Part 7 (1/2)
Without further words he turned upon his heel, and our twain had no further opportunity to exchange speech with him. A moment later they were ordered by gestures more forcible than speech to enter the boat, and knowing they could do no better, they obeyed. A crew of four accompanied them, and in a short time the keel of the boat grated upon the sandy sh.o.r.e of a point of land jutting out into the sea.
Understanding what was expected of them, and knowing it would avail nothing to resist, Jack and Ronie sprang out upon the land. Without even a parting gesture, the boatmen started upon their return to the sloop, whose dark hull loomed up gloomily in the distance. So intense was the feeling of the utter loneliness hanging over the hapless couple that neither of them spoke until they had seen the boat reach the strange sloop and the four seamen climb to the deck, when Jack said:
”Well, my lad, we are in Venezuela at last.”
”But how different is our coming from what we had expected.”
CHAPTER VIII.
JAGUAR CLAWS.
Jack Greenland made no reply to the remark of Ronie. In fact, there did not seem anything for him to say by way of answer. They saw that the country which lay back of them appeared barren and desolate. A few sickly shrubs pushed their crabbed heads above the sand dunes, but as far as they could see in the night the country was nearly level, and nothing more inviting than a sandy plain. The only cheerful sight that greeted their gaze was the crimson streak marking the eastern horizon, and which announced the breaking of a new day.
”I would give a good deal to know where Harrie is at this moment,” said Ronie.
”We can only hope that he is able to look after himself,” replied Jack.
”And we can only make the most of our situation. As for me, I feel better on this sand bar than I have felt on board such s.h.i.+ps as we have known since leaving Colon.”
”If this is a sample of Venezuela,” said Ronie, ”I am heartily sick of it already.”
”It is not. From what Captain Hawkins said, I judge we are on or near the sh.o.r.e, where the narrow tongue of water connects Lake Maracaibo with the sea. If this is the case we are twenty miles from the city.
The lake is about one hundred and twenty miles long and ninety miles wide.”
”But there must be some town nearer than the city you mention,” said Ronie.
”Quite likely. As we can do no good by remaining here we might as well do a little prospecting. It may be well for us to move cautiously, as it is uncertain how we shall be treated. It is unfortunate that our letters of credit and other papers were lost with our chest.”
”And all of our instruments and charts. Truly, Jack, it would seem as if we had been prompted to undertake this trip under the influence of an unlucky star.”
Jack made no reply to this, but led the way from the sh.o.r.e, closely followed by Ronie. It was getting light enough for them to move with ease, as well as to get a good idea of their surroundings, which were not very inviting so far. But in the distance could be seen the dim outlines of the mountains and the borders of one of those luxuriant forests for which South America is noted.
Something like half a mile was pa.s.sed in silence, when Jack paused, saying:
”If I am not mistaken, there is a small settlement off to our right.
Perhaps we had better get a little nearer, though I hardly believe it will be good policy for us to be seen until we get a better understanding of our situation. We certainly cannot boast of being able to present a very attractive appearance,” he added, ruefully, while he looked over his companion and himself.
In their bedraggled garments, not yet fully dry, it was small wonder if they did present a decidedly disheveled appearance.
”Do you think we are liable to an attack from the inhabitants in case we should be seen?”
”I do not know what to think. If this rebellion is general then we are in constant danger. I know of no better way than for us to push ahead and find out.”
Suiting action to his words, Jack resumed the advance, with Ronie still beside him. It was now rapidly growing lighter, which was a source of satisfaction to them, as the cover of the growth they were entering promised to prove as effective a s.h.i.+eld as the darkness had been when upon the sand plain.
Contrary to the expectations of Jack, they had not found the settlement looked for. In fact, as far as they could see, there were no signs of habitation anywhere in that vicinity. Thus, as they advanced, a feeling of loneliness came upon them that they could not throw off.
”I would give a good sum, if I had it, just to hear some one speak,”
declared Jack, thrusting his hands into his pockets, to pull them out the next moment with a prolonged whistle, which caused Ronie to start with fear at the unexpected sound.