Chapter Four.
Three Shadows.
“Hallo, sir,” cried Captain Norton, as they stood outside in the enclosure where the mules were being loaded, “where’s the a other man?”
The Indian guide looked a little troubled, but spoke out quickly in his half-Indian, half-Spanish jargon.
“He will come. He will meet us soon in the mountains.”
“Is that to be depended upon?” said the colonel harshly; for the absence of one man of his force jarred upon his military precision.
“Yes. I have always found the Antis trustworthy.”
“But we shall be a man short for the mule-driving.”
“No,” said Cyril quickly. “They want no driving. All you have to do is to start the leading mule, and the others will follow right enough.”
“One more thing,” said the colonel, who had had many a weary march across the hot dusty plains of India. “Ought we not to take water?”