at the
gulf beside and before them, at the little strip of road broken off
short and square at their feet. How were they to pass this frightful,
yawning abyss?

CHAPTER XXXVI.

PENNED IN THE PASS.

"What's to be done now, father," said Jack in a low, quick voice; "the
road's clean gone. We're trapped."

Both stepped forward and looked over the edge of the sheer descent
where the road ended. A broad torrent foamed along fifty feet below.
The side of the precipice fell away to the stream as smooth as a wall.
It rose above them just as smooth. No way up or down. They saw that in
an instant.

"Better go back and try another way," said Mr. Haydon. "Ask her, Me
Dain."

A few swift words passed between the Burman and the native woman. Then
the guide shook his head soberly. There was no other way that she knew
of.

Jack stepped back to the angle and peered carefully round it. "The
Kachins are coming," he said.

The shelf-road had risen as it ran along the precipice, and from this
point he could see a long way down the pass. He saw the bunch of
pursuers sweep into sight and race up the pass. His father joined him
at once.

"They would see us now if we went back," said Mr. Haydon. "What on
earth are we to do, Jack?"

Jack knit his brows in perplexity, but made no answer. He could not
see what to answer. Behind them a band of savage and determined
enemies; before them a gulf over which none but a bird could pass.

"We're in a frightful fix," he murmured at last.

"Frightful," rejoined his father. "I give you my word that I see no
way out."

"Nor I, father," said Jack. "It seems to me that all we can do is to
try to hold them off at this corner."

"But how?" asked Mr. Haydon.

"The road's fearfully rotten just at the bend," said Jack. "I think we
could break it down pretty easily. It trembled and shook as I passed
over it."

"I see," returned his father, "break the road down and keep them from
rushing us. But what of ourselves? How will it advantage us to be
isolated on a patch of road, stuck against the face of the cliff like
a swallow's nest against a wall?"

"Frankly, I don't know, father," replied Jack. "I simply put that
forward as the only means I can see of gaining a slight respite.
Otherwise they will be among us and cut our throats in short order."

"Or make us captives, which would be a long sight worse," said Mr.
Haydon. "Well, Jack, we'll give ourselves an hour or two longer to
look a