Not that
there was much fear of our being seen, for the day, which had been
very hot, was closing in and a great storm, heralded by black and
bellying clouds, was gathering fast, conditions which must render us
practically invisible at a distance.
We looked at the dark, slimy water--also at the crocodiles which sat
upon its edge in dozens waiting, eternally waiting, for what, I
wondered. We looked at the sheer opposing cliff, but save where a
black hole marked the cave mouth, far as the eye could see, the water
came up against it, as that of a moat does against the wall of a
castle. Obviously, therefore, the only line of escape ran through this
cave, for, as I have explained, the channel by which I presume Babemba
reached the open lake, was now impracticable. Lastly, we searched to
see if there was any fallen log upon which we could possibly propel
ourselves to the other side, and found--nothing that could be made to
serve, no, nor, as I have said, any dry reeds or brushwood out of
which we might fashion a raft.
Pages:
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497