Jack faced the denser section of the wood in which the Creek camp was pitched. For some little time he had been watching the thin, trailing moonbeams as they filtered through the limbs and clambering vines. The pallid rays gave no light of any consequence; indeed, they only seemed to make the shadows deeper. The rustle of the small wild things of the wood occasionally came from the tangle, but as Jack had looked and watched, there had come a sound which was different, a regular purposeful sound which to his quick ears and attentive mind suggested the advance of some one or something who desired to remain unseen and unheard. “What is it?” asked Frank, after a space. He had listened but had heard nothing. “I get a sound now and then,” said Jack. “It comes from off here in the woods, and sounds like some one stealing up to have a look at us.” “It’s probably one of the Creeks,” whispered Frank. But Jack, listening, only pressed the speaker’s arm for quiet. For the sound had gone on in the tangle, coming nearer and nearer. It was so faint, even at its loudest, that not once did it attract the attention of the three braves on guard. At times even Jack fancied that he must be mistaken, that it was nothing more than his excited imagination. But then the sound ceased; to his amazement he saw first one form and then another lift itself from the ground. That they were Indians was evident even in the dense shadow; but why they should approach in that silent fashion puzzled Jack extremely. The three Creeks, all with their faces toward the captives, had their backs to the place where the mysterious night prowlers had appeared, and so they did not see them appear; neither did they see them advance. Within a half dozen paces of the boys one of the newcomers raised his hand in a warning gesture for silence. There was a characteristic something in the gesture which Jack Davis immediately recognized. “Running Elk!” was his mental exclamation. Step by step the Cherokee hunter and his companion advanced. Within springing distance there was a pause; then with the silent bound of the panther, each leaped upon a Creek guard. Without a sound the unsuspecting braves fell under their blows; like lightning they were upon the other one before he fairly realized what had taken place, and with strong bronze fingers twisting about his throat he was borne to the earth. The lads needed no words to tell them what to do. With a shake they were free of their bonds; a half dozen steps took them to where their horses were tied, the saddles still upon their backs. Near by, and perilously close to the sleeping form of the chief of whom Frank had spoken, were their rifles, powder horns and other equipment; noiselessly possessing themselves of these, they cut the ropes which held their horses and quietly led them toward the spot where Jack had seen Running Elk and his fellow hunter appear.