The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 3 — page 145: what you’re looking at

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

THE RIVER OF DARKNESS. 529 asleep again, and Bildad lay among the rugs as one dead, glutted with his savage feast, and his lips and hands still red with clotted blood, CHAPTER XXXVI.—BiLDAD TURNS CANNIBAL, ALL through that day—for such we shall call it—they floated on without a single glimpse of the shores, though a good current still existed. Their sufferings had now reached a point that was almost unendurable. The emptiness at the stomach and the pangs of hunger had given way to the fierce pains and the appalling weakness that come to those perishing of starvation. For two days, it must be remembered, they had eaten nothing, and for a week previous three dry crackers apiece had been their daily allowance. Chutney, with marvelous endurance, retained his strength and affected a hopefulness he was far from feeling, though if the truth were known a share of his food for a week past had been secretly given to Sir Arthur, whose illness had roused his compassion. ‘The colonel was almost too weak to stand—for his previous captivity had undermined his constitution, while Melton and the Greek made no efforts to conceal their sufferings. Bildad, instead of becoming violent, woke up very weak, and lay help- less on his rug. It was pitiful to see how they all turned their pockets inside out and drove their fingers into the crannies of the logs, hoping to discover a stray erumb. It was useless to fish, for they had nothing to put on the hook. After nightfall, as near as Guy could guess, the river became very nar- ‘cow and the current increased perceptibly in speed. The steep and rocky shores seemed scarcely ten yards apart, and overhead hung masses of stalactite almost close enough to strike with the paddle. ‘We are near the end,’’ said Guy, making an effort to speak calmly in spite of his sufferings. ‘‘ Hold out a little longer. I feel sure that we shall be saved.’’ ‘‘ Ves, we are near the end,’’ said the colonel, ‘‘ very near, Chutney. Our sufferings will soon be over. You deserve a better fate. I wish . ‘‘No, no, don’t talk that way,’’ cried Guy. ‘‘ You will live to see the sunlight again—I am sure of it.’’ The colonel turned over on his side without making a reply. ‘Tf we don’t reach the mouth of the cavern in twenty four hours, I for one will never see the light of day,’’ said Melton huskily. ‘‘I’d hate to die in this place. It wouldn’t be so hard out under the open sky.”’ ‘‘ Water! water!’’ moaned Sir Arthur feebly, and crawling to the edge of the raft Guy filled his helmet and put it to the sick man’s lips. He drank deeply and sank back on the rugs. Guy crept cautiously forward to the front of the raft again—for every motion was a torture—and resumed his watch ahead, straining his eyes to catch the first gleam of light that he felt sure must come before long. Faster and faster ran the current now and the shores flitted past like dim 10 f Comiclookxs (S@)