extremely hazardous; but he possessed information which must be conveyed to the Union General before the next advance. At length the chief found one of his men, who was at once relieved from duty and dispatched to the camp with the important intelligence.
“I may await your return here, I may not,” he said to the messenger, before dismissing him. “Something might turn up to call me away, so, if you find me missing on your return, don’t be alarmed.”