They were up in good time, however, for the bath, and felt invigorated and hungry after the dip.
They were not over-merry certainly, but Mrs. St. Clair was quite changed, and just a little hysterically hilarious. For as soon as he had tubbed, Roland had gone to her bedroom and broken the news to her which Benee had brought.
That same forenoon d.i.c.k and Roland rode out to the forest.
They could hear the boom and shriek and roar of the great buzz-saw long before they came near the white-men"s quarters.
They saw Jake,--and busy enough he was too,--and told him that they had some reason to doubt the honesty or sincerity of Mr. Peter, and that they would take him along with them.
"Thank G.o.d!" said Jake most fervently. "I myself cannot trust a man whom a dog like Brawn and a savage like Benee have come to hate."
By themselves that day the young fellows completed their plans, and all would now be ready to advance in a week"s time.
That same day, however, on parade and in presence of Mr. Peter, Roland made a little speech.
"We are going," he said, "my good fellows, on a very long and adventurous journey. Poor Miss Peggy is, as we all know" (this was surely a fib that would be forgiven) "dead and gone, but we mean to follow these savages up to their own country, and deal them such a blow as will paralyse them for years. Yellow Charlie yonder is himself one of their number, but he has proved himself faithful, and has offered to be our guide as soon as we enter unknown regions.
"I have," he added, "perfect faith in my white men, faith in Mr. Peter, whom I am taking with me--"
Peter took a step forward as if to speak, but Roland waved him back.
"And I know my working Indians will prove themselves good men and true.
"After saying this, it is hardly necessary to add that if anyone is found attempting to desert our column, even should it be Burly Bill himself" (Burly Bill laughed outright), "he will be shot down as we would shoot a puma or alligator."
There was a wild cheer after Roland stepped down from the balcony, and in this Mr. Peter seemed to join so heartily that Roland"s heart smote him.
For perhaps, after all, he had been unkind in thought to this man.
Time alone would tell.
The boys determined to leave nothing to chance, but ammunition was of even more importance than food. They hoped to find water everywhere, and the biscuits carried, with the roots they should dig, would serve to keep the expedition alive and healthy, with the aid of their good guns.
Medicine was not forgotten, nor medical comforts.
For three whole days Roland trained fast-running Indians to pick up a trail. A man would be allowed to have three miles" start, and then, when he was quite invisible, those human sleuth-hounds would be let loose, and they never failed to bring back their prisoner after a time.
One man at least was much impressed by these trials of skill.
Just a week before the start, and late in the evening, Benee once more presented himself before our young heroes.
"I would speakee you!"
"Well, Benee, say what you please, but all have not yet retired. d.i.c.k, get out into the hall, and warn us if anyone approaches."
d.i.c.k jumped up, threw his cigarette away, and did as he was told.
"Thus I speakee you and say," said Benee. "You trustee I?"
"a.s.suredly!"
"Den you let me go?"
"How and where?"
"I go fast as de wind, fleeter dan de rain-squall, far ober de mountains ob Madeira, far froo" de wild, dark forest. I heed noting, I fear noting. No wil" beas" makee Benee "fraid. I follow de cannibals. I reach de country longee time "foh you. I creepee like one snake to de hut ob poh deah Peggy. She no can fly wid me, but I "sure her dat you come soon, in two moon p"laps, or free. I make de chile happy. Den I creep and glide away again all samee one black snake, and come back to find you. I go?"
Roland took the man"s hand. Savage though he was, there was kindness and there was undoubted sincerity in those dark, expressive eyes, and our hero at once gave the permission asked.
"But," he said, "the way is long and dangerous, my good Benee, so here I give you two long-range six-shooters, a repeating-rifle, and a box of cartridges. May G.o.d speed your journey, and bring you safely back with news that shall inspire our hearts! Go!"
Benee glided away as silently as he had come, and next morning his place was found empty. But would their trust in this man reap its reward, or--awful doubt--was Benee false?
Next night but one something very strange happened.
All was silent in and around Burnley Hall, and the silvery tones of the great tower clock had chimed the hour of three, when the window of Mr.
Peter"s room was silently opened, and out into the moonlight glided the man himself.
He carried in his hand a heavy grip-sack, and commenced at once taking the path that led downwards to the river.
Here lay the dinghy boat drawn up on the beach. She was secured with padlock and chain, but all Roland"s officers carried keys.
It was about a quarter of a mile to the river-side, and Peter was proceeding at a fairly rapid rate, considering the weight of his grip-sack.
He had a habit of talking to himself. He was doing so now.
"I have only to drop well down the river and intercept a steamer. It is this very day they pa.s.s, and--"
Two figures suddenly glided from the bush and stood before him.
One sprang up behind, whom he could not see.
"Good-morning, Mr. Peter! Going for a walk early, aren"t you? It"s going to turn out a delightful day, I think."
They were white men.
"Here!" cried Peter, "advance but one step, or dare to impede my progress, and you are both dead men! I am a good shot, and happen, as you see, to have the draw on you."
Next moment his right arm was seized from behind, the men in front ducked, and the first shot went off in the air.
"Here, none o" that, guv"nor!" said a set, determined voice.
The revolver was wrenched from his grasp, and he found himself on his back in the pathway.
"It is murder you"d be after! Eh?"
"Not so, my good fellow," said Peter. "I will explain."