Part 8 (2/2)
We must sleep off the ground, clear of the mists, and must choose the highest spot. If the stockade is well posted, all will be right. If not, we will rebuild it. Then there are the mosquitoes. Some, a few only, whose numbers are steadily growing, say that these insects convey the germ of malaria. [This is now an accepted fact.] Very good. We will keep them away as far as possible by the use of curtains at night.
Last of all, the man who exercises in the cool of the morning and evening, who avoids the direct rays of the sun at midday, and who eats and drinks lightly, stands a far better chance than does the one who is lazy, and who is apt to indulge too much. Pa.s.s the biscuit, d.i.c.k, and light up if you care to do so, Meinheer.”
According to their usual custom, a custom suggested by d.i.c.k, the launch kept her steam in till darkness had fallen, and then, as soon as the anchor had been hoisted, she ran farther up the river, and put over to the opposite sh.o.r.e. That done, she was anch.o.r.ed again, fires were banked, and the party settled for the night, the watch being taken in turn. On the following day, after half an hour's run, Meinheer Van Somering gave vent to a shout of delight.
”Mein friends!” he cried, as he danced on the deck till the steamer heeled. ”Zose are ze drees. Look you. Two, and one lies on ze ozer.
Ah, yes, Meinheeren, and ze riber is zere also. We are proud men do-day!”
”We are lucky, you mean,” answered Mr Pepson. ”Who ever heard of an expedition setting off to find a tributary which runs into a river of this size some days' journey from its outlet, a tributary the mouth of which is hidden almost by jungle, and is marked only by two cotton trees. However, there it is, and now we are but a few miles from the landing-stage. Let's push on. It's hot and close here, and the sky is overcast.”
They turned the nose of the launch for the narrow tributary, and steamed slowly into it for there was no saying when they might encounter a sunken bough or some other obstacle. On either hand now were trees, the dense forest, while at the base of this forest grew a network of trailing plants. Every variety of vine was there, and amongst them the one which produces rubber. Yams were seen in abundance, while orchids and other plants hung from the trees in festoons, their blooms illuminating many a dull patch. The banks were composed of slimy ooze and mud, and from these, as the boats trailed past, an occasional loathsome form was seen to waddle, and an alligator splashed into the water.
”Gentlemen to whom it is well to give the right of way,” laughed the leader. ”They will do us no harm, but I should be fearful if we were to be upset. Now, how far do we steam?”
”Five or six mile, Meinheer. You will know when we reach ze road, for zere is a liddle place to land. Oh yes, zere is no difficuldy.”
”Then the sooner we reach the place the better,” exclaimed Mr Pepson.
”I don't like the look of the weather. This is hardly the season for rains, but it looks as if we were in for a torrent.”
An hour later a tiny staging was seen on the left bank of the stream, for the river was little more now. Indeed, in most places, the trees actually met overhead, while the dense foliage made the place so dark that dusk might have been falling. But in spite of the shelter obtained from the rays of the sun, the heat was intense. At the point where the staging appeared there was a break in the trees, and, as they drew opposite it, they saw that it had been erected at a point where another stream, a tiny tributary, emerged from the forest. Along its bank there was a path, while its mouth seemed to have been widened.
”All of which shows that we have a thoughtful agent,” said Mr Pepson, as he put the helm over. ”Back her, Johnnie. Steady. Ahead a little.”
Very easily and gently the four craft were brought into the tributary, their painters being made fast to the trees which came close to the bank. Then the party landed and looked about them.
”Zis is hod, mein friends,” grunted the Dutchman, as he stood panting in his s.h.i.+rt sleeves. ”I do nod wish for zis walk in ze foresd.”
”While I shall be glad to get it over,” said Mr Pepson, with emphasis, casting an eye overhead as he did so. ”I tell you we are in for a storm, and that is hardly a pleasant prospect in such a place.”
d.i.c.k wondered why, for the ma.s.s of the forest which hemmed them in on every side seemed ample to protect them from any harm which might come from a storm. But no doubt his leader had had experience and knew, and at his words he slung his rifle, took a bag of cartridges, and prepared to march. Johnnie, too, leapt to the sh.o.r.e, for there was no longer any need to leave a guard, and within a few minutes the party was _en route_ for the gold-mine.
Almost for the first time in his experience, d.i.c.k marched by a forest road, a track cut through the heart of the jungle, and he began to realise what were the difficulties of transport in this remarkable country. For the path was barely wide enough to admit one single man, and the great girth of the Dutchman often brought him into difficulties.
It bore signs of having been cut some weeks before, for the marks of knives and hatchets were often to be seen. But in spite of the care taken in clearing it, parts were already practically impa.s.sable; for vines and other creepers had grown across it. However, a few sweeps from Mr Pepson's sword cut them clear, and the party were able to advance. They wound here and there, following the track, which deviated so as to avoid large trees and very thick brush. At times they sank to their knees in marsh land, while on several occasions they leaped or waded across streams quietly trickling through the jungle. It was all very new and very strange, and our hero could have enjoyed it more had it not been for the heat. It was intensely hot and muggy. Not a leaf stirred, and not a sound came to them save the creak of an occasional bough, and the crack of twigs which lay underfoot. Bird and beast life seemed to have departed. Mr Pepson shook his head and hurried on.
”Better reach the open as soon as we can,” he said. ”This is no place for a man once the storm breaks. Listen! It is coming.”
The tops of the trees moved while the tangle of leaves rustled. d.i.c.k thought he heard an indefinite sound, a distant hum, gradually rising in intensity, but as yet it was so slight that he was uncertain. He halted as Mr Pepson turned round and mopped the perspiration from his face.
Then, as he replaced his handkerchief, he looked at his chief and started back. For the leader of the expedition, usually so calm and self-possessed, looked as nearly terrified as d.i.c.k imagined it would be possible for him to be. He stared overhead, and stood there listening acutely.
”You hear it?” he asked anxiously. ”You hear a moaning sound?”
”I fancy I did a minute or so ago, sir. Wait. Yes. There it is, without a doubt, and it is louder.”
”Id is ze wind, mine frien, I zink,” gasped Meinheer, seating himself on a fallen log.
”The wind! It is the storm. A tornado!” exclaimed Mr Pepson, ominously. ”I tell you we are in the greatest danger, and that we must act if we wish to be secure. Look about you, and find a spot where there are very big trees, and numbers of trunks which have fallen.”
He went on all fours and peered into the jungle and up towards the summits of the trees, many of which towered for two hundred feet overhead. And presently, when they had moved on a few yards, d.i.c.k's hand went out and he drew his leader's attention to a part which seemed to meet his requirements. A glance seemed to satisfy Mr Pepson, for in an instant his sword was out again, and he began to hack a road to the spot with all his strength. There was evidently no time for explanation, that d.i.c.k could plainly tell, for the distant hum had now risen to a roar, which seemed much nearer, while the tops of the trees above him rocked and strained in the wind. Then they were still again till another gust caught them. Whatever the danger to be feared, he had known Mr Pepson long enough to be sure that it must be great, else why the haste, why so much anxiety? Whipping out his sword he fell to beside him, and together, with Meinheer following them, his coat over his shoulder, and his handkerchief mopping the perspiration from his face, they fought their way through the jungle till they had reached the spot which d.i.c.k had pointed out. And here Mr Pepson threw himself exhausted on the ground, gasping with his exertions, while d.i.c.k was glad to sit down. As for Johnnie, he crouched at the foot of a giant cotton tree and cowered there. d.i.c.k could see the whites of his eyes, and noticed that he trembled.
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