In the quiet of their secure retreat, Kate related her adventures with the terrible Snake Queen, and how in the darkness the old hag had been stricken down by some unknown hand, but which she now learned was that of Jules Bardue, who, with Big Moccasin, bore her away. She had then become unconscious, and knew no more until aroused by Doc Bell’s touch.
That the Snake Queen was dead Doc did not believe, but no time was given for further speculation, for Swamp Oak reported some one coming up-stream in a canoe. Doc was too amazed to speak, for in that canoe sat John Williamson! Had he not flung the wretch into the very midst of the savages, and how could he have escaped his doom?
No time was offered for questioning, for, discovering the opening in the hill, the haunted man, with almost a cry of gladness, turned the prow of his canoe into the opening and sprung ashore. The trio crouched back in the darkness, and John plunged down the corridor, as if to escape the light forever; and when the shades of night darkened the woods the three hastened from their cover to reach the cave where Blount had been left.
“Now fur yer father, gal,” said Bell, addressing Kate, as they gained the forest above the creek. “We’ll hurry up, fur I know ther old man ar’ anxious to see his gal, an’ she’s sorter anxious to see him, too.”
They traversed the forest at a rapid gait. Doc Bell knew the way, and he could trail as well beneath the stars as the sun.
A number of miles had been traversed, when several rifle-shots saluted their ears.
Doc Bell halted.
Crack! crack! crack!
“By my soul! there’s bloody work goin’ on at ther cave!” he cried, suddenly starting forward. “I heard Oll’s rifle jest then, an’ I b’lieve he’s got help; but who on airth kin it be? Hold out, old man, till we git to yer! Hold out, I say. Doc Bell’s comin’, an’ he’s worth er stone wall an’ ten cannon!”
The hunter ran at his utmost speed, and Kate Blount and Swamp Oak kept at his side. At length the yells of infuriated Indians made the night hideous, and drowned the crack of the death-dealing rifles.