“We are getting up among the mountains, Joe,” he said; “and this means more difficult travelling, but at the same time a healthier region and less heat.”
“Oh, doctor!” I said, wiping my forehead.
“Why, it couldn’t be any hotter than it is out there!” said Jack.
“Come with us, then, and let’s see if we can find a fresh way out. Perhaps we may hit upon a pass to the open country beyond. At all events let’s go and see the falls.”
We took our guns, leaving all heavy things with the blacks, who were settling themselves for a sleep.
The sun’s heat almost made me giddy for the first hundred yards, and either my eyes deceived me or Jack Penny’s long body wavered and shook.
But we trudged laboriously on over and among masses of rock, that seemed to be nearly alive with lizards basking in the sun, their curious coats of green and grey and umber-brown glistening in the bright sunshine, and looking in some cases as if they were covered with frosted metal as they lay motionless upon the pieces of weatherworn stone.
Some raised their heads to look at us, and remained motionless if we stopped to watch them, others scuffled rapidly away at the faintest sound, giving us just a glimpse of a quivering tail as its owner disappeared down a crevice almost by magic.
“Don’t! don’t fire!” cried the doctor, as Jack suddenly levelled his piece.
“Why not?” he said in an ill-used tone. “I daresay they’re poison and they ain’t no good.”