He was right. When the prisoners had been thrust into the cellar, Barrows and his men rode away, leaving them alone. Hours dragged along in the dark, and they scarcely spoke to one another, both lost in their thoughts. Suddenly Ted started up. Outside he heard a whistle, and he listened for it to be repeated. It was the whistle of the bobwhite. He knew that there were no quail in this region at this time of the year. He knew, too, that it was an Indian signal which Stella and Singing Bird had used between them. Could it be that Stella was outside, and that she was signaling the house, and thinking it occupied, did not dare come to it? He answered it as well as he could, knowing, however, that the sound would not get beyond the cellar. For several minutes the whistling continued, then stopped. What if they had gone away? After a long time, it seemed, he heard a stealthy noise overhead. Some one was crawling through the window. Then there was a light step overhead. "Ted! Hallie! Where are you?" It was Stella calling to them, and they both raised their voices in a joyous shout. Then the bolt slipped, and the trap was raised. "Come up out of there," cried Stella, "unless you like it. Singing Bird and I started out after you. I met her on the way, and she trailed you here. She has just started back for the boys." CHAPTER XXXV. A DUEL WITH LARIATS. Outside it was night, and beyond the clearing the woods were dark. Both Ted's and Hallie's horses were gone, and it would be impossible for them to start back toward the camp without them. "We'd better hide in the woods until morning," said Stella. "Singing Bird will guide the boys here. Besides, we do not know when that brave warrior Barrows will return with his soldiers." "That is a good idea," said Ted, and they crossed the clearing to the woods, and found a place of concealment from which they could see all that took place at the house. The night was far advanced, and the girls were sleeping on a couch of dried pine needles, which Ted had gathered for them. Ted was on watch to shield them from harm, and to drive away the animals of the night. He was half asleep himself, sitting with his back to a tree with his head on his arms, which were crossed on his knees. An unusual sound brought him to his senses instantly, and he was listening intently. He heard the sound of horses' feet, and the subdued rumble of men talking. There were only two horses, and they were coming on uncertainly. Evidently their riders did not know their way, and were feeling along in the dark, which was intense. "It ought to be along here somewhere." It was the voice of Woofer. "Well, I hope it is," said another voice, "I'm tired of this night riding. When did the boss say he'd be here?" "Early in ther mornin'. He's goin' ter make an attack on ther cow camp ter-night, an' what he don't kill he's goin' ter bring here, an' stampede ther cattle an' scatter them all over ther range."