The ground was a mass of mud, the rain fell steadily, the wind sighed with a sluggish, disconsolate murmur, and the air was penetrating in its dull chilliness.
Through the darkness, and the rain, and the gloom he walked steadily, stumbling now and then, but recovering himself and hastening on.
For nearly two hours he continued his lonely tramp, and then on reaching a certain point, he moved with sudden caution.
He was at Rocky Beach.
It was nearly eleven o’clock, and in the inky darkness nothing was visible more than a few steps ahead, save the ocean, which stretched away in gloomy expanse. Thesteadily falling rain, the rolling of the waves, and the low murmur of the wind were the only sounds heard.
Listening and peering intently, and neither hearing nor seeing anything that denoted the proximity of any living being, he groped his way forward.
Suddenly a light appeared, seeming to come out of the solid, rocky bluff. Carlos was nearer to the entrance of the cave than he had supposed. He saw that the light was carried by a man, who was instantly followed by another man, bearing another light. The two ascended an eminence, and there remained motionless for a long time, holding their lanterns.
Carlos drew a little nearer, and concealed himself behind a huge rock. Here he watched and waited. If his journey was the result of a freak of delirium, surely there was method in his madness, for he was cautious, silent, and observant. He was wet to the skin, and his garments were dripping. Perhaps there was some virtue in the “water-cure” treatment he was receiving.
A considerable time elapsed, during which he remained quiet and watchful, while the men with the lights waited patiently.
All at once the sound of some craft cutting through the water was heard, and Carlos quickly turned his eyes in the direction from which it came.