Then they dismounted and
picketed the horses. Two of the Gauchos were stationed with them as
guards, and the rest went stealthily forward--the rockets being
interested to the care of Terence, who fastened them tightly
together with a cord, and then hung them by a loop, like a gun,
over his shoulder, in order that he might have his hands free.
It was still only eight o'clock--dangerously early for a surprise;
but the whole party were quite agreed to risk everything, as no one
could say in what position Ethel might be placed, and what
difference an hour might make. Their plan was to steal quietly up
to the first hut they found, to gag its inmates, and compel one of
them, under a threat of instant death, to guide them to the hut in
which Ethel was placed.
Suddenly Mr. Hardy was startled by a dark figure rising from a rock
against which he had almost stumbled, with the words: "White man
good. Tawaina friend. Come to take him to child."
Then followed a few hurried questions; and no words can express the
delight and gratitude of Mr. Hardy and his sons, and the intense
satisfaction of the others, on finding that Ethel was alive and for
the present free from danger.
It was agreed to wait now for two hours, to give time for the
Indians to retire to rest; and while they waited the Raven told
them all that had happened up to the arrival at the village,
passing over the last day's proceedings by saying briefly that
Ethel had run a great risk of being put to death, but that a delay
had been obtained by her friends.
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