g his
face full toward him, and uttering the _"hoogh!"_ of surprise, as he saw
the boy cowering against the rocks.

CHAPTER XLIV.

A OLD ACQUAINTANCE.

The instant the hindmost Indian uttered his exclamation of surprise, the
others paused, and thus, before Elwood Brandon fully realized his
danger, he found himself confronted by the whole force. Resistance or
flight was not to be thought of, so he merely stood still and
tremblingly awaited their will regarding him.

They were plainly surprised at finding a boy pressing against the rooks
with an appearance of the greatest terror, and they gazed at him a
moment as if uncertain what to do about it. However, they didn't seem to
be particularly savage or blood-thirsty, nor frightened, as they kept
their guns in their hands and their knives in their belts.

He who stood nearest to Elwood reached out his brawny arm, grasped him
firmly and drew him out from his hiding-place. All then scrutinized him
as if to make sure whether he was some wild animal or human being.
Satisfied on this point, the boy was then shoved forward so as to be
between the savages, and as they stepped off he was motioned to do the
same. Elwood understood that he was a prisoner, and he philosophically
submitted to his fate.

As yet they had not disturbed his weapons; but he had gone a short
distance only when the Indian directly behind him placed his hand upon
the muzzle of the gun which was protruding over the youngster's shoulder
and began drawing it. The latter disliked very much to part with the
rifle, and held it as tightly as possible; but as the savage only drew
it the more powerfully, he finally let go and it instantly went from his
possession.

Elwood could not forbear looking around at the one who had thus deprived
him of his property. As he gazed into his face he was at a loss to
understand the expression. The Indian fixed his black eyes upon him, but
his lips were closed and not a feature moved or twitched. The boy could
not withstand the fierceness of those orbs and was glad to turn his head
again.

They walked quite rapidly up the path, making a turn that gave them a
very steep ascent. The thunder was booming louder than ever, and the
rain by this time was falling furiously. The party hurried forward until
they reached the camp which Tim O'Rooney and Howard had so recently
deserted. Here Elwood took the liberty of protecting himself by backing
against the overhanging rock. Th