felt some
apprehension, when he saw the trapper on the point of leaving them at
such a dangerous time.

'Yes. Baldy, remember that my fate is wrapped up in yours,' added the
Yankee, whose sympathies were probably excited to a still greater
extent.

'Never mind about Baldy; he has been in such business too often not to
know how to take care of himself.'

'How long do you expect to begone?'' inquired Ethan.

'Mebbe all night, if thar ain't much danger. Ef I find the varments
ar' too thick I'll stay by yer, and if they ain't I'll leave fur
several hours. Leastways, whatever I do, you'll be sure to look out
for the skunks.'

With this parting admonition, the trapper withdrew.

In going out, he made his exit by the same entrance by which all had
come in. He proceeded with great caution, for none knew better than he
the danger of a single misstep. He succeeded, after considerable time,
in reaching a portion of the valley so shrouded in gloom that he was
able to advance without fear of discovery.

He thoroughly reconnoitered every part of the ravine in the immediate
vicinity of the cave, but could discover nothing of the Indians, and
he concluded that they were some distance away.

Having assured himself of this, the trapper cautiously ascended the
side of the ravine, until he reached the open prairie, when he lost no
time in leaving the dangerous place behind him.

He had no intention, however, of deserting his friends, but had simply
gone in quest of the steam man. He comprehended the difficulty under
which they all labored, so long as they were annoyed in this manner by
the constant attacks of the savages, and he had an idea that the
invention of the dwarfed Johnny Brainerd could be turned to a good
account in driving the miscreants away so thoroughly that they would
remain away for a long enough time for them to accomplish something in
the way of gathering the wealth lying all about them.

He recalled the direction which he had seen the puffing giant take,
and he bent his steps accordingly, with only a faint hope of meeting
him without searching the entire night for him. Baldy was shrewd
enough to reason that as the boy would wish some water for his engine,
he would remain in the immediate vicinity of the river until at least
that want could be supplied.

Acting on this supposition, he made his way to the river bank, and
followed so closely to the water that its moonlit surface was
constantly visible to him