“All right!” the doctor said. “Yes, for our pursuers! Get on as quickly as you can.”
I hurried on now to the front, giving Ti-hi his order to proceed, and then signing to the bearers to go on, I was getting back past them along the narrow path, and had just got by Jimmy and reached Jack Penny, when there was a flash, and a rattling echoing report as of twenty rifles from where the doctor was keeping guard.
I knew that the danger must be imminent or he would not have fired, and passing Jack Penny, who was standing ready, rifle in hand, I reached the doctor just as there was another flash and roar echoing along the gully.
“That’s right, my lad!” he whispered; “be ready to fire if you see them coming while I reload.”
I knelt down, resting my elbow on my knee, and found it hard work to keep the piece steady as I waited to see if the savages were coming on.
I had not long to wait before I distinctly saw a couple of dimly-seen figures against the surface of the starlit water. I fired directly, and then again, rising afterwards to my feet to reload.
“Now, back as you load, quickly!” whispered the doctor, and he caught Aroo by the shoulder and drew him back as half a dozen arrows came pattering against the rock over our head and fell at our feet.
“Back!” whispered the doctor quietly; “we must keep up a running fight.”
“Here, hold hard a minute!” said Jack Penny aloud; “I must have a shot at ’em first.”
“No: wait!” cried the doctor. “Your turn will come.”