"That settles the matter, then; we must get out of this place within thenext two hours, and be well on our way toward the Delaware by daylight.We can't venture up the path, and, therefore--hello! What's that?"
In taking a backward step at that moment, Fred placed his foot directlyon the stomach of Habakkuk McEwen, who lay flat on his back, soundasleep.
The New Englander emitted a groan, and sprang to his feet.
Several minutes passed before everything was understood.
Fred apologized, and shook hands with him, as well as he could in thegloom, and Habakkuk then became a listener to the all-importantconference that followed.
Fred, in making his reconnoissance, had discovered that Jake Golcher wasthe leader of the Indians.
The coolness with which Fred Godfrey discussed the situation had theeffect of inspiring his friends with something of his courage.
He stood erect while talking, and Maggie leaned on one arm, while Eva,fully awake now, clung to the other side. Even Aunt Peggy relaxed fromher usual reserve, and only expressed displeasure when the young mansaid that he saw Golcher and failed to shoot the "scand'lous villain."
Habakkuk possessed sense enough to take no part in the conference,feeling that he had forfeited all consideration in such a matter.
"The moon is working around in the sky," said Mr. Brainerd, "so that Iam afraid we shall not have the shadow until morning."
"Consequently we must not wait; nothing is to be expected from Gimp, andwe may as well venture at once."
There could be no disputing this decision, and all waited for Fred tomake known his plan.
It was very simple, though of course attended with peril: he proposedthat the grape-vine which had served him so well should now be used toassist each to the bottom of the ravine, where, in the deep shadow thatprevailed, they would do their utmost to steal out into the open wood,and so pass over the mountain.
It seemed impossible to do this without detection from the Indians, whowere besieging the fugitives, but desperate as was the risk, no onehesitated. In fact, Habakkuk McEwen proposed that he should go first.
"I can look around and see whether everything is all right; and if itisn't, I'll let you know, and you needn't come."
"Instead of being the first, you'll be the last," said Mr. Brainerd,curtly.
Habakkuk thought it not worth while to argue the matter, and he repliednot to the severe stricture of the elder.
Fred Godfrey now ventured to the mouth of the cavern, where the vine wasstill dangling, the lower end being invisible in the darkness below.
From the platform in front of the cavern to the bottom of the ravine wassomething like twenty feet--not a very great distance, but too greatfor any one to let himself drop to the flinty floor below.
"The end of the support reaches half-way," said Fred, "and each mustfall the remaining distance. If we are all careful, no harm will bedone."
"Is it securely fastened above?"
"It would not have sustained me were it not. There is one thing thatmust be borne in mind," added Fred, speaking to all, "and that is, thatno matter what happens, no noise must be made. The least exclamationwill be heard by the Indians, some of whom are probably still at theupper end of the path, and if they suspect what is going on, failure iscertain."
All were so desirous of leaving the place without delay that thedirections of Fred seemed almost superfluous.
When the young man was about to lower himself by the vine, Brainerdtouched his arm and said:
"My recollection of that ravine below is that there is no way out of it;why not, therefore, climb upward instead of going down?"
"It won't do; the only ones in this party beside myself who could reachthe top in that fashion are Maggie and Eva. With your age, you couldn'tdraw yourself half-way up, even with help."
As silently as a shadow, the young patriot drew in the crooked vinewhich still dangled in front of the opening, and, flinging his gun backof his shoulder, where it was held in place, he grasped the support. Thenext minute those standing in the gloom behind him observed the darkfigure, with legs drawn up, slowly descending, as if he were going downa well.
CHAPTER XXVI.
The suspense was painful; not a whisper was exchanged, and the ear wasstrained to catch the sounds which they dreaded, and yet which seemedcertain to come.
Even the youngest of the party could not understand why it was some ofthe Senecas could be so near, and fail to detect them.
Mr. Brainerd leaned forward, and peering down into the dense shadow,fancied he saw the crouching figure going lower and lower, until the endof his support was reached.
The father was holding the vine, as if to steady it, when it suddenlyjarred in his hand, and seemed to draw up as though relieved of a heavyweight.
Such was the fact; just the faintest possible thump reaching his ear atthat moment: manifestly, it was caused by the feet of Fred Godfrey as hedropped lightly to the bottom.
A soft and barely audible "_st, st!_" followed, and told the truth thatone of the little company at least had made the descent in safety.
The understanding was that Mr. Brainerd should be the next. He hadalready secured his gun to his back, so as to leave his arms free, andhe now wrapped his legs about the sinuous support and gripped it tightlywith his hands, saying not a word to his friends as he began sinking outof sight.
His descent was a different matter from that of his predecessor. He wasnot so strong and active, while his body was more bulky; in fact, FredGodfrey, as he looked anxiously upward through the shadows, wasoppressed by the misgiving that the vine would give way under theadditional weight, and bring woful disaster.
But his father did better than was anticipated, even by himself. Heblistered his fingers, and wrenched his muscles, but he went downwardsteadily, and without any break or noise, until he found the end of thevine in his grasp.
"It's only a short distance," whispered Fred, who was able to touch hishand; "let go."
The elder did as directed, and the next second stood erect beside hisson, only slightly jarred by his leap.
"I'm relieved beyond expression," said Fred; "I knew the hardest taskwould be for you to get down."
"I don't know why you should think so," said Mr. Brainerd, halfjocularly, "when you knew my strength and activity."
"But you are the heaviest, and I feared your weight would break thevine."
"And having sustained me it is good for the rest."
"Undoubtedly it is; _st, st!_"
The signal was understood by Aunt Peggy, who, a minute later, came downthe vine with very little effort.
Eva was next, and but for the danger, it would have been rare sport toslide down such a frail support in that fashion, and, under similarconditions, Maggie would have found it equally jolly.
As it was, Mr. Brainerd and his family let themselves to the bottom ofthe ravine with much less difficulty and trouble than was feared.
Only Habakkuk McEwen remained above.
"There's no use waiting for him," said Aunt Peggy, in an undertone;"he's no help to us."
"It would be cruel to leave him there," interposed Maggie.
"Of course _you'd_ object," snapped the vinegary Aunt Peggy; "he is asworthless as Jake Golcher himself."
"Keep quiet," interposed Mr. Brainerd; "there's too much talking here."
"You are correct," added Fred; "all this is out of order--there comesthe fellow now."
The words spoken had been in whispers, but they were not needed, andnothing now was heard but the scraping of Habakkuk's legs against thevine which he was descending.
The attenuated limbs were becoming dimly visible, when the New Englanderseemed to become tired, for he uttered an aspiration now and then asthough seeking to hold his breath.
Fred shuddered, for a listening Indian can hear such a noise a long wayon a still night.
"Keep quiet," commanded Fred, forced to speak dangerously loud; "holdyour breath."
McEwen tried to obey
, but the explosion, when it came, was worse thanbefore.
"He is either a fool, or is seeking to betray us into the hands of theIndians," muttered the indignant youth, speaking hot words, that meantmore than he intended.
The next minute Habakkuk reached the limit of the vine, and let go, withthe purpose of dropping to the ground; but, as if fate was determined tointerfere, he caught his trousers, and was instantly inverted, his headhanging downward, while his feet pointed toward the stars.
CHAPTER XXVII.
"Great Caesar!" exclaimed the terrified McEwen, as he began swinging backand forth, head downward, like a huge pendulum; "won't somebody set meright side up?"
"Not another word," whispered Fred, catching him by the shoulders andjerking him loose, "or I'll dash you head-first on the rocks."
With some difficulty, the troublesome New Englander was placed on hisfeet, and finally the whole party stood erect at the bottom of theravine, unharmed and hopeful.
"If we are captured, it will be due to the presence of a natural-bornidiot with us," said Fred; "listen!"
It seemed at that moment as if a dozen owls were calling to each otherfrom different points in the woods. One or two sounds came from therocks overhead, near where the path terminated its ascent, and must havebeen uttered by those who were seen there by Godfrey a short timebefore.
"They have discovered us," he added, "and it is now do or die."
Not another word was spoken, and the youth led the way along the ravinewithout any definite idea of where he was going, or whether there wasany chance of escaping what might be the very trap into which theirenemies were seeking to lure them.
The ground was rough and stony, and they scrambled forward like a partyof mountain tourists in a great hurry.
Fred Godfrey maintained his place at the head, Maggie and Eva closebehind, while Aunt Peggy, Mr. Brainerd, and Habakkuk McEwen followed.
When they had gone less then a hundred yards, all were relieved byfinding they were steadily rising.
If this peculiarity continued, they must soon reach the level groundabove, and, in the darkness, would be able to go a good distance beforemorning.
But it was almost idle to hope, for the thought was scarcely in theirminds when the whole party were brought to a standstill by comingsquarely against the solid wall.
"Is this the end of the path?" asked Brainerd, observing the dilemmathat checked them.
"I hope not--but let's look. Those signals going back and forth acrossthe valley refer to us. I believe the whole Indian force know what wehave done, and are arranging to capture us."
The probabilities pointed that way, and, when several minutes' hurriedsearch failed to find an outlet to the ravine, which now narrowed untilthe two sides met, something akin to despair took possession of thefugitives.
"It's my belief," ventured McEwen, "that the best thing we can do is toopen negotiations with the Senecas, with a view of obtaining honorableterms. What are your views, Mr. Brainerd?"
"That the best thing for you to do is to hold your peace."
"Such is my own theory," added Fred, who had no patience with thefellow. "Hello!"
As he spoke he made an upward leap, and catching the slight projectingledge of rock, to the amazement of the others, drew himself up andsecured stable footing. A few seconds were spent in a hasty survey, whenhe dropped nimbly beside them again.
"I think there is a way out," he whispered; "but we can't climb up therealone--that is, all of us: we have got to have help."
"And that cannot be obtained."
"Yes, it can; the grape-vine is just the thing; I can fasten one end ofthat above, and then assist every one to the top."
"But it will be too dangerous for you to go back--"
"Wait right where you are," broke in Fred; "don't move or make anynoise; I won't be gone long."
And before any more objection could be made he vanished in the shadow.
Standing thus, with all their senses on the alert, they heard soundsthat were anything but reassuring.
The notes of the whip-poor-will and the dismal hooting of owls came fromdifferent portions of the wood. Whether or not the Indians knewprecisely what the fugitives had done, they were unquestionably awarethat something unusual was going on.
A minute's reflection could not fail to show to all their haplesssituation. It may be said they were literally walled in, with theirenemies perched on the rocks on every hand, able to hold them there aslong as they chose.
However, no one was disposed to give up effort while any grounds formaking such effort was open.
As there was no saying how long the fugitives would be forced to waitfor the return of the lieutenant, they sat down on the rocky seats,taking care that they kept in the dense shadow that had served them sowell.
Eva nestled by her father, and had placed her hand in his, and was inthe act of asking a question, when the sharp report of a rifle was heardabove their heads, and only a short distance off.
The instant thought was, that Fred Godfrey had either shot some one, orhad been fired at himself.
But Mr. Brainerd was sure that the report came from the pile of rocksthat commanded the cavern just vacated by them. This was a vast relief,but all shuddered to think what the results would have been had theweapon been discharged only a few minutes before.
With the bullet sent from such a point, it could not have failed to doexecution, for it will be recalled that the fugitives, while preparingto start, were exposed to any bullet that might be sent into theopening.
The supposition was, that though the red men could not see any of thewhites on account of the deep shadow to which we have referred more thanonce, they knew the location of the cavern itself sufficiently well tofire directly into it.
It will be seen, as a consequence, that such a shot, sent fifteenminutes earlier, must have caused the death of one, at least, of thecompany.
But, after all, would it have been anything more than anticipating by afew hours their certain fate?
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Meanwhile, Fred Godfrey was making the most of his opportunities, andthe grass did not grow under his feet.
The distance passed over by himself and friends was so slight, that hewas back beneath the cavern within a couple of minutes after biddingthem such a hasty good-bye.
No one could have been more alive to the situation than he, who halteddirectly under the place that had sheltered him and his friends for abrief while, and looked and listened.
"Can it be that they really know nothing of our flight?" he askedhimself. "It seems impossible that, after following us and guarding theapproaches so closely, such can be the truth."
So it appeared, indeed, and Fred was not without a pang of apprehensionthat Jake Golcher and his Indians were playing a game, in which theywere sure to win.
But it was too late to speculate now, and pausing only a moment, heleaped forward, caught the end of the vine and climbed it hand overhand. His activity and strength enabled him to ascend like a sailor, anda moment later he stood within the cavern that he had left but a shorttime before.
Nothing was to be gained there, and grasping the support he went onupward.
Such a method of ascent is exhausting, and he was tired, when, at last,he stood on the level ground above.
As circumstances forbade the use of the vine by which he had come up,and by which he must descend again, he began hunting as best he couldfor another, which he speedily found. This was carefully cut andtrimmed, and then he dropped it over the ravine, and in the stillness heplainly heard the rustling as it struck the bottom.
While thus engaged, the rifle was fired from the rocks across the gorge,Fred seeing the flash, so that he knew the point it came from. At firsthe was sure he was the target, but concluded that such was not the case.
Filled with misgivings, he crept a few steps in the direction of thehead of the path that came up from below, and listened. He was afraid togo any closer, but he was as certain as if he saw them, that
several ofthe Indians were clustered there, awaiting the occurrence of someexpected event.
"There's some mystery in this business that I fail to grasp," addedFred, as he caught the sound of guns and the faint whoops of the Indiansand Tories on the other side the river. "It is possible that most ofthem have withdrawn, unwilling to linger when there are so many victimsawaiting them in other places, but I can hardly believe it, since JakeGolcher leads them."
Moved by an anxiety that forbade him to keep still, he once more swunghimself from the rocks, supported by the thick, strong vine that hadserved them all so well, and it required only a brief time to reach thebottom.
Everything, so far as he could judge, was in proper form, and hehastened up the ravine, rejoining his friends, who naturally were in afever of anxiety over what seemed his prolonged absence.
"Now that you have got the vine," said his father, "I have been puzzlingmyself ever since you left, to understand how you are going to use it."
"It doubtless strikes you as absurd as the idea of using the one bywhich I had to climb up the rocks and come down again, but I am hopefulthere is a way."
"I shall be glad to learn it."
"But that shot--who fired it?"
"One of the Indians, I presume."
"Was it not aimed at you?"
"I think not; but, if it was, you see it missed me, so it is a questionto which we need give no thought."
All drew a breath of relief when Fred made known that no trouble hadbeen experienced from the red men, who were believed to be in theimmediate vicinity of the upper end of the path.