As they turned once more toward the rock that was a door, they saw it was again rising slowly, and with a silence that suggested great power.
“Come on,” said Johnny with a shudder. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Yes. We must,” said Jean, leading the way.
As she glanced back from time to time, Jean saw that Johnny walked as one who is lame, or who carries a heavy burden on his hip. Being a person of unusual judgment, she asked no questions. As they left the outer opening and made their way through the bush to the outer air, Johnny was rather longer than the others in emerging. When he did appear he had lost his limp. Again Jean read the signs, but asked no questions.
CHAPTER XXIII
THE PASSING OF THE GHOST
The night following the capture of Daego’s pit-pans, Johnny’s ghost behaved very strangely. On this night, as on many other nights, Pant crossed the river to discover, if possible, some further details regarding Daego’s plans and to ascertain more accurately the strength of his forces. Their quota of logs would soon be filled. They must then make up their raft within the boom. This must be towed down the river. Would Daego, with his depleted forces, dare attempt to take over the camp before that time came? Once the logs were afloat, would he manage in some way to break the boom? These were vital questions.
On this particular night Pant did not join Daego’s men. Instead, he hid in a low clump of palms; close enough to catch the conversation of one small group.
“Reckon ole ghost walks agin to-night?” said one.
“Yea, bo! He’ll walk.”
“’Tain’t’ no harm come to us, not yet.”