CHAPTER THE SEVENTH
NURLA AT BAY
If Mr. Appleton had wished to atone for the coldness of his former attitude to airmanship, he could scarcely have shown more eagerness to make use of the aeroplane in hunting down the fugitive malefactor. He was blind to the difficulties. To guard against a disappointment, Bob ventured to point out the disadvantages under which the pursuit would be conducted--the few landing-places and fewer starting-places which the rugged country offered; the ease with which the men, even if discovered, might conceal themselves in some woody ravine or some inaccessible cleft in the mountain side: the likelihood of their escaping notice altogether. There was every chance indeed that they would be espied, if at all, upon some tract of country where to make a descent would be impossible; and before the pursuers could reach a suitable spot, there would be plenty of time for the men to alter their direction and elude the most careful search. The one point in favour of the pursuit was that Nurla was accompanied by Black Jack: it would not be so easy for two as for one to escape notice.
Mr. Appleton ignored all Bob's well-meant hints of failure, and was only anxious to be off. He summoned the Pathans and explained to them what he was about to do, warning them against misbehaviour in his absence. He gave instructions to Gur Buksh to maintain strict discipline, and flattered the Kalmucks into good temper by assuring them of his belief in their loyalty. Then, having arranged that a small party of Pathans should ride northwards down the track, he hurried after the boys, who had already gone to prepare the aeroplane for flight.
He had no doubt that Nurla had fled northward, in the direction of his own people. For at least forty miles the fugitives would be obliged to keep pretty closely to the valley, for, as far as Mr. Appleton and any of his people knew, there was no practicable way over the hills for horses. After that the country began to open out: the river broadened and was fordable in several places, and the fugitives would have the choice of several routes, either to the right or the left. It was therefore necessary to overtake them and hold them up while they were still in this forty-mile stretch of rugged river valley. Mr. Appleton's idea was to fly ahead of them as soon as they had been sighted, land at the first convenient spot, and hold them in check until the mounted party had had time to come up. It was impossible to tell how many hours' start the men had had; but even if they had left the settlement soon after dark their progress along the rough and dangerous track must have been slow, and it seemed hardly likely that they could reach the open country before the swift-flying aeroplane overtook them.
The boys rapidly overhauled the engine and tested the steering and controlling gear. Bob felt a trifle anxious when he noticed how rapidly the clouds were racing before the wind, which blew from the west. Flying in the valley, the aeroplane would be protected from the full lateral force of the wind by the high mountain barrier on each side. But there was considerable danger of encountering gusts and eddies sweeping through clefts and gorges here and there, and it was impossible to calculate at what precise angle the aeroplane might be struck by a sudden blast. However, the conditions were no worse than they had already been in some of his practice trips, and he only felt a little additional nervousness because Mr. Appleton had never yet accompanied him except in absolutely calm weather.
Just as they were preparing to start it occurred to Mr. Appleton that some unforeseen contingency might prolong their absence from the mine.
"Run back," he said to Lawrence, "and tell some of the men to bring over enough food for a couple of days and two or three skins of water, in case we don't get a chance to draw some from the river. You had better tell the Pathans, too, to take food in their saddle-bags. It's just as well to be prepared for emergencies."
All arrangements having been made, they took their places. Chunda Beg and the Babu were among the men who had walked to the ledge to witness and assist in the start.
"I wish good luck and safe return," said the Babu impressively. "As for that villain of deepest dye, I approve of strongest measures. There is varied choice of punishments--pistol, rope, et cetera: the best, in my humble opinion, is to let him dangle from rope until death comes as merciless release."