Part 32 (1/2)
On returning on deck hethe yards to be braced up, the shi+p stood in the direction of the wreck
CHAPTER ELEVEN
TOM AND DESMOND WITH THEIR PARTY RETREAT INTO THE INTERIOR--NICK SETS OUT TO SCOUT--RETURNS--TOM GOES OUT AND BRINGS UNSATISFACTORY INTELLIGENCE--THE PARTY REACH THE RIVER--EMBARK IN A CANOE--PURSUED-- ESCAPE UP THE RIVER--MOOR TO A TREE FOR THE NIGHT--A PLENTIFUL BREAKFAST--THROUGH A FOREST--TOM AND PIPES VISIT THE Shore--SEE THE shi+P SAIL--A STORM--RETURN TO THEIR COMPANIONS--COMMENCE JOURNEY TO THE SOUTHWARD--ESCAPE OBSERVATION OF NATIVES--NUMEROUS DANGERS--PETER SEIZED BY A TIGER--BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS--BIRDS OF GAY PLUMAGE SHOT--BILLY NARROWLY ESCAPES FROM A CROCODILE--ATTACKED BY MONKEYS--CROSS A WIDE PRAIRIE-- WANT OF WATER--FIND WATER-MELONS--BUFFALOES KILLED--SIGHT A SNOWY MOUNTAIN--DEER KILLED, AND A FIGHT WITH A TIGER--CROSSING THE MOUNTAINS--SEE A VOLCANO--AN ERUPTION--SERPENTS--A LARGE LAKE--A FRIENDLY CHIEF--JOURNEY CONTINUED--THE COAST REACHED--AN ENGLISH BRIG IN THE HARBOUR
The party consisting of Toers, Gerald Desmond, and Billy Blueblazes, with Casey, Peter, and the two Papuans, Nick and Pipes, had penetrated a considerable distance to the south-west, when they heard the sound of hot firing in the rear Theto rejoin their friends, but Pipes, in great alarot between thelish, and that they would to a certainty, should such be the case, be attacked and killed before they could regain the beach Nick joined his entreaties to those of his countryman, and offered to steal forward and ascertain the position of the two parties, begging his friends to remain concealed behind some rocks and thick bushes until his return The sound of firing continued From the nature of the volleys it was evident that two parties were engaged, and that the Papuans must possess a considerable nuree to Nick's proposal He and his coly concealed themselves in the spot proposed, while Nick hurried forward in the direction of the firing Tom and Desmond considered that it must have been further off than they had at first supposed As Nick did not re-appear, they at last began to fear that he had been caught by the eneested this to Pipes, who replied, ”No, no; he good man; come back!”
”I wish that we had run for it, and tried to reach the shore,” said Desht have been knocked on the head had we made the attempt,”
answered Tom; ”but should we be discovered by the eneet possession of one of those rocks near us and hold it until our ammunition is expended”
”Oh dear? how dreadful!” exclaiht away a powder flask quite full, and an ammunition pouch, so that we may hold out for some hours; and I hope by that time our friends will coer Again there cah it see-place to ascertain if any one was approaching, a proceeding, had such been the case, which would very likely have betrayed him
”Here come Nick! Him sure!” exclaimed Pipes at last
”I hope it is,” said Tom ”But silence, all of you, in case it should prove an ene-place”
It was Nick, however He looked very much alarmed His report, as far as could be understood, was that the Papuans, having collected froes, had taken up positions some little distance fros of the white et down to the shore without being discovered
Toh Casey and Peter were ready enough to do so, or anything else they wished; but Nick and Pipes objected strongly to such a proceeding, affir that they should be discovered and shot doere they to o away!” said Pipes
Too out and scout for hio with hih to run the risk,” he answered ”Two are o far, and keep well under cover”
Desmond and Billy felt very anxious while Tom ay, lest he should fall into the hands of the Papuans
”If they get him they will cut off his head,” said Billy, ”and we shall never see hiain”
”Tom knohat he is about; and unless the ene about, there is notdiscovered,” answered Desmond
”It would have been better to have sent one of the black fellows,”
observed Billy ”I say, Des very sharp set, in spite of ht,” answered Desmond ”If ere to fire we should betray ourselves, and have the enemy down upon us Perhaps Tom will report that they have moved away, and we shall after all be able to reach the beach Lieutenant Noro aithout us”
”But he won't stop if he fancies that we are killed; and that will be his opinion, depend upon it,” said Billy, in a ,” said Desmond ”Keep quiet!” It proved to be Torave
”I have been a considerable distance,” he said, ”and have had a sharp run for it to keep ahead of the ene this way, and I question whether this will prove a secure hiding-place; for, as I watched the themselves away between trees or behind hillocks and rocks, and some of them are sure to pop in here”
Nick and Pipes appeared quickly to understand what he was saying ”Den we go on higher,” said Nick, pointing towards the bank of the river
It at once occurred to Toht escape down the river and get out to sea He accordingly without hesitation followed Nick's advice; and the party set out, following the two Papuans as fast as they could run, hoping to avoid being seen by the ene down the stream, as Tom expected they would do, they proceeded up it