rs.undertheandes-第26章

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　I　understood；　and　I　answered　simply：　〃I'm　ready。〃
　We　had　but　few　preparations　to　make。　The　solidest　parts　of　the　fish　which　we　had　laid　aside　we　now　strapped　together　with　one　of　the　extra　spear…thongs　and　slung　them　on　our　backs。　We　secreted　the　oars　and　raft　and　the　extra　spear　as　snugly　as　possible。
　Then；　having　filled　ourselves　with　raw　fish　and　a　last　hearty　drink　from　the　lake；　we　each　took　a　spear　and　started　on　a　search　wilder　than　any　ever　undertaken　by　Amadis　of　Gaul　or　Don　Quixote　himself。　Even　the　Bachelor　of　Salamanca；　in　his　saddest　plight；　did　not　present　so　outrageous　an　appearance　to　the　eye　as　we。　We　wore　more　clothing　than　the　Incas；　which　is　the　most　that　can　be　said　for　us。
　We　were　unable　to　even　guess　at　the　direction　we　should　take；　but　that　was　settled　for　us　when　we　found　that　there　were　but　two　exits　from　the　cavern。　One　led　through　the　boulders　and　crevices　to　a　passage　full　of　twists　and　turns　and　strewn　with　rocks；　almost　impassable；　the　other　was　that　through　which　the　Incas　had　entered。
　We　chose　the　latter。
　Fifty　feet　from　the　cavern　we　found　ourselves　in　darkness。　I　stopped　short。
　〃Harry；　this　is　impossible。　We　cannot　mark　our　way。〃
　〃But　what　can　we　do？〃
　〃Carry　one　of　those　urns。〃
　〃Likely！　They'd　spot　us　before　we　even　got　started。〃
　〃Well…let　them。〃
　〃No。　You're　in　for　the　finish。　I　know　that。　I　want　to　find　Desiree。　And　we'll　find　her。　After　that；　if　nothing　else　is　left；　I'll　be　with　you。〃
　〃But　I　don't　want　a　thousand　of　those　brutes　falling　on　us　in　the　dark。　If　they　would　end　it　I　wouldn't　care。〃
　〃Keep　your　spear　ready。〃
　I　had　given　him　my　promise；　so　I　pushed　on　at　his　side。　I　had　no　stomach　for　it。　In　a　fight　I　can　avoid　disgracing　myself；　because　it　is　necessary；　but　why　seek　it　when　there　is　nothing　to　be　gained？　Thus　I　reflected；　but　I　pushed　on　at　Harry's　side。
　As　he　had　said；　I　was　in　for　the　finish。　What　I　feared　was　to　be　taken　again　by　the　Incas　unseen　in　the　darkness。　But　that　fear　was　soon　removed　when　I　found　that　we　could　see　easily　some　thirty　or　forty　feet　ahead…enough　for　a　warning　in　case　of　attack。
　Our　flannel　shirts　and　woolen　undergarments　hung　from　us　in　rags　and　tatters。　Our　feet　were　bare　and　bruised　and　swollen。　Our　faces　were　covered　with　a　thick；　matted　growth　of　hair。　Placed　side　by　side　with　the　Incas　it　is　a　question　which　of　us　would　have　been　judged　the　most　terrifying　spectacles　by　an　impartial　observer。
　I　don't　think　either　of　us　realized　the　extreme　foolhardiness　of　that　expedition。　The　passage　was　open　and　unobstructed；　and　since　it　appeared　to　be　the　only　way　to　their　fishing…ground；　was　certain　to　be　well　traveled。　The　alarm　once　given；　there　was　no　possible　chance　for　us。
　We　sought　the　royal　apartments。　Those　we　knew　to　be　on　a　level　some　forty　or　fifty　feet　below　the　surface　of　the　great　cavern；　at　the　foot　of　the　flight　of　steps　which　led　to　the　tunnel　to　the　base　of　the　column。　I　had　counted　ninety…six　of　those　steps；　and　allowing　an　average　height　of　six　inches；　they　represented　a　distance　of　forty…eight　feet。
　How　far　the　whirlpool　and　the　stream　which　it　fed　had　carried　us　downward　we　did　not　know；　but　we　estimated　it　at　one　hundred　feet。　That　calculation　left　us　still　fifty　feet　below　the　level　of　the　royal　apartments。
　But　we　soon　found　that　in　this　we　were　mistaken。　We　had　advanced　for　perhaps　a　quarter　of　an　hour　without　incident　when　the　passage　came　to　an　abrupt　end。　To　the　right　was　an　irregular；　twisting　lane　that　disappeared　around　a　corner　almost　before　it　started；　to　the　left　a　wide　and　straight　passage；　sloping　gently　upward。　We　took　the　latter。
　We　had　followed　this　for　about　a　hundred　yards　when　we　saw　a　light　ahead。　Caution　was　useless；　the　passage　was　straight　and　unbroken　and　only　luck　could　save　us　from　discovery。　We　pushed　on；　and　soon　stood　directly　within　the　light　which　came　from　an　apartment　adjoining　the　passage。　It　was　not　that　which　we　sought；　however；　and　we　gave　it　barely　a　glance　before　we　turned　to　the　right　down　a　cross　passage；　finding　ourselves　again　in　darkness。
　Soon　another　light　appeared。　We　approached。　It　came　from　a　doorway　leading　into　an　apartment　some　twenty　feet　square。　It　was　empty；　and　we　entered。
　There　were　two　flaming　urns　fastened　to　the　wall　above　a　granite　couch。　Stone　seats　were　placed　here　and　there　about　the　room。　The　walls　were　studded　with　spots　of　gold　to　a　height　of　four　or　five　feet。
　We　stopped　short；　gazing　about　us。
　〃It　looks　like…〃　Harry　whispered；　and　then　exclaimed：　〃It　is！
　See；　here　is　where　we　took　the　blocks　from　this　seat！〃
　So　it　was。　We　were　in　the　room　where　we　had　imprisoned　the　Inca　king　and　where　we　ourselves　had　been　imprisoned　with　Desiree。
　〃She　said　her　room　was　to　the　right　of　this；〃　whispered　Harry　excitedly。　〃What　luck！　If　only…〃
　He　left　the　sentence　unfinished；　but　I　understood　his　fear。
　And　with　me　there　was　even　no　doubt；　I　had　little　hope　of　finding　Desiree；　and　was　sorry；　for　Harry's　sake；　that　we　had　been　so　far　successful。
　Again　we　sought　the　passage。　A　little　farther　on　it　was　crossed　by　another；　running　at　right　angles　in　both　directions。
　But　to　the　right　there　was　nothing　but　darkness；　and　we　turned　to　the　left；　where；　some　distance　ahead；　we　could　see　a　light　evidently　proceeding　from　a　doorway　similar　to　the　one　we　had　just　left。
　We　went　rapidly；　but　our　feet　made　scarcely　any　sound　on　the　granite　floor。　Still　we　were　incautious；　and　it　was　purely　by　luck　that　I　glanced　ahead　and　discovered　that　which　made　me　jerk　Harry　violently　back　and　flatten　myself　against　the　wall。
　〃What　is　it？〃　he　whispered。
　In　silence　I　pointed　with　my　finger　to　where　two　Incas　stood　in　the　passage　ahead　of　us；　just　without　the　patch　of　light　from　the　doorway；　which　they　were　facing。　They　made　no　movement；　we　were　as　yet　undiscovered。　They　were　about　a　hundred　feet　away　from　where　we　stood。
　〃Then　she's　here！〃　whispered　Harry。　〃They　are　on　guard。〃
　I　nodded；　I　had　had　the　same　thought。
　There　was　no　time　to　lose；　at　any　moment　that　they　should　chance　to　glance　in　our　direction　they　were　certain　to　see　us。　I　whispered　hastily　and　briefly　to　Harry。　He　nodded。
　The　next　instant　we　were　advancing　slowly　and　noiselessly；　hugging　the　wall。　We　carried　our　spears　ready；　though　we　did　not　mean　to　use　them；　for　a　miss　would　have　meant　an　alarm。
　〃If　she　is　alone！〃　I　was　saying　within　myself；　almost　a　prayer；　when　suddenly　one　of　the　Incas　turned；　facing　us　squarely；　and　gave　a　start　of　surprise。　We　leaped　forward。
　Half　a　dozen　bounds　and　we　were　upon　them；　before　they　had　had　time　to　realize　their　danger　or　move　to　escape　it。　With　a　ferocity　taught　us　by　the　Incas　themselves　we　gripped　their　throats　and　bore　them　to　the　floor。
　No　time　then　for　the　decencies；　we　had　work　to　do；　and　we　crushed　and　pounded　their　lives　out　against　the　stone　floor。　There　had　not　been　a　sound。　They　quivered　and　lay　still；　and　then；　looking　up　at　some　slight　sound　in　the　doorway；　we　saw　Desiree。
　She　stood　in　the　doorway；　regarding　us　with　an　expression　of　terror　that　I　did　not　at　first　understand；　then　suddenly　I　realized　that；　having　seen　us　disappear　beneath　the　surface　of　the　take　after　our　dive　from　the　column；　she　had　thought　us　dead。
　〃Bon　Dieu！〃　she　exclaimed　in　a　hollow　voice　of　horror。
　〃This；　too！　Do　you　e；　messieurs？〃
　〃For　you；〃　I　answered。　〃We　are　flesh　and　bone；　Desiree；　though　in　ill　repair。　We　have　e　for　you。〃
　〃Paul！　Harry；　is　it　really　you？〃
　Belief　crept　into　her　eyes；　but　nothing　more；　and　she　stood　gazing　at　us　curiously。　Harry　had　sprung　to　her　side；　she　did　not　move　as　he　embraced　her。
　〃Are　you　alone？〃
　〃Yes。〃
　〃Good。　Here；　Harry…quick！　Help　me。　Stand　aside；　Desiree。〃
　We　carried　the　bodies　of　the　two　Incas　within　the　room　and　deposited　them　in　a　corner。　Then　I　ran　and　brought　the　spears；　which　we　had　dropped　when　we　attacked　the　Incas。　Desiree　stood　just　within　the　doorway；　seemingly　half　dazed。
　〃e；〃　I　said；　〃there　is　no　time　to　be　lost。　e！〃
　〃Where？〃　She　did　not　move。
　〃With　us。　Isn't　that　enough？　Do　you　want　to　stay　here？〃
　She　shuddered　violently。
　〃You　don't　know…what　has　happened。　I　want　to　die。　Where　are　you　going　to　take　me？〃
　〃Desiree；〃　Harry　burst　out；　〃for　Heaven's　sake；　e！　Must　we　carry　you？〃
　He　grasped　her　arm。
　Then　she　moved　and　appeared　to　acquiesce。　I　started　ahead；　Harry　brought　up　the　rear；　with　an　arm　round　Desiree's　shoulders。
　She　started　once　more　to　speak；　but　I　wheeled　sharply　with　a　mand　for　silence；　and　she　obeyed。
　We　reached　the　turn　in　the　corridor　and　passed　to　the　right；　moving　as　swiftly　and　noiselessly　as　possible。　Ahead　of　us　was　the　light　from　the　doorway　of　the　room　in　which　we　had　formerly　been　imprisoned。
　We　had　nearly　reached　it　when　I　saw；　some　distance　down　the　corridor；　moving　forms。　The　light　was　very　dim；　but　there　appeared　to　be　a　great　many　of　them。
　I　turned；　with　a　swift　gesture　to　Harry　and　Desiree　to　follow；　and　dashed　forward　to　the　light　and　through　the　doorway　into　the　room。　Discovery　was　inevitable；　I　thought；　in　any　event；　but　it　was　better　to　meet　them　at　the　door　to　the　room　than　in　the　open　passage。　And　we　had　our　spears。
　But　by　a　rare　stroke　of　luck　we　had　not　been　seen。　As　we　stood　within　the　room　on　either　side　of　the　doorway；　out　of　the　line　of　view　from　the　corridor；　we　heard　the　patter　of　many　footsteps　approaching。
　They　neared　the　doorway；　and　I　glanced　at　Harry；　pointing　to　his　spear　significantly。　He　gave　me　a　nod　of　understanding。　Let　them　e；　we　would　not　again　fall　into　their　hands　alive。
　The　footsteps　sounded　just　without　the　doorway；　I　stood　tense　and　alert；　with　spear　ready；　expecting　a　rush　momentarily。　Then　they　passed；　passed　altogether；　and　receded　down　the　corridor　in　the　direction　whence　we　had　e。　I　wanted　to　glance　out　at　their　number；　but　dared　not。　We　stood　still　till　all　was　again　perfectly　silent。
　Then　Desiree　spoke　in　a　whisper：
　〃It　is　useless；　we　are　lost。　That　was　the　king。　He　is　going　to　my　room。　In　ten　seconds　he　will　be　there　and　find　me　gone。〃
　There　was　only　one　thing　to　do；　and　I　wasted　no　time　in　discussing　it。　A　swift　mand　to　Harry；　and　we　dashed　from　the　doorway　and　down　the　corridor　to　the　left；　each　holding　an　arm　of　Desiree。　But　she　needed　little　of　our　assistance；　the　presence　of　the　Inca　king　seemed　to　have　inspired　her　with　a　boundless　terror；　and　she　flew；　rather　than　ran；　between　us。
　We　reached　the　bend　in　the　passage；　and　just　beyond　it　the　light…the　first　one　we　had　seen　on　our　way　in。　I　had　our　route　marked　on　my　memory　with　plete　distinctness。　Soon　we　found　ourselves　in　the　wide；　sloping　passage　that　carried　us　to　the　level　below；　and　in　another　five　seconds　had　reached　its　end　and　the　beginning　of　the　last　stretch。
　At　the　turn　Harry　stumbled　and　fell　flat；　dragging　Desiree　to　her　knees。　I　lifted　her；　and　he　sprang　to　his　feet　unhurt。
　She　was　panting　heavily。　Harry　had　dropped　his　spear　in　the　fall；　and　we　wasted　a　precious　minute　searching　for　it　in　the　darkness；　finally　finding　it　where　it　had　slid；　some　twenty　feet　ahead。　Again　we　dashed　forward。
　A　light　appeared　ahead　in　the　distance；　dim　but　unmistakable　…the　light　of　the　urns　in　the　cavern　for　which　we　were　headed。
　Suddenly　Desiree　faltered　and　would　have　fa