touch.

"There is no reason why you boys should remain on guard," Cummings
finally said. "The Indians will not make a move before afternoon, and it
is equally certain we shall not get a chance to shoot at those under the
ledge."

"We may as well sit here, for no fellow could sleep in this oven," Teddy
replied; but Poyor showed what might be done, by lying down near the
front wall and closing his eyes.

At the end of two hours there was no further change in the condition of
affairs. Poyor continued to sleep, the boys and Cummings remained on
guard, and Jake sat leaning his head against the rocks while the
perspiration ran down his face in tiny streams.

Then, as on the previous evening, the clouds began to gather, and
Cummings said in a tone of satisfaction as he gazed toward the sky:

"There's evidently no danger that we shall suffer from thirst, for
another storm is coming up, and while it lasts we may see some chance of
giving those fellows the slip."

"But you didn't dare to travel last night when it was raining," Teddy
said.

"Very true; but that was at a time when we were not positive the enemy
were so near. Now they are close at our heels we shall be warranted in
running many risks which, twenty-four hours ago, would have been most
imprudent."

In a very short time the sun was hidden from view; a cooling wind blew
across the mountain, and every member of the sad visaged party
experienced a wonderful sense of relief.

Poyor arose to his feet like one refreshed, and Jake bestirred himself
sufficiently to propose that he relieve Neal or Teddy a short while.

"You can sleep now that the sun doesn't shine," he said, "and I promise
to keep strict watch."

After some hesitation Teddy accepted the offer while he paced to and fro
to rest his cramped and aching limbs, and Poyor consulted with Cummings
relative to an attempt at flight when the storm should come.

His idea was that they could not be any worse off by making one effort
to reach the summit of the range, even if the desired result was not
attained, and after considerable discussion the white man agreed to the
plan.

"It is barely possible that we may get on all right, and the situation
is so desperate that almost any change must be for the better," he said.
"We will wait half an hour or so, and then start if the enemy have made
no move meanwhile."

The threatened storm was not long delayed.

In less than an hour it was upon them in all its fu