CHAPTER XIX.
A DARING EXPEDITION.
"I have discovered this," replied Canaris. "The Gallas are preparing foran attack; fresh men have come in from distant towns. They are encampedat the edge of the burned village, and in a small hut, which issurrounded by guards, your friends, I am confident, are confined. Thestruggle was a severe one, for the ground is strewn with dead, bothGallas and Abyssinians. I could find no food, and what we are to do Icannot tell. To attempt a rescue would be madness, and yet oursufferings would only end the sooner. Without food we can make no use ofthe river, and escape in any other way is equally impossible."
Canaris threw himself on the ground and buried his face in his hands.Guy stood in silence, his face stern and set, a silence that remainedunbroken for five minutes. In that space of time his fertile mind hadsought a way out of the difficulty and grasped an expedient so daring,so preposterous, that he hesitated to frame it in words.
His face betrayed something of his emotions, for Forbes and Canarisexclaimed eagerly: "What is it, Chutney? You have thought of something,have you?"
"Yes," said Guy. "I have. As you say, the case is desperate. If my planfails we can be no worse off. What I have resolved to do is this: Forbeswill remain at the cavern. You and I, Canaris, will stain our faces topass for Portuguese, and mounted on these camels, we will ride boldlyinto the camp of the Gallas and proclaim ourselves messengers from MakarMakalo at Zaila. We will say that the English are pressing the townhard, that they agree to withdraw on condition that the Englishprisoners are returned safe and sound, and that Makar has sent us tobring them to the coast. We will add, furthermore, that we came as faras yonder mountains with a caravan bound for Harar, and to allay anysuspicions they may have, we will ask for an escort of two men toaccompany us to Zaila and receive the money which Makar will pay for thesafe delivery of the Englishmen. If all goes well they will give up ourfriends and load us with provisions for a long journey. The escort wecan easily dispose of, and then for the river and freedom!"
Guy snapped his fingers exultantly as he concluded the recital of hisdaring plan and waited to see how his friends would receive it.
"Marvelous!" cried Forbes, drawing a long breath.
"Yes, it is marvelous," added the Greek, "truly marvelous. If itsucceeds it will be a miracle indeed. But suppose they have receivedrecent news from Zaila, or that our disguise is penetrated?"
"As for that," replied Guy coolly, "we must take the chances. I shouldfear recognition most from Oko Sam, but he is fortunately a prisoneramong the Abyssinians. Make up your minds quickly. Do you agree to myproposal or not? Perhaps you can devise a better plan."
"We will try it," said Canaris, decidedly. "It must be done at once, forat daybreak the Gallas will advance to attack the Abyssinians. Make yourpreparations and we will be off." Stepping up to the camels, which werequietly grazing on the jungle grass, he proceeded to remove every partof their trappings which would betray its Abyssinian make, until onlythe simple covering remained. With a cry of delight he held up two whiteburnouses that had been fastened to the saddle bags, and said:
"With these on and our faces darkened it will take a clever man topenetrate our disguise in the night time."
It was not such an easy matter to stain their faces, but with theapplication of a little moist earth from the mouth of the cavern, it wasfinally accomplished to their satisfaction, and after a hasty review oftheir plans and a code of instructions for Melton's guidance duringtheir absence, the two daring adventurers mounted their camels and rodeslowly off into the darkness toward the hostile camp of the Gallas.
It was very near midnight, and as they trotted briskly across thedesert, sounds of mirth floated on the air from the camp where theAbyssinians were making merry over their victory, serenely ignorant ofthe surprise that dawn was to bring them.
The distant glow ahead seemed to come nearer and nearer with everystride of the camels, and Guy could hardly believe that nearly fourmiles had been traversed when Canaris pointed out the camp just in frontof them.
It was too late to think of retreat now, for already the approach of thecamels was detected and a host of dark figures were visible movingacross the still glowing embers.
Fearful of an attack, Canaris shouted out loudly, "Makar Makalo! MakarMakalo!" and then, lashing his beast, they galloped into the very centerof a turbulent throng, who crowded around them with blazing torches.
Canaris knew barely enough of the language to request an interpreter andthe head man of the tribe, and the savages, awed for a moment by thefierce manner in which he made these demands, fell back a little, andGuy had opportunity to observe his surroundings.
He was in a corner of the village which seemed to have escaped theworst of the fray, for a dozen or more huts were standing, and thelargest of these was encircled by a dozen heavily armed men. His heartbeat fast at the thought that Sir Arthur and Colonel Carrington wereconfined within.
Just then a huge savage, wearing a leopard skin about his waist,advanced through the crowd, which fell back at his approach. He wasaccompanied by a small, weazened Arab who at once demanded if thenewcomers could "spik Inglis?"
"Go ahead now," whispered Canaris, "and luck be with you. That bigfellow is the head man."
For a moment Guy could find no voice, and failure stared him in theface.
The horrified expression on the Greek's countenance broke the spell, andraising his voice he said clearly and distinctly:
"Tell your master we are Portuguese who have come from Zaila at thebidding of Makar Makalo, the ruler."
The Arab communicated this piece of news in a loud tone that drew amurmur of surprise from the people, but brought no response from thechief, who merely stared impudently.
"The English have made an attack on Zaila by land and sea," Guy went onin a louder voice. "The town is at their mercy. They have promised Makarto withdraw on condition that the British governor of the town and hisfriend, who were taken and sold into slavery, be delivered up to themsafely. Therefore Makar Makalo has sent us to demand of you the twoEnglishmen, a supply of food for the journey, and an escort back toZaila. For this he agrees to reward you well. We came as far as yondermountain with a caravan bound for Harar, and as there is great need ofhaste we would start on our return at once."
This long speech the Arab likewise proclaimed aloud, and with the utmostanxiety Guy and Canaris watched its effect on the people.
They heard it in ominous silence, and the chief spoke a few words to hisinterpreter, who instantly turned to Guy and announced, in veryimperfect English, that nothing could be done until Oko Sam was releasedfrom his captivity. He told briefly of the attack on the village, oftheir plan of surprising the Abyssinians at daybreak, and concluded byinviting them to dismount and await the result of the fight.
It was evident at least that nothing was suspected. So far they hadplayed their part to perfection. But here was an unexpected hindrance.The leader refused to act without the sanction of Oko Sam, and a delaywould be fatal.
"Insist on it," whispered Canaris hurriedly; "it is our only chance."
"Tell your master we cannot wait," replied Guy, in well feigned anger."Every moment is precious, and we must hasten back to Makar Makalo. Giveus the Englishmen at once or we will go away without them and tell MakarMakalo how you have treated his messengers."
This bold declaration had its effect.
The chief withdrew to a little distance and held a long conference withhalf a dozen of his companions.
Guy and Canaris remained calm and motionless on their camels, haughtilyscanning the sea of threatening black faces that hemmed them in on allsides.
Their only ground for hope rested in the fear which Makar Makalo, by hissummary dealings with these tribes, had inspired in them.
The single motive which in all probability hindered the head man fromacceding at once to their demands was the dread of Oko Sam's displeasurein case that despotic monarch were rescued in the morning.
The eager co
nfab was still going on as strenuously as ever when a tumultarose from the outskirts of the throng, and presently, amid hoarsecheering and applause, a man broke through the parted ranks of thepeople and limped feebly into the open space.
It was Oko Sam!