A few moments later, they heard a scuffling, confused sound and the rattle of a chain, as if the bear was running away at the top of his speed. Velveteens chuckled and beckoned to Rafe, who again came out softly, and the two stood in the middle of the room a moment; and then, opening the door carefully, they went out together, closing the door after them, while the others, never dreaming of the escape, slept profoundly. It was nearly morning when Old Pegs rose, took up his rifle—which always lay within reach of his hand—and went out into the main room. He saw that the blanket of Velveteens was empty, and the door of the prison open. Springing to the door, he looked in, and his cry of rage awoke Dave, who started up and came out, to find Old Pegs dancing wildly about the room, swearing like a trooper. “He’s a nice cuss, that Velveteens, he is!” he screamed. “He ’scaped from the Sioux—he did! Oh, knives and razor-grinders! Oh, dog every button on my shirt, he’s cheated us!” “Gone!” cried Dave, in dismay. “Yaas, gone; gone like a thief in the night. Fled like a shadder, leaving no sign to mark the spot whar he laid down. Oh, how it grinds me that I didn’t let old Bruin chaw him up.” “He is evidently in league with the Sioux and Rafe Norris,” said Dave. “Shall we try to follow them?” “And what makes me so cussid mad,” continued Old Pegs, paying no attention to the question, “he got me ter chain up Bruin over night. He knowed right well, the owdashus cuss, thet the b’ar would never hev let him out. I git so mad sometimes when I think of it I c’u’d eat my shirt. Oh mortal pizen, ef I _ever_ meet him!” “What shall we do?” demanded Dave. “It isn’t safe to waste any time if these Modoc Sioux are really his men.” “What is the matter, father?” cried Myrtle from her sleeping apartment. “They’ve dug out, both them low-lived skunks,” snarled Old Pegs. “Git up and dress, gal; we must git out’n this mighty quick. Dave, come with me.” They ran out of the house, and quickly found the trail which led out of the little valley to the south. Following it rapidly, they soon satisfied themselves that their enemies had really left the valley, going toward the “Sulphur Spring,” where Rafe had appointed the rendezvous. “They’ve gone ter jine the Injins,” said Old Pegs. “Won’t you be so good ez to give me a big kick astarn, Dave? I desarve it.” “What is done—is done,” replied Dave, “and we can not avoid it. What is that by the spring yonder?” “It looks like Bruin,” replied Old Pegs. “The black thief got away arter all, and I wonder he let ’em go.” “Probably he did not break away until after their departure,” replied Dave. “Let us call him.” He gave a shrill whistle, the call which Bruin always answered, but to their surprise the bear did not move. Running up hastily, they found the bear lying by the side of the spring, his tongue hanging out of his mouth, and a white foam lying thick upon the grass.