CHAPTER XXX.
THE STORY.
Nelse did as he was bidden; but while standing at the edge of the excavation holding the torch in one hand and his revolver in the other, he could not fail to realize how quickly the tables might be turned if the blacks should make a combined dash.
That which held them in subjection was the fact that the walls of the underground chamber were so high they could not gain the floor of the tunnel without climbing on each other’s shoulders, and while this was being done the sentinel would have ample opportunity to shoot with reasonable accuracy of aim.
Meanwhile Gil was straining his ears for the repetition of that fearful noise which had literally caused the blood to chill in his veins, and Andy remained crouching within the shadow of the tunnel busily engaged in executing a series of wonderful contortions evidently intended as an incantation to weaken the power of the voudoo worshipers.
During fully half an hour matters remained in this condition, not a sound save the usual night noises of the forest breaking the silence, and then the old darky, his alleged spell having been wrought, came toward Gil as he said:
“I’se gwine ter take my trick at standin’ watch, an’ you’se kin fin’ de odders.”
“It won’t take much hunting to do that, for I reckon they are guarding the other end of the tunnel; but, if you can attend to matters here for a while, I’ll be glad to see how things are getting on.”
“I’se done gone fixed myself,” was the grave reply, and Gil naturally came to the conclusion that the “fixing” was neither more nor less than those wonderful contortions in which the old darky had been indulging.
Nelse was more than pleased at seeing his friend, for the mental strain of watching over so many of the enemy was beginning to tell upon him, and, what seemed more important, the torch was nearly consumed.