But he said nothing, for speech was useless.
Next morning when they woke they found the soldiers gone; they had taken the porter with them, and as much of the provisions as they could steal without disturbing the white men.
“I thought so,” said Berselius.
Adams raged and stormed, but Berselius was perfectly calm.
“The thing I fear most,” said he, “is that they have led us out of our road. Did you notice whether we were in the track for the last mile or so of our journey yesterday?”
“No,” replied Adams, “I just followed on. Good God! if it is so we are lost.”
Now, the rubber road was just a track so faint, that without keeping his eyes on the ground where years of travel had left just a slight indication of the way, a European would infallibly lose it. Savages, who have eyes in their feet, hold it all right, and go along with their burdens even in the dark.
Adams searched, but he could find no track.
“We must leave all these things behind us,” said Berselius, pointing to the tent and litter. “I am strong enough to walk; we must strike through the forest and leave the rest to chance.”
“Which way?” asked Adams.