Besides, as we retreat we
shall be in darkness, while they will be in the glare."
Thus speaking, Mr. Hardy followed his guide, the men he had
selected treading cautiously in his rear. Presently they stopped
before one of the huts, and pointing to the door, Tawaina said,
"Little White Bird there;" and then gliding away, he was lost in
the darkness.
Mr. Hardy cautiously pushed aside the skin and entered, followed by
his friends. It was perfectly dark, and they stood for a moment
uncertain what to do. Then they heard a low voice saying, "Papa, is
that you?" while at the same instant they saw a gleam of light in
the other corner of the tent, and heard a rustling noise, and they
knew that an Indian had cut a slit in the hide walls and had
escaped; and as Mr. Hardy pressed his child to his heart, a
terrific war-whoop rose on the air behind the hut.
"Come," Mr. Hardy said, "keep together, and make a run of it."
Ethel had lain down without taking off even her shoes, so strong
had been her hope of her father's arrival. She was therefore no
impediment to the speed of their retreat. For a short distance they
were unopposed. The Indians, indeed, rushed from their huts like
swarms of bees disturbed by an intruder. Ignorant of the nature of
the danger, and unable to see its cause, all was for a minute wild
confusion; and then guided by the war-whoop of the Indian who had
given the alarm, all hurried toward the spot, and as they did so,
several saw the little party of whites.
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