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Stout, Rex, 1886-1975

"Under the Andes"


We found ourselves now in a veritable maze of lanes and
cross-passages, and we turned to one side or the other at every
opportunity. At length I grasped Harry by the arm and stopped
him. We stood for two full minutes listening intently. There was
absolutely no sound of any kind.
"Thank Heaven!" Harry breathed, and would have fallen to the
ground if I had not supported him.
We started out then in search of water, moving slowly and
cautiously. But we found none, and soon Harry declared that he
could go no further. We sat down with our backs against the wall
of the passage, still breathing heavily and all but exhausted.
In that darkness and silence the minutes passed into hours. We
talked but little, and then only in whispers. Finally Harry fell
into a restless sleep, if it may be called that, and several
times I dozed off and was awakened by my head nodding against the
stone wall.
At length, finding Harry awake, I urged him to his feet. His
knee barely supported his weight, but he gritted his teeth and
told me to lead on.
"We can wait--" I began; but he broke in savagely:
"No! I want to find her, that's all--and end it.


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