by James Otis
CHAPTER XXIV.
JAKE.
It was only natural that on awakening Neal and Teddy should first thinkof the engineer and his possible fate; but the other two members of theparty were so incensed against him that neither cared to speak on thesubject.
They asked concerning their location, and were told all that Cummingsand Poyor knew, and when the very satisfactory meal was brought to aclose the former said as if inviting a discussion:
"We have sufficient food to last us three days if there is no gamepicked up on the way; but our supply of water threatens to run shortvery soon unless we can manage to refill the canteens. Are we likely tofind a stream among these hills, Poyor?"
"When we descend into the valley there will be no lack of plenty todrink; but on beginning the ascent of the mountains we must be carefulnot to use too much."
"How long shall we probably be on the range providing every thing workssmoothly?"
"Three days--perhaps four."
"But we can only carry water enough for two days at the best."
"Then each one must take but half as much as he needs."
"Of course that would settle the matter; but it is going to be prettytough to travel in heat without all we want to drink."
"Better that than to fall into the hands of the Chan Santa Cruz," Poyorreplied gravely.
"I am willing to admit it; but at the same time I believe we can hitupon some plan of carrying all that may be needed."
"We may find the water pitchers in the forest, and by means of themreplenish the supply."
"That is figuring upon a possibility, and we are by no means certain ofgetting what we want."
"There is plenty of time to think the matter over, for, unless we arediscovered, it will be necessary to stay here until night. Will yousleep now?"
"You need rest more than I," Cummings replied. "Lie down while I standguard."
The Indian did not hesitate; it made very little difference who remainedon watch providing the utmost vigilance was maintained, and hestretched himself on the ground at the farther end of the ravine wherehe could be sheltered from the rays of the sun.
The boys seated themselves by Cummings' side where the best view of thesurrounding country could be had; but the latter was in no mood forfurther conversation, and the three remained silent for an hour or more,when Teddy asked:
"How long before you intend to call Poyor?"
"There is plenty of time," Cummings replied carelessly. "We have all daybefore us, and when I am tired he shall take his turn."
"Why can't we do something? If you lie down now it will be gaining justso much more sleep, and surely both of us can keep watch as well aseither you or he."
"That is a good idea, and I'll take advantage of the offer. Call me ifyou see the slightest thing suspicious, or hear any sound not made bythe birds. I don't fancy we shall be troubled; but at the same time noone knows what may happen."
"We'll take good care; you shall be told if anything larger than a ratcomes in view," Teddy replied, "so don't lose time that might be spentin sleep."
Cummings followed this advice at once, and in a few moments his heavybreathing told that he had crossed over into slumberland.
During the next hour nothing was seen or heard by the sentinels, who satjust within the shadow cast by the rock gazing intently down the hill,and then Teddy whispered excitedly as he pointed to a clump of bushesnear where the trees were thickest:
"Look in that direction. Can't you see the foliage is moving to and fromore than should be the case on a calm day like this?"
Neal followed with his eyes Teddy's finger, and after a close scrutinysaid:
"I see what you mean: but there is probably some animal among thebushes. At all events we shan't be a great while finding out, and itisn't well to call Cummings until we are positive something is wrong."
During five minutes the boys watched intently, and then there could beno question but that the leader should be awakened. They had seen a man,or at least a portion of one, as the foliage was parted gently to admitof his looking out, and Neal said as he raised his gun:
"Call Cummings. I won't fire until he gives the word unless that fellowcomes too near."
Believing that they were about to be attacked, Teddy shook the leader ofthe party vigorously as he whispered:
"They've found out where we are, and one is just getting ready to make arush."
This information was well calculated to arouse Poyor as well as thewhite man, and they ran with all speed toward the entrance to the ravinewhere Neal was making ready to shoot.
"He has shown himself twice since Teddy went to call you," the boy said,"and I know exactly where to fire if you believe it ought to be done."
"Do you think he knows we are here?" Cummings asked, and Neal replied:
"He has been looking out from among the bushes as if suspicious thatthere was something wrong in this quarter; but I don't fancy he has seenus."
"Then do not fire. It is of the greatest importance that we shouldremain concealed, and to discharge a weapon now would only be to bringdown a crowd upon us. Get back to the farther end of the ravine whilePoyor and I find out what is going on."
The boys did as they were bidden, taking their station where it waspossible to see all the men were doing, and after ten minutes both weresurprised by hearing Cummings say in a tone of relief:
"It is only that idiot, and he evidently mistakes us for enemies. Thebest thing we can do is to let him stay where he is, for then he can'tget us into another scrape."
"It's Jake!" Teddy cried. "I thought that arm didn't look like anIndian's!"
"It will be worse than wicked if Cummings don't let him know who we are.Of course he's hunting for us, and we _must_ call to him."
As Neal spoke he stepped forward, and was about to cry out when Cummingsprevented him.
"Let the fool alone," the latter said. "If he joins us we shall never beable to pass the sentinels."
"You can't mean to let him wander off by himself."
"Better that than give him another chance to bring the enemy down uponus."
"But I won't allow it," Neal cried angrily. "It is true he has beenworse than foolish twice----"
"And the third time he'll succeed in bringing all hands up with a sharpturn. We are where very little is needed to put us in the power of theenemy, and we cannot afford to take such chances as he appears todelight in."
"Then Teddy and I will leave you, and run all the risk with him, whichis nothing more than fair, considering the fact that he is one of ourparty."
From the look on Cummings' face it was evident he intended to make anangry reply; but before he could speak Poyor said:
"The boys are right. It is not good to desert a friend, no matter whathe has done."
"Very well," Cummings said impatiently. "Call him in, and during theremainder of this journey, if we live to finish it, I will see that hedoes not have a chance to work any more mischief."
Neal did not delay. Stepping out from the ravine he shouted:
"Jake! Jake, come in here!"
Although the engineer was so far away the cry of mingled surprise andjoy which burst from his lips could be heard distinctly, and in theshortest possible space of time he was in the ravine shaking the boys'hands vigorously.
"What are you up to here?" he asked. "Looking for me?"
"Indeed we were doing nothing of the kind," Cummings said angrily."After you so kindly did all you could to tell the Indians where we hadlocated it was necessary to make a quick move, and if I had had my wayyou would never have known how near we were."
"I don't suppose it will do any good to say that I am sorry?" Jakesuggested meekly.
"Not a bit, for this is the second time you have done all the mischiefpossible. By this last performance it has been necessary to take acourse nearly three times as long as the one we intended to travel, andno one can say what you won't do before we are out of the scrape."
"I pledge my word to obey orders.
The experience I have had during thepast twenty-four hours has taught me that I can't afford to take anymore chances while we are in this heathenish country."
"It is a grave question whether we shall be able to get clear, and nowthat you have come we must make another change, running all the risks oftraveling in the daytime, for the enemy can follow up on your trail asreadily as if you had set sign-boards all the way."
Jake understood that it would do no good to make any reply whileCummings was in such a rage, and he very wisely retreated to the furtherend of the ravine where he whispered to Teddy:
"Can't you give me a bite to eat? I'm just about starved."
"Haven't you had anything since leaving the cave?"
"Not a mouthful, and only one drink of water."
"Where have you been?"
"Walkin' all the time. When I went away it was only with the intentionof travelin' a short distance. It didn't seem as if I had gone aquarter of a mile before I turned to go back, an' I've been tryin' toget there ever since."
"Didn't you sleep any last night?"
"Not a wink. I wanted to; but some kind of a big animal came prowlin'around the tree I'd chosen as my sleepin' apartment, and after that Icouldn't so much as shut my eyes without takin' the chances of fallin'off the branch."
"Did you meet any one?"
"No."
"But how came you over here so far?"
"It seems as if I'd had time to go across the whole country since I sawyou last. Say, give me some water and a mouthful of anything that'seatable, an' then I'll get a little sleep before tacklin' Cummingsagain. I suppose its a case of goin' way down on my marrow bones beforehe'll forget what I've done."
"I fancy you are right in that respect," Teddy said gravely, as heoverhauled the stores to procure the food, "and he can't be blamed, foryou have put us in a very bad position without even the poor excuse ofhaving tried to benefit the party."
"From this out I won't so much as yip," Jake replied earnestly, as hemade a vigorous attack on the roast tapir. "Getting lost in such aforest as this is enough to make a fellow's hair turn white."
"If it will prevent you from playing the fool any more I shall besatisfied," Cummings, who had come up unperceived, said emphatically.
