The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 158: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

158 THE RIVER OF DARKNESS, The torch had been stuck end up in the sand, .and its cheerful glow threw a radiance over all the little island and caused the silvery white sand to sparkle brilliantly. | They stretched themselves out on the rugs near the center of the island, and as soon as they were arranged comfortably Guy rigorously extinguished the torch and hunted his place in the darkness, No thought of fear entered their minds. On all sides was the deep and rapid river. From whence could an enemy come? In five minutes not a man was awake. Even Sir Arthur was snoring profoundly, dreaming per- haps of the snug quarters in the residence at Zaila, from which he had been so rudely ousted a few short weeks before, Guy was dreaming, too, but far different were the visions that coursed through his brain. For the twentieth time he was living over again his awful experiences of the previous year. Once more he was a prisoner in the rajah’s fortress and Nana Sahib’s cannons were awaiting their victim on the massive stone platform. Now he was being led out to die in the midst of his companions, the fiendish faces all about him, the Hindoos stood by the touch holes with lighted torches. Now they were binding him, the gaping muzzle was pressing his back Then he woke and sat up, trembling from head to foot, the dank perspi- ration standing in beads on his forehead. ‘Thank God it was only a dream. The rajah’s fortress was thousands of miles away. Suddenly a faint sound reached his ear, so indistinct that he could hardly be sure he heard anything at all. He listened a moment, but it was not repeated. ‘Some of the fellows stirring in their sleep,’’ he muttered, and giving the matter no further thought, he lay down again. But as soon as his head touched the sand the sound was repeated, and this time it was more definable—a steady, rustling noise, with an occasional low 3 splash that seemed to come from the water. It was caused by none of his companions, for they all lay on his left, while the alarming noise seemed to come from the right. ; Guy was a brave man, but in his nervous condition, resulting from the recent dream, this new alarm was too much, and he felt a cold chill run down his spine. Giving Forbes, who was next him, a gentle shake, he drew himself to his feet, and taking a match from his pocket, rubbed it with a trembling hand across the front of his trousers. It struck fire instantly, and as the sudden flare lit up the whole extent of the island the match dropped from Guy’s nerveless fingers and he started back with a cry of horror that echoed horribly through the gloomy recesses of the cavern. CHAPTER XXIII.—A WonpberFuL ESCAPE. Guy had presence of mind enough to strike a second match and ignite the torch, which was fortunately within reach of his hand, and as his companions, Eomichook (E(0)