As he uttered the exclamation, the young scout tugged at his bonds; but across the cave he saw the wish which had lately leaped from his heart traced upon Nehonesto’s face.
While the Snake Queen waited for the return of consciousness to her great enemy, not a word was spoken.
Bob Somerville gazed into Kate Blount’s face, and in her eyes saw hope encircled by despair. Her dark orbs twinkled, too, with terrible determination.
What did it mean?
Why should the girl hope when not a ray illumined the cavern—when a speedy and horrible doom stared her in the face with all the grinning horror it could assume?
She was not bound; but the arm of her jailer encircled her waist, and his fingers griped her arm like the jaws of a vise.
She saw the wish for freedom with the determination that accompanied it in her lover’s eyes, and she seemed to be waiting for a certain moment.
Kate Blount was not the girl to submit tamely to doom. She resolved to make a desperate struggle for freedom, and a glance at Nehonesto and the scout told her that she would be ably seconded.
Their enemies numbered four—Coleola and three braves, and the trader’s daughter felt confident of overcoming them by a sudden attack. She waited for the right moment.
At last a groan escaped the Yellow Bloodhound’s lips, and he raised his head!