Part 36 (1/2)
Not until considerably past midnight did the rain cease falling; but the wind storm still continued, and Poyor said, speaking for the first time since the party were united:
”It will not be possible to leave here until sunrise. Those who can sleep should try to do so, for we may have a hard day's work before us to-morrow.”
”I should as soon think of sleeping during a battle,” Teddy replied with a shudder. ”The suspense is worse than actual danger.”
”What can you be afraid of just now?” Jake asked.
”At this particular moment, nothing: but I feel positive that when the sun rises we shall find ourselves surrounded by the Indians.”
This was not a pleasant subject of conversation, and it was dropped as if by mutual consent.
The wind seemed icy cold, and the fugitives nestled closer together for protection against the blast, counting the slowly pa.s.sing moments until heralds of the coming dawn appeared in the sky.
Before it was sufficiently light to distinguish surrounding objects the wind lulled, and, standing erect each looked anxiously down the side of the mountain, waiting impatiently for the rising of the sun.
As the misty clouds which veiled the top of the range drifted away, an exclamation of astonishment burst from the lips of all.
Where, a few hours previous, had been a band of men eager to capture or slay the white strangers, was now only a yawning chasm.
Beginning at the ledge of rocks it appeared as if a giant hand had rent the side of the mountain apart, throwing the huge ma.s.s of earth into the valley, uprooting or crus.h.i.+ng trees, and making desolate for many hundred yards what had been a perfect garden of trees, flowers and shrubs.
”Why, there must have been an earthquake!” Jake exclaimed when the first burst of astonishment pa.s.sed away.
”Hardly as bad as that,” c.u.mmings replied. ”I fancy the lightning struck the ledge, and then a regular land slide followed.”
”Do you suppose the Indians are buried under that pile of earth and rocks?”
”Unless they understood what damage might be done by such storms they must be, and it stands us in hand to get away from this spot before others can arrive.”
”It is terrible to think of so many being killed,” Teddy said mournfully, and Jake asked sharply:
”Are you sorry we've got a chance for escape?”
”Certainly not; but no matter who they were, one can't help feeling shocked at such a catastrophe.”
”It is not well for us to stay here,” Poyor said before any reply could be made. ”While looking at what we believe to be the grave of the Chan Santa Cruz army, they may be climbing the mountain to cut us off.”
”You are right, Poyor. Boys, look around for the ammunition and Neal's gun, and whether we find anything or not we must be on our journey in five minutes.”
c.u.mmings led in the search, which resulted in nothing, for even the boulders which formed the fort were hidden from view by the sand and gravel, and then Poyor advanced on the way upward once more.
Although it seemed certain the enemy had been destroyed the Indian did not neglect any precaution. He traveled further in advance than usual and from time to time cast searching glances toward the valley where, in all probability, so many lay dead.
Now every member of the party were suffering for food. It was thirty-six hours since they had satisfied their hunger, and during the greater portion of this time a large amount of labor had been performed.
”I believe I could eat an iguana, and that's the most disagreeable looking reptile I've ever seen,” Teddy whispered to Neal, and the latter replied gravely:
”It doesn't seem right to complain about being hungry after escaping from such a terrible situation; but at the same time I'm willing to confess that almost anything would taste mighty good just now.”
The travelers were nearing the summit of the mountain where not so much as a blade of gra.s.s could be seen, and there was nothing for it but to endure hunger, as they were forced to, the heat, which, as the day advanced, seemed almost insupportable.