He sensed in a moment the full meaning of the calamity and the advantages that he and the other captives might reap from it.
The enormous bulk of water that had swelled the volume of the cataract from the rain had broken the rocks that formed its brink. These had given way so that the course of the cataract had changed, and part of the water that had previously fallen into the gorge was now sweeping down on the doomed village.
In accordance with his promise, Hondura had severed the boy’s bonds so that only a single strand was left. This he snapped like thread.
The guards had gone, forgetting all about the prisoners in the wild instinct of self-preservation. They had joined the rabble that were now rushing from their huts and through the passageways between, only intent for the moment on getting away from the waters that threatened to overwhelm them.
Bomba called Hondura and Pipina to his side.
“The gods have been good to us,” he cried. “We must go now and go quickly. They will not think of us until their fright is over. Hondura, get your people and lead them out. Pipina, take care of Casson. I will take Pirah—carry her if necessary—and go in front. Keep close to me.”
In a twinkling his orders were carried out. The prisoners, stirred to new life by this unexpected chance of escape after all hope had been lost, responded to the call of their chief, hurried out of the stockade and mingled with the frantic, fleeing headhunters.
Not the slightest notice was taken of them by their captors. The night was very dark, and in their excitement it was impossible for the headhunters to distinguish friend from foe. All thought was lost save that of getting away from the doom that threatened them.
Bomba’s marvelous sense of direction stood him in good stead. Dark as it was, he knew exactly the way he meant to go.
Luckily it was not the way in which the majority of the panic-stricken people had chosen. They were pressing toward the north. Bomba’s plan was to go toward the south, retracing the path they had followed that afternoon.