Part 49 (2/2)

We were in no merry humour, mind you; but the weakest joke was better than dwelling on the horrors which surrounded us. Each of us knew that, but for Alzura's quickness, I should have disappeared for ever, leaving no trace behind me. Twice before the break of day I had saved him from a similar fate.

We left the islet about ten o'clock, and at midnight were still in the mora.s.s, unable to move. Alzura had joined me on a piece of firm ground, just large enough for us to stand on, and no more. It was darker now, so that we could see nothing clearly, while I failed to touch any solid substance, except that behind us, with my pole.

Alzura's attempts were equally unsuccessful.

”You're a pretty guide!” said he. ”You've got off the track; we had better try back. Give me the staff.”

”Be careful; mind how you turn. Can you feel the ground where we stood just now?”

”Yes; here it is,” and the next minute he stepped back to feel for the proper path, while I stood trembling lest he should slip in and be smothered before I could get to his a.s.sistance.

”Can you find a place?” I asked.

”Only towards the lake. It's nothing but marsh to right and left. I think I'll come to you again. What is it? Did I hurt you?”

”Oh no, not at all!--only crushed my toes a bit with the pole! What are we going to do now?”

”I suppose it's too early for breakfast?” he began, and then in a different tone he added hastily, ”Oh, I say, what a joke! I've dropped my bundle of food somewhere. Perhaps it's just as well; I shall walk lighter.”

”But you'll want something to eat,” I suggested.

”Of course I shall. How dense you are! Don't you see how the accident will benefit us both? There are two now instead of one to eat your rations, so you will have all the less to carry.”

”Oh,” said I doubtfully, not quite appreciating the logic. ”Well, we don't want breakfast yet, and the question is, what are we to do? The sergeant's bound to discover our escape at breakfast-time, and a search-party will be sent ash.o.r.e immediately.”

”It will be light in an hour or two,” observed Alzura cheerfully--”at least light enough for us to find the track again. Let us sit down; it won't be so tiring, and we can't make ourselves any wetter or dirtier.

It's a good thing I didn't start on this journey alone; I should be with my provisions now.”

”It's always pleasanter to have company,” said I, s.h.i.+vering, and not noticing the absurdity till Alzura laughed.

There was certainly very little pleasure in our position just then. We were wet through, chilled to the marrow, and plastered with mud from head to foot. Our limbs felt horribly cramped, yet we almost feared to stretch them, and the enforced delay was fast diminis.h.i.+ng our chances of escape. The dawning light might show us the route, but it would also set the soldiers on our heels. Altogether, I was rather inclined to envy Barriero, sleeping peacefully in his hut.

As soon as ever it became light enough, Alzura jumped up, saying, ”Where is the pole?” and grasping it, he began trying to touch bottom.

He poked long and vigorously in all directions, but without success, till it seemed as if our only plan was to return and give ourselves up.

”Yet there must be a way out,” said I impatiently. ”The track leads here plainly enough, and it wouldn't come to an end just in the middle of the mora.s.s.”

”I shouldn't think so,” said Alzura. ”I wonder whether they've missed us yet. How old Barriero will grin on seeing us back again!”

”We aren't back yet,” I replied. ”Look at that hump yonder. It seems solid, doesn't it? Lend me the pole. Ah, too short! What d'you think, Alzura?”

”It looks all right,” said he; ”but appearances are often deceptive.

Besides, we can't reach it.”

”We can jump it, perhaps.”

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