“Ahma,” said Neram, which meant “so be it,” as he bowed his head reverently.
It was not long before all three were asleep, stretched on the ground against the great rock, so that the slightest push on it would be certain to rouse them.
But they were undisturbed all through the long hours of the night, and at dawn awoke, refreshed and ravenous for the great chunks of roasted jaguar meat they had prepared the day before.
They ate quickly, listening meanwhile for any sounds from the jungle which might warn them of a further attack on the part of the mad monkeys.
But, aside from the ordinary jungle noises, everything was as quiet as they could wish. Unless they were still slyly watched by their enemies, their escape from the cave should be a matter of no great difficulty.
Nevertheless, both Neram and Ashati were reluctant to leave the friendly shelter of the cave, and urged that Bomba rest there another day and night until all danger should be gone.
But Bomba would not listen to this.
“You stay,” he said. “But Bomba must go. If, as you say, it was the Spirit of the Jungle that twice saved his life yesterday, the Spirit might be angry if Bomba were afraid and perhaps the next time would not save him from the hairy arm of the great ape or the sharp claws of the jaguar. No, Bomba must go.”
So, seeing that he was in earnest and thinking that if the lad were under the protection of the Spirit of the Jungle they would be also, Neram and Ashati said nothing more and helped Bomba roll the great stone from the entrance to the cave.
“Where you go we will go,” said Ashati gently, as the welcome sunlight streamed in. “Though you will not have us for your slaves, you are our master. Let Bomba start and we will follow.”