The gunner was kneeling near me. I could now distinguish objects more distinctly, but the only source of illumination in the cave, as far as I could see, was one flickering sputtering torch, and this was dimly flaring away at the farthest extremity of the great rock-chamber. The ghostly light fell weirdly on Mr. Triggs’s strongly-marked features and crouching figure. I noticed that he was looking pale, worn, and anxious. When he saw me glance at him, however, he tried to smile encouragingly.
My eyes roamed around the great deserted cavern with a puzzled expression. Surely it was all a dream! Where was the gang of shouting and yelling desperadoes, the chief, the mule-driver? Ha! where was my brave and faithful coxswain, Ned Burton? When I had last seen him—
The gunner divined my thoughts.
“I must explain everything hurriedly,” he said in a low rapid voice, “for at any moment that swab of a chief and his men may return. First with regard to Ned Burton. I’m thankful to say the brave fellow lies sleeping over yonder in the dark shadow of that projecting corner. Don’t you see him?”
I glanced hurriedly at the spot indicated by Mr. Triggs, and now that my eyes had got more accustomed to the peculiar light, managed to discern a dark, huddled-up, human form.
“But were not those cruel brutes going to flog him?” I falteringly asked; “or was it only the beginning of a dreadful dream?”
“They did flog him, poor chap,” answered the gunner, in tones which shook with emotion; “but Ned bore it like a man. Not a sound escaped his lips during the punishment, and he did not faint. I’ve been to him and given him some water, and he is now happily asleep. Of course his back is in a terrible state, but he declares it will be all right in a few days. I feel sure, however, that he is very much exhausted.”
“What a mercy that he can sleep!” I said. “But tell me, Mr. Triggs, what has become of our captors?”
“They were hastily summoned away by a messenger,” answered the gunner, “a man who seemed breathless and nearly exhausted, as if he had run for a very long distance without stopping to rest. The whole gang then hurriedly seized their weapons, extinguished all the torches except the one you see there, and rushed tumultuously out of the cave by an entrance which was visible to me where I lay. Half a dozen men, however, remain on guard just outside, and may enter the cave at any moment. They have not done so yet, however, and are, I think, in too excited a state to pay much attention to us, besides—”
“Then can’t we escape?” I asked impetuously. “Is there no other exit—the way we came in, for instance?”