"Where is Shan Rhue?" asked Stella. "I haven't seen him for some time."
"That's so," answered Ted. "I don't see him." He scanned the hole
carefully, but Shan Rhue was not there.
"Is there any secret passage by which he might escape?" asked Ted.
"Do you see that little shelter of canvas over against the wall?" said
Stella.
Ted nodded.
"I believe there is a way out there known only to Shan Rhue. That is
where he slept," she continued.
"Then he has escaped by it. Sol Flatbush is not in evidence, either.
I'll bet a cooky they've skipped."
It was getting light in the east, and the Indians rode once more into
the passage, firing their rifles. Then they charged.
But soon they came rushing back; the boys at the entrance had again
repulsed them.
From far away came the soft but clear call of a bugle.
"The troops!" cried Ted, springing to his feet. "The cavalry is coming
from Fort Sill. This thing will soon be over now."
He and Stella went to the edge of the cliff overlooking the valley, and
far away saw a dark mass, in the midst of which they caught the flash of
the rising sun on polished swords and carbines, and a gleam of color
from the flag that fluttered in the fresh morning breeze.
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