CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.
TOUGH TRAVELLING.
Next morning they did not start so early, because the great plain before them was shrouded under a fog, and they waited for it to pass off.
It was not dispelled until the sun had risen in the heavens behind them, for their backs were still to the east, their route lying due westward.
During the night, and again in the morning, they had discussed the question of striking straight across the plain, or making a circuitous march around it.

When the fog at length lifted, this point was definitely settled by what they saw before and on each side of them, that the great valley plain extended both to right and left beyond the limits of their vision.

To go round it might add scores of miles and many days to their journey.

They could not think of taking such a circuitous route, even with the fear of the wild men before them; a danger Captain Redwood believed to be greatly exaggerated by the Malay, who in such matters was of a somewhat imaginative turn.

Throwing aside all thought of such an encounter, they struck down the mountain slope, determined on crossing the plain.
It was sunset when they arrived at the mountain-foot, and another night was passed there.
On the following morning they commenced the passage of the plain; which introduced them to a very different and much more difficult kind of travelling than any they had experienced since leaving the sea-coast.
Some parts of their journey, both in the ascent and descent, had been toilsome enough; but the slopes, as well as the summits, were comparatively clear of underwood.