SEVEN.

HOW WE PASSED THROUGH A GREAT PERIL.

It was quite evening when I woke, as I could see by the red glow amongst
the trees. I was rested but confused, and lay for some minutes
thinking, and wondering what had taken place on the previous day.

It all came back at once, and I was just in the act of rising and going
to see how our poor friend was, when I felt a hand press me back, and
turning I saw it was Jack Penny, who was pointing with the other towards
the entrance of the cave.

"What is it?" I whispered; but I needed no telling, for I could see
that a group of the blacks were on the other side of the ravine,
pointing in the direction of the bushes that overhung our refuge, and
gesticulating and talking together loudly.

They know where we are then, I thought; and glancing from one to the
other in the dim light I saw that my opinion was shared by the doctor
and our black followers, who all seemed to be preparing for an
encounter, taking up various places of vantage behind blocks of stone,
where they could ply their bows and arrows and make good use of their
spears.

Just then the doctor crept towards me and placed his lips to my ear:

"They have evidently tracked us, my lad," he said; "and we must fight
for it. There is no chance beside without we escape by the back here,
and give up the object of our search."

"We must fight, doctor!" I said, though I trembled as I spoke, and
involuntarily glanced at Jack Penny, wondering even in those critical
moments whether he too felt alarmed.

I think now it was very natural: I felt horribly ashamed of it then.

Whether it was the case, or that Jack Penny was only taking his tint
from the greeny reflected light in the cavern, certainly he looked very
cadaverous and strange.

He caught my eye and blew out his cheeks, and began to whistle softly as
he rubbed the barrel of his gun with his sleeve.

Turning rather jauntily towards the doctor he said softly:

"Suppose I am to shoot now, doctor?"

"When I give the order," said the latter coldly.

"There won't be any mistake this time?"

"No," said the doctor, quietly; "there will not be any mistake this
time!"

He stopped and gazed intently at the savages, who were cautiously
descending towards the stream, not in a body but spread out in a line.

"Fire first with large shot," he said softly. "If we can frighten them
without destroying life we will. Now creep each of you behind that
clump of stones an