Part 23 (1/2)
A few drops of stiood effect, but as this was out of the question they did the next best thing under the circu out Then he rapped snugly in three or four big rugs and laid in one of the canoes, which was emptied for the purpose This heroic treatment had a speedy effect, and the patient, much to the relief of all, recovered fro up
”No, I don't think I'm hurt,” he said, in response to Guy's inquiries
”It was the closest shave I ever had in ine how I felt when the ave ht down, and then shot through the water like a streak One coil was still around led I couldn't tear loose My ears began to sing, and I kneould have to drown Then I felt the coil grow a little looser, and with one desperate struggle I tore away and caht away up on the island, and I shouted for help as loud as I could I was terribly afraid you would not hearweaker and weaker, and the current was dragging me farther and farther away Then I saw your torch alone to the bottom in another minute, I know It was horrible, Chutney It makes me faint to think of it,” and Melton closed his eyes with a little shudder
There were tears in the eyes of all as they listened to the marvelous story of his escape, and a sterner realization caers that encompassed them
Further sleep was out of the question, and yet they could not well leave the island until Melton's clothes were partially dry
”Suppose we try soested Guy ”I have lines, and we can bait the hooks with bits of dried e in our bill of fare,” said the colonel ”I second theof you, don't harassof fish,”
protested Sir Arthur, as gradually recovering froht ”It makes me think of white-bait dinners at Greenwich I dined there two days before I sailed for Africa”
”And you will dine there again, many a time,” replied the colonel ”Only keep up your spirits, Ashby”
”I hope so, I'roaned Sir Arthur, with a dismal shake of the head that belied his words
Meanwhile Guy had been preparing the lines, and handing one to the Greek, they cast them in the eddy below the island In less than five minutes Guy landed a truth Canaris hauled one out at the saht more than a dozen, all of the sath
”We'll take theh to build a fire and cook them”
”And if we don't find any,” cried Canaris, ”we can cook the them in the flame of the torch”
CHAPTER XXIV
SIR ARTHUR WAKES AT THE RIGHT TIME
At this point Forbes positively insisted on getting up, and, in spite of the slight daered about his clothes, he pulled thelad to leave the spot which was connected with such a horrible event, and soon the island was far in the rear
The second stage of the journey was ht rapids were encountered, but for the most part the river ift and se, and instead of the sharp ledges falling sheer to the water, sandy beaches skirted the edge, and froes that pierced the sides of the cavern
They were strongly tempted at times to stop and explore these unknown mysteries, but the reflection that every round streae served for their next resting-place It extended back ten yards to a steep wall of rock, and here, in a hollow cavity, Canaris found a h to burn
The fish were cooked rudely over a fire, but without salt they were unpalatable and no one cared to eat them
The luxury of a cah no watch was kept, the night--if night it really was--passed without alar his captivity a small note-book and pencil In this he kept a record of the journey, jotting down each night the incidents of the day's cruise, and a page from this diary will convey to the reader a clear idea of the uneventful -to-be-remembered contrast to the dreadful period that followed