." And he pointed to a group of
trees less than five hundred feet beyond. Progress with the team was
impossible, and all alighted. Leaving three of the warriors with the
team, the others ascended the slight elevation, and before them was the
mouth of the cavern.

The opening was not more than eight feet in height, and not over six
feet wide, with irregular sides. Arriving in front of it, John advanced
to Oroto, and said: "I am about to show you that the Great Spirit will
not injure me!" And saying so boldly marched in.

He remained for a full half hour, and the chief became uneasy. The boys,
as well as Uraso and Muro, affected not to be disturbed. What John did
was this: It was evident to him that the occupants of the cave had no
knowledge of the approach of the party.

They knew that the White Chief and the allies had captured the village
and the chiefs. They felt a certain sense of security in their home,
because in all the tribal warfares the medicine men and the wise men of
the tribes were regarded with fear and reverence.

When John entered the cave, he went in a sufficient distance to be
surrounded by total darkness. He remained concealed long enough so that
he could become accustomed to the darkness, and slowly moved toward the
interior, as he felt assured the occupants' presence would sooner or
later be revealed by their lights.

In this he was not mistaken, and he was surprised to find them much
nearer the entrance than he anticipated. It would be more impressive to
remain for some time than to emerge at once, so he sat down to observe
the wise men.

There was the most oppressive silence when he first observed the light,
but as he neared them, a more or less animated conversation took place.
Much of this was understood by John, as his knowledge of two of the
dialects gave him some key to the words uttered. From this it was
evident that they knew of the rescue of the captives.

The chief had told them of ten belonging to the order. John could count
only eight. Possibly two were in some other part of the cavern, and he
moved along at the opposite side of the large chamber to discover what
was beyond.

Brushing along the wall, a hanging stalactite was dislodged, and it
fell. The noise did not give even a momentary start to the company. John
was surprised. He stopped and reflected, and the reason soon became
plain. They supposed that it was caused by the absent ones returning.

But John waited and the tw