It was like going back into the lion's mouth; nor, indeed, could it be considered a very wise proceeding to return to the very spot from which he had escaped by such a providential interference.

But a hungry or thirsty man is not in the best mood to reason, and the incapacity is still more marked in an excessively hungry boy.
The prospect of getting something to eat overshadowed all other questions, and after several attempts to consider the matter fairly, Fred came to the conclusion that he would make the attempt.
To do this it was necessary to go back over the same path he had followed, and to return to the very spot where he had been ready to break his neck, if it would assist him in escaping, but a short time before.

But he reasoned that he had the darkness in his favor, that the Indians were not likely to stay in the same place, and that none of them would be looking for his return.

This, together with the prospect of securing something to satisfy his hunger, easily decided the question.
Within five minutes from the time the thought had entered his head he was carefully picking his way down the mountain-side toward the ravine.
Fred did not forget the precaution necessary in a movement of this kind.

He moved as silently as he could, pausing at intervals to look and listen; but the way remained clear, and nothing occurred to excite alarm until he had descended into the gorge itself.
At this precise juncture, he was startled by the sharp crack of a rifle, which seemed to come from a point two or three hundred yards away, directly behind him.
In his terror, his first fear was that the shot had been aimed at him, and he started to retrace his steps--but before he went any distance, he reflected that that could not be and he stood motionless for a few minutes, waiting to see what would follow.