CHAPTER XLII.
A DREARY NIGHT.
Elwood fell about twenty feet, striking the solid earth, without losinghis own perpendicular position. He was considerably pained, but notseriously hurt. His rifle had fallen from his hand, and was not foundagain until daybreak, as not knowing where he stood, whether upon theedge of some precipice or ravine, he scarcely dared move a limb.
Ah! if the night was so weary to the watchers by the river shore, it wasmuch more so to him for whom they thus lay awake. Utter midnightblackness all around, the profound and impressive stillness made moreprofound and impressive by the trickling of some current near, theoccasional glimpse of some tiny star twinkling among the dark,straggling clouds overhead; such was Elwood Brandon's situation andsurroundings.
His only resource was thought, and the direction which this took for atime was anything but a relief. He saw that he himself was to blame forthe disaster of the day. It was he who proposed this ramble, and he whoinsisted so strenuously upon separating from Howard in the journeyaround the hills. And then his present situation resulted wholly fromhis own foolishness--to call it no milder term--in entering an unknownpath with the simple hope of reaching a designated point a few minutesin advance of his friend, whom he knew well enough had carried out tothe letter their agreement, and was waiting his coming.
Had Howard found Tim O'Rooney? That was the next question. Or was hestill lingering on the other side of the hills, waiting for the morningto renew his hunt for himself before he sought out his companion? Thelatter seemed the most probable supposition to Elwood, and the odd whimtook him that his cousin was close at hand and listening for thefamiliar signal. So he placed his fingers to his mouth and repeated thewhistle which they had used so many times between them.
He did this again and again, but there was no response, and he finallyconcluded that it was rather a monotonous manner of passing the time andceased, and again gave himself up to thought.
If he ever lived to see his friends at home what an experience would behis to tell! The burning steamer, the hours spent in drifting ashore,the wanderings through the wilds of California, this adventure among thehills--surely they were enough to last a life-time.
Now and then a cold draft of wind swept by him, as though thetemperature of the air was changing. It was in fact the premonition ofthe gathering storm to which we have referred in another place.
Elwood had been in his constrained position a couple of hours when hewas subjected to a terrible fright. Suddenly some dirt and stonescommenced moving near him and he felt it strike his feet. He was fearfulthat a landslide was about to take place, but did not dare attempt toget out of the way. He could only shrink closer against the rocks, prayto Heaven for protection, and await the issue.
The pebbles rattled around him for a long time, and when they had nearlyceased he learned that the whole tumult was caused by some wild animal.This dissipated all fear of being engulfed by a landslide, but scarcelyrelieved him. It was simply a change of species in the danger.
He could hear the footsteps of the animal as it walked back and forth.They sounded above his head, but he could not judge with certainty.Several times it gave a low growl, from which he was sure that it wasdangerous, and if it knew of his presence and could reach him wouldspeedily end his reckless conduct forever.
The animal was still for a while and the boy was indulging in the beliefthat it had gone, when he heard its footsteps so near that his hairfairly rose with terror. He stooped down and felt around in the darknessfor his gun, but it was not within reach. He caught a huge stone andheld it in reserve for defense.
Straining his eyes through the darkness, he fancied he could see a darkobject above him; but it was only fancy, for to his excited imaginationthe most extraordinary phantoms were flitting before him--floating inthe air, around and above him, like the wonderful visions that visit usin delirium--until he closed his eyes to shut out the tormentingfigures.
Perhaps, after all, the presence of the wild animal was the means ofsaving him, for it kept his mind down to the hard, practical fact thatimminent danger was close at hand, and all his thoughts were needed tomeet it. He stood a long time grasping the stone and expecting theassault; but the tumult finally ceased and all became still.
When Elwood looked up again he saw that it was growing light, and daywas indeed breaking.