suers gave any sign of leaving the
place, and then a peculiar sound as of a night bird calling to its mate,
caused them to start to their feet.

It was evidently a signal from another party of pursuers, for these men
answered it by a similar cry, and it was repeated several times by those
in the distance.

A moment later the Indians had started, and as they disappeared Neal
whispered to Teddy:

"I never realized before how much comfort there is in the ability to
move whenever a fellow feels so disposed."

"If I'd been obliged to keep still ten minutes longer I believe my legs
would have dropped off," Teddy replied with a sigh of relief.

There was no time to say anything more; Poyor had begun the advance, and
the little party moved slowly and silently through the gloomy forest
until the Indian halted in front of an opening slightly larger than the
one leading to the cave they had just left.

Jake did not wait to be told that the journey had come to an end; but at
once crawled through, followed by Cummings with the materials for making
a torch, and in a few moments the boys were also inside.

Poyor did not accompany them; he wanted to assure himself that they had
not been discovered, and proposed to stand guard among the trees until
this had been accomplished.

The cavern was not more than half as large as the one first visited; but
was formed of the same peculiar stone. Here also was a stream across one
corner, the bottom of which sloped gently up to the shore of fine white
sand, and, so far as could be ascertained, it did not afford a home for
disagreeable monsters in the shape of alligators.

There was plenty of evidence near the entrance to show that in addition
to searching the cave the Indians had made a long halt. Fragments of
totopostes were scattered around, and a small pile of fine shavings told
where one of them had repaired an arrow.

The only objection which could be found in this new refuge was that it
had not been taken possession of by tohs. Cummings searched everywhere
in vain for the "chickens," and the troubled look on his face spoke
plainly of his disappointment in failing to find a supply of food close
at hand.

"If we should be discovered and besieged it will be a case of short
rations," he said as the little party returned to the opening to wait
for Poyor.

"Don't you suppose there are fish in the stream?" Teddy asked.

"I never heard that there were; but even if it was stocked with