The River of Darkness; Or, Under Africa Read online

  CHAPTER XVI.

  BESIEGED.

  The African sun had gone down, leaving only a reddish tinge against thewestern horizon, when the three fugitives left their refuge and climbedto the top of the cliff. In the dim twilight it was impossible to makeout the country which lay vaguely outspread at their feet.

  Canaris made a rude stretcher of branches, and, arranging Melton ascomfortably as possible, they started away. The top of the gorge slopedon this side into a valley, and following this for some distance theyfinally reached more open country.

  No trace of their pursuers was seen. They had all gone back to Harar,for none ever remained outside the walls at night, Canaris declared.

  Soon a small stream was reached, where they lunched and quenched theirthirst. Canaris washed Melton's wound, and bound it up in soft, wetbandages. After a while the moon came out, and they could see for somedistance on either side.

  It seemed strange to reflect that they were now traveling through a vastand absolutely unexplored part of Africa. All was wild and desolate, forHarar and its vicinity once left behind, no villages or habitations werefound.

  The cries of various animals echoed from the forest, and once a lionroared loudly; but without molestation from man or beast our littleparty toiled on painfully until dawn.

  They carried Melton every step of the way, and when they halted in aglade close to a pool, he was sleeping soundly.

  Either the fresh water or the long rest had helped him, for when nightcame again he was able to walk, and day by day he grew better.

  For three nights they journeyed to the southward, sleeping all day insecluded spots.

  The wisdom of night travel was plainly seen, for they often discoveredcamp fires gleaming on each side of them, and on one occasion nearly raninto a wandering group of Gallas, while from their hiding place duringthe day they saw caravans and hordes of natives journeying to and fro.

  The night had its disadvantages too, for twice they were attacked byhowling animals, and on one occasion had to climb trees while a herd ofelephants went trumpeting past. Fortunately, more dangerous beasts kepttheir distance.

  The third night's journey led them through a most unusually rich andfertile country, miles of mellow pasturage watered by many streams, bitsof forest land, and meadows clumped with bushes and patches of trees,while on both sides were the dark profiles of huge mountains.

  That day they slept on the side of a hill among great rocks, and whenthey were preparing to start at sundown, Canaris said briefly:

  "We ought to reach our journey's end before morning."

  Of the stores they had brought along there now remained but a handful ofcrumbs. Guy was deeply concerned over the question of supplies for theirvoyage in case the underground river was discovered, but Canaris badehim not to worry until the time came.

  With feelings which it would be difficult to describe, they resumedtheir night-march. An unknown future, full of terrors and fears, yawnedbefore them.

  It is hard to say what guided Canaris in the direction he took. He hadonce been over the ground, but it was scarcely possible that he couldremember the read so well. He strode on full of confidence, however, hisrifle over his shoulder and his revolver ready for use in his righthand. Guy and Melton followed behind in single file.

  They made slow progress, for Canaris led them in among mountain gorges,and they were compelled to ford streams and clamber painfully over bigstones.

  At last they emerged again on more open ground and traveled throughpatches of waving grass and scrub, keeping parallel all the while withtwo mountain ranges that lay to the right and left. The land was fullof rolling swells like ocean waves, and as they passed over the crest ofone of these ridges a sudden gleam of moonlight shining on water somedistance off riveted their attention.

  As they descended into the hollow it was hidden from view. Several timesthe Greek halted and scrutinized his surroundings closely. He was notaltogether satisfied, for he no longer strode on confidently, but walkedwith a hesitating step. Guy and Melton shared his anxiety.

  "What's wrong?" inquired the former. "Have you missed the way, Canaris?"

  "I don't know," replied the Greek. "We must stop soon and wait fordaylight. We ought to be close to the stone kraal by this time."

  While conversing they had crossed another slight swell, and they werehalf way down the hollow when a hoarse cry from Melton brought them to ahalt.

  The scene before them was enough to appall the stoutest heart. Twentyyards away lay a broad pool of water and along its sandy edge weregrouped half a dozen great lions, some lapping up the water greedily,others sitting lazily on their haunches, waiting no doubt for some fatdeer to pass that way.

  A low chorus of growls greeted the approach of the travelers, and madethem shiver from head to foot.

  "Shall I fire?" whispered Guy excitedly.

  "No, for your life, no," retorted Canaris. "Back up the hill as silentlyas possible. Don't shoot unless we are attacked."

  With arms in readiness they moved backward step by step. The lions beganto pace up and down the strip of sand, tossing their shaggy heads towardthe frightened men, and then the leader, a monstrous fellow with a manethat swept the ground, advanced a few paces and uttered a tremendousroar that seemed to shake the earth.

  Guy cocked his rifle, but at the sharp click Canaris turned on himfiercely.

  "Don't shoot," he whispered. "Don't shoot. If we can get over the ridgewe may escape. I don't think they will attack us."

  In a moment more they reached the crest of the slope. The lions werestill down by the pool.

  "Look," exclaimed Canaris, pointing to the right. "Do you see thoserocks! We must make a run for them."

  The spot referred to was a dim mass rising out of the plain some fiftyyards distant. Whether they really were rocks or not it was hard totell.

  Another fearful roar put an end to indecision, and they ran at the topof their speed toward the hoped-for refuge. No one glanced behind. Inimagination they felt the hot breath on their necks and heard the softpatter through the grass.

  Then the refuge was before them, a tall column of rock rising from aclump of jungle grass and some low, stunted timber.

  It towered up in ledges and in a trice Canaris had sprung upon the firstplatform, and extended a helping hand to his companions.

  With frantic haste they climbed another jutting ledge and pulledthemselves to the top. None too soon, for as they turned to look, thebig lion sprang into the air and landed with a roar of baffled rage onthe ledge beneath.

  He rose instantly for another spring, but as he reared upward Guybrought down the butt of his rifle on the massive head, and the beastrolled down into the grass at the foot of the rock.

  Another lion loomed up in the shadows, and together the two paced about,lashing their tails and growling with fury.

  "That was a narrow escape," said Guy. "A moment more and we would havebeen caught."

  "We're not altogether safe yet," replied Canaris. "Those are hungrylooking brutes, and it's hard to tell what they may do. We must remainquiet and watch them closely."

  The two lions continued to prowl up and down, licking their chops andoccasionally glancing at the top of the rock. Suddenly they halted inthe middle of their beat, and, pricking up their ears, assumed anexpectant attitude.

  "They hear something," said Guy. "I wonder what it can be."

  For a full minute the two noble beasts stood like bits of statuary, nota muscle quivering, their tails slowly waving to and fro. Then with acouple of bounds they vanished in the high grass.

  "The siege is raised," exclaimed Guy, breathing a low sigh of relief.

  "Hush," replied Canaris, "not a sound, not a whisper for your lives.Down, down, crouch low; throw yourselves flat!"

  His voice was tremulous with sudden fear, and his hand shook as hepointed one nerveless finger in the direction taken by the lions.

  "Look, look!" he muttered
with chattering teeth. "One sound and we aredoomed."