Ned Chadmund was too terrified to think of further sleep, nor did he dare to return to where he had been lying upon the blanket when aroused in such a startling manner. As he turned his horrified¹ gaze in that direction, he saw the two combatants clutching and striking each other upon the ground, their blows growing feebler as their strength rapidly departed. The most alarming thing about this revolting contest was the fact that it did not attract the interest of a single spectator beyond the little fellow. There were plenty of Indians around, some of whom were within a dozen feet, and yet they paid no more attention to it than if the two were quietly smoking their pipes.  
This showed, as a matter of course, the indifference² of the others as to what befell the defenseless prisoner. The next Indian who advanced upon him with drawn³ knife would not be so likely to find himself disputed by another, anxious to perform the same job. It seemed certain that no one would interfere⁴ in the interests of the prisoner himself.
 
The latter stood debating what he should do, if, indeed, he could do anything at all. He turned his head and looked back in the gloom, which appeared so inviting⁵ that he was tempted⁶ to turn and make a dash for freedom. If he could only secure a start of a hundred yards, it seemed to him that he might escape. That would give him a chance to steal away and hide until he could renew his flight, with a prospect⁷ of eluding⁸ them altogether. He glanced at the darkness and then again at the Apaches. Not a single one of them, so far as he could see, showed any consciousness of his presence, and none were between him and the gloom in which he meant to take shelter.
 
His heart throbbed⁹ with excitement as he stood debating the question, and he hurriedly concluded to make the attempt. But on the eve of starting, his straining vision detected the faintest shadowy outline of a figure, which silently receded¹⁰ in the gloom as he looked toward it. Ned understood on the instant what this meant. It was Lone¹¹ Wolf who was waiting to receive him, whenever he should choose to make his attempt to get away.
 
The whole trick flashed upon him at once. Lone Wolf, with a view of thoroughly¹² testing the lad, had purposely thrown this opportunity in his way, and was waiting beyond in the gloom to receive him with open arms. Poor Ned's heart sank as he realized more vividly¹³ than ever that he was as much a prisoner as if immured¹⁴ within the walls of Sing Sing. Still, he affected¹⁵ not to notice the presence of the sentinel, but walked back toward the camp with that affectation of indifference which he had used on more than one occasion before. He recollected¹⁶ this time to put on the limp—his lameness¹⁸ being of such a decided¹⁹ character that there could be no mistaking it by any one who happened to look in that direction.
 
"Never mind, I'll get the chance yet," he muttered, putting himself upon his mettle²⁰. "I'll play lame¹⁷ till they think there is no need of watching me at all, and then, before they know it, I'll be off."
 
The knowledge that Lone Wolf was so near at hand gave him enough courage to go back to where the blanket lay, and seat himself upon it. He had sat thus but a few minutes, when he noticed that it was growing light in the East. The night was gone and day was breaking.
 
"I'm glad of it, for I'm tired of this place," he exclaimed. "I'll never get any chance to do anything for myself here."
 
Before it was fairly light, the Apaches began their preparations for leaving the scene of their encampment. Their mustangs were picketed²¹ at some distance up the stream, under charge of a couple of sentinels, where they had not been disturbed during the entire night.
 
"I wonder if they'll give me a horse?" was the next thought of Ned, as he watched these preparations.
 
In a few minutes all were mounted upon their animals, which seemed in a splendid condition. Among them were three that had belonged to the cavalry²², and which were easily identified by means of the saddles, bridles²³ and accoutrements. Ned hoped that one of these would be ............