He knew,
too, that it was an Indian signal which Stella and Singing Bird had used
between them. Could it be that Stella was outside, and that she was
signaling the house, and thinking it occupied, did not dare come to it?
He answered it as well as he could, knowing, however, that the sound
would not get beyond the cellar.
For several minutes the whistling continued, then stopped. What if they
had gone away?
After a long time, it seemed, he heard a stealthy noise overhead. Some
one was crawling through the window. Then there was a light step
overhead.
"Ted! Hallie! Where are you?" It was Stella calling to them, and they
both raised their voices in a joyous shout. Then the bolt slipped, and
the trap was raised.
"Come up out of there," cried Stella, "unless you like it. Singing Bird
and I started out after you. I met her on the way, and she trailed you
here. She has just started back for the boys."
CHAPTER XXXV.
A DUEL WITH LARIATS.
Outside it was night, and beyond the clearing the woods were dark. Both
Ted's and Hallie's horses were gone, and it would be impossible for them
to start back toward the camp without them.
"We'd better hide in the woods until morning," said Stella. "Singing
Bird will guide the boys here. Besides, we do not know when that brave
warrior Barrows will return with his soldiers.
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