Lone pine five, p.14
Lone Pine Five, page 14
"Hold my torch," Charles snapped at Jenny. "Shine it down on the water and keep it steady," and he began to uncoil his rope and fasten one end of it round his own waist.
Peter flopped on her knees beside David and put her hands on his shoulders. He was leaning over the edge of the rocky ledge, without a thought of his own danger, and doing his best to encourage the children below. When David turned his head, saw Peter and heard that Charles was here with a rope, he gave her a smile which she never forgot and a "Thanks, Pete."
"Hold on, kids," David yelled. "We'll have you up in a sec. Charles is here."
"Do hurry, Charles darling," came Mary's plaintive cry. "The water is trying to drag us into it. It's pulling all the time."
"I'll take the strain, David," Charles shouted. "Will you go down on the end of the rope and fix it to each of 'em in turn? Better hurry."
In a few seconds David was lowered into the water, which was now over two feet deep, until his feet touched the beach. He knotted the rope round his sister and yelled, "Haul away!"
Up went Mary to safety and down came the rope again for Dickie, who tried to argue that Percy ought to go next as he was the visitor! But he had to go because he was next youngest, and then came the turn of the snivelling Percy.
It was while he was giving Percy a push from below that David felt the swirling water pulling at him more fiercely. For some time now he had realized that the river emptying itself into the pool almost certainly found its way out again through an underground channel below the level of the rock ledge. It was obvious, too, that much more water was coming in than was flowing out.
Down came the rope again and Charles shouted, "Buck up, David. Don't be afraid to hold on to the rope. Tom and Peter and I are all hanging on."
Then up he came, easily enough, and was just trying to wring some of the water out of his trousers when Jenny swung round the beam of Charles's torch and shouted, "What's happening to the water? Over there! By that ledge."
As they watched, the water heaved and boiled as if some subterranean monster was stirring in his sleep.
"It's going to overflow across that ledge," Peter cried. "I'm sure it is... And some of the rock is breaking up under the strain... It's like a dam breaking."
"Back to the cave," Charles shouted urgently. "Twins first - carry that dog, Mary. I think we've found the underground river of Greystone, which is going to rise and flood the valley and plenty more besides. Those people camping at the bottom had better move quickly, and we must warn Wilkins and Ringway."
As soon as they had squeezed through the narrow opening into the main gallery, and left the horrible sound of rushing water behind them, David and Peter raced ahead into the cave where Mr Wilkins turned and looked at them in astonishment.
"We've got them, Mr Wilkins," Peter shouted. "It's all right now. They're safe, but Charles says we must warn the Smithsons at the bottom of the dingle."
The old man looked bewildered, and when David snapped, "Where's the chap you've brought with you and your car?" he came forward and pointed down the valley. The rain, ironically enough, had stopped now, and it was a little lighter as the rest of the party rushed out of the cave behind them. Charles pushed through the crowd of children, nodded and smiled to Mr Wilkins, and then looked anxiously up the valley. Tom, just behind him, shouted and pointed over his shoulder.
Some forty yards up the dingle, the very ground was moving. As they watched they saw some stones shift, a tuft of heather slide over sideways, and then, with a muffled roar, a flood of brown water broke out of the ground.
"That's it!" Charles shouted. "I never believed it, but there it is! The secret river of Greystone!" and then, as he turned and called something to Mr Wilkins, Peter remembered his previous warning, and dashed down the little track from the plateau just as the first uprush of water gathered itself up like an animal preparing to spring. Before the others realized what was happening, she was in the dingle, running with all her strength to warn Mr Ringway and the Smithsons of the peril at her heels. David raced after her but she had a good start, and when he reached the level the flood caught him. He felt the water cold over his shoes, and then saw it surge past him. A heavy stone crashed against his ankle and he stumbled and fell, face forward, in the water. He spat out some mud as he struggled to his feet again and was just in time to see Peter caught in the same way. Dimly he heard Charles roar out a fresh warning from somewhere behind him, and then a new rush of water swept him off his feet. He struck out wildly and, to his astonishment and fear, found himself out of his depth. David could swim well enough - though not so well as Peter - and after the first shock found himself being carried forward on the crest of the flood. In a few seconds he was swept round a rock and, where the valley widened, saw Peter struggling ashore about twenty yards ahead. At his shout she turned, recognized him, and plunged back into the water. Spluttering and laughing excitedly, she grabbed his arm, and then they both staggered out on to higher ground,
"What did you do that for, you chump?" Peter gasped. "Did you dive off the top?"
"I came after you, you idiot. What did you think you could do by dashing off like that by yourself?"
Once again Peter pointed ahead and David saw a small man standing on a rock which disappeared for a moment in a cloud of spray as it was struck by the torrent.
"That must be Mr Ringway," Peter said, "and there goes his car! Come on, David. We must try and warn the Smithsons." But as they ran they realized that they had little chance of beating the water, and when they came to the clearing, exhausted and breathless they saw that the water had spread out somewhat, but had been strong enough to swing the caravan sideways and swamp a tent and knock it flat. The car, with Mr and Mrs Smithson, their feet under water, standing disconsolately beside it, looked unharmed. Although the flood was comparatively shallow here, the new river was flowing down fast and steadily and, owing to the lie of the land, split into two streams just by the car. The first was already making a new bed for itself as it tore across the soft ground and pine needles on its way through the wood to the road. The other, not running nearly so fast, took a course parallel to the edge of the wood, and would doubtless make its way to the road eventually.
It was nearly dusk now as they approached the Smithsons and David said, "Good evening. I'm afraid you've had some trouble. Didn't Mr Sterling warn you when he came by this way?... Peter here nearly drowned herself trying to race the river to warn you, but the water beat us."
Mrs Smithson regarded them sullenly, while her husband had the grace to look a little abashed.
"Thanks," he said shortly. "Can't understand how all this water come down here, anyway, but there's not much damage done. Either of you two seen my kid Percy? Is he O.K.?"
"He's all right," Peter said, "but you'll find him rather wet. He's been paddling so I think it would be a good idea to get something hot ready for him and a change of clothes too. We'll send him down to you when we get back."
"But you're not going back, Peter," David said. "Someone ought to get back to Seven Gates right away and warn Mrs Sterling that we're in rather a mess. Both you and the twins must get into hot baths - "
"What about you? You're filthy, David. Absolutely disgusting."
He laughed and turned to Mr Smithson.
"Look, sir. We're all in trouble now and my friend here is wet through and cold. Will you take her in your car to a farm the other side of Barton and then see if you can get a taxi in the village to come out here right away? We're all wet and shall have to break camp, anyway, and we might as well help each other now instead of fighting."
Peter and Mrs Smithson both started talking together, but Mr Smithson let out a roar of laughter.
"You've got a nerve, my boy. That's the coolest thing I've heard for a long time, but I'll do it. Get in the car, girl, and show me the way... And you get something moving in the caravan for young Perce, my dear," he added to his bewildered wife."
"But David," Peter protested, "I can't go now. It's ridiculous. I'm all right. The twins want looking after, not me... Anyway, you can't order me about like this!"
"Can't I?" David grinned as he shut the car door. "I'm captain here, and you'll kindly obey orders. Get yourself dry and get H.Q.2 ready for us. Cheerio!"
And as the car squelched off through the mud and water between the trees, Peter sat back with glowing cheeks wondering whether, after all, it was not rather nice to be ordered about by one particular person.
David watched the car until it was out of sight and then realized that Mrs Smithson was still standing feebly in the muddy water swirling past the caravan.
"Anything I can do?" he asked. "Can't you open the door?"
She looked at him dully.
"My Percy is coming soon? Honest? He's not hurt?"
"He's wet and cold because he fell in a small lake. We'll bring him along soon, so don't worry, but you must get something hot ready for him."
She nodded and paused on the steps of the caravan. "And Uncle George? Mr Wilkins?"
"I forgot about him. He's fine, but he's staying with us," and with that parting shot he turned and went back up the dingle. It seemed a long way to the cave, for he was tired and cold and wet. The rain started again too, just as if there wasn't enough water about already, and it was nearly dark when he passed Mr Ringway's deserted car and whistled the peewit call. As soon as he had rounded the corner he had to wade again through the rushing water, but he was certain that the current was not now so strong. He looked up towards the cave, saw the gleam of flames and heard the hum of voices.
Jenny was the first to see him as he climbed wearily up the track to the little plateau, but the others crowded round him with questions as he went up to the welcome fire. He told them what he had done and that Peter had gone off to Seven Gates to prepare for them, and then flopped down by the fire and thankfully took the cup of steaming cocoa that Charles passed him.
"That was good work, David. Downright sensible. We're packing up as fast as we can and the twins and young Percy here are dry and warm again. Mr Ringway's car won't start, so we can't do anything about that till tomorrow. We'll come back then to clear up this mess."
"But if it stops raining, which I doubt," Tom said, "then this camp is still all right. Don't let's give up yet. I don't suppose Mr Wilkins and Mr Ringway want to give up searching, anyway."
Mr Ringway beamed on the company while Mr Wilkins, in very decided tones, remarked, "Certainly not. I shall be back here tomorrow in the hope that the flood will have abated. But this is no place now for any of us, and as soon as this lad is warm and rested a little, I suggest we get back to the road."
"Good enough," Charles said. "And I hope you two gentlemen will honour us at Seven Gates tonight. Mr Ringway can telephone from there, and we can get a man from the garage on to his car tomorrow. Are we ready?"
It was a bedraggled and strange-looking procession that set out down the dingle ten minutes later, and when the party reached the clearing and the lights of the caravan glowed through the dark, Charles turned and called David.
"Car's not back, David. We'll go straight through to the road... Except Percy, of course. I can see his mother waiting for him."
There was an awkward pause, then Charles and Mr Ringway led the way into the wood and Mr Wilkins said, "Go to your mother, boy."
Tom, David and Jenny turned away from him when he snivelled, but Mary went up to him and said, "Maybe we're quits now, Percy."
Dickie flashed the light from his torch on to the boy's face, but all he said was, "Come on, twin. Let's go," and as the Lone Piners went off between the trees, the boy Percy stumbled and splashed blindly across to the caravan, knowing that never before in his spoiled and selfish life had he felt so miserable and lonely.
As the last stragglers reached the road they were almost blinded by the headlights of Smithson's great car and of another just behind.
"Good old Peter!" David said. "Here comes the taxi too," and when Smithson had pulled up he went across and said, "Thank you, sir. Your boy is safe back again and Mr Wilkins is staying with us. Good night!"
It must have been a long time since anyone had spoken to Mr Smithson like this, and he was so surprised that he merely nodded and turned the car into the wood.
The journey to Seven Gates was made in two relays - first Tom and the twins with Jenny, who got out at the post office, thinking it as well to tell her parents that she was safe and sound, and arranged for the driver to pick her up on his next journey when he brought David and the three men.
At Seven Gates all was orderly excitement. When the first party arrived, Peter, in a borrowed dressing-gown of her aunt's, was sitting in the great kitchen, toasting her toes by the roaring fire and sipping something hot from a glass. Her father and Uncle Micah, both smoking their pipes, were listening to her affectionately when Tom, the twins and Macbeth came in. But the twins were not allowed to stay long, for Mrs Sterling pounced on them and bustled them, protestingly, upstairs.
"No arguments and no nonsense, and it's no use appealing to Uncle Micah, Mary. Hot baths for you both and then hot drinks in a hot bed."
"Not bed!" Dickie wailed indignantly. "You can't put us to bed. It's not time yet, and we've only just got here - " and then his plaint was cut short by the slamming of a door and the gush of running water.
The rest of the party arrived half an hour later with a radiant Jenny looking particularly nice in a bright green dress.
"Hello, Peter darling. Hello, Tom, and good evening both Mr Sterlings," she began in her inimitable way. "I've told them at home that I shan't be home tonight. That was right, wasn't it? When we crossed the yard I saw a light in the barn, so I s'pose we are going back there, aren't we?"
"Uncle Micah lit the stove and the lamp for us, Jenny," Peter replied, "so we can all have supper there presently. Hello, David. You look pretty wet and miserable. Next for the bath, you!"
An hour later all the Lone Piners, except the twins, were round their own stove, while the rain beat on the roof and filled again the huge puddles in the farmyard.
"The twins are livid with rage," Jenny was saying. "I went up to see them, but your Aunt Carol says she will lock them in if they get out of bed and try to come down... What are we going to do tomorrow?"
David yawned and stretched out his tired legs.
"The grown-ups are talking it over now," he said, "I s'pose that if it stops raining Mr Wilkins will want to go back to the dingle, and if he does we've promised to help him, but I'm sick of the sight of it."
"I'd like to explore that cave again and see if the waterfall is still there," Tom said. "I can hardly believe all that happened only a few hours ago. I'm dead tired now, anyway, so let's not worry about tomorrow until it happens. What about bed, David?"
"Are you coming up now, Peter?" Jenny asked.
"I nearly promised Aunt Carol I'd sleep indoors tonight, but I knew I couldn't really do that, so it wasn't a real promise," Peter replied.
And as they both snuggled into their sleeping-bags a few minutes later, the only sound was the relentless tattoo of rain on the roof and the rush of water in the gutters.
12. Treasure Trove
As the sun climbed up the eastern sky above the Stiperstones the following morning and lit the old brown tiles on the roof of H.Q.2, Jenny, still in her sleeping-bag, stirred and began to dream.
She dreamed of something she had never seen in her short lifetime, and never could see either. At first she was lying in hot sunshine on the turf of a little hill overlooking a straight, white road which stretched away into the distance. Although she did not recognize the countryside, the outline of a whale-backed hill with some irregular piles of rocks on the summit in the distance seemed vaguely familiar. Then she saw a cloud of dust far down the road, and soon the cloud was stabbed with shafts of light, as if the sun was glinting on bright metal.
And so it was, for as she watched, spellbound on her little hill, a company of soldiers in unfamiliar uniform came marching towards her. They sang as they came swinging along with great strides - a song the words of which Jenny could not recognize. Each soldier carried a gleaming shield and a long spear, and wore plated armour which shone like bronze and a kilt which looked as if it might be made of metal strips. Their brown legs were bare except for shin-guards and sandals. And on the proud head of each was a great helmet, with a heavy chinpiece and a scarlet comb of stiff horsehair that flickered in the wind. Then, rather like the television, this picture faded into another, which was harder to understand. It was dusk now, in a valley overshadowed by gaunt hills, and some sort of low house was blazing fiercely. Men and women, dressed in a style which Jenny did not recognize, were running round the burning building, and some had bundles in their arms. The picture changed again to a kicking baby in a woman's arms, and somehow in this picture her own strange silver spoon kept intruding. And with this vision still in her mind she woke and found herself clutching her spoon, which she was still wearing round her neck.
Peter was still sleeping quietly beside her and did not even stir as Jenny slipped out of her sleeping-bag and dressed. Very carefully and quietly she crept down the ladder into the great barn. David was still asleep in his cubicle, as was Tom in his bedroom next door. Jenny bent over Tom closely and squeezed the lobe of his ear between her finger and thumb and whispered, "Wake up, Tom... Quietly... Please wake quickly, Tom!" He stirred, rolled over and tried to sit up as he recognized her. She put a finger to her lips.
"Please, Tom," she breathed, "don't wake David, but do please dress and come outside. I want you. I've got an idea."
He was with her in three minutes, but still looked sleepy, tousled and bewildered.
"What's wrong now, Jen? And why all this hush business?"
"Tom! Isn't it a gorgeous morning?"
"Maybe it is, but why get me up to show me?"
Jenny kicked a stone idly into a puddle and then looked up at him under her lashes.
