"Look here," he said in a hoarse whisper, "we are in a trap of some kind. When that old scoundrel comes back, do not let him know that we have found out anything. We will walk on with him for a short distance, at all events, and then be guided by circumstances. Stand by when you see me collar him, and slip a sack over his head."
"Can we not go back now?" said Langley.
"Certainly not; we would never find our way at night. I guess we must see this circus out. If you have to shoot, aim low."
In a few minutes Ghamba returned.
"Come on," he said. "He is sitting at the fire in front of the cave. I have just seen him."
"Where is the cave," asked Whitson, "is it far from here?"
"We will reach it very soon; you can see the light of the fire from a few paces ahead."
They walked on for about fifty yards and there, sure enough, over a rocky slope to their left, and at the foot of a crag about three hundred yards away, could be seen the bright and fitful glow from a fire which was hidden from their view by a low ridge of piled-up rocks.
Whitson stood still and questioned Ghamba:
"Now tell me," he asked through Langley as interpreter, "how are we to approach?"