“Quizquiz!” Stanley called to the crouching form that had not stirred from its place on the ledge. “You spent last night in the crater. Were there many of the creatures you call demons, but which are in reality tigers? Did you see more than two?”
“There were more than two. There were more than four. I saw five from my crevice in the rocks after I had regained my senses and looked out.”
“I wonder why we saw only two to-night?”
“I saw a third and a fourth near the lake just before the moonlight faded; but the smell of the blood of their dead kindred kept them from coming nearer.”
“What? You saw others to-night?” from Stanley severely. “Why did you not tell us about it?”
“A prisoner may not speak to his captors unless he is spoken to first,” Quizquiz replied meekly.
“You are right. See that you keep your proper place at all times.”
When daylight was fairly advanced, Soncco and the soldiers appeared in the distance. They approached the spot cautiously until Stanley, from his lofty station, bade them halt. Soncco alone was commanded to advance to the foot of the precipice, but in deference to his age Stanley came down the ladder instead of asking the elderly man to climb up. Ted remained above to keep his eye on the captive, and also to watch for signs of life in the crater. He could not hear what was being said by the two below, but after half an hour Stanley rejoined him, while Soncco remained on the ground.
“We have been discussing a number of things,” he said in answer to his companion’s inquiring looks. “I suggested some of them, Soncco thought of others, and still others just grew out of our conversation. First, before anything is decided definitely, I want to lay the plans before you so you can express your opinion. Whatever we do concerns both of us. Your future, as well as mine, depends on the outcome of things.”
“All right,” Ted returned, “but I should be perfectly willing to intrust the whole matter to you; you have done pretty well, so far.”