by James Otis
CHAPTER XV.
A RETREAT.
Cummings and Poyor talked together fully half an hour before the formervolunteered any further information to his white companions, and then hesaid:
"It would be useless for me to disguise the truth in any particular, forit is important all should know the absolute facts of the situation. Inlaying my plans for this expedition the only contingency for which I didnot prepare, was exactly what has happened. I never believed there wereso many sentinels in the swamp that the boat would be discovered, andwhen we came through without seeing a single one, I felt perfectly safeon that score."
"Isn't it possible the Indians will think it is a craft belonging tosome of their own people?" Neal asked.
"There is no hope of that. She is entirely different in build, and youmust remember that we left a number of things on board. Those who foundher came directly to the city, and orders have been given by the chiefmen that the swamp be searched thoroughly. There is no longer anypossibility that we could go through without being discovered."
"Then we've got no chance of escaping," Jake cried passionately, andCummings replied calmly:
"Who says we haven't? the coast line, where no one would think oflooking for an enemy, is still open, and what prevents us from trying tomake our way in that direction?"
"Then you have given up all hope of carrying away any treasure?"
"Under the circumstances I shall be well pleased if we succeed ingetting away alive. We are now in a position where nothing save escapemust be thought of, and I am the one who has placed you three in such adangerous situation. Shut your eyes to the fact that so much treasuremight be gained, and bend all your energies to leaving this section ofthe country. As compared with life gold amounts to very little."
"Then we are to say that the attempt has been a failure," Jake added ina tone of reproach.
"Yes, and I take upon myself all the blame. You have spent but littletime on the enterprise, while to it I have devoted not less than twoyears, therefore you can get some idea of the extent of mydisappointment as compared with yours."
"We recognize that fully," Neal replied, "and understand that youbelieved the expedition would be successful; but since it has proven tobe a failure let us decide upon the proper course to be pursued ratherthan spend our time reproaching each other."
"You are talking like a sensible fellow," Cummings said approvingly."Here is the situation in a nut-shell, and Poyor understands Englishsufficiently to follow us in all we say. To go back by the way we cameis now impossible, and yet we must leave the city before a house tohouse search is made, as I am convinced will be the case when it isshown that there are no strangers in the swamp. The only open course istoward the east, over the mountains, and the journey can be accomplishedif we hang together. I am willing to acknowledge that I have led you onan unsuccessful search, although that may be of little satisfaction, andnow my only aim is to release you from the dangers which beset us all."
"We understand that perfectly," Teddy said quickly, "therefore there isno reason why the matter should be discussed. We took the same chancesthat you and Poyor did, consequently our interests are identical. Showus how to get out of here, and the Chan Santa Cruz Indians may keep alltheir gold and silver so far as I am concerned."
"But how are we to be paid for the time spent?" Jake asked fretfully.
"By saving your own life, which is now in great danger," Neal replied."Give up all idea of making yourself rich by the venture, and think onlyof how we can best get away."
"That is something for Cummings to fix," Jake replied in a sulky tone."I came here for gold, and if that can't be had let those who put up thejob help us out of the scrape."
"I have already taken upon myself all the blame of the failure, andadmitted that it came about through an oversight of mine," Cummings saidsternly. "Now if you will listen to my plan I believe we can get out ofhere alive, which is the one important thing just at this time wheneverything has gone against us."
"What do you propose to do?" Neal asked, with a glance at Jake whichshould have silenced him.
"Strike for the sea-shore. Poyor believes it is yet possible to leavethe city on the eastern side without danger of meeting the sentinels,the majority of whom have been withdrawn to aid in searching the swamp,and by moving quickly we can at least be out of this hornets' nestbefore sunrise."
"You are the best judge; we will follow your directions," Teddy said,speaking more calmly than one would have fancied was possible in viewof all the danger. "Tell us what you think is best and we will agree toit, for now Neal and I have but one desire, which is to leave the SilverCity in the shortest possible space of time. We can be of but littleassistance in case of a regular fight, and according to my way ofthinking, your greatest mistake has been in accepting such uselesscompanions."
"I am perfectly satisfied that so far as you are concerned I have notmade any error. With twenty well-armed men I should not try to maintainmy position, for to hold out against an attack would be impossible, andthe only question now is whether we can escape. Having been here once Iwill come again, and at some time in the future you shall hear that Isucceeded in bringing away treasure from this same wonderful city."
Then Cummings held a short conversation with Poyor, and when it wasconcluded turned toward Neal and Teddy, as if disdaining to submit anyplans to Jake, and said:
"My first idea was to make an effort to return by the same way we came;but the Indian has persuaded me to the contrary. Are you willing to doas we think best?"
"You are as eager to save your own lives as we are ours," Neal replied,"and since you are familiar with this country it would be foolish for usto offer any advice. Do whatever in the opinion of both is best, and wewill obey orders."
"Our scheme necessitates an immediate move, for, as yet, no attempt hasbeen made to learn if there are any strangers in the city."
"Then you propose to go without making any effort to carry away gold?"Jake asked.
"Exactly. The journey has been a failure, through my carelessness as Isaid before, and to load ourselves down with treasure when a long marchis before us, would be the height of folly."
Jake remained silent, and Neal said:
"Don't waste any more time talking. Let us start at once."
Cummings spoke with Poyor, and the latter replied with the air of onewho considers himself vanquished, after which the former said:
"We may need all this food. Make it up into bundles, and we will startat once. The journey before us is a long and a dangerous one: but, as Ibelieve, it is the only way of escape left open."
The boys set about making the small amount of baggage into five parcelswhile Cummings and the Indian were still discussing some point, and whenthe conversation was concluded the former said:
"We will start for the sea coast. There is no immediate hurry, for thereis yet at least six hours before the inhabitants will be stirring."
"There must be sentinels on the east as well as the west side," Teddysuggested.
"True; but if the information brought by Poyor be correct, there willnot be as strict a watch kept. The Indian believes we should try toforce a passage through the swamp, fighting in case of a necessity; butI prefer that course where the least danger is to be met, even thoughthe distance be greater."
Neither Neal nor Teddy cared to discuss the matter: they knew thatCummings was the best judge in such a case, and were well content tofollow his leadership; but Jake did not trust him so implicitly.
"Before we leave here I want to know your plans," he said. "My life aswell as yours and the others, is in danger, and it is no more than rightthat I have at least a faint idea of what is to be done."
"You are quite right," Cummings replied mildly. "It is my purpose totravel toward the east as far as the sea-shore, and from there make ourway to my hut. So far as I can see it is the only practicable course."
"What does the Indian say?"
"He thinks we can go through the swamp even if we
have no boat: but, inmy opinion, the danger of contracting the fever is too great."
Jake had the appearance of a man who is about to make some protest, andNeal whispered to him:
"In such a case as this it is our duty to accept Cummings' view of thematter. Do not delay now when we all know that every moment isprecious."
"Have it your own way, I won't say another word," the engineer repliedimpatiently; "but I think we have followed this man blindly as long aswe should."
Neal paid no attention to the latter portion of this remark, but said ashe turned toward the leader:
"It is all right; we are ready."
"Then follow me, and remember that our lives may pay the forfeit if asingle incautious word is spoken."
Thus speaking he took up one of the packages, looked once more to thecartridges in his gun, and started down the stairs, the boys and Jakefollowing, while Poyor brought up the rear.
At the outer door he hesitated an instant, much as if to persuadehimself that it was absolutely necessary to flee from this city to enterwhich he had spent so many days in making preparations, and then,throwing it open, he led the way into the deserted streets.
"Our safest plan is to go straight across, rather than try to circlearound the outskirts where we may meet with sentinels," he said,motioning for Poyor to lead the way. "At present no one suspects that weare here, consequently the guard will not be particularly on the alert."
"Do as you think best," Neal replied, and then, falling back by the sideof Teddy, he whispered:
"If it hadn't been for me you wouldn't have gotten into this scrape; incase anything happens try not to believe it was my fault."
"There is no possible chance that you can be to blame," Teddy repliedwarmly. "Any one would have accepted the invitation to go yachting, andthis last part of the cruise is only the result of an accident withwhich you had nothing to do."
Jake did not open his mouth; he acted as if Cummings had done him apersonal injury in proposing such a trip, and the fact that they wereobliged to leave without making any effort to carry away the vast amountof treasure which he knew to be in the city unguarded, aroused his angerin a most unreasonable degree.
Poyor took the lead and conducted the party directly past the enormoustemple with its ornamentation of silver which shone in the pale rays ofthe moon until the entire structure appeared to be a solid mass of theprecious metal, and the marvelous sight was too much for Jake, who,coming to a sudden halt, said doggedly:
"It may be all right for you boys with rich fathers to turn your backson so much wealth; but I'm goin' to have some part of this treasure, orgive the Indians a fair chance to kill me."
