“All we can do now,” I said, with a sigh of regret, “is to wait until they come out. It would be foolish to follow them into that place.”
Nux nodded an emphatic approval, and we proceeded to lie down upon our faces, so that our eyes just projected over the edge of the cliff, and in this position we watched as patiently as we could for something to happen.
It was fully an hour before the men reappeared. A distant sound of voices, raised high in angry dispute, was the first token that the desperadoes were quitting the interior of the rock. Then Larkin and Daggett came out and stood upon the ledge, the others crowding behind them on the narrow footing, while their guide pointed along the ledge that still continued to lead downward.
They were without burdens now, either of provisions or gold dust; but the two axes were carried over Bry’s shoulder, and another man bore a coil of rope.
They seemed to be disputing together about something, and a few of the words reached our ears. Daggett was urging them to follow a plan he had proposed, while some of the others demurred.
“It’s too hot to work,” we heard one of the men declare.
“It’s not too hot to hang,” shouted Daggett, in reply, “and you’ll hang, every mother’s son of you, if we don’t get to the ship!”
That seemed to be an effective argument, for after a few more words of protest the men followed Daggett along the ledge, Bry coming last of all.
The path was broader from there on, and they made rapid progress, soon being again lost to our view around the rock. Just as Bry disappeared he looked up and saw Nux and me eagerly watching from above. For an instant he paused to wave his hand and grin at us reassuringly; then he passed around the edge and vanished after the others.
“Dat Bry don’ ’pear to be much scared,” said Nux, in an encouraged tone.