"That is true, but it will take time, and they fear me. They will not rush hither. You may sleep without fear to-night." "Surely we have need enough of sleep." "Then do not hesitate to slumber, for I need little sleep, and I will see that no harm comes to you." Frank would have questioned the man, but when he tried to do so in a manner that would not be offensive, Old Solitary suddenly became dumb, paying no heed to anything that was said. Frank and Barney talked for a long time. They were impressed with the belief that they were in the gravest peril, and yet they could do nothing more to save themselves till the opportunity came. To a large extent, they were in the hands of fate. Never before in all his life had Frank been utterly controlled by a feeling of utter inability to avert destruction by any effort of his own, even though his hands were free and he was armed. It seemed as if they had been doomed and were in a snare from which there could be no possible escape. Everything must be trusted to Old Solitary, that was certain. Feeling thus, Frank flung himself down on the bed of grass, and was soon sleeping soundly. It did not take Barney long to follow the example of his friend. They slept for hours. When they awoke the torch had burned out, and the chilly darkness of the cave was dense around them. "I wonder where Old Solitary is?" said Frank. They called to him and their voices echoed hollowly along the passages. No answer came. "Begorra!" cried the Irish boy; "It looks loike he had left us to oursilves." "It does seem that way," admitted Frank. Our hero remembered seeing in a niche the night before a collection of sticks that he fancied were for torches, and so, lighting a match, he sought them. He had made no mistake, for one of them lighted readily. "Our weapons are all right," he said, having made an examination. "It is probable that Old Solitary will soon return." They waited an hour, but the strange man did not appear. Both grew restless, and finally started out to explore the cave. With the aid of the torch, they picked their way along one of the passages. They were surprised at the distance traveled, and wondered when and where they would come out. Finally, a gleam of light was seen ahead, and, as they came nearer, the torch was extinguished. Climbing up a steep slope, they lay on their stomachs and peered out into the depths of a circular pocket that was inclosed by mountains on three sides. An exclamation broke from the lips of both. "A camp!" cried Frank. "It's a town, me b'y!" Barney almost shouted. "We're all roight, afther all!" "Easy!" cautioned Merriwell, quickly. "Keep your voice down. It is a town, but it is not the kind of a town we care to enter." "Pwhat's th' matther wid it?" "It is the town of the Danites. This is their retreat, where they have hidden themselves from the rest of the world."