The chief had turned to greet a young Indian who had just crossed the threshold of the wide corridor.
“Now listen,” said McKay, and the scouts poked their heads forward a degree.
“What brings Boston John to Mouseh?” questioned the Modoc chief, not relishing the disturbance.
“Rattlesnake says that the red star has climbed the horizon,” answered the trembling brave.
His words caused the chief to start, and a gold watch was drawn from his bosom.
“Ha! ’tis near day!” exclaimed Jack, returning to its place of concealment the memento of some butchered blue-coated boy. “Artena’s time has come!”
Then he glanced once more at the pictured gallows, motioned the boy away, and followed in his footsteps.
“He’ll guide us to Artena now,” said McKay, touching the border-man’s arm.
“And to ’Reesa, for where Artena is there will we find my child.”
“Yes, yes. We follow Jack now, though he leads us into the jaws of death. We can’t get around this cave and catch him on the other side; we must run through it.”