Yussuf the Guide Part 57

"Look, look!" said Lawrence softly; "there is a light out there."

Yussuf looked straight before him; and placing the lamp upon the ground, and shading it with his coat, there, sure enough, not more than a dozen yards away, was a patch of light--blight moonlight.

"I was wrong," said Yussuf calmly; "this is not the way to a spring, but a road from that temple down to some pathway along by the side of the mountain, and closed up by these fallen stones. Lawrence effendi, we shall not want my ropes to descend from the walls. You have found a way out of the old place that has lain hidden for hundreds of years."

"Do you think so?"

"Yes; and that we have only to set to work and clear away these stones sufficiently to reach the entrance, and then we can escape."

"Let us begin, then, at once," cried Lawrence joyously.

"No; we will go back now, and examine the way, so as to make sure that our course up and down is safe. Then we will get back, and be satisfied with our night's work."

"Yes," said Yussuf, when he reached the stone again; "it is all quite plain. I could come up and down here in the dark, and there will be light enough at the bottom in the daytime to see what to do."

He raised the stone after extinguishing his lamp, and they both stepped out; the stone was lowered into its place, a little earth and dust thrown over it and a few fragments of rubbish, and then the midnight wanderers stole back to the prison, but only to stop short in the shadow with Lawrence chilled by horror. For, as they were about to step up to the portal, one of the guards yawned loudly, rose, and walked to the rug, drew it aside, and looked in.

He stood there gazing in so long, that it seemed as if he must have discovered that there were absentees; but, just as Lawrence was in despair, he dropped the curtain, walked back to his companion, and sat down with his back to the portal.

Yussuf wasted no time, but glided along in the shadow, and Lawrence followed; but as he reached the portal he kicked against a piece of loose stone and the guards sprang up.

Lawrence would have stood there petrified, but Yussuf dragged him in, hurried him across the interior, threw him down, and took his place behind him.

"Pretend to be asleep," he whispered; and he turned his face away, as the steps of the guards were heard, and they lifted the rug curtain and came in with a primitive kind of lantern, to look round and see if all were there, being satisfied on finding them apparently asleep, and going back evidently believing it was a false alarm.

"Safe this time, Yussuf," whispered Lawrence.

"Yes," said the guide. "Now sleep in peace, for you have discovered a way to escape."

CHAPTER FORTY ONE.

THE TIME FOR FLIGHT.

"And you are sure, Yussuf?" said Mr Preston two days later.

"Yes, effendi. I have been there alone twice since, and in a few hours I had moved enough stones to let me through to the light, and in a few hours more I can make the pa.s.sage so easy that a lady can go through."

"And where the light shines in?"

"Is just over a narrow rugged path leading down the mountain--a way that has been forgotten. Effendi, after I have been there once again the way is open, and though the path is dangerous it will lead to safety, and we must escape."

"When?" said Mr Preston eagerly.

"As soon as we can collect a little food--not much, but enough to carry us to the nearest village where we can get help."

"And our goods--our property?"

"Must stay, excellency. Once you are all safe we can send the soldiery by the path by which we left, for the brigands will not know how we have escaped."

"Well, I can save my drawings," said the professor, "and they will be worth all the journey, as we have no ransom to pay."

The next day Mr Burne was let into the secret, but it was decided not to tell the Chumleys till they were awakened on the night of the attempt.

It was hard work to keep down the feeling of elation so as not to let the chief see that the captives were full of hope, for he came day by day to visit them and complain about the length of time his messengers were gone.

But the secret was well kept, and those who shared it, in obedience to Yussuf's suggestion, began to store away portions of their provisions so as to be prepared at any moment for a journey which might take them for many days through the mountains away from village or beaten track.

"I shall leave this place with regret," the professor said with a sigh; "but I must say I do not relish paying for my stay with every shilling I have sc.r.a.ped together during my life."

"No. Let's get away, Preston," said Mr Burne. "Oh, if I could only commence an action against these scoundrels for our imprisonment! I'd make them smart."

They were sitting together among the ruins, and their thoughts naturally reverted to Yussuf and his reticent ways, for two days had pa.s.sed since he had made any communication, and he had seemed to be more retiring than ever.

The sun was shining brightly, and warmed the stones where they sat, but the air seemed to be piercingly cold, and Mr Burne shivered more than once, and got up to walk about.

"I shall not be sorry to get down out of the mountains," he said. "What do you say, Lawrence?"

"Oh! I've liked the stay up here very well, it has all been so new and different; and besides, I have been so well, and I feel so strong."

"Yes, you are better, my boy," said Mr Burne, nodding his head approvingly.

"I used to feel tired directly I moved," continued Lawrence, "but now I scarcely ever feel tired till quite night. Yussuf says it is the mountain air."

"Yes," said the professor dryly, "it is the mountain air. Where is Yussuf?"

"Here, excellency," said their guide; and they all started with surprise, he had approached so quietly. "I was coming to tell you that I have been up to the top of the old temple, and have at length traced the ancient path. I have only seen parts of it here and there, but I can make out the direction it takes, and it is right opposite to that by which we came."

"But where does it lead?" said the professor.

"Away west, effendi--where, I cannot say; but let us get out of this place and I will lead you in safety somewhere."

"But the old path--is it very dangerous?" said Mr Burne.

"I went out upon it last night in the darkness, and followed it for a couple of miles, excellency. It is dangerous, but with care we can get safely along."

"You have quite cleared the pa.s.sage, then?" said the professor.

"Right to the mouth, effendi. There, so as not to excite notice, I have only left a hole big enough to crawl from. Not that anyone could see, except from the mountain on the other side, and n.o.body is ever there."

"When do we go, then?" said Lawrence eagerly.

"If their excellencies are willing, to-morrow night," said Yussuf.

"Every hour I am expecting to see the messenger return, and you, gentlemen, forced to agree to some terms by which in honour you will be bound to pay heavy amounts, and then it will not be worth while to escape."

"I say, look here, Yussuf," said Mr Burne, "are you real or only sham?"

Yussuf frowned slightly.