The chief, to the surprise of Hellena, instead of going to what might be called the door of the cavern, went to one of the remote corners, and stooping down, laid hold of a projection of rock, and gave it a sudden pressure, when a portion of the wall moved aside, disclosing a passage, till then unknown to all except Fire Cloud himself. It was one of the contrivances of the priests of the olden time, for the purpose of imposing upon the ignorant and superstitious multitude. On passing through this opening, which the chief carefully closed after him, the party entered a narrow passageway, leading they could not see where, nor how far. The Indian led the way, carrying his torch, and assisting them over the difficulties of the way, when assistance was required. Thus he led them on, over rocks, and precipices, sometimes the path widening until it might be called another cavern, and then again becoming so narrow as to only allow one to pass at a time. Thus they journeyed on for the better part of a mile, when they suddenly came to a full stop. Further progress appeared to be impossible. It seemed to Hellena that nothing short of an enchanter's wand could open the way for them now, when Fire Cloud, going to the end of the passage, gave a large slab which formed the wall a push on the lower part, causing it to rise as if balanced by pivots at the center, and making an opening through which the party passed, finding themselves in the open air, with the stars shining brightly overhead. As soon as they had passed out the rock swung back again, and no one unacquainted with the fact, would have supposed that common looking rock to be the door of the passage leading to the mysterious cavern. The place to which they now came, was a narrow valley between the mountains. Pursuing their journey up this valley, they came to a collection of Indian wigwams, and here they halted, the chief showing them into his own hut, which was one of the group. Another time, it would have alarmed Hellena Rosenthrall to find herself in the wilderness surrounded by savages. But now, although among savages far away from home, without a white face to look upon, she felt a degree of security, she had long been a stranger to. In fact she felt that the Indians under whose protection she now found herself, were far more human, far less cruel, than the demon calling himself a white man, out of whose hands she had so fortunately escaped. For once since her capture, her sleep was quiet, and refreshing. CHAPTER XVI. Black Bill, on leaving the captain, after having vainly endeavored to persuade him to leave the cave, crawled in to his usual place for passing the night, but not with the hope of forgetting his troubles in sleep.