THE BLACK SHADOWS.
Our course that night being of more than usual roughness and difficulty,
we made little headway, and by morning we had done no more than reach
the height of the mountain range over which we were climbing, and which
at that point was some three or four thousand feet above sea-level.
Howbeit, we were not disappointed with our night's work, for when the
sun rose we found ourselves looking out upon the wide plain which
stretches from those mountains to the sea-coast of the Pacific. Half our
journey was over.
"God send that all may be as well with us during this next journey as it
has been during the last," said Pharaoh. "We have prospered exceeding
well so far--yea, much better than I expected. Only let us do as well
on our way over yonder plain and we shall reach Acapulco in safety."
"But what then?" I asked, not knowing what his plans might be.
"That," he answered, "is a difficult question, master. We shall
certainly meet with no more love at Acapulco than at Vera Cruz, for the
Spaniards have still some sore memories of the drubbings we have given
them. But there we may find an English ship, for 'tis a convenient port
for those vessels that come north. Maybe we shall have to wait awhile,
and lie hidden outside the city or on the coast. All that we must leave
till the time comes. 'Tis something that we have come thus far without
let or hindrance."
And truly he was right there and we felt thankful to God for it. In
truth we had so far been most mercifully protected, and our adventures
had abundantly proved to us that God is merciful to men who have no hope
of any mercy or consideration from their fellow-creatures.
We now sought out a convenient resting-place, and having found a quiet
corner amongst the rocks, we sat down there and ate another hearty meal
from the stores given to us by the old Spaniard, after which, feeling
much refreshed, we lay down to sleep in a hopeful state of mind. The
good food and drink had marvelously restored us, giving us new strength
in body and soul, so that we now hoped where we had previously been
inclined to despair. And so, being impelled to brighter thoughts than
had filled our hearts for some days, we slept more composedly, and had
none of those evil visions which had disturbed our sleep on former
occasions.
Nevertheless evil was drawing near to us while we slept.
It was about half-way through the afternoon, when I woke with a sudden
feeling that all was not well. It was not the feeling which I had
experienced the previous day, namely, that I was being watched, but a
curious sensation of coming ill. How it came into my mind I know not;
all I know is that I suddenly awoke and came into possession of all my
senses with startling swiftness, so that while I had been sound asleep
one moment I was wide awake the next, and looking and listening with
very eager and acute perception. Also, my heart was beating hard in my
breast, as a man's heart will when he suddenly fronts some great danger.
And then I knew that evil was at hand, and as I held up my head and
looked round I saw it draw near.
The place in which we lay was a corner amongst the rocks on the side of
the mountain. Before us lay a wide expanse of smooth stone, the top of a
great rock that had its base in the woods below. Behind us rose a high
wall of rock, and beyond that was the sun, now sinking towards the
western horizon. Where we lay everything was in deep shadow, but the
table-like piece of rock in front was bathed in brilliant sunlight, and
when I woke and looked round my eyes fell upon it, and on a sight which
was like to freeze my heart within me.
Some ridge of rock or mountain high above us was outlined on the bright
stretch of reflected sunlight at our feet, and on this as I looked
appeared two shadows--the shadows of human beings, standing motionless
on the ridge, and evidently looking out from that commanding position
across the wide plain that lay far below.
I recognized one of the shadows instantly. It was the figure of a man
cloaked in some long clinging garment, that enveloped him from head to
foot. As he turned his head I saw the peculiar cowl, with its peaked
top, which had confronted me the previous day.
The other shadow seemed to be that of a naked man, of slender, sinewy
limbs, who carried a bow, and whose head was ornamented with long,
waving feathers. Now he stood motionless against the sky, looking like a
figure cut out of stone or bronze; now he shaded his eyes with his hand,
evidently gazing across the plain below; now he stooped and seemed to
examine the ground at his feet. But the shadow of the cowled and cloaked
figure stood statue-like and never moved.
Now, if you can so exercise your imagination as to put yourself in my
place, you will not be slow to recognize the terror which came over me
at this unexpected sight. If I had seen a dozen armed men spring out
upon us from the rocks I should have cared not. But to see these
sinister-looking shadows, motionless or restless, on the bright patch of
sunlight, was an awful thing--yea, to this day I do often see it in my
dreams, and wake sweating with fear and horror.
I leaned over and touched Pharaoh lightly. He woke on the instant and
sat up.
"Hush!" I whispered, pointing to the shadows. "Look there!"
He lifted his hand to his brow and gazed at the shadows with a
wonder-struck air. Then he seemed to recognize their import, and turned
to me with a shake of the head.
"Lad," said he, "we are about to have trouble. 'Tis that accursed
Familiar. He hath tracked us. Said I not that these devils in man's
shape are like sleuth-hounds?"
"But the other, Pharaoh? What is the other?"
"An Indian, lad. See there, he is stooping to examine the ground. They
are like dogs--they will find a trace where we should see naught."
"What shall we do?"
"God help us!--I know not. Once on our track they will hunt us down. See
there!"
To the two shadows was suddenly added a third, a fourth, a fifth, then a
sixth and seventh, and presently others until we counted twelve.
"All Indians except the monk," said Pharaoh. "He is the huntsman and
they are his dogs. See, they are separating again. Lad, get thy cudgel
in readiness. 'Tis the best weapon we have."
We started to our feet and gripped our staves firmly. And at the
prospect of a fight my terror died away. There was no ghostly fear about
things of flesh and blood. You can strike a man, but who can strike a
shadow?
At that moment, over a rock to our left, appeared the face of an Indian,
scarred and painted, a very devil's face to look at. We were seen at
last!