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As he spoke a slight, indescribable sound was heard almost like a sigh. "Hist! Did 'ee hear that?" said Hockins in the lowest possible whisper. "Oh! massa, let's go back de way we come," urged Ebony, in the same low but earnest tone. Mark Breezy did not reply, but the click of his gun as he cocked it showed that he was on the alert.
Then an extremely large cock, in the south-east corner of the hut, feeling that it had enjoyed a sufficiently good night's rest, flapped its ungainly wings, stretched out its neck, and gave vent to a clarion-crow which "Brute!" exclaimed Hockins, not even giving us time to finish the sentence!
The spear-point missed the animal, just grazing its back, and went deep into the ground, while the negro plunged with crushing violence on the back of John Hockins, who had been trying to approach his game a la Red Indian! To say that poor Ebony was filled with horror, as well as shame and self-abhorrence, is but a feeble statement.
Dey nebber kill you all!" said the negro, waving his hand round as if to indicate the whole party. "No hope, no hope," returned Ravonino, sadly, "Not even for you, Ebony, because you are only a black man. But they won't kill you, sir, or Hockins. They know better than to risk the consequences of putting a British subject to death. For the rest of us our doom is sealed."
"Oh! man, I am sorry to see you like this," said Hockins, extending his brawny hand, "an' I does wish I could set you free but you know I'm as helpless as a babby in this matter." Mamba dropped the pick and grasped the strong hand, but did not look up. His heart was too full. He did not understand the seaman's words, but he understood the tone.
If it was a good stout rope, now, I wouldn't mind, but every crack it gave when I was comin' aloft made my heart jump a'most out o' my mouth." "What have 'ee found there, doctor?" asked the seaman, on observing that his companion was groping behind a mass of herbage at the back part of the niche in which they stood. "There's a big hole here, Hockins.
"And you?" said Mark, turning to the seaman. "Run, says I, of coorse," replied Hockins, with something between a grin and a scowl; "ye know the old song him wot fights an' runs away, may live to fight another day!" "Come along, then!" cried Mark, who felt that whether they fought or ran he was bound to retain the leadership of his little party. As we have seen, they ran to some purpose.
From the manner of their approach it was evident that they searched for some one, and as they made straight for the cliff where the wounded man lay, it seemed probable that they were following up his trail. "We're done for," said Mark, in a tone of despair, as he noted this. "Why d'ee think so, Doctor?" asked Hockins, who did not by any means seem to take such a gloomy view of their case.
He turned as he spoke and led the way into the cave before mentioned. Profound darkness did not prevent his advancing with a firm unhesitating step. As he led Mark by the hand, Hockins and Ebony held on to him and to each other, and had no difficulty in following. Presently they came to a wooden obstruction which proved to be a door. Voices in conversation were heard on the other side of it.
"Crocodiles," continued the guide, "are numerous in many of our lakes and rivers, and dangerous too, though they are naturally timid, and can be easily frightened away. I remember a curious instance of this kind happening on the east coast, where a European trader was cleverly imposed on deceived, or, what you call " "Humbugged," suggested Hockins. "Well, yes humbugged!
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