GHOSTS
"Hey, what are you waiting for?" Lang called sharply.
"These kids want their arms loose," the guardian answered.
"Tell 'em to slide with their heels--"
"I won't. I gotta get over, haven't I!" The fellow's teeth chattered and
the weapon he held wavered in his trembling hand.
"Send one along. I'll meet him," Mills decided.
"All right, get on, if you kick that thing I'm goin' ter pump you full
of lead, and your buddy too, see." The man poked his white face into
Jim's.
"Surely, it's quite clear." Jim stepped forward, straddled the log,
inched himself along with the greatest care, but his heart was in his
throat as bits were knocked off. He had gone almost half the distance
when he saw Mills throw himself full length from the other side, and
stretch out his hands.
"Bend forward." Jim did and Mills clutched his collar firmly, then
wriggled back. Half an hour later Bob was over safely, but when he stood
up a great hunk of the log fell away.
"Listen," he cried, "that will never hold another man, and that chap
over there is scared stiff. Loosen my arms, or Jim's, then we can get
him with the lariat and if he starts to fall, haul him up. He'll never
make it--he's heavier than we are."
"Wait up, over there," Lang shouted.
"What for?" he snarled suspiciously. "I aint hanging round here."
"Wait up till we get a rope--" Just then a strange wailing sound came
from behind the man and he glanced fearfully over his shoulder. Mills
had started to remove Bob's rope, but his fingers were clumsy and he
fumbled nervously.
"Hold that light closer," he growled to the chap who had the flash. The
rays were directed on the knot while the rest stood impatiently
watching, and after a moment one of the men laughed; it sounded like a
cackle.
"Those kids--"
"What you waiting for?" called the man across the gully.
"Keep your shirt on, we're going to throw the rope--"
"Woo-oo-o-oh," came the weird sound again, only louder. It seemed to be
getting closer quickly, rose from a deep moan to a shrill wail that
filled the narrow passage, and the man who was holding the flash let it
fall from his cold fingers.
"I'll hold it--"
"I'm coming--" roared the one on the other side. He glanced over his
shoulder a second time, then the sound came nearer, louder, and more
terrible. With a shriek he flung himself astride the log, his body flat,
his arms and legs kicking furiously as he shoved frantically forward,
disregarding the danger of the undertaking.
"Be careful," yelled Jim as he watched the fellow, whose limbs were
striking out like a floundering swimmer, sending a shower of rotten
timber to the depths below. "Take it easy, you won't make any headway."
"Look out--" Mills stopped his futile efforts to get the rope, Lang
turned the rays of the light on the log, while one of the other men
stood astride the end trying to swing a long vine to the hands of their
comrade. He bent forward and threw the long twining end, but the chap
was not looking at him, the bit of tendril brushed his cheek; and with a
howl of panic he twisted about desperately.
"Catch it," Lang shouted.
"Get a hold," Mills added. But the man was too terrified to understand.
With a wild lunge he threw himself on the weakest part of the log,
clawed with both hands, sending a shower of chips into the abyss and at
the same time, the awful unearthly cry came again. Another
panic-stricken lunge, the log creaked dismally, parted in the middle,
and dropped its burden to the depths. The fellow who was astride the end
was nearly taken with it, but Mills caught and hauled him to safety.
"If he'd waited for the rope he could have been saved," Bob said softly,
and there was genuine regret in his tone. It was a tragic situation,
standing tied helplessly while a fellow human fell to his death.
"Something's back there--"
"I believe that is only wind," Jim declared.
"Wind, how do you make that out?"
"Since the air purified, either there is a high wind outside or
something happened to let in a good breeze. It played on those tight
streamers and vines like a harp--"
"Queer harp," Mills muttered with a shiver.
"Just the same, that's all it is, I'm sure. If you have been around the
Andes much, you've heard something like it before--"
"Well, I haven't been, and I'm getting out now fast as I can, see?"
"Come on," Lang ordered, and putting Jim in front to lead the way, they
started forward again, but now there were only four members of the gang
with the Buddies.
The way was wide enough so that they could go side by side, and although
their shoulders touched as they proceeded, they did not exchange a word,
for Mills and Lang were right behind them. After all, it did not make
much difference, but there was really nothing to say. The queer noise
was repeated at intervals, but although it was terrifying enough, the
men grew less fearful of it and seemed to accept Austin's explanation as
to its origin. The boy had thought it was the wind when he first heard
it, but had kept silent partly because his opinion was not asked and
partly because he felt that the bandits deserved a good scare. He
reasoned that if they were frightened they might be less vicious in
their dealings with their captives, but when he saw the havoc it was
creating he endeavored to reassure them. However, if any of them
appreciated his assistance no sign was made of the fact, and the pair
were urged to proceed ahead.
"If there is danger they figure we'll get it first," Bob whispered, and
Jim nodded.
"These kids are terribly slow," snapped a man in the rear. "We want to
get out of this place."
"Sure, Lang, hurry 'em up," said the other nervously. "This hole is
spooky. Why in blazes didn't you find out what was in it?"
"Shut up, I'm managing this," Lang snapped back.
"If them kids has a pull with the Indians they'll get us through," Mills
called, and then the Buddies understood that the leaders expected to
share any protection that the presence of the "Don's little pets" as he
called them, might be to the gang. This was a phase neither of the boys
had thought of, and now they exchanged swift glances.
"We're going along nice now; when Red was leading it was tough," added
Lang, then went on to Bob, who had stared back. "Your help is
appreciated a lot you can see, but any funny business and you'll wish
you had dropped over off the log with Red."
"You said we'd be out of here in a few minutes. It's getting worse
instead of better," the rear man grumbled.
"Yeh, it's thick and hot. My light won't last forever. Got any more
batteries?"
"Yes." They paused to fix the flash, and Lang swore at them roundly. "I
told you to have new lights, and to pack spare fillers. What did you
mean by coming half ready--"
"Aw shut up, my light was brand new, but Red carried the extras," the
other admitted reluctantly. At that Lang and Mills ripped out a string
of oaths.
"Haul in," one snapped finally. "Didn't you tell us to divide the
stuff--well, Red took the batteries--that's that--"
"And we'll likely have to crawl out of this in the dark, land somewhere
in the forest, and who knows how we'll get back to the machines?" Mills
thundered. "What are you carrying?"
"Grub," came the answer.
"Well, let's stop and eat. We can make better time when we are not so
empty," Lang proposed. "Pass it along." He and Lang sat down as best
they could in the narrow quarters with only the smallest light to pierce
the gloom which surrounded them. The Buddies also let their feet slide
from under them and were grateful for the opportunity to rest. The two
men who brought up the rear showed no such disposition, but stepped
forward over the other's legs.
"Here," the last one muttered, dropping what looked like a paper bag
into Lang's lap, then went on quickly. The leader started to open the
container, then glanced up with a scowl.
"Where's the rest of the stuff?" he demanded.
"Think we been traveling for hours with nothing in our stomachs?" came
the answer.
"What's left?" Mills snapped, grabbing the bag.
"Aw there's a couple of sandwiches en a hard boiled egg--"
Mills sprang to his feet but the pair jumped out of his way quickly.
"Come on, Mills, eat what there is," Lang called, so the tall man
returned, and the two soon devoured the frugal repast. Not a bite was
offered to the Buddies whose food had been left in the plane on the
hill, and whose stomachs were clamoring furiously. Presently the meal
was finished to the last crumb, then the leaders rose to their feet.
They did haul their companions up so they could stand, then without a
word, gave them a shove forward.
Slowly and painfully the four proceeded. The Flying Buddies' feet hurt
with every step, and their tired bodies wavered from side to side as
they went on and on. By that time they were going through what appeared
to be a grassy section of the forest. The passage wound among huge
trees, over piles of fallen timber, then, suddenly from ahead, they
heard a wild shriek of terror, followed by a series of shrill
earsplitting screams.
"Good Heavens, what they got into?" Lang panted.
"Get on," Mills urged. He slipped his hand under Bob's arm and helped
him forward, while Jim and Lang stumbled along as quickly as possible.
Presently they came to a section where piles of rotten vegetation lined
both sides of the route, and by the dim light Lang cast ahead, they made
out one body lying still, while the other battled furiously with some
hissing object that lashed and struck with thunderous blows.
"Snakes," Bob whispered.
They saw a second man borne down to the ground and after a convulsive
struggle for a moment, he too lay still. The four stopped horrified in
their tracks. For minutes they stood staring too paralyzed to go forward
or back, then Bob saw the great snakes slide off to one side and
disappear under the debris.
"Come on, walk carefully and be quick," he panted, and started to run,
forcing his aching feet to carry him on. Passing the spot they could see
that their two companions had probably stumbled over the reptiles,
angered them to instant attack, and were utterly defenseless against the
poisonous brutes.
Hardly daring to breathe lest the snakes come out again, the four
tiptoed forward, but in each hand of the leaders were small, deadly guns
ready to destroy the snakes if they showed their heads. Beads of
perspiration stood out on the four faces, and for the first time since
they started, Lang neglected to keep an eye on the captives. Half an
hour later the place was well behind them and they were traversing a
sandy way which took them to a stream.
"I've got to have a drink," Jim declared, and without further ado, he
dropped flat and buried his face in the cool depths. Caldwell followed
his example, and soon Mills and Lang were also stretched full length and
drinking deeply.
"Maybe it's poison but I don't care," Mills muttered.
"Better not take too much at a time," Jim warned. "Drink a little, then
rest and drink some more." The suggestion was carried out. Several times
they did it, then, with a sigh, Mills rolled over and closed his eyes.
"Hey, Mills, what's the matter with you?" Lang shook him roughly by the
shoulder.
"Dog tired," he answered. "I'm going to sleep."
"Sure that water didn't knock you out?" Lang persisted fearfully.
"It's grand water. I'm going to sleep beside it, have some more when I
wake up, then go on," he said heavily.
"So'm I," Lang declared, but he took the precaution to tie the ends of
the ropes which bound the arms of the Flying Buddies to separate trees
so that they could not help each other to get away, then he, too, closed
his eyes. Jim watched him several minutes, the smallest flash light in
one hand, a gun in the other. The boy thought that he could keep awake
and that he and his buddy could make some plan, but his own lids grew
heavy and presently all of them were sound asleep, in spite of the
terrors which surrounded them.
It seemed to Austin as if he had barely closed his eyes when he felt
something brush gently against his cheek and instantly he was wide
awake. The first thing he noticed was the dim light sending its feeble
ray into the darkness, cutting a faint glow which made the rest of the
place blacker. The boy tried to brush his face on his shoulder, which
ached woefully but as far as he could see or feel there was nothing near
him. Mills snored melodiously, while the deep breathing of the other two
could be heard plainly, but no other sound broke the death-like
stillness of the ancient passage.
"Reckon I'm so tired and sore I'm imagining things," he told himself,
then glanced across to where Caldwell was huddled like himself close to
a tree. The boy closed his eyes again, but a moment later they were wide
open, so he shifted his position quietly and began to try to make a plan
which would help them get away. Carefully he moved his face about the
ground hoping to discover a sharp stone upon which he might rub the rope
until it was cut in two, but he found nothing, then he began to hitch
and wriggle his body. It was a mighty painful process for his arms were
swollen and he dared not make a sound. At last, after a grim struggle,
he had the satisfaction of feeling the lariat shove upward toward his
shoulders. If he could get it as high as his neck he would be free. With
a heart pounding hopefully he persisted. Twice he had to stop precious
minutes for Lang stirred in his sleep and the lad feared he would wake
and discover what he was doing. Nearly an hour passed and at last the
rope was slipped above his shoulders; a moment more and he was out of
it.
All this while his mind was working like a trip hammer planning what to
do when he got loose. The first thing would be to take possession of
Lang's gun. With that in his pocket he might force the men to release
Bob in case he wasn't able to do it himself. His step-brother was the
other side of Mills and whether that journey could be made safely was
another matter. With the weapon in his pocket at last, Jim devoted the
next few minutes to rubbing his sore arms, for he knew that in their
present condition he could never hold the gun, much less fire it
effectively. In due time his arms were relieved, then he wished that he
had on soft-soled shoes, but he managed to get to his feet, take
possession of the flash-light, and at last, assured that his activities
were unobserved, he made his way to Bob's side, bending over him
carefully. Instantly the young fellow looked up in startled surprise,
then Jim grinned, for Bob was industriously chewing his own rope and had
managed to get half way through it. A moment more and it was cut and he
too was free, while Jim took Mills' gun, which he gave to the younger
boy.
"This place is lighter," Bob whispered, and Jim glanced around. He was
greatly puzzled, for as far as he could see there was no explanation to
the fact. No one seemed to be coming with a light and certainly no new
opening had been made into the passage, but the glow was unmistakable
and it filled the place. Gently Jim rubbed his step-brother's body, and
presently, Bob stood up, but just then Mills stirred uneasily, so the
Sky Buddies sat down again quickly and quietly. They watched through
half closed eyes, and although Mills tossed restlessly, he finally lay
still and again his melodious snore broke the silence.
"Grand uproar," Bob grinned. Then he got busy knotting his rope, and
looped it on his arm. "We'll do a bit of tying," he announced.
"Wait," Jim whispered, then he motioned his pal to move further from the
sleepers. They stopped several feet away. "I have an idea. Suppose we
lay the ropes so when they sit up we'll have them hog-tied with a loop,
and as soon as we're ready we'll wake them and make them get moving."
"Good idea," Bob agreed. "They had something to eat and some sleep, and
we didn't. Got any of those pellets Ynilea gave you--"
"You bet, I forgot all about them." Jim fished the tiny container of
food pellets they had been given at the laboratory, and the pair soon
had some in their mouths.
"Look," Bob pointed along the way they had come and to their
astonishment they saw a young girl carrying a basket on her head. She
came toward them as if unconscious of their presence, her sandaled feet
hardly touching the floor of the passage, her body covered with a whole
tiger-skin. Behind her walked a woman, then several men came forward
single file. Every one of them carried boxes, some opened and others
closed, while a few older men carried bags woven of grass. The band came
closer and closer until the girl passed directly in front of the
Buddies. She never turned her dark eyes but went on, stepping over the
sleepers.
"Natives," Jim whispered.
Both of them completely forgot to lay the lariats, which were looped in
their left hands, then suddenly an exclamation made them whirl about.
Lang was sitting up rubbing his eyes stupidly, while Mills too was
staring wide awake.