Jack at Sea Part 60

"Yes, only lightly. It will be all the better for bleeding a bit. Now then! We must retreat as fast as we can. Can you get up, Ned?"

"Can I get up, sir! I should just think I can! I'm not going to make a regular how-de-do because I've got a p.r.i.c.k from a bit of wood."

"Are the enemy coming on, men?" said the doctor sharply.

"Can't see any more of 'em, sir," sail one of the sailors. "I think that volley scared 'em a bit."

"Here, take my arm, Ned. Jack, you come next. Come on, my lads."

"All right, sir, we will," cried Lenny.

"Who has Ned's gun?" said Jack. "That must not be left behind."

"I've got it, sir; he's loaded too," said one of the sailors.

"Forward then," cried the doctor.

"I can get on without your arm, sir," grumbled Ned now st.u.r.dily. "No, I can't. Things turn round a bit somehow. Thank you, sir. I shall be better directly."

At that moment there was a heavy concussion, and a rolling echo which went reverberating up the gully toward the mountain top.

"One of the big guns," said Lenny. "That means a signal to come back."

"Then the black fellows are in sight there," cried Jack excitedly.

"Come on."

The start was made, with Ned making a brave effort to keep his legs, and succeeding fairly well as they struggled on through the tangled growth, Jack springing to the front, hunting-knife in hand, to slash away at creepers and pendent vines which came in their way. But every now and then the poor fellow stopped short.

"Bit touched in the wind, gentlemen," he said cheerily. "Go on again directly. If there is a chance to get a mouthful of water I should like it. If there ain't, never mind.--Off we goes."

The doctor said nothing, but supported him all he could, and they started again, with Jack leading and the sailors forming their rear-guard, retiring in regular military fashion, dividing themselves in twos, one couple halting face to the enemy till the rest had gone on a hundred yards and halted, and then trotting or rather forcing their way along the track, to pa.s.s their companions and halt again.

Moment by moment an attack was expected, but it was not made, though from time to time those in the rear caught sight of a black face peering round the trunk of a tree, showing that they were followed.

At last as they descended they came to a spot where the stream in the ravine could be reached, and the wounded man drank of the cool clear water with feverish avidity, while the doctor frowned as Jack looked at him with questioning eyes.

"Does take the conceit out of you, Mr Jack," said Ned, as they continued their retreat. "I did think I was a better-plucked one than this. Talk about a weak 'un; I'm downright ashamed of myself."

"Don't talk so much, my man," said the doctor. "Keep your breath for the exertion."

"Cert'nly, sir. That's right," said the man in quick, excited tones.

"Won't say another word, only this. I should like to have just one pop at the chap who shot me, and hit him in the same place. I'm ashamed to see you working so hard, Mr Jack, sir. How far is it down to the boat?"

"About a mile, Ned; but pray do as Doctor Instow says--keep quiet."

"Right, sir, I will," replied the man, setting his teeth hard, his drawn face showing the agony he was in; and they went on descending, to be startled by another heavy detonation.

"Another signal," said the doctor; but the words were hardly out of his lips when there was a fresh report running up the gully, and being multiplied in echoes which gradually died away.

"Those are not signals, Jack," said the doctor quietly. "It means an attack upon the yacht by the canoes."

"Oh! and we not there," cried the lad excitedly.

"_Well_, the more lucky for us, eh?"

"Doctor Instow!" cried Jack indignantly; "when these men are wanted to help defend the vessel. Pray, pray try and walk faster, Ned."

"Trying my best, sir, but I'm very shaky. Legs must be a regular pair of cowards, sir, for they won't hurry a bit. Ah!"

The poor fellow reeled and would have fallen but for the doctor's strong arm supporting him and letting him gently down.

Just then the regular short, sharp report of rifles reached their ears from below, announcing that there was no mistake about an attack being made upon their friends, and the anxiety of Jack and the doctor was increased as they trembled for the fate of the two men left as keepers of the boat in which they had come ash.o.r.e.

"I hope they have escaped back to the yacht," said the doctor.

"They wouldn't do that," cried Jack indignantly. "But what is to be done? Can't we make a sort of stretcher with two of the guns?"

"No," said the doctor, "it would take time; and the wood is too thick.

I'll carry him for a few hundred yards."

"Let me have first go, sir," cried Lenny. "You're tired. I'll take him. Help me get him on my back, so as not to hurt his arm."

This was done, poor Ned remaining quite insensible; and once more they began to descend through the solemn aisles of the forest, with the sunshine coming through the leaves in showers of rays, while the firing away below them kept rolling up to where they were.

After a time Lenny was relieved, and dropped into the rear-guard, and this evolution was performed again and again, Jack still leading the way, and hacking through some growing rope from time to time.

"Soon do it now, sir," said the man who was carrying. "Keep a good heart, sir. That's the best o' being mates. Chap goes down, and t'others 'll always carry him. Hullo! what, a'ready?" he continued, as one of his companions came to relieve him. "I've only just begun."

"Don't be greedy, matey," said the new-comer with a grin. "You allus was such a chap for wanting to have more 'n your share. Gently, let me get under the poor chap here without hauling him about so. That's your sort. Warm work, mate?"

"Tidy," said the man relieved with a grin. "Warmer where there's none."

On they went again with the relieved man taking his place ready for the defence if called upon, and the fresh bearer toiling on as if there was nothing to mind.

"Mustn't whistle, I suppose, Mr Jack?"

There was a shake of the head.

"S'pose not. Like letting the beggars know where we are. My word, how things seem to grow here. Take some muscle to cut a good road. Say, sir; think poor Ned here's much hurt?"

"Hurt a good deal, of course, but it can't be a dangerous wound."

"I dunno," said the man thoughtfully, after a few minutes' silence. "Is he onsensible like, sir?"

"Yes, quite," said Jack, after a look at Ned's face.

"Can't hear what I say then, sir? I'm a bit afeard for him."