here easy enough until help comes. When I get safely hid
away I'll see to it that the British gover'ment learns about
where ye be; for the life of me I couldn't tell 'em exactly
where, for I don't know myself. But they'll find ye all right."

After he had left them they went silently below, each
wrapped in gloomy forebodings.

Clayton did not believe that Black Michael had the slightest
intention of notifying the British government of their
whereabouts, nor was he any too sure but that some treachery
was contemplated for the following day when they should
be on shore with the sailors who would have to accompany
them with their belongings.

Once out of Black Michael's sight any of the men might strike
them down, and still leave Black Michael's conscience clear.

And even should they escape that fate was it not but to be
faced with far graver dangers? Alone, he might hope to survive
for years; for he was a strong, athletic man.

But what of Alice, and that other little life so soon to be
launched amidst the hardships and grave dangers of a primeval world?

The man shuddered as he meditated upon the awful gravity,
the fearful helplessness, of their situation. But it was a
merciful Providence which prevented him from foreseeing
the hideous reality which awaited them in the grim depths of
that gloomy wood.