"Either that or dead," said the Greek, "but undoubtedly the former, for Menelek, the Abyssinian king, is fond of white captives, and their lives would be spared if they fell into the hands of the raiding party."
"And how shall we find out?" demanded Guy. "I will not embark on this river until uncertainty about their fate is removed."
"When darkness comes we will leave the cavern," replied Canaris. "It is possible we shall learn something. Until then have patience."
The hours of tedious waiting were a little relieved by a discovery that Melton made.
In some of the canoes he found a couple of rude bone fishhooks. This seemed pretty fair proof that fish existed in the underground river, and as Guy happened to have a roll of cord, three strong lines were constructed and laid away for possible future use.
When, to the best of their judgments, evening was close at hand, they started back through the passage and reached the entrance shortly before ten o'clock.
Darkness soon came on, and as all seemed quiet they ventured to roll back the stone and crawl out. Far across the valley a faint glow was visible against the somber sky, probably from the smoldering embers of the burned village, while directly north of the cavern, in the vicinity of the pool of water where the lions had been encountered the previous night, a number of camp fires were twinkling merrily through the scattered boulders.
"This is the camp of the Abyssinians," declared Canaris without hesitation. "One of us must spy into it and see if your friends are prisoners; another must go to the village for provisions, and a third man should remain here at the mouth of the cavern."
This proposed division of the forces did not please Guy and Melton.
"Why must a man remain at the cavern?" demanded Chutney.