Page:Off For Hawaii.djvu/121

Rh My proposition was instantly accepted, and we turned to our left, reaching the cliff's edge a few minutes later. Here we paused, then gave a cry, at the same time crouching low and hurling several heavy rocks down into the valley below.

The natives had neared the cliff at a distance of sixty yards south of us. They heard our cry and the crashing of the rocks, and immediately came to a halt.

"Now, move back as silently as cats," I whispered, "and don't show your heads above the grass or brush," and I set the example.

"I understand," whispered Oliver. "Dan and I went through this in Luzon."

No more was said,, and in five minutes we had covered a distance of fifty yards. Reaching a hollow thick with wild berry bushes, we worked our way into it and remained silent.

We heard the natives come swiftly along the edge of the cliff until they gained the point where we had executed our ruse. Here they halted, while one of their number let himself down over the brink. A whispered talk followed, of which we heard but little and understood less.

"I wonder if they will spot our horses?" whispered Oliver.

"Hardly, unless they branch off to the northward. So far they must be a good distance from the beasts."