RTURE--A LONG TRAIL--ON THE TRAMP--THE
STRANGEST REFUGE IN THE WORLD--A BRIDGE OF
RISKS.

Desmond crawled forward beyond the rent where Creedon had lodged, and he
found the space much wider as he progressed, and soon gained the opening
where the rent terminated in which Brooks had lain all night. Desmond
glanced in, and, lo, Brooks was inside awake, and had already discovered
the presence of the Indians, and so far they were all right.

"Have you been able to notify Creedon?" asked Brooks.

"Yes."

"What does he say?"

"He bade me arouse you."

"I discovered the rascals as soon as I awoke."

"All right; lay low and I will learn what Creedon advises."

Desmond crawled back and said:

"Brooks is awake and wants to know what we shall do."

"There is only one thing to do: we will lay low, and if the rascals do
not discover us all right; if they do discover us it will be bad for
them and all right with us again, that's all. And now you and Brooks
just keep out of sight and let me run the show."

Word was passed to Brooks, and Desmond with the tramp lay low. As it
proved there was not much of a show to run, as the Indians moved away
after a little, but Creedon did not permit his friends to go forth. He
said:

"You can never tell about these redskins; they might suspect we are
around, and their going away may be a little trick; they are up to these
tricks."

Hours passed, and Creedon still kept his friends in hiding, and it was
near evening when he stole forth, saying he would take an observation.
After a little he returned and said:

"It's all right; come out."

Creedon said he had discovered evidence that the redskins had really
gone away.

"Why couldn't you have found that out sooner?"

The woodsman laughed and said:

"They might have found me out then; as it was, according to the tales
you and Brooks tell, I took a desperate chance."

"Shall we get to work and have a meal?"

"Not much, young man, you will have to control your appetite for awhile.
Remember, I am captain of this squadron. I'll lead you to a place,
however, where we can build a fire and camp and eat without fear. I am
posted around here; I know the safe places."

The party started on the march, and Desmond felt quite irritated; he had
gone nearly twenty-four hours without eating, and he said:

"I am ready to even fight for a meal."

Creedon laughed and said in reply:

"You may have a stomach full of fighting yet before we fi