It at once occurred to Tom that here was hope as well as danger.

If the Indians should be driven back by the whites, he could communicate with the latter and the little garrison of the root fortress would be rescued.

At present, however, it was the savages and not the whites who surrounded the trees and the drift pile.
Tom determined lose no chance, however, and cautioning the others to keep still, he went to the look-out to watch for an opportunity to communicate with the white men whom these Indians were evidently fighting..