Part 50 (1/2)

”Yes,” said he thoughtfully, ”we might. It's a big risk, though. If it isn't firm ground, the one who jumps will go to his death.”

”I'll chance it,” said L

”No, you won't; it's my venture. Stand aside, and give me room for a take-off. Remember me to the others if I go down.”

”Wait,” said I; ”there's no need for you to go. We can put it to the test without risking life,” and I hastily unslung the packet of provisions which hung over my shoulder.

”Bravo, Juan! that is a good dodge. Mind your aim, though!”

”All right,” and raising the bundle, I swung it carefully to and fro, trying to gauge the distance. Then giving it an upward sweep, I let it go, and we watched breathlessly as it fell plump on the spot.

”Firm as a rock,” cried Alzura. ”Viva! now for the jump, my boy; it's easy enough.”

”As long as we come down in the proper place. Stand back,” and pulling myself together, I took the leap, landing close beside the bundle.

This I picked up, and, telling Alzura to throw me the pole, proceeded to investigate.

”Is it all right?” he cried softly.

”Yes,” said I, and stood back while he jumped across.

”Caramba!” said he, ”that's a nasty bit well over!” and I noticed that his limbs trembled.

”All's well that ends well,” I replied. ”Come on, my boy; we've done the worst part, and the track's as plain as a pikestaff now. If we can reach the hill we came down months ago, 'twill be an easy matter to hide.”

”I wonder if the sergeant has discovered anything yet? According to his account, the guards will think us dead.”

”So much the better for us; they'll give up the search sooner. Hurrah!

the ground's getting firmer at every step. I believe we're out of the mora.s.s.”

The words were hardly spoken, when, my foot catching in some coa.r.s.e gra.s.s, I fell sprawling, face downwards.

”Not quite,” observed Alzura, pulling me up, while I tried to get the mud from my mouth and eyes. ”It's a lucky thing you didn't try that trick before. Faith, Juan, you do look a picture! I'd willingly give a hundred dollars to be able to pop you down in Lima!”

”Come along, and don't be idiotic, or we shall find ourselves back on the islet.”

”Yes,” said he, still grinning all over his face; ”we can't stay here laughing all day.”

”I'm not laughing,” I cried indignantly.

”Aren't you? Well, you see, old fellow, it's rather difficult to tell what you're doing through that black mask. I shouldn't try to rub it off. Let it cake, and we'll chip it off with a stone.”

”This way,” said I gruffly, taking no notice of his attempts to be funny. ”We'd better make straight for the mountains and hide ourselves.”

”We've need to,” he replied, with a meaning laugh.

We were now in a wide plain, dotted with numerous hillocks, and a good deal cut up by streams from the overflow of the lake. The ground was damp, while here and there we plumped straight into a marsh. By this time, however, we were in such a state that nothing mattered, and being unwilling to lose time, we took the shortest though not the most pleasant route.

We had a good start of the soldiers, who, as it happened, were completely thrown off the scent through finding Alzura's bundle.

Knowing the terrible nature of the mora.s.s, they concluded we were both dead, and returned to the island with the tidings.