“White boy know any other way?” queried John Peep quickly.
“No; of course he doesn’t,” cried Chet. “We’re at our wits’ end. There is an awful mass of stuff fallen into the Silent Sue shaft. As much as has fallen into this old shaft up yonder,” and he pointed up the hill.
The Indian lad seemed to hesitate; but finally he turned and spoke directly to Chet again.
“You come. Tie horses there,” pointing to the woods. “I show you something. Be quick.”
He started off abruptly, going toward the forest. Of course, he could not travel very fast because of his lameness. Chet and Dig looked at each other in both surprise and doubt.
“What does he mean, d’you s’pose?” whispered Dig.
“I don’t know. But it won’t hurt to humour him,” returned his chum.
To tell the truth, Chet Havens felt hope suddenly aflame in his heart; yet why, he could not tell.
CHAPTER V—THE BEARS’ DEN
The lame Indian youth did not even look behind to see if he was followed. Digby Fordham was finally as much impressed as his chum. He jerked Hero’s reins out of Chet’s hand and led both mustangs into the shelter of the wood, where he tied them.