From the look on Cummings' face it was evident he intended to make an angry reply; but before he could speak Poyor said:
"The boys are right. It is not good to desert a friend, no matter what he has done."
"Very well," Cummings said impatiently. "Call him in, and during the remainder of this journey, if we live to finish it, I will see that he does not have a chance to work any more mischief."
Neal did not delay. Stepping out from the ravine he shouted:
Although the engineer was so far away the cry of mingled surprise and joy which burst from his lips could be heard distinctly, and in the shortest possible space of time he was in the ravine shaking the boys' hands vigorously.
"What are you up to here?" he asked. "Looking for me?"
"Indeed we were doing nothing of the kind," Cummings said angrily. "After you so kindly did all you could to tell the Indians where we had located it was necessary to make a quick move, and if I had had my way you would never have known how near we were."
"I don't suppose it will do any good to say that I am sorry?" Jake suggested meekly.
"Not a bit, for this is the second time you have done all the mischief possible. By this last performance it has been necessary to take a course nearly three times as long as the one we intended to travel, and no one can say what you won't do before we are out of the scrape."
"I pledge my word to obey orders. The experience I have had during the past twenty-four hours has taught me that I can't afford to take any more chances while we are in this heathenish country."
"It is a grave question whether we shall be able to get clear, and now that you have come we must make another change, running all the risks of traveling in the daytime, for the enemy can follow up on your trail as readily as if you had set sign-boards all the way."
Jake understood that it would do no good to make any reply while Cummings was in such a rage, and he very wisely retreated to the further end of the ravine where he whispered to Teddy:
"Can't you give me a bite to eat? I'm just about starved."
"Haven't you had anything since leaving the cave?"
"Not a mouthful, and only one drink of water."
"Walkin' all the time. When I went away it was only with the intention of travelin' a short distance. It didn't seem as if I had gone a quarter of a mile before I turned to go back, an' I've been tryin' to get there ever since."