Part 37 (1/2)

A figure was dimly seen in a small, moonlit s.p.a.ce in front, advancing upon him in a crouching posture. Fred fastened his eyes on the shadowy outlines, and he grasped his gun with both hands.

Just then the half-bent man straightened up, and, with a relief that was delightful, Fred recognized the form of Gravity Gimp, who had been hunting and signaling so industriously for the last fifteen minutes.

CHAPTER XLVII.

Lieutenant G.o.dfrey and Gravity Gimp shook hands warmly, for they were overjoyed to meet in this manner, after their enforced parting a brief while before.

”It's a wonder that your signaling did not bring some of the Senecas to you,” said the young officer.

”Dat's jist what it done.”

”And how did you manage it?”

”When dey come I left, and I took such a path dat if dey tried to foller, dey run agin de trees, or fell ober de rocks and broke dar necks.”

”Well, Gravity, you heard my gun, and I'll tell you how it was.”

Thereupon the lieutenant gave the particulars of the taking off of the vengeful warrior known as Black Turtle, the Seneca, the African listening, meanwhile, with open mouth and staring eyes.

”Dat's wery cheerin',” said he. ”Some ob dem Senekers am so stupid dat you've got to knock dere heads off afore dey knows anything; but, leftenant, I's got 'portant news to tell you.”

”What is it?”

”Dar's somebody out in de woods dat ain't Injuns.”

”Explain what you mean?” said G.o.dfrey, with a thrill of hope.

”Afore you fired dat gun, and when eberyting was still, I heerd somebody talking out dare; dey kind ob whistled, like I's been doing, den I heerd whispers, and den de sound ob feet.”

This was stirring news, indeed, to Fred. If it so proved that these strangers were white men, he might be able to rally them to the attack of Golcher and his Indian allies.

But, alas! if they should prove to be that portion of the band which withdrew a short time previous, their presence would settle forever all prospects of a rescue.

”How far off are they?” he asked.

”Only a short distance; foller me.”

”Don't forget, Gravity,” said the lieutenant, as he started with him, ”that we're likely to run afoul of some of the Senecas, who are out hunting for me.”

”I understand dat.”

A few minutes later the African came to a stop, and said, in a husky undertone:

”Dis am de spot.”

It was hard to imagine how the servant could identify it, for it was in the shadow of the trees, though a small, natural clearing was in sight, that itself being the guiding landmark.

But nothing was seen or heard that could justify the declaration of Gravity, who stood intently listening.