When I could unclose my eyes again I saw that it was getting near sundown, and that the sunshine was lighting up the limbs of the great trees beneath which the native village to which I had been brought was built. From where I lay I looked across a broad opening, around which was hut after hut, with its open door facing towards the centre.
There was very little sign of life around, but twice in the distance I saw a black figure come out of the doorway of a hut and disappear amongst the trees, but it was some time before I could make out from whence the heavy breathing came that I had heard.
As far as I could judge it was from some one just outside the entrance to the hut where I lay, but no one was visible, and it seemed to me that if I could untie the rope that held my wrists and legs there was nothing to prevent my walking out and making my escape.
I had just come to this conclusion when there was a rustling noise as of a stick passing over twigs and leaves, and a spear fell down across the doorway.
The next instant I saw a black arm and shoulder come forward, the spear was picked up, and the black arm disappeared. Then there was a shuffling sound, as of some one settling down in a fresh position, and all was silent, for the heavy breathing had ceased.
“That’s my guard,” I said to myself, “and he has been, asleep!”
Simple words, but they sent a throb of joy through me, and I began to wonder where the doctor was, and what Jack Penny was doing.
Then I thought about Jimmy, and that as soon as I was missed he would be sure to hunt me out.
My head began to throb once more horribly, but by degrees the fit died off, and I found myself thinking again of escape.
“How foolish of me not to have had a dog!” I thought. “Why, if I had had one like Gyp he would have tracked me out by this time.”