“What does the white hunter mean?” questioned the savage in turn.
“Ye’ll see d’rectly, chief,” said Doc Bell; “they’re after us, but we’ll trap ’em. Back!”
He pushed the Indian into a natural niche in the wall of the corridor, and quickly followed him.
A minute later the mouth of the cavern was obscured by a black object, and they heard low voices.
“They are gone; curse the dogs!”
The voice was clothed in the deepest chagrin.
“But we will see!” returned another voice, which the hidden listeners at once recognized.
Then, once more, they saw the stars, but knew that a brace of human panthers were crawling down the corridor.
The third had been left to guard the orifice.
“We’ve got ’em now!” whispered Doc Bell to Nehonesto. “Ready?”