WE MOUNT THE CLIFF
"May the gracious blessing of the Lord rest upon you, Geoffrey
Benteen," exclaimed the old Puritan fervently, as we faced each other
in that gloomy passage, and it somehow heartened me to note tears in
his gray eyes. There was heart, then, under all his crabbedness. "I
have suffered much of late both in spirit and flesh, and the very sight
of you is as a gift of mercy unto me. No angel with healing in his
wings could prove more welcome, yet I dislike leaving yonder food for
the sustenance of that foul idolater."
"You hunger then?" I questioned, amused at the regret with which he
glanced backward.
"Is it hungered you call a man who has had but two dry bones to pick
since yester-noon?" he groaned, pressing both hands upon his stomach.
"I am lean as the Egyptian kine, and fain would welcome even locusts
and wild honey."
"Well, friend," I insisted firmly, "if you follow, within fifteen
minutes you shall partake of a meal equalling that left behind. I
myself know well what a long fast means."
"'T is truly a grievous affliction, difficult to sustain in meekness of
spirit," he admitted, yet ever keeping me close company through the
increasing darkness of descent; "yet more am I distressed by the loss
of all spiritual nurture amid these wild heathen. Perchance, Master
Benteen, you might be led to unite with me in a moment's fervent
supplication before the throne of grace?"
"Ay; when the right time comes I will gladly join, yet I warn you now
not to send your bull voice roaring through these passages, or you will
have small opportunity for another meal."
"A time to work and a time to pray has ever been my motto, most worthy
youth, but my soul is so filled with gratitude at my providential
deliverance from pagan bondage--even as was Daniel from the lions'
den--I long to pour forth my joy in songs of praise. Patience, but
were I out of here, verily would I venture to uplift a psalm of Zion."
He spoke in such ecstasy I feared lest his zeal might conquer his
prudence, although in truth this latter virtue was one never apparent
in his composition, and I determined once for all to nip in the bud all
such inclination. So I halted in the darkness, and, as he lumbered
past, laid a restraining hand upon his shoulder.
"Now hark you, Ezekiel Cairnes," I muttered sternly, "I admire your
piety, but this is no conventicle of the elect we are in; rather a
place where your life, and those of others, depend on our caution. The
echoing of that bull voice along these galleries might cause the
blocking of our passage, caging us in here like rats in a hole. So
hold quiet, Master Preacher, and let me hear no more about either
prayers or psalms."
The grave determination in my voice served to sober him.
"'T is in my blood," he admitted doggedly, "to fight and work better to
the holy songs of Israel. It would bring renewed peace to my soul
merely to uplift a paean of victory over the discomfiture of my
enemies. But I seek no quarrel here, and hence bide in silence until a
proper moment to unseal my lips."
"'Twill be well you do. Now follow close at my heels, and I 'll
promise a swift diversion to your thoughts."
Thus cautiously we crept toward the distant flickering of the torch,
the unsteady light from which already began to yellow the packed earth
about us, until we finally emerged into its full glare. I had crawled
forth, perhaps half my length beyond the concealment of the wooden
pillar, and, knife in hand, was stealthily drawing in toward the
motionless form of the still slumbering priest, when the roving eyes of
Cairnes encountered the idol, with its flashing gems and widely
outspread wings, towering above like an avenging demon. I doubt not
the sight was startling to the fellow, terrorized by the underground
gloom, and he gave utterance to one gruff cry:
"'T is Beelzebub!"
The sleeping priest leaped to his feet, glaring about in bewilderment.
Where I lay outstretched it required an instant to gather myself for
action, and, before I could place restraining grip upon him, the fellow
saw us both, and, with echoing scream of terror, fled frantically up
the dark entry to the right. I made desperate effort to halt him, but
my swift-flung knife found bloodless sheath within the soft earth of
the wall.
"Zounds! are you a screeching woman with no control over your tongue?"
I exclaimed angrily, panting for breath. "'T is likely that priest
will rouse the tribe, and we shall have a run for it. What caused you
to make such an uproar?"
"Saints of Israel!" he said, repentantly enough, his glinting eyes
still roving over the silent, leering image, "never before did I behold
such monster as that. For the moment, I believed it Satan himself.
But, for the love of the prophets, what is this?" He began eagerly
sniffing the air with his great nose like a pointer dog. "'T is food I
scent; that which will stay a famished stomach. I beg you, friend,
pause shortly while I satisfy in some measure the yearnings of the
body. Then shall I be better fitted to withstand the temptations of
the world."
"Odds, man, I hope so," I responded gloomily, watching his eager attack
upon the supply outspread before the idol. "So far you have acted like
a lunkhead, and I begin to regret making you comrade in this adventure.
If a full stomach inspires to a man's duty, it would be policy always
to bear food about with you."
"Ay, 'tis strange, indeed," he mumbled, his mouth too full for clear
speech, "that one who ever strives to live in spiritual exercise should
be so completely the bound slave of mere bodily indulgence. Yet I did
inherit all such ungodly tendency from my mother who was of Dutch
blood, as round of form as a Holland churn, while my father was spare
of build, and throve marvellously upon the water of life."
Leaving the engrossed sectary to refresh himself to the full of his
capacity, I anxiously set to work searching after some species of
cross-tunnel, shrewdly guessing this underground altar masked a
junction point, from whence some such branch passageway would lead
toward the open air. With diligent care I passed along the walls,
testing each separate section, yet discovering nothing to reward my
efforts, until, finally creeping between the spreading feet of the
effigy, which appeared to sway unsteadily, I lifted the crimson drapery
hanging down its back, thus disclosing an opening, barely sufficient to
permit the easy passage of a small man while lying flat.
"Most noble scavenger," I said, feeling in better humor from this
chance discovery of the means of escape, "are the wants of nature
finally satisfied? For if so, I have found a path which will lead us
from this hole of iniquity."
"Nay, call it not so while it offers such excellent bodily nurture," he
replied with fervor, cocking one eye up at me, yet keeping both hands
busily employed in crowding his pockets full of eatables. "Say rather
the shadow of a great rock in a weary land, or a well of water in
desert places. I shall be ready to accompany you upon a journey after
I lay in these few necessaries. The Lord hath given me manna in the
wilderness--even as the ravens fed Elijah so hath He succored me--and
'twould be sin to make mock of His mercy."
"Very well; only hurry and follow my lead."
"Will you not carry the torch to help guide?" he questioned, peering
doubtfully into the yawning black opening.
"No; the light would serve to betray us to any spying eyes. Perhaps
that frightened priest may deem us spirits, and muster courage to come
creeping back. If so, it will be best for him to find things here
unchanged, although in faith he will scarcely doubt we possess earthly
appetites when he notes your onslaught on the sacred food. Come, man,
enough of stuffing; your pockets can hold no more, so press on with me."
"It grieves me sorely to leave behind so much good pabulum," he
explained, eying still the few morsels left. "It would be well, to my
judgment, did you pack the rest of this providential supply."
Never pausing to answer, I crept between the spreading wooden limbs,
and, with the expenditure of no small effort, succeeded in wriggling
into the narrow hole beyond. It was a cramped passage for a man of my
girth, yet, by digging in firmly with both hands and feet, I managed to
advance, until I finally emerged, within space of perhaps a yard, into
a much larger excavation, resembling the tunnel we had previously
traversed.
"Now, Master Cairnes," I spoke back encouragingly, "it is only a short
distance to good footing; so take fresh breath and come on."
His massive head completely shut out the faint light of the narrow
opening, and I heard heavy breathing as the fellow squeezed his broad
shoulders through the hole. There followed sounds of violent struggle
during his slow and painful advance.
"By all the prophets and the patriarchs," he groaned wearily, "'tis not
in me to make it! Had I endeavored this before eating I could have
slipped through, scarcely touching either side. But now I am scraped
like a pig for the feast. Baste me, friend Benteen, but I can move
neither forward nor back in this accursed place; I am full aground in
the centre, and can never hope to progress without aid."
I reached down until I laid firm hold upon his groping fingers.
"Find some projection to push against with your feet," I advised
disgustedly.
"Fervently will I endeavor to dig in, and thus render all assistance in
my power, yet I feel little to encourage me here in good works. Would
it not be wise to test the potency of prayer? Verily the prayer of the
righteous availeth much."
"I try earthly power first," I returned testily. "So lay to it, and we
will have you out."
I braced my knees against the firm wall, exerting all the strength I
possessed. There followed a series of moans and heated expostulations,
then the sound of rending cloth, and the disgruntled Puritan came forth
with a suddenness of exit which landed us both in a heap on the floor.
"May all the spawn of hell be your playmates," he roared in mad anger.
"By the bones of Moses! you have scraped every bit of skin off me, and
half my coat is ripped loose and left behind. Thou art an ungodly,
blaspheming--"
He gasped wildly for breath as I throttled him, but the grip of my
hands stilled his speech.
"It was only that you gorged like a bear preparing for Winter, or you
would have passed through even as I did," I muttered, heedless of his
effort to release my clutch. "Lie still now, or, by all the devils in
the pit, I 'll shut down harder on your throat. Ah, so you can keep
quiet, friend? Then I will let you go, for I would be free to explore
this passage."
I could perceive, by means of the faint light streaming through the
narrow opening, that he was busily engaged in rubbing his sorely
lacerated sides, and I noted his brown jerkin had been fairly wrenched
off his shoulders.
"Where did you leave your coat?"
"Yonder in that accursed hole! It has store of provisions in its
pockets. Lord save me, but was there ever such a time!"
He turned, groping anxiously about in the scene of his late adventure
until he finally brought forth the missing garment. Carefully testing
the pockets to see their contents remained intact, a smile lit up his
leathern face, and he flung it across his shoulders, like a pair of
well-filled saddle-bags. I reached in also, lowered the drapery, and
then led down the dark tunnel as rapidly as the grim uncertainty of the
way would permit.
The passage proved long and tedious; at least so it seemed to us
compelled to grope slowly onward through the darkness. However, it ran
straight and upon a level, although the numerous supports of the roof
gave us occasional foul blows, and proved so confusing we were
considerable time in traversing its distance. All I have already
pictured as occurring since I departed from the presence of Madame, and
first plunged blindly into the underground labyrinths, had required
several hours, and it must have been close upon sunset when we emerged
from the gloom of the tunnel into the fresh sweet air.
The passage traversed so long terminated abruptly, and with a sheer
turn to the left, coming forth between two huge rocks. To all
appearances, it ended at the high bank of a noisy stream, and was
partly hidden by the overhanging cliff. The latter, devoid of path or
chasm, now barred our progress, towering aloft until its ragged summit
appeared to press the blue sky. At first view I thought the way ended
here, but Cairnes pointed silently toward the right, and then I
perceived where a path led upward, along the merest narrow, jagged
shelf, skirting the boiling water, yet ever rising higher above it,
until, as my eyes followed its serpentine windings from terrace to
terrace, I grew dizzy contemplating the possibilities of so mad a climb.
"I suppose it must be tried," I admitted soberly, "for there is
apparently no other passage. Doubtless it leads straight to the top of
the cliff."
"Ay," with more of indifference than I had expected, "and it will be no
easy trick in the night."
"The night?"
"Surely, yes; when else could we expect to compass the path? Is it not
plain, friend, that before we rose fifty feet we should be in full view
of every eye in the valley with the sun bright upon us? I tell you we
must foot yonder rocks amid the night shadows, or else it will be safer
to lie hidden here."
I perceived the truth of his words and I confess to a sinking of the
heart, as I contemplated the work before us. I was never an adept in
clambering, it addles my head; and, bad as it appeared by day, surely
doubly bad would it prove by night. Yet there was little help for it,
and I made shift to win back my oozing courage by more cheerful speech.
"Odds, but that is no such trip as I would seek after, yet needs must
if the devil drives," I said. "So, now, brother Cairnes, if you wilt
consent to divide your store of food, we shall both front our night's
work with stronger bodies."
"Saints' rest! and if we go over the edge," he replied, cheerfully
emptying his bulging pockets on the rock, "it will be a comfort to bear
loaded stomachs with us. It was ever against my pleasure to die half
filled."
We lingered as long as possible over our meal, conversing in such a way
as to encourage each other and indulging in frequent draughts from the
clear stream. Nothing occurred to disturb us, and, finally, both
yielded to the soothing influence of the drowsy evening, and, resting
back upon the rocks, dropped asleep. I know not the hour of my
awakening, yet it greatly heartened me to be greeted by the sight of a
nearly full moon, and to observe how the clear silvery light flooded
the rocks, revealing the winding path leading upward. To arouse
Cairnes was no easy task, but at last we advanced on our path. The
huge rocks overhead appeared to arch us in, while, with utmost caution,
we crept along the narrow, irregular ledge, which at times was level,
and anon rose abruptly like the steps of a stair; occasionally it wound
about projecting rocks and over vast, unknown depths, until my brain
whirled, while I hugged the smooth rock wall at my right, and felt
cautiously forward for solid foothold.
I imagine we had progressed thus for upwards of three or four hundred
yards, and were elevated so far above the stream that scarcely an echo
of its noise assailed our ears even in the silence of the night, when
suddenly we came to the end of our path. The rocky shelf was so narrow
the very conception of turning about smote me with terror. Directly in
front, extending to the very edge, stretched a solid wall of rock. My
eyes sank to the shelf on which I stood. Lying close against the sheer
cliff was the root of a tree, its trunk, perhaps a foot or more in
diameter, stretching over the abyss, whose depth I durst not guess. I
stooped cautiously, my heart throbbing, and ran my fingers along the
bark.
"Oak," I announced soberly, "and feels solid and strong. No doubt
those Indians must cross here, but it is a bridge to rack the nerves."
"Will you adventure the passage?" questioned Cairnes, striving to peer
across my shoulder. "As for me I would rather attempt the Red Sea."
"Odds, man, the choice is not given. 'T is either turn and go back, or
foot the tree; of the two the attempt at turning would addle me worse."
I leaned out over the edge as far as I dared, clinging desperately to
the root, and gazed down. It was like peering into the mouth of a
great well. Then I nerved myself for the ordeal, and the next moment
was fairly launched over the abyss, hanging on grimly to the log, my
brain reeling as if with drunkenness. Yet I kept moving inch by inch,
for there was now no stopping, and soon felt solid rock once more
beneath my groping feet. With prayer on lips I crouched, sick and
dizzy, close in against the wall, watching Cairnes where he followed
along the same perilous path.