In a very short time his rapid breathing subsided, and he felt his old vigor and vitality creeping back into his limbs.

He was ready to spring to his feet again, but he did not deem it best.

It seemed to him that the warrior had lost sight of him, and was looking about.

If the boy, therefore, should rise to his feet, he would be the more likely to be seen, and if he remained where he was he was sure of being found.
He compromised the matter by crawling forward on his hands and knees, listening and looking, and continually pausing to prevent creeping into the arms of his enemies.

All this time night was approaching, and with the passage of each minute came a corresponding rise in the hopes of the fugitive.