AN UNWELCOME VISITOR.
Guy's stirring speech was just what was needed to rouse the flagging
spirits of the party, for the colonel's graphic description of the
contemplated journey had produced a very depressing effect.
Preparations for the start were begun at once. The two canoes were first
tested and found to be absolutely seaworthy. Then the provisions, the
torches, the lamps, the oil flasks, and the rugs were divided into two
parts and stowed away.
It was decided that Guy should be accompanied by Forbes and Sir Arthur
in the first boat, and that Canaris and the colonel should follow in the
second. For economy one torch was to be used for illuminating their way,
and this Sir Arthur was to hold in the rear of the canoe. Eight paddles
had been found in the cavern, thus providing an extra supply in case of
possible loss.
It was difficult to believe that the sun was shining brightly outside.
No ray of light pierced the blackness of the cavern, and the dead
silence was unbroken by the first sound, though at that very moment the
Gallas and the Abyssinians were probably waging a bloody battle almost
overhead. Henceforth day and night were one, all trace of time would be
lost, and whether any of that imprisoned band would ever see the light
of day again or breathe the free, open air, the future alone could tell.
It was a solemn and impressive moment, and Guy's voice had a touch of
huskiness in it as he ordered the canoes to be carried to the water.
A last survey of the cavern was made to see that nothing was forgotten,
and then all took their places in silence, the canoes swung slowly out
from shore, and, caught by the current, shot off into the gloom on the
first stage of the most awful journey ever made by Englishmen.
Guy sat slightly in front of the stern, keeping the canoe straight with
an occasional touch of the paddle, for the velocity of the current made
labor unnecessary, and close behind him was Sir Arthur, holding the
flaring torch that lit up the water for a short distance ahead and
served to guide the second canoe, which was only a few yards behind.
"If this current continues all the way," observed Forbes, "eight hundred
miles will be nothing at all."
"Yes, if no bad rapids are encountered," replied Guy. "There are
certainly none very near, or we could hear them plainly."
"I don't think we need fear that very much," called out the colonel from
the rear canoe. "The altitude of this part of Africa is not so high
above the sea. The valley overhead is a pretty deep one, and this river
is some distance beneath. Moreover, those natives would hardly have made
an annual cruise down the river if the channel were very dangerous."
"It was their custom to start at the close of the rainy season," said
the Greek, "when the river was high and swollen."
"Don't mention rapids, I beg of you," cried Sir Arthur. "It makes me
nervous. I can't stand it at all."
For an hour or more they traveled on in almost unbroken silence. On
either side the shore was invisible, and overhead the glare of the torch
revealed only black, empty space. The same intense silence prevailed,
not even the faintest murmur of the river being audible.
This peaceful monotony, however, was rudely shattered. A low humming
sound was heard in the distance, which rapidly increased in volume, and
left no room to doubt that a course of rapids was below. At Guy's
suggestion Forbes relieved Sir Arthur of the torch, and scarcely had
this change been effected when the current carried them into a swirling
mass of spray.
Both canoes grated and bumped against rocks, and then, before the
frightened occupants could realize that it was over, the sullen roar was
fading away in the distance, and the smooth current was bearing them
rapidly ahead.
This little episode considerably relieved their minds. If no more
dangerous water than that lay before them, there was little cause for
apprehension. A skilled eye and a strong hand would overcome the
difficulty.
Presently, for the first time, rocky walls appeared, now on one side,
now on the other, but they fell sheer to the water, and gave no
opportunity for landing. The atmosphere of the cavern was pure and
fresh, a fact not readily accounted for, since no glimmer of daylight
was anywhere visible.
Guy began to grow sleepy, a sensation which was shared by his
companions, for it was many hours since they had had any rest. It was
impossible to tell how long or how far they had traveled. All passage of
time was lost, and the periods for eating and sleeping must be regulated
by their own feelings. Instinct goes wrong in such cases; yet there was
little doubt that the night had come.
A sharp lookout was kept on the shores, but, as the current swept them
past the same monotonous ledges without a break, it began to look as
though they would be compelled to take turns at sleeping in the bottom
of the canoes.
They were paddling close along the right shore when a sudden cry from
Canaris, who was almost abreast of the other boat, and farther out in
the current, attracted general attention, and peering out on the river
they saw a dim object some yards away.
The current bore them past it, but by dint of hard paddling the canoes
were headed diagonally up stream, and a few moments later a landing was
made on the lower end of a small spit of white sand, ten or fifteen
yards in diameter.
It sloped gently to the water's edge, and in the center was a cluster of
smooth, water-worn stones.
It was a perfect haven of refuge to the weary and exhausted voyagers,
and with thankful hearts they hauled the canoes upon the strip of beach
and spread out the rugs in readiness for a few hours' sleep.
They ate sparingly of crackers and dates, for Guy had assumed charge of
the commissary department and dispensed supplies with no liberal hand,
the wisdom of which was readily acknowledged by all.
The torch had been stuck end up in the sand, and its cheerful glow threw
a radiance over all the little island and caused the silvery white sand
to sparkle brilliantly.
They stretched themselves out on the rugs near the center of the island,
and as soon as they were arranged comfortably Guy rigorously
extinguished the torch and hunted his place in the darkness.
No thought of fear entered their mind. On all sides was the deep and
rapid river. Whence could an enemy come? In five minutes not a man was
awake. Even Sir Arthur was snoring profoundly, dreaming perhaps of the
snug quarters in the residence at Zaila, from which he had been so
rudely ousted a few short weeks before.
Guy was dreaming, too, but far different were the visions that coursed
through his brain. For the twentieth time he was living over again his
awful experiences of the previous year. Once more he was a prisoner in
the rajah's fortress, and Nana Sahib's cannons were awaiting their
victim on the massive stone platform. Now he was being led out to die in
the midst of his companions, the fiendish faces all about him, the
Hindoos stood by the touch-holes with lighted torches. Now they were
binding him, the gaping muzzle was pressing his back----
Then he woke and sat up, trembling from head to foot, the dank
perspiration standing in beads on his forehead. Thank God it was only a
dream. The rajah's fortress was thousands of miles away.
Suddenly a faint sound reached his ear, so indistinct that he could
hardly be sure he heard anything at all. He listened a moment, but it
was not repeated.
"Some of the fellows stirring in their sleep," he muttered, and giving
the matter no further thought, he lay down again.
But as soon as his head touched the sand the sound was repeated, and
this time it was more definable--a steady, rustling noise, with an
occasional low splash that seemed to come from the water.
It was caused by none of his companions, for they all lay on his left,
while the alarming noise seemed to come from the right.
Guy was a brave man, but in his nervous condition, resulting from the
recent dream, this new alarm was too much, and he felt a cold chill run
down his spine.
Giving Forbes, who was next him, a gentle shake, he drew himself to his
feet, and taking a match from his pocket, rubbed it with a trembling
hand across the front of his trousers.
It struck fire instantly, and as the sudden flare lit up the whole
extent of the island the match dropped from Guy's nerveless fingers and
he started back with a cry of horror that echoed horribly through the
gloomy recesses of the cavern.