'A short distance from the dwelling,' Nancy explained, 'a dam has
been put before this stream, and it runs through a channel which they
cut for it into Silent Lake.'
The two explorers now reached a point well lighted, and turning up
his eyes Roland observed a number of holes in the roofing.
'Ah; this is a treacherous spot,'
'Yes; and from here nearly to the end of the passage the roof is
much like that. It was all along here that the men who came into the
bush fell through; and as they fell the old woman, Poll, and The
Lifter despatched them with clubs. Did you never wonder why we are
risky enough to light fires by night and assemble by day on the open
ground?'
'I have thought that the risk was great, indeed; but I had no way of
accounting for it.'
'Well, it is impossible for anybody to approach without having to
cross this tunnel at its dangerous part. Why, the very day before you
came amongst us, some young man, after woodcock in the swamp, strayed
down this way, saw water glimmering beyond him and walked towards it.
He fell through, sir, at this very place. His leg was broken by the
fall, and he moaned very loudly.
Pages:
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124