by E. J. Craine
CHAPTER IV.
GHOSTS
"Hey, what are you waiting for?" Lang called sharply.
"These kids want their arms loose," the guardian answered.
"Tell 'em to slide with their heels--"
"I won't. I gotta get over, haven't I!" The fellow's teeth chattered andthe weapon he held wavered in his trembling hand.
"Send one along. I'll meet him," Mills decided.
"All right, get on, if you kick that thing I'm goin' ter pump you fullof lead, and your buddy too, see." The man poked his white face intoJim's.
"Surely, it's quite clear." Jim stepped forward, straddled the log,inched himself along with the greatest care, but his heart was in histhroat as bits were knocked off. He had gone almost half the distancewhen he saw Mills throw himself full length from the other side, andstretch out his hands.
"Bend forward." Jim did and Mills clutched his collar firmly, thenwriggled back. Half an hour later Bob was over safely, but when he stoodup a great hunk of the log fell away.
"Listen," he cried, "that will never hold another man, and that chapover there is scared stiff. Loosen my arms, or Jim's, then we can gethim with the lariat and if he starts to fall, haul him up. He'll nevermake it--he's heavier than we are."
"Wait up, over there," Lang shouted.
"What for?" he snarled suspiciously. "I aint hanging round here."
"Wait up till we get a rope--" Just then a strange wailing sound camefrom behind the man and he glanced fearfully over his shoulder. Millshad started to remove Bob's rope, but his fingers were clumsy and hefumbled nervously.
"Hold that light closer," he growled to the chap who had the flash. Therays were directed on the knot while the rest stood impatientlywatching, and after a moment one of the men laughed; it sounded like acackle.
"Those kids--"
"What you waiting for?" called the man across the gully.
"Keep your shirt on, we're going to throw the rope--"
"Woo-oo-o-oh," came the weird sound again, only louder. It seemed to begetting closer quickly, rose from a deep moan to a shrill wail thatfilled the narrow passage, and the man who was holding the flash let itfall from his cold fingers.
"I'll hold it--"
"I'm coming--" roared the one on the other side. He glanced over hisshoulder a second time, then the sound came nearer, louder, and moreterrible. With a shriek he flung himself astride the log, his body flat,his arms and legs kicking furiously as he shoved frantically forward,disregarding the danger of the undertaking.
"Be careful," yelled Jim as he watched the fellow, whose limbs werestriking out like a floundering swimmer, sending a shower of rottentimber to the depths below. "Take it easy, you won't make any headway."
"Look out--" Mills stopped his futile efforts to get the rope, Langturned the rays of the light on the log, while one of the other menstood astride the end trying to swing a long vine to the hands of theircomrade. He bent forward and threw the long twining end, but the chapwas not looking at him, the bit of tendril brushed his cheek; and with ahowl of panic he twisted about desperately.
"Catch it," Lang shouted.
"Get a hold," Mills added. But the man was too terrified to understand.With a wild lunge he threw himself on the weakest part of the log,clawed with both hands, sending a shower of chips into the abyss and atthe same time, the awful unearthly cry came again. Anotherpanic-stricken lunge, the log creaked dismally, parted in the middle,and dropped its burden to the depths. The fellow who was astride the endwas nearly taken with it, but Mills caught and hauled him to safety.
"If he'd waited for the rope he could have been saved," Bob said softly,and there was genuine regret in his tone. It was a tragic situation,standing tied helplessly while a fellow human fell to his death.
"Something's back there--"
"I believe that is only wind," Jim declared.
"Wind, how do you make that out?"
"Since the air purified, either there is a high wind outside orsomething happened to let in a good breeze. It played on those tightstreamers and vines like a harp--"
"Queer harp," Mills muttered with a shiver.
"Just the same, that's all it is, I'm sure. If you have been around theAndes much, you've heard something like it before--"
"Well, I haven't been, and I'm getting out now fast as I can, see?"
"Come on," Lang ordered, and putting Jim in front to lead the way, theystarted forward again, but now there were only four members of the gangwith the Buddies.
The way was wide enough so that they could go side by side, and althoughtheir shoulders touched as they proceeded, they did not exchange a word,for Mills and Lang were right behind them. After all, it did not makemuch difference, but there was really nothing to say. The queer noisewas repeated at intervals, but although it was terrifying enough, themen grew less fearful of it and seemed to accept Austin's explanation asto its origin. The boy had thought it was the wind when he first heardit, but had kept silent partly because his opinion was not asked andpartly because he felt that the bandits deserved a good scare. Hereasoned that if they were frightened they might be less vicious intheir dealings with their captives, but when he saw the havoc it wascreating he endeavored to reassure them. However, if any of themappreciated his assistance no sign was made of the fact, and the pairwere urged to proceed ahead.
"If there is danger they figure we'll get it first," Bob whispered, andJim nodded.
"These kids are terribly slow," snapped a man in the rear. "We want toget out of this place."
"Sure, Lang, hurry 'em up," said the other nervously. "This hole isspooky. Why in blazes didn't you find out what was in it?"
"Shut up, I'm managing this," Lang snapped back.
"If them kids has a pull with the Indians they'll get us through," Millscalled, and then the Buddies understood that the leaders expected toshare any protection that the presence of the "Don's little pets" as hecalled them, might be to the gang. This was a phase neither of the boyshad thought of, and now they exchanged swift glances.
"We're going along nice now; when Red was leading it was tough," addedLang, then went on to Bob, who had stared back. "Your help isappreciated a lot you can see, but any funny business and you'll wishyou had dropped over off the log with Red."
"You said we'd be out of here in a few minutes. It's getting worseinstead of better," the rear man grumbled.
"Yeh, it's thick and hot. My light won't last forever. Got any morebatteries?"
"Yes." They paused to fix the flash, and Lang swore at them roundly. "Itold you to have new lights, and to pack spare fillers. What did youmean by coming half ready--"
"Aw shut up, my light was brand new, but Red carried the extras," theother admitted reluctantly. At that Lang and Mills ripped out a stringof oaths.
"Haul in," one snapped finally. "Didn't you tell us to divide thestuff--well, Red took the batteries--that's that--"
"And we'll likely have to crawl out of this in the dark, land somewherein the forest, and who knows how we'll get back to the machines?" Millsthundered. "What are you carrying?"
"Grub," came the answer.
"Well, let's stop and eat. We can make better time when we are not soempty," Lang proposed. "Pass it along." He and Lang sat down as bestthey could in the narrow quarters with only the smallest light to piercethe gloom which surrounded them. The Buddies also let their feet slidefrom under them and were grateful for the opportunity to rest. The twomen who brought up the rear showed no such disposition, but steppedforward over the other's legs.
"Here," the last one muttered, dropping what looked like a paper baginto Lang's lap, then went on quickly. The leader started to open thecontainer, then glanced up with a scowl.
"Where's the rest of the stuff?" he demanded.
"Think we been traveling for hours with nothing in our stomachs?" camethe answer.
"What's left?" Mills snapped, grabbing the bag.
"Aw there's a c
ouple of sandwiches en a hard boiled egg--"
Mills sprang to his feet but the pair jumped out of his way quickly.
"Come on, Mills, eat what there is," Lang called, so the tall manreturned, and the two soon devoured the frugal repast. Not a bite wasoffered to the Buddies whose food had been left in the plane on thehill, and whose stomachs were clamoring furiously. Presently the mealwas finished to the last crumb, then the leaders rose to their feet.They did haul their companions up so they could stand, then without aword, gave them a shove forward.
Slowly and painfully the four proceeded. The Flying Buddies' feet hurtwith every step, and their tired bodies wavered from side to side asthey went on and on. By that time they were going through what appearedto be a grassy section of the forest. The passage wound among hugetrees, over piles of fallen timber, then, suddenly from ahead, theyheard a wild shriek of terror, followed by a series of shrillearsplitting screams.
"Good Heavens, what they got into?" Lang panted.
"Get on," Mills urged. He slipped his hand under Bob's arm and helpedhim forward, while Jim and Lang stumbled along as quickly as possible.Presently they came to a section where piles of rotten vegetation linedboth sides of the route, and by the dim light Lang cast ahead, they madeout one body lying still, while the other battled furiously with somehissing object that lashed and struck with thunderous blows.
"Snakes," Bob whispered.
They saw a second man borne down to the ground and after a convulsivestruggle for a moment, he too lay still. The four stopped horrified intheir tracks. For minutes they stood staring too paralyzed to go forwardor back, then Bob saw the great snakes slide off to one side anddisappear under the debris.
"Come on, walk carefully and be quick," he panted, and started to run,forcing his aching feet to carry him on. Passing the spot they could seethat their two companions had probably stumbled over the reptiles,angered them to instant attack, and were utterly defenseless against thepoisonous brutes.
Hardly daring to breathe lest the snakes come out again, the fourtiptoed forward, but in each hand of the leaders were small, deadly gunsready to destroy the snakes if they showed their heads. Beads ofperspiration stood out on the four faces, and for the first time sincethey started, Lang neglected to keep an eye on the captives. Half anhour later the place was well behind them and they were traversing asandy way which took them to a stream.
"I've got to have a drink," Jim declared, and without further ado, hedropped flat and buried his face in the cool depths. Caldwell followedhis example, and soon Mills and Lang were also stretched full length anddrinking deeply.
"Maybe it's poison but I don't care," Mills muttered.
"Better not take too much at a time," Jim warned. "Drink a little, thenrest and drink some more." The suggestion was carried out. Several timesthey did it, then, with a sigh, Mills rolled over and closed his eyes.
"Hey, Mills, what's the matter with you?" Lang shook him roughly by theshoulder.
"Dog tired," he answered. "I'm going to sleep."
"Sure that water didn't knock you out?" Lang persisted fearfully.
"It's grand water. I'm going to sleep beside it, have some more when Iwake up, then go on," he said heavily.
"So'm I," Lang declared, but he took the precaution to tie the ends ofthe ropes which bound the arms of the Flying Buddies to separate treesso that they could not help each other to get away, then he, too, closedhis eyes. Jim watched him several minutes, the smallest flash light inone hand, a gun in the other. The boy thought that he could keep awakeand that he and his buddy could make some plan, but his own lids grewheavy and presently all of them were sound asleep, in spite of theterrors which surrounded them.
It seemed to Austin as if he had barely closed his eyes when he feltsomething brush gently against his cheek and instantly he was wideawake. The first thing he noticed was the dim light sending its feebleray into the darkness, cutting a faint glow which made the rest of theplace blacker. The boy tried to brush his face on his shoulder, whichached woefully but as far as he could see or feel there was nothing nearhim. Mills snored melodiously, while the deep breathing of the other twocould be heard plainly, but no other sound broke the death-likestillness of the ancient passage.
"Reckon I'm so tired and sore I'm imagining things," he told himself,then glanced across to where Caldwell was huddled like himself close toa tree. The boy closed his eyes again, but a moment later they were wideopen, so he shifted his position quietly and began to try to make a planwhich would help them get away. Carefully he moved his face about theground hoping to discover a sharp stone upon which he might rub the ropeuntil it was cut in two, but he found nothing, then he began to hitchand wriggle his body. It was a mighty painful process for his arms wereswollen and he dared not make a sound. At last, after a grim struggle,he had the satisfaction of feeling the lariat shove upward toward hisshoulders. If he could get it as high as his neck he would be free. Witha heart pounding hopefully he persisted. Twice he had to stop preciousminutes for Lang stirred in his sleep and the lad feared he would wakeand discover what he was doing. Nearly an hour passed and at last therope was slipped above his shoulders; a moment more and he was out ofit.
All this while his mind was working like a trip hammer planning what todo when he got loose. The first thing would be to take possession ofLang's gun. With that in his pocket he might force the men to releaseBob in case he wasn't able to do it himself. His step-brother was theother side of Mills and whether that journey could be made safely wasanother matter. With the weapon in his pocket at last, Jim devoted thenext few minutes to rubbing his sore arms, for he knew that in theirpresent condition he could never hold the gun, much less fire iteffectively. In due time his arms were relieved, then he wished that hehad on soft-soled shoes, but he managed to get to his feet, takepossession of the flash-light, and at last, assured that his activitieswere unobserved, he made his way to Bob's side, bending over himcarefully. Instantly the young fellow looked up in startled surprise,then Jim grinned, for Bob was industriously chewing his own rope and hadmanaged to get half way through it. A moment more and it was cut and hetoo was free, while Jim took Mills' gun, which he gave to the youngerboy.
"This place is lighter," Bob whispered, and Jim glanced around. He wasgreatly puzzled, for as far as he could see there was no explanation tothe fact. No one seemed to be coming with a light and certainly no newopening had been made into the passage, but the glow was unmistakableand it filled the place. Gently Jim rubbed his step-brother's body, andpresently, Bob stood up, but just then Mills stirred uneasily, so theSky Buddies sat down again quickly and quietly. They watched throughhalf closed eyes, and although Mills tossed restlessly, he finally laystill and again his melodious snore broke the silence.
"Grand uproar," Bob grinned. Then he got busy knotting his rope, andlooped it on his arm. "We'll do a bit of tying," he announced.
"Wait," Jim whispered, then he motioned his pal to move further from thesleepers. They stopped several feet away. "I have an idea. Suppose welay the ropes so when they sit up we'll have them hog-tied with a loop,and as soon as we're ready we'll wake them and make them get moving."
"Good idea," Bob agreed. "They had something to eat and some sleep, andwe didn't. Got any of those pellets Ynilea gave you--"
"You bet, I forgot all about them." Jim fished the tiny container offood pellets they had been given at the laboratory, and the pair soonhad some in their mouths.
"Look," Bob pointed along the way they had come and to theirastonishment they saw a young girl carrying a basket on her head. Shecame toward them as if unconscious of their presence, her sandaled feethardly touching the floor of the passage, her body covered with a wholetiger-skin. Behind her walked a woman, then several men came forwardsingle file. Every one of them carried boxes, some opened and othersclosed, while a few older men carried bags woven of grass. The band camecloser and closer until the girl passed directly in front of theBuddies. She never turned her dark eyes but went on, stepping over thesle
epers.
"Natives," Jim whispered.
Both of them completely forgot to lay the lariats, which were looped intheir left hands, then suddenly an exclamation made them whirl about.Lang was sitting up rubbing his eyes stupidly, while Mills too wasstaring wide awake.