stories by english authors in africa(旅非英国作家的故事)-第18节
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for some distance along a mountain ledge covered with wild bamboo；
through which the pathway wound。 Then they crossed a steep saddle
between two enormous peaks； after which they plunged into another deep
and winding gorge。 This they followed until they reached a part where it
was so narrow that the sides seemed almost to touch over their heads。
Beyond the cliffs fell apart； and then apparently curved toward each other
again； thus forming an immense amphitheatre。 At the entrance to this
Ghamba stopped； and said in a whisper that they were now close to the
cave。
They now held a consultation； in terms of which it was decided that
Ghamba should go forward and reconnoitre。 So Whitson and Langley sat
down close together and waited； conversing in low tones。
Whitson felt very uneasy； but Langley tried to argue him out of his
fears。 The more Whitson saw of Ghamba； the more he disliked and
distrusted him and his teeth。 The instinct which detects danger in the
absence of any apparent evidence of its existence is a faculty developed in
some men by an adventurous life。 This faculty Whitson possessed in a
high degree。
〃Did you keep awake all the time I slept this afternoon？〃 he asked。
Langley feared Whitson and felt inclined to lie； but something
impelled him； almost against his will； to speak the truth now。
〃No；〃 he replied； 〃I slept for a few minutes。〃
Whitson drew his revolver and opened the breech。
〃By God！〃 he said； 〃the cartridges are gone！〃
Langley took his weapon out of the leather case and opened it。 He
found the cartridges were there right enough。
〃Have you any spare cartridges？〃 asked Whitson。
Whitson had already loaded his revolver with the five cartridges which
he had removed in the afternoon； but he again took these out and replaced
them in his waistcoat pocket； and then he reloaded with some which
Langley passed over to him with a trembling hand。
〃Look here；〃 he said； in a hoarse whisper； 〃we are in a trap of some
kind。 When that old scoundrel comes back； do not let him know that we
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have found out anything。 We will walk on with him for a short distance； at
all events； and then be guided by circumstances。 Stand by when you see
me collar him； and slip a sack over his head。〃
〃Can we not go back now？〃 said Langley。
〃Certainly not； we would never find our way at night。 I guess we must
see this circus out。 If you have to shoot； aim low。〃
In a few minutes Ghamba returned。
〃Come on；〃 he said。 〃He is sitting at the fire in front of the cave。 I have
just seen him。〃
〃Where is the cave？〃 asked Whitson。 〃Is it far from here？〃
〃We will reach it very soon； you can see the light of the fire from a
few paces ahead。〃
They walked on for about fifty yards； and there； sure enough； over a
rocky slope to their left； and at the foot of a crag about three hundred yards
away； could be seen the bright and fitful glow from a fire which was
hidden from their view by a low ridge of piled…up rocks。
Whitson stood still and questioned Ghamba：
〃Now tell me；〃 he asked； through Langley as interpreter； 〃how we are
to approach。〃
〃The pathway leads up on the left side；〃 replied Ghamba。 〃We will
walk close up to the crag； where there is a narrow passage between it and
that big black rock which you see against the light。 You two can lead； and I
will be close behind。 I have just seen him。 He is sitting at the fire； eating；
and only the women are with him。〃
The last words were hardly out of the speaker's mouth before Whitson
had seized him by the throat with a vice…like grasp。
〃Seize his hands and hold them；〃 he hissed to Langley。
Ghamba struggled desperately； but could not release himself。 Whitson
compressed his throat until he became unconscious； and then gagged him
with a pocket…handkerchief。 Ghamba's hands were then tied tightly behind
his back with another pocket…handkerchief； and his feet were firmly
secured with a belt。 An empty sack （from which they had removed their
provisions） was then drawn over his head and shoulders； and secured
round the waist。
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〃Come on now； quickly；〃 whispered Whitson； and he and Langley
started off in the direction of the fire； after first taking off their boots。
They did not approach by the course which Ghamba had indicated； but
made their way quietly up the slope； straight against the face of the crag。
They reached the heap of rocks； and crept in among them by means of
another narrow passage； close to the inner end of which the fire was； and
this is what they saw through the twigs of a scrubby bush which
effectually concealed them：
A large cave opened into the side of the mountain； and just before the
mouth was an open space about twenty yards in diameter； surrounded on
all sides； except that of the mountain itself； by a wall of loosely piled rocks；
through which passages led out in different directions。 Just in front of the
cave burned a bright fire； around which crouched four most hideous and
filthy…looking old hags； and against which were propped several large
earthenware pots of native make； full of water。 Standing behind rocks； one
at each side of the inner entrance to the passage； which was evidently that
communicating with the pathway indicated by Ghamba as the one they
were to approach by； were two powerful…looking men； stark naked； and as
black as ebony； their skins shining in the light of the fire。 Each man held a
coiled thong in his hands； after the manner of a sailor about to heave a line。
While they were looking； a woman； somewhat younger in appearance than
any of those who sat by the fire； came out of the cave carrying a strong
club about three feet long。 She crouched down close to the man standing
on the left…side of the passage； who； as well as his companion； stood as
still as a marble statue； and in an expectant attitude。
Whitson and Langley； with their revolvers drawn； suddenly stepped
out of their concealment； and walked toward the fire。 This evidently
disconcerted the men with the thongs； who apparently did not expect their
intended prey to approach by any course except the passage near which
they were standing； but after a slight pause of hesitancy the thongs were
whirling in the air； and descending； lasso…fashion； upon the shoulders of
the intruders。 The noose caught Langley over his arms； which were
instantly drawn close against his body as the thong tightened； so he was
thus rendered completely powerless； but Whitson sprang； quick as
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lightning； to one side； and escaped。 Three shots from his revolver rang out
in as many seconds； and the two men and the womanwho was in the act
of lifting her club to brain Langleylay rolling on the ground； each with a
bullet through the head。
The four old hags at the fire began to mow and scream； and got up and
hobbled into the cave。 Whitson drew his knife and cut the thong with
which Langley was vainly struggling； and then the two men； pale as death；
looked silently at each other with staring eyes。
Whitson replaced his revolver； and then made a sort of torch out of dry
reeds； a pile of which lay close at hand。 He then； leaving Langley to guard
the cave； carefully examined all the passages and spaces between the rocks；
but he could find no trace of any one。 The two men thereupon entered the
cave； Whitson holding the torch high over his head。 They found that it ran
straight in for about fifteen paces； and then curved sharply to the left。
It was about four paces in width； and about eight feet high； the roof
being roughly arched。 The walls and roof were covered with thick black
greasy soot； and an indescribably horrible stench； which increased the
farther they advanced； made them almost vomit。 They found that where
the cave curved to the left it ended in a circu
