‘Then that is the reason we went in the other way,’ said Edgar.
‘Yes,’ said Yacka. ‘Now I have the way out, I can find the way in again.’
They marched towards the camp, and the Enooma rushed to meet them, uttering loud cries of delight. They had never expected to see them return alive after such a terrific earthquake. These blacks were strange people. Terrified as they had recently been, they had in a very few hours forgotten their experiences. The sudden changes in this climate had made them familiar with the working of the forces of Nature, which are truly marvellous.
In the stillness of the night, as Edgar and Will sat side by side, they returned thanks for their merciful escape. It was an experience they would never forget, and now that it was over both felt untold gold would not tempt them to brave it again.
CHAPTER XX.
THE RETURN TO YANDA.
Before they were awake next morning Yacka, true to his promise, went to the cave and returned with some of the finest rubies and purest lumps of gold. He roused Edgar and Will, and showed them what he had done.
‘It is as much as we can carry,’ he said, and they agreed with him.
The gold was heavy, and they had a long tramp before them.
Without further delay they collected their treasure, and made it secure in a strong skin loin-cloth, which was fastened by dried strips of leather, so that none of the stones could fall out.
‘This is like putting all our eggs in one basket,’ said Edgar. ‘I think we had better carry the best of the rubies about us.’