“I’ll end the Modoc war in just one minute,” he continued, with stern resolution, still keeping his eye fastened upon the redoubtable Jack. “I mean business now. Let me pass your greasers.”
Without a word, Mouseh stepped aside, and waved his hand to his braves as he executed the action.
Just then a low rumbling noise fell upon the ears of all, and a minute later an explosion followed.
The chiefs looked into each others’ faces.
Gillem’s mortars were shelling the Lava-Beds!
“Go, white scout,” said Jack, eager to rid himself of the threatening pistol, and as eager to vacate the cave which might soon become untenable for them. “Take your pale girl; Mouseh did not intend to hurt her. He was just going to carry her away from the bloody work of the Modoc knife.”
Obedient to their chief’s command the Indians stepped aside, leaving an unobstructed path to the corridor.
Kit, with his precious burden, stepped forward.
He glanced pityingly at Evan Harris and Artena; but felt that he could not aid them.
He could save his daughter only, and she was dearer than all the world to him now—for he had no one else to love since the fiends had butchered his wife.