"LIKE AN OLD TOM-CAT."
There was nothing but the suggestion of the faint light of dawn stealing
through the Rajah's hole, as Peter called it; but Archie knew well
enough the way to the cocoa-nut and the stone jar for a refreshing
draught, after which he pulled himself together, and began to wonder at
the different phases of the night.
"I don't think I should have been such a coward before that dreadful
night," he said to himself. "What horrors one can imagine at a time
like this!"
For there seemed to be a something in the coming of day that brought
with it the flagging hope that had passed away, and minute by minute
there was something to take his attention.
He felt that there was no occasion to carry the spear any more, and he
crept to its hiding-place and thrust it in where it would be safe,
before crossing to the door and making use of Peter's steps as he drew
himself up to peer out and breathe in the cool, soft, refreshing air.
And now the varying notes of birds came more often--cries of stork and
crane, the whistle of the smaller parrots, the harsh shrieks of those of
larger growth; and then he seemed to hear nothing, for all his feelings
were concentrated in thoughts of his fellow-prisoner, in repetitions of
how they had canvassed one particular thing, how he had objected, and
how Peter Pegg had fought for and won in his determination that he would
creep out from the roof, lower himself down, and make an expedition that
should put away doubts and prove to them what their position really was,
how near they were to their guards, and where the stables of the several
elephants that passed their prison lay.
"You see, Mister Archie, sir," Peter had insisted, "we must do
something. You are getting well on your legs now, and if we don't make
a heffort we may be kept here for months. You are my officer, and I
take my orders from you, but I do beg and pray, sir, as you will let me
have a try. I can get out easy enough, and I can get in again. An hour
or two would do it."
And Archie had at last given way, to find that the hour or two had not
done it, for the night had passed; it would soon be broad day, with the
elephants being driven to water and a sentry resuming his post; and a
chill was beginning to paralyse him, while hope grew more and more dull
for the searcher for the way to freedom.
There was a faint tint of red now right away over the top of the distant
trees, and what seemed to be a mountain appeared above the jungle; but
it brought no return of the hope, to Archie, as it grew redder and
redder, it looked blood-like--a forecast, as it were, of the horror and
despair that were soon to come upon him in the shape of a dreadful
truth. For Peter had not come back; and even if he were to come now, it
would only be to be seen and made a closer prisoner; the secret of his
way out would be known, and they would be more carefully imprisoned. He
must be seen now, for there was the distant trumpeting of the advancing
elephants, and it was quite light enough for the sentry to make his way
along the forest path to take his place beneath the tree, and perhaps
come to peer in first to see if his prisoners were safe.
Archie thought that perhaps the elephants might come by first, and then
contradicted himself as he felt convinced that it would be the sentry;
and as he peered forth from the hole, with the cold chill of despair
increasing, there, far down the path, came the squat figure, with the
light playing upon the end of his spear.
"It's all over," thought the prisoner; and then he almost fell from the
hole, and turned to stare wildly up at the mats which sloped down to the
eaves of the building, and saw a leg thrust through hastily, then
another, and the next moment Peter Pegg's toes were kicking at the wall
as he struggled, hanging by one hand, to rearrange the attap mat of the
roof, and then, panting and breathless, he lowered himself down and
dropped at Archie's feet.
"Oh, I say!" he groaned. "That was close! Sentry's coming down the
path."
"Yes, I saw him. Did he see you?"
"No. I was creeping along like an old tom-cat to get round to the back,
and, my word, ain't I scratched! Talk about thorns!"
"Oh Pete, how you frightened me!" said Archie faintly.
"Frightened you, sir? Well, didn't he frighten me?"