CHAPTER XIX.A DARING EXPEDITION.
“I have discovered this,” replied Canaris. “The Gallas are preparing for an attack; fresh men have come in from distant towns. They are encamped at the edge of the burned village, and in a small hut, which is surrounded by guards, your friends, I am confident, are confined. The struggle was a severe one, for the ground is strewn with dead, both Gallas and Abyssinians. I could find no food, and what we are to do I cannot tell. To attempt a rescue would be madness, and yet our sufferings would only end the sooner. Without food we can make no use of the river, and escape in any other way is equally impossible.”
Canaris threw himself on the ground and buried his face in his hands. Guy stood in silence, his face stern and set, a silence that remained unbroken for five minutes. In that space of time his fertile mind had sought a way out of the difficulty and grasped an expedient so daring, so preposterous, that he hesitated to frame it in words.
His face betrayed something of his emotions, for Forbes and Canaris exclaimed eagerly: “What is it, Chutney? You have thought of something, have you?”
“Yes,” said Guy. “I have. As you say, the case is desperate. If my plan fails we can be no worse off. What I have resolved to do is this: Forbes will remain at the cavern. You and I, Canaris, will stain our faces to pass for Portuguese, and mounted on these camels, we will ride boldly into the camp of the Gallas and proclaim ourselves messengers from Makar Makaol at Zaila. We will say that the English are pressing the town hard, that they agree to withdraw on condition that the English prisoners are returned safe and sound, and that Makar has sent us to bring them to the coast. We will add, furthermore, that we came as far as yonder mountains with a caravan bound for Harar, and to allay any suspicions they may have, we will ask for an escort of two men to accompany us to Zaila and receive the money which Makar will pay for the safe delivery of the Englishmen. If all goes well they will give up our friends and load us with provisions for a long journey. The escort we can easily dispose of, and then for the river and freedom!”
Guy snapped his fingers exultantly as he concluded the recital of his daring plan and waited to see how his friends would receive it.
“Marvelous!” cried Forbes, drawing a long breath.
“Yes, it is marvelous,” added the Greek, “truly marvelous. If it succeeds it will be a miracle indeed.But suppose they have received recent news from Zaila, or that our disguise is penetrated?”
“As for that,” replied Guy coolly, “we must take the chances. I should fear recognition most from Oko Sam, but he is fortunately a prisoner among the Abyssinians. Make up your minds quickly. Do you agree to my proposal or not? Perhaps you can devise a better plan.”
“We will try it,” said Canaris, decidedly. “It must be done at once, for at daybreak the Gallas will advance to attack the Abyssinians. Make your preparations and we will be off.” Stepping up to the camels, which were quietly grazing on the jungle grass, he proceeded to remove every part of their trappings which would betray its Abyssinian make, until only the simple covering remained. With a cry of delight he held up two white burnouses that had been fastened to the saddle bags, and said:
“With these on and our faces darkened it will take a clever man to penetrate our disguise in the night time.”
It was not such an easy matter to stain their faces, but with the application of a little moist earth from the mouth of the cavern, it was finally accomplished to their satisfaction, and after a hasty review of their plans and a code of instructions for Melton’s guidance during their absence, the two daring adventurers mounted their camels and rode slowly off into the darkness toward the hostile camp of the Gallas.
It was very near midnight, and as they trotted briskly across the desert, sounds of mirth floated on the air from the camp where the Abyssinians were making merry over their victory, serenely ignorant of the surprise that dawn was to bring them.
The distant glow ahead seemed to come nearer and nearer with every stride of the camels, and Guy could hardly believe that nearly four miles had been traversed when Canaris pointed out the camp just in front of them.
It was too late to think of retreat now, for already the approach of the camels was detected and a host of dark figures were visible moving across the still glowing embers.
Fearful of an attack, Canaris shouted out loudly, “Makar Makalo! Makar Makalo!” and then, lashing his beast, they galloped into the very center of a turbulent throng, who crowded around them with blazing torches.
Canaris knew barely enough of the language to request an interpreter and the head man of the tribe, and the savages, awed for a moment by the fierce manner in which he made these demands, fell back a little, and Guy had opportunity to observe his surroundings.
He was in a corner of the village which seemedto have escaped the worst of the fray, for a dozen or more huts were standing, and the largest of these was encircled by a dozen heavily armed men. His heart beat fast at the thought that Sir Arthur and Colonel Carrington were confined within.
Just then a huge savage, wearing a leopard skin about his waist, advanced through the crowd, which fell back at his approach. He was accompanied by a small, weazened Arab who at once demanded if the newcomers could “spik Inglis?”
“Go ahead now,” whispered Canaris, “and luck be with you. That big fellow is the head man.”
For a moment Guy could find no voice, and failure stared him in the face.
The horrified expression on the Greek’s countenance broke the spell, and raising his voice he said clearly and distinctly:
“Tell your master we are Portuguese who have come from Zaila at the bidding of Makar Makalo, the ruler.”
The Arab communicated this piece of news in a loud tone that drew a murmur of surprise from the people, but brought no response from the chief, who merely stared impudently.
“The English have made an attack on Zaila by land and sea,” Guy went on in a louder voice. “The town is at their mercy. They have promised Makar to withdraw on condition that the British governorof the town and his friend, who were taken and sold into slavery, be delivered up to them safely. Therefore Makar Makalo has sent us to demand of you the two Englishmen, a supply of food for the journey, and an escort back to Zaila. For this he agrees to reward you well. We came as far as yonder mountain with a caravan bound for Harar, and as there is great need of haste we would start on our return at once.”
This long speech the Arab likewise proclaimed aloud, and with the utmost anxiety Guy and Canaris watched its effect on the people.
They heard it in ominous silence, and the chief spoke a few words to his interpreter, who instantly turned to Guy and announced, in very imperfect English, that nothing could be done until Oko Sam was released from his captivity. He told briefly of the attack on the village, of their plan of surprising the Abyssinians at daybreak, and concluded by inviting them to dismount and await the result of the fight.
It was evident at least that nothing was suspected. So far they had played their part to perfection. But here was an unexpected hindrance. The leader refused to act without the sanction of Oko Sam, and a delay would be fatal.
“Insist on it,” whispered Canaris hurriedly; “it is our only chance.”
“Tell your master we cannot wait,” replied Guy, in well feigned anger. “Every moment is precious, and we must hasten back to Makar Makalo. Give us the Englishmen at once or we will go away without them and tell Makar Makalo how you have treated his messengers.”
This bold declaration had its effect.
The chief withdrew to a little distance and held a long conference with half a dozen of his companions.
Guy and Canaris remained calm and motionless on their camels, haughtily scanning the sea of threatening black faces that hemmed them in on all sides.
Their only ground for hope rested in the fear which Makar Makalo, by his summary dealings with these tribes, had inspired in them.
The single motive which in all probability hindered the head man from acceding at once to their demands was the dread of Oko Sam’s displeasure in case that despotic monarch were rescued in the morning.
The eager confab was still going on as strenuously as ever when a tumult arose from the outskirts of the throng, and presently, amid hoarse cheering and applause, a man broke through the parted ranks of the people and limped feebly into the open space.
It was Oko Sam!
CHAPTER XX.BY A HAIR’S BREADTH.
A nervous shiver passed through Guy as he recognized the repulsive face of his old enemy, and instinctively he pulled his burnouse closer around his head. Oko Sam darted a curious glance at the two motionless figures on the camels and then advanced to meet the head man, who broke off the conference and greeted his newly arrived chief in a most servile manner.
“Don’t despair,” whispered Guy; “those infernal Abyssinians have become drunk and allowed their captive to slip away just at this critical time, but all may go well yet.”
It took but a short time to make Oko Sam acquainted with the facts of the case. He strode up to the camels, and gazed long and haughtily at the two strangers. Then, apparently satisfied with his scrutiny, he addressed a few words to the weazened Arab, and, turning to his people, jabbered away volubly for two or three minutes. When he ceased, half a dozen men started off in different directions, and the interpreter proceeded to communicate the decision to Guy, who, in spite of his calm exterior, was greatly agitated.
“Oko Sam say yes,” began the Arab. “He friend of Makar Makalo; he no want Makar lose Zaila; he give plenty food for journey; he give six, ten, twenty men go long, so bring back much gift from Makar. You say Makar give much, hey?”
“Yes,” replied Guy, repressing with difficulty his extreme joy, “Makar will give big rewards to Oko Sam.”
The Arab turned aside with a grunt of satisfaction as half a dozen natives came up, bearing leathern sacks of provisions, which were handed up, one at a time, to Guy and Canaris, and slung across the necks of their camels.
This proceeding was barely over, when, to Guy’s amazement and disgust, a band of Gallas, fully armed, and bearing each a supply of food strapped on their backs, advanced into the open space.
This was Oko Sam’s promised escort! Instead of two men there were twenty.
“These good fellows here go long,” said the Arab. “They no have camels; they go on foot one day’s journey, then reach other tribe, where find plenty camel.”
This statement relieved Guy considerably. It would not be so difficult, after all, to get rid of the troublesome escort if they were on foot.
And now came the crisis. At a signal from Oko Sam the guards about the hut flung open the entrance, and in a moment two emaciated, half starved figures were led forth, whom it was actually difficult to recognize as the pompous Sir Arthur Ashby and brave Colonel Carrington.
They still wore their uniforms, but the cloth hung in folds about their shrunken limbs, and their faces were pitifully thin and distressed.
Guy’s heart beat fast with indignation as he gazed on this melancholy sight, and then he purposely half turned his face away, lest the prisoners should recognize him and unconsciously cause the failure of the whole plan.
The people drew back as the little group reached the camels. The two Englishmen were lifted up behind the supposed Portuguese—Sir Arthur with Canaris, the colonel beside Chutney—and so weak and helpless were they that it was necessary to partially strap them in their places.
All was now ready. Guy and Canaris were prepared to start, the prisoners were in their possession, and the armed escort were exchanging farewells with their comrades.
At this supreme moment, when the fullest success seemed assured, a startling diversion occurred.
A big Arab, a new arrival evidently, pushed his way forward, and as his glance fell on the Greek he started with surprise, and exclaimed aloud, “Canaris!”
With wonderful self possession the Greek looked at him in mute ignorance; but the Arab, who had probably but just come from Harar, pressed forward, and, joining Oko Sam a few paces away, began to talk excitedly in a low voice.
“We are lost. Chutney,” whispered Canaris in tones of despair.
At the mention of this name. Guy felt the colonel’s arms clasp his waist in a convulsive thrill.
“Not a sound, Colonel Carrington,” he muttered under his breath, “as you value your freedom.”
The tightened grasp instantly relaxed, and Guy turned his head slightly to obtain a clearer view of Oko Sam.
This action hastened the climax, for his burnous caught on the button of Colonel Carrington’s coat and fell to the ground. A glaring torch passing at the moment completed the catastrophe, and the keen eyed Galla chief uttered a howl of rage and amazement as he recognized his old enemy of the market place at Berbera.
Never did Captain Chutney’s quick wits do him a better service than at that moment.
In one glance he took in the whole situation, the astounded chief and his counselors, the swarthy mass of savages ready for instant action, the armed escort that stood between him and the edge of the encampment.
More speedily than words can tell it, his determination was reached. With a warning cry to Canaris, a hasty injunction to Colonel Carrington to hold fast, he snatched a short dagger from his waist and plunged it an inch or more into the flank of the Greek’s camel, and then into that of his own animal.
The frightened and agonized beasts pranced madly for a second or two and then plunged desperately forward, trampling the amazed guards right and left.
It was over in a moment; a howl from the infuriated chief, a terrific uproar from the vast throng, and then, spurred to greater efforts by the tumult in their ears, the valiant camels thundered out into the desert, heedless of the scattered rifle-fire, the volley of whizzing spears. With tremendous strides they bore their precious burdens toward safety and freedom, while the silence of the African night was rent by the venomous cries of their bloodthirsty pursuers.
For the moment they were safe, but in that long four mile race that lay ahead many perils might be encountered, and it was even within the realm of possibilities that the fleet-footed Gallas would overtake the heavily-burdened camels.
It was no time for conversation or explanation. A fervent “Thank God!” burst from Colonel Carrington’s lips as he realized that he had fallen intothe hands of friends, while Sir Arthur, feebly beginning to comprehend what had happened, ejaculated several times, “Bless my soul,” as he clung with might and main to the Greek’s waist.
Faster and faster they sped over the plain, until the tumult behind them was lost in the muffled tramp of the camels’ hoofs. They rode side by side, with arms ready for instant use, but no foe appeared in front or behind, and at last, with a glad cry, Canaris pointed to the distant gleam of the Abyssinian camp.
“We are safe now,” exclaimed Guy. “The Gallas feared to pursue us any further lest their anticipated attack on the Abyssinians should be spoiled.”
“Yes,” replied Canaris, “either that or they have circled round, hoping to cut us off at yonder gap in the mountains where the road breaks through to the coast. And now the rock must be close by. Ha! What does that mean?”
Bang! went a rifle shot directly ahead, and a brief red flash pierced the gloom.
“It is Forbes!” cried Chutney. “He is in danger. Quick, quick, to the rescue.”
A loud shout followed closely on the heels of the report, and recognizing Melton’s voice, Guy, lost to all sense of prudence, cried aloud:
“Don’t give in Forbes; we are coming.”
An answering hail came distinctly back, followed immediately by a second shot.
The agony of suspense was brief. A moment later the rock loomed into view, and the panting camels came to a halt before the entrance to the cavern.
“Oh, you’ve come back safe?” exclaimed Melton coolly, as he came forward with a smoking rifle in his hand. “I’ve had a brush with a party of Abyssinians. They were hunting their camels, I suppose, and took me by surprise. I dropped one of the rascals, and—— Look out! There they are again.”
All dodged to the ground as a shower of spears fell about the rock. With a hollow groan one of the camels dropped heavily over, pierced in the throat by a short spear, and his huge bulk formed a natural barrier before the cavern. Melton’s rifle cracked sharply and a howl of pain attested the accuracy of his aim.
“Into the cavern, all of you,” cried Guy. “The Abyssinians are coming in force; the firing has attracted them to the spot.”
Already a shadowy mass was visible some hundred yards off, and the sound of voices was distinctly heard.
The Greek hastily motioned Sir Arthur and the colonel into the cavern, and hurriedly tossed in the provisions bag by bag.
The enemy were now quite close, and as Canaris stowed away the last bag they came on with a wild rush.
From behind the dead camel Guy and Melton poured in a hot fire that checked their impetuous advance instantly, and before they could rally for another charge, both had bolted into the gloomy hole, and the stone was deftly rolled into place.
CHAPTER XXI.CUT OFF FROM THE OUTER WORLD.
The lamp was lit instantly, and without a moment’s delay Guy led the party at full speed down the corridor until the descent was reached.
“Now hurry down, all of you,” he cried. “You have a flask of powder about you, Canaris. Give it to me.”
“What are you going to do, Chutney?” asked Melton in alarm.
“Put an end to all pursuit,” was the stern reply; and, seizing the flask, he placed it on the ground, and pouring a little powder on a strip of linen torn from the lining of his blouse, he deftly rolled a fuse and inserted one end in the mouth of the flask.
His intentions were apparent. The roof and walls of the passage were of loose earth and stone. A blast would bring them down in an avalanche.
Canaris attempted to expostulate, but Guy drove them all down the slope and applied a match to the fuse.
It was high time, for up the passage shone the gleam of torches. The enemy had effected an entrance.
Guy joined his companions on the shore of the river, and almost instantly a terrific explosion tookplace. It seemed to rend the earth. A tremendous crash and rumbling noise followed, and then all was quiet.
The concussion put out the lamp, but as soon as it was lighted again Guy ran up to see the result of his attempt.
No trace of the passageway existed. In its place was a grim wall of earth.
The full significance of what he had done now flashed into Guy’s mind and he gazed blankly into the faces of his comrades.
“We are buried alive,” said Melton bitterly. “We are as dead to the world as though we were in our coffins.”
“We have simply burned our ships behind us, that is all,” replied Chutney. “Now for the river and freedom.”
They went back and sat down beside the swiftly-flowing water.
“Bless me if I know whether I am on my head or my feet,” said Sir Arthur. “What on earth does this mean?”
“It means that these brave fellows have saved us from a fate worse than death,” cried the colonel; “that is all I care to know at present.”
“I will explain all,” said Guy.
He straightway related everything that had happened from the time they were separated on the wayto Harar to the discovery of the underground river and the daring plan for the rescue of the prisoners.
The colonel could scarcely repress his astonishment as he listened to the wonderful story, and at its conclusion he embraced his rescuer warmly.
“We owe you our lives,” he said fervently. “Never was a braver deed attempted, never was a rescue more marvelously carried out. Ah, I can never repay the debt. A grateful country will reward you, Captain Chutney. England shall know of your heroism.”
“Yes, you are right, colonel,” put in Sir Arthur, with a touch of his old pomposity; “the government shall know how its representative was delivered from the hands of these impious fiends. But bless me, I don’t see that we are so much better off, after all. How are we going to get out of this beastly hole?”
“And what has become of Momba, and Captain Waller, and the Hindoos?” exclaimed Forbes, who had suddenly recollected the missing members of the party.
“Lost—all lost,” replied the colonel sadly. “They were sold to a distant tribe in the interior two days after we arrived at the village. You see our condition. They have made us work from sunrise to sunset. We fell ill, and, being of use no longer,they deliberately tried to starve us to death. It was horrible, horrible!”
“It was a diabolical outrage,” interrupted Sir Arthur. “The whole civilized world will shudder when it knows that the governor of Zaila was fed on tainted meat and spoiled rice, and very little of that, too. If England fails to resent this outrage, I’ll cast off my allegiance to the crown, sir, and become a citizen of some other country. I will, by Jove!”
Sir Arthur might have gone on indefinitely with the tale of his grievances, but Guy cut him short by calling general attention to their present grave situation.
The supply of provisions was at once overhauled, and the inspection proved very satisfactory.
Six large bags had been loaded on the camels. Two of these held jerked beef, probably buffalo or deer meat, one contained rice, another a peculiar kind of hard cakes made from native corn, and the two remaining were filled to the top with dates and figs.
“We are assured of food for some time to come,” said Guy; “that is one consolation. I wish I could feel as certain of light. We have two lamps, and to supply these two big flasks of palm oil, not nearly enough, however, to last us on a long journey. When that is gone, I don’t know what we shall do.”
“When we stop, for rest we shall have to do without light,” suggested Melton. “If we find any places to stop,” he added.
“It’s beastly chilly in here,” observed Sir Arthur, with a shiver. “Two days in a hole like this will give us all rheumatism.”
“Ah,” said Melton, “but I have provided for that. See, here are the trappings from the camels which I brought in while waiting for you.” And he held up one by one half a dozen richly embroidered rugs and skins, which had belonged to the leaders of the Abyssinians.
This pleasing discovery put them all in better spirits, and it was presently supplemented by another, which went far to remove the most formidable obstacle to their journey, for while the canoes were being examined Guy found in a far corner of the cavern a great pile of torches, made from some highly resinous wood. These had evidently belonged to the natives who formerly dwelt here, and were used by them instead of lamps on their journeys to the coast. They were fifty or sixty in number.
“This is a fortunate discovery,” said Guy. “With these and the lamps we may have sufficient light to last out our trip.”
“Yes; that removes the last obstacle,” rejoined Forbes; “and now I propose that we take some refreshment. We have eaten nothing for nearly two days.”
This was true. The excitement had almost banished hunger from their thoughts, but Melton’s words roused their dormant appetites, and, sitting down beside the canoes, they made a hearty meal and washed it down with water from the river, which was quite fresh and cold.
“Well,” said Guy, when they had all finished and the provisions were tied up and put aside, “it will do us no good to remain here any longer. The river, as you all know, is our only salvation, and the sooner we start on our cruise the better. The natives who once dwelt here are reported to have made journeys down this stream in boats. Is it not so, Canaris?”
“Yes,” replied the Greek. “I have heard from the Arabs at Harar that it was their annual custom to go down to the coast in large rafts or boats with trading goods, and then return by land.”
“But where does this underground river empty?” asked the colonel. “Does anyone know?”
“It is supposed to reach the Juba,” replied Guy, “but whether near the mouth of that river or not I cannot say.”
“Ah! but that is a very important thing,” said the colonel. “I possess some acquaintance with the geography of this part of Africa. Are you awarethat the river Juba is nearly eight hundred miles in length? Its source, which as yet remains undiscovered, lies only a hundred miles or more to our west, and it flows to the southeast. This stream before us appears to head in a southwesterly direction as near as I can judge. It is possible then that it joins the river Juba at a distance less than two hundred miles from here. In that event our journey does not appear so formidable.”
“Pardon me, sir,” said Canaris quickly, “but from what I have been able to learn this river reaches the Juba at a point, I have heard stated, midway between Bardera and the coast.”
“Bardera!” cried the colonel sharply. “Why, Bardera is only two hundred miles from the sea. According to that, we have a journey before us of nearly eight hundred miles—a journey underground and on unknown waters. Who can tell what dangers lie before us?”
“We will never get out alive,” groaned Sir Arthur. “Never in the world, Carrington. What a blawsted idiot I was to let the government send me to that beastly hole!”
“And is it impossible to escape by land?” asked the colonel, unheeding this interruption.
“You forget that we have destroyed our only communication with the outer world,” ventured Forbes. “The river is our sole hope.”
“Yes, I had forgotten it, it is true,” replied the colonel.
“And were the communication now open,” exclaimed Guy, “escape would still be hopeless. This river is navigable, and the existence of those canoes proves what I say. I have been in tight places like this before, and if you will trust to my guidance I will do my best to bring you through in safety. If we fail, it shall be through no fault of mine.”
CHAPTER XXII.AN UNWELCOME VISITOR.
Guy’s stirring speech was just what was needed to rouse the flagging spirits of the party, for the colonel’s graphic description of the contemplated journey had produced a very depressing effect.
Preparations for the start were begun at once. The two canoes were first tested and found to be absolutely seaworthy. Then the provisions, the torches, the lamps, the oil flasks, and the rugs were divided into two parts and stowed away.
It was decided that Guy should be accompanied by Forbes and Sir Arthur in the first boat, and that Canaris and the colonel should follow in the second. For economy one torch was to be used for illuminating their way, and this Sir Arthur was to hold in the rear of the canoe. Eight paddles had been found in the cavern, thus providing an extra supply in case of possible loss.
It was difficult to believe that the sun was shining brightly outside. No ray of light pierced the blackness of the cavern, and the dead silence was unbroken by the first sound, though at that very moment the Gallas and the Abyssinians were probably waging a bloody battle almost overhead. Henceforth day and night were one, all trace oftime would be lost, and whether any of that imprisoned band would ever see the light of day again or breathe the free, open air, the future alone could tell.
It was a solemn and impressive moment, and Guy’s voice had a touch of huskiness in it as he ordered the canoes to be carried to the water.
A last survey of the cavern was made to see that nothing was forgotten, and then all took their places in silence, the canoes swung slowly out from shore, and, caught by the current, shot off into the gloom on the first stage of the most awful journey ever made by Englishmen.
Guy sat slightly in front of the stern, keeping the canoe straight with an occasional touch of the paddle, for the velocity of the current made labor unnecessary, and close behind him was Sir Arthur, holding the flaring torch that lit up the water for a short distance ahead and served to guide the second canoe, which was only a few yards behind.
“If this current continues all the way,” observed Forbes, “eight hundred miles will be nothing at all.”
“Yes, if no bad rapids are encountered,” replied Guy. “There are certainly none very near, or we could hear them plainly.”
“I don’t think we need fear that very much,” called out the colonel from the rear canoe. “The altitude of this part of Africa is not so high abovethe sea. The valley overhead is a pretty deep one, and this river is some distance beneath. Moreover, those natives would hardly have made an annual cruise down the river if the channel were very dangerous.”
“It was their custom to start at the close of the rainy season,” said the Greek, “when the river was high and swollen.”
“Don’t mention rapids, I beg of you,” cried Sir Arthur. “It makes me nervous. I can’t stand it at all.”
For an hour or more they traveled on in almost unbroken silence. On either side the shore was invisible, and overhead the glare of the torch revealed only black, empty space. The same intense silence prevailed, not even the faintest murmur of the river being audible.
This peaceful monotony, however, was rudely shattered. A low humming sound was heard in the distance, which rapidly increased in volume, and left no room to doubt that a course of rapids was below. At Guy’s suggestion Forbes relieved Sir Arthur of the torch, and scarcely had this change been effected when the current carried them into a swirling mass of spray.
Both canoes grated and bumped against rocks, and then, before the frightened occupants could realize that it was over, the sullen roar was fading awayin the distance, and the smooth current was bearing them rapidly ahead.
This little episode considerably relieved their minds. If no more dangerous water than that lay before them, there was little cause for apprehension. A skilled eye and a strong hand would overcome the difficulty.
Presently, for the first time, rocky walls appeared, now on one side, now on the other, but they fell sheer to the water, and gave no opportunity for landing. The atmosphere of the cavern was pure and fresh, a fact not readily accounted for, since no glimmer of daylight was anywhere visible.
Guy began to grow sleepy, a sensation which was shared by his companions, for it was many hours since they had had any rest. It was impossible to tell how long or how far they had traveled. All passage of time was lost, and the periods for eating and sleeping must be regulated by their own feelings. Instinct goes wrong in such cases; yet there was little doubt that the night had come.
A sharp lookout was kept on the shores, but, as the current swept them past the same monotonous ledges without a break, it began to look as though they would be compelled to take turns at sleeping in the bottom of the canoes.
They were paddling close along the right shore when a sudden cry from Canaris, who was almostabreast of the other boat, and farther out in the current, attracted general attention, and peering out on the river they saw a dim object some yards away.
The current bore them past it, but by dint of hard paddling the canoes were headed diagonally up stream, and a few moments later a landing was made on the lower end of a small spit of white sand, ten or fifteen yards in diameter.
It sloped gently to the water’s edge, and in the center was a cluster of smooth, water-worn stones.
It was a perfect haven of refuge to the weary and exhausted voyagers, and with thankful hearts they hauled the canoes upon the strip of beach and spread out the rugs in readiness for a few hours’ sleep.
They ate sparingly of crackers and dates, for Guy had assumed charge of the commissary department and dispensed supplies with no liberal hand, the wisdom of which was readily acknowledged by all.
The torch had been stuck end up in the sand, and its cheerful glow threw a radiance over all the little island and caused the silvery white sand to sparkle brilliantly.
They stretched themselves out on the rugs near the center of the island, and as soon as they were arranged comfortably Guy rigorously extinguished the torch and hunted his place in the darkness.
No thought of fear entered their mind. On all sides was the deep and rapid river. Whence could an enemy come? In five minutes not a man was awake. Even Sir Arthur was snoring profoundly, dreaming perhaps of the snug quarters in the residence at Zaila, from which he had been so rudely ousted a few short weeks before.
Guy was dreaming, too, but far different were the visions that coursed through his brain. For the twentieth time he was living over again his awful experiences of the previous year. Once more he was a prisoner in the rajah’s fortress, and Nana Sahib’s cannons were awaiting their victim on the massive stone platform. Now he was being led out to die in the midst of his companions, the fiendish faces all about him, the Hindoos stood by the touch-holes with lighted torches. Now they were binding him, the gaping muzzle was pressing his back——
Then he woke and sat up, trembling from head to foot, the dank perspiration standing in beads on his forehead. Thank God it was only a dream. The rajah’s fortress was thousands of miles away.
Suddenly a faint sound reached his ear, so indistinct that he could hardly be sure he heard anything at all. He listened a moment, but it was not repeated.
“Some of the fellows stirring in their sleep,” hemuttered, and giving the matter no further thought, he lay down again.
But as soon as his head touched the sand the sound was repeated, and this time it was more definable—a steady, rustling noise, with an occasional low splash that seemed to come from the water.
It was caused by none of his companions, for they all lay on his left, while the alarming noise seemed to come from the right.
Guy was a brave man, but in his nervous condition, resulting from the recent dream, this new alarm was too much, and he felt a cold chill run down his spine.
Giving Forbes, who was next him, a gentle shake, he drew himself to his feet, and taking a match from his pocket, rubbed it with a trembling hand across the front of his trousers.
It struck fire instantly, and as the sudden flare lit up the whole extent of the island the match dropped from Guy’s nerveless fingers and he started back with a cry of horror that echoed horribly through the gloomy recesses of the cavern.
CHAPTER XXIII.A WONDERFUL ESCAPE.
Guy had presence of mind enough to strike a second match and ignite the torch, which was fortunately within reach of his hand, and as his companions, roused from their sleep by his sharp cry of alarm, sprang excitedly to their feet, the flaming glare revealed to their astonished gaze a monstrous serpent coiled half on land, half in the water, at the edge of the island.
The flat, ugly head, with its wicked eyes, was darting angrily to and fro, and the body was as thick as a man’s leg above the knee.
“Great Cæsar, it’s a sea-serpent!” cried Forbes, making a dash for his rifle, while Sir Arthur, with a dismal groan, dropped down on his knees and had to be dragged forcibly away by the colonel.
The glare of the torch seemed to anger the monster, for it advanced a yard or more up the island, and spattered the water furiously with its great tail.
A general rush was made for the canoes, and it would have been no difficult matter to have slipped quickly away and left the hideous monster in undisputed possession of the island.
Unluckily Forbes was bent on resistance. He seized his rifle, made sure that it was ready for use, and started forward just as Guy hurried to his assistance.
“Come away, Melton,” he cried; “it will only make things worse if you wound it.”
“But I don’t intend to wound it,” replied Melton. “I’m going to put a ball through that ugly head. Stand back, Chutney; stand back.”
As he spoke he advanced recklessly until the muzzle of his rifle was within two feet of the serpent’s head, and, taking a quick aim, pulled the trigger.
The stunning report shook the cavern; then, as Forbes turned to flee, the enraged monster, with blood streaming from a hole in his neck, threw his slimy coils forward in convulsions of agony, and, before the eyes of his horrified companions, Melton was pinned to the ground.
He struggled to his knees, fighting desperately to loosen the tightening coils, and uttering heartrending appeals for help.
Then, with a mighty hiss, the serpent flapped wildly toward the water, dragging his victim with him, and with a terrific splash and a resounding slap of the great tail on the moist sand, both disappeared in the gloom.
With a terrible cry Guy ran to the water’s edge and shouted again and again.
No response came back. The black river flowed as smoothly and calmly as before.
“Lost! Lost!” he cried hoarsely, and staggering backward he fell heavily on the sand.
The colonel ran to his assistance, and at that moment a single cry came distinctly from a point below the island.
“Listen!” exclaimed Canaris. “What is that?”
“Help! Help!” rang mournfully through the recesses of the cavern.
It was Melton’s voice surely, and the familiar tones reached Guy’s ears and brought him to his feet in an instant.
“It’s Forbes!” he shouted wildly. “The canoe, quick,” and snatching the heavy craft, he fairly threw it into the river and sprang in.
Canaris leaped after him, and seizing paddles they drove the canoe swiftly toward the distant sound.
“We are coming, Melton; we are coming,” cried Guy. “We’ll save you yet.”
In their haste the lighted torch had been left behind, but fortunately the Greek had matches, and in an instant another torch was lit and flaring cheerfully over the water.
“This way, Chutney,” came a feeble voice below them. “Hurry up. I’m nearly exhausted.”
A few rapid strokes of the paddle brought themwithin sight of a struggling object on the surface of the water, and as the canoe ran skilfully alongside, Guy dropped his paddle, and, leaning out, seized the drowning man by the collar. With almost superhuman strength he dragged him into the canoe without assistance.
“Thank God!” he cried, “he’s safe. Speak to me, Forbes. Are you hurt?”
But Melton lay white and helpless in the bottom of the boat, too exhausted to reply.
“He’s all right,” said Canaris. “Don’t make him talk. Take your paddle, Chutney. We’ll have a struggle to make the island.”
The Greek was right. Far above them shone the flickering torch, and the current was bearing them further away.
“I can’t paddle and hold the torch at the same time,” said Canaris. “We must be guided by the light on the island.”
And they bent to the paddles with a will, shouting from time to time to encourage the colonel and Sir Arthur. It was even a harder task than they had feared—to force the canoe through that fierce rush of water. And for a time it seemed as though they were losing instead of gaining.
But at last the distant light grew brighter, and soon their friends could be seen standing on the edge of the island.
Ten minutes’ more labor brought the canoe to the small eddy behind the island, and then the colonel hauled it gently upon the sand. They climbed wearily out and bore Melton tenderly up the slope. His clothes were foul and slimy from the serpent’s embrace, but he did not seem to be injured.
A few drops of stimulant would have had a good effect, but as this was out of the question they did the next best thing under the circumstances. His wet clothes were stripped off and wrung out. Then he was wrapped snugly in three or four big rugs and laid in one of the canoes, which was emptied for the purpose. This heroic treatment had a speedy effect, and the patient, much to the relief of all, recovered from his prostration and insisted on sitting up.
“No, I don’t think I’m hurt,” he said, in response to Guy’s inquiries. “It was the closest shave I ever had in my life, though. You may imagine how I felt when the monster dragged me into the river. I gave myself up for lost at once. He dived straight down, and then shot through the water like a streak. One coil was still around my body, and hard as I struggled I couldn’t tear loose. My ears began to sing, and I knew I would have to drown. Then I felt the coil grow a little looser, and with one desperate struggle I tore away and came to the top. Thefirst thing I saw was the light away up on the island, and I shouted for help as loud as I could. I was terribly afraid you would not hear me, and all the time I was growing weaker and weaker, and the current was dragging me farther and farther away. Then I saw your torch almost beside me, and that is all I remember. I would have gone to the bottom in another minute, I know. It was horrible, Chutney. It makes me faint to think of it,” and Melton closed his eyes with a little shudder.
There were tears in the eyes of all as they listened to the marvelous story of his escape, and a sterner realization came to them of the unknown and unseen dangers that encompassed them.
Further sleep was out of the question, and yet they could not well leave the island until Melton’s clothes were partially dry.
“Suppose we try some fishing,” suggested Guy. “I have lines, and we can bait the hooks with bits of dried meat.”
“That would be an agreeable change in our bill of fare,” said the colonel. “I second the motion.”
“Gentlemen, I beg of you, don’t harass my feelings by talking of fish,” protested Sir Arthur, who was gradually recovering from his severe fright. “It makes me think of white-bait dinners at Greenwich. I dined there two days before I sailed for Africa.”
“And you will dine there again, many a time,” replied the colonel. “Only keep up your spirits, Ashby.”
“I hope so, I’m sure,” groaned Sir Arthur, with a dismal shake of the head that belied his words.
Meanwhile Guy had been preparing the lines, and handing one to the Greek, they cast them in the eddy below the island. In less than five minutes Guy landed a trumpet, a fish of a deep purple color, a foot in length. Canaris hauled one out at the same time, and within an hour they had caught more than a dozen, all of the same species and of about the same length.
“We’ll take them along with us,” said Guy. “We may find driftwood enough to build a fire and cook them.”
“And if we don’t find any,” cried Canaris, “we can cook them by holding them in the flame of the torch.”