IN THE TOILS.
“Cling to the log, an’ push off!” whispered Scarred Eagle. “We must be
quick or all his lost!”
The party darted as silently as possible to their places, Rhodan
and Ben Mace at either end of the log. In a moment longer they were
drifting outward, swimming as fast as they were able. Moorooine and
Devine kept their glance behind, being hurriedly directed to give
notice when the Indians should come down to the water.
“Now--they most there,” said the girl, in a whisper.
All ceased their exertions, for it was impossible to proceed without
disturbing the water sufficient to attract attention. The most lively
apprehensions now filled their minds. Would the new-comers at once
discover their bound comrades? They were coming on in a line that
would bring them within half a dozen yards of the latter. But suddenly
pausing, they separated, two going to the right and two toward the left.
“S’archin’ for them that we took!” said Rhodan. “They think t’others
ar’ too long away. We kin begin to move ag’in.”
The log was again pushed forward slowly, in order not to attract the
notice of the new-comers. As these moved further away, the whites
renewed their speed, pushing out with all their strength. But a sudden
loud splashing came to their ears, and glancing back, they were able to
discover that one of the bound warriors had, by desperate exertions,
got his feet sufficiently loose to work around and strike them in
the water. The noise attracted the attention of the others, who were
already rushing back.
The men now put forth an almost superhuman strength, in their efforts
to push the log forward. They had no doubts their whereabouts would
soon be known, and a wide-spread alarm given. Full sixty yards were yet
between them and the opposite shore. All would depend on their reaching
it in time. They could hear a rush of feet around the east side of the
bluff; but as yet, no sounds of alarm came. What could this mean? Were
not the bound spies yet found?
Once, as Moorooine glanced behind, she fancied she saw a canoe rounding
the bluff. She hastily communicated her suspicions to the rest,
inciting them, if possible, to greater exertions.
Straining every muscle in the work, the little party soon landed on
the shore. Hastily securing their arms, they entered the dark woods.
Without expressing it, all wondered that so little commotion had been
heard from the bluff. Could it be possible that the Indians were not
yet aware that their prey had escaped? Before moving forward they
glanced back. To their dismay, they saw three or four canoes darting
toward them, spreading apart as they came on, and occasionally
displaying torches, which gave a clear view over the adjacent waters.
Nearly all of the little party comprehended the situation at the same
moment, and it caused a terrible reaction of disappointment. Not only
was their escape known, but it had probably been discovered before,
or about the time they had left the shore of the bluff. As far as
possible, the Indians had restrained all notes of alarm, and gone
to work silently, that their escaping victims might not know of the
pursuit.
No sooner had the lights been displayed, than the long-suppressed
shouts broke forth from river and forest. Nothing more was needed to
confirm the fact that the doomed whites were surrounded. The Indians on
the river had detected the floating log, and knew their victims were
within the circle. It was evident, the entire force of the village was
abroad, determined this time to prevent the possibility of their escape.
“Thar’s only one thing,” said Scarred Eagle, hurriedly, and yet coolly.
“The circle ’round us is a big one, an’ they won’t be in a hurry ’bout
closin’ it up, when daylight ’ll so soon show things plain. We must
separate. Some on us may git off, but I needn’t say it’s onsartin. Ah,
well, whatever’s the will o’ Providence we must give in tew. Come, boy,
an’ you tew, girl! We three ’ll keep together, be our fates good or
bad; ’cos I know it’s y’ur wish as it is mine. The rest kin go separate
ways, an’ each trust to his own gifts an’ a Higher Power!”
The trio moved silently away in the gloom, Brom tightly clasping the
hand of the Indian girl. He soon became convinced the others kept
together, and were following on a parallel course to their own, and a
few yards to their left. All commotion had now ceased, and the silence
was most thrilling. They had absolutely to feel their way, and knew not
when a lurking foe might spring upon them. Each one carried a hatchet
in one hand, and the deadly knife in the other. As they advanced down
the line of shore, an occasional ray of light was reflected from the
torches on the river. But at last these were no longer to be seen. No
doubt those in the canoes were posted at intervals a short distance
from the banks, listening for the movements of the fugitives.
Suddenly Rhodan paused, and turned to Brom and the girl.
“’Twon’t last much longer, boy,” he said. “Ef we don’t meet some o’ the
reds soon, daylight ’ll be upon us afore long at best. For myself it’s
no gr’et matter, ’cos, beyond the nat’rul desire to live, I’ve no gr’et
object to live _for_, ’cept the good o’ you an’ my brave girl here.”
As he spoke, they noticed he had laid down his trusty rifle, retaining
only his other weapons.
“An’ now,” he added, “I’m off toward the right, hyar. The minnit ye
hear a shout an’ a rush, you two put nor’-west. Mind to bear a trifle
toward the village at first, an’ then keep on to y’ur left, ’cordin’ as
ye judge the way is clear. Ye _may_ git off!”
He grasped a hand of each, and then attempted to turn, but they clung
to his hard hands.
“No, Rhodan!” said Brom, hoarsely. “’Twon’t work. You’d go to sartin
death, an’ ye know it. An’ to save us! No--stay; you kin help this girl
out _alone_, better’n I could. She’s ’s dear ter me as life, an’ she
shell be saved. I’ll go an’ bein’ younger--”
“No--me go too, den!” said Moorooine. “Hark! Warriors not far that
way now. You shall no die for me. Do no good if did. We better die
together. See--thar one come!”
Before another word could be passed, a figure loomed up beside them,
and the voice of Mace whispered:
“Come out here, Scarred Eagle. Goodbrand has stole down toward the
bank, where the lights last showed a canoe.”
“Ay, I know what the Miami wants to ondertake; but too _many_ mustn’t
try it, even ef thar’s an atom uv a chance. I don’t say thar ain’t. Go
back with Mace then, you two,” he added, addressing Brom and the Indian
maiden. “What I hev spoke of ’ll be of advantage to ye even in that
case.”
“What, Rhodan?”
“I’m goin’ ter stir up the devils that ar’ hoverin’ out here,” said the
other, as he stripped his wet hunting-frock. “Go on with ’im, Brom, an’
the girl too.”
“But, Rhodan--”
“Don’t waste time,” he interrupted. “I’m detarmined on this, ’cos it’s
for your good, an’ the hull on us.”
“Then I’ll go in for the same stretegy,” said Mace. “Go quick, Brom.
Ye’ll find Revel an’ the Irishman jist back hyar. Goodbrand ’ll be back
in a minit, to lead ye to the water. I’ll creep lower down, an’ raise a
row at the right time. Am I right, Scarred Eagle?”
“Yes, go!” said the latter.
As he spoke, the three exchanged a hurried clasp. The next moment
Rhodan glided away in one direction, Mace in another. Brom, tenderly
clasping the hand of Moorooine, pressed toward the spot indicated by
Mace.
In a few moments he found Devine and Revel, who seemed to be expecting
them. Hastily communicating the plans of the others, the four at once
relapsed into silence as they waited for the return of Goodbrand.
The moments, so full of fearful suspense, seemed hours. The darkness,
meantime, seemed to deepen, as it often does just before daybreak.
Not the slightest sound yet broke the solemn stillness; yet they were
conscious that all around them foes were lurking, or crawling forward,
ready to pounce upon their victims.
They strained their eyes toward the dark line of water just visible
below them. Suddenly a light flashed out whose rays penetrated nearly
up to the little ascent upon which they stood. It was gone in a moment,
leaving a blacker darkness around.
But the light, though momentary as that of a lightning-flash, had
disclosed a canoe close up to the bank, in which were five warriors.
And the watchers were in time to notice that this canoe was below the
others, which were grouped one above another, to the south angle of the
bluff above.
It was evident, then, that the Indians supposed the fugitives were
hidden directly opposite them, and that, attempting to pass up, down,
or back, their capture would be inevitable. And should they, in sheer
desperation, take to the water, sharp eyes and ears were watching in
anticipation.
Nearly five minutes had now passed and still Goodbrand came not.
He must have just seen the light, giving him the very knowledge he
evidently sought. What was detaining him?
Brom leaned back, and without taking his eyes from the direction of the
river, whispered:
“Either Goodbrand is took, or has found some o’ the reds atween us an’
him. What d’ye say, Revel? I think we mout’s well be movin’ toward the
way Mace has gone!”
His only answer was a grip upon his arm, and a whisper in his very ear:
“Be careful an’ very ready! A warrior come--very close--behind us only
very little.”
Brom turned silently. Just behind him crouched Revel and Devine, whom
the keen-sensed Indian girl had similarly warned. She herself had
slowly leaned against a tree, and inclining his body toward her, Brom
sunk to foot and knee!
For half a minute the dread silence continued. Brom began to fear his
whisper had been heard beyond the ears of his companions. Ah! There
comes a movement--hardly perceptible is the sound, but still enough
to show that an enemy is almost beside them. A gesture from Moorooine
reveals the fact that a warrior is upon the opposite side of the tree!
It is a fearful moment, but prompt action is necessary. Brom
straightens up and leans forward with drawn knife. His intention is to
spring like lightning behind the tree and kill the warrior if possible
without giving the latter a chance to cry out.
“Waugh!” comes at this moment a whispered exclamation at the left,
quickly followed by a few cautious words in the Indian tongue. Turning
his head he saw another Indian, who stood so as to command a view of
both sides of the tree.
As a lightning suspicion flashed through Brom’s mind, the one behind
the tree moved aside toward the new-comer, uttering a few words as he
passed. The next moment a long, muscular arm clasped him from behind
and a hand was upon his throat. Then there followed a short, silent
struggle, and the warrior was pressed to the ground, stunned and
senseless from a heavy blow on his head!
“Now come quick!” whispered Goodbrand, excitedly. “If don’t, some come
’tween us an’ shore!”
Silently and in single file they followed him. They were within twenty
paces of the bank when there came to their ears the unmistakable sounds
of a struggle at some distance behind. As they dropped to the earth
a smothered groan rung out through the solemn depths, showing that
Scarred Eagle had encountered an enemy.
Instantly a light was seen flashing from the edge of the water
immediately in their front, and a rush was heard in the direction of
the sounds; then a shrill cry rung out below them, ending in a groan
that told of death. Several dark forms leaped past, immediately in
front of the fugitives, and became lost in the gloom!