The Argosy — page 139: what you’re looking at

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

THE RIVER OF DARKNESS. 331 ‘‘It was serpents,’’ said the Greek; and that brief sentence made their blood run cold. ‘' Yes,’’ continued Canaris, observing the doubt in their faces; ‘‘ they must have been surprised in the night and crushed to death. ‘That alone can account for their broken bones. But, remember, all this was thirty years ago or more.’’ ‘Yes, you are right, Canaris,’’ said Chutney. ‘‘I believe, upon my word, what you say is true. The monstrous serpents of the cavern devoured them.”’ Sir Arthur beat a rapid retreat to the canoe, and the rest were not slow in following his example. “Let us get away from this horrible spot as quickly as possible,’’ said the colonel ; ‘‘and, besides, we are losing precious time on this lake. We must seek the outlet at once and resume the journey.’ They paddled gladly away from the Isle of Skeletons, as the colonel insisted on naming it, and steered as straight a course as possible. Under the pressure of four paddles the canoes maintained a rapid speed, but in spite of this it was fully an hour, and probably much more, before they found the shore of the lake. They rested a little while beside the per- pendicular wall of rock, uncertain which way to turn. ‘It won’t make much difference,’’ said Guy; ‘‘ either course must bring 'us to the outlet. Suppose we try the right.’’ This proposition met with favor, and off they started once more, taking care to keep the shore constantly in sight, lest si should lose their bear- ings again. In less than half an hour the sound of running water was heard in the distance, and they paddled faster than ever in their intense longing to — from the lake. Louder and louder grew the roar of the water, until they sieicet to be almost upon it, and just when they were preparing for a dash into the rapids Chutney rose in the canoe with a cry of surprise, and the torchlight showed plainly a fierce body of water running, not out of, but into the lake. They had come back to the starting point. It was here they had entered the lake, and now all must be done over again. ‘‘ Back water,’’ cried the colonel. ‘‘ Don’t get into the current. It may sweep us out and we shall lose our bearings. Turn the canoe and we will go back the way we came.’’ | There was no help for it. It only remained to atone for the lost time by paddling as rapidly as possible. With difficulty the canoe was snatched from the influx of the current and headed this time to the left. “It will be a lengthy paddle,”’ said Guy. ‘‘ The lake is by no means a small one.’’ “Tm hungry,’’ exclaimed Sir Arthur. ‘‘Isn’t it about time for lunch ?’’ ““ Your suggestion is eminently proper, Sir Arthur,’’ declared the colonel. ‘On a full stomach we shall travel faster, Chutney. Do ies concur with our views??? (S@) ConmiceaoolK<