No one would think of looking in this place for him, and he would be secure for an indefinite period.
Motoza had learned several things from his association with those of Caucasian blood, one of which was that a rubber match-safe is preferable to rubbing two dry sticks together when in need of fire, or using the old-fashioned steel and flint.
He managed with some trouble to make Fred understand he was to climb up the ledge, and he followed so deftly that the prisoner was given no chance to try to prevent him.

A minute after they stood side by side, Motoza struck a match, and his captive had a glimpse of the cavern which has already been described.
Here, then, was the end of the journey.

This was to be the prison of Fred Greenwood until when?
When was he to be released, or was he not to be released at all?
Passing well back in the gloom the two sat down, so far removed from the roar and tumult of the torrent that they could talk without difficulty.
Fred was still apprehensive of some sudden violence from the Sioux, and, though in the gloom he could see nothing of him, he was ready to make the best struggle possible.
"Am I to stay here, Motoza ?" he asked, raising his voice to a high pitch.
Instead of replying directly, the Indian asked: "Huh! you fader hab heap money, eh ?" This simple question revealed the whole plot and confirmed the statement already made that the scheme for holding Fred Greenwood for ransom by his relatives was arranged before his abduction took place.
It was a great discovery for Fred Greenwood to make.

On the instant nearly all his fears vanished and his heart glowed with hope.

This being remembered, he can hardly be blamed for drawing matters with rather a long bow.
"Yes," he made haste to say, "my father has money; a hundred times more than I have," all which was true without involving more than a moderate sum.
"He gib heap money fur _you_, eh ?" "Of course; I come high." "He gib thousand--gib ten thousand--hundred thousand--million dollar--eh ?" "Well, that's a pretty good sum; I'm afraid my father wouldn't think I am worth as much as that; but there's no doubt, Motoza, he will pay you a good price; is it your plan to sell me to him ?" The Sioux made no answer to this, though Fred repeated the question.