"I told you the sunny skies would alter your temperament," said Jack15, whose boisterous16 good nature had never once deserted17 him. "I don't think a man gets a fair show in the constantly cloudy weather at home."
[Pg 245]
"And yet we always get back to the old country somehow," answered Bob, thoughtfully. "I suppose its grand history attracts us when the greater world has palled20. I believe I could almost live in history, Jack, wandering about among the castles and cathedrals that have seen the centuries pass. What wonderful records the grim old walls hold. Why, each stone would seem alive to me."
"It would be pleasant to have a big holiday at home," admitted Jack, wistfully; "but our time—and means, for travelling about was pretty limited when we were there——"
"But that will never be again," cried Bob, gaily21; "just consider what we have already got in this country, and who knows what may await us out where we are going?"
Who knew indeed? Who ever knows what lies in the dim distance of untrodden tracts18? The days passed quickly, though the country continued to be barren and cheerless in aspect, the difficulties of travel were not nearly what they had been on the first long weary stretch. More than once a soak was discovered to replenish22 the water-bags before they had yet gone dry, and within a week two new wells had been charted. They were little more than the muddy residues23 of a long previous rainfall, still, the dignity of a Central Australian well as a rule lies wholly in its title, a fact which is well enough known to all explorers.
So successful were they in their journeying that after ten days had elapsed, and they were a hundred and forty miles east of Fortunate Spring, Mackay considered that a brief deviation24 to the north might be ventured upon on the off chance of evading25 a long dry stretch which at this[Pg 246] stage intervened on Bentley's route, the next and final spring charted by that explorer being over seventy miles distant.
"We had a terribly hard time on that journey," said he, as he gazed across the wavy27 expanse of shifting sands which spread before them, "an' it's just possible the country to the north'ard a bit may be better. It canna be much worse."
For a long time, however, the varied28 route showed little prospect29 of improvement; sand, sand, everlasting30 sand spread everywhere before them, and progress became dangerously slow. The camels struggled in vain to make headway; they sank and floundered and stumbled in the wreathing masses. In five days the distance covered totalled only forty miles. No wonder Mackay looked grave as he noticed the water-bags' woefully flat appearance.
"I tell you what, boys," burst out Emu Bill, during their noonday halt, "it's mighty sartain we has struck a snag this time. This is the miserablest patch——" He broke off abruptly31 and fell to abusing the flies besieging32 his face with remarkable33 eloquence34. No one seemed disposed to question Bill's statement in any way, and shortly afterwards the march was renewed, Bill, Never Never, and the Shadow alternately lauding35 the striving camels for their patient endurance, and bestowing36 maledictions upon them for their ponderously38 slow onward39 movement.
Hour after hour the melancholy40 procession laboured along. So soon had the grimmer influence of the country exerted its baleful spell that for a long time each man feared to speak lest he might betray the growing depression at his heart. Then, just as the evening shadows were[Pg 247] beginning to close in, a welcome break in the monotonous41 landscape appeared to gladden their straining eyes. In the faint distance a feathery line of scrub stretched across their path, indicating a decided42 change in the sand surface, and the sight added vigour43 to their failing steps. Eagerly they strove to reach the inviting44 mallee coppice before the thick blackness of night came down to envelop45 them. But it was not to be; the stumbling gait of the camels could not be hastened, though Emu Bill and his compatriots implored46 and beseeched the hardy47 animals with an eloquence that was touching48 to hear.
"One more try, boys," cried Mackay. "There's bound to be water somewhere among the timber, and we may save ourselves another night of misery49 by finding it now." He went to Jack's assistance, and together they tugged50 at the leading camel's nose-rope until the poor brute51 was literally52 being dragged through the yielding sands. This method of progression not proving very satisfactory, he next made laudable endeavour to enliven the march by singing raucously53 a few bars from that old song, "The Campbells are Coming."
"I just reckon they are comin'," Never Never Dave groaned54, somewhat confusing the reference; "but they need a jolly lot of persuasion55, they do. Get up, Repentance56, you cross-eyed streak57 o' misery. Didn't I give ye a drink last week?"
At length Mackay saw that they must be content to halt in the open for one night more.
"We can't do it, boys," he said, "so let us look for a decent camping-space in the sand; we'll find water if there's any about in the morning."
They had barely time to gather a few twigs58 from the[Pg 248] sparse59 brush now in evidence, and start a feeble fire, before an impenetrable darkness descended60 over the desert. Then they busied themselves unloading the camels and preparing their frugal61 meal, the latter an operation which rarely occupied much time, for obvious reasons. They were indeed in a very deplorable plight62 at this period; the water-bags had given up much of their store by evaporation63, and they now contained but a very meagre supply of the valuable liquid, and the camels were well-nigh dying on their feet from sheer exhaustion64.
The hour was quite late, and they were about to roll themselves in their blankets, when suddenly a bright light flamed up luridly65 among the trees in their course, and harshly through the still air rose the strains of a native chant.
"By the Great Howlin' Billy!" growled66 Never Never Dave, "there's a corroborree on to-night. It's mighty lucky we didn't reach the timber, after all."
"If there's any nigs about there's bound to be water," asserted the Shadow, with a chuckle67 of delight, and certainly his reasoning was sound.
Higher and higher blazed the warning beacon68, and louder and louder sounded the warriors69' dismal71 wailings, and through the leafless branches of the eucalypti74 a wildly dancing band of ape-like figures could be distinguished75. The little group gazed at the ominous76 spectacle in silence and with mingled77 feelings. The presence of a native tribe in the neighbourhood was conclusive78 proof that an ample water supply was not far off; indeed the aborigines of the Interior almost invariably hold their corroborree ceremonials around the principal spring of the district, for according to their belief a mighty[Pg 249] spirit has its abode79 in every desert pool or soak, and from the slimy depths thereof watches over the welfare of his people. But when ought displeases80 this dread81 "Wangul"—the great Dweller82 in the Waters—he visits his wrath83 upon the land by drying up the springs and betaking himself elsewhere. It is a wonderfully convenient idea, for it explains away all droughts and following pestilences84, and it appeals to the simple heathen instinct as no finer teachings could. To propitiate85 this god of theirs many ordinances86 are performed and numerous sacrifices offered, and should any wandering members of an alien tribe happen to be near on such occasions, they are promptly87 seized upon to occupy the unenviable position of "Corroborree mourners," a post which entails88 death, preceded by much horrible suffering.
Mackay was mentally recalling his various experiences with the natives in different parts of the country, and with little sense of comfort, when Emu Bill disturbed his musings by saying suddenly—
"I wonder what the howling celebration means to-night, anyway?"
The others had by this time gone to sleep, having been utterly89 worn out by their trying day's encounter with the desert, and these two sat alone by the dying fire.
"I'm just a wee bit afraid, Bill," answered Mackay, dubiously90, "that it has some bearing on our arrival. I never did like to be near the murderous pests in the nighttime."
Bill stirred about uneasily, and it was clear that he shared Mackay's fears.
"I believe you are right," he said, after a moment's pause. "The skunks91 must have seen us a long way off."
[Pg 250]
He relapsed into a gloomy silence, and began to draw with great care sundry93 diagrams in the sand with the improvised94 camp poker95.
Meanwhile the whirling figures in the wood continued their mad career, and the flames from the great fire in their midst spouted96 high above the motionless mallee tips. The myriad97 stars twinkled merrily in an unclouded sky, and the Southern Cross constellation98 shone out brilliantly almost directly overhead. A slender crescent moon just above the horizon lent its feeble halo to the scene, so that a vague, eerie99 half light seemed to float on the surface of the land. Faster and still faster the maddened Wangul worshippers rushed, and the night was filled with their harsh, unmusical ravings.
Mackay watched the progress of events with quickening interest, while Emu Bill with many a muttered malediction37 examined the charges in his revolver, and smoked reflectively. Mackay was very unwilling100 to awake the sleepers101 unless it were absolutely necessary; they needed all the rest they could get. But Emu Bill recalled him to a sense of duty.
"I've been watching the circus," he said quietly, "an' I can see nary mourner in the crowd. For a dead cert they'll be comin' fur us when they've worked up enough enthusiasm. They'll imagine us to be asleep by now."
Mackay got up without a word, and shook Bob and Jack back to consciousness. Never Never Dave was alert on the instant, but the Shadow slumbered103 deeply and refused to be awakened104, whereupon Emu Bill aroused him by rolling him rudely out of his blanket, a proceeding105 which almost created a civil war on the spot.
"You has no right to dislocate my sweet dreams[Pg 251] in such a dingo fashion," the bellicose106 Shadow protested grumpily; but when he understood the seriousness of the position his wrath dissolved speedily. "At the same time I reckon you is a bit too much skeert about the antics o' them muskitties," he remarked chidingly107. "I was having a daisy dream, I was; flooded rivers an' gold an' di'monds, an'——"
"Shut it off, Shad," unsympathetically interrupted the object of his disapproval108. "They're on our track now. Look!"
The corroborree fire continued to blaze up vividly109, and the watchers could see numerous naked savages110 piling on the logs and dancing amid the showering sparks like denizens112 of the nether113 world. The circling mass of grotesquely114 garbed115 warriors had broken up in apparent confusion, but quickly they again came into view and re-formed on the edge of the zone of illumination, then spreading fan-like to north and south, they came slowly yet steadily116 towards the supposed sleeping camp. A moment more and they were hidden from view in the intervening shadows.
"Things are beginning to look lively," said Bob, adjusting his cartridge-belt.
Jack ranged himself quietly by his comrade's side, his rifle gripped in readiness.
"I don't know how this is going to turn out, Bob," he said slowly; "but I mean to shoot straight, to-night."
"It's a case o' self preservation117, my lad," warned Mackay; and he closed the breech of his powerful weapon with a vicious snap. "You needna think o' usin' the stock o' your gun in this scrimmage. I am just afraid it's goin' to be more serious than I thought."
[Pg 252]
There could be little doubt as to the meaning of the wily natives' tactics. Assuredly they intended to surround the little camp, which they considered to be safely asleep, and spear the party at their leisure.
"We are to be their sacrificial offerings, apparently," remarked Bob, with forced calm.
Mackay was aroused to a sudden burst of fury at the words; his long-smouldering anger against the natives effervesced118 to an alarming pitch.
"I'll give them sacrifices," he grated, peering into the darkness with eyes that seemed like glowing coals of fire over the gleaming barrel of his rifle. "I'll make them think an earthquake has broken loose in their midst. I'll—I'll——"
Indignation choked his fiery119 utterance120, and he said no more, but toyed lingeringly with the trigger of his gun.
A minute elapsed, it seemed an eternity121, but no signs of the enemy could yet be traced. Instinctively122 Bob's eyes returned to the recent centre of affairs where the impish fire feeders were heaping on the logs with frantic123 glee, and he shuddered124 involuntarily. The suspense125 was rapidly becoming unbearable126, and the little band expected every moment to be overwhelmed with flying spears from some unlooked-for corner. Each pigmy bush around to their overstrained vision took on the appearance of a crouching127 warrior70, and it was with the exercise of great restraint that Mackay and his comrades refrained from firing at random128 into the night. Slowly the seconds dragged their weary course, then all at once a weird129 unearthly chorus reached the ears of the anxiously waiting group; it seemed to come from everywhere around, and they turned about in dismay. The attacking horde130 were[Pg 253] closing in on them from all points of the compass. Only when the ring had been completed had they begun their deadly advance. Neither Mackay nor any of them had expected this.
"I reckon we is bested, mates," groaned Emu Bill, helplessly; and it certainly did seem as if he spoke131 truly.
Another minute elapsed, then they grounded their arms in impotent rage; the swelling132 chant from an unknown number of throats was drawing insidiously133 nearer, and they could only roughly guess the various origins of sound. Mackay turned to Jack to give a last word of encouragement, and he was surprised to find the boy standing134 by Bob's side in an attitude of acute attention—his head was bent26 forward, and he shielded his ear with his hand as if he were listening intently.
"I've got them," he whispered eagerly. "Unless there's a dummy135 musician in their ranks, there's a fifty yards' blank in the circle straight out by the camel packs."
"How many do you make altogether, Jack?" inquired Mackay.
The boy replied promptly, "They seem to be about thirty yards or so apart. They are nearly two hundred yards off now, and coming very slowly. There must be nearly fifty of the beasts."
"Good for you, Jack," murmured Mackay, heartily136, a tribute of praise which even at that moment Emu Bill and the Shadow echoed with characteristic vehemence137.
There was no time to be lost, the fateful ring was closing every instant; so, gripping his rifle tightly, the leader of the expedition made a course out in the direction as indicated by Jack, his comrades following after in Indian file. And as they passed out by the camels, each[Pg 254] man breathed a prayer for their safety; then, with the hideous138 voices of the approaching warriors ringing in their ears, they made their way stealthily out through the saving gap into the freedom beyond.
Surely never before had a course been steered139 by such odd reckoning, yet the droning cries on either side of the escaping party as they neared the edge of the invisible circle guided them as well as glaring beacons140 would have done, and they man?uvred cautiously through the midst of the fervently141 singing band, luckily escaping all observation.
"It was like navigatin' through the Heads of Sydney Harbour," exclaimed Emu Bill, flinging himself down on the sand immediately they had cleared the dangerous line.
"We've got to thank our stars the beggars have the good sense to say grace before supper," said Jack, cheerfully.
"We are no' just altogether out o' the difficulty yet," warned Mackay. "They'll be back with a rush when they find out their mistake."
"But you ain't goin' to let them run the whole circus, surely?" complained Emu Bill. "Let's pepper the howlin' dervishes now."
Mackay seemed to hesitate for a moment, the odds142 in numbers were greatly against them.
"Train your guns on the old camp, boys," he said quietly. "You'll see their black bodies against the glow o' the ashes when they get nearer." He had scarcely spoken these words when the dismal chant of the over-sanguine natives ceased, and with blood curdling143 yells the savage111 horde swept on to their supposed work of extermination144. The onlookers145 saw a perfect hail of spears strike[Pg 255] and quiver amid the smouldering ashes; then a fantastical array of fiend-like forms swarmed147 before their eyes, and prolonged shrieks148 of baffled rage rent the air. Now was their opportunity. "Fire, boys!" cried Mackay, himself setting the example; and the death-dealing weapons thundered out their grim challenge to the foe149. When they looked again only a fiercely struggling mass of black humanity was visible, and the scattering151 sparks showed where the shots had taken effect. Once more a well-directed volley was poured into the surging crowd; but this time the flash of the rifles betrayed their presence, and immediately about a dozen gaunt apparitions152 charged down on the little party with vengeful shouts. It looked as if nothing could stand against that maddened rush. In vain the rifles spoke, the members of the attacking band seemed in no wise to diminish, their figures could only be vaguely153 traced in the gloom.
IT LOOKED AS IF NOTHING COULD STAND AGAINST THAT MADDENED RUSH
"IT LOOKED AS IF NOTHING COULD STAND AGAINST THAT
MADDENED RUSH"
"Keep easy, lads; keep easy," said Mackay, encouragingly. "Load up your magazines, an' reserve every bullet until they are close on to us. We can't miss them then, and it's our only hope of stopping them."
Bob, plying154 his almost red-hot rifle, checked himself at the words, and calmly obeyed the instructions given; Jack, panting furiously with his extreme exertions155, grounded his loaded weapon and waited with something like a gnawing156 despair at his heart. The Shadow grumbled157 incoherently to himself, Emu Bill and Never Never Dave said not a word, but stood erect158, calm, and motionless beside Mackay, awaiting the shock. Then a strange thing happened; while the demoralized natives around the vacated camp kept up their frenzied159 rushing hither and thither160, seeking aimlessly their hidden enemy, the four camels of the[Pg 256] expedition, aroused by the unusual sounds prevailing161, stalked slowly forward into the thick of the mêlée, and there they stood, their long necks swaying curiously162, like fearsome spectres from an unknown world. A howl of terror burst from the group who had located the position of the defenders163, they ceased their onward course, hesitated for a moment, then turned and fled precipitately164, an example which the rest of their stricken brethren speedily thought fit to copy; and before Mackay or any of his companions could realize what had happened, the entire assembly were in full retreat, leaving the bulk of their spears and boomerangs littered on the sand.
"Good for you, Misery!" applauded Jack, running forward, and the leader of the team, hearing the well-known voice, staggered to meet him and knelt at his feet.
"I reckon we owes them animiles the price o' our carcases," said Never Never Dave, sententiously, as they walked quietly back to the deserted camp-fire. They found their blankets lying as they had left them, but transfixed with numberless spears, and after carefully extracting these crude yet deadly missiles they replenished165 the fire with them, and lay down to rest beside the ruddy glow, for it was now early morning, and the air had become unpleasantly chill. The corroborree beacon had been deserted, only occasional scattering sparks showing where the strange ceremonial had taken place, and away in the distance the vague crackling of branches indicated that the would-be annihilators of the camp were already far from reach.
"Great Centipedes! That was a close shave," growled Emu Bill, before he dropped off to sleep.
"But we have the advantage of knowing," returned[Pg 257] Bob, with his usual calm philosophy, "that we shall find water near where the beggars held their odd orgy, and that should recompense for much." Then his eyes closed in slumber102, and he entered a realm of phantasies where hostile aborigines and dreary166 salt plains were alike unknown. The weary strain of the night was over.
They found water after daybreak as they had anticipated. It was contained in a deep sunken rock-hole with an almost unfathomable bottom, wherein one might well fancy some dread monster to exist. They refilled the empty water-bags with thankful hearts, and, fearing another attack in force that night, renewed their march early in the afternoon. It was soon apparent that a better country had now been reached; dry it was certainly, yet the soil showed a considerable improvement over that already traversed, and the scrub became almost continuous instead of in sparse and far-divided belts as formerly167. But though all promised well for an unusually favourable168 journey that day and for many days to come, the presence of hostile bands of aborigines all along the route of travel was too evident a feature of the landscape to be overlooked, and the team had perforce to move onwards warily169.
"I do hope," said Mackay, as the evening approached, "that the blacks will give us a rest to-night. There's more risk in these scrimmages at close quarters than is healthy."
Bob had arrived at that conclusion some time before. "We're not more than fifty miles from the location you gave me of Bentley's last camp," he observed gravely. "If I shift the course slightly to the south to-morrow we ought to be up at it in three days."
[Pg 258]
A spasm170 of pain crossed Mackay's face. "Ay, my lad, we'll need to be extra cautious now," he said meaningly. "We mustna allow oursel's to be wiped out before we come to the mountain. I've got a bit of a score to settle in that quarter."
The sun was now but a few points above the western horizon, and his fiery radiance bathed the great silent bushland in golden splendour. The motionless mulga and mallee shrubs171 seemed ablaze172 with ruddy light, and the wastes of sand shone as a sea of burnished173 bronze. Not a sound was heard save the harsh cries of the gaily plumaged parrots that flitted eerily174 from tree to tree, and the occasional dismal monotone of the mopoke. Then suddenly from the shadow of a thicker clump175 of timber than usual a series of yells rang out, and at the same time a shower of spears whizzed overhead, and perilously176 close. Each member of the little group realized in an instant what had happened, and seized his rifle.
"Get the camels under cover, boys!" cried Mackay, from his position well ahead of the main party.
"There's nary bit o' cover!" roared back Emu Bill, who had diplomatically stretched himself flat on the ground at the first alarm. Whiz! splash! Even as he spoke a long quivering missile rushed through the shadeless branches and penetrated177 the great water-bag overlapping178 Remorse's flank. The stout179 canvas resisted the shock sufficiently180 to save the animal from injury, but the precious and dearly-hoarded contents gushed181 from the rent created in a copious182 flood. A cry of horror broke from Bob, Jack uttered a wail72 of anguish183, and an expression of much fervour issued from Never Never[Pg 259] Dave's mouth. With a bound Mackay rushed forward in vain attempt to save the few remaining drops, but it was not to be; before they had time to realize the seriousness of their loss the gurgling stream had ceased; the canvas skin had given up its store.
"I'll pulverize184 the hyena185 that did it!" howled the Shadow, dashing forward through the scrub.
"I'm with you," cried Jack, following closely at his heels.
It all happened so quickly that Mackay had no time to give any directions or restrain the indignant pair. Several further flights of spears skimmed well overhead, and one or two barbed darts186 more surely aimed, whistled dangerously near to Mackay's head.
"This is gettin' mighty monotonous," growled Emu Bill, looking around impotently, for as yet not a single savage was to be seen.
"There must be water in the district," said Bob, coolly, examining his revolver. "I suppose we've got to go on the hunt again." Without further remark he turned and rushed after his companions, whose vehement187 shouts as they charged along were mingled with the shrill188 cries of the dusky warriors. "Try and catch one, Shadow," he loudly shouted as he ran.
Fearful that disaster might overtake the entire party, Mackay gripped his rifle and hurried after them, leaving Emu Bill and Never Never Dave in charge of the team, a position which they condemned189 bitterly at such a time. The shadows of night were fast closing in, and between the trees of the pigmy forest a heavy gloom had settled providing excellent cover for the blacks should they have decided to renew the attack; but these strange creatures,[Pg 260] having discharged their weapons, were now beating a retreat, yelling most hideously190 the while.
Scarcely fifty yards before him Mackay could dimly descry191 Jack, the Shadow, and Bob leaping on after the fugitives192, and he quickened his pace in order to come up with them.
"We'll catch a specimen," cried Bob, eagerly, "if we have to chase them all night."
On they raced, while the crackling branches a little way ahead betokened193 the nearness of their quarry194, whose shrieks alone would have been an unerring guide. Evidently the fleeing warriors were just as tired as their pursuers, for they were gradually losing ground. Suddenly one of their number screeched195 out some sort of signal which had the effect of making the runners scatter150 in all directions. Bob could just see their shaggy heads above the bushes as they diverged196 on various tacks197; then the new order of things confused them all, and one by one the gorilla-like figures vanished from their view. Yet still they kept up the race, loth to return without some satisfaction. The night was rapidly darkening, obscuring the scrub and intervening sand wastes in a common pall19, so that progress was made only with great difficulty, and wearily the aimless search was continued.
"We'll have to turn, boys," said Mackay, at length, when the stars commenced to glimmer198 in the heavens. "We must go back to the camels. To-morrow we'll have a look round for water. And to think that we had any amount of it this morning——"
A hearty exclamation199 from the Shadow interrupted him. They were passing under an unusually large lime tree, and that youthful individual had halted with an[Pg 261] unrestrained roar of mingled merriment and relief. Looking up against the stars Mackay could see an awkward figure scrambling200 frantically201 among the higher branches.
"Treed! By Jove!" cried Bob, gazing upwards202 also.
"I reckoned I smelt203 nigger," said the Shadow, when he had recovered his equanimity204; "but if his long legs hadn't banged me on the cocoa-nut, I'd never ha' thought o' lookin' in the tree for the skunk92."
"And now comes the job o' gettin' him down," said Mackay. "An' it won't be an easy contract either, judgin' by the way he hangs on to the branches."
"The Shadow and I will soon attend to him," said Jack, with a laugh; and without further ado he commenced to swarm146 up the small round trunk of the tree.
"Be careful, Jack," warned Mackay. "He may smash your head before you reach him."
"Will he, though?" growled the active climber, already half-way up.
"Strategy's the word, Jack," councilled the Shadow, as he prepared to ascend205 to his companion's assistance. The lithe206 tree swayed under its load, then bent until its lower limbs reached the ground.
"We'd better see that our prisoner doesn't make his escape by jumping for it," remarked Bob, and he and Mackay therefore stood at opposite sides of the tree, watching the huddled207 form with alert eyes. Nearer and nearer Jack writhed208 his way to the top, and slowly the terrified aboriginal209 retreated to the farthest limit of the branch on which he rested, until it cracked ominously210.
"I guess I've got you now," muttered Jack. "You just wait till I come to you."
But the shivering savage had no such intention; and[Pg 262] as Jack approached he began to scream horribly, more after the manner of a wild beast than a human being. Then he broke off bits of the lesser211 branches and twigs, and showered them down on his implacable enemy.
"Just shake him off the branch an' I'll catch him," advised the Shadow, worming his sinewy212 form along the limb directly underneath213 his prey214.
In vain Jack endeavoured to grasp his prospective215 prisoner, the oily native eluded216 him every time, and sorely tried the persistent217 besieger's temper by keeping up a vicious fusillade of wood fragments. He had, however, completely overlooked the presence of the Shadow directly below, and when in the midst of a furious assault, his foot slipped slightly, it was instantly seized by that watchful218 gentleman, and held in a ruthless grip.
"Now, I reckon you've got to come," said he, evading the free limb's onslaught with much dexterity219. "Now! Stand from under, boys!"
Crash! They came down all three together, the top branch having broken with the strain, but the height was not very great, and the sand below was loosely packed.
"It's a jolly good thing," quoth the Shadow, "that the black beggar was so nice and soft; it was just like bouncing on top o' a cushion, it was."
Jack did not appear to be particularly grateful for anything as he picked himself up, but he very promptly took an arm of the captive along with the Shadow.
"Yes, that's right; take care of your prisoner now that you've got him," said Mackay, turning to lead the way back to the spot where the camel team had been left. "We'll have to mak' the most o' his knowledge."
Then he addressed the sullen220 aboriginal, and by a[Pg 263] constant repetition of the word "Babba" (water), sought to make him understand their needs. But it was all to no purpose. The captive made no sign, and only groaned horribly when the question was pressed with a show of anger.
"All the same," sternly spoke Bob, "he'll have to tell us what he knows before morning."
In a short time they had reached the camels, where Emu Bill and Never Never Dave awaited them with ill-concealed impatience221. But their joy on observing the aboriginal was great indeed.
"I reckon he'll get water for us all right," said Emu Bill, as they unloaded the camel. "I just reckon he will."
The Shadow now proceeded to build a fire, and soon the roaring flames leapt up cheerily. Having no water, they could not make tea, so they contented222 themselves with munching223 some pieces of damper, for which, however, they had little appetite.
It was at this point that the prisoner showed signs of interest in the proceedings224, and Jack thereupon proffered225 him a substantial bunch of the dry fare, which he seized and ate with avidity.
But still Mackay's repeated interrogations seemed to have no effect on the savage, who kept glancing over to where the Shadow was gingerly slicing up some tinned conglomeration226 which is served out to explorers under a variety of names, and he opened his cavernous orifice expectantly.
"The poor beggar is hungry," said Bob. "Let him have a piece of that unknown substance, Shadow; if it does not kill him it may arouse some sense of gratitude227."
[Pg 264]
"He'd reduce our stores mighty quick," grumbled the Shadow, noting with dismay how rapidly his hospitable228 offerings disappeared.
"Just hold on a jiff," murmured Emu Bill, thoughtfully. "I reckon I has struck a daisy idea." He hastened over to the many sacks lying on the ground where the camels had been unloaded, and came back with a handful of salt. "When you are as old as I is, Shad," said he, graciously, "you will know how to handle blacks, I calc'late. Does ye savvy229?"
The Shadow took the salt with humble230 deference231, and without a word proceeded to mix it lavishly232 with the contents of a small tin of the afore-mentioned compound, which he then handed to the hungry native.
"Eat every bit o' it, ye howlin' baboon," said he, kindly233, "an' if ye isn't as thirsty as a camel after it, I reckon there must be something wrong wi' your construction."
Mackay and Bob listened to the schemers with amusement, then, as they saw the ravenous234 heathen bolt the salt-laden meat with great gusto, they forgot for a moment their own thirsty condition and indulged in a paroxysm of laughter.
"For a certainty our dusky friend will want water badly soon," said Bob; and they all sat around the camp fire and calmly awaited developments. If their prisoner knew of the presence of water in the vicinity he must surely endeavour to find it—half a pound of the strongest salt in his interior might enlighten him as to the meaning of 'Babba Babba,' which Mackay had repeated to him so persistently235. And they were not mistaken. Half an hour later he began to show unmistakable signs of[Pg 265] uneasiness, and his lips moved like the gills of a fish out of water. Then he strained at the rope which bound him to a mulga sapling behind, and rolled his eyes beseechingly236.
"Better give him a full hour yet," said Mackay. "We can thirst just as comfortably as he can now, I think."
Emu Bill chuckled237 dryly.
"I is a grand instructor238 o' furrin' languages," he said. "I just reckon that that there nigger knows what water means now."
It was nearly midnight, and the slow minutes dragged like ages as they sat around the fire anxiously watching the antics of the salt-gorged aboriginal. For a long time no one spoke, but their basilisk-like glare evidently disconcerted the sufferer in no little degree, and he commenced to moan in an exceedingly melancholy manner, and endeavoured to evade239 their gaze by every artifice240 in his power.
"He thinks we mean to eat him, and have been feeding him to make him nice and plump!" hazarded Bob at length, and he had truly guessed the captive's thoughts. However, the tortures of thirst were surely having due effect on the poor savage, and his cries soon became most distracting to the listeners' ears. Suddenly he broke into a wailing73 chorus which echoed dismally241 through the still air, and caused even the long-suffering camels to raise their heads in protest.
"B-bab-ba-bab-ba!" he cried, tugging242 strenuously243 at the binding244 cords.
"Patience ain't so bad a virtue245, after all," soliloquized Emu Bill, calmly slackening the rope from the tree,[Pg 266] and gripping the free end of it tightly. With a bound the native headed out into the densest246 part of the scrub, almost pulling Bill over the sand in his frantic haste; the rest of the party followed at their best speed. Their now tractable247 guide did not lead them any distance. He stopped in a small hollow not far from the scene of his capture, and with feverish248 hands scraped away some covering twigs and branches, revealing to the onlookers' eager eyes a glittering pool of clearest water.
With a deep gurgle of relief he buried his tangled249 visage in the spring, and drank so deeply that the Shadow felt compelled to jerk him backwards250 out of sheer regard for his welfare.
"It's mighty stupid o' ye drinkin' so much after a heavy supper," said he, reprovingly. "It's real bad for your digestion251, I reckon."
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1
steering
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| n.操舵装置 | |
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2
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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3
joyously
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| ad.快乐地, 高兴地 | |
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exuberance
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| n.丰富；繁荣 | |
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5
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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6
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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7
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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vagaries
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| n.奇想( vagary的名词复数 )；异想天开；异常行为；难以预测的情况 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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12
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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thrall
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| n.奴隶；奴隶制 | |
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beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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15
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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boisterous
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| adj.喧闹的，欢闹的 | |
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17
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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18
tracts
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| 大片土地( tract的名词复数 )； 地带； （体内的）道； （尤指宣扬宗教、伦理或政治的）短文 | |
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19
pall
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| v.覆盖，使平淡无味；n.柩衣，棺罩；棺材；帷幕 | |
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20
palled
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| v.（因过多或过久而）生厌，感到乏味，厌烦( pall的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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21
gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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replenish
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| vt.补充；(把…)装满；(再)填满 | |
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23
residues
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| n.剩余，余渣( residue的名词复数 )；剩余财产；剩数 | |
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24
deviation
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| n.背离，偏离；偏差，偏向；离题 | |
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25
evading
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| 逃避( evade的现在分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
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26
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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27
wavy
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| adj.有波浪的，多浪的，波浪状的，波动的，不稳定的 | |
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varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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everlasting
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| adj.永恒的，持久的，无止境的 | |
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31
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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besieging
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的现在分词 ) | |
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33
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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lauding
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| v.称赞，赞美( laud的现在分词 ) | |
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36
bestowing
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| 砖窑中砖堆上层已烧透的砖 | |
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37
malediction
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| n.诅咒 | |
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38
ponderously
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39
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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40
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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41
monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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42
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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43
vigour
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| （=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力 | |
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44
inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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45
envelop
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| vt.包，封，遮盖；包围 | |
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46
implored
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| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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47
hardy
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| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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49
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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50
tugged
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| v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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51
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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52
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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53
raucously
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| adv.粗声地；沙哑地 | |
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54
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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55
persuasion
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| n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
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56
repentance
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| n.懊悔 | |
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57
streak
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| n.条理，斑纹，倾向，少许，痕迹；v.加条纹，变成条纹，奔驰，快速移动 | |
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58
twigs
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| 细枝，嫩枝( twig的名词复数 ) | |
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59
sparse
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| adj.稀疏的，稀稀落落的，薄的 | |
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60
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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61
frugal
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| adj.节俭的，节约的，少量的，微量的 | |
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62
plight
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| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
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63
evaporation
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| n.蒸发，消失 | |
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64
exhaustion
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| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
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65
luridly
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| adv. 青灰色的(苍白的, 深浓色的, 火焰等火红的) | |
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66
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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67
chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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68
beacon
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| n.烽火，（警告用的）闪火灯，灯塔 | |
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69
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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70
warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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71
dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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72
wail
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| vt./vi.大声哀号，恸哭；呼啸，尖啸 | |
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73
wailing
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的现在分词 )；沱 | |
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74
eucalypti
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| n.桉树 | |
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75
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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76
ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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77
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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78
conclusive
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| adj.最后的，结论的；确凿的，消除怀疑的 | |
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79
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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80
displeases
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| 冒犯，使生气，使不愉快( displease的第三人称单数 ) | |
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81
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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82
dweller
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| n.居住者，住客 | |
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83
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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84
pestilences
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| n.瘟疫， （尤指）腺鼠疫( pestilence的名词复数 ) | |
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85
propitiate
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| v.慰解，劝解 | |
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86
ordinances
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| n.条例，法令( ordinance的名词复数 ) | |
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87
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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88
entails
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| 使…成为必要( entail的第三人称单数 )； 需要； 限定继承； 使必需 | |
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89
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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90
dubiously
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| adv.可疑地，怀疑地 | |
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91
skunks
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| n.臭鼬( skunk的名词复数 )；臭鼬毛皮；卑鄙的人；可恶的人 | |
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92
skunk
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| n.臭鼬，黄鼠狼；v.使惨败，使得零分；烂醉如泥 | |
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93
sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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94
improvised
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| a.即席而作的,即兴的 | |
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95
poker
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| n.扑克；vt.烙制 | |
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96
spouted
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| adj.装有嘴的v.（指液体）喷出( spout的过去式和过去分词 )；滔滔不绝地讲；喋喋不休地说；喷水 | |
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97
myriad
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| adj.无数的；n.无数，极大数量 | |
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98
constellation
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| n.星座n.灿烂的一群 | |
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99
eerie
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| adj.怪诞的；奇异的；可怕的；胆怯的 | |
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100
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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101
sleepers
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| n.卧铺（通常以复数形式出现）；卧车( sleeper的名词复数 )；轨枕；睡觉（呈某种状态）的人；小耳环 | |
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102
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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103
slumbered
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| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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104
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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105
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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106
bellicose
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| adj.好战的；好争吵的 | |
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107
chidingly
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| Chidingly | |
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108
disapproval
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| n.反对，不赞成 | |
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109
vividly
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| adv.清楚地，鲜明地，生动地 | |
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110
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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111
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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112
denizens
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| n.居民，住户( denizen的名词复数 ) | |
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113
nether
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| adj.下部的，下面的；n.阴间；下层社会 | |
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114
grotesquely
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| adv. 奇异地,荒诞地 | |
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115
garbed
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| v.（尤指某类人穿的特定）服装，衣服，制服( garb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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116
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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117
preservation
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| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
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118
effervesced
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| v.冒气泡，起泡沫( effervesce的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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119
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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120
utterance
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| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
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121
eternity
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| n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷 | |
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122
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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123
frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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124
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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125
suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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126
unbearable
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| adj.不能容忍的；忍受不住的 | |
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127
crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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128
random
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| adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
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129
weird
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| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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130
horde
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| n.群众，一大群 | |
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131
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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132
swelling
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| n.肿胀 | |
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133
insidiously
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| 潜在地，隐伏地，阴险地 | |
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134
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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135
dummy
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| n.假的东西；(哄婴儿的)橡皮奶头 | |
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136
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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137
vehemence
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| n.热切；激烈；愤怒 | |
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138
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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139
steered
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| v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
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140
beacons
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| 灯塔( beacon的名词复数 )； 烽火； 指路明灯； 无线电台或发射台 | |
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141
fervently
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| adv.热烈地，热情地，强烈地 | |
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142
odds
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| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
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143
curdling
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| n.凝化v.（使）凝结( curdle的现在分词 ) | |
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144
extermination
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| n.消灭，根绝 | |
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145
onlookers
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| n.旁观者，观看者( onlooker的名词复数 ) | |
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146
swarm
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| n.(昆虫)等一大群；vi.成群飞舞；蜂拥而入 | |
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147
swarmed
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| 密集( swarm的过去式和过去分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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148
shrieks
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| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
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149
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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150
scatter
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| vt.撒，驱散，散开；散布/播；vi.分散，消散 | |
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151
scattering
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| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
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152
apparitions
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| n.特异景象( apparition的名词复数 )；幽灵；鬼；（特异景象等的）出现 | |
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153
vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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154
plying
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| v.使用（工具）( ply的现在分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
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155
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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156
gnawing
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| a.痛苦的，折磨人的 | |
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157
grumbled
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| 抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声 | |
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158
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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159
frenzied
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| a.激怒的；疯狂的 | |
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160
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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161
prevailing
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| adj.盛行的；占优势的；主要的 | |
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162
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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163
defenders
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| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
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164
precipitately
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| adv.猛进地 | |
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165
replenished
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| 补充( replenish的过去式和过去分词 )； 重新装满 | |
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166
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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167
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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168
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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169
warily
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| adv.留心地 | |
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170
spasm
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| n.痉挛，抽搐；一阵发作 | |
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171
shrubs
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| 灌木( shrub的名词复数 ) | |
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172
ablaze
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| adj.着火的，燃烧的；闪耀的，灯火辉煌的 | |
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173
burnished
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| adj.抛光的，光亮的v.擦亮（金属等），磨光( burnish的过去式和过去分词 )；被擦亮，磨光 | |
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174
eerily
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| adv.引起神秘感或害怕地 | |
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175
clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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176
perilously
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| adv.充满危险地，危机四伏地 | |
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177
penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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178
overlapping
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| adj./n.交迭（的） | |
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180
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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181
gushed
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| v.喷，涌( gush的过去式和过去分词 )；滔滔不绝地说话 | |
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182
copious
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| adj.丰富的，大量的 | |
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183
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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184
pulverize
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| v.研磨成粉；摧毁 | |
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185
hyena
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| n.土狼，鬣狗 | |
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186
darts
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| n.掷飞镖游戏；飞镖( dart的名词复数 )；急驰，飞奔v.投掷，投射( dart的第三人称单数 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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187
vehement
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| adj.感情强烈的；热烈的；(人)有强烈感情的 | |
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188
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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189
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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190
hideously
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| adv.可怕地，非常讨厌地 | |
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191
descry
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| v.远远看到；发现；责备 | |
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192
fugitives
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| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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193
betokened
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| v.预示，表示( betoken的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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194
quarry
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| n.采石场；v.采石；费力地找 | |
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195
screeched
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| v.发出尖叫声( screech的过去式和过去分词 )；发出粗而刺耳的声音；高叫 | |
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196
diverged
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| 分开( diverge的过去式和过去分词 )； 偏离； 分歧； 分道扬镳 | |
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197
tacks
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| 大头钉( tack的名词复数 )； 平头钉； 航向； 方法 | |
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198
glimmer
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| v.发出闪烁的微光；n.微光，微弱的闪光 | |
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199
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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200
scrambling
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的现在分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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201
frantically
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| ad.发狂地, 发疯地 | |
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202
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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203
smelt
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| v.熔解，熔炼；n.银白鱼，胡瓜鱼 | |
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204
equanimity
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| n.沉着，镇定 | |
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205
ascend
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| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
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206
lithe
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| adj.(指人、身体)柔软的，易弯的 | |
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207
huddled
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| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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208
writhed
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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209
aboriginal
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| adj.（指动植物）土生的，原产地的，土著的 | |
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210
ominously
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| adv.恶兆地，不吉利地；预示地 | |
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211
lesser
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| adj.次要的，较小的；adv.较小地，较少地 | |
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212
sinewy
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| adj.多腱的，强壮有力的 | |
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213
underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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214
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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215
prospective
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| adj.预期的，未来的，前瞻性的 | |
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216
eluded
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| v.（尤指机敏地）避开( elude的过去式和过去分词 )；逃避；躲避；使达不到 | |
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217
persistent
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| adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的 | |
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218
watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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219
dexterity
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| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
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220
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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221
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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222
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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223
munching
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| v.用力咀嚼（某物），大嚼( munch的现在分词 ) | |
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224
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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225
proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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226
conglomeration
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| n.团块，聚集，混合物 | |
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227
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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228
hospitable
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| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
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229
savvy
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| v.知道，了解；n.理解能力，机智，悟性；adj.有见识的，懂实际知识的，通情达理的 | |
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230
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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231
deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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232
lavishly
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| adv.慷慨地，大方地 | |
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233
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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234
ravenous
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| adj.极饿的，贪婪的 | |
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235
persistently
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| ad.坚持地；固执地 | |
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236
beseechingly
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| adv. 恳求地 | |
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237
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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238
instructor
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| n.指导者，教员，教练 | |
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239
evade
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| vt.逃避，回避；避开，躲避 | |
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240
artifice
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| n.妙计，高明的手段；狡诈，诡计 | |
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241
dismally
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| adv.阴暗地，沉闷地 | |
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242
tugging
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| n.牵引感v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的现在分词 ) | |
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243
strenuously
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| adv.奋发地，费力地 | |
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244
binding
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| 有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的 | |
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245
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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246
densest
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| 密集的( dense的最高级 )； 密度大的； 愚笨的； （信息量大得）难理解的 | |
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247
tractable
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| adj.易驾驭的；温顺的 | |
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248
feverish
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| adj.发烧的，狂热的，兴奋的 | |
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249
tangled
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| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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250
backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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251
digestion
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| n.消化，吸收 | |
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