CHAPTER XIX

THE PRISONER'S ESCAPE

"Do you think they will ever return?" asked Terence.

"I think they have had enough," replied Mr. McKay. "They've had a lesson."

"And so have we," added Ellerton, dolefully regarding the fragments of the storehouse and the shattered line of rails.

"And our boat; how shall we be able to leave the island now?" asked Andy.

"Perhaps the damage done to that is not so great as we imagine. With the help of these canoes we may be able to raise her. But we'll go into that question later. At present I feel as if I could enjoy a good square meal."

So back to the dwelling-house they went, where Quexo, who had been quaking all the time, was rea.s.sured.

"Don't you think we could rig up an electric alarm?" said Terence during the progress of the meal. "There's plenty of insulated copper wire in the small store."

"It would be as well," replied Mr. McKay. "We might have a return visit; though, as I said before, I don't antic.i.p.ate one."

"But some natives from another island might try and surprise us," said Andy. "News travels quickly, and perhaps we might again be favoured with the unwelcome attentions of these savage gentry."

"And I tell you what," continued Terence, waxing enthusiastic, for electrical engineering was his strong point, "we brought one of the _San Martin's_ searchlights ash.o.r.e. I'll try and fix it up and connect it with the dynamo."

"We'll see what's to be done. But now, how about Blight? It's time we paid him a visit."

"I guess he's been wondering what the dust-up was about," remarked Andy, as he prepared the prisoner's daily ration.

Andy and Terence were deputed to visit the prisoner, and, armed as usual and carrying a supply of food and water, they set off for the fenced-in dwelling.

From the elevation of the upper terrace they could see the distant dark brown sails of the canoes, for the wind was light and their progress had been slow.

"They'll have a nice yarn to pitch into their friends when they return," observed Terence.

"They stood a good chance of pitching into us," replied Andy grimly.

"The rascals!"

For his mind was still sore on the subject of the scuttled yawl.

On arriving at the fence Andy put down his load, and producing a key unlocked the door. The s.p.a.ce without the cave was deserted.

"Strange," muttered Andy. "Blight is generally anxious for his food."

Carefully relocking the door, the lads made their way to the mouth of the cave. Here, too, silence reigned.

"Blight! Where are you?"

There was no answer. Andy repeated the call, but without result.

"Is he asleep, or is he dead?" asked Terence, and gripping their pistols the two lads entered the cave.

Contrasted with the brilliant sunshine without, the apartment seemed plunged into utter darkness, but by degrees the lads' eyes grew accustomed to the gloom.

"Be careful," whispered Andy. "Perhaps he's up to some of his tricks."

"You locked the door in the fence?"

"Yes."

"Then let us explore the cave thoroughly."

This they did, penetrating into the cavern and examining every recess as they advanced, till the daylight which filtered in was insufficient to allow them to continue their search.

"Where's his lamp? I know the pater let him have one."

"I saw it on a ledge close to the entrance. Have you any matches?"

Andy had; matches were becoming scarce on McKay's Island, and whenever possible a burning gla.s.s was used for obtaining fire. Being, in this case, without his magnifying gla.s.s, Andy had to use one of the precious h.o.a.rd of matches that he kept in a watertight gun-metal case, and lighting the lamp the two explorers resumed their search.

"He's gone right enough," exclaimed Terence, as they "drew blank."

"But where? And how?"

"Goodness only knows. Let's run back and tell the others."

Mr. McKay was greatly upset at the news, and seizing a light rifle he strode off towards the prisoner's quarters, accompanied by the three lads.

"Did you leave the door open?" he inquired, as they came in sight of the fence.

"Yes," replied Andy. "I was in a hurry to tell you, and what does it matter now that the man has escaped?"

"For all we know he might have been lying concealed within the fence the whole time you were looking for him, and finding the door unlocked after you left he coolly walked out. Andy, I'm surprised at such carelessness."

It was seldom that Mr. McKay was annoyed with his son, but the apparent laxity was enough to justify his displeasure.

With Blight roaming about the island, the existence of the others would be a continual round of anxiety. The man was no ordinary criminal. He was versed in all the wiles of the savage life, possessed of considerable strength, skill, and reliance, and was not above resorting to treachery and murder to gain his ends.

A careful examination of the outside of the fence revealed no signs of a burrow under the iron sheeting, but close to the part of the wall that touched the cliff there were unmistakable signs of a man's feet.

"There you are! He did not escape by the door after all, Andy,"

remarked his father. "See, these two footprints close together show us that he jumped, and, what is more, jumped skilfully, for there are no traces of his heels. We'll find out how he scaled the fence by examining the other side."

Entering the door, the gaolers found that Blight had cut a number of niches in the rock and had thus managed to climb to the top of the fence. The cutting of these footholds must have taken a considerable time, and in spite of the daily examination of the ground for any sign of a tunnel, the niches had escaped observation.

"You see how he hoodwinked us," said Mr. McKay, pointing to the little heap of dried gra.s.s and mud. "He dug out those footholds and filled them up with gra.s.s and clay, so that they presented the same appearance as the rest of the cliff. Now, lads, we must find him, and the sooner the better."

Accordingly they returned to the house, where Terence was told off to remain on guard with Quexo in the event of the escaped prisoner breaking in and securing arms. The mulatto, though far from having recovered from his injuries, was strong enough to use a pistol, so the two could hold the dwelling-house against a surprise.

Having supplied themselves with enough provisions for the day, the two McKays and Ellerton set out on the trail of the fugitive. Mr. McKay and his son took rifles and revolvers and also an axe to "blaze" the palm-trees, while Ellerton, by reason of his damaged arm, carried a revolver only in addition to his canvas knapsack containing his share of provisions.