In this restless manner the day was spent, and when night came again Poyor ventured out once more.
By this time Cummings felt the necessity of gaining a little rest, and he proposed that Neal and Teddy take their turn at standing watch.
"It will not be so tedious if you remain here together," he said, "and we will give Jake a job later in the night."
It was really a relief to the boys to have something to occupy their time, and as they took his place at the entrance he lay down near at hand where they could awaken him without difficulty in case it should become necessary.
To repeat all the unimportant incidents of the night would be tedious. When Poyor returned from his first trip outside he built a fire near the stream, shielded the flame by a screen of boughs that the light might not be reflected from the entrance, and then, with the air of one who is accustomed to such work, set about catching "chickens" enough to make a hearty meal.
Dishing these up in clay he roasted them as before, and Cummings was awakened to share in the appetizing meal.
Then the Indian went out again, while Jake was standing watch, and an hour later (it was then about two o'clock in the morning), he returned, and roused Cummings, saying in his native tongue as he did so:
"Five miles from here is a smaller cave. The sentinels have just finished searching it. They will be here in the morning. I have thought we might slip past them, by exercising great caution, and it would be just so much nearer the coast."
"Do you believe it should be done?" Cummings asked, as he sprang to his feet.
"It can do no harm, providing we are not discovered during the march through the forest, and we may possibly be able to throw them off the scent."
"Then we will start at once. Under such desperate circumstances nothing should be neglected which might be of benefit. How much food have we got on hand?"
"All that will be needed. It is not difficult to procure provisions in this forest."
It surely seemed as if they might better their condition very materially by making this change, and, in view of all things, it was the proper manoeuvre since by remaining there was no doubt the party would be discovered, when a regular siege must necessarily be the result.