Phil was surprised, in fact fairly agitated, as he realized what all this plunder meant to the patient, ill-fed continental army. He could not keep from trembling with anxiety. Here was the booty. How could they get it to camp? It was extremely improbable that its owners would leave it long, unguarded. At any moment their intrusion might be discovered. "I'll go for the company," said Andy excitedly. "We'll leave half of them on guard here. The rest of us will carry off what we can to camp, and the general will send a full company or two for the rest of the plunder." "We certainly must act quickly and decisively," rejoined Phil, and both started for the exit from the cave. "Ugh!" "Wagh!" Suddenly from behind a great heap of bags four Indians stepped directly in their path. They leveled muskets and looked fierce and dangerous. Just then from outside came the echoes of a series of frightful yells mingled with the explosion of firearms. Phil and Andy made a rush to rejoin their comrades outside, whom they felt certain had been attacked. Seemingly all hands had fallen into a trap, their recent progress having been closely watched by redskins in ambush. The four Indians intercepted Phil and Andy. The youths were seized, disarmed, and were dragged back into the inner cave, as their volunteer friends were driven into the place by a party of Indians nearly double their number. There was scuffling and struggles, some shots were fired, some blows given, and, at the end of the general mix-up, the young volunteers found themselves driven _en masse_ into a corner of the cave. Their weapons were taken from them, and forty or more Indians squatted on the stone floor about ten feet from them, fully armed, and in instant readiness to resist and punish any attempt at escape. "Well, we're in a nice fix now, aren't we?" spoke Andy, in a disgusted tone. "I wish we'd fought to the last second." "No one had the chance--it was all so sudden," replied Phil. "It would have been a massacre, if our fellows had attempted it." Beyond the guards the four men who had prevented Phil and Andy from leaving the cave stood together, evidently holding a council. There was a noisy pow-wow in a tongue the boys could not understand. The apparent leader of the redmen finally approached the Indian guards. He spoke briefly and rapidly. He seemed to be putting some case before them for them to vote upon. When he had concluded speaking, a great, unanimous shout from the entire group appeared to affirm the decision of the council. "They've voted 'Aye' on whatever it is," said Andy. "Now he's coming to tell us our fate, I'll wager."