The Maroon captain, before leaving the Duppy's Hole, had given official
orders to his lieutenant about the capture of Chakra. There could no
longer be any question of the absence of the myal-man from his haunt.
The Maroons had continued their search after the discovery in the cave,
still thinking that he might be concealed somewhere in the wood. The
bushes were well beaten--the trees, where it was possible for a man to
have climbed, were all scrutinised; and the search had ended without
their finding any other trace of the Coromantee than what had been
already discovered.
Beyond doubt, Chakra had gone abroad--though in what direction, no one
could guess; and to have attempted tracking him at night, and through a
pathless forest, would have been labour lost.
The correct scheme for capturing him was for the Maroons to remain in
the Duppy's Hole, against his return; and, by keeping in ambuscade until
he should have re-crossed the lagoon, they would have him, as it were,
in a trap.
This was the plan chosen--with the execution of which Quaco was
intrusted.
Indeed, the initiatory steps had been taken already: for ever since the
search by torchlight had been abandoned, Quaco and his men had been
placed in ambush.
Cubina perceived the error he had committed in causing the search to be
made.
Chakra might have been upon the cliff above, where he could not have
failed to see the light of the torches.
If so, there would not be the slightest hope of his returning for that
night. After witnessing such an invasion of his secret haunt, his
caution would be upon the _qui vive_--enough to hinder him from
venturing down into the Duppy's Hole, notwithstanding the attractive
lure he had there left behind him.
Cubina thus reflected with regret--with chagrin. The capture of Chakra
had now become an object of primary importance.
After all, the apprehension that he had seen the torches, or in any way
become aware of the intrusion of strangers upon his solitary domain, may
have been an idle one. If so, then he would be certain to come back.
The presence of his prisoner was earnest of his return, and at no
distant period of time.
To make sure of his capture, the Maroon captain had himself planned the
ambush. Quaco and his men were placed under the great tree--where the
myal-man was accustomed to moor his craft. Some of them were stationed
on the tree, among its branches, with the design that they should drop
upon the shoulders of the Coromantee, as soon as he should arrive at his
anchorage.
The canoe itself was to be left at the bottom of the stairway, after
being taken thither by the Maroon captain and his two companions, on
their departure from the place. All this was done as designed.
Before parting from the canoe, Cubina had taken the precaution to place
it in the exact position in which it had been left by Chakra: so that
the latter could have no suspicions that the craft had been used during
his absence.
These arrangements having been completed, Quaco and his comrades--
Cingues among the number--from their station by the edge of the lagoon,
with eyes bent alternately upon the water and the face of the cliff,
awaited the coming of the Coromantee.
The Maroons were armed with guns, loaded and primed. Not that they
intended to kill Chakra. On the contrary, Cubina's orders were to
capture him. Criminal as was the outlawed myal-man, it was not their
province to decide upon his criminality--at least, not so far as to the
depriving him of his life. Free as was the licence enjoyed by these
mountain rovers, there were laws around them by which even they were
bound to abide. Besides, there would be no danger of his escaping from
the punishment that was his due. They knew that Chakra's capture would
be but the prelude to his execution.
They had a different reason for being attentive to their arms. It was
just possible the Coromantee might _not return alone_. They knew he had
been in the company of others--Adam and his band of desperate robbers.
These confederates might come back along with him. In that case, the
quiet scheme of their capture might be transformed into a sanguinary
encounter.
It was not necessary all should keep awake. One-half of the little band
were appointed sentinels, while the others went to sleep.
The lieutenant himself was among the number of those who were entitled
to the latter privilege: since for two days and nights he had scarce
slept a wink.
Speedily surrendering himself to the drowsy god, Quaco indulged in a
profound slumber--snoring in such fashion, that, but for the louder
intonation of the waters surging through the gorge below, his huge
nostrils would have betrayed his presence to the expected Chakra--even
before the latter should have set foot in his canoe.
As it was, however, the roaring of the cataract quite drowned the nasal
music of the sleeping Quaco, and his companions suffered him to snore
on.
Volume Three, Chapter XLVII.