Part 40 (1/2)

Smith was behind him with the ropes over his shoulder, and Wriggs now bore the ladder, coming last.

For some minutes they had been walking in utter silence, their footsteps deadened by the soft sand, and a terribly drowsy feeling was coming over Lane, making him long to lie down and sleep, but he fought it back and strained his eyes to gaze forward in search of obstacles, knowing as he did that the others were trusting him to pick out the best road and keep them out of difficulties.

But it was very dark in spite of the stars, and hard to make anything out till, all at once, he saw a misty and strange-looking form run by, about twenty yards ahead.

”What's that?” he said to himself, and then he started, for Smith caught his arm, and whispered,--

”Mr Lane, sir? See that?”

”Yes, what was it? Was it a deer?” and he involuntarily lowered his piece.

”Two legged 'un, sir, if it was,” said the man, softly. ”Will you call a halt? I think it was a hinjun.”

”Nonsense. One of our men, perhaps,” said Oliver, testily. ”Don't say that and scare them. We're close up to the s.h.i.+p now.”

_Bang_.

The sharp report of a piece came from about a couple of hundred yards farther on.

”There; I knew we were close up to the brig. Mr Rimmer fired that as a signal to let us know the way in the darkness. I'll fire him one back.”

The lock clicked and Oliver raised the muzzle to fire, when a ragged volley came from ahead, followed by a savage yelling, and as the sounds struck a chill to every heart there was utter silence. Then came a flash and a bright gleam, which grew brighter and brighter, developing into the sickly glare of a blue light, while as they stood there, fearing to advance, all grasped the meaning of the light.

The brig had been attacked by the Indians. A gallant defence was being made, and the blue light had been thrown out to show where the enemy lay.

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.

AN AWKWARD Sc.r.a.pE.

The first impulse of Oliver Lane was to drop down flat upon the sun-baked sand and earth, so as to protect himself from being seen in the glare of the blue light. His example was followed by the others, whose thoughts reverted also to the possibility of a bullet intended for the enemy, hitting a friend.

And there they lay listening after the dying out of the yells, and watching the glare from the blue light as it lit up the surroundings of the brig, and then sank lower and lower till all was darkness as well as silence.

Judging from what they heard, Mr Rimmer and his men were safe enough so far, and had been aware of the Indians' attack. But what was to come next?

The watchers asked themselves this question as they lay close together listening for the slightest sound, waiting for a solution of the little problem which had so much to do with their future: Had the enemy seen them when the light was burning?

Long-drawn-out minutes pa.s.sed as they waited in the darkness, now hopeful, now despondent, for Oliver felt a touch on his arm simultaneously with a soft, rustling sound, and the _pat, pat_ of naked feet going over the sand.

The message of danger was silently telegraphed by a touch to the others, and every weapon was grasped, those who had guns slightly raising the muzzles, while Smith took out his jack-knife to open it with his teeth, and Wriggs, to use his own words--afterwards spoken--”stood by” with the ladder, meaning to use it as a battering-ram to drive it at any enemy who approached.

But the sound pa.s.sed over to their right, and all was silent again.

”Hadn't we better creep up to the s.h.i.+p?” whispered Oliver.

”And be shot for enemies?” replied Panton, in the same tone.

”They haven't seen us, so we had better wait till morning.”

”And then make ourselves marks for spears and arrows.”