It was at the time when the firewater was in the ascendant, and the savages were playing their merry game with the pieces of despoiled cotton goods.
There was danger in going out, but there might be more in staying in.
The savages might return upon their search, and discover this other entrance to the vault.

In that case they would take still greater pains to close it and besiege the two fugitives to the point of starvation.
Both were eager to escape from a place they had lately looked upon as a living tomb.
Still, they dared not venture out of it.

They could not retreat by the plain so long as the Indians were upon it.

At night, perhaps, in the darkness, they might.

Hamersley suggested this.
"No," said Walt, "nor at night eyther.