The Argosy — page 153: what you’re looking at

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

THE RIVER OF DARKNESS. 345 the verge of the rock on the other side. The running water was below him, much farther, indeed, than the level of the lake, but the roar of the torrent was loud and distinct to the ear. He turned and crawled back. ‘‘ Canaris,’’ he whispered down, ‘‘I have reached the top of the cliff. There is running water on the other side. Waken the rest as quickly as possible, and send some one up withatorch. I forgot to bring one with me.’’ CHAPTER XXXI.—A TERRIBLE BLUNDER. FRoM his gloomy perch on top of the rock Guy could see all that hap- pened plainly. Canaris woke his companions as speedily as possible. Their astonishment at finding Guy missing was very great, and at first they seemed scarcely able to comprehend the Greek’s explanation. _Then they glanced eagerly overhead, and hailed Guy with shouts of joy. ‘‘ Here, hoist me up,’’ cried the colonel. ‘‘ Ill take him up the torch.’’ No, Pll go!’? exclaimed Forbes. ‘‘ I’m a pretty expert climber, colonel, and won’t run any risk.’’ ‘‘ Bless me !’’ ejaculated Sir Arthur. ‘‘ Did that young man Chutney walk up the face of that wall? Why, he’s a freak.” | Canaris solved the matter by picking up one of the leathern bags and tearing it open. ‘ Look !’’ he shouted up to Guy. ‘‘ It was fortunate we kept these. Here are the ropes and hooks by which we scaled the walls of Harar.’’ ‘Hurrah !’’ cried Chutney. ‘‘ Just the thing !- I had forgotten about them.?’ ‘‘ Now,’’ continued the Greek, ‘‘ both of you can go up the rock, and I will remain here with Sir Arthur.” He dragged out the four ropes, spliced two of them together to make the required length, and then, giving the end to Forbes to hold, he threw the iron hook skilfully toward Guy. It landed on top of the cliff, and Guy fastened it securely to a crevice, ‘“ Now you can come up,’’ he shouted down. Placing a torch in each pocket, Forbes began the ascent, and speedily reached the top. The colonel followed with equal dexterity. ‘“ All right? ’’ called the Greek. } i ‘' Yes,’’ replied Chutney ; ‘‘all right. We will return as soon as pos- sible. If anything happens fire your gun.”’ Guy lit a torch, and the glare revealed only the narrow ledge on which they stood. Beneath and overhead was empty space. They paused a moment to listen to the sound of the running water. ‘‘ It is far beneath us,’’ said the colonel ; ‘‘ possibly a hundred feet, but it is the outlet of the lake, I am sure. Upon my word, Chutney, I believe we will get out of this scrape yet.” ‘‘ Come on,’ said Guy briefly ; and he led the way along the narrow path. They traveled in silence for five minutes, until the light from the raft had cEomichook (S@)