resting on our
arms, we set out; the influence of the tempest, as before, prevented the
sound of our footsteps reaching our enemies. At length we reached the
mouth of the cavern, the position of which I well knew. Thick bushes
grew in front of it, so that no strangers were likely to find us, but in
case any of the enemy might pass by, I led my companions higher up the
hill and then down close to the rock inside of the shrubs. Here we
might be secure, though our enemies would not fail to search for us.
There was but one way to draw them off the scent; I undertook to adopt
it. I would get to a distance and let them see me, when they would to a
certainty follow in my trail. Being fleet of foot, I knew that I could
keep ahead of them. I waited till nearly daylight, when I knew they
would discover the escape of their prisoners.

"Then descending the hill, I took my post at a distance from the cavern,
where I could be seen by the Monacans as they issued forth. I was soon
seen as I knew by their gestures, and uttering a loud shout and waving
my gun over my head, I darted off. Being fast of foot, I knew that they
could not overtake me; and they probably thought that my object was to
lead them into an ambush of the palefaces, for in a short time their
cries no longer resounded through the forest, and I felt confident that
they had turned back. I was even now on my way to the fort to obtain
assistance, but if you will accompany me much time will be saved and we
may the sooner reach your friends."

The meaning of this address being fully understood, Captain Layton at
once agreed to Miantomah's proposal. Notwithstanding the long run he
had had, he did not beg for a moment's rest, but led the way at a speed
which taxed the strength of all the party. Gilbert especially was
anxious to go to the rescue of his brother and Roger, for
notwithstanding the assurances of the Indian, he could not help fearing
that they were in the most perilous position. Should the Monacans
discover them, they would in all probability instantly put them to
death.

"They know what they are about," observed Fenton, "and depend upon it
they will not allow themselves to be taken."

"Had they their arms they might defend themselves," observed Gilbert,
"but of those the Indians are sure to have deprived them."

They asked Miantomah: he laughed. "I forgot to say that I secured both
their weapons as well as their powder-flasks, and should their
amm