The eye of Kit South followed him, and again the hammer of his trusty gun was gently pulled back.
“It may be my last chance,” he murmured, and the butt of the weapon struck his shoulder.
Cohoon did not see the movement; his fiery eye was regarding the scenes below.
All at once Captain Jack stooped, and Kit South heard him say:
“Too much for White Rose to see. Mouseh take her away.”
As he spoke, the Modoc lifted a girl from the semi-darkened portion of the cavern, and Kit lowered his gun, with a cry of surprise—a cry that startled the savages directly below them.
“’Reesa, by heavens!” he cried. “I never dreamed that that brown heap over yonder was my daughter. ’Reesa—Jack—Jack, drop my gal!”
Cohoon turned upon the scout with rising indignation, and reached forth to prevent the action which he saw was about to be performed.
But he was too late, for, rifle in hand, Kit South had leaped into the cave, and was bounding toward the Modoc chief!
“Give me ’Reesa!” he cried, and the next moment, before Captain Jack could comprehend the situation, the mad scout had snatched his child from his arms, and flung him to the ground!