fifth was not taken, also. Now both were concerned and alarmed
over the escape of Shif'less Sol in the night, and they drew
apart from the Indians to discuss it.

"I think," said Wyatt, "that Hyde did not manage it himself, all
alone. How could he? He was bound both hand and foot; and I've
learned, too, Blackstaffe, that four of the best Iroquois rifles
have been taken. That means one apiece for Hyde and the three
prisoners that are left."

The two exchanged looks of meaning and understanding.

"It must have been the boy Ware who helped Hyde to get away,"
said Blackstaffe, "and their taking of the rifles means that he
and Hyde expect to rescue the other three in the same way. You
think so, too?"

"Of course," replied Wyatt. "What makes the Indians, who are so
wonderfully alert and watchful most of the time, become so
careless when they have a great feast?"

Blackstaffe shrugged his shoulders.

"It is their way," he replied. "You cannot change it. Ware
must have noticed what they were about, and he took advantage of
it. But I don't think any of the others will go that way."

"The boy Cotter is in here," said Braxton Wyatt, tapping the
side of a small hut. "Let's go in and see him."