JAKE.
It was only natural that on awakening Neal and Teddy should first think
of the engineer and his possible fate; but the other two members of the
party were so incensed against him that neither cared to speak on the
subject.
They asked concerning their location, and were told all that Cummings
and Poyor knew, and when the very satisfactory meal was brought to a
close the former said as if inviting a discussion:
"We have sufficient food to last us three days if there is no game
picked up on the way; but our supply of water threatens to run short
very soon unless we can manage to refill the canteens. Are we likely to
find a stream among these hills, Poyor?"
"When we descend into the valley there will be no lack of plenty to
drink; but on beginning the ascent of the mountains we must be careful
not to use too much."
"How long shall we probably be on the range providing every thing works
smoothly?"
"Three days--perhaps four."
"But we can only carry water enough for two days at the best."
"Then each one must take but half as much as he needs."
"Of course that would settle the matter; but it is going to be pretty
tough to travel in heat without all we want to drink."
"Better that than to fall into the hands of the Chan Santa Cruz," Poyor
replied gravely.
"I am willing to admit it; but at the same time I believe we can hit
upon some plan of carrying all that may be needed."
"We may find the water pitchers in the forest, and by means of them
replenish the supply."
"That is figuring upon a possibility, and we are by no means certain of
getting what we want."
"There is plenty of time to think the matter over, for, unless we are
discovered, it will be necessary to stay here until night. Will you
sleep now?"
"You need rest more than I," Cummings replied. "Lie down while I stand
guard."
The Indian did not hesitate; it made very little difference who remained
on watch providing the utmost vigilance was maintained, and he
stretched himself on the ground at the farther end of the ravine where
he could be sheltered from the rays of the sun.
The boys seated themselves by Cummings' side where the best view of the
surrounding country could be had; but the latter was in no mood for
further conversation, and the three remained silent for an hour or more,
when Teddy asked:
"How long before you intend to call Poyor?"
"There is plenty of time," Cummings replied carelessly. "We have all day
before us, and when I am tired he shall take his turn."
"Why can't we do something? If you lie down now it will be gaining just
so much more sleep, and surely both of us can keep watch as well as
either you or he."
"That is a good idea, and I'll take advantage of the offer. Call me if
you see the slightest thing suspicious, or hear any sound not made by
the birds. I don't fancy we shall be troubled; but at the same time no
one knows what may happen."
"We'll take good care; you shall be told if anything larger than a rat
comes in view," Teddy replied, "so don't lose time that might be spent
in sleep."
Cummings followed this advice at once, and in a few moments his heavy
breathing told that he had crossed over into slumberland.
During the next hour nothing was seen or heard by the sentinels, who sat
just within the shadow cast by the rock gazing intently down the hill,
and then Teddy whispered excitedly as he pointed to a clump of bushes
near where the trees were thickest:
"Look in that direction. Can't you see the foliage is moving to and fro
more than should be the case on a calm day like this?"
Neal followed with his eyes Teddy's finger, and after a close scrutiny
said:
"I see what you mean: but there is probably some animal among the
bushes. At all events we shan't be a great while finding out, and it
isn't well to call Cummings until we are positive something is wrong."
During five minutes the boys watched intently, and then there could be
no question but that the leader should be awakened. They had seen a man,
or at least a portion of one, as the foliage was parted gently to admit
of his looking out, and Neal said as he raised his gun:
"Call Cummings. I won't fire until he gives the word unless that fellow
comes too near."
Believing that they were about to be attacked, Teddy shook the leader of
the party vigorously as he whispered:
"They've found out where we are, and one is just getting ready to make a
rush."
This information was well calculated to arouse Poyor as well as the
white man, and they ran with all speed toward the entrance to the ravine
where Neal was making ready to shoot.
"He has shown himself twice since Teddy went to call you," the boy said,
"and I know exactly where to fire if you believe it ought to be done."
"Do you think he knows we are here?" Cummings asked, and Neal replied:
"He has been looking out from among the bushes as if suspicious that
there was something wrong in this quarter; but I don't fancy he has seen
us."
"Then do not fire. It is of the greatest importance that we should
remain concealed, and to discharge a weapon now would only be to bring
down a crowd upon us. Get back to the farther end of the ravine while
Poyor and I find out what is going on."
The boys did as they were bidden, taking their station where it was
possible to see all the men were doing, and after ten minutes both were
surprised by hearing Cummings say in a tone of relief:
"It is only that idiot, and he evidently mistakes us for enemies. The
best thing we can do is to let him stay where he is, for then he can't
get us into another scrape."
"It's Jake!" Teddy cried. "I thought that arm didn't look like an
Indian's!"
"It will be worse than wicked if Cummings don't let him know who we are.
Of course he's hunting for us, and we _must_ call to him."
As Neal spoke he stepped forward, and was about to cry out when Cummings
prevented him.
"Let the fool alone," the latter said. "If he joins us we shall never be
able to pass the sentinels."
"You can't mean to let him wander off by himself."
"Better that than give him another chance to bring the enemy down upon
us."
"But I won't allow it," Neal cried angrily. "It is true he has been
worse than foolish twice----"
"And the third time he'll succeed in bringing all hands up with a sharp
turn. We are where very little is needed to put us in the power of the
enemy, and we cannot afford to take such chances as he appears to
delight in."
"Then Teddy and I will leave you, and run all the risk with him, which
is nothing more than fair, considering the fact that he is one of our
party."
From the look on Cummings' face it was evident he intended to make an
angry reply; but before he could speak Poyor said:
"The boys are right. It is not good to desert a friend, no matter what
he has done."
"Very well," Cummings said impatiently. "Call him in, and during the
remainder of this journey, if we live to finish it, I will see that he
does not have a chance to work any more mischief."
Neal did not delay. Stepping out from the ravine he shouted:
"Jake! Jake, come in here!"
Although the engineer was so far away the cry of mingled surprise and
joy which burst from his lips could be heard distinctly, and in the
shortest possible space of time he was in the ravine shaking the boys'
hands vigorously.
"What are you up to here?" he asked. "Looking for me?"
"Indeed we were doing nothing of the kind," Cummings said angrily.
"After you so kindly did all you could to tell the Indians where we had
located it was necessary to make a quick move, and if I had had my way
you would never have known how near we were."
"I don't suppose it will do any good to say that I am sorry?" Jake
suggested meekly.
"Not a bit, for this is the second time you have done all the mischief
possible. By this last performance it has been necessary to take a
course nearly three times as long as the one we intended to travel, and
no one can say what you won't do before we are out of the scrape."
"I pledge my word to obey orders. The experience I have had during the
past twenty-four hours has taught me that I can't afford to take any
more chances while we are in this heathenish country."
"It is a grave question whether we shall be able to get clear, and now
that you have come we must make another change, running all the risks of
traveling in the daytime, for the enemy can follow up on your trail as
readily as if you had set sign-boards all the way."
Jake understood that it would do no good to make any reply while
Cummings was in such a rage, and he very wisely retreated to the further
end of the ravine where he whispered to Teddy:
"Can't you give me a bite to eat? I'm just about starved."
"Haven't you had anything since leaving the cave?"
"Not a mouthful, and only one drink of water."
"Where have you been?"
"Walkin' all the time. When I went away it was only with the intention
of travelin' a short distance. It didn't seem as if I had gone a
quarter of a mile before I turned to go back, an' I've been tryin' to
get there ever since."
"Didn't you sleep any last night?"
"Not a wink. I wanted to; but some kind of a big animal came prowlin'
around the tree I'd chosen as my sleepin' apartment, and after that I
couldn't so much as shut my eyes without takin' the chances of fallin'
off the branch."
"Did you meet any one?"
"No."
"But how came you over here so far?"
"It seems as if I'd had time to go across the whole country since I saw
you last. Say, give me some water and a mouthful of anything that's
eatable, an' then I'll get a little sleep before tacklin' Cummings
again. I suppose its a case of goin' way down on my marrow bones before
he'll forget what I've done."
"I fancy you are right in that respect," Teddy said gravely, as he
overhauled the stores to procure the food, "and he can't be blamed, for
you have put us in a very bad position without even the poor excuse of
having tried to benefit the party."
"From this out I won't so much as yip," Jake replied earnestly, as he
made a vigorous attack on the roast tapir. "Getting lost in such a
forest as this is enough to make a fellow's hair turn white."
"If it will prevent you from playing the fool any more I shall be
satisfied," Cummings, who had come up unperceived, said emphatically.