Each followed Paganel, who issued from the tomb. The Maoris were in the same place, surrounding the foot of the peak, and uttering terrible cries.
"Cry and howl till you are tired, miserable creatures!" said Paganel. "I defy you to climb this mountain!"
"And why?" asked Glenarvan.
"Because the chief is buried here; this tomb protects us, and the mountain is tabooed."
"Tabooed?"
"Yes, my friends; and that is why I took refuge here, as in one of those asylums of the Middle Ages, open to unfortunates."
Indeed, the mountain was tabooed, and by this consecration had become inaccessible by the superstitious savages.
The safety of the fugitives was not yet certain, but there was a salutary respite, of which they strove to take advantage. Glenarvan, a prey to unspeakable emotion, did not venture a word; while the major nodded his head with an air of genuine satisfaction.
"And now, my friends," said Paganel, "if these brutes expect us to test their patience they are mistaken. In two days we shall be beyond the reach of these rascals."
"We will escape!" said Glenarvan; "but how?"