LOST IN THE WOODS.
Yes, the two boys had escaped. When the excitement produced by the fatal
shot was at its height, it had flashed upon Harry like an inspiration
that then, if ever, was the time to escape. He knew that it would be at
the risk of their lives, and but for one consideration it is doubtful if
he would have been willing to incur the peril of the attempt. But he
felt that to stay was to run a risk as great that of being compelled to
join the ranks of the bushrangers, and of that he had a great dread.
The boys never stopped running till they had set half a mile between
them and the camp of the bushrangers. Jack was the first to show
distress.
"Hold on, Harry," he said, panting, "I am all out of breath."
Harry instantly slackened his speed.
"Look back, Jack," he said anxiously; "see if you can discover anyone
pursuing us."
"I see no one," answered Jack after a prolonged look.
"They have other things to think of," said Harry. "The murder of their
captain has put all thoughts of us out of their heads. When the
excitement has subsided a little, I am afraid they will look for us. How
terrible it was!" he added with a shudder.
"Yes," returned Jack. "I saw that man--the captive's brother--lift his
weapon and point it at the captain. Almost before I could speak it was
discharged and the captain fell. He must have been killed instantly."
"I little thought what lay before me when I left home," said Harry.
"I wish I knew what lies before us now," said Jack.
"I am afraid our prospects are rather dark. We must take care at any
rate not to fall again into the hands of the bushrangers. I am most
afraid of that man Fletcher. If he could have his way, he would show us
no mercy."
"Let us go on again," said Jack. "I only stopped to catch my breath."
"You are right, Jack. The farther we get away from the bushrangers the
better."
Before them was a densely wooded hill. The way had become difficult with
the scrub bushes that filled up the distance between the trees. The
latter were no longer the same which they had hitherto encountered, the
tall and stately eucalyptus, but were smaller and wider branched.
"We can't make our way here, Harry," said Jack despondently.
"Oh, yes, we can. Besides, don't you see, the rougher and more difficult
the way, the less are we likely to be followed. I am willing to go
through a good deal to save capture."
"So am I," answered Jack. "You are always right. Push ahead, and I'll
follow."
For three or four hours the boys kept on their way. They surmounted the
hill, and found a clearer country. Finally, turning to the right they
came upon an open tract. By this time it was growing dark, and the boys
were feeling both fatigued and hungry.
"I think we can rest now, Jack," said Harry.
With a sigh of relief Jack threw himself on the ground.
"This is worse than any work I did on shipboard," he said.
Harry smiled.
"I don't think it is likely to cure you of your love for the sea, Jack,"
he said. "Though I haven't your fondness for sea life, I confess I would
rather be on the deck of a good stanch ship than here."
"Harry," said Jack anxiously, "when do you think we shall find something
to eat? I am terribly hungry."
"So am I, Jack. It's the hard walk that has increased our appetite."
"I have often thought I might be afloat in an open boat without anything
to eat, but I never expected to be caught in such a pickle on land."
"A good many things have happened to us to-day that we didn't expect,"
said Harry. "Do you know, Jack, it seems the longest day I ever spent?"
"I can say the same."
"This morning we set out with Obed, free from care. We have been
captured by bushrangers, taken to their camp, seen the murder of their
leader, escaped, and after walking for miles through a rough wilderness
here we are, tired out and in danger of starvation."
"Don't say any more, Harry," said Jack faintly. "I can realize it
without your description."
"I wish Obed were with us," said Harry, after a pause. "Perhaps he could
think of some way out of our trouble. He is an experienced man, and is
used to roughing it. As for me, I feel helpless."
"Do you think there is likely to be any house near at hand?"
"It doesn't look like it," said Harry, shaking his head.
"I don't think I should mind much being caught and carried back by the
bushrangers, if they would give me a good supper," said Jack ruefully.
"Poor Jack!" said Harry compassionately; "I do believe you are suffering
for food."
"I told you so, Harry."
"My appetite no doubt will come later. At present I am not very
uncomfortable. Well, Jack, there is only one thing to do. We must
explore further and see if we can find any trace of a human habitation.
Suppose you go to yonder knoll, and climb the tree at the top. Then use
your eyes for all they are worth. They are better than mine, at any
rate, for you are accustomed to use them at sea. All sailors, I have
heard, are farsighted."
Jack was ready to obey Harry, feeling much more confidence in his
judgment and discretion than in his own. He accordingly followed his
advice, and with a sailor's agility mounted the tree. Then shading his
eyes with his hand, he looked earnestly, first in one direction, then in
another.
"Well, Jack?" inquired Harry anxiously, for he, too, appreciated the
gravity of their situation.
There was a pause; then Jack called out joyfully: "I see a light: yes, I
am sure I see a light."
"Whereaway?"
"Straight ahead, or a little to the left."
"Take a good look, Jack, so as to be sure of your bearings. Then we will
make our way toward it with the best speed we can muster."
Jack scrambled down from the tree with his face actually cheerful. The
prospect of a meal had put new life into him.
"Follow me!" he said. "I don't think it can be more than a mile away."