Part 15 (2/2)

”Do you hear it now?”

”Hark! let us listen.”

All stood motionless, and scarcely breathing. But nothing resembling the sounds described by their guide was noticed.

”It _does_ look as if I was mistaken,” said Worrell, brightening up. ”I hope I was.”

”It could be very well the other way,” said Ned Clinton. ”The Indians may have made a dozen calls to each other, but they were not likely to keep it up very long. A few signals would accomplish all they want.”

Nothing was to be gained by argument over the question, in which all was conjecture, and they moved on once more. It was not five minutes before their guide paused again, but it was only for a moment, and he said nothing. He acted as if he fancied he caught something suspicious, but seeing the whites with the appearance of attention, concluded he was mistaken, so long as nothing of the kind fell upon their ears. By that time the afternoon was well advanced, and the day was somewhat warmer than before.

None of the fugitives had gained a moment's sleep during the preceding night, while the exhaustion and privation of the past few days were so severe that they experienced the need of rest and food. Ned and Jo felt that the man could not do them a greater favor and kindness than to lead them into some retreat where they could recuperate in this respect,--sleep being needed more than anything else. Jo turned about while they were walking cautiously forward, and whispered to Ned immediately behind:

”Watch the route we take.”

Ned nodded his head to signify he understood him. At intervals they reached and crossed small s.p.a.ces of natural clearings, where Rosa and the youths scanned all the country that could be brought under their field of vision. In no instance were these very extensive, and the view resulted in nothing tangible as regarded the movements of their enemies.

Much of the ground which was pa.s.sed was rough and covered with stones.

Upon these they stepped so carefully that they left a trail which it would require the keenest eye of the Indian warrior to detect and follow.

CHAPTER XXV.

THE HIDING-PLACE.

Twenty minutes or more was consumed by Worrell, in conducting the fugitives to the hiding-place, where he promised they should be secure from all molestation from their enemies. In making this journey they walked slowly, often pausing to examine the ground pa.s.sed over, and to listen for those unfavorable signals which the straggling settler was sure he heard from the Iroquois. Thus it was that, in spite of the time consumed in making the expedition, they were really at no great distance from the starting point, and both Ned and Jo were confident that they could retrace their steps without difficulty.

”Here we are!”

As the guide uttered these words, he paused before a ma.s.s of boulders, or large stones, where there was an abundance of undergrowth, and the trees were so numerous that the view in all directions was almost cut off.

”I see we are here,” responded Ned. ”But what for?”

”Here is the hiding-place I told you about.”

”Where?”

All three were looking inquiringly around, but their eyes saw nothing that could explain why the man called this a place of concealment.

”Do you mean that we are to crouch behind some of these stones, just as you did behind the rock, when you found I was looking at you?” asked Ned Clinton, with a laugh.

”Not exactly. Wait and I'll show you.”

He walked forward a few steps further and turned to the right, approaching a large stone that looked heavy enough to require the strength of a Hercules to stir it. Nevertheless, with one hand he turned it aside, it being so nicely poised that there was no trouble in using it as a door on hinges. Drawn back, the astonished whites saw the entrance to a cave beyond. The indications were that, at some remote time, the stones had been placed in position by a party of aborigines of the country, and used by them as a retreat or dwelling.

”It is the very place,” said Rosa; ”for I have been inside.”

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