an went out again, while Jake was standing watch, and an
hour later (it was then about two o'clock in the morning), he returned,
and roused Cummings, saying in his native tongue as he did so:

"Five miles from here is a smaller cave. The sentinels have just
finished searching it. They will be here in the morning. I have thought
we might slip past them, by exercising great caution, and it would be
just so much nearer the coast."

"Do you believe it should be done?" Cummings asked, as he sprang to his
feet.

"It can do no harm, providing we are not discovered during the march
through the forest, and we may possibly be able to throw them off the
scent."

"Then we will start at once. Under such desperate circumstances nothing
should be neglected which might be of benefit. How much food have we got
on hand?"

"All that will be needed. It is not difficult to procure provisions in
this forest."

It surely seemed as if they might better their condition very materially
by making this change, and, in view of all things, it was the proper
manoeuvre since by remaining there was no doubt the party would be
discovered, when a regular siege must necessarily be the result.

There was yet a considerable amount of the roasted tohs on hand. This
was wrapped in leaves with the remainder of the provisions, and all the
luggage made up in three packages, for it had been decided that the boys
should not be called upon to carry any burden.

"It may be that we shall be obliged to move quickly," Poyor said, "and
it is best they have nothing but their guns."

When everything was in readiness for the start the Indian went outside
once more to reconnoiter, and on his return the final preparations were
made.

He, Cummings and Jake fastened the bundles to their backs; Neal and
Teddy were cautioned to take plenty of cartridges from the general
store, and then, Poyor leading the way, they emerged from the cave.

CHAPTER XIX.

A CHANGE OF BASE.

Although the boys did not know the full extent of the danger, they could
understand something of the anxiety felt by both Cummings and Poyor when
the shelter of the cave had been left behind.

The latter moved with the utmost caution, taking half a dozen steps and
then stopping to listen; halting whenever the foliage rustled more than
he fancied was usual and otherwise acting as if believing the enemy had
completely surrounded them.

Under such circumstances the advance was necessarily