A great load seemed lifted from Guy’s mind when he heard his friend’s voice at the top, and without a moment’s hesitation he started up himself.
Had the face of the rock been perfectly smooth he could never have reached the summit, and even by the aid of the rough places he found it a terribly difficult task. Two or three times he swung helpless in mid-air, and just when he felt that he could go no farther he was pulled to the top without any effort of his own, and fell over from sheer exhaustion. He was all right in a moment or two and, hauling up the rope, they hurried back to the raft.
Canaris and Sir Arthur hailed them gladly. It was the work of a moment to attach the hook to the top of the ledge, and one by one they slid down to the raft.
Here a startling surprise awaited them. Among the rugs lay a dark-skinned savage, half naked and frightfully emaciated, while on the end of the raft rested a canoe much worn and battered.
“What on earth does this mean?” exclaimed Chutney. “Where did you get that fellow? Is he dead?”
“No, he lives,” replied Canaris. “I heard a strange cry out on the lake. That was the time I fired my rifle. Then I saw this canoe drifting toward the raft, and when it came near enough for me to catch hold of I found this poor fellow lying in the bottom. Nothing else was in the canoe, not even a paddle. Just before you came I was talking to him. I know a little of the language, and he managed to tell me that he belongs to Oko Sam’s tribe of Gallas. His name is Bildad, and he is the same native who was pursued into the cavern by the Abyssinians.”
“But how did he get away from the serpent?” asked Forbes.
“I don’t know,” replied Canaris. “When he gets a little stronger I will find out. I gave him some food and he devoured it like a wild beast. He was terribly afraid we would kill him, and I could hardly make him believe otherwise.”
“And what have you discovered?” exclaimed Sir Arthur, who was bursting with impatience. “Must we die in this horrible place or is there hope of escape?”
Chutney hurriedly related their adventures and the great discovery that had been made.