CHAPTER XXVIII.
On gaining the raft, Topsie at once quitted it for the watery entrance to the cave, and groping her way along the dark passage, made for the place wherein all those she loved so dearly were confined. The blue light showed very dimly ahead, and on reaching it she found that large masses of rock had fallen, blocking up the way on both sides. She pushed on as far as possible, and then stopped and shouted to Harry. He heard her, and his voice came back in quick reply.
“Safe so far, Harry, by God’s mercy!” she cried. “I am going to climb up the face again. The creepers are strong, but I shall have to be very wary, and it will take me some time. Keep up heart, darling, and pray for me.”
“That I will!” she heard him answer, and then she turned and groped her way back to the raft.
With great care she inspected the lassos, and selected four of the strongest and most supple she could find. Then she tied them all together, and as they were very heavy, she knotted several more of them together, and attaching one end to the ones which she had selected, she fastened the other end round her waist, and without further ado recommenced her arduous climb.
Arduous indeed, but nothing when compared with the perilous ascent which she had so lately attempted and accomplished.
The creepers hung thick and matted, and it required but a firm grip, a clear head, and physical strength to negotiate them, all of which, as we know, Topsie Vane possessed in the highest degree. But the heat was now her greatest enemy, the sultriness which had reigned before the earthquake having in no way abated, a fact which strongly impressed itself upon the girl, and made her fear for a recurrence of the upheaval, before she could come to the rescue of her imprisoned friends. The idea haunted her, and filled her with the most acute anxiety.
It was therefore with heartfelt thankfulness, that after about an hour’s hard work the gallant girl gained the summit, and proceeded to draw up the face she had just scaled the four lassos which she had left tied together on the raft. Slinging them over her shoulder, she hurried across the rough way of fallen trees which she had lately traversed, and in a short time reached the yawning, crater-like mouth of the great gold mine of Or.