We could see or hear nothing, no indication that any
one was in the passage, but we dared not look out in that
darkness. The suspense was trying enough; Harry ripped out an
impatient oath and made a movement as though to step in the
entrance, but I waved him back.
Then came the avalanche, with a suddenness and fury that nigh
overwhelmed us.
Crouching, rushing forms filled the doorway from both directions
and leaped savagely at us. After so many weary days of dull
inaction and helpless, hopeless apathy, a mad joy fired my brain
and thrilled my heart as I raised my club on high and struck a
blow for freedom and life.
That blow crushed the skull of one whose fingers were at my
throat, and he dropped like a log at my feet; but his place was
already filled. Again I swung the club; another swayed, toppling
against the doorway and leaning there with the blood streaming
from his broken head, quite dead, but held erect by the pressure
of his fellows from behind.
If the doorway had been but a foot wider we would have been
overwhelmed almost instantly. As it was, but three or four could
get to us at once, and they found the gold which their ancestors
had carried from the temples of Huanuco waiting for them.
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