The Fugitives | Page 5

as I ever heard on," responded
Hockins.
"Come, friends," said their young leader, "whatever it may have been,
it behoves us to get as far away from this spot as possible, and that as
fast as we can."
CHAPTER TWO.
HARKS BACK A LITTLE.
The spot where our adventurers found themselves on issuing from the
mysterious cave was a peculiarly rugged one. It formed a sort of hollow
or depression in the forest-land, in which we introduced the three men

as fugitives. From this hollow there descended a narrow track or
pathway to the extensive valley which had been seen from the summit
of the precipice that barred their flight, and had so nearly proved fatal.
So confused was the nature of the ground here, and so intricate were
the tracks--originally formed no doubt by wild animals, though made
use of by wandering men--that it became impossible for Mark Breezy
to know in what direction he was leading his comrades as he wound in
and out among large rocks and fallen trees. In fact it was more by
chance than guidance that they ultimately hit upon the path which
finally led them to the lower region or plateau of forest-land; and it is
certain that they would have found it impossible to find their way back
to the cave, even had they desired to do so.
Their chief object, however, was to put as much space as possible
between themselves and their late pursuers, and to this end they pushed
forward at their best speed, until they reached a small river which
appeared to be a tributary to, or a branch of, that which they had seen
from the heights earlier in the day.
"`Come to a ribber--couldn't git across, Gib a couple o' dollars for an'
old blind hoss,'"
murmured Ebony, quoting an ancient ditty.
"We shall have to swim it, I fear," remarked Breezy, "for there is no
horse here, blind or otherwise. Perhaps that fallen tree may prove
strong enough to serve as a bridge."
He pointed to a slender tree which had evidently been placed there,
with several others, for the purpose of forming a rough and ready
bridge; but its companions had been removed by floods, for they lay
tossed on the bank further down among other wreckage.
"It'll be somethin' like tight-rope dancin'," said the sailor. "We'll have to
repair the bridge."
"Nuffin' ob de sort! Look here."

Ebony ran to the tree referred to, and skipped over with admirable
agility, though it bent under him not unlike a tight-rope.
"But I can't do that," said Hockins, "not bein' a black monkey, d'ee
see?"
With a sudden expression of intense pity the negro exclaimed--
"Oh! I beg pardin'. Didn't I forgot; you's on'y a white man. But stop; I
come ober agin an' took you on my back."
He pretended to be on the point of recrossing, but the sailor had already
got upon the bridge, and, with much balancing and waving of his long
arms, passed over in safety. Mark was about to follow, when Hockins
called out, "Better pitch over the powder-flask in case you fall in."
"That's true, for I mayn't be as good as you or Ebony on the tight-rope.
Look out!"
He pulled the powder-flask out of his pocket and threw it towards his
comrades. Unfortunately the branch of an overhanging bush had
touched his hand. The touch was slight, but it sufficed to divert the
flask from its proper course, and sent it into the middle of the stream.
Ebony followed it head first like an otter, but soon reappeared, gasping
and unsuccessful. Again and again he dived, but failed to find the flask,
without which, of course, their gun was useless, and at last they were
obliged to continue their flight without it.
This was a very serious loss, for they had not an ounce of provisions
with them, and were in a land the character and resources of which
were utterly unknown at least to two of them, while the youth who had
become their leader knew very little more than the fact that it was the
island of Madagascar, that it lay about 300 miles off the eastern shores
of Africa, and that the tribes by whom they were surrounded were little
if at all better than savages.
That day they wandered far into the depths of a dark and tangled forest,

intentionally seeking its gloomiest recesses in order to avoid the natives,
and at night went supperless to rest among the branches of an
umbrageous tree, not knowing what danger from man or beast might
assail them if they should venture to sleep on the ground.
Although possessed of flint and steel, as well as tinder, they did not use
them for fear of attracting attention. As