Fire Cloud, the Indian chief, who has already been introduced to the reader, was one of this tribe. Although the existence of the cave was known to the members of the tribe generally, the whole of its secrets were known to the medicine men, or priests only. In fact it might be considered the grand temple where they performed the mystic rites and ceremonies by which they imposed upon the people, and held them in subjection. Flint immediately set about fitting up the place for the purpose which he intended it. To the few white trappers who now and then visited the district, the existence of the cave was entirely unknown, and even the few Indians who hunted and fished in the neighborhood, were acquainted only with the outer cave as before stated. When Flint was fully satisfied that all danger from pursuit was over, he set out for the purpose of going to the city in order to perfect the arrangements for carrying out the project he had in view. On passing out, the first object that met his view was his faithful follower Black Bill, siting at the entrance. "How the devil did you get here!" was his first exclamation. "Follered de Ingins what was a comin' arter massa," replied the boy. Bill had followed his master into the wilderness, always like a body servant keeping near his person when not prevented by the Indians, which was the case while his master was a prisoner. When the escape of Flint was discovered, he was free from restraint, and he, unknown to the party who had gone in pursuit, had followed them. From the negro, Flint learned that the Indians had tracked him to the cave, but not finding him there, and not being able to trace him any further, they had given up the pursuit. Flint thinking that the boy might be of service to him in the business he was about to enter upon, took him into the cave and put him in charge of Lightfoot. On reaching the city, Flint purchased the schooner of which he was in command when first introduced to the reader. It is said that, "birds of a feather flock together," and Flint having no difficulty gathering about him a number of kindred spirits, was soon in a condition to enter upon the profession as he called it, most congenial to his taste and habits. CHAPTER VI. When the crew of the schooner woke up on the morning following the night in which we have described in a previous chapter, they were by no means the reckless, dare-devil looking men they were when they entered the cave on the previous evening. For besides the usual effects produced on such characters by a night's debauch, their countenances wore the haggard suspicious look of men who felt judgment was hanging over them; that they were in the hands of some mysterious power beyond their control. Some power from which they could not escape, and which sooner or later, would mete out to them the punishment they felt that they deserved.