Presently a wild cry pealed from the guard’s throat, and every Indian, roused from slumber, sprung instantly to their feet with drawn weapons! They rushed to the dusky sentinel, loudly demanding the cause of the startling cry; and he, appearing half-frightened to death slunk behind the Yellow Bloodhound, and pointed to the spot occupied by the captives.
One glance at the trio drew a wild yell from the Avengers, for they saw that Kate Blount was missing!
“Where is the she White Snake?” demanded the creole, fiercely, and he clutched the red guard’s throat, as though he would choke the life from his body.
“The wolf stole her while Ipigena leaned against the tree, and with closed eyes saw himself a boy again,” stammered the Indian.
Still clutching the Indian’s throat, the creole turned to the maddened crowd:
“The red dog has slept!” he said, “but we must not blame him. We have walked many miles through the forest, striking here and there the enemies of our race, and Ipigena must sleep, for he is weary. But, braves, the White Adder that stung Segowatha must not escape. Search the wood, for she is not far away. My eyes opened when the moon hung on yonder limb, and she was beside her father. Go, Avengers—Pontiac’s mad dogs—to the trail!”
An instant later the creole and Ipigena were alone.
“What does this mean?” asked Blount of his companions.
“It means simply that the most infernal deviltry is afoot,” answered the giant hunter. “I see through every bit of it now. That Injun who came an’ took Kate into the wood was nobody else but the Bloodhound, an’ that guard played sleepy to deceive us.”
“But why did he take Kate away from the midst of the band he rules?”