A DREARY NIGHT.
Elwood fell about twenty feet, striking the solid earth, without losing
his own perpendicular position. He was considerably pained, but not
seriously hurt. His rifle had fallen from his hand, and was not found
again until daybreak, as not knowing where he stood, whether upon the
edge of some precipice or ravine, he scarcely dared move a limb.
Ah! if the night was so weary to the watchers by the river shore, it was
much more so to him for whom they thus lay awake. Utter midnight
blackness all around, the profound and impressive stillness made more
profound and impressive by the trickling of some current near, the
occasional glimpse of some tiny star twinkling among the dark,
straggling clouds overhead; such was Elwood Brandon's situation and
surroundings.
His only resource was thought, and the direction which this took for a
time was anything but a relief. He saw that he himself was to blame for
the disaster of the day. It was he who proposed this ramble, and he who
insisted so strenuously upon separating from Howard in the journey
around the hills. And then his present situation resulted wholly from
his own foolishness--to call it no milder term--in entering an unknown
path with the simple hope of reaching a designated point a few minutes
in advance of his friend, whom he knew well enough had carried out to
the letter their agreement, and was waiting his coming.
Had Howard found Tim O'Rooney? That was the next question. Or was he
still lingering on the other side of the hills, waiting for the morning
to renew his hunt for himself before he sought out his companion? The
latter seemed the most probable supposition to Elwood, and the odd whim
took him that his cousin was close at hand and listening for the
familiar signal. So he placed his fingers to his mouth and repeated the
whistle which they had used so many times between them.
He did this again and again, but there was no response, and he finally
concluded that it was rather a monotonous manner of passing the time and
ceased, and again gave himself up to thought.
If he ever lived to see his friends at home what an experience would be
his to tell! The burning steamer, the hours spent in drifting ashore,
the wanderings through the wilds of California, this adventure among the
hills--surely they were enough to last a life-time.
Now and then a cold draft of wind swept by him, as though the
temperature of the air was changing. It was in fact the premonition of
the gathering storm to which we have referred in another place.
Elwood had been in his constrained position a couple of hours when he
was subjected to a terrible fright. Suddenly some dirt and stones
commenced moving near him and he felt it strike his feet. He was fearful
that a landslide was about to take place, but did not dare attempt to
get out of the way. He could only shrink closer against the rocks, pray
to Heaven for protection, and await the issue.
The pebbles rattled around him for a long time, and when they had nearly
ceased he learned that the whole tumult was caused by some wild animal.
This dissipated all fear of being engulfed by a landslide, but scarcely
relieved him. It was simply a change of species in the danger.
He could hear the footsteps of the animal as it walked back and forth.
They sounded above his head, but he could not judge with certainty.
Several times it gave a low growl, from which he was sure that it was
dangerous, and if it knew of his presence and could reach him would
speedily end his reckless conduct forever.
The animal was still for a while and the boy was indulging in the belief
that it had gone, when he heard its footsteps so near that his hair
fairly rose with terror. He stooped down and felt around in the darkness
for his gun, but it was not within reach. He caught a huge stone and
held it in reserve for defense.
Straining his eyes through the darkness, he fancied he could see a dark
object above him; but it was only fancy, for to his excited imagination
the most extraordinary phantoms were flitting before him--floating in
the air, around and above him, like the wonderful visions that visit us
in delirium--until he closed his eyes to shut out the tormenting
figures.
Perhaps, after all, the presence of the wild animal was the means of
saving him, for it kept his mind down to the hard, practical fact that
imminent danger was close at hand, and all his thoughts were needed to
meet it. He stood a long time grasping the stone and expecting the
assault; but the tumult finally ceased and all became still.
When Elwood looked up again he saw that it was growing light, and day
was indeed breaking.