The spot where our adventurers found themselves on issuing from the
mysterious cave was a peculiarly rugged one. It formed a sort of hollow
or depression in the forest-land, in which we introduced the three men
as fugitives. From this hollow there descended a narrow track or
pathway to the extensive valley which had been seen from the summit of
the precipice that barred their flight, and had so nearly proved fatal.
So confused was the nature of the ground here, and so intricate were the
tracks--originally formed no doubt by wild animals, though made use of
by wandering men--that it became impossible for Mark Breezy to know in
what direction he was leading his comrades as he wound in and out among
large rocks and fallen trees. In fact it was more by chance than
guidance that they ultimately hit upon the path which finally led them
to the lower region or plateau of forest-land; and it is certain that
they would have found it impossible to find their way back to the cave,
even had they desired to do so.
Their chief object, however, was to put as much space as possible
between themselves and their late pursuers, and to this end they pushed
forward at their best speed, until they reached a small river which
appeared to be a tributary to, or a branch of, that which they had seen
from the heights earlier in the day.
"`Come to a ribber--couldn't git across,
Gib a couple o' dollars for an' old blind hoss,'"
murmured Ebony, quoting an ancient ditty.
"We shall have to swim it, I fear," remarked Breezy, "for there is no
horse here, blind or otherwise. Perhaps that fallen tree may prove
strong enough to serve as a bridge."
He pointed to a slender tree which had evidently been placed there, with
several others, for the purpose of forming a rough and ready bridge; but
its companions had been removed by floods, for they lay tossed on the
bank further down among other wreckage.
"It'll be somethin' like tight-rope dancin'," said the sailor. "We'll
have to repair the bridge."
"Nuffin' ob de sort! Look here."
Ebony ran to the tree referred to, and skipped over with admirable
agility, though it bent under him not unlike a tight-rope.
"But _I_ can't do that," said Hockins, "not bein' a black monkey, d'ee
see?"