“It’s getting late,” Dan said uneasily. “You know it took quite awhile to get to the cave.”
“And no one knows we’re here,” Brad agreed. “We’ll have to go. Right now.”
The Cubs were reluctant to leave Old Miquel alone, for he appeared in a half-dazed condition. They were certain that he needed not only food and better living quarters, but medical attention.
Nevertheless, it seemed hopeless to try to persuade him to leave with them. Their best bet, they thought, would be to go for assistance and return as quickly as they could.
The three Cubs tried to tell Miquel of their intention. It was obvious, however, that he did not comprehend.
They were ready to leave when Dan’s keen ears detected an unusual sound in the cavern.
Brad and Red already were aware of the sound at the entranceway to the cavern. They distinctly could hear splashing as if more than one person were wading along the passageway.
“Those Indians probably,” Brad whispered back. “They’ve found the entranceway! Now we’re in for it.”
Old Miquel also had heard the sound, for he listened attentively, though without undue interest. After a moment, he went on eating his meal with complete unconcern.
“The goof doesn’t even know he may be in danger,” Red muttered. “What are we going to do? Those guys may prove nasty.”
Brad was worried. Plainly the men were moving closer, for the splashing noises now could be heard distinctly. They knew one of the men had stumbled over a rock, for they heard him grunt as he picked himself up from the water.
The boys looked about for a hiding place.
Their only chance of avoiding detection was to step far back against the cave wall, away from the glare of the firelight.
To try to take Old Miquel with them was out of the question. Retreating, the three Cubs sought the innermost recess of the cave. Flattening themselves against the moist wall, they breathlessly waited.
Scarcely had Brad, Dan and Red taken refuge than two shadowy figures emerged through the tunnel.
Watching tensely from a niche in the limestone shelf, they saw Eagle Feather climb nimbly from the floor of the underground stream to the rim of the circular chamber.
He stood there silhouetted in the opening, the firelight flickering upon his fierce features. In his hand was a drawn knife.