On arriving at the ruins of the village it was found deserted, like the avenue, and the treasure-seekers continued on their way to the grotto.
This last portion of the journey was supposed to be the most dangerous, and yet they reached the mouth of the cavern without having been molested.
The work of carrying away the treasure which had seemed so dangerous now appeared to be a very simple task, and Philip, followed by his companions, marched boldly into the grotto without a thought of danger, when suddenly a shower of stones came from the tunnel with such effect that three of the party were stricken down.
Naturally the first thought of the men was to return the fire; but on raising their weapons there were no adversaries to be seen. As Philip and the chimpanzees had barricaded the passage, so now had Goliah, and a narrow slit at the top of the wall through which the volley of stones had been sent was the only aperture visible.
To aim at this opening would simply be a waste of ammunition, since the bullets could only strike the top of the tunnel, and this Philip understood in a very few seconds.
There was no necessity, however, for him to advise the beating of a retreat. Each man in turn, on finding himself confronted by a shower of stones when no enemy was visible, took refuge outside the grotto, some of the more thoughtful carrying the wounded with them; and here the gold-hunters took counsel together.
“We can now understand why there were no wounded to be seen,” Captain Seaworth said. “The big baboon has profited by Mr. Garland’s example and fortified himself in this place, where he has most likely set up a hospital. The question now is, Can we dislodge him with the force at our command?”
“To that question I say, most emphatically, No,” Philip replied. “The passage is so long, the amount of rock in the chambers so great, that a thousand men would hardly be sufficient to vanquish the apes while they remain in a position which is almost impregnable.”
“Do you mean that we cannot recover the treasure?” Mr. Clark asked in surprise.
“You can answer that as well as I,” was Philip’s reply. “The tunnel is not less than forty feet long, and through it but two men can pass at a time. At the further end we may safely say there are not less than five hundred apes, who can procure plenty of their peculiar ammunition by overturning the stalactites; and from your experience in monkey warfare do you fancy, now our party is reduced to nineteen, that we can effect an entrance?”