in
good working order, all save Cummings made a business of going to sleep.

The Indian did not give any one an opportunity of awakening him. At the
expiration of an hour, just as Cummings was thinking it time to call
Jake, he arose and peered cautiously out through the opening.

"Why did you get up so soon?" Cummings asked. "You need rest, and there
is nothing to prevent your sleeping until noon if you feel so disposed."

"There is much work to be done," he replied gravely. "When the sun rises
I must examine the trail to make sure it is not too plain."

"It will be another hour before daylight."

"By sitting here I shall be ready to go as soon as it is light."

"I do not think you are giving me the true reason," and Cummings ignited
a match that he might see the Indian's face.

"You must not do that," he said quickly, as he clasped his hand over the
tiny flame. "It is unwise so near the entrance."

"You believe then that we are in considerable danger?"

"We shall be until we are outside the Chan Santa Cruz country."

"That is not all you can say. I wish to know exactly your opinion of the
situation."

"You shall know; but it is not well to explain to the others. Our
enemies will find us I think, and we may be forced to fight to the end,
for they will not give up the chase until after many days."

"Do you think it would be unsafe to push on again now we have had rest
and food?"

"By this time the sentinels know what happened last night, and the
forest is full of enemies. A poisoned arrow can be sent in the daytime,
while he who shoots it remains concealed. Before noon we would all be
dead."

Cummings was silent for a moment, and then he asked in a low tone:

"How far do you think we are from the sea-shore?"

"The distance is not great; but the way so difficult that the journey
could not be ended in less than five days."

"Then it seems that we are in a tight place whatever course is pursued."

"We can fight longer here than where the trees conceal our foes," was
the grave reply, and then Poyor crept through the opening into the
gloomy forest where wild animals and wilder human beings lurked to
destroy.

After this conversation Cummings was in no mood for sleep, and he
refrained from awakening Jake.

Seated where he could hear the slightest sound from the outside, he
reflected upon all the dangers of the situation, and reproached himself
for having led the boys and the engineer into such peril.