A sense of delicious dreaminess overcame me, my muscles relaxed, and I was on thepoint of giving way to my desire to sleep when the sound of approaching horses reachedmy ears. I attempted to spring to my feet but was horrified to discover that my musclesrefused to respond to my will. I was now thoroughly awake, but as unable to move a muscleas though turned to stone. It was then, for the first time, that I noticed a slight vapor fillingthe cave. It was extremely tenuous and only noticeable against the opening which led ...
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A sense of delicious dreaminess overcame me, my muscles relaxed, and I was on thepoint of giving way to my desire to sleep when the sound of approaching horses reachedmy ears. I attempted to spring to my feet but was horrified to discover that my musclesrefused to respond to my will. I was now thoroughly awake, but as unable to move a muscleas though turned to stone. It was then, for the first time, that I noticed a slight vapor fillingthe cave. It was extremely tenuous and only noticeable against the opening which led todaylight. There also came to my nostrils a faintly pungent odor, and I could only assumethat I had been overcome by some poisonous gas, but why I should retain my mentalfaculties and yet be unable to move I could not fathom.I lay facing the opening of the cave and where I could see the short stretch of trail whichlay between the cave and the turn of the cliff around which the trail led. The noise of theapproaching horses had ceased, and I judged the Indians were creeping stealthily upon mealong the little ledge which led to my living tomb. I remember that I hoped they wouldmake short work of me as I did not particularly relish the thought of the innumerablethings they might do to me if the spirit prompted them.I had not long to wait before a stealthy sound apprised me of their nearness, and then awar-bonneted, paint-streaked face was thrust cautiously around the shoulder of the cliff, and savage eyes looked into mine. That he could see me in the dim light of the cave I wassure for the early morning sun was falling full upon me through the opening.The fellow, instead of approaching, merely stood and stared; his eyes bulging and hisjaw dropped. And then another savage face appeared, and a third and fourth and fifth, craning their necks over the shoulders of their fellows whom they could not pass upon thenarrow ledge. Each face was the picture of awe and fear, but for what reason I did notknow, nor did I learn until ten years later. That there were still other braves behind thosewho regarded me was apparent from the fact that the leaders passed back whispered wordto those behind them.Suddenly a low but distinct moaning sound issued from the recesses of the cave behindme, and, as it reached the ears of the Indians, they turned and fled in terror, panic-stricken.So frantic were their efforts to escape from the unseen thing behind me that one of thebraves was hurled headlong from the cliff to the rocks below. Their wild cries echoed in thecanyon for a short time, and then all was still once mor
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