Turning that and his knife over to his mother, he made a fire ready to pass the night, full of thankfulness that all had gone so well. Ben agreed to stand watch until near midnight, and then allow his mother to help him at the necessary duty. While the simple preparations were going on, Linna knelt on the bare ground with her ear pressed to the earth. Almost instantly she raised her head and whispered: "Somebody comin' dis way--guess be Injins!" CHAPTER NINE: IN A CIRCLE This was alarming news. Ben Ripley imitated the action of Linna. Kneeling down, he pressed his ear to the earth. Yes; he heard faint footfalls. Persons were moving about not far away. "She is right," he said in a low tone; "likely they are Indians, though we cannot be certain." "It won't do to wait till they come to us," remarked his mother. "Shall I put out the fire?" asked Ben, disconcerted by the suddenness of the danger. "No; we can't spare the time. Let us leave. Come, children." She took the hand of each girl and walked quickly off, while Ben caught up the blankets and followed. They had no particular point in view, but wished to reach a safe place without delay. The gloom of the gathering night helped them, and when they paused they were confident they had not been seen by anyone. Without any thought on their part, they made their way to a mass of rocks and boulders, more extensive than any seen through the day. It was a hundred yards from their starting point. They sat down for a whispered consultation. "They must have heard the report of my rifle," said Ben. "That was a considerable while ago, and they may have been a good way off at the time." "Then, being so much nearer, it was the report which brought them. What would become of us but for Linna?" added Ben placing his arm affectionately around her. "It was she that got us our supper, and now she warns us of danger." "They may be Zitner and Burwink." "Not likely, but if they come to our fire we shall soon find out. Look!" To their astonishment, the little fire which they had left only a few minutes before burned up brightly, showing that a lot of fuel had been thrown on it. Too many trees and too much undergrowth obtruded for them to detect anything more than the great increase in brightness. "The darkness will prevent their following our footprints," whispered the mother. "I will go a little nearer and find out what it means: it may be, after all, that they are friends." "Be careful, my son." "I will." It was not a hard task Ben Ripley gave himself. He had not far to go, and he proceeded with so much caution that no risk was involved. Only half the distance was passed when he gained a full view of the camp fire and its surroundings.