Part 11 (1/2)

Our princ.i.p.al object is to get off as soon as possible: but why northwest rather than any other quarter of the wind?”

Ellen smiled.

”Because,” she said, ”a friend you know--the Indian chief who formed part of the band--left the camp before us, in order to warn his warriors, and bring us help in the event of an attack.”

”Well thought of,” the hunter said. ”Let us be off, and not spare our horses, for on their speed our safety depends.”

Each bowed over the neck of the horses. The little party started with the speed of an arrow in a northwestern direction, as had been agreed on. The four riders soon disappeared in the darkness; the footsteps of their horses ceased to re-echo on the hardened ground, and all fell back into silence.

The gambusinos were peacefully sleeping on the island.

CHAPTER IX.

THE TEOCALI.

We will now return to Valentine and his companions.

The six hors.e.m.e.n were still galloping in the direction of the mountains; and, about midnight, they stopped at the base of an enormous granite ma.s.s, which rose solitary and glowing in the prairie.

”This is the spot,” said Bloodson, as he dismounted. His companions followed his example, and Valentine took a scrutinising glance around.

”If what I suppose be true,” he said, ”your dwelling might be an eagle nest.”

”Or a vulture's,” the stranger hoa.r.s.ely answered. ”Wait a few seconds.”

He then imitated the cry of the tiger-serpent. Suddenly, as if by enchantment, the ma.s.s of granite was illumined from top to bottom, and torches, shaken by vague and indistinct forms, ran rapidly along the slopes, bounding with extreme velocity until they arrived close to the astonished travellers, who found themselves all at once surrounded by some fifty men in strange garbs and with sinister faces, rendered even more sinister by the reflection of the torches which the wind drove in every direction.

”These are my men,” the stranger said, laconically.

”Hum!” Valentine remarked, ”You have a formidable army.”

”Yes,” Bloodson went on; ”for all these men are devoted to me. On many occasions, I have put their attachment to rude trials. They will let themselves be killed at a signal from me.”

”Oh, ho!” the hunter went on, ”The man who can speak thus is very strong, especially if he wish to gain an honourable end.”

The stranger made no answer, but turned his head away.

”Where is Shaw?” he asked.

”Here I am, master,” the man he had asked after said as he showed himself.

”What!” Valentine exclaimed, ”Red Cedar's son!”

”Yes: did I not save his life which his brother sought to take? By that t.i.tle he belongs to me. Now,” he added ”come, my guests, do not remain any longer outside. I will show you my domain. Shaw, do you take the horses.”

The travellers followed the stranger, who, preceded by several torch-bearers, was already escalading the abrupt sides of the granite block. The ascent was ruder still. It was easy to recognise the steps of a staircase, beneath the roots, creepers, and brambles that overgrew them. The travellers were plunged in the utmost astonishment. Valentine and Curumilla alone affected an indifference which caused their host to ponder.

When about one-third up the mountain, Bloodson stopped before an excavation made by human hands, through whose gaping entrance a thread of light emerged.