For a few moments the lads forgot all about their danger from the Indians in the terror inspired by the stupendous scene, and they stood looking up, around and below them with feelings to which no adequate expression can be given. Then they looked in each other’s faces, and Harry spoke. Little Rifle saw his lips move, and placed his ear to them. The boy shouted with all the strength of which he was capable, but, although their heads touched each other, the young trapper could not catch a syllable, and looking again in each other’s faces, they laughed and shook their heads, as an acknowledgment that their tongues were of no present use to them. They were in a world where the language must be one of signs. Little Rifle looked beyond him and pointed to a dark, forbidding opening, which looked as if it were the entrance-way to some vast subterranean chamber; he moved carefully toward it, doubtless recalling something that Old Ruff had told him about his explorations in the same direction, and the truth of which he proposed to test. Harry, instead of picking his way after him, remained standing where he was, until he saw that he had passed the most dangerous point. Then, concluding that it was best to find out whether there was any danger approaching from the Indians, he began retracing his steps to where he and his friend had landed upon their backs. The moment he reached a point where he could gain a partial view of the outside, he halted, so as not to run too great a risk of being seen by any of their enemies. It was well that he did so, for at that very instant he descried the dreaded Blackfeet. They were of gigantic size and grotesque shape, as viewed dimly through the glassy sheet that intervened, but they were Indians unmistakably, and three of them were standing upon the very rock from which he and Little Rifle had made their leap but a few minutes before. “I always believed that when a fellow traveled over the rocks he didn’t leave any trail behind him,” thought Harry, as he stealthily viewed the red-skins; “but it does seem that you can’t hide yourself from those Blackfeet. I shouldn’t wonder, now, if they have been tracking the canoe through the water, and have come down below the falls to pick up the trail again.” But second thought convinced the lad that the Indians must be aware of the existence of this “Cave of the Winds,” and that they must have discovered some traces of other parties being there. He could see their arms sawing the air, and moving about in a way that showed very clearly that they, too, were using the language of signs in the presence of the thunderous noise. “I do believe that they are discussing the question as to who shall take the first leap,” thought Harry, as, stretched flat upon his face, he anxiously watched their movements. “And what do they want to come here for, unless it is to gobble us up?”