But Ti-hi’s voice rose directly, now pleading softly in his own tongue, now in tones of command, and the murmur trailed off into a few mutterings which resulted in the men beginning to descend.
“They were grumbling about having to go down there, weren’t they, Joe Carstairs,” said Jack Penny in a whisper.
“Yes,” I said.
“And ’nough to make ’em,” he said. “I don’t like it; even Gyp don’t like it. Look at him, how he’s got his tail between his legs. I say, can’t we wait till daylight?”
“And be shot by poisoned arrows, Penny?” said the doctor quietly. “Come: on with you! I’m sure you’re not afraid?”
“Afraid! What! of walking along there?” said Jack, contemptuously. “Not likely. Was I afraid when I hung over the waterfall?”
“Not a bit, my lad; nor yet when you so bravely helped us to defend ourselves against the savages,” said the doctor quietly. “Come along. I’ll go first.”
The blacks were all on ahead save Aroo and Jimmy, who followed last, I being next to the doctor, and Jack
Penny and his dog close behind me. We had to go in single file, for the ledge was not above a yard wide in places, and it was impossible to avoid a shiver of dread as we walked slowly along, assuming a confidence that we did not feel.