“Hush!” he added; “don’t make a sound; they are coming directly toward the rock.”
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE UNDERGROUND RIVER.
A moment of terrible suspense followed the Greek’s announcement. From without could be plainly heard a chorus of angry shouts as the Abyssinians searched for their missing prey.
Then the sounds grew fainter and Canaris said quietly: “They have gone on past the rock. We had better strike a light and see what has become of that black rascal. I cannot understand how he knew anything about this place. It may not be the proper entrance after all.”
One of the bronze lamps was filled with palm oil and lighted, and Guy undertook to lead the way into the depths of the cavern.
The passage was amply large enough to hold two or three men standing up, but it led downward at a very sharp angle. The journey was performed in silence, and after traveling ten or fifteen minutes Guy stopped.
A vast empty space was before him, and at his feet lay a sharp slope of loose earth. Here were seen the tracks of the savage, and without hesitation Guy began the descent, and half crawling, half sliding, reached firm ground a few yards below.