Part 14 (1/2)
While he listened an answer came to his call--the low, sharp signal of the Wolves!
”That's Jimmie!” Ned muttered. ”He's in some of the holes just outside this room.”
”Where are you?” he asked, and the answer came with a giggle.
”We're packed away like sardines! Come get us out! We're only tied with ropes, but the ropes know their business! Here! To the right of the fire!”
Ned soon found that the wall at the point indicated was of plank, like the door, painted and sanded to imitate rock. He had no difficulty in finding the opening, and in a short time the boys were relieved of their bonds. Ned opened his eyes wide at sight of Dode, the fourth boy, and of Oliver, who had been left at the camp.
”What's the shooting outside?” asked Jimmie, stretching his arms, cramped from long confinement. ”Who's out there with Uncle Ike? Say, but I was glad to hear the gentle voice of that wicked old mule!”
”And now,” Teddy observed, ”how about getting out of this? I'm hungry.”
”If Frank keeps that racket going,” Ned answered, motioning the group toward the door by which he had entered, ”we may be able to get out without being seen. You can tell me how you got caged later on. Now we'll try the door.”
”Wait!” whispered Jimmie.
”Wait!” said Dode.
Ned turned and faced both boys with enquiring eyes.
”Why wait?” he asked.
”I want my gun!” Jimmie replied. ”They searched us and put the plunder in that alcove in the rock on the other side of the fire.
We'll need the guns, I take it.”
The three boys, Jimmie, Teddy, and Oliver, made a quick rush for the alcove and soon came back with their guns and electrics. The firing outside was again farther away, and the chances for getting out without being attacked appeared to be good.
”What is it?” Ned asked Dode, as he pulled at his sleeve.
”There's another door,” the lad explained. ”It opens on the slope on the west side of the ridge we are under. We can go that way without being seen.”
”That's just the thing!” Jimmie exclaimed. ”We can get out and join Frank in the mess outside! Then I reckon we'll put the skids under the outlaws!”
Dode led the way to the opening indicated, pa.s.sed, with the others at his heels, through a long pa.s.sage, and finally came to a plank door which was securely fastened on the inside. From this position the racket outside became only a hum.
The boy unfastened the door and swung it inside. Beyond lay the slope, and, beyond that, the valley and the distant mountains. The air of the night was sweet and clear after the close atmosphere of the underground room.
From the other side of the ridge, which was not very high, came shots and the vicious shrieks of a pestered mule! Ned turned to the south, from which direction the clamor came, and pa.s.sed as swiftly as possible along the slant of the elevation.
”Are you going to attack the outlaws from the rear?” asked Teddy. ”We are taking the wrong course if you want to go back to camp.”
”Huh!” Jimmie grunted, trudging along puffing at every breath, ”we've got to find Frank and Uncle Ike, I guess.”
When the party came to the end of the ridge under which the counterfeiters had been working, they faced the valley, some distance away, in which the cabin of Mary Brady stood. Through the moonlight they could just distinguish the crude stone chimney of the structure.
”Now, Ned,” Jimmie explained, ”if we turn up the slope here and do a little shooting when we reach a good elevation, the counterfeiters will think they are being attacked by a fresh party and duck back to the cave. Then Frank can come along with that blessed old mule. Did you ever hear a lop-eared old rascal of the mule tribe make such a racket? I wonder what Frank was doing to him?”
”I know!” Teddy broke in. ”He was tickling him with his heels. That makes Uncle Ike half crazy! There goes another yell! Fine old bird, is Uncle Ike!”
It was plain to the boys that the battle was quite a distance to the south and leading down into the valley, so they began the ascent of the rocky slope and continued up until they were all out of breath.