Part 24 (1/2)

Each one with the possible exception of Poyor, was so cramped as to be in great pain: but all knew that the slightest unusual noise among the foliage would have attracted attention.

Of course c.u.mmings' party was more than a match for the Indians; but in addition to his disinclination to begin a fight, was the chance that there might be others in the immediate vicinity who would join in the battle, thus reducing the odds which appeared to be in favor of the white men.

It was in the highest degree important, also, that they remain hidden, for once the Indians got a glimpse of the party it would be a simple matter to track them to the next hiding place.

There was another and a very weighty reason why both c.u.mmings and Poyor wished to avoid an encounter in the forest, even though their weapons were much superior to those carried by the Chan Santa Cruz so far as rapid work was concerned. Unless struck in some vital part, the chances are in favor of recovery from a bullet wound; but let the skin be punctured ever so slightly by arrows poisoned with the venom of the snake known as the nahuyaca and death is certain to follow.

With all this in mind it is little wonder that the fugitives suffered considerable pain before making any attempt to change positions, and that they would be forced to remain exactly where the halt had been made, until morning, seemed positive.

Poyor was well content to stay there as long as the men carried on a conversation, for he was thus enabled to get some valuable information concerning their proposed movements, and not a word escaped him.

Three hours elapsed before the pursuers gave any sign of leaving the place, and then a peculiar sound as of a night bird calling to its mate, caused them to start to their feet.

It was evidently a signal from another party of pursuers, for these men answered it by a similar cry, and it was repeated several times by those in the distance.

A moment later the Indians had started, and as they disappeared Neal whispered to Teddy:

”I never realized before how much comfort there is in the ability to move whenever a fellow feels so disposed.”

”If I'd been obliged to keep still ten minutes longer I believe my legs would have dropped off,” Teddy replied with a sigh of relief.

There was no time to say anything more; Poyor had begun the advance, and the little party moved slowly and silently through the gloomy forest until the Indian halted in front of an opening slightly larger than the one leading to the cave they had just left.

Jake did not wait to be told that the journey had come to an end; but at once crawled through, followed by c.u.mmings with the materials for making a torch, and in a few moments the boys were also inside.

Poyor did not accompany them; he wanted to a.s.sure himself that they had not been discovered, and proposed to stand guard among the trees until this had been accomplished.

The cavern was not more than half as large as the one first visited; but was formed of the same peculiar stone. Here also was a stream across one corner, the bottom of which sloped gently up to the sh.o.r.e of fine white sand, and, so far as could be ascertained, it did not afford a home for disagreeable monsters in the shape of alligators.

There was plenty of evidence near the entrance to show that in addition to searching the cave the Indians had made a long halt. Fragments of totopostes were scattered around, and a small pile of fine shavings told where one of them had repaired an arrow.

The only objection which could be found in this new refuge was that it had not been taken possession of by tohs. c.u.mmings searched everywhere in vain for the ”chickens,” and the troubled look on his face spoke plainly of his disappointment in failing to find a supply of food close at hand.

”If we should be discovered and besieged it will be a case of short rations,” he said as the little party returned to the opening to wait for Poyor.

”Don't you suppose there are fish in the stream?” Teddy asked.

”I never heard that there were; but even if it was stocked with them we should be none the better off since there are neither hooks nor lines here.”

”Neal and I have got plenty of both, so what's to hinder our finding out? A fresh fish wouldn't taste badly.”

”Very well. I'll stay here on guard, and----”

He was interrupted by the arrival of Poyor, who had crept through the short pa.s.sage without making sufficient sound to be heard by those who were supposed to be watching, and, speaking in English, he said to c.u.mmings:

”I do not think there is any one near here, and now I wish to go further on to learn where the next line of sentinels is posted. We may be able to change our quarters again, and if every move takes us nearer the coast we shall be gaining just so much every time. You must keep a better watch, however, for if I can surprise you, so can others.”

”I will take it upon myself to see that no one else is able to do the same thing,” c.u.mmings replied with a laugh. ”When you are outside in the vicinity I always feel secure; for the best Chan Santa Cruz that ever lived couldn't pa.s.s without your knowledge. Did you hear anything of importance while we were hiding so near that party?”

”From what they said it is positive fully a hundred men have been sent from the city to search for us, and with the sentinels there must be double that number between here and the coast.”