“Quite right to be prudent, Ruby,” answered her husband, “but I don’t think there is any danger. All these rocks look solid enough. Let us, at least, go and look at the cave in which the big pool lies surrounded by gold. I must see that. To have come all this way and not see it would be absurd.”
So Lady Vane, who was quite as anxious as Sir Francis to look upon the scene, about which she had heard so much, put aside her fears and followed him.
The boys and girls had already preceded them, and when the rest entered the cave, they saw them standing on the shores of the lake, with their arms thrown round each other’s necks, gazing silently upon the wonderful scene before them; for even as Harry and Topsie had related, all round the lake stretched gold—gold, gold everywhere.
The sight of this vast store of wealth, lying silent, useless, and out of the ken of man, was a most wonderful spectacle, enough to strike the mind as something almost incredible. Yet there was the reality staring the explorers in the face—gold in vast abundance, untouched and unused. The Indians were quick to appreciate the situation, and soon the whole party of them were on their knees, filling their capas and ponchos with the precious metal. Even Sir Francis and Lady Vane seemed struck with the gold fever, for they, too, began collecting nuggets, an occupation in which the children soon joined them, Shag sitting on his haunches and looking gravely on, and wondering if everybody had gone mad, and why his beloved mistress was so busy picking up stones.
As he sat with wonder plainly depicted in his honest eyes, he suddenly seemed to lose his balance, falling violently forward on to his nose, where he lay sprawling and unable to rise. At the same time a curious sight might have been witnessed, of Indian forms heaving up and down, and waving to and fro, as they clutched at the ground and tried to hold on to it. Our white friends were all precipitated earthwards, presenting much the same appearance as the Indians, while the water in the passage leading from the lofty cave in which they were all assembled, could be heard lashing itself against the rocky walls that confined it. Immediately cries of terror began to resound throughout the cave, the Indians becoming distraught with fear; but their cries were soon drowned in a more overwhelming sound, that of crashing and falling rocks.
“Children, here; come here, quick!” cried Sir Francis, in a loud terrified voice; and with the promptitude of implicit obedience they staggered towards him. Even as they did so, a terrible crash almost deafened them, as a huge rock, detached from the opening above, came thundering down into the middle of the lake, casting aloft and around a perfect deluge of spray and water. Just along the passage another fearful crash followed the fall of this rock, making the whole cave tremble with the shock.
After this the heaving of the ground became still, whereupon Lady Vane gave quick, sharp orders to retreat at once from the cave, and Piñone and Aniwee joined her in giving a like order to the Indians. They were on the point of obeying, when another upheaving of the ground took place, precipitating every one face downwards once more, and adding to the wild terror which had seized upon the Indians. Again the waters lashed the walls in fury, once more the crashing of rocks resounded, and then a distant sullen roar became audible, like the booming of cannon far away. It approached nearer and nearer, there was a rushing, hissing sound, the shriek of a whirlwind on high, as through the aperture above the mountain torrent there came pouring down upon the terrified group, a cloud of stones, wood, snow, and débris of all sorts and kinds. Most of it fell into the lake where the detached rock had already fallen, but some of it struck the cowering Indians, and severely injured many of them, a stone striking Graviel with fearful force, and half stunning him.
“Let us get out of this accursed place,” cried Sir Francis vehemently. “Any risk is better than remaining here to be crushed to death. Come, children, come, Ruby, let us make a rush for the passage and gain the raft. Piñone, Aniwee, entreat your people to make an effort to follow us. If we remain here we shall be killed, or buried alive.”
As he spoke, he made for the passage leading from the cave, and Aniwee, possessing herself of the little Guardia, who was crying piteously, followed close behind him. But Lady Vane and the children, as they brought up the rear, heard a deep groan escape Sir Francis as he came suddenly to a full stop before a huge jagged rock, which barred all forward progress, and prevented any exit that way.
“Good God!” burst from the baronet’s lips as he stared helplessly before him, “the worst has happened. We are buried alive!”