In their stockinged feet the three crept softly down the passage, hugging the left side to avoid being precipitated into the excavation, until they arrived at the point where Andy, clutching firmly the “charm” on his bosom, was keeping watch.
In reply to Jenkins’ whispered questions, he declared that nothing larger than a night bird had moved in the vicinity, and on being told of what was occurring at the opposite end of the tunnel, would have leaped to his feet with a cry of alarm but for the firm hold the mate had upon him.
“Sit still, an keep your wits about you while I creep back a short distance,” the latter whispered. “If you make a noise, or try to kick up any bobbery because you don’t like our way of managin’ things, I’ll shoot you as quick as I would one of them voudoo-dancin’ black men.”
This threat was sufficient to reduce Andy to a state of complete submission; but it destroyed his usefulness as a watcher, for he was no longer in a frame of mind where he could distinguish between a genuine noise and his own imagination.
“Be ready to shoot the first heathen who shows his head,” the mate said to Gil, and then he disappeared in the tunnel.
It was useless to expect any assistance from Andy, and the boys stood at the foot of the shaft listening intently, with their revolvers ready for use; but nothing save the sighing of the night wind among the foliage came to their ears.
The mate moved as noiselessly as a shadow, and the silence was almost terrifying.
The minutes passed like hours, fearing as the boys did that each instant would come the sounds of conflict, proclaiming that they must begin the struggle for life, and fully half-an-hour had passed before Jenkins appeared, saying in a low, hurried tone, as he stood beside Gil and Nelse:
“They have started. I counted six before the door was closed, an’ they’ll be here in about five minutes. Our best plan is to hug the wall of the shaft close by the entrance to the tunnel, an’ wait till they are at close range, when every shot will count.”
“We’ll do whatever you think best,” Gil replied, nervously, and the mate continued: