The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 164: what you’re looking at

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

164 THE RIVER OF DARKNESS. had not wakened when he did we would undoubtedly have lost all. His shout scared the rascal, and he did not wait to make off with the other canoe.’’ ‘“ Yes, here is the mark of a third boat,’’ announced the colonel, who had been making an investigation on his own account, ‘‘and footprints are visible on the sand. The scoundrel must have been here when we landed.” ‘‘I warned you to make a search,’’ said Sir Arthur, ‘‘ but my advice was disregarded. You see the result.”’ ‘' Prepare to start at once,’’ interrupted Guy sharply. ‘‘ We must pursue the thief and recover our canoe.’’ In less than five minutes they embarked and pushed away from the shore. » ‘Put out the torch,’’ said Guy. ‘‘If the rascal sees the light he can get out of our way and we will pass him unperceived.”’ “ But how will we capture him in the dark ?’’ asked Melton. We must depend on our hearing,’’ was the reply. ‘‘ We will push ahead quietly and listen at intervals for the stroke of his paddle.’’ Under these circumstances the recovery of the canoe was very doubtful, but there was plainly no other course, so they proceeded to carry out Guy’s plan as carefully as possible. Five paddles were all that remained, one for each of them, and with quick, noiseless strokes they moved rapidly down the river, keeping the canoe headed with the current as far as possible, and pausing at times to listen for any trace of the fugitive. Thus they journeyed for an hour or more, but no sound of any kind reached their ears, and it began to look very much as though the Galla had been passed unseen in the darkness. “He could hardly have kept ahead of us for such a distance,’’ said Forbes. ‘‘ I’m afraid we have missed him, Chutney.” Guy made no reply. The canoe at that instant grated harshly on some obstacle, and throwing out his arms, Melton discovered that the current had carried them against one of the steep, rocky shores. He was about to shove the canoe forcibly away with his paddle when Guy whispered sharply : ‘' Hold tight to the rock. I hear something above us.’’ } CHAPTER XXV.—THE JOURNEY ON THE LAKE. In the deep silence all heard distinctly the low, steady dip of a paddle, ‘‘ Be ready with a match,’’ whispered Guy. ‘‘ When the canoe comes opposite, light the torch and I will cover the fellow with my rifle.’’ The sound grew louder and plainer, and Melton’s finger was already trembling on the match when a terrific splash echoed over the water, followed instantly by a most awful and heartrending wail of agony, that caused every one to shudder from head to foot. : Perfect silence ensued, and the dip of the paddle was no longer heard. With nervous haste Forbes iit the torch, and the sudden light revealed an empty canoe floating bottom up a few yards out in the stream. They paddled quickly alongside, and leaning over Guy turned the drifting boat right side up. (S@) CORNMIC OOS