tretched five Indians--although at the moment he could not be positive
as to their number--their blankets over them and they seemingly sound
asleep.

He concluded that the best thing he could do was to leave that immediate
neighborhood as speedily as possible. He looked hurriedly around for the
best line of retreat. It was difficult to decide, and he was still
debating with himself when, as he glanced at the terrifying forms, he
fancied, or really saw, one of them move. Without further reflection he
darted a rod or two backward and shrunk in behind a breach in the rocks.

This was no hiding-place in case the Indians came along this path. He
could not conceal his body, as it was merely a niche such as would have
been made had this portion of the rocky wall been set back about a foot
from the rest. If the savages left the ravine by another direction there
was no cause for fear, but if they came this way he had good reason to
tremble.

He had scarcely ensconced himself in this place of refuge when from the
woods and rocks above him came the clear, echoing whistle of Howard
Lawrence. It startled him as if it were the whoop of this Indians so
close at hand. Of course he dare not reply to it, for it could only
precipitate his capture.

But he trembled more for the safety of his friends than himself. They
were advancing hurriedly in their search, without one suspicion of the
enemies so near them. Had he dared, to make a noise it would have have
been one of warning for Tim and Howard to hasten away ere it was too
late; but even that small comfort was denied him.

He peered cautiously out and saw that the Indians were awake, but
curiously enough appeared to pay no heed to the whistling, which to the
boy were uttered twenty times as often and as loud as there was any
need. One of the savages was stirring the fire with a stick, while the
others were looking stupidly on.

Drawing back his head, Elwood looked up among the rocks in the direction
of the signals for some sign of his friends. He was startled into a
suppressed exclamation by the sight of Tim O'Rooney's hat and face
passing along the path above him; but before he could catch his eye it
was gone and he saw it no more.

The whistling sound now gradually retreated until it sounded quite far
away, and Elwood began to feel more at ease, although not entirely so.
He wondered greatly that the suspicions of the Indians were not excited,
and that they did not hasten away a