SIR ARTHUR WAKES AT THE RIGHT TIME.
At this point Forbes positively insisted on getting up, and, in spite of
the slight dampness that still lingered about his clothes, he pulled
them on and announced himself ready to start. All were glad to leave the
spot which was connected with such a horrible event, and soon the island
was far in the rear.
The second stage of the journey was monotonous and uneventful. A few
slight rapids were encountered, but for the most part the river was
swift and smooth.
The character of the shores now began to change, and instead of the
sharp ledges falling sheer to the water, sandy beaches skirted the edge,
and from the canoes they could make out gloomy holes and passages that
pierced the sides of the cavern.
They were strongly tempted at times to stop and explore these unknown
mysteries, but the reflection that every moment thus wasted would
prolong their stay on this underground stream always checked the
impulse.
A flat, rocky ledge served for their next resting-place. It extended
back ten yards to a steep wall of rock, and here, in a hollow cavity,
Canaris found a mass of driftwood that was dry enough to burn.
The fish were cooked rudely over a fire, but without salt they were
unpalatable and no one cared to eat them.
The luxury of a camp fire was enjoyed while they slept, and, although no
watch was kept, the night--if night it really was--passed without alarm.
Colonel Carrington had managed to retain during his captivity a small
note-book and pencil. In this he kept a record of the journey, jotting
down each night the incidents of the day's cruise, and a page from this
diary will convey to the reader a clear idea of the uneventful manner in
which the first week passed away--a week in long-to-be-remembered
contrast to the dreadful period that followed.
_Third stage._--Traveled all day on smooth water. Rocky shores. Camped
on an island. Could find no wood and slept in the dark.
_Fourth stage._--Today we passed rocky islands in great profusion. Once
far overhead we saw a single gleam of light shining in from a crevice.
So far our calculation is correct. Day is day, and night is night.
_Fifth stage._--Nothing important. Ran a few rapids and camped on the
right shore on a sandy beach.
_Sixth stage._--All goes well. We are making many miles a day. The
current continues strong. Camped on flat rock in midstream.
_Seventh stage._--Current still good. River very wide and obstructed
with rocks. Narrowly missed an upset several times.
_Eighth stage._--Traveled rapidly. Camped on a big spit of sand on right
shore. Vast cavern behind us. Too sleepy to explore it.
Here the peaceful monotony of the colonel's record ended. On this
sloping, sandy beach began the first of that string of adventures which
to their last moment will send a shudder through those who participated
in them.
As the colonel stated, they were so weary from the long day's journey
that no investigation was made of the vast cavern that lay behind them.
Guy advanced a few yards with his blazing torch.
"It probably terminates with a rocky wall," he said carelessly: "It's no
use looking into it tonight."
Sir Arthur suggested that it would be well to make sure that no danger
lurked in its darkness, but Guy handed him the torch and bade him go
satisfy himself. He very promptly declined the honor.
A meager supper was eaten, for already the stock of food showed a
perceptible diminution, and by common consent Guy began from that time
to serve out short rations.
A quantity of driftwood had been brought in the canoes from a previous
camping-place, and with this a small fire was built. In its cheerful
flickering glow they fell asleep, and an hour later a faint gleam from
the charred embers was all that relieved the darkness of the cavern.
When Sir Arthur Ashby turned uneasily on his rugs some time afterward,
even this feeble light was gone. The ex-governor was consumed with a
burning thirst. He had an undeniable craving for champagne and iced
claret, but in the unavoidable absence of these drinks water would have
to do.
As he sat up, a faint noise reached his ears from the direction of the
canoes, and supposing it to be Canaris, who had performed similar favors
for him before, he called out loudly:
"My good fellow, fetch me a drink, will you? I'm deucedly dry."
The noise instantly ceased and was not repeated, though Sir Arthur
waited breathlessly for a full minute.
Once he fancied he heard a slight rippling of water, but that, too,
ceased at once.
Then Sir Arthur uttered a loud shout, which speedily wakened his
companions.
"What's wrong?" cried the colonel anxiously. "Did some one call? I
surely heard a noise."
"I want a drink, that's all," said Sir Arthur. "I heard someone down at
the canoes and supposed it was Canaris. Was it you, Carrington?"
"No, certainly not," exclaimed the colonel, now thoroughly awake. "Here,
Chutney, Forbes, pass me a match, quick. I have none about me."
They were all on their feet instantly, and Guy lost no time in lighting
the torch which he kept always by his side.
Holding it over his head he led the way to the shore, and the first
brief glance showed only too plainly what was the matter.
"_One canoe is missing!_" he cried despairingly.
"What, you don't mean it!" exclaimed Forbes. "How can that be possible?"
"It's gone," said Guy blankly. "No doubt of it. Here is the mark of the
keel leading down to the water. That's not the worst of it, though. Half
our provisions are gone with it, and one lamp and an oil-flask as well."
"By Jove, Chutney, it's that savage who has done this," cried Melton.
"It can be accounted for in no other way. We forgot all about the
scoundrel's presence in the cavern."
"But how could he have lived all this time without food?"
"I don't know," answered Melton. "He must have managed it in some way,
though. These Gallas are tough, wiry fellows and can stand a good deal
of hardship."
The circumstances all seemed to confirm Melton's supposition.
Unfortunately the fact that this Galla warrior was also making the
cruise of the river had been overlooked, and now, as a result of this
negligence they had lost a canoe and half of their supplies.
"We have one thing to be thankful for," said Guy. "If Sir Arthur had not
wakened when he did we would undoubtedly have lost all. His shout scared
the rascal, and he did not wait to make off with the other canoe."
"Yes, here is the mark of a third boat," announced the colonel, who had
been making an investigation on his own account, "and footprints are
visible on the sand. The scoundrel must have been here when we landed."
"I wanted you to make a search," said Sir Arthur, "but my advice was
disregarded. You see the result."
"Prepare to start at once," interrupted Guy sharply. "We must pursue the
thief and recover our canoe."
In less than five minutes they embarked and pushed away from the shore.
"Put out the torch," said Guy. "If the rascal sees the light he can get
out of our way and we will pass him unperceived."
"But how will we capture him in the dark?" asked Melton.
"We must depend on our hearing," was the reply. "We will push ahead
quietly and listen at intervals for the stroke of his paddle."
Under these circumstances the recovery of the canoe was very doubtful,
but there was plainly no other course, so they proceeded to carry out
Guy's plan as carefully as possible.
Five paddles were all that remained, one for each of them, and with
quick, noiseless strokes they moved rapidly down the river, keeping the
canoe headed with the current as far as possible, and pausing at times
to listen for any trace of the thief.
Thus they journeyed for an hour or more, but no sound of any kind
reached their ears, and it began to look very much as though the Galla
had been passed unseen in the darkness.
"He could hardly have kept ahead of us for such a distance," said
Forbes. "I'm afraid we have missed him, Chutney."
Guy made no reply. The canoe at that instant grated harshly on some
obstacle, and throwing out his arms, Melton discovered that the current
had carried them against one of the steep, rocky shores. He was about to
shove the canoe forcibly away with his paddle when Guy whispered
sharply:
"Hold tight to the rock. I hear something above us."