“It is very awkward, Hurka, but I should think that you and Pita can contrive some plan for getting off.”
The little Indian nodded.
“We can manage that,” he said. “We have only been waiting until we were sure that you were strong enough to travel. I know that even now you could not go far, but once in the forest, we shall be able to outwit them and to travel slowly. Pita and I have been hiding up a store of food for the journey, and if you are willing we will try to make our escape to-night. There have, for the last fortnight, been men posted round us as soon as it became dark, but we shall be able either to crawl through them or to dispose of any who may bar our way.”
Pita presently returned from hunting. He carried a dozen large pigeons in his hand.
“We must go to-night,” he said briefly. “I have been told that I must give an answer to-morrow.”
“I have been telling the señor,” Hurka said, “and he is ready to make the attempt at once; but I wish that they had given you a day or two longer, for there will be extra vigilance to-night.”
Pita made a gesture of contempt.
“They will but throw away their lives,” he said. “Let us go out.”
As they walked along the village the women looked curiously at them, while men watched them closely with scowling looks.
“Do you see that large tree at the edge of the forest, señor?” Pita asked presently; “it has lost its bark, and the trunk is white.”