Fifth stage.—Nothing important. Ran a few rapids and camped on the right shore on a sandy beach.
Sixth stage.—All goes well. We are making many miles a day. The current continues strong. Camped on flat rock in midstream.
Seventh stage.—Current still good. River very wide and obstructed with rocks. Narrowly missed an upset several times.
Eighth stage.—Traveled rapidly. Camped on a big spit of sand on right shore. Vast cavern behind us. Too sleepy to explore it.
Here the peaceful montony of the colonel’s record ended. On this sloping, sandy beach began the first of that string of adventures which to their last moment will send a shudder through those who participated in them.
As the colonel stated, they were so weary from the long day’s journey that no investigation was made of the vast cavern that lay behind them.
Guy advanced a few yards with his blazing torch.
“It probably terminates with a rocky wall,” he said carelessly: “It’s no use looking into it tonight.”
Sir Arthur suggested that it would be well to make sure that no danger lurked in its darkness, but Guy handed him the torch and bade him go satisfy himself. He very promptly declined the honor.
A meager supper was eaten, for already the stock of food showed a perceptible diminution, and by common consent Guy began from that time to serve out short rations.