Part 34 (1/2)

This was poor consolation for a fellow who hoped his friend might see some better way out of the difficulty, and Teddy settled back to watch for an opportunity to discharge his weapon with effect; but feeling that it was vain labor so far as the ultimate result was concerned.

During the forenoon, while every crevice in the rocks was running with water, Poyor filled the canteens, and when this work was done he insisted that Jake should continue to aid him in lowering the level behind the line of rocks; but the engineer was, to use his own words, ”completely played out,” and the necessary work was neglected until he could gain a certain amount of rest, which, under the circ.u.mstances, every other number of the party was willing to forego for a time.

CHAPTER XXVII.

AT BAY.

When the Indian had sc.r.a.ped the sand away to the solid rock, thereby deepening the enclosure at least twelve inches, he ceased work, and, seating himself by c.u.mmings' side, prepared to do his share of the watching.

By this time the a.s.sailants had become convinced that it was useless to expose themselves to the murderous fire which could not be returned with any possibility of injuring the white men, and they remained under cover.

”I believe we might sneak away from them,” Neal said, after looking fifteen or twenty minutes at the ledge beneath which the enemy had taken refuge, without seeing so much as a man's head. ”They think we will shoot them down, and might keep under cover while we were escaping.”

”Then you believe they do not know what we are about?” c.u.mmings asked grimly.

”How can it be possible if no one comes out to reconnoiter?”

”Look down the valley.”

Following with their eyes the direction of c.u.mmings' outstretched finger the boys saw a party of Indians far down the mountain side out of range, traveling rapidly in the opposite direction.

”They are running away!” Teddy cried gleefully. ”Our guns were too much for them.”

”Do you believe there are as many in that crowd as we saw coming up the mountain?”

Teddy gazed again, and this time the look of joy and relief faded from his face.

”No,” he replied slowly, ”only about half as many.”

”And the remainder are under the ledge ready to come out at the first good opportunity.”

”But what are those fellows doing?”

”Going out of range where every movement we make can be seen without risk of being shot at, and when the night comes they will circle around us.”

That this supposition was correct could be seen a few moments later when the party halted in full view, and disposed of themselves in such places as the bushes afforded any shade from the sun's hot rays.

”They are taking things mighty easy,” Neal said after a long pause, during which he watched the enemy intently.

”What is to prevent?” c.u.mmings replied. ”Time is of no especial object to them providing we can be captured finally, and just now we are situated very much like rats in a trap.”

”I wonder what would be the result if one of us should show himself?”

Teddy said musingly.

”You shall soon see. Poyor, walk a short distance up the mountain, and let the boys learn how well we are watched.”

The Indian did as he was requested, and had hardly left the fortification when those in the valley made a series of signals to the men above, and instantly c.u.mmings had another opportunity to empty his weapon at a living target as several men sprang out from beneath the ledge.