Wyoming Part 21

Even the youngest of the party could not understand why it was some of the 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 end of his support was reached.

The father was holding the vine, as if to steady it, when it suddenly jarred in his hand, and seemed to draw up as though relieved of a heavy weight.

Such was the fact; just the faintest possible thump reaching his ear at that moment: manifestly, it was caused by the feet of Fred G.o.dfrey as he dropped lightly to the bottom.

A soft and barely audible "_st, st!_" followed, and told the truth that one of the little company at least had made the descent in safety.

The understanding was that Mr. Brainerd should be the next. He had already secured his gun to his back, so as to leave his arms free, and he now wrapped his legs about the sinuous support and gripped it tightly with his hands, saying not a word to his friends as he began sinking out of sight.

His descent was a different matter from that of his predecessor. He was not so strong and active, while his body was more bulky; in fact, Fred G.o.dfrey, as he looked anxiously upward through the shadows, was oppressed by the misgiving that the vine would give way under the additional weight, and bring woful disaster.

But his father did better than was antic.i.p.ated, even by himself. He blistered his fingers, and wrenched his muscles, but he went downward steadily, and without any break or noise, until he found the end of the vine in his grasp.

"It's only a short distance," whispered Fred, who was able to touch his hand; "let go."

The elder did as directed, and the next second stood erect beside his son, only slightly jarred by his leap.

"I'm relieved beyond expression," said Fred; "I knew the hardest task would be for you to get down."

"I don't know why you should think so," said Mr. Brainerd, half jocularly, "when you knew my strength and activity."

"But you are the heaviest, and I feared your weight would break the vine."

"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 down the vine with very little effort.

Eva was next, and but for the danger, it would have been rare sport to slide down such a frail support in that fas.h.i.+on, and, under similar conditions, Maggie would have found it equally jolly.

As it was, Mr. Brainerd and his family let themselves to the bottom of the 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 as worthless 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 comes the fellow now."

The words spoken had been in whispers, but they were not needed, and nothing now was heard but the sc.r.a.ping of Habakkuk's legs against the vine which he was descending.

The attenuated limbs were becoming dimly visible, when the New Englander seemed to become tired, for he uttered an aspiration now and then as though seeking to hold his breath.

Fred shuddered, for a listening Indian can hear such a noise a long way on a still night.

"Keep quiet," commanded Fred, forced to speak dangerously loud; "hold your breath."

McEwen tried to obey, but the explosion, when it came, was worse than before.

"He is either a fool, or is seeking to betray us into the hands of the Indians," muttered the indignant youth, speaking hot words, that meant more than he intended.

The next minute Habakkuk reached the limit of the vine, and let go, with the purpose of dropping to the ground; but, as if fate was determined to interfere, he caught his trousers, and was instantly inverted, his head hanging downward, while his feet pointed toward the stars.

CHAPTER XXVII.

"Great Caesar!" exclaimed the terrified McEwen, as he began swinging back and forth, head downward, like a huge pendulum; "won't somebody set me right side up?"

"Not another word," whispered Fred, catching him by the shoulders and jerking him loose, "or I'll dash you head-first on the rocks."

With some difficulty, the troublesome New Englander was placed on his feet, and finally the whole party stood erect at the bottom of the ravine, unharmed and hopeful.

"If we are captured, it will be due to the presence of a natural-born idiot with us," said Fred; "listen!"

It seemed at that moment as if a dozen owls were calling to each other from different points in the woods. One or two sounds came from the rocks overhead, near where the path terminated its ascent, and must have been uttered by those who were seen there by G.o.dfrey a short time before.

"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 ravine without any definite idea of where he was going, or whether there was any chance of escaping what might be the very trap into which their enemies were seeking to lure them.

The ground was rough and stony, and they scrambled forward like a party of mountain tourists in a great hurry.

Fred G.o.dfrey maintained his place at the head, Maggie and Eva close behind, while Aunt Peggy, Mr. Brainerd, and Habakkuk McEwen followed.

When they had gone less then a hundred yards, all were relieved by finding they were steadily rising.

If this peculiarity continued, they must soon reach the level ground above, and, in the darkness, would be able to go a good distance before morning.

But it was almost idle to hope, for the thought was scarcely in their minds when the whole party were brought to a standstill by coming squarely against the solid wall.

"Is this the end of the path?" asked Brainerd, observing the dilemma that checked them.

"I hope not--but let's look. Those signals going back and forth across the valley refer to us. I believe the whole Indian force know what we have done, and are arranging to capture us."

The probabilities pointed that way, and, when several minutes' hurried search failed to find an outlet to the ravine, which now narrowed until the two sides met, something akin to despair took possession of the fugitives.

"It's my belief," ventured McEwen, "that the best thing we can do is to open negotiations with the Senecas, with a view of obtaining honorable terms. What are your views, Mr. Brainerd?"