itter
toward him as did Cummings, for it was not difficult to see what might
be the result of his foolish excursion.

In silence the little party waited until the Indian returned bringing
the carcass of a tapir, a small quantity of alligator pears, and two
so-called cabbages cut from palm trees.

"It is not difficult to get all the food that may be needed provided we
can keep the fact of our being here a secret," he said in a tone which
showed how greatly he was pleased by his success.

"And that we shall not be able to do many hours longer except by some
piece of rare good luck," Cummings said bitterly. "Jake went out a long
while ago, and is now, I presume, roaming around in order to give the
enemy an opportunity of looking at him."

"Went out?" the Indian repeated in surprise. "Do you mean that he has
left the cave?"

"That is exactly the size of it."

"Why did he do such a foolish thing?"

"Because he was too much of a baby or an idiot to stay in hiding until
the danger had passed. He claimed that exercise was necessary."

"He will get all he needs," Poyor said half to himself, as he allowed
the supply of provisions to fall unheeded from his hands. "We also must
leave this place."

"Do you mean that we should go at once?" Cummings asked as if he had
been expecting such a remark.

"When the night has come we will start, and with but little hope of
breaking through the line of sentinels."

"Are we not to wait for Jake?" Neal interrupted.

"If he does not return before we are ready there will be little chance
of ever seeing him again," was the grim reply as Poyor paced to and fro,
evidently so disturbed that it was impossible for him to remain in one
position.

CHAPTER XXIII.

A HURRIED DEPARTURE.

Neal and Teddy were in a state of the most painful suspense from the
moment Poyor returned until the time for their departure arrived.

The one hope was that Jake would succeed in finding his way back, for
the thought that he might be captured was terrible, and they sat near
the entrance listening intently to every sound.

"You're bound to be disappointed if you count on hearing him," Cummings
said bitterly.

"But there is a chance that the Indians are some distance from here,"
Teddy replied. "Poyor didn't find any until he reached the line of
sentinels."

"I am not saying that he is necessarily captured yet; but it would be
little short of a miracle if he found his way back after going any