The Search for the Silver City Part 34

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.

"Now you have some slight idea of what the result would be if we should attempt to run away," he said while re-loading the gun.

"But what is to be gained by staying here if you are certain we shall be surrounded? Wouldn't it be better to have the fight out when it is possible to see what we are doing?"

"Yes, decidedly; but I prefer to wait longer. While there's life there's hope, and before sunset something may happen to give us the advantage."

Poyor came back leisurely, and as he re-entered the circle of rocks those in the valley settled down contentedly once more.

During this conversation Jake had been sleeping soundly; but now the sun shone full upon him, and the heat was so great that he was forced to change his position, saying as he did so:

"In a couple of hours more we shall be roasted to a turn."

"That isn't the worst that may befall us," c.u.mmings replied, evidently pleased at an opportunity to increase the engineer's fears.

"But it seems as if we might make a try for some game. I'm very nearly starved."

"You are at liberty to do as you please, because it is not possible to work us any further injury. According to your belief the Chan Santa Cruz Indians are such peaceable fellows that they might allow you to hunt in the valley awhile."

"What's the use of roughing into me now? I know I've made a fool of myself twice; but I'm in the same hole with the rest."

"That doesn't make our situation any the more bearable, and when we think how it was brought about it is only natural to feel sore. Even now you insist on taking rest when the others are working."

"But I traveled steadily for twenty-four hours, and haven't had half as much sleep as the remainder of the party."

"What about last night?"

Jake made no reply. He considered himself abused because c.u.mmings persisted in talking about what had been done, when he believed the matter should be dropped after the fault was acknowledged.

Another hour pa.s.sed. The sun was directly overhead, and the heat seemed excessive. There was no longer any shadow cast by the rocks, and the sand was so hot as to be painful to the touch.

"There is no reason why you boys should remain on guard," c.u.mmings finally said. "The Indians will not make a move before afternoon, and it is equally certain we shall not get a chance to shoot at those under the ledge."

"We may as well sit here, for no fellow could sleep in this oven," Teddy replied; but Poyor showed what might be done, by lying down near the front wall and closing his eyes.

At the end of two hours there was no further change in the condition of affairs. Poyor continued to sleep, the boys and c.u.mmings remained on guard, and Jake sat leaning his head against the rocks while the perspiration ran down his face in tiny streams.

Then, as on the previous evening, the clouds began to gather, and c.u.mmings said in a tone of satisfaction as he gazed toward the sky:

"There's evidently no danger that we shall suffer from thirst, for another storm is coming up, and while it lasts we may see some chance of giving those fellows the slip."

"But you didn't dare to travel last night when it was raining," Teddy said.

"Very true; but that was at a time when we were not positive the enemy were so near. Now they are close at our heels we shall be warranted in running many risks which, twenty-four hours ago, would have been most imprudent."

In a very short time the sun was hidden from view; a cooling wind blew across the mountain, and every member of the sad visaged party experienced a wonderful sense of relief.

Poyor arose to his feet like one refreshed, and Jake bestirred himself sufficiently to propose that he relieve Neal or Teddy a short while.