"If we could find it," I said to my companion, "and leave our horses
there?"
"We may easily do that," was the reply; "though 'tis scarce worth while
searching for a thicket--the darkness will sufficiently conceal them.--
Ha! not so--_Voila l'eclair_!"
As D'Hauteville spoke, a blue flash lit up the whole canopy of heaven.
Even the gloomy aisles of the forest were illuminated, so that we could
distinguish the trunks and branches of the trees to a long distance
around us. The light wavered for some seconds, like a lamp about being
extinguished; and then went suddenly out, leaving the darkness more
opaque than before.
There was no noise accompanying this phenomenon--at least none produced
by the lightning itself. It caused some noise, however, among the wild
creatures of the woods. It woke the white-headed haliaetus, perched
upon the head of the tall taxodium, and his maniac laugh sounded harsh
and shrill. It woke the grallatores of the swamp--the qua-bird, the
curlews, and the tall blue herons--who screamed in concert. The owl,
already awake, hooted louder its solemn note; and from the deep profound
of the forest came the howl of the wolf, and the more thrilling cry of
the cougar.
All nature seemed startled by this sudden blaze of light that filled the
firmament. But the moment after all was darkness and silence as before.
"The storm will soon be on?" I suggested. "No," said my companion,
"there will be no storm--you hear no thunder--when it is thus we shall
have no rain--a very black night, with lightning at intervals--nothing
more. Again!"
The exclamation was drawn forth by a second blaze of lightning, that
like the first lit up the woods on all sides around us, and, as before,
unaccompanied by thunder. Neither the slightest rumble nor clap was
heard, but the wild creatures once more uttered their varied cries.
"We must conceal the horses, then," said my companion; "some straggler
might be abroad, and with this light they could be seen far off. The
pawpaw thicket is the very place. Let us seek it! It lies in this
direction."
D'Hauteville rode forward among the tree-trunks. I followed
mechanically. I felt satisfied he know the ground better than I! He
must have been here before, was my reflection.
We had not gone many steps before the blue light blazed a third time;
and we could see, directly in front of us, the smooth shining branches
and broad green leaves of the _Asiminas_, forming the underwood of the
forest.
When the lightning flashed again, we had entered the thicket.
Dismounting in its midst, we hastily tied our bridles to the branches;
and then, leaving our horses to themselves, we returned towards the open
ground.
Ten minutes' walking enabled us to regain the zigzag railing that shut
in the plantation of Gayarre.
Directing ourselves along this, in ten minutes after we arrived opposite
the house--which by the electric blaze we could distinguish shining
among the tall cotton-wood trees that grew around it. At this point we
again made a stop to reconnoitre the ground, and consider how we should
proceed.
A wide field stretched from the fence almost to the walls. A garden
enclosed by palings lay between the field and the house; and on one side
we could perceive the roofs of numerous cabins denoting the negro
quarter. At some distance in the same direction, stood the sugar-mill
and other outbuildings, and near these the house of Gayarre's overseer.
This point was to be avoided. Even the negro quarter must be shunned,
lest we might give alarm. The dogs would be our worst enemies. I knew
that Gayarre kept several. I had often seen them along the roads.
Large fierce animals they were. How were they to be shunned? They
would most likely be rambling about the outbuildings or the negro
cabins; therefore, our safest way would be to approach from the opposite
side.
If we should fail to discover the apartment of Aurore, then it would be
time to make reconnaissance in the direction of the "quarter," and
endeavour to find the boy Caton.
We saw lights in the house. Several windows--all upon the
ground-floor--were shining through the darkness. More than one
apartment therefore was occupied.
This gave us hope. One of them might be occupied by Aurore.
"And now, Monsieur!" said D'Hauteville, after we had discussed the
various details, "suppose we fail? suppose some alarm be given, and we
be detected before--?"
I turned, and looking my young companion full in the face, interrupted
him in what he was about to say. "D'Hauteville!" said I, "perhaps, I
may never be able to repay your generous friendship. It has already
exceeded all bounds--but _life_ you must not risk for me. That I cannot
permit."
"And how risk life, Monsieur?"
"If I fail--if alarm be given--if I am opposed, _voila_--!"