We were apparently left alone, but not for long. From two stone
stairways immediately in front of us, which evidently led to the
alcove above, came forth a crowd of rushing forms. In an instant
they were upon us; but if they expected resistance they were
disappointed.
At the first impact we fell. And in another moment we had been
raised in their long, hairy arms and were carried swiftly from
the cavern. Scarcely five minutes had elapsed since we had first
entered it.
They did not take us far. Down a broad passage directly away
from the cavern, then a turn to the right, and again one to the
left. There they dropped us, quite as though we were bundles of
merchandise, without a word.
By this time I had fairly recovered my wits--small wonder if that
amazing scene had stunned them--and I knew what I wanted. As the
brute that had been carrying me turned to go I caught his arm. He
hesitated, and I could feel his eyes on me, for we were again in
darkness.
But he could see--I thanked Heaven for it--and I began a most
expressive pantomime, stuffing my fingers in my mouth and gnawing
at them energetically. This I alternated with the action of one
drinking from a basin.
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