CHAPTER IX.
ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
When, supper having been eaten, preparations were made for the night,Neal insisted that one of the party should remain on guard during thehours of darkness, in order to watch for the boats, and Jake had noslight trouble in convincing him that it was not absolutely necessary.
"We couldn't see their lights half a mile away if they have any hoisted,which isn't likely, for the oil must be scarce by this time," theengineer said, "and, in case we did sight them, what good would it do?We should induce them to land here, and we know how dangerous that iseven in the daytime. I had rather let them pass without knowing where weare, than to be the innocent cause of a second disaster."
After considerable discussion Neal was made to understand that no goodcould come of posting sentinels, and the little party lay down on thebed of leaves; but, owing to the suspense concerning the fate of theothers, neither slept very soundly.
It was hardly light enough to see surrounding objects when Jake began toprepare breakfast, and as soon as the sun rose Neal and Teddy paced toand fro on the beach gazing seaward; but without seeing that for whichthey sought.
For the first time Neal began to despair concerning his father, andreturning to the camp he said in a voice choked by sobs:
"I don't believe we shall ever see either of them again. The wind hasheld steady since we landed, and they should have been here a long whileago. Our boat couldn't have sailed so much faster than theirs that weshould arrive twenty-four hours in advance."
"Now put out of your mind the idea that we are not to see all hands sometime," Jake replied quite sharply. "I'm willing to admit that they maynot strike here, for I might as well own up to the truth, and say thechances are against two boats coming so far and hitting the same spot onthe coast. That doesn't prove, however, that there has been any furtherdisaster."
"Then you do believe that they won't come here?"
"Yes."
"Why haven't you proposed to make some change?"
"I didn't want to say anything until we were certain the boats wouldn'theave in sight. I shouldn't advise making a move yet awhile; but sinceyou've broached the subject we may as well talk plainly."
"Do you think we are likely to be taken off by a vessel?"
"The fact that none have passed within our line of vision certainlyshows that such a chance is slim. I have come to the conclusion that weare not on the island of Cuba, and it stands us in hand to try for sometown or sea-port. We might stay here a month, and then have a craftheave in sight when the surf run so high as to prevent a boat landing."
"What do you want to do?"
"Strike straight through the woods. There must be people living heresomewhere, and the sooner we find them the sooner we'll get home."
"Why not follow along the beach?"
"Because, if this is an island, as it surely must be, we could getacross quicker than around, and, besides, with all these coral rocks thebeach is not the best sort of a road for traveling, loaded down as weshall be."
Neal was silent for a moment, and Teddy took advantage of theopportunity to ask:
"When do you think we ought to make a move?"
"My idea is that we should stay here to-day (our supply of water won'tlast much longer), and start early to-morrow morning. That would be timeenough to prove whether the boats are coming, and give us a chance toget the traps into proper shape for carrying."
"You know best what should be done," Neal said, speaking slowly, "and Iam ready to do as you propose."
"Now that is what I call sensible talk," Jake replied, in a tone ofsatisfaction. "By buckling right down to work, and putting out of ourminds all unpleasant thoughts, for it don't do any good to moon overwhat can't be changed, we shall soon get out of this scrape."
Neal remained silent. To leave the coast seemed like deserting hisfather, and although he knew Jake's plan should be carried out, it madehim sad to think of going where it would be no longer possible to seethe ocean.
Teddy, however, experienced a sense of relief as soon as it was decidedto enter the forest in search of human beings. To him the place wasanything rather than agreeable, for he could never rid himself of thefeeling that the drowned sailors would soon be washed ashore, and duringthe hours of darkness all kinds of queer fancies came into his mind withevery unusual sound.
He was eager to discuss with Jake the details of the proposed journey,and, Neal listening to the conversation but taking no part in it, thematter was arranged to the satisfaction of the engineer and Teddy.
The ammunition and such provisions as had been brought ashore, wasdivided into three portions, one being very much heavier than theothers, and each tied in such shape as would be most convenient forcarrying.
So much of the game as would not be needed for immediate consumption waswrapped in leaves for the travelers to take with them; but that whichcaused Jake the most anxiety was the fact that the supply of water wouldbe exhausted before they started.
"It can't be helped," he said ruefully, "and we may be mighty thirstybefore finding any; but the case would be worse if we staid here, sothere is no reason why we need worry very much. In that swamp you spokeof we shall surely find what thirsty men can drink on a pinch, and I'mpositive we'll get along all right."
As if eager to convince himself that there was no great danger to beapprehended from the journey through the forest, he continued to talkabout his plans until both the boys were perfectly familiar with all hehoped to gain by the attempt; but of his fears not a word was spoken.
At night all retired early in order to be fresh for the morrow's work,and when the first faint flush of another day appeared in the easternsky Jake aroused his companions.
"Turn out, boys," he shouted cheerily. "We must make the most of thesecool hours, for it will be necessary to halt at noon, and we want to getthrough the forest as quickly as possible."
While speaking he was fastening the heaviest package on his back, andafter a hurried toilet in the sea Neal and Teddy took up their loads.
It was still quite dark under the towering trees when the journey wasbegun; but each moment the gloom grew less, until, when the sun rose itwas possible to see the way with but little difficulty.
To travel very rapidly was out of the question. In certain places theunderbrush was so dense that considerable exertion became necessary inorder to force a passage, and despite all efforts not more than twomiles an hour could be made.
At the swamp plenty of cool, clear water was found, and with this Jakefilled the two bottles, all they had in which to carry a supply of theprecious liquid.
At noon a long halt was made, and when the sun began to decline theweary march was resumed.
By no means the least of the travelers' suffering was caused by thorns,and to one who has never had any experience of this sort, a descriptionof the various spines and needles which project from the strange plantsin these vast forests would seem exaggerated.
They are of all sizes and shapes, and in many places actually prevent aman from making his way through the foliage even though he be armed witha machete. Oftentimes it is absolutely necessary to make a long detourin order to avoid the painful obstructions, and before half of thisday's journey was finished all three of the castaways bore bloodyevidence of what these natural bristles can do.
The siesta was decidedly abridged, for Jake realized the importance ofconcluding the tramp as quickly as possible, and the afternoon was butlittle more than half ended when, to the intense surprise of all, theysuddenly arrived at a clearing in the very midst of the forest.
After wandering among the luxuriant vegetation the travelers were almoststartled at seeing an avenue of banana trees which had evidently beenplanted by the hand of man, and, following it up, the little party wereyet more surprised at seeing a white man swinging idly in a hammock.
Jake advanced as if unable to believe the evidences of his own senses,and said hesitatingly:
"We had no intention of intruding, sir; bu
t followed the line of bananatrees without the slightest idea of finding a gentleman's home."
"Don't apologize," the stranger replied in good English, and springingto his feet as if in alarm. "It is true that I am not in the habit ofreceiving callers in this out-of-the-way place; but those of my own raceare none the less welcome. Will you walk into the house?"
The boys peered through the foliage where, after some difficulty, theysaw a small cabin, hardly large enough to be called a dwelling, and Jakereplied quickly:
"We would prefer to remain here. Having walked since sunrise, you canfancy that any place in which to rest our legs without fear of coming incontact with a scorpion or a snake is grateful."
"I can't promise that you won't be troubled by such visitors; but youare welcome to do as you choose."
Jake threw himself on the ground, asking as he did so:
"Can you tell me how near we are to a sea-port? We have just landedfrom a pleasure yacht which was destroyed by fire, and haven't any ideawhere we are."
"You are now in Yucatan, and probably know perfectly well how near tothe coast, for----"
"In Yucatan?" Jake repeated in surprise.
"Exactly, and not so very far from the famed Silver City of the ChanSanta Cruz Indians."
"That last information doesn't seem to be very important so far as weare concerned; but it does surprise me to know we are in this section ofthe country, for our captain was quite positive we should strike thecoast of Cuba."
"Tell me how such a mistake was made."
"That is exactly what I don't know myself; but it won't take long toexplain why we are here."
Then Jake told the story of the cruise in the Sea Dream, of theunaccountable conflagration, and the fatal landing on the coast,concluding by saying:
"As a matter of course we are most anxious to reach some place fromwhich we can find a steamer or sailing vessel going to the UnitedStates. Probably you can give us the proper information, and by thatmeans get rid of unexpected and, perhaps, unwelcome visitors."
"But I do not wish to get rid of you," the stranger replied quickly. "Onthe contrary I am more than delighted because you were forced to comehere, since you can render me a very great service."
"I fail to understand how," Jake replied in perplexity.
"You shall soon know, and I fancy you will be decidedly surprised when Igive you all the details. First, however, allow me to prepare supper,and then it will be singular if I do not tell such a story as will causegreater astonishment than you ever experienced before."
With these strange words the young man--he did not appear to be morethan thirty years old--leaped out of the hammock, and disappeared amongthe shrubbery which so nearly concealed the building.