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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/25450-h.zip b/25450-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4bc1968 --- /dev/null +++ b/25450-h.zip diff --git a/25450-h/25450-h.htm b/25450-h/25450-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8202a0e --- /dev/null +++ b/25450-h/25450-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,7697 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Rogue Elephant, by Elliott Whitney. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 1.25em; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + img {border: 0;} + .tnote {border: dashed 1px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + ins {text-decoration:none; border-bottom: thin dotted gray;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: justify;} + + .bbox {border: solid 2px; margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .unindent {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + .right {text-align: right;} + .sig {margin-right: 10%; text-align: right;} + .hang1 {text-indent: -3em; margin-left: 3em;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Rogue Elephant, by Elliott Whitney + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Rogue Elephant + The Boys' Big Game Series + +Author: Elliott Whitney + +Illustrator: Fred J. Arting + +Release Date: May 12, 2008 [EBook #25450] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROGUE ELEPHANT *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Emmy and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h3>The Boys' Big Game Series</h3> + +<h1>THE ROGUE ELEPHANT</h1> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 257px;"> +<img src="images/cov01.jpg" width="257" height="400" alt="Cover" title="Cover" /> +</div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align='left'><h2>The<br /> +Boys'<br /> +Big<br /> +Game<br /> +Series</h2><br /></td><td align='left'><img src="images/ad01.jpg" width="149" height="200" alt="Moose" title="Moose" /> +</td></tr> +</table></div> + + + + + + +<div class="blockquot"><div class='hang1'><b>THE GIANT MOOSE.</b> The monarch of the big Northwest; a story told +over camp fires in the <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'reak'">reek</ins> of cedar smoke and the silence of the barrens.</div> + +<div class='hang1'><b>THE WHITE TIGER OF NEPAL.</b> The weird story of the man-killer +of the foothills. Tinged with the mysticism of India, dramatic and +stirring.</div> + +<div class='hang1'><b>THE BLIND LION OF THE CONGO.</b> A story of the least known +part of the earth and its most feared beast. A gripping tale of the land +of the white pigmies.</div> + +<div class='hang1'><b>THE KING BEAR OF KADIAK ISLAND.</b> A tale of the bully of +the Frozen North and his mysterious guardian. A game-and-man-story +that makes a good boy-story.</div> + +<div class='hang1'><b>THE ROGUE ELEPHANT.</b> A big game hunt that leads into strange +lands and stranger adventures in a real big game country.</div> +</div><div class='center'><br /> +<i>Remarkable covers and four-color jackets. Illustrations and<br /> +cover designs by Dan Sayre Groesbeck</i><br /> +<br /> +Price 60 cents each<br /> + +—————————————————<br /> +Publishers The Reilly & Britton Co. Chicago</div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 255px;"> +<img src="images/gs01.jpg" width="255" height="400" alt="It seemed that the great beast was towering over him, reaching for him with that terrible trunk. Then he drew a careful bead on the left fore-shoulder." title="It seemed that the great beast was towering over him, reaching for him with that terrible trunk. Then he drew a careful bead on the left fore-shoulder." /> +<span class="caption">It seemed that the great beast was towering over him, reaching for him with that terrible trunk. Then he drew a careful bead on the left fore-shoulder.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p><div class='bbox'> +<h1>THE ROGUE<br /> +ELEPHANT</h1> + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2>ELLIOTT WHITNEY</h2> + +<div class='center'><br /><br /><br />Illustrated by Fred J. Arting<br /> + +<br /><br /><br /><br /> +The Reilly & Britton Co.<br /> +Chicago<br /></div></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span></p> + + + + +<div class='center'> +<small>COPYRIGHT, 1913</small><br /> +<small>by</small><br /> +<small>THE REILLY & BRITTON CO.</small><br /> +<br /> +<br /><br /><br /> +<small>THE ROGUE ELEPHANT</small><br /></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p> + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + + + + + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Table of Contents"> +<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><small>CHAPTER</small></td><td align='right'><small>PAGE</small></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>I</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Chance "Out"</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_9">9</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>II</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Off for the Front</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_21">21</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>III</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Quilqua the Mysterious</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_33">33</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IV</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Making Ready</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_46">46</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>V</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The First Hunt</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_59">59</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VI</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Mount Kenia</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_71">71</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Elephant</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_83">83</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VIII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Reconnaissance</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_95">95</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IX</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Into the Unknown</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_108">108</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>X</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Mowbray's End</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_120">120</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XI</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Desert Trek</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_133">133</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Deserted Land</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_145">145</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Desperate Battle</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_158">158</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIV</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Lake of Mystery</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_170">170</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XV</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">"Under the Left Gate-Post"</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_182">182</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVI</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Selim Shows His Teeth</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_194">194</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Fresh Spoor</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_206">206</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVIII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Lost!</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_218">218</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIX</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Rogue Elephant</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_230">230</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XX</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Back Trail</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_242">242</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span></p> + +<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="List of Illustrations"> +<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'>It seemed that the great beast was towering over him, reaching for him with that terrible trunk. Then he drew a careful bead on the left fore-shoulder.</div></td><td align='right'><i><a href="#Page_4">Frontispiece</a></i></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'>Everything else was forgotten in the novel method of riding.</div></td><td align='right'><i><a href="#Page_54">Page 54</a></i></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'>For the man, just as he relapsed into unconsciousness, murmured four words: "Help—me debbil man!"</div></td><td align='right'><i><a href="#Page_118">Page 118</a></i></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><div class='hang1'>One slash of the knife, and out trickled a little stream of yellow grains into the brown fist of the explorer.</div></td><td align='right'><i><a href="#Page_192">Page 192</a></i></td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span></p> + +<h2>The Rogue Elephant</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>A CHANCE "OUT"</h3> + + +<p>"You are so crazy as a loon! Boys? Boys to +such a drip dake? Nein!"</p> + +<p>Von Hofe excitedly pounded the table until the +attendants at the Explorers' Club stared. Then +he leaned back determinedly and lighted his meerschaum. +The lean, bronzed man who sat opposite +pushed away his maps with a smile.</p> + +<p>"You misunderstand, von Hofe. I know both +these boys personally and vouch for them. You +have agreed that this is to be no milk-and-water +trip, with hundreds of porters bearing bath tubs +and toilet water, but that we shall live off the land +as we go. That right?"</p> + +<p>The German nodded amid a cloud of smoke.</p> + +<p>"You want me to take you into the elephant +country and shoot your specimens. I have agreed +to do this. I know Africa and I can do it. You +are paying the expenses of the trip, but that is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> +immaterial. If we hitch up, von Hofe, it will be +on the understanding that I am in command of +this expedition; that I choose those I want to go +along, and that you are with me to prepare your +specimens and nothing else. Now you can take it +or leave it—that's final."</p> + +<p>The elderly German paused before replying, +the two men searching each other's faces quietly. +As most people have it, the famous Dr. Gross von +Hofe was a "taxidermist." The average "stuffer," +the man who simply covers and replaces the +bones of the specimen with excelsior or cotton, is +properly named taxidermist, but von Hofe was an +artist, known the world over for his wonderful +work. In various museums of the world you may +see his models, signed like the masterpieces of +other artists, of rare and disappearing animals +from the distant quarters of the earth, frozen in +action, with the setting of the trees, grass, sand +or water of their native haunts.</p> + +<p>The other, somewhat younger than the famous +artist in skin and bone, was an American of German +descent—Louis Schoverling. He was one +of that little class of world-wanderers, who have +barely enough money to carry them about the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +earth's strange places, hunting and exploring, +gradually pushing the frontier of civilization back +into the savage quarters of the world, and most +happy when self-dependent and forced to rely on +gun or hook for a day's meal.</p> + +<p>So when Dr. von Hofe was commissioned by +two celebrated museums to visit East Africa and +secure for each a family group of elephants—tusker +bull, calf, and cow—it was natural that he +should come to the New York Explorers' Club for +a helper and guide. There he had picked on +Louis Schoverling—or "the General," as his fellow-explorers +had laughingly dubbed him after +the failure of a certain South American revolution—to +take him to the tuskers. Dr. von Hofe +was not a hunter and he knew it. So Schoverling +had agreed to go, not for the money in the trip, +but for the excitement of it.</p> + +<p>"I see," returned the big German at last, +"why your comrades call you 'the General.' +You are right. You shall take whom you like, und +if I say you are crazy as a loon, it makes no difference. +You are satisfied?"</p> + +<p>"Quite," laughed the American. "When do +we start?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Three weeks from to-day," returned the +other, whose English was perfect save in moments +of excitement. "I have a group to finish for the +Metropolitan here. Then we go."</p> + +<p>"All right. I'll meet you up here three weeks +from to-day, with my friends, at twelve sharp."</p> + +<p>Such was the interesting prelude to the letter +which came to Charlie Collins at Calgary, Canada, +five days later. Charlie was one of the boys +whom the General had proposed to take with him +to Africa. Born in Nova Scotia, he had tramped +his way across the continent at the age of seventeen, +when his father died. Catching the Peace +River fever he had made his way back to Calgary, +then up to Peace River Landing, where he went +to work to make enough money to turn homesteader. +At this juncture Schoverling had met +him while on a hunting trip. The General had +become keenly interested in the boy, whose ambitions +were high. Charlie was accustomed to depending +on himself, which caught the explorer's +fancy. He had knocked the homesteading notion +out of Charlie's head and got him a position at +Calgary, where he was now learning the trade of +electrician.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p> + +<p>So when Charlie walked into the office on that +Saturday morning and found a bulky letter from +the Explorers' Club, he tore it open in keen anticipation. +For five minutes he stood reading in +amazement; then he uttered a yell that brought +the eyes of the office force down on him, and rushed +to the paymaster's desk.</p> + +<p>"Give me my time, Mr. Clarke!" he cried, his +gray eyes and pleasant, healthy face denoting +high excitement. "I've got to quit right off!"</p> + +<p>"What's the matter? Fallen heir to a million?" +laughed the man behind the window, who +was used to his men quitting at a moment's +notice.</p> + +<p>"Better than that! Jumping sandhills! I'm +going to Africa!" almost shouted the boy, as he +grabbed his pay envelope and put for the door.</p> + +<p>"Hey! Better take your hat!" shouted some +one, and Charlie made a quick return for his forgotten +headgear, then vanished. When he found +himself in his boarding-house room with the door +locked, he flung off his coat and settled down to +read over once more the wonderful letter. It was +written in the customary vein of the explorer—as +if he was talking to his reader.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span></p> + +<p>"<i>My dear Charlie:</i>—</p> + +<p>"<i>Draw your time and beat it for New York. +Meet me at the Explorers' Club at noon of the +22nd. Bring Jack Sawtooth ditto. You don't +know him but you will soon. We're going to +Africa—sail the night of the 22nd, so hump +yourself, old man!</i></p> + +<p>"<i>First for the expedition. Remember asking +me once why all explorers couldn't live off the +land, as we did up the Mackenzie that winter? I +said then that it could be done, and you're going +to help prove me right in Africa. We're going to +hunt elephant—not where you get them driven +up while you sit in a camp-chair, either. We're +going after bulls, rogues, the big fellows who live +solitary, soured on life in general. We have to +get two at least, for museums.</i></p> + +<p>"<i>Never mind an outfit. Don't need your snowshoes, +of course. Jack will bring some knee-high +moosehide moccasins—no machine-made junk, +either. I'm getting the guns. Bring six of those +Canadian lynx or fox steel traps. Can't seem to +find 'em here, and they'll be useful.</i></p> + +<p>"<i>Have wired and written Sawtooth. He's a +quarter-breed—hold on, old scout! Wait till he</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +<i>looks you up; Sunday, I expect. Jack is seventeen, +looks like a white—and is white clear +through. Next to you he's the hardiest and gamest +ever. Got me skinned a mile on the trail. +Educated at the Mission School. You'll like him. +He's not sensitive on his blood, but rather proud +of it.</i>"</p> + +<p><ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Charley'">Charlie</ins> paused and grinned to himself. He did +not share the prejudice of a "tenderfoot" +against the half-breeds. He knew well enough +that as in any race a good, manly Cree or Salteaux +was rather above the average white man in point +of character.</p> + +<p>"<i>Jack has to get down from Mirror Landing, +so give him a couple of days' leeway. You have +plenty of time, I judge. Better fetch H. B. C. +blankets; nights are cold in Africa, and we might +strike into the mountains. The trip doesn't +promise any more than expenses, but there is +always a chance that we can trade or clean up on +a bit of ivory. Once we get together we can go +over the route and all that. However, the experience +is worth while, and it's the best kind of an +education. If we pull out ahead of the game you</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +<i>may have a stake to start in some kind of business +for yourself.</i></p> + +<p>"<i>Check enclosed to cover expenses to New +York. Don't buy any gold bricks when you strike +Broadway! And don't let Jack scalp anyone on +board the Overland.</i></p> + +<div class='right'> +<span style="margin-right: 4em;">"<i>Yours in haste,</i></span><br /> +"<i>Louis Schoverling.</i>"<br /> +</div> + +<p>Charlie slowly folded up the letter and stared +out of the window for a moment.</p> + +<p>"Jumping sandhills!" he murmured softly, +and turned to where "the General" hung +framed on his wall. "What a prince of a friend +you are to a fellow! I guess I'll give you a bit +of a surprise myself, just the same!"</p> + +<p>Eight months before, when Schoverling had +gone "out," as the saying is up there, he had left +Charlie in Calgary. The boy had little knowledge +of the ways of the city, but after parting with his +new-found friend he had thrown himself into his +new life, grimly determined that he would make +good. And he had. In the day he had worked at +his new trade, in the evening he had plugged away +at night-school, making up for lost time. He had +doffed his flannel shirt and timber boots for the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> +garb of the city, and as he looked at himself in the +glass that morning he grinned again.</p> + +<p>The next day Jack Sawtooth showed up, tired +out, fresh from the wilderness. He had received +the General's telegram three days before, had +not stopped for the letter following, but had said +farewell to his father and joined a freight sledge +down to Athabasca Landing, to seek out Charlie +at Calgary.</p> + +<p>"Glad to meet you," exclaimed Charlie when +his visitor was dubiously announced by his landlady. +The Cree boy was lithe, straight as an arrow, +open-browed and keen of eye, with none of +the somber gravity of his Indian blood. "I +hardly thought you'd get here so quickly."</p> + +<p>"I didn't know what was up," smiled Jack. +"Say, this is a neat little room! Where did you +get the bead-work? Why, you must be an old-timer! +Mr. Schoverling has not written me very +often, and only mentioned you a few times."</p> + +<p>"I've knocked around quite a bit," admitted +Charlie, glancing at the Indian bead-work and the +pictures of camp and trail that hung on his wall. +"Don't you know where we're going?"</p> + +<p>The other shook his head.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We're going elephant hunting in Africa," +laughed Charlie. Jack stared at him.</p> + +<p>"Africa? Say, Collins, don't try to give me +heart-failure that way! What is it now, honest?"</p> + +<p>"You wait," chuckled Charlie, bringing out the +explorer's letter and reading over all that related +to the trip. Not until Jack had set eyes on it himself +would he believe that Charlie was in earnest. +Then he sat back and stared again.</p> + +<p>"Me—in Africa! Great Scott, am I dreaming +or just crazy? Does he mean it?"</p> + +<p>Charlie produced the good-sized check in evidence, +and Jack's amazement soon gave way to +calm acceptance of the situation.</p> + +<p>"Then we'll go to Africa, unless I wake up and +find myself snowed in somewhere along the trap +line. When do we go?"</p> + +<p>"Catch the Overland to-night, if you're ready," +returned Charlie promptly. Jack gave a single +glance at the other's neat clothing and shook his +head.</p> + +<p>"Not much. I got enough attention coming +through town," and he pointed to the jack he had +deposited in the corner. "Look here, Chuck," he +fell readily into the common abbreviation for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> +Charlie then prevalent, "you fit me out with a +rig like yours, in the morning. You know the +ropes and I don't. Then I'll pack up those heavy +moccasins I brought along and we can take the +train to-morrow night. No great rush, is there?"</p> + +<p>"Guess not," grinned Charlie, inwardly delighted +at the good sense of his new comrade. +"But we'll probably get an outfit in New York. +Look here, Jack, I got a new suit of rough tweed +last week, and won't need it now. If you don't +mind, you could have that as well as not. We're +built about the same. Hang on to the hickory +shirt, though. We'll probably use 'em. In the +meantime I've got enough reg'lar shirts to hold +us, and we can dig out on the train to-night if you +say."</p> + +<p>"Suits me," answered Jack, beaming. "I'm +much obliged, old man, for helping me out! Now +I'll have to drop dad a note telling him about it, +and can write him later from the train. Got any +paper handy?"</p> + +<p>With much interest Charlie watched the other +scribble a hasty note in <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'wierd'">weird</ins>-looking characters. +Jack explained that his father could read the +Cree writing-language invented by Bishop Grouard,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +but not English. The more Charlie saw of +his new friend, the better he liked him, and the +two boys soon fell into a close friendship that was +destined to be tested by land and sea, in more +ways than either of them imagined.</p> + +<p>"Dad will have a fit when he reads that," +laughed Jack. "He'd trust me anywhere with +Mr. Schoverling, though. They used to know +each other when Schoverling was in the Hudsons +Bay Company, years ago. Where'll you cash that +check?"</p> + +<p>"Hotel," returned Charlie. "They know me +at the Alberta."</p> + +<p>Jack was soon fixed up with "store clothes," +the traps and moccasins were packed in two grips, +Charlie arranged with his landlady to pack up his +stuff and store it for him, and that night the two +went "out"—aboard the Limited that would +bear them across the continent.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>OFF FOR THE FRONT</h3> + + +<p>The enthusiastic boys reached New York long +before the three weeks were up, but the General—as +they came to call him, like everyone else—was +not in evidence. He had left letters for them +at the Explorers' Club, however, and had arranged +for them to get a room there until his +arrival.</p> + +<p>At two minutes to twelve some days later he +stepped out of the elevator and entered the library, +where Charlie and Jack were waiting in no little +dismay. The meeting was a joyful one all around.</p> + +<p>"Me?" laughed the General, in answer to +their rapid-fire questions. "Oh, I've been in +Washington, getting some letters to pave the way +for us. But where's von Hofe? He was to meet +us at noon."</p> + +<p>"Well, is he not here?" came a heavy voice +from behind, and von Hofe entered with a broad +smile on his bearded face. "You did not say five +minutes before the hour, or one minute after the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +hour, so that I came on the hour—ach! Let go +mine hant! I am a man, not a wood or stone +image!"</p> + +<p>Neither Charlie nor Jack had known, of course, +who was behind the expedition, for the General +had omitted any mention of von Hofe in his haste. +But as it chanced, Charlie had been reading an +article that morning which described the wonderful +work done by von Hofe, and his contributions +to science. So, when Schoverling introduced him, +the astonished Charlie let out his accustomed +expression, as he shook hands.</p> + +<p>"Jumping sandhills! Are you the chap I was +reading about this morning—the man who makes +photos and sketches of animals before they're +shot an' then mounts 'em the same way? Was it +you who swiped the skin of a sacred white elephant +out o' Siam, an'—"</p> + +<p>"Ach, what liars these newspapers are!" +But the steel-blue eyes twinkled forth from +beneath the bushy yellow-gray brows, and +Charlie's heart leaped as he realized that this +great man must be going with them.</p> + +<p>"You are not such foolish looking boys," +decided the German, nodding his head. "Herr<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> +Schoverling, they haf the look in the eyes, the +look of the dependable-upon men. I apologize. +You are not crazy as a loon. Now we haf much to +talk over, and we are hungry, I hope?"</p> + +<p>"We certainly are," smiled the General, leading +the way toward a private dining room which +was reserved for them. Jack whispered delightedly +in his friend's ear as they followed, +"You catch-um that beard?"</p> + +<p>Charlie grinned at the Chinook expression and +nodded.</p> + +<p>"He's a peach, Jack! Say, we're goin' to have +the time of our lives, believe me!"</p> + +<p>Luncheon was devoted to story-telling. Schoverling +related tales of his adventures when he +had joined the H. B. C. in Canada as a boy, serving +his four years; the doctor jovially gave the +story of certain adventures in South Africa, and +Jack chipped in with a relation of Indian legend +from the far north, relating to the mammoths +which were said to be still alive somewhere in the +frozen regions. This last, which was backed up +by the explorer, interested von Hofe immensely; +but at length the meal was done with, the table +cleared, and they were alone with their coffee.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p> + +<p>Schoverling drew forth a huge map, which he +spread out on the table. On it was a route heavily +marked in red ink, and he pointed to this as he +spoke.</p> + +<p>"I got this map from a friend of mine, in Washington +at present, who was up there last year +stealing ivory. It's not considered at all bad, +boys, among a certain class of hunters, to make a +raid into the protected regions and loot all the +tusks they can get. Well, this is the latest map of +British East Africa, divested of all that is thrown +in by chaps who like to fill up blank spaces with +names.</p> + +<p>"Down here south and east of Lake Rudolph, +you see, is the Northern Game Preserve. It is +more or less indefinite, extending up to the Abyssinian +border. This chap I'm speaking of went +dead across it, as you can see. Incidentally, he +landed in Abyssinia, which is another story.</p> + +<p>"Now, Dr. von Hofe and I have secured permits +to get the beasts we are after for scientific +purposes. Coming back to the Uganda Railway, +here is Nairobi, you see. We'll go just where this +friend of mine went—on to Nakuro, then up to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> +the Leikipia hills and through them into the Game +Preserve—"</p> + +<p>"To Abyssinia?" cried Charlie, leaning forward +"Are we going—"</p> + +<p>"We are nod," interrupted von Hofe, his deep +voice roaring through his meerschaum smoke. +"You will keep very still, if you please!"</p> + +<p>Charlie was undecided whether to resent it or +not, until he caught a wink from Jack and his +quick anger was dissipated instantly.</p> + +<p>"No," smiled the General, "we need not fear +to return through British territory, for our permits +are pretty general. Now let's get back to +this map. Here is Mt. Marsabit, straight north +of Kenia. Midway between the two we will +branch off my friend's route and go over toward +the Lorian Swamp. That's unknown country, +except to the ivory raiders, and they keep their +mouths shut; but that's where the elephants are.</p> + +<p>"Does that suit you, Doctor? We could stick +closer to civilization, of course, but we wouldn't +get the big bulls. Besides, I'd like to do a bit of +exploring in there. Some mighty queer yarns +have come out of that country lately."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p> + +<p>The big Teuton emitted a dense cloud of smoke +before answering.</p> + +<p>"You are not to worry about suiting me, my +friend. What I want is bulls, such bulls as have +never come to this country. Perhaps I will change +my mind and go to the North Pole for those mammoth. +Ach, what a thing! To bring a mammoth +down, skin him, photograph him, mount him for +the Smithsonian! What more could a man +want?"</p> + +<p>"Bosh!" exclaimed the General. "That's all +been exploded long ago. Now, we're going to cut +out the usual gang of porters and chiefs. I guess +we can get along from village to village well +enough. Bring those traps and moccasins, +boys?"</p> + +<p>"They're up in our rooms," answered Jack. +"How about clothes?"</p> + +<p>"All gone on board ship," smiled Schoverling. +Charlie had already noted his appreciative glance +at their first meeting, and Jack was now feeling +quite at home in his new garments.</p> + +<p>They were going from New York straight to +Alexandria on a steamer of a Greek line, which +would give the boys a brief glimpse of Athens en<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +route. At Alexandria they would pick up an East +Coast steamer to Mombasa.</p> + +<p>With this the discussion was closed, but Charlie +and Jack put forth an eager question as to their +armament, which they had more than once discussed +in wild anticipation. The General smiled, +comprehending their eagerness.</p> + +<p>"The doctor has absolutely refused to touch a +gun from start to finish, boys, so that puts it up +to us. I had everything we would need. There is +a double-barrelled 500-405 Holland for each of us—which +of course we won't use on anything but +elephants. Two of them are mine, and one was +loaned me for the trip. For ordinary use we will +carry our 30-30s, and a number twelve shotgun. +Those, with a suit case each, make up all our luggage. +Any trunks, Doctor?"</p> + +<p>"Trunks?" The blond German glared over +his beard in surprise. "Would I preserve elephant +hide with air? No, but I have eleven cases +of chemicals, which you must take."</p> + +<p>"Very well—that will make about twenty porters," +commented the explorer quietly. "I think +we'll have a mighty interesting time if we carry<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +out my original program of living off the country. +Anything more to settle?"</p> + +<p>As nothing more seemed to present itself, the +meeting was declared adjourned. Von Hofe shook +hands with the boys, put away his big pipe, and +retired to write some letters. As both Charlie +and Jack had seen all of New York that they cared +about, Mr. Schoverling spent the afternoon at the +club with them, showing and explaining the cases +full of savage arms, relics and curios which had +been contributed by the explorers and scientists +who formed the club. He introduced them to +many of its famous members, a few of whom they +had already met while waiting for him. It was an +informal, cosy place, and during their stay the +boys enjoyed themselves immensely.</p> + +<p>As the news spread about of the General's proposed +trip, a number of men who had been in +Africa promptly carried all three off to the +library and there ensued a high discussion. Most +of them flatly declared that living on the land +might be possible, but that moccasins and traps +were absurd.</p> + +<p>"But why?" laughed the General. "You fellows +wear puttees and leather breeches to keep<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +dry, and safe from scratches or snakes. Moccasins +are equally as good, especially high ones like +ours, and a whole lot more comfortable. You +chaps who go in for big game with all the comforts +of home don't know what real work is like!"</p> + +<p>This good-natured taunt happened to hit most +of those around, and the situation looked stormy +until a little, awkward-looking man strolled up +and joined in.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" His irritated voice shrilled high +above the rest. "Shut up, you fools! Why, what +do you know about East Africa? When I +tramped from Fort Rosebury to Kituta in my +bare hide I got nothing worse than mosquito +bites, and I've had to make moccasins many a +time or go barefoot. I'm leaving this afternoon +for Africa; how many of you chaps want to go +with me? Don't all speak at once, please."</p> + +<p>Charlie stared, expecting to see the little, bitter-tongued +man mobbed. But to his vast <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'suprise'">surprise</ins> +not a word was said, and the dilettante hunters +faded away one by one. The little man turned to +Schoverling with a bristling laugh of delight.</p> + +<p>"See 'em run, General? Going in, I hear."</p> + +<p>"Boys, I'd like to have you meet Mr. Mowbray,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +said the explorer, introducing the two. +"You aren't going to British territory, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"Never you mind, my son," snapped the little +man. "Give me back my map. Just got in from +Washington an hour ago, and leave in another +hour. I'll need that map worse than you will—got +wind of something big."</p> + +<p>As Schoverling pulled out the folded map and +handed it over, Mowbray lowered his voice.</p> + +<p>"I'll beat you there by some time, old boy, but +I'll be around. Let you in on it, if I can't handle +it. Good-looking boys, there. Keep your ears +open for a nigger who says 'Me debbil man.' You +can trust him. Got to go, General. Mighty glad +to have met you, boys—see you later, maybe. +Besselama!"</p> + +<p>"Jumping sandhills!" ejaculated Charlie. +"Who's he? A grand mogul around here? +What's that last word mean?"</p> + +<p>"Arabic for 'so-long,'" smiled the General.</p> + +<p>"What made 'em all shut up when he handed +it to them?" inquired Jack curiously.</p> + +<p>"That's the chap, of course, who lent me the +map, boys." And the General spoke very seriously.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> +"You must never repeat what he said to +a soul, or mention his name. In British Africa +they have hunted him for years, by regiments; +there's a price on his head of some thousands of +pounds, and he's slipped into and out of the +country whenever he liked. He's defeated the +Somali troops and even the white regulars time +and again, and no one knows how he gets into the +ivory country. He does it for sheer love of the +game, for he has a fortune of his own."</p> + +<p>"You mean," asked the puzzled and wondering +Charlie, "that he's one of the ivory raiders?"</p> + +<p>"He's <i>the</i> ivory raider of them all," nodded +Schoverling, "and the biggest man in the club +here. For all his scornful words, not a man there +but would bite off his tongue sooner than repeat +that Mowbray was starting for Africa to-day. +Why, the British would pay a thousand pounds +for those half-dozen words! Now just forget it, +boys."</p> + +<p>Forget it! It was a long time before Charlie +ever forgot the sight of that little man, and the +time came when he was to remember him more +vividly still, as was Jack also. Neither of them +gave any thought to the muttered "Me debbil<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +man." If Schoverling did, he betrayed no inkling +of it through his bronzed mask of a face.</p> + +<p>That night they were aboard the steamer. +During the days that followed Charlie enjoyed +every minute of the time, as did Jack also. But +they were both accustomed to hard work, and the +luxuries of civilization, where everything was +done for them, soon grew monotonous. When +they had gone over their beloved guns, oiling +every inch, and received instructions for the use +of the few simple medicines taken along, there +was little to do except to read up on Africa, which +labor they threw themselves into gladly.</p> + +<p>They saw little of von Hofe on the way over, +for he was busy on some chemical experiments; +but the day before they reached Gibraltar a +strange odor, which permeated the whole ship, +drew down on him the wrath of the captain, after +which the big Teuton abandoned his beloved mixtures.</p> + +<p>The whole voyage to Port Said was uneventful +in actual happenings. But at Port Said they went +aboard the <i>Mombasa</i>, and off Aden they had the +pleasure of meeting the gentlemanly Selim ben +Amoud, and of first hearing of the Magic Lake +and its mysterious Rogue Elephant guardian.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>QUILQUA THE MYSTERIOUS</h3> + + +<p>He was a suave, polished, open-shirted Arab, +who appeared the morning after they had left +Port Said and the Suez far behind, and who +smiled at Louis Schoverling with the air of old +acquaintance. The American sprang up with +extended hand.</p> + +<p>"Why, Selim! I had no idea you were +aboard!"</p> + +<p>"Neither had the authorities at Port Said," +rejoined the Arab softly. The explorer raised his +eyebrows, and Jack nudged Charlie significantly. +A moment later they were being introduced, and +von Hofe was explaining the object of their +journey.</p> + +<p>"It should interest Mr. ben Amoud," smiled +the General, "as he is one of the largest Arab +dealers in ivory—and other things—on the +Coast."</p> + +<p>Selim, much to Charlie's surprise, spoke fluent +English, enjoyed his cigar as much as did the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +explorer, and was not as swarthy as their Italian +captain. He sat quietly beneath the awning, his +wide hat shading his face, and would easily have +been taken for a German or Boer, with his flowing +beard and European clothes. Most of the Arabs +on board wore the burnous and sandals, and +Charlie wondered if there were any reason behind +this European garb.</p> + +<p>The trader heard of their expedition, and +gravely complimented von Hofe on his work, of +which he spoke with some knowledge, until the +doctor beamed genially.</p> + +<p>After a pause Selim turned to Schoverling. +"Much has happened in the two years since I +last saw you. You have not, by any chance, heard +of one who calls himself 'Me debbil man'?"</p> + +<p>Charlie started, but Jack, his deep black eyes +suddenly afire, gripped his arm. Von Hofe stared, +and the Arab gazed at Schoverling, whose face +never changed.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied the explorer, quietly. "We +are all friends of his."</p> + +<p>The Arab's gaze darted to one of the deck-hands, +lounging on the rail near by. Charlie saw +ben Amoud rise, step to the man's side, and hiss<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +something. The man looked startled; then his +face changed and he slunk away. Selim, his narrow +eyes glittering, returned to his deck-chair and +settled himself comfortably.</p> + +<p>"Now we can talk, my friends. Mr. Schoverling, +have you ever heard of Lake Quilqua?"</p> + +<p>The American looked puzzled. "Can't say I +remember the name, Selim. Where is it?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, many men have asked that question!" +and Selim's white teeth shone. Charlie stole a +glance at Jack. His dreams of the mysterious +East were being rapidly realized! "No one has +ever answered it, however. It is one of those odd +native yarns that are generally founded on fact, +though you white men disbelieve them. Here it is +for you:</p> + +<p>"Two years ago rumors began to drift to certain +of us that somewhere, far down from the +Abyssinian border in that desolate land north of +the Lorian Swamp, there was a lake. The tale +was given me in fuller form by one of my own +Arabs who had got lost and found his way out to +die, crazed and raving of horrible things, only a +few months ago.</p> + +<p>"This lake, it seems, is fed by underground<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> +springs—hot springs, that spout up and fall like +fountains on the water; its outlet is also by an +underground river, so that the lake lies, sweltering +in the sun and surrounded by desert and +jungle and marsh, where no people live."</p> + +<p>Ben Amoud turned to the calmly interested +German. "You, Doctor von Hofe, are a scientist. +Granted such a body of water, at an average temperature +of ninety to a hundred degrees Fahrenheit; +would animal life in it and near it be liable +to any change in average size?"</p> + +<p>The big man stroked his beard reflectively, pulling +at his pipe.</p> + +<p>"Possibly," he admitted at length. "But +only one way. If animal life could exist at such a +temperature, it would perhaps be much larger +than elsewhere. For instance, a buffalo lives +much in the water. In such a place as that, a buffalo's +great-grandchildren would be larger, and +so on through succeeding generations, each a little +larger. Yes, it iss possible—but nod probable."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean," cried Charlie, unable to repress +his eagerness, "that there are giant animals +there?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Arab smiled and waved his hand. "It is +but a tale, remember. See, I have heard that in +this lake are great serpents of monstrous size. +That, as our friend has just said, there are such +buffalo there as were never seen, and that evil +spirits dwell on an island near the reed-encircled +shore. But there is one thing more, that might +interest you; indeed, it was my reason for telling +you the story.</p> + +<p>"Not only the wandering natives, but my own +Arab, have raved of a tremendous elephant, a +rogue, who dwells near there. He is said to be +of great size, very wicked, and cursed by Allah +with the desire to fight men. His size is said to +be that of a mountain—and in truth I doubt if +any man has ever seen him and lived to tell of it. +There, my friends, would be a conquest worthy of +your skill!"</p> + +<p>Von Hofe grunted, but Charlie saw that his +blue eyes were never off the face of the Arab. +Jack sat listening with all his ears.</p> + +<p>"What's a 'rogue'?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Wait till you see one and you won't need to +ask. A rogue is a big bull elephant who's broken +away from his herd and lives by himself in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> +jungle. He's usually a man-fighter, and doesn't +think anything of attacking a whole herd of +elephants. He's an outlaw, and he's a bad citizen +to meet.</p> + +<p>"But I hardly think, Selim," continued the +General with a smile, "that we will penetrate to +such a place. All we wish is a couple of very +large bulls; the others of the groups can be picked +up nearer home, but it is essential that we get +magnificent tuskers."</p> + +<p>"And I have told you where to get the best of +all tuskers," rejoined Selim seriously. "There +is some foundation for such a tale, believe me. I +am not at liberty to tell you more, but perhaps +you, Mr. Schoverling, could imagine a friend of +yours who would be very likely to try the truth +of the yarn."</p> + +<p>Charlie's quick eyes roved from face to face. +He had not fought with the world for most of +his life and emerged unable to read men's faces, +young as he was; and he knew enough of Jack by +this time to feel confident that the other was losing +nothing of what went on.</p> + +<p>At the Arab's last words a glance flashed between +him and the explorer. Von Hofe was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> +frankly puzzled over these references to an unknown +person, but he asked no questions, wisely. +It was the explorer who finally spoke.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I can imagine such a man, Selim. But +we are in no way connected with him, nor are we +acting in conjunction with him. He told me, the +day he left New York, that he had something big +on hand, and would perhaps meet me later."</p> + +<p>The Arab smiled slightly and tossed his cigar +over the rail. Charlie had jumped at the conclusion +that they spoke of Mowbray, the ivory raider, +when Selim had first uttered the catch-phrase or +password. At Schoverling's reply he knew that +he had been right, and watched eagerly for more.</p> + +<p>But the conversation shifted to other things, +and during the morning there was no more said +of the mysterious lake. The two boys got off by +themselves and discussed the matter, but arrived +nowhere.</p> + +<p>"Prob'ly Mowbray is making a try for that +Quilqua business," concluded Jack sagely. "It +sounds mighty good to me, old boy?"</p> + +<p>"Here too," agreed Charlie. "But Selim laid +it on too thick, with sea serpents and elephants +like mountains. Bet a dollar to a pine chip that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +he had some axe to grind with the General. You +wait and see."</p> + +<p>"Mebbe," conceded Jack doubtfully. "He's +a slick-lookin' proposition, Chuck. I saw the +lines of a gun in his coat pocket, too. He didn't +do much grinding, anyhow. The General didn't +fall for his line of talk worth a cent. Well, let's +get back; it's almost time for lunch—or what +do they call it here? Tiff 'em?"</p> + +<p>"Tiffin," chuckled his friend; "same's they +do in India. There's a heap of Indians all down +the coast, 'cause it's a Mohammedan country an' +they don't lose caste by coming over to work."</p> + +<p>All of which explanation was largely lost on +Jack. Charlie knew a good deal of the East Indians, +having witnessed most of the Hindu immigrant +riots in western Canada, and he was frankly +interested in them as a race.</p> + +<p>When they returned to the after awning they +found Selim just saying good-bye. He was to +leave the ship at Ras al Kyle, a port on the Italian +Somaliland coast, and they were nearly due to +reach there. So he suavely bowed himself away, +in odd contrast to his Boer-like appearance, and +the boys immediately deluged the General with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +questions. Dr. von Hofe rumbled out a laugh.</p> + +<p>"Would you prefer my absence, General? +I—"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, Doctor!" broke in Schoverling +sharply. "Here is all I know," and he told the +big German of meeting Mowbray, and of the latter's +words.</p> + +<p>"So!" drawled von Hofe. "Then, this Selim +ben Amoud is who?"</p> + +<p>"I have heard that he is the wealthiest Arab +on the east coast," replied the American. "You +noticed, I suppose, what he first said?"</p> + +<p>Charlie nodded eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Privately, I have no doubt that he is a +slaver," went on the explorer. "He has a hand +in everything, and is always in hot water with +the British authorities. He was trying to find +out whether or not our expedition had anything +to do with that of Mowbray. I have met him before +and we know each other slightly."</p> + +<p>"Well," asked Jack, "is Mowbray going to +the magic lake?"</p> + +<p>The explorer laughed. "Who knows? The +whole yarn may be a bluff—probably is. Selim +would like the British to think that Mowbray's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> +party is merely exploring, and perhaps he thinks +we will spread the news, in which he is mistaken. +Or, he may have been honest in the matter; you +can never tell what lies behind his words."</p> + +<p>At this Charlie's face fell slightly. He had +been intensely interested in the Arab's tale, and +the thought that it was a put-up job did not appeal +to him in the least.</p> + +<p>"But wasn't it true?" he inquired, disappointed. +"It sounded pretty good to me!"</p> + +<p>"Frankly, Charlie, I don't believe a word of it. +You can hear yarns like that wherever you go, +and they usually pan out pretty small—just like +Jack's story of the mammoth up in the north. +You noticed the password, 'Me debbil man'? +Well, there isn't a particle of doubt in my mind +that Mowbray and Selim are parts of a big underground +concern for illicit trading. I don't +for a minute think Mowbray would traffic in +slaves, but of course he's the biggest ivory raider +in the game."</p> + +<p>"Then it's a sort of conspiracy?" shot out +Jack quickly. "Any chance of our gettin' mixed +up in the business?"</p> + +<p>"Not a bit of it," asserted the explorer, with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> +a smile at von Hofe. "I'll answer for that, Jack. +Selim is satisfied, and we'll probably never hear +from him or Mowbray again. Our own trip is +perfectly fair and square, the authorities will +know everything we do, and we can't afford to +soil our fingers with anything crooked. It doesn't +pay."</p> + +<p>"That is why," struck in Dr. von Hofe, "I +came to you. 'Schoverling,' they told me, 'he is +straight.' It is a good reputation to have, my +friend."</p> + +<p>The boys nodded, understanding. A look of +gratification crossed the explorer's face, such +gratification as comes to a man when he knows +that he has won the esteem of other men.</p> + +<p>"We are not looking for hot water and sea +serpents," went on the doctor with a broad smile +at the boys. "We are looking for elephants, let +us remember, please!"</p> + +<p>With that, the topic of Lake Quilqua was +promptly dropped. At Ras al Kyle, Selim ben +Amoud went ashore—this time wearing sandals +and burnous—and the <i>Mombasa</i> took up her +interrupted journey south. But late that night,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +as the boys swung into their bunks, Jack gave +vent to his long-repressed thought.</p> + +<p>"Chuck, I wish to thunder we were goin' to +hunt for that lake!"</p> + +<p>"Forget it," advised Charlie. "Von Hofe +isn't paying expenses for us to chase around after +sea serpents. Anyhow, Jack, when you come to +think it over it doesn't stand to reason that there's +any such place as that. There's a heap of sense +in what the General said. I've heard that Injun +yarn about the mammoths up north; but you +know's well as I do that when it comes down to +hard pan there's nothin' to it. Same with this +magic lake."</p> + +<p>"Guess you're right," sighed Jack regretfully, +turning out the light. While the boys were turning +in, Dr. Gross von Hofe was replying to a certain +question put to him by the General, before +they retired.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my friend, it could be. Lieutenant Graetz +found just such gigantic buffalo at Lake Bangweolo, +and was all but killed by them. He has +promised that I shall mount one, when he is able +to undertake a second expedition to bring home<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> +specimens. But elephants and sea serpents—ach, +no! Such a yarn is crazy."</p> + +<p>"So crazy as a loon," laughed Schoverling, +and said good night.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>MAKING READY</h3> + + +<p>"Mombasa!"</p> + +<p>Before them lay the picturesque harbor, filled +with Arab dhows from Zanzibar and the Somali +ports, tramp steamers, coasters, and a trim French +corvette up from Madagascar. Up above the +waters rose the old Arab city, now a trim English-ruled +town of immense trade, while behind all +shimmered the vivid green of trees.</p> + +<p>"Dandy sight, isn't it!" and the boys turned +to find Schoverling at their side, with the doctor. +"That old town used to have a sultan, as Zanzibar +has, and a gay pirate life was led along the +east coast in the days of Captain Kidd. Portugal +captured the place, but the Arabs drove her out +again. Now England is making Mombasa into +a mighty big trading center, and as the Uganda +Railway taps the Cape-to-Cairo, which is about +done, things are going to boom."</p> + +<p>Charlie and Jack had seen considerable of the +cosmopolitan aspect of Port Said, although they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> +had had no time to visit Alexandria, but here was +something entirely new to them. As they passed +through the streets to the Mombasa Club they +were surrounded by English officers in neat uniforms, +by Somali and other native troops, by +Arabs in fez and burnous, and above all by Indians. +Hindus and Mohammedans alike moved +through the streets, some wearing the fez, others +the turban; there were Sikhs and Gurkhas, lordly +Brahmins who disdained to touch the Europeans +with their garments, and those of the lower castes +who were equally particular.</p> + +<p>"I was reading the other day," said Charlie, +"that the Indians were swarming over here by +the shipload, and this certainly looks like it!"</p> + +<p>Louis Schoverling brushed aside the would-be +native guides, and led the party direct to the Mombasa +Club, where they were soon comfortably ensconced. +Barely had they arrived when a bronzed, +trim Englishman sought out the explorer.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Schoverling?" he inquired. "I am Inspector +Harrington. The governor heard that +you and Doctor von Hofe came in on the <i>Mombasa</i>, +and he detailed me to look after you. He +was anxious to see you in person, as our embassador<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> +at Washington had written him, but he was +called up country yesterday."</p> + +<p>"That is very good of you," returned the explorer, +introducing his party. "I was assured at +Washington that you would have our permits for +us."</p> + +<p>"They are ready at the Government House," +said the inspector. "We are anxious to extend +every courtesy to you and Doctor von Hofe, of +course. You won't do any trading?"</p> + +<p>"Frankly, I don't expect to. We are here to +procure specimens and nothing else. But if I +could pick up any ivory on my own hook, I suppose +it would be all right?"</p> + +<p>"With you, yes," smiled Harrington. "Men +like you and Selous and Cuninghame can be accepted +at the standard of gentlemen. Unfortunately, +there are some who cannot. Now, how +about porters and so on?"</p> + +<p>"We'll take about twenty-five porters," answered +the explorer carelessly. At this the Englishman +sat up.</p> + +<p>"My word! Are you spoofin' me or what? +Twenty-five porters! Why, Roosevelt had two<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> +hundred, to say nothing of askaris, saises, tent +boys, and the rest!"</p> + +<p>Smiling, Schoverling and von Hofe explained +their plan of action. Harrington's amazement +grew into settled doubt that such a march was +possible, for although a remarkably fine young +officer, he was decidedly conservative.</p> + +<p>"We are all used to doing things for ourselves," +concluded the explorer. "The doctor +is less used to the trail, but he can wash his own +dishes and things right enough, and we'll do the +shooting."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's your expedition," returned Harrington, +"and not mine. But how do you expect +to send back the skins with such a small safari?"</p> + +<p>"Safari" was the term used for caravan, and +was usually applied to the entire expedition, who +instead of being on the march, were said to be "on +safari."</p> + +<p>"There is where I want your help," said Schoverling. +"We will camp at the nearest possible +point to Mt. Kenia and let the doctor make what +sketches he desires. There we will kill the cows +and calves and send back their skins. For this +purpose we can pick up porters on the spot, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +I must have three or four reliable men to bring +them back. Also, I want a good cook who can +act as a sort of major-domo over the men at each +place."</p> + +<p>Harrington pulled out his notebook and jotted +down the requirements methodically. Then he +rose and shook hands all around.</p> + +<p>"As a member of the Club," he told the explorer, +"you need no cicerone. You will take the +morning train? Well, I will meet you here at +eight o'clock with your men. Good-bye!"</p> + +<p>For the remainder of the day they rested. +Schoverling departed to see that their cases were +placed aboard the train safely, while the boys +rambled around town with the doctor. The latter +had been in Mombasa before, but to-day his +head was full of the expedition.</p> + +<p>Instead of the great quantity of salt usually +taken along to cure hides, he was using a strong +chemical powder of his own invention, which +could be dissolved in water, and thus be greatly +diffused. His fifteen cases comprised not only a +sufficient supply of this, but also the medicines +which were likely to be necessary.</p> + +<p>It had been found that a certain supply of provisions<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +would have to be taken along, but Schoverling +was well satisfied when it was found that +evening that twenty-five porters would be sufficient +for all. Their tents were small sleeping-tents, +and two porters could carry the lot with +ease.</p> + +<p>That evening they had a long talk with Piet +Andrus, a Boer merchant of the city. He very +strongly advised them to procure ox-wagons at +Nakuro and to proceed north with them.</p> + +<p>"I do not know the country up north of the +Guasa Nyero," he said, "but I can see no reason +why oxen could not be used. It would save porter +hire and be more reliable. If you lost them, for +any reason, you could always hire porters. I am +going up on the same train with you, and if you +like, would be glad to pick out seasoned beasts."</p> + +<p>After a brief discussion it was decided to take +both porters and wagons as far as the first camp, +and then send back the porters with the skins +taken there.</p> + +<p>In the morning Harrington arrived, followed +by a group of men. These, it proved, were all +Indians who had been in the British army and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +in Africa for years. They salaamed at the verandah +steps.</p> + +<p>"First your cook and general manager," +smiled the inspector. "Gholab Singh!"</p> + +<p>A strapping Gurkha stepped out and saluted. +Charlie liked his manner at once.</p> + +<p>"Gholab Singh," said Schoverling promptly, +"are you willing to serve me faithfully and follow +wherever I lead?"</p> + +<p>"I am, sahib," returned the other in a quiet, +confident voice.</p> + +<p>"Then you will cook for us, and will be in +charge of the safari under my orders. The pay +shall be as the inspector sahib has agreed with +you. Is it well?"</p> + +<p>"It is well, sahib."</p> + +<p>Harrington then brought up the gun-bearers—two +Gurkhas and a stalwart Sikh. The last, +Guru, the General chose for himself as personal +attendant. To Charlie was alloted Amir Ali, and +to Jack, Akram Das. All three were faithful and +highly recommended by the inspector. The four +remaining, one an Arab half-caste, two Somali, +and one a Gurkha, were to take charge of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +safari under Gholab Singh, and to return with +the skins as obtained.</p> + +<p>At the railroad station Gholab Singh was given +money for the tickets and food en route, and the +men vanished into one of the tiny carriages. Special +arrangements had been made in honor of +Schoverling and the doctor, however, and as the +weather was fine they were to travel on a wide +seat fastened across the cow-catcher, which held +four with comfort. The boys took their places +with some misgivings, but found the seat comfortable +enough.</p> + +<p>Inspector Harrington now waved them farewell, +with assurances that all had been arranged +for their comfort on the trip, which would take +two days. Andrus, they knew, was on board, and +had that morning wired ahead to his traders to +prepare teams and wagons. In fact, the general +courtesy with which they met both surprised and +delighted the two boys.</p> + +<p>"They seem to do things just to please you," +exclaimed Jack happily, as he gave a last wave +to Harrington and the train started. "Are they +as hospitable and obliging as this all the time, +General?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 253px;"> +<img src="images/gs02.jpg" width="253" height="400" alt="Everything else was forgotten in the novel method of riding." title="Everything else was forgotten in the novel method of riding." /> +<span class="caption">Everything else was forgotten in the novel method of riding.</span> +</div> + +<p>"Those we meet are, Jack. But you must remember +that we are a special party, and that most +of these men, who are big men themselves, consider +it an honor to assist the doctor, here. That +chap Harrington, for instance, just got in from +two years up-country. He had charge of some +three hundred square miles of absolutely savage +country, and with a dozen Somalis kept order and +law enforced. Andrus is another real man, and +real men are above smallness."</p> + +<p>As the train pulled out everything else was forgotten +in the novel method of riding. The boys +already knew that on each side of the railroad +was a great game reserve, but on the first day's +trip they saw nothing save one or two antelope +and jackals. Birds were plentiful, however, and +the rolling country was constantly presenting a +change of scene before them.</p> + +<p>The neat railroad stations were always surrounded +with curious crowds of natives, some +half dressed. As a rule the station agents and +officials were Indians in the government service. +Both Charlie and Jack kept their pocket cameras +busy.</p> + +<p>Toward evening they retired into their special<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> +carriage and wrote their last letters home, which +would be mailed at Nakuro. But with the morning +they were in the game country, and took advantage +of the first stop to resume their seats in +front. Now everything was changed. At one +moment they would pass a group of giraffe, running +in their ungainly fashion to one side; hartebeests, +impalla and other varieties of antelope +were everywhere, gazing in fearless fashion at +the train. Herds of zebra came into sight, while +through the trees scampered monkeys in endless +variety.</p> + +<p>"They know they're safe, all right," chuckled +Charlie, as a herd of beautiful little gazelles +stopped a dozen yards away to stare in mild wonder. +"Funny how animals get to know where +they're protected."</p> + +<p>"It's the same in the Yellowstone," said von +Hofe. "Within the limits they are almost tame, +but across the line—pouf! and they are gone."</p> + +<p>The wonderful journey, like no other in the +world, was ended at last, however, and they puffed +past Lake Nakuro to the village station. Here +their trip was ended, their baggage was rolled +off, and they were taken in charge by a young<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> +subaltern, Lieutenant Smithers, together with the +Boer merchant, Piet Andrus. The latter offered +them the hospitality of his trading store, which +they gratefully accepted.</p> + +<p>"Now to business," said the General that night +after dinner. "Lieutenant, what would be your +advice as to porters? I'd like to get off in the +morning, if possible."</p> + +<p>"The usual way," laughed Smithers, "is to +take Swahilis, but you seem to be an unusual party. +Since you are going to take wagons from here, I +would suggest that you load everything into the +wagons and trek north to Jan Botha's ranch. +There you can pick up a score or two of Masai. +They are an offshoot of the old Zulu stock—brave +as lions, faithful enough, and able to provide for +themselves. This safari business is largely bally +rot, to my mind."</p> + +<p>"Bully for you!" cried Charlie in delight, +while the others laughed heartily.</p> + +<p>"According to law," said Smithers, "you'll +have to provide tents for the porters. But the +Masai would laugh at such things, and this will +save you a good deal of carriage. How about +horses?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> + +<p>"They are in the compound," said Miers, the +local agent of Andrus' firm. "I have two good +wagons and a dozen 'salted' oxen, specially selected. +This gives you six to a wagon, and even +if you lose four of the beasts, the other eight will +do the work. Better to have too many than too +few."</p> + +<p>Von Hofe nodded, thoroughly satisfied. By +'salted,' the trader meant that the animals had +been through the sickness caused by the bite of +the tsetse fly, and were henceforth immune to +the worst scourge of Africa. That night there +was a gathering of the Boers, English settlers, +and officers at the station, all of whom were keenly +interested in the novel excursion. It was the general +opinion that the expedition would succeed, +although the nature of the country beyond the +mountains was an open question.</p> + +<p>"Well," commented Charlie that night, as he +made ready to share his bunk with Jack, "we're +off! Looks like we'd have a bully time, eh?"</p> + +<p>"It sure does, if we strike a rogue," chuckled +Jack. "I'm crazy to get out those guns, Chuck. +Funny the doctor doesn't care for shooting."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span></p> + +<p>"He's got some tough work ahead of him, all +right. Did you see those paints an' things he +brought along? Right on the job! Well, see you +in the morning. Good night."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>THE FIRST HUNT</h3> + + +<p>The place was astir with the dawn, and after +sunrise, with breakfast over, the party prepared +for the start. Gholab Singh took charge of loading +the wagons, and the main question was the +matter of personal equipment.</p> + +<p>Each of the boys carried matches in a water-tight +box, compass, and sheath-knife, of course. +The elephant guns and ammunition were stored +away for future reference, but the 30-30s were to +be slung in holsters at their saddles for the present. +Each wore a bandolier for cartridges, and +their ordinary clothes—flannel shirt and khakis. +And, instead of sun helmets, each boy wore his +northern hat—a light, stiff brimmed Stetson.</p> + +<p>"As our shoes go to pieces," said the General, +"we'll replace 'em with moccasins. No use fussing +with leggings while we're going to ride. +We'll have open veldt country as far as Mount<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> +Kenia, anyway. Just get the idea that we're in +Canada, going by wagon from Athabasca to Fort +McMurray."</p> + +<p>Dr. von Hofe was the only member of the party +who from habit insisted on leggings and boots. +Their horses were steady, flea-bitten little beasts, +not unlike mustangs, and mounts had been provided +for the gun-bearers, to the huge delight of +all three. Gholab Singh also demanded a horse, +which he obtained, as being worthy of his dignity.</p> + +<p>It was a military-looking little cavalcade. The +Indians had all served in the native cavalry regiments +and Gholab maintained strict military discipline. +Behind their saddles the boys strapped +slickers and H. B. C. blankets—the sight of the +latter making Jack just a trifle homesick. Water +canteens also were slung at the saddle.</p> + +<p>After receiving a letter from Andrus to Jan +Botha, Louis Schoverling gave the order to march. +Gholab Singh rode to the gate of the compound, +reined up, and drew from his neck his silver +whistle. One sharp blast, and the two wagons, +containing the four who were to bring back the +skins, started. A shouted farewell, and the two +boys followed the General and von Hofe to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> +head of the march, the Sikh riding with them and +the other gun-bearers on each side of the wagons.</p> + +<p>"Isn't this glorious?" declared Charlie as he +rode at Jack's side. "I thought it would be as +hot as blazes!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, we'll need our blankets at night, I guess,—hello! +There's an antelope! What kind is +he, General?"</p> + +<p>Charlie unslung his glasses hastily to gaze at +the quiet figure on a ridge four hundred yards +away, but the explorer answered quickly.</p> + +<p>"Grant's gazelle, Jack. The most beautiful of +all antelopes. He must be an old buck, to judge +from his long horns."</p> + +<p>"When are we going to hunt a little?" asked +Charlie. "I'm itching to get at the guns."</p> + +<p>"Not till this afternoon. We can knock over +a couple of small antelope then, which will be +plenty for all of us. See here, Doctor. These +wagons won't make Botha's ranch until sometime +to-morrow. How would it suit you to ride on +and put up there overnight, then get our Masai +all ready to start as soon as the wagons come +up?"</p> + +<p>"I am very happy," declared von Hofe, who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> +was settled down comfortably in his saddle, his +pipe going full blast. "It matters not to me a +bit. Perhaps it would be better to spend to-night +in solid comfort."</p> + +<p>"Very well. Guru!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sahib?" The Sikh drew up and saluted.</p> + +<p>"You will bring the other gun-bearers with +us for a short hunt. We are going to have an +early meal and then push on. Gholab Singh, I +leave the safari in your care. You know the way +to Jan Botha's?"</p> + +<p>"I do, sahib. We will arrive to-morrow morning +at ten of the clock."</p> + +<p>Charlie winked at Jack, who smiled. The military +precision of the stately Gurkha was of no +little amusement to them at first, but Gholab promised +to be a valuable man in a pinch. The gun-bearers +were of little use at present, but would +be highly necessary later on, and with their advice +Schoverling knew that the two novices in +Africa would get along well enough.</p> + +<p>Von Hofe having absolutely no interest in hunting, +save as regarded his own work, stayed with +the wagons. The other six rode out to one side, +parallel with the line of march. At a word from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +Guru, Amir Ali spurred up his horse and departed +at a steady gallop to the right.</p> + +<p>"He will beat up something," replied the Sikh +to their looks of surprise. "Here game is not +very thick."</p> + +<p>Amir disappeared amid the tall grass and dotted +trees, and five minutes later Charlie, with +rifle ready, saw a tiny shape bounding through +the grass two hundred yards to the right.</p> + +<p>"You first, Chuck," exclaimed Jack quietly.</p> + +<p>Setting his sights for two hundred yards, +Charlie aimed behind the shoulder of the antelope, +and fired. The shot went a little high, owing +to the jump of the beast, but the boy gave a +yell of satisfaction as the antelope went down, +its back broken by the shot. As they rode up he +mercifully killed it with a shot through the brain, +and the two boys looked down on their first Thomson's +gazelle, or "tommy."</p> + +<p>"Good shot, Charlie," declared the explorer. +"Now one for you, Jack, and we'll have enough +for this time."</p> + +<p>A mile or so farther on Jack got his chance +at one of the larger Grant's, and fetched him +down with a single shot at three hundred yards,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +which caused the two Indians to give a cry of +delight at his skill. By the time Amir rejoined +them the wagons, were "hull down" on the +horizon. Guru and Akram Das slung the two +gazelles over their saddles, and all six started +across the veldt at a brisk canter.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Jack's horse, in the lead, stopped +dead still, trembling. In vain the boy urged him +on, wondering what was the matter. The horse +only backed, his ears flat, and then Jack saw that +those of the others were doing likewise.</p> + +<p>"What's the trouble, General?" exclaimed +Charlie. Schoverling unslung his rifle.</p> + +<p>"Lion, boys. These are well-trained horses, +evidently. See that patch of mimosa just ahead? +We are down-wind from that, and they probably +smelled a lion. Head around it, and they will +be all right."</p> + +<p>They arrived opposite the little ridge, topped +with a dense growth of long grass, thorn and trees, +when an exclamation burst from the Sikh. Out +from the thicket broke a long, tawny shape, barely +a hundred yards away. It was a magnificent +black-maned lion, who stood lashing his sides and +watching them as they drew rein.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span></p> + +<p>"There's your chance for a lion," said Schoverling, +as the Indians cast a glance at him. +Charlie shrugged his shoulders, watching the +animal with eager interest.</p> + +<p>"What's the use in killing him, General?" he +replied. "We don't want his skin particularly, +and he's no good for food. How about it, Jack?"</p> + +<p>The other's hand fell from his rifle-butt.</p> + +<p>"Of course, Chuck. He won't attack us, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"You'd like the excuse, eh?" laughed the explorer. +"No, he won't attack us. He's probably +got his dinner in that thicket, and heard us coming. +It might be of advantage to the sheep ranchers +hereabouts to kill him, but certainly not to +us."</p> + +<p>They rode on, leaving the tawny beast still gazing +after them. The Indians were keenly disappointed +over not shooting the lion, but neither +boy had cared to do so. They had been too well +trained to slaughter needlessly; Jack, in particular, +had no small share of the Cree feeling that +animals are but "little brothers," and more than +once thereafter Charlie heard him mutter the Indian's +apology for taking life, as he shot.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p> + +<p>Upon rejoining the wagons a halt was made, +Gholab Singh taking charge of the gazelles. After +a good dinner the four white men rode on +ahead, following the rude track across the veldt, +and the wagons were speedily out of sight.</p> + +<p>"This looks a whole lot like the Alberta and +Montana country," declared Charlie as they rode +along. "With those hills off in the distance, and +the dry gullies fringed with trees, a fellow might +think he was just pushing across our own range +land. Wouldn't this be a swell cow country, +Jack?"</p> + +<p>"Looks like it," rejoined the Cree. "Look at +those ostriches! Isn't that a ranch, up there +among those buttes?"</p> + +<p>By the aid of their glasses they could see a +small ranch-house, a good four miles away, but +clear-cut and distinct in the rarefied atmosphere +of the plateau. White dots were scattered near +by, which Schoverling declared were sheep.</p> + +<p>"They must suffer to some extent from wild +animals," he said, "but on the whole the sheep +ranges up here are in fine shape. It's a great +little old country, boys. If I could make up my +mind to settle down I'd like to take up a few<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> +thousand acres back near the hills and try irrigation."</p> + +<p>"It is too dry," nodded the doctor wisely. +"Some day they will irrigate all this. Then the +animals will be gone, all gone."</p> + +<p>"What of it?" said Jack slyly. "Folks will +come just the same to see the masterpieces made +by the great von Hofe! The sooner the game +goes, the more valuable you will be."</p> + +<p>"Ach, no!" Von Hofe shook his head sadly. +"It is not nice to see the fine animals be killed +off. Look at South Africa—all the game is gone, +all the Zulu kingdoms are gone, and instead there +is railroads and mines and factories. It is not +nice."</p> + +<p>"Well, that's the advance of civilization," declared +Schoverling. "It was the same in Ohio +and Missouri and Montana—everywhere. And +yet there are always new fields to conquer."</p> + +<p>"As long as the H. B. C. ran things," flashed +up Jack, with the true Indian prejudice, "it was +all right in Canada. The Company took care of +the game first rate. But now everybody takes a +whack at trapping—and where's the beaver +gone?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span></p> + +<p>"True enough," sighed the explorer. "But +the hunter must give place to the settler, Jack."</p> + +<p>A spirited argument ensued, to which Charlie +and von Hofe listened amusedly. In the end Jack +had to confess that Schoverling was right, however. +Towards evening they got into more rolling +country, while to the northeast towered up +the hills about Mount Kenia, whose snowy summit +had been long visible, although nearly a hundred +miles away.</p> + +<p>Just before sunset they cantered up to Botha's +ranch. The hospitable Boer did not need the letter +from Piet Andrus to welcome them, and the +boys were keenly interested in his family. This +consisted of his wife, two stalwart, bearded sons, +and their own families—chubby little Dutch people +who clambered over everyone, once their shyness +had been removed. Von Hofe was soon a +prime favorite with them.</p> + +<p>After dinner was over, the boys discovered that +Botha was related to the famous General of the +same name, and had fought through the Boer war +with him until his capture. Like many other +Boers, Jan had brought his family up into the new +country, where his sons had grown up, and where<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> +his great ranch was speedily making him wealthy. +Dutch and English lived side by side on a perfectly +friendly footing, and the old quarrels were +forgotten forever.</p> + +<p>Jan Botha willingly agreed to ride over early +in the morning, and set them right at the Masai +village, a dozen miles away, where he was well +known. So Charlie and Jack found themselves +up before the dawn with the rest of the family, +eating breakfast by lamplight, and with the first +light of dawn they were on horseback, shivering in +the chill morning air.</p> + +<p>An hour after sunrise they reached the village, +a collection of grass huts beside a river in the +hills. Charlie was a little surprised to find that +the Masai were stalwart, eager-faced warriors, +well dressed in blankets or cotton cloth draped +from the shoulder, and bearing spears, bows, and +black-and-white shields of hide.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if they are really a branch of the +Zulus?" asked Jack while Botha was talking with +the headman.</p> + +<p>"Hardly," said Schoverling. "But no doubt +they are distantly connected. Perhaps they are +some of the Zulus driven north by the great king<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> +Tchaka, a hundred years ago. They are extremely +fierce warriors, and highly respected by the other +natives. With a score of those fellows for bodyguard, +we'll get along finely."</p> + +<p>Bakari proved to be the name of an English-speaking +Masai who was put in charge of twenty-five +men and hired to accompany the expedition +as far as Mount Kenia, or beyond. As the Masai +eat nothing but meat, foraging for vegetables +would be an easy matter, Charlie concluded.</p> + +<p>They reached the Botha farmhouse about nine, +the warriors loping easily behind them. An hour +later, almost to the minute, the wagons topped a +rise and Gholab Singh drew up and saluted. As +there was no use in delay, they all bade the hospitable +Boers farewell, and pushed on straight +for Kenia.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>MOUNT KENIA</h3> + + +<p>Now began the real march—a swift, ceaseless +trek over veldt and through the foot-hills, for +Schoverling was in haste to reach Mount Kenia, +secure the cow and calf skins, and be gone on the +real work of the expedition, which lay farther on. +Had he been able to foresee just what that work +would be, his eagerness would have been increased +tenfold.</p> + +<p>"Gholab," he said that afternoon, "we are going +to push for Kenia as hard as we can. Can we +push the oxen day and night?"</p> + +<p>"Easily, sahib. Halt for three hours at dawn, +at noon, and at nightfall. This will rest the beasts +well, and the rest of the time we can march. +There will be a good moon for a week yet."</p> + +<p>The Masai seemed to make little of a forced +march, and so it was agreed upon. The Indians +and Masai did not mix, but Bakari and his men<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> +yielded ready obedience to the semi-uniformed +figure of Gholab Singh. That afternoon the real +work of the two boys began.</p> + +<p>"Charlie, you and Jack come over here," +called Schoverling, who was sitting with von Hofe +in one of the wagons, poring over a map. "We'll +have to have meat for these Masai by sundown. +I must go over our route with the doctor, so it's up +to you. Get busy."</p> + +<p>"Aye, aye, General!" and the boys saluted in +high delight. They called their two gun-bearers, +but Guru the Sikh refused to be left out of the +part, so all five cantered off ahead, followed by +the eager Masai at a little distance.</p> + +<p>Their first taste was not very encouraging. One +of the Masai had leaped ahead to a ridge in the +veldt, and motioned them that there was game on +the other side. Slipping from their horses, the +boys stole up gun in hand, to see a herd of at +least fifty wildebeest and zebra grazing about +three hundred yards off. But before they could +get up their guns, the quick-eyed beasts were off +like the wind and out of range in an instant.</p> + +<p>"Pretty rotten," exclaimed Charlie disgustedly. +"Say, they move like a streak!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You bet. Well, there's lots more where they +came from."</p> + +<p>And there was. Half a mile farther on they +came upon a dozen kongoni—another form of +antelope—feeding about some bushes. Happening +on a drift, or dry water-course, the boys and +Guru crawled up this and managed to get a shot. +This time Charlie dropped a buck perfectly, but +Jack had to place a second bullet in his animal. +The Masai took charge of the bodies, tying the +hoofs together, placing a long spear between, and +two men trotting off with each toward the wagons.</p> + +<p>Guru declared that this was not half enough +meat for them all, so accompanied by the rest +of the Masai, they rode on, just within sight of +the caravan. Suddenly an eland dashed out from +a clump of bushes barely a hundred yards off, +not having heard their approach. Jack fired, +missed, fired again, and the eland gave one high +spring and rolled heels over head. But as he did +so Bakari let out a yell, and they drew rein suddenly +at sight of a lion leaping toward them +through the long grass, plainly bent on mischief.</p> + +<p>"We've roused him up, all right," exclaimed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> +Charlie hastily, as he drew bead. "I'll give him +a chance to turn off."</p> + +<p>But the lion, as they discovered later, had been +disturbed at his feeding, and came straight for +them. The Masai showed no signs of flinching, +and the horses trembled but stood still. Anxiously +Charlie waited until the great beast had +come within two hundred yards, flying over the +grass-hummocks in great bounds, then he drew +trigger.</p> + +<p>The lion went down, but was up again instantly +with a roar of pain. Charlie gave him another +bullet, but with no better result. At a hundred +yards the Masai spread out, spears and arrows +ready, but with his third bullet Charlie dropped +the huge beast for the last time, the ball piercing +the eye to the brain.</p> + +<p>"Good shot, old man," cried Jack, as the other +wiped the sweat from his face. That had been an +anxious moment.</p> + +<p>"Had to hit him in the eye," returned Charlie. +"Didn't see where else to shoot, after I missed +his shoulder."</p> + +<p>But he had not missed the shoulder. His first +shot had been a mortal one, and his second had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +struck nearly in the same place; the tremendous +vitality and energy of the lion had served to carry +him forward until the third bullet pierced his +brain. This gave Guru a chance to point out +the advisability of shooting for the shoulder, in +which case the lion would be crippled and could +not charge.</p> + +<p>The lion was packed off to be inspected, then +photographed, and on the way back Jack knocked +over a small Grant's gazelle, which would make +the food supply a sufficient one. Charlie received +many compliments on his first lion from von Hofe +and Schoverling, and regretted that keeping the +skin was impossible under the circumstances.</p> + +<p>At six that evening they outspanned the oxen, +fed and watered them at a waterhole, and rested +for three hours, during which all the party slept +save Schoverling, who remained on guard. At +nine the march was taken up again, and they went +on steadily until four in the morning. The night +was cold. Overhead on the horizon blazed the +Southern Cross, while the moon afforded a good +light.</p> + +<p>At seven in the morning the oxen were inspanned +and they went forward until noon. On<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +this occasion the General accompanied the boys, +and they brought in enough game for the rest of +the day and night. During their noon halt they +met a freighter's wagon-safari trekking west to +some of the outlying ranches, but the men were +all Boers or natives, and no stop was made.</p> + +<p>So during four days and nights they pushed on +relentlessly. During the last two days they ran +into a driving, cold rain, but finally this was gone +and the boys found themselves on the verge of +the heavily forested country about Mount Kenia.</p> + +<p>At the last stopping place, a shallow drift, or +river, in a valley under the western slopes of the +great hills, it was decided to make camp here beside +the drift, as a sort of headquarters. They +had met scattered parties of Kikuyu men, and +had passed one or two of the native villages, so +after a day's rest a number of the Masai were +sent out to bring in some of the natives.</p> + +<p>"They can tell us any news of the elephants," +declared Schoverling, "and can guide us to the +herds. It's ticklish business going without some +of them along."</p> + +<p>"Why so?" inquired Charlie, "Are they such +good hunters?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Never mind," laughed the explorer. "You +wait and you'll see something."</p> + +<p>With this the boys were forced to be content. +The lower slopes of the mountains were heavily +forested, while the valleys were nothing but +jungle. Great trees reached far up above, and +between them giant bamboos formed an almost +impenetrable mass.</p> + +<p>Bakari returned with a dozen Kikuyu hunters, +who readily agreed to lead the party to elephants. +There was a herd of about fifty, they declared, a +day's journey to the east, and as it was morning +now, the General determined to start out at once.</p> + +<p>"Now, Doctor, just what stuff do you want to +take along?"</p> + +<p>"My sketching kit," replied the German, all +action on the instant. "My small camera I have +in my pocket. Beyond this, nothing."</p> + +<p>The two Somalis were appointed to take care +of the doctor's needs. Half a dozen of the Masai +volunteered to serve as porters, for the tents and +some supplies had to be carried. It was arranged +that the camp should be supplied with fowls, pigs +and vegetables from the nearest village, but at +the last moment it developed that they would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> +have to do without pigs, the Gurkhas being Mohammedans +and refusing to allow pigs in the camp +for fear of defilement.</p> + +<p>The horses would of course have to be left behind. +For an hour the camp was in a buzz of +excited preparation. The elephant guns and cordite +ammunition were broken out, the blankets, +slickers and other necessaries were loaded up on +the porters, and the three hunters donned their +moccasins for the first time.</p> + +<p>"Feels mighty good to get back into moosehide," +laughed Charlie, as he laced up the water-tight +flaps. "What are the Masai chattering +about, Jack?"</p> + +<p>"Making a corral—zareba, they call it—out +of thorns," answered the other, looking out +through the end of the wagon. "For the oxen, +I suppose. I heard the General giving them orders +about it. Gholab's bossing things lively."</p> + +<p>Charlie finished first, and had barely emerged +from the wagon-tilt when he saw that something +was wrong. The horses were pulling wildly at +their pickets, and a number of the porters had +dropped their loads. Von Hofe and Schoverling +were in the other wagon, making final preparations.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +But they were not fated to leave the camp +for that day at least.</p> + +<p>"Hey, Jack! General!" shouted Charlie. +"Tumble out lively—something's busted!"</p> + +<p>At this moment Guru and Amir Ali ran up excitedly, +uncasing the heavy guns and loading them +as they ran. Amir reached Charlie first, and +thrust the weapon into his hand.</p> + +<p>"Rhino, sahib! Rhino coming through the +bushes from the river!"</p> + +<p>Jack and the explorer leaped to the ground +from the wagons as Akram ran up with the third +gun. The Masai had clustered at the edge of the +camp, but as the explorer took in the situation +the warriors broke and fled before a huge dun +shape that crashed bushes and trees down before +it in blind rage. Charlie gasped at the size of the +beast, for he had not yet seen a rhino.</p> + +<p>"Female," stated the General quietly. "Going +to tear things up, too. Ready, boys?"</p> + +<p>By this time the ground was littered with cast-off +loads, while the natives fled in all directions. +Fortunately, the zareba and oxen were at the +other end of the camp, and the courageous Gholab<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +ran down to the horses and loosed them as the +rhinoceros charged.</p> + +<p>This made the three hunters unable to fire for +an instant. Gholab ducked behind a huge tree, +and the infuriated brute crashed full into it, +knocking off a great flake of the bark and wood. +Stunned for an instant, it stood glaring around, +and in that instant Schoverling fired.</p> + +<p>His bullet took the rhino behind the shoulder, +but the beast, rage darting from its deep-set eyes, +whirled in the direction of the wagons. It was +barely fifty yards from them, and as the explorer +fired his second barrel, Charlie pulled trigger +also. The tremendous charges halted and shook +the big animal, but for an instant only. Then, +rocking and stumbling, it came on full tilt for +the wagons, the wicked-looking head held low.</p> + +<p>One of the Kikuyu porters had started to slip +across the open space, and was caught before he +could escape. As the terrified man turned, the +head of the rhino caught him and tossed him a +dozen feet into the air. But that gave Jack and +Charlie their chance. As the head went up, they +fired together.</p> + +<p>Jack's bullet broke the rhino's off-shoulder;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> +that of Charlie tore into her throat. Jack fired +again, and at this instant Guru handed back +Schoverling's rifle, reloaded; but another bullet +was unnecessary. The huge beast stood for a +moment quite still, then swayed and plunged +down, dead.</p> + +<p>"Good!" came the calm voice of von Hofe +from behind them. "Now led us see how the +man hurd iss."</p> + +<p>Only his accent betrayed his excitement as he +led the way to the injured porter. The man had +been gored in the side by the horn, but had saved +himself from mortal injury. The doctor dressed +his wound and saw him borne off to the village; +meanwhile, the others had gathered about the +dead rhino, the natives with wild shouts and +chants, the two boys in silent wonder.</p> + +<p>"You chaps'll have to give me lessons in shooting," +laughed the General. "See here—my first +bullet missed her shoulder, and my second likewise. +She couldn't have gone far, though; but +she could have finished us right enough. That +was good shooting, boys."</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't have been," admitted Charlie, "if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +she hadn't lifted her head. Jumping Sandhills! +How that fellow did go up!"</p> + +<p>"Lucky he wasn't killed," added Jack. "I +got her with both bullets, right in the shoulder. +Chuck's bullet must have gone clear through to +her tail."</p> + +<p>It proved that the bullet fired by Charlie +through her throat had penetrated to the spine, +thus paralyzing her. But as the honors were +equal, it did not matter greatly. The Masai took +possession of the hide, while the Kikuyu bore +off the flesh to their village.</p> + +<p>"I guess that ends our trip for to-day," said +Schoverling ruefully, as Gholab was directing the +re-ordering of the camp. "Everything is badly +mussed up; even the men are demoralized. Well, +no matter. We can leave the camp in better +shape, perhaps."</p> + +<p>So, content with their conquest of that day, +they gave all their attention to putting the camp +in better order. Jack learned how the thorn +zareba was built, and Charlie visited the Kikuyu +village with his camera. The elephant trip was +to take place the next day, and guides came over +that night, with a fresh party of natives.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>ELEPHANT</h3> + + +<p>The start was made early. First went Schoverling, +von Hofe and the boys, with the guides and +gun-bearers. Then the Masai marched along, followed +by the crowd of natives. So far they had +not struck the mountain slopes, and the Kikuyu +led them deeper into the great African forest.</p> + +<p>The sun was shut out above by the dew-wet +foliage,—twisted vines, trees and bushes all matted +together. The party traveled by means of +old elephant trails, which alone made the jungle +passable to man. Hour after hour they walked +through the tangle of vegetation, striking into +fresh paths, twisting and turning until the boys +felt hopelessly lost.</p> + +<p>Great ferns and mosses grew about them. +Mighty trees with trunks corrugated and knotted +towered overhead, draped with Spanish moss and +filled with scampering, chattering monkeys. Into +and across tree-ferned ravines, through dashing +streams of icy water, past cataract and morass,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> +the party plowed its devious way until long past +noon.</p> + +<p>Suddenly one of the guides held up a warning +hand and slipped ahead. In a few moments he +returned in great excitement.</p> + +<p>"Elephant!" he whispered. "Him close! +Come!"</p> + +<p>No sign of elephant could Charlie or Jack see +until they had advanced another hundred feet in +the half-gloom. Then the guide pointed out the +spoor, deep and heavy in the damp leaves that +matted the trail. Here the natives squatted down +to wait, and here also the boys made a discovery.</p> + +<p><ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Charley'">Charlie</ins> had stepped ahead, a little to one side +of the trail. But as he did so the guides started +forward in silent dismay. He paid no attention +to them, trying to peer through the dense vegetation; +suddenly it seemed that everything gave +way beneath him, and the next moment his legs +were dangling in vacancy, while he gripped the +vines and sticks spread over a great hole dug at +one side of the track.</p> + +<p>The others broke into quiet laughter at his +amazed expression, while the guides pulled him +out hurriedly and silently. Then he saw that he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> +had tumbled into an elephant pit—a long, deep +trench, narrowing at the <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'botton'">bottom</ins>.</p> + +<p>"I told you you'd see something," whispered +the explorer, as Charlie recovered himself, somewhat +disgusted. "Now let's get busy on the +trail."</p> + +<p>By lighting a match and by watching the tree-tops +far overhead they ascertained that the wind +was right for an approach, and with guides and +gun-bearers they started off on the spoor.</p> + +<p>"How many, do you think?" asked Schoverling +cautiously. Jack had been studying the signs +intently, and answered without hesitation.</p> + +<p>"About eight females, three little fellows, and +a big chap."</p> + +<p>"Just what the guides say," grinned the explorer +delightedly. "Pretty good, eh, Doctor? +We were lucky in finding them so near camp."</p> + +<p>The trail was now marked by freshly broken +branches and splintered trees, while in places the +bushes were trampled down for yards, where an +elephant had stopped to feed. Charlie declared +that the animals were not more than half an hour +ahead of them, at which the explorer nodded.</p> + +<p>Dr. von Hofe had been sketching busily for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +some time, paying special attention to the spoor +and the marks of feeding. He made careful +photographs as they advanced, and as Charlie +watched him he wondered at the painstaking efforts +of the big German to get every smallest detail +correctly. Then Schoverling beckoned, and +the two boys slipped ahead with him, their moccasined +feet as noiseless as the naked soles of the +guides.</p> + +<p>"Hear anything?" muttered the explorer when +they had gone a hundred yards. Listening, Charlie +could hear a faint crashing, and his heart +leaped in excitement. Jack nodded also.</p> + +<p>They went on, but now the noise grew plainer +and seemed to come from one side. As they stood +in perplexity, Charlie saw a single elephant track +leading off ahead.</p> + +<p>"General! One fellow has struck off through +there—the others have doubled back, and are +on one side of us. We could follow that single +track."</p> + +<p>A guide was sent back for the others, and now +the gun-bearers handed over the heavy guns, retaining +the thirty-thirties for emergencies. +Slowly they crept forward in silence, while the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +gruntings, crashings, and rumblings of the great +beasts came to them clearly. Cutting through +the single track, they soon came upon the whole +spoor of the herd again—but this time they knew +that Charlie had been right, and that the beasts +could not be far ahead.</p> + +<p>So dense was the matted vegetation, however, +that nothing could be seen. One of the guides +pointed to a tree-trunk with his spear, and a thrill +went through the boys at sight of the fresh-rubbed +bark. From one side flew up a flock of hornbills, +with squawkings and flappings of wings, but the +slow movements of the elephants went on.</p> + +<p>At this juncture the guides nimbly sidestepped +any farther advance by going up trees like monkeys. +They indicated that the herd was close +at hand, and again the party stole forward, rifles +ready for instant action.</p> + +<p>"Makes you feel queer," murmured Jack in +Charlie's ear, "to hear 'em and not be able to +get a crack."</p> + +<p>Every sense on the alert, Charlie gripped Schoverling's +arm and pointed ahead. A long tendril +of Spanish moss at a bend in the trail was shaking +slightly, and without a sound the three stepped<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +off the trail to one side, followed by the Indians. +The doctor had remained some distance behind, +to sketch a strange flower.</p> + +<p>Something huge and shadowy appeared vaguely, +and the hunters drew back farther still amid the +tangle. Then there came a tremendous crash, +and, at the side of the trail proper a sudden quivering +seized the vegetation. At the same moment +that the first elephant appeared leisurely, two +more crashed from the undergrowth.</p> + +<p>Schoverling cast a quick glance of warning and +shook his head. The two who had burst through +from the side stopped to feed, and after them +came two calves. All three were cows, but there +were crashings all around, and the Indians were as +nervous as the two boys. They stuck to their +post nobly, however, the smaller rifles ready. The +explorer leaned over and breathed in Jack's ear.</p> + +<p>"Give the two cows both barrels. I'll bag the +calves."</p> + +<p>Jack nodded and passed the word to Charlie. +But slight as the breathed whisper had been, the +sensitive ear of the elephants caught it and their +heads went up. Without hesitation Charlie aimed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +at the eye of the cow on the right, and all three +pulled trigger together.</p> + +<p>Fortunately they stood at some distance apart, +or the concussion of the three heavy guns would +have worked sore damage. Charlie's cow shivered +and went down at the first shot; that of Jack +trumpeted loud and shrill and tried to whirl, but +the second barrel, just back of the shoulder, finished +her.</p> + +<p>The General had given each calf a single barrel. +One plunged to its knees, the other stood +shivering. The boys felt the Indians press the +lighter guns into their hands, as a great crashing +arose ahead. The single cow in the trail proper +was just turning, so rapidly had all passed, when +Charlie and the General fired together. Both bullets +struck her vitally, and she went down.</p> + +<p>For an instant the forest was filled with shrill +trumpetings and the earth seemed to shake +beneath the tread of the frightened beasts. So +loud was the clamor that there came not the slightest +warning of their danger until the trees directly +opposite them swayed and shattered apart, and +the enormous head and tusks of a great bull +shoved through.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span></p> + +<p>There was no time to run, even had they been +able. Jack let drive with both barrels of his 30-30, +and the huge beast paused with the shock. In that +brief instant the large guns, already reloaded by +the agile bearers, were thrust forward. <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Charley'">Charlie</ins> +brought his up and fired just as the bull plunged +on. The enormous trunk swept up and then down, +hardly a yard in front of them. One step more, +and he would be on them.</p> + +<p>But even as the boys shrank aside instinctively, +Schoverling fired deliberately, right and left. So +close was the huge head that Charlie could distinctly +see both bullets go home, each taking the +bull in an eye fair and square.</p> + +<p>It was enough. For a moment there was no +movement—a little trickle of blood came from +each eye—and then the mighty head dropped, the +trunk swept down to the trail, and over went the +tusker on his side, the last sweep of his trunk narrowly +missing Guru as he leaped away.</p> + +<p>"Jumping sandhills! I'm satisfied!"</p> + +<p><ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Charley'">Charlie</ins> sank down weakly on a fallen bamboo, +gazing at the tremendous bulk five feet away. +Jack, deadly pale, gripped his gun and waited +while the crashings and trumpetings died away.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> +The explorer, his deep bronze flushed with red, +smiled and mopped his face.</p> + +<p>"By George, that was a close thing, boys! I +wouldn't go through that again for a million dollars +cash." He turned and gripped the hands of +the gun-bearers. "Guru, Amir, Akram, you are +men! I am proud of you!"</p> + +<p>"I guess we all owe you a vote of thanks, General," +smiled Jack weakly. <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Charley'">Charlie</ins> nodded.</p> + +<p>"You bet! Jack and I both missed his eye—what +dandy shots those were!"</p> + +<p>The nervy Indians showed their white teeth at +the praise showered on them, and a moment after, +von Hofe appeared excitedly, followed by a +stream of Masai and Kikuyu. These gave wild +yells of excitement and leaped and danced on the +fallen carcasses, while the story of that terrible +moment was told the doctor. He could barely +speak, as he realized what the danger had been.</p> + +<p>"Himmel! Ach, er ist—it iss vonderful! +Bang-bang, und you haf ein, zwei, drei cows, two +calfs, und a bull killed! I shall no more say—ach! +Avay—raus!"</p> + +<p>And with a roar of anger he rushed at one of +the Masai who had triumphantly thrust his long<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> +spear into the elephant's hide. The warrior gave +one look, then vanished with a long leap, while +the disgusted doctor pulled out the spear and flung +it after him.</p> + +<p>"Afraid they'll spoil your skin, eh?" laughed +the explorer. The swift change from the tragic +to the ridiculous restored them all to even balance +once more, and they went forward to examine +the kill. It was indeed a wonderful example +of shooting, the whole affair having taken hardly +more than two or three minutes, and Charlie +found it hard to realize that in such a short space +of time they had almost fulfilled the requirements +of the whole world-over expedition.</p> + +<p>The bull was a large, old fellow, and the General +pronounced his tusks as weighing at least a +hundred and thirty pounds each. It was a great +piece of luck that he should have wandered out of +the wilds almost to their side, for full-grown bulls +with good tusks are rarely found. The big Teuton +pronounced him exactly suitable for one of +his groups.</p> + +<p>The two cows who had been shot together were +both of good size; the third was smaller. The two +largest were selected for skinning, together with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> +the calves. For a few moments the doctor +sketched and photographed, then handed over the +task of skinning to Guru and his two assistants, +who were thoroughly qualified.</p> + +<p>"Do you want to stay by them?" asked Schoverling. +"If not, we might get back to camp by +dark, and they can bring in the sections of skin."</p> + +<p>"The Sikh knows all about it," replied von +Hofe. "Yes, he will see that they are careful. +Let us go back and rest."</p> + +<p>As the explorer captured one of the guides and +explained his wishes, the boys gazed at the scene +before them. Stripped naked, the natives were +swarming over the great carcasses, which had to +be skinned without a moment's delay. Most of +them were already splashed with blood, festoons +of meat were dripping from the branches, and the +busy hands and knives were making fast progress +with the work. It was not a nice scene, and +Charlie turned away; but Jack watched it until +the explorer called him.</p> + +<p>Carrying their own guns now, they found the +trip back to camp a weary one. All were tired +and hungry, not having eaten since morning, and +it was dark when they finally stumbled into camp,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> +to be met with exultant shouts. Runners had +already come across the forest paths bearing +loads of meat, and after a good wash in one of the +mountain streams the four sat down to a delicious +meal of broiled elephant's heart and flapjacks, +with tea for beverage.</p> + +<p>"Do you chaps realize that we almost accomplished +the work of this expedition in about two +minutes?" asked the General, smiling. The boys +leaned back with a sigh of content.</p> + +<p>"I don't care," returned Charlie. "I got all +I wanted of elephant hunting, and that's flat, General. +My knees are shaking yet."</p> + +<p>"It was sheer luck, though," said von Hofe as +he filled his pipe and settled back in his folding +chair. "We will not find another bull like that +for a hundred miles."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm just as glad it's over," announced +Jack. "Now we can strike for parts unknown +and enjoy life. We haven't struck any real work +yet."</p> + +<p>"You'll get work enough before you're +through," said the explorer grimly. And as it +turned out, Jack did.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>A RECONNAISSANCE</h3> + + +<p>"Well, General, what's doing next?"</p> + +<p>It was the morning after the great hunt, and +they had just finished a delicious breakfast of +roasted calves' feet and bananas. The explorer +was puffing at his briar luxuriously, and turned to +the doctor.</p> + +<p>"Guru says that the skins are on the way now, +Doctor. How long will it take you to get them in +shape to go back?"</p> + +<p>"Ten days," returned the German, whose cases +were all piled in readiness before an open space.</p> + +<p>"Need us here?"</p> + +<p>"No. Get out and keep those boys from +bothering me."</p> + +<p>"Good!" laughed the explorer, and turned +lazily to Charlie. "Feel like starting out this +morning? I want to push ahead on horseback and +trace out the route for the wagons. I've got it +pretty well lined out now, but we've got to make +sure about provisions and all that."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'm willing," announced Charlie, and Jack +nodded unconcernedly.</p> + +<p>So, just as the Masai and Kikuyu, who had +worked all night, came in with the skins of the +slain elephants, the three rode out together. The +Indians were highly disappointed that they were +not to go along, but the explorer did not wish to +be bothered with them, and they would be useless +on this excursion.</p> + +<p>Schoverling had provided himself with government +maps showing the villages, and the best +route across the plateau and through the hills had +been traced out for him. On second thought, however, +he sent back for Gholab Singh, who knew +most of the native dialects from his years of residence +in the country, and left the camp in charge +of Guru instead.</p> + +<p>At noon they struck into the caravan track from +the north, and stopped at each village in passing, +where Gholab made inquiries. They found that +there was no lack of chickens, and wild fowl might +be had on every hand for the shooting. As for +vegetables, every village had its mealie patch, +yams, bananas, a beet-like plant, and other greens +which none of the three recognized, but which Gholab<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> +assured them were excellent eating. Besides, +there were quantities of fish in the streams. On +the whole, Charlie was amazed at the readiness +with which food could be had; while to Jack, used +to a hard-earned rabbit or trap-line in the snows, +the quantity of game was astounding.</p> + +<p>"I don't think we'll have any trouble living off +the land," chuckled the General that night. They +had camped beside a mountain stream. In place +of tents, their hand axes lopped off a brush shelter +in short order. A trout-like fish was plentiful +in the stream, and half a dozen of these were soon +broiling. These, with fried bananas and tea, made +a generous meal.</p> + +<p>"Can't see the sense o' fetching them traps," +grunted Jack. "Better leave 'em behind when +we start. What good are they?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, Jack. Can't tell what we'll +strike, though."</p> + +<p>"Where does this caravan route go to?" asked +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Charley'">Charlie</ins>. "This looks as if it was deserted."</p> + +<p>"Oh, a caravan of camels and horses comes +down about once a year from the lakes up north, +toward the Abyssinian border. We only follow it +over the plateau with the wagons."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></p> + +<p>There was no doubt that the route, which existed +on the map only, was practicable for the +light wagons. The next day they were among the +hills, in high altitudes, and here the game almost +vanished for the next two days. The villages of +the natives were scattered, but those that they +found had more cultivated land near by than the +others, which made up for the scarcity of game. +The wagons were much under-loaded, and were +taken more to bring back what might be found +north of the Lorian swamp than for anything else.</p> + +<p>"Seems to me," said Charlie on the third day, +as he thawed out a gourd full of water that had +frozen overnight, "that we could load up the +wagons with green stuff when we go through here. +That last village we came through was plumb +chuck full o' pumpkins."</p> + +<p>"Melons, you mean," laughed Jack. "I dug +into one. There was some squash, though, in the +back fields. How far we going, General?"</p> + +<p>Schoverling consulted his pocket-map and compass +before replying.</p> + +<p>"We ought to be near the station of the commissioner +of the district now. If we don't strike<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> +it by night we may as well go back. I've found +out what we came for."</p> + +<p>About noon, however, they came to a long unpainted +frame building with corrugated iron roof, +set in the midst of a grove of small trees. At the +rear were stables and a great corral of wire netting, +in which grazed a herd of ostriches. As they +rode up to the door one or two natives came out, +and a khaki-clad Englishman with shoulder-straps +rushed out to receive them.</p> + +<p>"Hello!" laughed Schoverling as he shook +hands. "This is the commissioner—Captain +Yonge?"</p> + +<p>"Yes—and this is the famous Schoverling, I'll +wager," smiled the clean-shaven officer. "But +where's von Hofe? I got word from down country +to watch out for him."</p> + +<p>Matters were soon explained, and they joined +Yonge at lunch. An hour later a dozen trim +King's African Rifles cantered up—Zulus all, +under command of Yonge, who maintained order +through two hundred miles of savagery.</p> + +<p>"Say, the old M. P. ain't in it with this!" said +Jack that evening, as he and Charlie wandered out +to inspect the ostrich farm. "Hear that yarn he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> +told about nabbing those ju-ju murderers last +year, single-handed. No wonder he got a D. S. O. +for it!"</p> + +<p>"And they do it all with native troops, too," +added Charlie thoughtfully. "You've got to +hand it to the British for governing by force of +character, right enough. Wonder what the country +gets like on the other side of this plateau. +Let's find out."</p> + +<p>But they found out little. Captain Yonge said +that beyond the Guaso Nyero, in the north, the +region was practically unexplored. After the +great river was left behind there were deserts, +strange tribes, great morasses, and the "going" +was exceedingly "tough."</p> + +<p>"Did you ever hear of a Lake Quilqua?" +asked <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Charley'">Charlie</ins>.</p> + +<p>"Often," and the commissioner chuckled. +"But, as you Americans say, there's 'nothing in +it.' These natives will make up all kinds of yarns, +simply to amuse us."</p> + +<p>Yonge himself had tried to penetrate the country +to the northeast, but had found it impracticable, +as he could not get away for very long. +Other explorers had sheered off to the easier<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> +country to south and northwest, but he agreed +that if they wanted a big bull, a rogue, they would +stand a better chance of getting one in there than +anywhere else.</p> + +<p>"When you stop with the wagons," he said, +"I'll give you some water-casks. They may come +in handy, as I know from experience."</p> + +<p>All remained the next day, highly interested in +the court of justice being held over a dispute +between two villages. The little plain on which +lay the commissioner's station was not cultivated, +but it lay in the central part of his district, and +was eminently suited for ostrich farming, which +was his hobby.</p> + +<p>They set out on a leisurely return to the little +safari, accompanied for a few miles by the +soldierly Zulus. They were well received by the +natives, for except in a few spots of Africa, there +is to-day nothing but respect for the whites; the +dangers of early explorations have largely passed +away under the influence of the far-reaching prestige +of civilization. The natives are as savage as +ever, but they have tasted the retribution of English +and German justice, and have little liking +for it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p> + +<p>The four trotted along, Gholab making arrangements +with the natives at each village to give +them a large supply of fruit and vegetables, but +they did no shooting as it was possible to get +sheep, goats, or fowl from the natives and fish +from the streams and pools. They had timed +their ride to get back to the doctor in the evening, +and on the morning of their last day's march they +came upon a large party of natives setting off +into the jungle.</p> + +<p>"Want to go along?" smiled the explorer. +"Judging from their primitive digging implements, +they're going to make an elephant pit."</p> + +<p>"You bet!" cried the boys. Slipping from +their horses, which were left in charge of Gholab +Singh, all three joined the natives, who received +them with delight, and all set off along an old elephant +track.</p> + +<p>"Guess they think we'll bring 'em good luck," +grinned Jack. "Got your camera, Chuck?"</p> + +<p>Charlie fortunately had brought it, and an hour +later he put it into active operation, to the curiosity +and childish amusement of the negroes. +They had stopped in a little open space full of +fresh spoor and elephant signs, and a score of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> +natives were instantly at work clearing off the +ground at three points. The boys were amazed at +the rapidity with which the work was accomplished +with the primitive implements. Chanting +a loud, monotonous chorus, the natives threw +themselves into the work and speedily had three +pits started. These were about four feet wide and +twelve long at the top.</p> + +<p>"It's against the law for them to kill elephants," +said Schoverling, "but they pay little +enough heed to that. There are hundreds of these +pits scattered between here and Kenia."</p> + +<p>"How do they watch them all?" asked Charlie. +"They must have an awful time keeping track +of their trap-line!"</p> + +<p>"They don't watch them," laughed the explorer. +"They wait till they see the vultures and +jackals heading somewhere, and trail along. An +elephant lives for days after he is trapped, for +you'll see that the pits narrow down at the bottom, +and his feet are wedged in so that he can't +move."</p> + +<p>"He must be pretty ripe by the time they get +to him," returned Jack disgustedly.</p> + +<p>"They don't care for that. These Ndorobo are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> +little better than carrion feeders anyway, and once +an elephant is caught a whole village is stocked in +meat for a long time."</p> + +<p>As the holes were dug deeper, others of the +natives carried off the dirt, scattering it carefully +in the depths of the jungle. The boys secured +some excellent views of the proceedings, but they +were unable to remain for the entire digging. +The finished pit would be about ten feet in depth, +and at the bottom scarcely a foot wide. Fortunately +for white hunters these pits were not +staked, as after a week or two the slight covering +of sticks, leaves and dirt is overlaid with vines +and vegetation that completely conceals it from +sight. Indeed, they had passed more than one pit +on their way.</p> + +<p>A guide was sent back with them when they left +the scene of operation. A little after noon as they +neared the safari they came upon a village which +was in great excitement. The day before, a man +had been killed and another badly gored by a bull +buffalo, and the wounded man was then in camp +under the doctor's care. The villagers appealed +to the white men to kill the buffalo, and the latter +needed little urging.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You want to be careful," said Schoverling as +they advanced on foot with some of the men. "A +buffalo is about the most dangerous of beasts in +these parts. Shoot to cripple him, never mind the +head."</p> + +<p>The buffalo was located in a patch of reeds and +long swamp-grass near a pool only a few miles +distant. Further approach was impossible, and +they remained on dry ground while the natives +tried to beat out the animal. In this they were +all too successful. With a crash, the powerful +beast swept through the reeds and charged a +group of warriors, who scattered to shelter with +yells and splashings.</p> + +<p>"All right, Charlie," said Schoverling, quietly.</p> + +<p>Charlie put a bullet behind the shoulder just in +time to save a Kikuyu man. The bull whirled like +a flash, and as he did so two more broke cover and +charged with a bellow. Jack halted one with a +stunning bullet that shattered against its skull. +The explorer dropped the other, breaking its +shoulder at the first shot.</p> + +<p>Then the other came on full tilt, with lowered +head. Charlie emptied his magazine at the one +he had first wounded, and all four shots took effect,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> +breaking the animal's back and killing him +instantly. Jack's bull got within fifty yards of +them before the boy fired again, imitating the +action of the explorer with the bull elephant. +Taking careful aim, he pulled trigger when he was +sure of his shot, and the bull crashed down into +the swamp-reeds badly wounded and seemingly +helpless.</p> + +<p>The natives darted forward with yells of triumph, +but with a final effort the brute clambered +up and nearly caught them. Jack put a bullet +through its eye, however, that finished it, and the +hunt was over. The natives went into ecstacies +of delight, dancing around and thanking the three +hunters exuberantly.</p> + +<p>"That is not useless slaughter," said Schoverling +as they returned to the horses. "These buffalo +are hard on the natives, breaking into their +mealie patches and tearing things up badly. They +will charge without the least provocation, and the +natives can't stand before them. We did a good +turn to this village, certainly."</p> + +<p>They remounted and rode on, but their halts +had delayed them, and it was nearly dark when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> +they finally rode into the safari and were greeted +with loud yells by the Masai, while the big German +came forward with smiling countenance and +bade them welcome home again.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>INTO THE UNKNOWN</h3> + + +<p>"Well, Doctor," announced Schoverling the +next morning, "How near through are you? +The sooner we get off the better."</p> + +<p>"I will be through to-morrow night," said von +Hofe contentedly. "The skins have been pared +down to the right thickness, and to-day and to-morrow +they will be fixed up and sent off. What +does the country look like ahead?"</p> + +<p>"It looks like several weeks of rough work," +smiled the explorer. "We'll have no trouble in +getting on, at least for the present. When we +strike down into the plains on the north, however, +we may have a harder time. But there are fig-trees +in plenty, and on the northern rivers cabbage +palms and other wild fruits which ought to +supply us. Then we can count on leaving on the +third morning?"</p> + +<p>Von Hofe nodded, and fell to work. The sections<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> +of skins were set out on the ground and by +this time were well dried, while their superfluous +thickness had been pared off by scores of Kikuyu +and Masai knives. Now the doctor mixed gourd +after gourd of his preparative, and set the natives +to work rubbing it into the under side of the skins.</p> + +<p>At one side stood the skulls and a few other +bones, boiled clear of all flesh and varnished. +These, with the tusks of the bull, the doctor began +packing up while the skins were being attended +to. Guru and the other Indians did all this work +with great care, to the entire satisfaction of the +scientist. Then the well-wrapped packages were +slung to poles, for greater safety and more ease +in carriage, and by evening were ready.</p> + +<p>The boys pitched in and gave good assistance +in this work, directing the natives in putting on +coat after coat of preservative and rubbing it in +well. But von Hofe was everywhere, mixing his +chemicals, seeing that everything was done exactly +as he wished it, and seemingly endowed with +superhuman energy.</p> + +<p>"He's no slouch when he gets a-going," murmured +Charlie that night, as von Hofe was getting +his sketches and films into shape for packing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span></p> + +<p>"He's done more hustling to-day than on all the +rest of the trip put together."</p> + +<p>"That's no lie," agreed Jack. "I kind of +thought the old boy was a bluff, at first. But he's +all to the good, Chuck. Shouldn't wonder if he +surprised us a heap later on."</p> + +<p>The next day everything was packed up that +could be got ready. The skins were still staked +out to dry thoroughly, but the Indians could +attend to them, and Schoverling was impatient to +be off. Fifty Kikuyu men were hired to take the +stuff back, under the lead of the Arab and the two +Somalis, who were intelligent and thoroughly reliable. +The spare Gurkha was to accompany them.</p> + +<p>So far the oxen had got along in fine shape, and +when it came to loading the wagons, Charlie in +charge of this duty, found that their equipment +was light indeed.</p> + +<p>"Look here, Gen'ral," he complained late that +afternoon, "the doctor has used up ten cases of +his stuff. That leaves only five, with his little +brass trunk. Then there's that case of tomatoes +we haven't opened yet, another of baked beans, +the ammunition and guns, tents and Gholab<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> +Singh's little stove, and the traps. The whole +business won't make a quarter-load for one +wagon."</p> + +<p>"So much the better for the oxen," returned +the explorer. "We'll load up as we go along, +Chuck. Jack, I'll appoint you commissary-major, +to bring in the supplies of green stuff and vegetables. +You can take Gholab as interpreter. It'll +be up to you to load, Charlie. We won't have to +do much hunting till after we pass the commissioner's +place, except for the Masai."</p> + +<p>"I'll give you all the work you can handle," +prophesied Jack, to his chum. "You just wait!"</p> + +<p>The next morning the safari filed out from the +camp, the Masai greeting the inspanning with +huge delight. Bakari and his men promised that +they would accompany Schoverling as far as he +wished to go, and the boys were struck more than +once by the utter fearlessness of these Masai, who +had absolutely no dread of advancing into a +strange country.</p> + +<p>The march, however, was by no means fast. +Von Hofe remained to see his skins safely off, +promising to catch up to them later. As before, +they made forced marches, for the oxen were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> +fresh and the work was light for them now. Now, +as Schoverling had foretold, Jack got all the work +he wanted. With three three-hour halts a day, +Jack and Gholab rode on ahead and got everything +ready for each halt—bartered for goats +and sheep and chickens, obtained what vegetables +and fruit the natives could spare, and when the +wagons arrived Charlie pitched in and loaded up.</p> + +<p>So tired were the boys that at night they +wrapped up in their blankets and dozed as they +rode. Once they passed a herd of at least fifty +buffalo, which gathered in a clump, horns out, and +pawed the ground and bellowed as the wagons +passed. Fortunately, no charge was made, and +all drew a breath of relief when the danger was +over.</p> + +<p>They finally drew up to the station with the +wagons loaded high. Captain Yonge greeted von +Hofe delightedly, and they rested there for a day. +A dozen small water-casks were slung beneath the +wagons, to be filled later. As they were departing +a native runner came up with news that caused +the commissioner to saddle in haste.</p> + +<p>"There's an outbreak fifty miles to the west," +he said, his men appearing from their own building.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +"We've got to go over and quash things +before the riot spreads. Well, good luck to you +all! Sorry I can't be with you!"</p> + +<p>Both boys were glad enough to hasten on. The +high altitude was not good for the oxen, and the +cold nights disgusted both of them, for they were +hardly prepared to meet cold in this region. Day +and night they forced the march along, and were +soon rewarded by drawing through valleys and +slopes to the plains once more.</p> + +<p>As they went forward the vegetation changed. +There was no jungle ahead of them—only long +rolling slopes dotted with thorntree patches and +covered with long thick grass. More than once +lions trotted away before them, and on one occasion +they were forced to kill a lioness that charged +full at the wagons.</p> + +<p>"It is beautiful country," exclaimed von Hofe +enthusiastically, pointing to the mountain peaks +that shot up on every side. "Some day it will be +grand farms, when the soil is watered. See, it is +volcanic."</p> + +<p>He picked up a stone, showing them the indications +of volcanic origin. Here and there palms +towered up, and when they camped beside a river<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> +the next evening the vegetation bordered its banks +thickly. Of game there was no lack, and that +night the three took their gun-bearers and sallied +forth.</p> + +<p>"We ought to find a deer-run along this river," +declared Jack. Schoverling smiled.</p> + +<p>"According to the map it's a branch of the +Guaso Nyero, and the last big stream we strike. +To-morrow we head off to the northeast, and into +the mapless country. See if you can run across +any tracks, boys."</p> + +<p>Charlie and Jack separated and after twenty +minutes' search in the dusk Charlie located an +open glade in a great grove of mimosas, where the +deep tracks showed that hundreds of animals +were in the habit of watering. Von Hofe had followed +them and now joined the party, bearing a +little rifle which he had carried in sections in his +tiny brass trunk.</p> + +<p>"I am something going to shoot," he said, paying +no attention to their jests. "Is it allowed to +smoke?"</p> + +<p>"Not much," chuckled Jack. "You just sit +tight and wait. What you going to shoot?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I want a good oryx head," declared the scientist. +"But I will shoot him myself."</p> + +<p>That was a wonderful night to the two boys. +Hour after hour they waited until the moon came +up, and before them filed uncounted hundreds of +animals. There were great droves of zebra, +giraffes by the score, three or four rhinoceroses +who plunged across the stream and vanished, +herd after herd of gazelle, antelope, and wildebeest, +and a magnificent drove of the cow-like +eland.</p> + +<p>Lions abounded, but the other animals paid +them no attention, nor did the great cats come for +game; they would appear, drink, and slink away, +two or three even swimming across the stream. +Toward midnight a number of oryx were seen, +their long, black, sword-like horns mixed with a +herd of zebra. So far not a shot had been fired, +but without warning von Hofe raised his little +sporting rifle and fired twice.</p> + +<p>Instantly the game was off, with a great clicking +of hoofs and startled snorts. The explorer +and the two boys at once picked out their animals +and opened fire. To his vast delight, von Hofe's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +oryx bounded high and fell dead; it was found +that both bullets had gone through the heart.</p> + +<p>Schoverling put down another oryx and a zebra, +whose flesh the Masai delighted in, though it was +too tough for the others. Jack and Charlie each +dropped an eland, Jack wounding a hartebeest +which got away in the rush. An instant later, +only the thunder of hoofs dying away in the distance +showed what vast herds had been there.</p> + +<p>The next day they headed by compass for the +northeast, which would take them into the supposed +desert country, but clear of the great +Lorian swamp. Here for the first time they began +to be tormented by flies—great long insects such +as the boys had never seen, and which rendered +fly-nets necessary to their tents at night. Had it +not been for them, the tents might have remained +unused, for the whites needed them little and the +Indians slept in the wagons.</p> + +<p>Once they came to an outlying village of the +Samburu—a nomad people dwelling farther +south. Here they found not only cattle, sheep and +goats, but herds of camels, which were kept for +their milk and hair alone. These villagers knew +nothing of what lay beyond, save that it was desert +and uninhabitable.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span></p> + +<p>So, with full water-casks, a renewed store of +figs, cabbage-palm tops, and other vegetables, the +safari pushed into the desert, going forward day +and night. Charlie, much to his surprise and disgust, +found that the Masai had little need for +water, drinking the blood of game instead, "to +make their hearts fierce." This, however, was a +great saving to their supply.</p> + +<p>There were many hyenas scattered over the district, +and these the boys shot wherever found, as +they are a perfect scourge and good for nothing. +The earth was sun-baked, and the explorer declared +that no water had fallen here for possibly +a year or more, which the boys could well believe. +The game gave place to giraffes, ostriches, and a +few varieties of the plains antelope, so that each +day they had to circle farther from the camp to +secure enough.</p> + +<p>Day after day they pushed forward, skirting at +times the edge of miasmic swamps, and generally +sticking to the desolate plain. They refilled their +casks at occasional water-holes, and the oxen used +little water on the march. Von Hofe made no +comment, until two weeks of this had passed with +no sign of approaching villages or elephant country.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> +Then, one night, he gave voice to his +thoughts.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 253px;"> +<img src="images/gs03.jpg" width="253" height="400" alt="For the man, just as he relapsed into unconsciousness, murmured four words: "Help—me debbil man!"" title="For the man, just as he relapsed into unconsciousness, murmured four words: "Help—me debbil man!"" /> +<span class="caption">For the man, just as he relapsed into unconsciousness, murmured four words: "Help—me debbil man!"</span> +</div> + +<p>"Are you sure, Schoverling, that there is anything +beyond this? It to me seems not much like +elephant country."</p> + +<p>"I'm taking a chance, Doctor," returned the +dust-caked explorer. "This desert is bound to +loosen up sometime, and there is surely elephant +country ahead. Give us another week; then if we +strike nothing I'll head around toward Lake Rudolph +and the mountains."</p> + +<p>The other nodded, and said no more. Charlie +and Jack had also grown weary of the desolate +surroundings, but no complaint had come from +the Masai. Two days later one of the oxen died, +and on the third day another, from unexplained +causes. Then, on the fifth morning, a yell of delight +went up from all at sight of green trees +ahead.</p> + +<p>"It's a drift," exclaimed Charlie, examining +the slender line of trees as they pushed their +horses on.</p> + +<p>"What's that under those big mimosas?" +called Jack. "Looks like a native hut."</p> + +<p>"Right you are, Jack!" cried the explorer. +"Come on Guru!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p> + +<p>They advanced at a gallop, leaving the wagons +far behind. Half an hour later they came to the +drift—a wide, rocky little valley through which +trickled a tiny stream of water. No sign of natives +appeared, however, until their horses had +watered and they clambered over the stones on +foot toward the single hut beneath the mimosas. +Then, as Jack shouted aloud, a man appeared in +the doorway, crawling toward them on hands and +knees.</p> + +<p>"The poor devil's all in," exclaimed Schoverling. +"Careful, boys! He may have the plague."</p> + +<p>"Let me go first," said the German quietly. +They could see that the man, who seemed to be an +Arab, was frightfully emaciated. His head was +bound up, and half-healed thorn-scars covered +his body. Von Hofe beckoned them to come on, +as he knelt beside the poor wretch, but as the boys +came to his side a startled exclamation broke from +them.</p> + +<p>For the man, just as he relapsed into unconsciousness, +murmured four words.</p> + +<p>"Help—me debbil man!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>MOWBRAY'S END</h3> + + +<p>"He iss starved," exclaimed von Hofe. "See +what iss in the hut. I will care for him."</p> + +<p>Charlie, Jack and Schoverling, with a single +glance of amazement at the words of the senseless +Arab, advanced to the hut while the Indians clustered +about von Hofe. The shelter was a crude +one, of bushes and grass, built against the trunk +of one of the great mimosas.</p> + +<p>"There's a man in here!" cried Charlie as +they stood in the doorway.</p> + +<p>Before them, lying on a bed of leaves, was the +figure of a man in European clothes. His head, +one arm, and side were bound in blood-stained +bandages. On his chest lay his right hand, still +gripping a pencil, while on his knees lay an old +letter, scribbled over. With a cry of pity, Schoverling +knelt at the man's side—but started up +again in horror.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Good heavens!" His voice rang with a note +that struck Charlie's heart. "It is Mowbray—dead!"</p> + +<p>They pressed forward, and saw that the man +was indeed dead. And Mowbray it was—his +cheeks fallen in, the bandage half-concealing his +face, but the iron chin locked grimly as ever in +the last battle.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Jack softly. "He's dead, right +enough. Must have passed out not long ago, +though. Let's see what that letter says, Chuck."</p> + +<p>Charlie leaned over and picked up the paper +sheets. The hut was absolutely bare, save for an +empty revolver that lay on the earthen floor. +With a shudder the boys emerged into the sunlight +again, followed by Schoverling. The wagon +had not yet come up, and the doctor was standing +over the Arab. He turned at their approach.</p> + +<p>"No use, mine friends. He iss dead—was ist +das? A letter?"</p> + +<p>He peered down at the paper in Charlie's hand. +Without a word the boy handed it to Schoverling. +The wagons were just creeping through the first +trees, toward the water, and the Indians rushed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> +off to restrain the oxen from plunging into the +stream.</p> + +<p>"Come over here into the shade," said the explorer +quietly. "Mowbray is lying in there, Doctor, +dead, and seemingly pretty badly wounded. +Perhaps these two sheets will throw some light on +the situation."</p> + +<p>They sat down around him beneath one of the +big trees, and for a moment there was dead silence +as the explorer examined the scrawled writing on +the two sheets of paper and tattered envelope. +Von Hofe nervously filled his pipe, nearly dropping +it in the attempt.</p> + +<p>"He seems to have written this after he got to +the hut here," began the explorer. "It has no +date and runs on in disconnected sentences." He +paused, a catch in his voice. After a moment he +went on, with no further sign of the emotion that +must have possessed him.</p> + +<p>"'Yesterday the camel died. Conscious but +helpless. Arm, leg, ribs and head broken. Five +days travel, to south. Zahir hurt, but managed to +drag me to river and trees. I will lift up mine +eyes unto the hills, whence cometh—'</p> + +<p>"That's the first of it," said the explorer. At<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> +this moment Gholab approached and saluted respectfully, +his bearded face immobile. "Well, +what is it?"</p> + +<p>"Does the sahib wish to outspan here?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Outspan and pitch camp for to-day. +And, Gholab, have two graves dug at the top of +this little rise."</p> + +<p>The Gurkha saluted and wheeled. Charlie +caught an excited look from Jack, and then gave +his attention to the General once more.</p> + +<p>"'Zahir has built a hut. Could get away but +refuses. No cartridges in revolver. Z. is cutting +up camel. Tough but nourishing. Have hopes. +If I pull out will reward Z. for life.'</p> + +<p>"That's the second bunch of sentences, written +on the envelope. The next seems to come on the +back of the letter, and is addressed doubly."</p> + +<p>The explorer swept his eye down the two dirty, +torn papers, and then read slowly:</p> + +<p>"'To Selim ben Amoud or Louis Schoverling. +Whoever finds, take to them.</p> + +<p>"'Fever for two weeks. Camel gone bad, no +cartridges. Zahir-ed-din ben Yusuf has caught +some mice for me and starved self. No hope left +unless L. S. comes. Am weaker, and Z. has fever.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span></p> + +<p>"'In watchcase is plan of Selim's. Struck east +from Lake Sugota with camels. Had brush with +British but shook them off. Into desert five days +full speed. Country deserted. Chain of small +lakes, woods, hills as indicated on plan. Deserted +ruined huts, no natives. Found Lake Quilqua to +south of others.'"</p> + +<p>"What!" cried Charlie. "Is that there, General? +Is it—"</p> + +<p>"You vill keep quiet, please!" rumbled von +Hofe. Charlie subsided as the General nodded. +Jack said nothing, only his flushed cheeks and +gleaming eyes showing his eagerness.</p> + +<p>"'Lake fed by hot springs. Water warm, very +reedy. Crossed to island fifty yards from shore. +Found stronghold ruined, slave irons and neck-rings, +plenty of skeletons. Evidently place was +swept by plague, none escaping. Burned slave-barracoon +and house. All very old—at least ten +years. Slavers' stronghold explains desolated +country. Natives all skipped or slaves.</p> + +<p>"'Z. and I located big ivory cache under left +gate-post. Went back to camp for men, found +dying Arab. Gigantic buffalo gored him. Rest +gone with camels. Big python showed up; all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> +scared out. Found camel in trees and stayed to +look around. Stories true. Shot two buffalo—suggested +prehistoric type, great horns. Shot +python, thirty-nine feet.</p> + +<p>"'Guns safe. Third day found elephant spoor. +Could hardly believe it. Sighted and caught him +by deserted native village. Rogue, fine trophy for +L. S. Biggest ever saw, must stand fourteen feet +or better. Ivory twelve feet. Z. game to tackle +him, next day.</p> + +<p>"'Rogue didn't wait. Tackled us before dawn. +One foot came down through tent, missed me by +six inches. Rolled out and grabbed gun. Z. +knocked senseless. Fired once, but rogue placed +trunk around me and threw me twenty feet into +bushes. Senseless.</p> + +<p>"'Woke up to find rogue gone. Z. pulled me out +of thorns and tied me up. Badly smashed. +Amputated left hand at wrist. Elephant had +smashed guns, with all he could find. Z. lost his +nerve. Don't wonder. He caught the camel unhurt. +I told him to head south to find L. S. or +natives, then fainted again.</p> + +<p>"'Don't remember much of what happened next. +Z. says we rode bareback. Held me in his arms<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> +all the way. Five days. No water or grub. +Camel died with river only hundred yards away, +poor brute. That's all.'"</p> + +<p>The explorer paused, trying to make out the +last few lines, which seemed almost illegible. +Charlie stared, gulping down a sob at the bare +recital of that terrible journey. It was hard to +realize that only a few weeks ago he had seen and +talked with the intrepid little man who lay cold in +death on his bed of leaves, and whose last words +were being read to them.</p> + +<p>"This last is pretty faint," said Schoverling +with expressionless voice. "It's the last thing +he wrote, and he seems to have failed at the end. +Here is what I can make out of it:</p> + +<p>"'Z. knocked over a vulture two days ago from +carcass of camel. Made him take half, and he +promised to go for help. Was too weak and came +back. I'm pretty near gone. If you get this, L. S., +go kill that rogue for me. Ivory worth while in +cache. Feel cold to waist—must be going. Great +news for British, eh? Thank God I've lived a +decent life, according to my lights.'"</p> + +<p>Schoverling's voice died away, and they knew +he had reached the end. Without another word<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> +the explorer rose to his feet, walked a few paces +and stood gazing over the river with his back +toward them. Von Hofe, sucking his unlighted +pipe, made no secret of the tears that trickled over +his dusty blond beard. Charlie and Jack gazed +at each other in awed silence, for that last letter +was very vivid and very real to them both.</p> + +<p>"He ampudaded hiss own hand—ach!" said +the big German huskily, at last.</p> + +<p>At the words, Schoverling turned and came +slowly back to them, his face set and hard. Behind +them the Masai were digging the graves +under the direction of Akram Das, and the oxen +were splashing about in the shallow silver thread +of the river.</p> + +<p>"Five days by camel—that would mean at +least a week or ten days with the wagons," said +the explorer quietly, looking at von Hofe. The +German met the look and nodded.</p> + +<p>"Yess. We shall do as he ordered."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean that we are going to Lake Quilqua?" +exclaimed Jack eagerly.</p> + +<p>"We are, Jack. There is no reason why we +should not bring back that rogue. He's just the +fellow we're after, as—as poor Mowbray said."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> +His voice shook a little. "If we'd only arrived +a day or two sooner!"</p> + +<p>"It can't be helped, General," returned +Charlie softly. "We could not know that he was +here, and we might have done no good anyhow. +Those last words of his were fine."</p> + +<p>"That letter will be framed, some day," said +the explorer, "and it'll hang where every man in +the Explorer's Club will be proud of it. What a +fine fellow that Arab was, too! I'm heartsick to +think that we failed to save him."</p> + +<p>"It was no use," von Hofe rose to his feet +calmly. "It was starvation and wounds. He was +a good man, yes. My friends, we will bring that +rogue's skin back, and those others. What a triumph +of science!"</p> + +<p>"That letter said something 'bout there bein' +a plan in his watch-case, Gen'ral," spoke up Jack. +Schoverling nodded, and turned to the hut. A +moment later he came out, a smashed and bent +gold watch in his hand. This they managed to +pry open with a knife, and the explorer pulled out +a tiny, many-folded map of onion-skin paper. The +tracings were made in a brown ink, with marks +that meant nothing to the boys.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Arabic," explained Schoverling briefly. +"Evidently it was supplied to Mowbray by Selim +ben Amoud. From what I can make out, it is a +plan of the chain of lakes Mowbray mentions. +Here is one off by itself to the south, named Quilqua. +Well, this does us no good. Let's get down +to cases."</p> + +<p>"One thing is sure," said Charlie as the explorer +paused. "That is, that our march will lie +just about due north."</p> + +<p>"Yes. Now, Mowbray speaks of an island with +a slaver's stronghold. That would account for +the desolated country—that and the rogue elephant. +Probably some Arab settled down there +years ago and ran off slaves until he and all his +men were swept out in one of the terrible and +mysterious plagues that sometimes sweep this +country. That would explain the rumors among +the natives. Probably Selim heard the story and +fancied the place might be worth finding, so went +into partnership with Mowbray. The latter evidently +found a good store of ivory planted away."</p> + +<p>"I guess you've doped it out," said Charlie. +"How long will we stay here, General?"</p> + +<p>"Two days. That will give the horses and cattle<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> +a good rest. The three of us ought to bring in +a lot of game, and we'll make some real northwoods +pemmican to take us on. First, let's see if +the Masai will go with us."</p> + +<p>The explorer called to Bakari and the Masai +leader came over grinning. Slowly they explained +what lay before them, the terrors of the +mysterious lake, and the desert journey, and +asked if Bakari and ten of his men would accompany +them. The unabashed warrior grinned.</p> + +<p>"Me go! Him men go, very fierce. No 'fraid."</p> + +<p>Satisfied that he had understood, Schoverling +dismissed him, and turned to the boys.</p> + +<p>"Pemmican for ten Masai and Bakari, us four, +and three gun-bearers. The rest will stay here. +We'll take one wagon and six oxen; they can go +for two or three days without any water easily +enough. We have one thing to do before we go +on the hunt, though."</p> + +<p>What this duty was all knew well enough. The +body of Mowbray was brought out and sewed in +the canvas of a spare tent; a small American flag +belonging to Schoverling was laid over him, and +he was placed in one of the graves. The faithful<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> +Zahir-ed-din was laid in the other. As the story +was told the Indians, they waited till von Hofe +had recited the Lord's Prayer over Mowbray, +then <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Ghobal'">Gholab</ins> Singh, Mohammedan like the other +Gurkhas, delivered a short prayer from the Koran +over the Arab, and the graves were filled in.</p> + +<p>Charlie, Jack and the General scoured the plain +that afternoon, bringing in three eland and sending +the Masai out after two zebra. On their return +they found that von Hofe had been at work, +for over each grave stood a cross of wood, rudely +carved with the name of him beneath. Oddly +enough, the Mohammedans made no objection to +the cross being placed over the Arab.</p> + +<p>"He was a good man," said the big Teuton +softly. "It matters not that he believed in Allah, +for worse Christians I haf met, yes."</p> + +<p>During the next day the game was cut up and +smoked by Jack and Charlie, the explorer and +Guru bringing in enough fresh meat to keep them +for two or three days ahead. That night six of +the rested oxen were inspanned to one of the +wagons, loaded with water-casks and what was +left of their yams and bananas. The spare<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> +Gurkha was left with his own rifle, an old Snider, +to provide meat for the little camp, and as the +moon rose the expedition pushed out across the +river to the north—in search of Lake Quilqua +and the Rogue Elephant.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>THE DESERT TREK</h3> + + +<p>The rest, short as it had been, had worked wonders +for the cattle. They were as fresh and sleek +as ever, and the lightly loaded wagon was a small +burden to them. At the last moment Schoverling +had flung in the six traps.</p> + +<p>"I have a notion," was all he would reply to +the questions of the boys.</p> + +<p>He and the boys and von Hofe rode first, the +Masai tramping along to a swinging chant beside +the wagon, and the three gun-bearers bringing up +the rear. The oxen did not require any driving, +as they followed the leaders unhesitatingly and +patiently.</p> + +<p>"I guess we've got our work cut out for us," +said Charlie as the long, rolling white-dusted plain +opened out before them in the moonlight. He and +Jack rode together, as usual.</p> + +<p>"Seems weird," replied Jack, "to think o' +Mowbray coming across here on a camel only to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> +die, an' us going back on the same trail. Wonder +how that camel died in five days?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know. He said it was unhurt. +Prob'ly the Arab pushed it day and night at full +speed. Even a camel would go down under that."</p> + +<p>As they advanced, the dust rose in clouds about +them, hanging low and choking the Indians behind +until they had to come forward. Once or twice +the barking call of a zebra sounded from the distance, +and toward morning the distant growl of a +lion, but no other signs of life came to them.</p> + +<p>The boys had been busy all day, and they were +tired enough to doze off in the saddle as they went +forward, the white dust covering them all with a +thick coating. Hour after hour they plodded on, +at intervals wiping out the nostrils of the horses +and cattle with a wet cloth by way of refreshment. +Von Hofe chatted intermittently with +Schoverling, who guided the march by compass, +but the boys were too weary for talk.</p> + +<p>At five o'clock they halted on the edge of a dry +water-course. They had not omitted to fetch along +a good supply of fodder for the cattle, which was +loaded in the wagon to the very top of the tilt. +The horses were given a few swallows of water<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> +each, the Masai dined on roast meat about their +fires, while the four explorers and the Indians +made an excellent repast on cold meat and biscuits +with tea. Biscuits were Charlie's specialty, +and before the start he had made a good supply, +as their flour was running low.</p> + +<p>For three hours they rested here, Schoverling +and Jack keeping watch in turn. At the next halt +von Hofe and Charlie would stand guard, then +the three Indians. At eight the cattle were inspanned, +and they plodded onward until noon, +hot and choked with dust. No complaint came +from the Masai, and here the second meal of the +day was eaten.</p> + +<p>The boys had thought that first march across +that almost deserted grass plain was hard, but +this gave them an inkling of the meaning of an +African trek. They slept with heads on their saddles, +the single tent they had brought along shading +them somewhat. The Indians and a few +Masai slept on the fodder beneath the hood of the +wagon, the rest stretched out under the wagon +itself.</p> + +<p>At three they inspanned and went on again until +seven, when another two hours' rest and the evening<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> +meal took place. Thus they traveled sixteen +hours and rested eight, the men and cattle both +getting on more easily at night than in the blazing +sun.</p> + +<p>That first afternoon nothing much occurred to +interest them. Out on the dry desert scoured a +few ostriches, at which the boys took distant shots +but without result. In the evening they saw two +giraffes lumbering across the horizon.</p> + +<p>"Wish we had a few yoke of those fellows," +said the explorer. "They can go for months +without water, and seem to pick up a living from +the dead grass."</p> + +<p>"I <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'though'">thought</ins> camels were the only beasts who +could live on air?" said Charlie in surprise. +"Do you mean that giraffes absolutely require +no water?"</p> + +<p>"That is it," answered von Hofe. "It is an +unexplained mystery, my friend. The giraffe, he +carries no water-tank inside like the camel, yet he +sweats and lives. How, is not known."</p> + +<p>Charlie and Jack looked after the Masai, but +found them dust-grimed and cheerful. The leader, +Bakari, had evidently picked out the best men—all +stalwart, sinewy warriors who won the respect<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> +of the boys in that terrible march by their powers +of endurance and unfailing good humor.</p> + +<p>"I don't see how they can plug along on foot +that way," volunteered Jack on the third day. +"By jiminy, two days of it would 'bout put me in +hospital! Say, Chuck, ain't these moccasins +great? If we had boots now we'd be sorry."</p> + +<p>"You bet," nodded Charlie. "They keep the +dust out pretty well. The doctor has to empty +out a pound o' dust every hour. No wonder his +feet are swollen up!"</p> + +<p>Indeed, that night von Hofe made application +for a pair of the spare moccasins. The dry, irritating +dust made no entrance through the thick +moosehide, and although the moccasins were undeniably +hot, they were much better than hunting-boots. +He freely admitted that in no instance had +Schoverling's prophecies and ideas fallen down, +and thereafter wore his moccasins until the end +of the trip.</p> + +<p>The dry, brown grass of those plains was almost +hidden by the dust, but when their fodder gave +out, on the fifth day, the oxen seemed to take it +willingly enough. Day after day the march kept +up without intermission, and fortunately the six-oxen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> +suffered no loss. They were used to such +treks, and the unremitting care of the boys kept +them in good shape.</p> + +<p>On the seventh day the supply of meat, large as +it had been, began to show signs of giving out. +The Masai had accepted the smoked meat willingly +enough, but neither the explorer nor the +boys had counted on their enormous appetites. +As it would not do to halt the march, the wagon +was left in charge of von Hofe, while the General, +the boys, and the three gun-bearers cantered out +after whatever game they could find. So far the +horses had stood the strain well, being seasoned, +wiry little beasts. Schoverling rode between the +boys.</p> + +<p>"I didn't want to tell the doctor," he volunteered +in a low tone, when they were a good half-mile +from the wagon, "and don't let on before +the Indians; but we're going to be in bad unless +we get across pretty soon. There are only two +casks of water left. I'm afraid the Masai have +been tapping them at night."</p> + +<p>"Jumping sandhills!" exclaimed Charlie, +staring in dismay. "Why, we have to use at least +half a cask a day, only giving the horses and cattle<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> +a few swallows, and us too! I s'pose we'll cut +out the cattle?"</p> + +<p>"Have to," nodded the explorer. "I hate to +do it, but we can't return now. I'd like to take a +gun-butt to those Masai!"</p> + +<p>"You can't blame them," put in Jack. +"They've got the hardest end to bear up, Gen'ral. +We've only allowed them about a pint a day each, +same as us, when they've been hiking steady. It's +hard lines on them, take it from me."</p> + +<p>"We can't help that, Jack," Schoverling returned. +"There's no use punishing them, of +course, for they may be valuable later on. But +when you're on watch, just take a look under the +wagon now and then. If you find anyone at the +water-casks, take the cattle-whip to him. That +water means life to all of us—and <i>we come +first!</i>"</p> + +<p>The boys fell silent. The danger was brought +home to them, as the explorer intended, and they +realized the grim law of the white man in savage +places—that whatever happened, whoever perished, +he must survive. It is not a merciful law; +Schoverling was not one of the generous-hearted +kind who treat the native as an equal at such<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> +times. He was an average, self-preserving Caucasian, +who was only merciless when his own life +hung in the balance. The boys had been trained +in the same school, and fully realized the force +of his words.</p> + +<p>"The Masai are holding up finely," he went on, +"but we'll have to watch them close. At any +minute they may get sick of things and try to rush +us. That means trouble, which I hope will not +come."</p> + +<p>Charlie joined him silently in that hope, though +from the behavior of the natives he could hardly +believe that they would turn on the whites. However, +the conversation was soon shifted by the discovery +of a herd of giraffes to the north.</p> + +<p>"Long range, I s'pose?" queried Jack, getting +out his heavy gun. The Indians were armed with +the lighter ones.</p> + +<p>"Yes," returned the explorer. "We'll never +get up on them in this territory. Fire high, when +they begin to run, or we'll lose them."</p> + +<p>The giraffes saw them plainly enough, but they +got to within four hundred yards before the herd +began to shift. All drew rein instantly, the +trained horses standing stone still, and just as the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> +herd took alarm and broke into their lumbering, +awkward-looking gallop, the six rifles rang out.</p> + +<p>The lighter weapons of the Indians seemed to +have no effect. Charlie saw the bull at which he +aimed stagger and go down. Another stopped +with a broken shoulder, and Jack's second barrel +finished it. Schoverling fired again, but either +missed a vital place or his bullet went wide, for a +moment later the herd was gone in a cloud of +dust.</p> + +<p>"Never mind," he cried gayly, reloading as +they trotted forward. "Two will be all we can +carry in, and will help out wonderfully. They +are poor eating for us, but the Masai will be overjoyed."</p> + +<p>Reaching the two dead giraffes, all leaped from +their horses and set about cutting up the bodies. +At last it was finished. Spattered with blood, +the boys got the heavy loads on their quivering, +blood-sniffing horses after some delay, and set +about returning to the wagon.</p> + +<p>"Where is it?" exclaimed the explorer. +"Surely we can't have lost it?"</p> + +<p>But, even with their powerful glasses, no sign +could they see of the little safari. In all directions<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> +the plain stretched out dry, white, dusty, +with no moving speck to break the monotony. The +general cased his glasses in disgust.</p> + +<p>"I was so interested in giving you my warning +that I forgot to take any thought of our direction, +and the doctor has my compass. Let's see—we've +been riding about northeast."</p> + +<p>"Here," cried Jack, pointing to the dusty plain, +"there's no wind, so we can follow the tracks. +It's a cinch."</p> + +<p>"Of course," laughed the explorer, and with +Jack and Charlie in the lead all six began retracing +their steps. But it was not so easy to follow +the trail, after the dust had settled down upon +it, and it was an hour later before the white tilt of +the wagon was seen, far to the southwest.</p> + +<p>"We came more east than north, evidently," +said Schoverling. "However, all's well that ends +well. Don't gallop, Akram; we must go easy on +the horses!"</p> + +<p>They were soon up to the wagon and were +greeted with a joyful yell by the Masai, who had +no scruples about partaking of the raw meat. +Knowing their tastes, the explorer had filled two +or three gourds with the blood of the slain giraffes,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> +which the natives drank greedily. The +boys were disgusted, and sought refuge at the +head of the column again.</p> + +<p>That night the two remaining casks of water +were shifted to the bed of the wagon, the empty +casks remaining slung below. With the next evening, +however, there came a joyful change in their +prospects, for as they proceeded they saw that +dark clouds were gathering along the horizon to +the north.</p> + +<p>"Rain!" cried the boys eagerly. Von Hofe +nodded, and the Masai struck up a "rain chant" +which seemed to have the desired effect. By midnight +the sky was overcast, and when they outspanned +the next morning for the early halt gusts +of wind and rain were sweeping down upon them +that gradually changed to a steady, settled rain.</p> + +<p>"This is a great piece of good luck," exclaimed +Schoverling, revealing to von Hofe for the first +time how their water supply had shrunk. "Get +out all the casks, boys, and let them fill. It's a bad +thing for the march, however."</p> + +<p>"Why so?" queried the doctor, as the two +boys began unslinging the casks.</p> + +<p>"Because when this soil is wet it's mighty<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> +greasy, and makes hard going for the ox-team. +However, it's well worth it."</p> + +<p>The only trees on the plain were stunted thorn-trees, +but from these the Masai got enough dry +wood to start a fire, after which others were +started. The boys, Schoverling and the doctor +huddled together in the wet grass under the tent, +blankets around them and saddle-cloths over their +feet, and slept comfortably enough despite the +drenching rain.</p> + +<p>When the camp wakened into action, the rain +had passed over and once more the sky was bright +and the air hot. But they had obtained three full +casks of water, and now had little fear for the +future. As the explorer had predicted, the soil +was wet and greasy, but aside from getting stuck +once in an old drift, they had no great trouble, and +after the noon halt the sun had dried up the +ground fairly well.</p> + +<p>When they halted at sunset that night Charlie +pulled out his glasses and then gave a cry of joy. +Far ahead, but unmistakable, they could see green +slopes and trees. Quilqua the mysterious was in +sight.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>A DESERTED LAND</h3> + + +<p>That night the water was not spared, and the +rest of the meat was polished off in reckless fashion. +After a three-hour rest, they took up the +march again in renewed spirits, the Masai singing +and chanting eagerly. But distances were +deceptive in that country of clear vision and high +altitude. When they camped at dawn after a +hard march, they seemed no nearer the trees than +before, and the Masai and Indians went to bed +hungry, Jack making what little flour they had +left into flapjacks.</p> + +<p>By the time they camped at noon, however, the +boys and Schoverling had brought in an eland, +which they had found solitary. This staved off +hunger, and without pausing to sleep the hunters +set off again while the cattle rested. The country +was well timbered farther ahead, and they +rode toward this through scattered clumps of +thorn-trees.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p> + +<p>"There's a lion, right enough," said Jack, as +one of the tawny beasts bounded away from a +knoll to their right. "That means there's game +around."</p> + +<p>"We'll strike it in the trees," declared the +General. "That seems like a good rolling game +country stretching out in front."</p> + +<p>Knowing that the doctor would bring on the +wagon, they struck straight ahead for five miles. +Gradually game became apparent, and after +knocking over a couple of gazelles and a fine oryx, +they found a waterhole. Akram Das was sent +back to guide the wagon to it, and that night there +was high feasting in camp.</p> + +<p>"I'm mighty glad our cattle pulled through +safe," said Schoverling. "We'll need them on +the back trail."</p> + +<p>"Yes," put in von Hofe, "they will have to +draw the elephant skin and the ivory."</p> + +<p>"Don't count too far ahead," laughed Jack. +"It's not going to be any cinch! But I'd like to +meet up with one of those buffalo."</p> + +<p>"If poor Mowbray's account is true," said the +General, "we'd better have the gun-bearers stick +close with the heavy guns. There's no telling<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> +what we'll strike here. We'll have to keep pretty +good guard, too, for lions will be apt to make a +try for the cattle or horses."</p> + +<p>Now, with the worst of the march over, they +relapsed into regular day-marches again. But +that night, sure enough, Charlie heard the low +mutterings of a lion, and by the light of the fires +could see one of the great beasts slinking past. +He gave him two shots from his 30-30, and the +aroused camp found only a dead lion to exult +over.</p> + +<p>The first day's march brought them to a tiny +trickle of water in the center of a drift, where they +outspanned. There were palms and wild figs in +abundance, and with cabbage-palm hearts as a +substitute their meat diet was abandoned. Game +was increasing, and that night they located another +drinking-place half a mile up the drift, +where the boys bagged three gerenuk, a kind of +gazelle, and two wildebeest.</p> + +<p>As they went forward the next day they were +all amazed at the remarkable tameness of the +herds which passed on every side. A drove of at +least a hundred zebra paused within fifty yards +of them, gazing curiously, and not until Bakari<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> +flourished a spear did they whirl and dash away. +At another time a group of slender-horned impalla +bunched together not a hundred yards away, +watching fearlessly as the wagon passed.</p> + +<p>"That looks mighty queer," declared Charlie. +"Seems like they don't get hunted much up +here."</p> + +<p>"Remember what that letter o' Mowbray's +said?" interjected Jack quickly. "How he never +met any natives, I mean? Bet a cookie you were +right, General, about the slavers."</p> + +<p>"What's worrying me," returned Schoverling, +"is where that lake can be. There seems to be +hills ahead, and to the right, but I can see no sign +of a lake."</p> + +<p>"I tell you," cried Charlie. "If we strike another +drift, it's a good guess that it comes from +a lake, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," rumbled von Hofe, smiling. "That +is right, my boy. We will follow the next river +to which we come."</p> + +<p>Plainly enough, the country was a desert as far +as human life was concerned. But the animal +life was far too abundant to suit them. That day +they passed a rhinoceros, standing to one side<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> +and watching them from a distance of fifty yards. +With his ears cocked forward he looked like a +gigantic pig, but the hunters kept their heavy +rifles cocked, for at any moment the beast might +take it into his head to charge, and they had had +one experience with these huge beasts.</p> + +<p>"He's two-horned!" exclaimed Jack, watching +intently. It was their first meeting with one +of the two-horned variety, and they were relieved +when he turned and slowly trotted off, the tick-birds +on his back settling down again.</p> + +<p>That night Schoverling issued orders that with +each halt the Masai should construct a thorn zareba +for the oxen, while big fires should be kept +blazing all night. Lions were very plainly in +abundance, and they could afford to run no risk +of losing the cattle, or horses either.</p> + +<p>Toward dawn they were aroused by Guru, on +guard, to find the horses shivering with fear and +the glowing eyes of lions shining from the undergrowth +around the camp. A shot seemed to have +no effect, until with a well-placed bullet Schoverling +killed one of the beasts and the rest disappeared +with threatening rumbles.</p> + +<p>"That shows what we can expect, in this no-man's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> +country," he said. "We'll have worse +than that later on, I'm afraid."</p> + +<p>And his words were to prove true, though not +exactly as he had intended, before two days more +had passed.</p> + +<p>Shortly before noon they came upon lower +ground, with the high hills rising some ten miles +farther on. A stream trickled through beds of +reeds and swamp-grass, and it was decided that +they should follow the high ground upstream, in +the hope of being thus led to their hard-sought +goal.</p> + +<p>Schoverling and Charlie employed the shotgun +in turn, shooting from their horses, and +stocking the whole camp with wildfowl. The +Masai had spread out in great glee, investigating +this strange land like children, when a sudden +yell of horror went up from one of them.</p> + +<p>Turning as the doctor echoed the shout, those +ahead were horrified to see a tremendous python +curled about the struggling warrior, at the very +edge of the reeds twenty yards away. The huge +head of the snake was high—at least six feet +above that of the warrior, about whom its coils +were tightening slowly. The Masai, with horrible<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> +yells, was slashing away without effect, and +even as they looked his arms were bound about +and fell useless.</p> + +<p>"Good heavens!" groaned Schoverling, who +had left his rifle in the wagon. The Indians +spurred forward with outstretched guns, but in +that moment von Hofe proved himself cooler than +any. The boys had been afraid to fire, but even +as Charlie and Jack threw up their guns the little +rifle of the doctor spoke out once and then +again.</p> + +<p>Struck in the neck by both balls, the python's +head drooped and his coils broke away. In a +flash the Masai wriggled loose and turned, sword +in hand, while his comrades dashed fearlessly to +his rescue. For a moment there was a wild turmoil +of bodies; one of the warriors was flung a +dozen feet away by the slashing tail, then the +python fell, cut into a score of pieces.</p> + +<p>The exciting combat was begun and over in a +moment. Charlie dashed to the side of the men, +but it proved that neither of the Masai had been +seriously hurt. The first had suffered merely +from a vigorous squeeze, the second had the +breath knocked out of him, so no attention was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> +paid to the injuries. Measured carefully, the +python proved to be thirty feet in length.</p> + +<p>"Things look pretty grave," said Schoverling +soberly that evening when they were in camp +farther up the stream, but well away from the +reeds. "Mowbray's forty-foot python was no +dream, my friends. We must keep our rifles in +the holsters and at our hands night and day in +this country."</p> + +<p>"The Masai behaved splendidly," exclaimed +Charlie admiringly. "Where are you going?" +he asked as the General arose.</p> + +<p>"Show you in a minute. Guru!"</p> + +<p>The explorer had joined the Sikh at the wagon. +There was a rattle of chains, and with the steel +traps in their hands the two returned to the fire.</p> + +<p>"Now, Guru, we are going to set out these +traps around the camp. After this you and Akram +and Amir Ali will have to do it, so observe us +closely."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's what you wanted them for, eh?" +cried Jack. Schoverling smiled.</p> + +<p>"Not exactly, but they're going to be a whole +lot of help. My idea is, Doctor, that if we set +these out around the camp they will keep us from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> +being surprised to some extent. They won't +stop a lion or buffalo, of course, but they will +serve to check them or any other big game."</p> + +<p>"It is good," nodded von Hofe gravely. "I +think it will be of much use. I will go too."</p> + +<p>The boys cut heavy stakes with their hand-axes, +and all six of the traps were fastened securely. +Then, accompanied by the Indians, they placed +the traps in a wide circle on each side of the +zareba, the most threatened point of attack. +When the stakes were driven, the jaws of the +traps were opened and light creepers flung over +them.</p> + +<p>"By golly, that'll make me sleep a whole lot +sounder!" admitted Charlie when they returned. +Jack was disposed to turn up his nose at the unbaited +traps.</p> + +<p>"Any fool jackal would smell 'em," he declared +emphatically. "Why, you can see them +glint in the moonlight!"</p> + +<p>"No matter," smiled the explorer. "We +don't want to catch anything in them—they're +only there to keep us from being surprised."</p> + +<p>That very night the traps proved their value, +for while Jack was on guard he was roused by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> +the click of steel, a tremendous snarling growl, +and the sound of a furious struggle. The whole +camp was up instantly, and by the light of the +natives torches they could see a lioness rolling +over, tearing furiously at a trap which clenched +her two forepaws.</p> + +<p>A moment later she tore free, but Jack's elephant-gun +crashed out and she lay still. The trap +was promptly restaked and reset, while the Masai +dragged the body away. And after that, Jack +said nothing more on the question of unbaited +traps.</p> + +<p>They were now in a veritable hunter's paradise. +It was unnecessary for Schoverling and the boys +to shoot game, for the Masai could spear all that +was needed without trouble, two or three of them +going up-wind and driving the game past the hiding-place +of the rest. The next morning they were +off with the dawn, in high hopes of reaching the +lake, for the water in the stream seemed warmer +than usual, though the explorer laid this to imagination.</p> + +<p>The country was open enough for the wagon to +proceed without hindrance at a little way from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> +the vegetation of the river. In the course of the +morning Charlie descried what looked like grass +huts ahead, but as they did not dare leave the +wagon it was nearly noon before they came up to +the little village.</p> + +<p>"Deserted, of course," exclaimed the General +when they drew near.</p> + +<p>"Old and broken down, too," added Jack. +"They're pretty well covered with vines and +creepers, and that hut over on the left is a—why, +all those mounds are old huts, General!"</p> + +<p>Sure enough, at close quarters they saw that +scores of little mounds scattered around had once +been huts, fallen to pieces under the attacks of +animals and the weather. The few that were +standing had been somewhat preserved by the +shelter of spreading juniper trees overhead, and +young bamboos had sprouted around and inside, +thus serving to keep them in shape.</p> + +<p>"Pretty rotten," said Charlie, poking one with +his rifle. The grass and twigs fell at the touch. +"They've been deserted for years. But look over +there—that used to be a yam patch, and I'll bet a +dollar—"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span></p> + +<p>Without finishing he flung himself from the saddle +and ran to an overgrown stretch of ground, +where his quick eye had detected a few yams +growing wild, with a variety of squash. Most of +them were trampled or eaten by animals, but they +managed to collect a dozen of each, which would +give a welcome variety of food.</p> + +<p>"General!" called out Jack, fifty yards away.</p> + +<p>"Come over here, all of you."</p> + +<p>He was standing over something on the ground, +at the edge of the forest. When the others arrived, +he pointed to an immense buffalo track in +the soft ground.</p> + +<p>"There's your giant bull," he said triumphantly. +"This is no place for us, I guess."</p> + +<p>"I should say not!" cried Schoverling. +"What a brute that fellow must be! Ever see +as big a track, Doctor?"</p> + +<p>"Never," and the German wagged his great +beard, with a dubious glance around. "Come, let +us go on. Ach, what a country is this!"</p> + +<p>An hour later they outspanned for the noon +halt. By some subtle warning, Schoverling led +them away from the river to a little bare mound +crowned by a single spreading mimosa, around<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> +which the oxen were grouped. Below on one side, +stretched the jungle. On the other, tall grass, +reeds and undergrowth led away to the river. +And on that little eminence the expedition all but +came to grievous wreck.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>A DESPERATE BATTLE</h3> + + +<p>Fortunately for the entire party, the bandoliers +were filled that noon with the heavy cordite bullets, +for Schoverling advised all to carry their +heavy guns. Guru, Akram Das and Amir Ali carried +the 30-30s, while von Hofe broke out a box of +shells for the shotgun, as he wished to get a specimen +of a peculiar crane he had seen that morning +in the river, and refused to let the others shoot +it for him.</p> + +<p>"Nein," he objected determinedly. "I shoot +my own specimens, thanks, for it is good to say, +'Shot and mounted by Gross von Hofe.' I can +shoot when I wish."</p> + +<p>"I should say you can," laughed Charlie. +"You sure nipped that big snake in the right +place, Doctor! I never saw any better shooting."</p> + +<p>"You let the doctor alone," chuckled Schoverling. +"He knows his business better than any +of us. Give him an elephant gun, if he wants it!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span></p> + +<p>The big Teuton smiled broadly through his +blond beard, for the praise was dear to his honest +heart. While they sat and rested, Gholab +Singh washed the tin dishes, humming one of his +native songs. Jack's quick eye caught a movement +in the bushes toward the river, and as he +jumped up a big boar came running out.</p> + +<p>"Knock him over," suggested Schoverling +lazily. "But we'll have to cut him up and cook +him ourselves."</p> + +<p>Jack agreed, as the boar trotted across the open +space, followed by another. Catching up his +30-30, which lay with the other guns close at hand, +he put a shot through the brain of the second animal. +Charlie joined him and they ran out to +bring in the body, as the Sikh was the only Indian +who would touch pig's flesh.</p> + +<p>"Say, Jack," exclaimed Charlie as they bent +over the boar, "didn't it strike you queer that +they'd run out that way? 'Most as if somethin' +was after 'em."</p> + +<p>"Right," and Jack sprang to his feet. Looking +closely, they could see the tops of the twenty-foot +reeds along the river-bank shaking heavily +and slowly, as if massive bodies were advancing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> +"Maybe it's a rhino, Chuck. He wouldn't bother +us—hello! What's up?"</p> + +<p>A chorus of shrill yells from the Masai above +startled them. Glancing up, they saw Schoverling +and the gun-bearers catching up their weapons, +while the natives were leading the cattle +away from the wagon, the inspanning having already +begun for the march. They saw Gholab +Singh catch up the little rifle belonging to von +Hofe.</p> + +<p>"Jumpin' sandhills!" began Charlie in wonder. +"What on earth—"</p> + +<p>"Get up here!" roared the General at them. +"Boys! Quick!"</p> + +<p>Without pausing to inquire further the boys +jumped for the camp. A moment later they stood +gazing around in amazement, inquiring what was +wrong. For answer the explorer pointed to the +river below. The boys whirled, then a single cry +burst from their lips and they stood astounded, +unable to believe their eyes.</p> + +<p>"Ach, himmel! Vot a sight!" broke from the +doctor.</p> + +<p>There, bending down the tough reeds like grass, +a mighty herd of buffalo was coming slowly forward,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> +the first two or three just emerging into the +clearing. All together, there must have been sixty +or seventy of them—but what buffalo they were!</p> + +<p>Great, shaggy fellows, nearly a third larger than +those the boys had seen and shot during the first +part of the trip, they seemed like some part of a +wild dream. It flashed through Charlie's mind +that it must have been such buffalo as this that +Mowbray had seen, or rather, that had scattered +his Arabs.</p> + +<p>Slowly the great mass pushed forward, heads +upturned. Plainly they had scented the camp, for +they were down-wind, and intended to investigate. +Both boys realized that they were in grave danger, +as this became apparent.</p> + +<p>"Think they'll dare to charge us?" murmured +Charlie, a little pale.</p> + +<p>"Can't tell," returned the explorer, staring. +"Great Scott, what animals! No wonder Mowbray's +men lit out for safety! If they come on, +we're goners."</p> + +<p>That they plainly meant to come on was soon +evident. The foremost paused to sniff and paw +the body of the slain boar, and to gaze up at the +waiting men, then those crowding behind shoved<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> +them onward. Two or three went on to one side, +but the others began the ascent of the little hill +without hesitation.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to stop them," said Schoverling, +his face set. Charlie looked around to find Jack +at his elbow, gun ready, black eyes glittering, and +cheeks flushed darkly. Behind were grouped the +Indian gun-bearers, fully recognizing the danger. +The Masai, chattering but with arrow on the +string, stood near the wagon.</p> + +<p>"Bakari!" called the explorer quickly. At the +sound of his voice the giant buffalo halted for a +moment, and the boys yelled in hope that they +would retire. But the hope proved groundless, as +they came forward with slow steps again.</p> + +<p>"Bakari, put some of your men up into that +tree—keep those bulls away from the wagon and +oxen at all costs," ordered the General. The Masai +nodded, and a moment later five of his men +went up nimbly into the big mimosa, and threaded +their way out along the branches until they stood +over the heads of the boys. The wagon and oxen +were twenty feet behind, and the remaining natives +grouped before them.</p> + +<p>"All right, boys," said Schoverling quietly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> +"Don't fire at the head, remember, unless you +are sure of the eye. We've got to stop them at +once."</p> + +<p>Charlie and Jack lifted their guns. The tremendous +beasts were a scant fifty yards below, but +more were crowding up from the reeds every instant. +The four white men spread out at intervals +of a few yards, the gun-bearers between. +Von Hofe, shotgun in hand, stood on the long +wagon-tongue with Gholab Singh.</p> + +<p>The three heavy Hammonds rang out with a +crash. Charlie's bull went down, as did two more, +and a wild bellow of fury went up from the entire +herd. Instantly the second barrels streamed forth +their deadly cordite, and a mass of kicking, struggling +animals lay below them, while from the +Masai streamed forth spears and arrows.</p> + +<p>"Hope that holds them," said Schoverling, as +they reloaded rapidly. The gun-bearers, as good +gun-bearers should, had not yet fired but stood +waiting till the last extremity.</p> + +<p>"By golly!" yelled Jack, bringing up his rifle +hurriedly. Instead of being intimidated, the shots +and powder-reek seemed to render the herd more +furious yet. Loud snortings, swishing tails and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> +pawing hoofs testified to their rage, and the bodies +of the slain were trampled into a bloody mass as +the herd swept on.</p> + +<p>Down went the foremost again, impeding those +behind, and Schoverling nodded to the Indians as +he reloaded. The 30-30s spoke out, each of the +old soldiers wasting not a shot, but firing the five +cartridges in his magazine slowly and methodically. +The scene below was terrible, and the wild +yells of the Masai rose high over the snorting and +bellowing. But great as was the slaughter, the +immense herd poured up bodily, until they were +but thirty yards down the hill, the bodies of the +killed trampled underfoot, those behind pressing +the others forward in mad rage.</p> + +<p>Now there was no let-up. Charlie loaded and +fired as fast as he was able, as did Jack and the +rest. Another volley from the Indians helped, +and from the wagon von Hofe scattered bird-shot +wildly, but Gholab's little rifle-ball picked more +than one bull neatly through the eye to the brain.</p> + +<p>From above the Masai streamed down their arrows +into the backs of the giant brutes, until the +wounded ones turned and lashed out at their fellows. +Shot after shot poured down into the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> +crowded mass of buffalo, and a moment later +Charlie knew that the fight was all but won. +Those in the van had gone down, those behind +were rearing and trampling, fighting each other +in desperate confusion, forgetting what lay ahead.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a yell of terror from behind startled +Charlie and he saw Jack whirl with a shout. +While they had been fighting the foe in front, a +single bull, led perhaps by some instinct, had +quietly ascended the hill from the rear and was +shaking his head angrily at Bakari and his remaining +five men.</p> + +<p>As the boys turned, the Masai unhesitatingly +poured spears at him, and with a bellow of pain +he charged them. They faced him gallantly, but +before Jack or Charlie could fire, one went high in +air and another was trampled under foot. Gholab +leaped from the wagon with his small rifle, and +sprang forward; but, taking a desperate chance, +Jack had fired at the brute's shoulder. The buffalo +turned and made for the little party, and as +he did so Gholab Singh shot him through the eye +at ten yards.</p> + +<p>A yell of delight from Guru drew Charlie back +to the front. Here it was evident that the buffalo<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> +were retiring, only two solitary bulls charging +through the bloody, tangled mass of hoofs and +horns. One of these the General dropped, and +Amir Ali attended to the other. A moment later +the herd drew away, sullenly and fighting among +themselves still, to the shelter of the reeds, where +the snortings and bellowings gradually died away +in the distance.</p> + +<p>With the lifting of the terrific strain, Charlie +staggered and caught Schoverling's arm, while +Jack sank down beside him with drawn face. +Guru and his comrades leaped down the hill to +kill the wounded, kicking bulls.</p> + +<p>"There, boys, you take it easy," said the explorer, +his voice just a trifle shaken. "That was +pretty bad for a minute, but we pulled out all +right."</p> + +<p>"Better see to the Masai," said Charlie faintly.</p> + +<p>Schoverling looked up, noting for the first time +the slain bull by the wagon. The boys watched +him leap to the side of von Hofe, who was kneeling +over the injured men.</p> + +<p>"I've had about enough of this country," +grunted Charlie, rising shakily as his weakness +passed. "Feel better?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Some." Jack, also unsteady under the reaction +of their great mental and physical strain, got +to his feet. "It was a tight squeeze, old chap!"</p> + +<p>"You bet. Let's see how bad the men were +hurt."</p> + +<p>They joined the group. The gored man had an +ugly wound in his side. The other had hung to +the horns of the buffalo, and beyond a slash in the +arm and a few broken ribs, was in no serious danger. +The two were placed in the wagon, where +the doctor gave them much needed attention.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to get away from here," said the +explorer. "Bakari, you did nobly! Gholab, Guru, +and the rest of you, I can only say that I am proud +of you—more proud than ever. Shake hands!"</p> + +<p>Smiling broadly, the bearded Indians obeyed, +after which the boys shook hands also.</p> + +<p>"It was good work, sahib," declared the Sikh +gravely. "We are men, all of us. Such a fight +will make great telling when we get back!"</p> + +<p>Von Hofe received his full share of the praise, +for his bird-shot had contributed no little to the +rout of the giant buffaloes. He, however, was already +busy with his camera, and only the assurance +of Schoverling that they could get a skin at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> +another time got him to his horse. Half an hour +later they were away from the scene of the battle, +to which the kites and vultures were already flocking +through the sky.</p> + +<p>"We won't go far," announced the leader. "I +don't mind confessing that I'm pretty badly +shaken up and want to rest for the remainder of +the day. We got out of that scrape almighty well, +boys, if you want to know it!"</p> + +<p>"Guess we did," returned Charlie with an uneasy +glance around. "I won't forget that for +many a long day! If the Indians hadn't stood by +us—"</p> + +<p>He did not need to finish, and the explorer +nodded. Two miles farther on, and a mile from +the river; they halted beside a little creek. They +had learned the value of a big tree, and the oxen +were outspanned around a spreading fig-tree of +gigantic size. The Masai built a zareba around, +and for the rest of the afternoon they stayed +quietly recuperating from the terrible exertions +of that battle. In the evening great fires were +built and the traps set out again.</p> + +<p>Nothing disturbed them that night. They slept +in their blankets under the shelter of the giant<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> +tree, but as they rolled up—von Hofe being on +guard for the first three hours—Jack whispered +to Charlie.</p> + +<p>"If we struck a herd of them fellows while we +were down on low ground—good-bye!"</p> + +<p>"You shut up and go to sleep," retorted Charlie. +"Every time I close my eyes I think of those +tossin' heads. I don't want to dream about +them."</p> + +<p>"Bet a cookie you will," chuckled Jack. "Remember +how their eyes rolled, and the first ones +we shot got all trampled out of shape, and—"</p> + +<p>Charlie reached over with a mimosa thorn and +ended the discussion suddenly. But, nevertheless, +his dreams that night were none too pleasant, and +he woke more than once, almost feeling a herd of +those giant buffaloes grinding him beneath their +hoofs.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>THE LAKE OF MYSTERY</h3> + + +<p>"This stream must be the outlet of the warm +lake, all right," said Schoverling the next morning +as they sat at breakfast. "There seems to +be low hills ahead of us, but I think the wagon can +get along."</p> + +<p>"Yes," announced the doctor. "The hot lake +must be of volcanic origin, a very long time ago. +These things one meets with often in Africa. I +must shoot one of those big buffalo, please."</p> + +<p>"Then you'd better take my heavy gun," offered +Charlie. "I've shot all of 'em I care to." +The doctor's white teeth flashed, as he nodded.</p> + +<p>"If it was anywhere else we could ride ahead +and pick out a road," said Jack. "But we +wouldn't dare leave the wagon here."</p> + +<p>"Not much," laughed Schoverling. "If we'd +been gone yesterday we'd have had to settle down +here for life. Well, let's inspan."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Let's see that plan of Mowbray's—the +Arabic one," said Charlie. The explorer found +it and tossed it over. The two boys pored over +the rudely-drawn chart while the oxen were being +inspanned.</p> + +<p>"This must be the river we're on," and Jack +pointed to the line of a stream flowing to the south +and west of a small lake. "Why couldn't we—"</p> + +<p>"Hey, General!" called Charlie. "Come +back here a minute!" The explorer, who was +filling his bandolier, came over to their side, and +Charlie pointed to the stream. "This river seems +to run west out of the lake, and then turn south. +Now, she's running north and south right here, +isn't she?" The explorer, glancing at his compass, +nodded. "Then instead of keeping close to +the stream, why couldn't we strike off northeast +and head straight for the lake? The river only +leads us every which way."</p> + +<p>"Good idea," exclaimed the General. "I had +forgotten all about that map, to tell the truth. +The only question is whether we can depend +on it."</p> + +<p>"That fellow Selim," put in the interested doctor, +"was a man of brains, my friends. He would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> +not send his camels and partner where he did not +know. There is too much game beside this river, +also. I like it not."</p> + +<p>"Very well," said Schoverling. "Then we will +simply cut around those hills ahead and march by +compass. No lack o' water here, fortunately."</p> + +<p>So, much to the relief of the boys, they left the +dangerous vicinity of the river and struck across +country. Except on the very banks of the stream +there was no jungle, but open and well-wooded +country that seemed well able to support a population +of natives, had there been any to support. +An hour after inspanning they came to another +and larger village, which had fallen to decay as +had the first. Monkeys were everywhere, grinning +and chattering among the ruined huts, and in +the center of the old village, fastened to a still +sturdy post, they came upon a pair of heavy iron +hand-cuffs, which were simply a mass of rust.</p> + +<p>"There's an indication of the slave-trade," +and Schoverling pointed. "Probably a refractory +slave was tied up there and whipped. I suppose +those Arabs found this a thickly populated, +happy country and simply made a clean sweep, +men, women and children. Those that weren't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> +killed or carried off north no doubt perished miserably +in the wilderness. Poor devils! It's a tremendously +good thing for Africa that the British +put down the slave-trade."</p> + +<p>"If they'd only conserved their resources," declared +von Hofe, "they might be running out +slaves yet. But it was more than slavers, my +friend." He had advanced to the door of a hut +and now drew back. "It is not a good place to +stay. There are skeletons—perhaps of the +plague."</p> + +<p>"That's more like it," exclaimed Charlie, as +they rode on. "Mowbray said that he had found +the Arab place plague-swept, and had burned the +whole thing, prob'ly for fear of infection. That +would account for the absence of human life a +whole lot better than by laying it all on the +slavers."</p> + +<p>There was another thought running through +Charlie's head, however—something of which no +one had yet spoken openly. He wondered if Schoverling +had paid any attention to Mowbray's narrative +of the big cache of ivory "underneath the +left gate-post." He had been long enough in +Africa to know the tremendous value of tusks, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> +resolved to talk things over with Jack at the first +opportunity. Von Hofe, meanwhile, had been +thinking along more practical lines.</p> + +<p>"If we had a large party, Schoverling, and +plenty of time, we could make money," he announced +suddenly, and pointed to the hills on their +left. "Those hills must be of old volcanoes. +Why should the Arabs have come so far to settle +here in a terrible land? Not for slaves or ivory +alone. No. In these lakes and rivers there is +gold."</p> + +<p>"What!" exclaimed the explorer sharply. +Then, more slowly, "I shouldn't wonder if +you're right, Doctor. I'd like to take a little trip +with a washing-pan up through there! If that is +so, as it well might be, there'd be some rich pickings +for the taking. However, we're here for elephant +first and last, and I'm not inclined to linger +with this outfit."</p> + +<p>This excited the boys hugely, but both realized +that on this expedition there would be small opportunity +for any gold-hunting, even if the supposition +should prove to be true. The sight of that +big python and the giant buffalo had been a good +indication of what they might expect if they lingered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> +long hereabouts, and the fate of Mowbray's +expedition was vivid in their minds still.</p> + +<p>The day passed with no exciting feature, as all +kept close to the slow advance of the cattle and +wagon. The Masai spread out fearlessly enough, +and brought in enough game for the party. That +terrific battle with the herd of buffalo had made +great inroads on their stock of ammunition, and +the explorer cautioned them not to waste a shot in +useless hunting.</p> + +<p>No sign of the expected lake appeared during +the afternoon, and in the evening they camped in +a little valley between two kopjes, beside a waterhole +that welled out and sank again almost immediately +into the thirsty earth.</p> + +<p>"We'll need those traps here, I guess," declared +Charlie when the outspanning was going +on. "Prob'ly every one of these water-holes is +pretty well frequented by animals, so we can look +out for visitors. Who's on guard to-night?"</p> + +<p>"You are," chuckled Jack; "You and your +friend Amir Ali. So mind you don't go asleep on +duty, Chuck! I'd hate to wake up in the morning +and find one of your moccasins left around to remember +you by."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Never you mind about me," retorted Charlie. +"I never woke up the whole camp by letting go +an elephant gun at a jackal."</p> + +<p>This reminder of an earlier episode in the trip +silenced Jack for the time being, but Charlie had +no intention of letting himself be caught napping +on duty. His watch lasted till midnight, when +Amir would relieve him, and as there was no moon +the boys got in a plentiful supply of wood for the +fire. While the Indians were setting out the traps +as usual, von Hofe departed to inspect the injured +men, and Charlie seized the opportunity.</p> + +<p>"Say, General, what about that ivory cache of +Mowbray's? Think we can lug it off with us?"</p> + +<p>The explorer remained silent for a moment, the +boys watching him eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Look here, you chaps," he said at last, "there +were two words in that letter I didn't read. Mowbray +said 'ivory—<i>and dust!</i>' I was afraid you +might get the gold fever, but I guess you're pretty +safe. I was talking to von Hofe about it yesterday. +Now, you know that we're paid by him to +get elephant and nothing else. Still, the old boy is +a sport clear through, and underneath his German +reserve he's just as eager as any of us. If we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> +strike the island before we strike the elephant, +we'll camp on it for safety and clear out the +cache."</p> + +<p>"Hurray!" exclaimed Charlie. "Bully for +him! Say, we'll—"</p> + +<p>"You wait, Chuck," interrupted Jack quickly. +"Look here, Gen'ral, it ain't so simple. Those +Arabs with the camels got clear away. Selim ben +Amoud ain't a man to let Mowbray stick alone +down here, not by a jugfull. I'll bet you that we'll +find a bunch of Selim's men there with Selim himself. +He was no slouch, that guy."</p> + +<p>Schoverling's face clouded. "You've struck +the nail on the head, Jack. That thought occurred +to me also. Well, if he's there then we'll have to +keep away and stick to the rogue. But if we get +there first—by thunder, I'll load that cache into +the wagon and get out with the elephant!"</p> + +<p>"Still, in a way it belongs to him—" began +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'Charley'">Charlie</ins>, but the explorer grunted.</p> + +<p>"Rot! His expedition lost out. Mowbray directed +his letter to me or Selim, and said nothing +about splitting up. Whoever gets there first lands +the loot, that's flat. If it belonged to anyone, it +belonged to the original bunch of slavers. However,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> +we're counting our chickens a long while before +the incubator's opened. When we get there +it's time enough."</p> + +<p>To this there was no answer. That night, sure +enough, Charlie was glad that he had kept the big +fires blazing high, for herds crowded about in vain +endeavors to get at the water-hole, even pressing +up to the thorn zareba, until the boy had to scatter +burning brands among the quantities of eland and +antelope and zebra, not wishing to shoot them. +Two of the steel traps caught, however; one a +slinking jackal and the other a fine oryx, both of +which Charlie reluctantly shot with the small rifle +belonging to the doctor.</p> + +<p>In the morning Amir Ali reported that lions +had been about, but they had made no disturbance, +and the safari took up its advance soon after sun-up. +At the noon halt they were still winding +through the valley, but in the afternoon this +opened out into open country once more. Jack +had his glasses out and gave a yell of delight.</p> + +<p>"There's the lake! Dead ahead!"</p> + +<p>Even without the aid of glasses they could all +see the shimmer of water in the sun, three miles +ahead. The Masai gave a yell of joy at the news<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> +that they had nearly reached the end of their journey, +but they could not hope to get up to the lake +until evening with the slow-moving oxen. So, +leaving the doctor and the Indians to defend the +wagon if need were, Schoverling and his two assistants +rode slowly onward to have a look at +things and pick out a suitable place for the night's +camp.</p> + +<p>In half an hour they were standing on a slight +rise that sloped down gently to the waters of the +lake. These were thickly cloaked with reeds, but +there was no sign of the high jets of hot water of +Selim's story on the <i>Mombasa</i>.</p> + +<p>"See that steam up at the other end of the +lake?" said Schoverling, looking through his +glasses. "That's where the hot springs are, no +doubt."</p> + +<p>"There's the island," cried Jack excitedly, who +had moved a hundred feet away. Joining him, the +others were now able to see a low island which +had been hidden by intervening trees. It lay +barely half a mile beyond them, and seemed almost +a part of the shore. Beyond this the trees seemed +to get thicker, while across the lake itself the +green and brown hills rose to the height of a few<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> +hundred feet. In fact, hills seemed to be all +around them, save to the south.</p> + +<p>"Shouldn't wonder if this was one of the craters +of an old volcano," declared the General.</p> + +<p>"The ground has risen slightly, since we left the +wagon, and those hills all around would indicate +such a thing, as would the steaming hot springs +up at the other end. Well, we can ride forward to +the island. Mowbray's camp must be there somewhere."</p> + +<p>Keeping a wary eye open for any danger, they +rode on until they arrived opposite the island. +Here, under a group of spreading mimosas, they +saw vague signs of an old camp. All was overgrown +with vegetation, but as they rode down to +it the indications of a camp were clear.</p> + +<p>"There are tattered old tents, all right," exclaimed +Charlie in huge excitement. "But animals +and the weather have covered things up +pretty well."</p> + +<p>Arriving on the spot, they leaped from their +saddles and kicked away vines.</p> + +<p>"Here's a gun-butt," shouted Jack, holding up +a moulded fragment of wood. "And here's the +rest of it—an elephant gun."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span></p> + +<p>Schoverling took the pieces and fitted them together. +The barrels were twisted and bent, the +stock splintered. Rubbing the latter clear of +mould, something gleamed in the sun and he uttered +an exclamation.</p> + +<p>"Mowbray's! Got his name on a silver plate. +Well, that's worth keeping as a trophy, boys. +Now about camp. This was a mighty poor place +for him to land, but he wasn't expecting overgrown +buffalo and pythons. There's a little rise +behind, where we can camp for to-night, but to-morrow +we'll try to get across to the island. That +will be a whole lot safer from his majesty the +rogue."</p> + +<p>"Jumping sandhills, I forgot!" cried Charlie +suddenly. "Say, General, we've beat the Arabs +back, that's a cinch!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>"UNDER THE LEFT GATE-POST"</h3> + + +<p>They made a brief examination of the ground +for any sign of elephant spoor, but were relieved +to find that there was nothing to indicate a recent +visitation from the rogue to the scene of his exploits.</p> + +<p>"Hold on," cried Charlie as they remounted. +"Something's wrong!"</p> + +<p>The faint sound of gun-shots drifted to them +against the wind, and as the safari was out of +sight behind the clusters of trees, all three urged +their horses into a gallop, grave anxiety in their +hearts. With rifles ready, they galloped on to find +the wagon stuck hard and fast in a rocky drift, +while at one side lay the huge body of a rhinoceros.</p> + +<p>"All is well, sahib," saluted Gholab Singh, +beaming. Von Hofe grinned through his beard.</p> + +<p>"The rhino wished to inspect us, Schoverling, +but the boys soon finished him off. We'll have to +work to get out of this, I fear."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span></p> + +<p>Congratulating the four gun-bearers, all placed +themselves at the wheels of the wagon, while Schoverling +went to the heads of the cattle. After +twenty minutes of hard work they got the wagon +across the drift and onto better ground.</p> + +<p>They told of finding the camp abandoned by +Mowbray, and the General showed the fragments +of the broken elephant-gun. This was a visible +sign that the rogue elephant was indeed to be +feared, and the doctor brightened up and rubbed +his hands.</p> + +<p>"Ach, he must be wonderful! Let us push on, +please!"</p> + +<p>They camped that night on the little hill that +sloped down to the lake, just opposite the island. +None knew what danger might lurk in the reeds, +and as these seemed to be dry above the level of +the water, with the wind off-shore, they sent the +Masai ahead to fire them while the others waited +with rifles ready.</p> + +<p>The reeds blazed up quickly for a width of a +hundred feet, beyond which they managed to keep +the fire under control, for had it spread to the +country behind it would have worked sad havoc +with animal life. Gradually the smoke died down<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> +without anything having happened. But a moment +later there was a rustling of the reeds and +grass off to the right, and a cry broke from the +Masai as a tremendous python swept toward them.</p> + +<p>The heavy guns roared out instantly. With its +head blown to pieces, the huge snake lashed +around for a few moments and then lay still. +When they advanced to measure it the boys could +hardly believe their senses. The python was a +good forty feet in length, and while the excited +Masai danced around, von Hofe took photographs +eagerly.</p> + +<p>"We'll get over to that island to-morrow." +Schoverling peered through his glasses as the sun +sank below the hills. "No trees on it, but you can +make out the ruins of the place that Mowbray +burned. We'll have to make sure the oxen can get +across that thirty yards of water, too."</p> + +<p>Von Hofe and Gholab Singh were on guard that +night, but the dawn came without any disturbance. +The first move was to make sure that the cattle +and wagon could get across the strip of water to +the island; if not, then all their plans would have +to be changed. Fortunately, they had met with +no crocodiles in the country.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span></p> + +<p>Schoverling and the boys, right after breakfast, +rode down to the shore. The burned patch of +reeds had left the lake clear before them, and as +they urged the reluctant horses down into the +water, they were gratified to find that it was shallow—at +the deepest part there was only three +feet of water. Without returning, they shouted +to Gholab to lead on, for the bottom was sandy +and strewn, with small rocks.</p> + +<p>On these one of the oxen went down, but without +injury. With the Masai tugging at the wheels +to help, the wagon soon rolled up on the shore +where the three were waiting, and they turned to +look ahead. The island seemed bare of trees, +which fact was explained later; only thorn-bushes +clustered around them, the ground gently rising.</p> + +<p>"There's the stronghold Mowbray talked +about," exclaimed Charlie as they urged their +horses to the crest of the little rise on the bank. +Ahead of them lay the ruins of a burned building, +black and desolate. Others could be seen behind, +while around the first was a ring of half-burned +stakes that had at one time formed a strong palisade +of heavy timbers.</p> + +<p>"We'd better keep out o' there," said Schoverling.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> +"Here's a good place for the outspanning, +just at the bank. Bakari, better get a thorn +fence up right away. There's no telling what's +liable to happen here, and we can command the +shore at all events."</p> + +<p>"Why can't we take a look around inside?" +queried Jack, somewhat puzzled. "There's no +sign of any animals around."</p> + +<p>"Plague," returned the explorer briefly. +"First thing we do, we must go back and get in +some game. The Masai only got one impalla buck +yesterday, and we can't run short on grub."</p> + +<p>With no disappointment the boys gazed over the +blackened ruins before them. At one time these +must have formed a stronghold indeed. Signs of +a "corduroy" road for wagons led down to the +water; a clear spring bubbled out cold and refreshing +from inside the compound and ran on +past their camping-place; and the sturdy palisade +had resisted even the fire. Charlie looked regretfully +at the huge gate-posts, each nearly three feet +thick and planted solidly in the ground.</p> + +<p>"Well, the sooner we do the shooting the sooner +we can dig," he sighed, and turned to the horses. +The three gun-bearers had old Snider rifles of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> +their own, which so far had not come into use, and +these they left with the doctor and Gholab, carrying +the 30-30s as had been their custom during +the march.</p> + +<p>It was still an hour before noon, and by midday +they had shot two impalla, which with four hartebeest +made up all the game they could carry back. +No signs of danger were seen on that short excursion, +although once a lion broke cover and trotted +away ahead of them. The boys could see no sign +of elephant with their glasses.</p> + +<p>"He's around," laughed Schoverling to their +expressions of doubt. "An old rogue will stay +hidden away until he makes up his mind to wipe +the earth with whomever's around. When we get +ready to go after him, you'll have your hands +full." Which statement later turned into a very +true prophecy.</p> + +<p>They rode back to camp to find the zareba done, +and von Hofe standing before the charred gate-posts, +hands on hips. He turned at their laughter +and smiled.</p> + +<p>"But yes," he retorted to their jokes as they +surrounded him, "I too have the treasure-hunt<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> +fever got! Yet is there one question which puzzles +me, my friends!"</p> + +<p>"What's that?" laughed Charlie.</p> + +<p>"The letter said 'under the left gate post.' +Now, when you face the burned buildings here, +this one is the left; but when you turn around, +it becomes the right!"</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll tackle that one first," smiled the +explorer. "But we'll have to satisfy Gholab before +we do anything else. Impalla steak would +taste pretty good right now, to me."</p> + +<p>None the less, the boys were too hungry to do +much speculating over the treasure, eager though +they were. Half an hour later, over their tea, a +council was held as to just how to get at the cache. +Spades they had none, and the spears and swords +of the Masai were not fitted for digging.</p> + +<p>"Listen," said Jack impatiently. "Mowbray +said he located the cache, didn't he? Well, at best, +he had only a few hours over here. When he +burned down the place the smoke kept him from +knowing that his Arabs had lit out. That stands +to reason. He didn't have time to dig around; he +knew right where that stuff was hid, and he went<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> +for it. If he found it, the earth would still be +pretty loose where he dug."</p> + +<p>"I've got a better scheme than digging," put +in Charlie, his eyes gleaming. "Hitch up the cattle +to the posts an' pull 'em out."</p> + +<p>"Good!" shouted Schoverling. "We're behind +the times on thoughts, Doctor! Gholab, inspan +the cattle over by those posts."</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later the oxen were standing ready, +while the explorer and the boys made the ox-chains +fast to one of the heavy posts. Slowly the +oxen forged ahead, but to their dismay the post +broke off short.</p> + +<p>"That's a pretty good sign that the earth is +unmoved," declared Schoverling cheerfully. +"Now for the other one."</p> + +<p>Once more the oxen were inspanned to the other +post, and walked off at the yells of the Indians. +This time a shout went up from all, for the huge +post had been ripped out of the earth bodily, leaving +a cavity exposed. Charlie leaped down at +once, feeling around.</p> + +<p>"More logs down here," he cried. "We'll +have to throw out the dirt after all."</p> + +<p>Instantly Jack was at his side, with two of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> +broad-bladed Masai knives. There was but room +for one to work, but with Jack above and Charlie +below the dirt began to fly at a great rate. The +two boys were soon plastered with sandy mud. +Then came a shout from Charlie, who was buried +to his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Catch hold, up there!"</p> + +<p>Something rose above the ground, and Schoverling +and Jack caught it, while the doctor peered +down. No sooner had the explorer caught the +long object than he gave a cry.</p> + +<p>"Those aren't logs, Chuck! They're tusks—wrapped +up for carriage!"</p> + +<p>A moment later the hole had been enlarged in +the sandy soil enough to let Jack leap down to his +chum's aid. One by one the tusks were passed +back to the Indians and Masai, who grouped them +in a pile with much wondering chatter.</p> + +<p>"Reg'lar cave down here," came the muffled +voice of Jack. "All ready?"</p> + +<p>"All ready," and more tusks came up. A +moment later the dirt-smeared, excited face of +Charlie appeared, and he clambered out, followed +after by the figure of Jack.</p> + +<p>"That's all, General. Hurray!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span></p> + +<p>"All!" echoed Schoverling. "Sure there's +nothing else? Here, let me get down there."</p> + +<p>For the first time Charlie remembered the gold-dust. +But although the explorer poked around in +the cave-like hole beneath with one of the Masai +knives, he finally had to climb up with the admission +that the boys had been right. There was no +gold-dust.</p> + +<p>For a few moments they stood around the huge +pile of tusks, while von Hofe counted them. All +were wrapped securely in canvas, mouldy and +rotted away with the damp of the ground. Charlie +tore at one and it came loose in his fingers.</p> + +<p>"Thirty-two," announced the big German excitedly. +"They vas all goot, but none fery large, +too. Ach, vat a pile of ifory!"</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry there was no gold-dust, though," +said Schoverling. "Funny Mowbray mentioned +it. Prob'ly he took it for granted that it was down +there with the tusks. You don't suppose there +could be a cache under that other post, do you?"</p> + +<p>"One o' these would be plenty to build," returned +Jack. "Let's have a look at the ivory, +Chuck."</p> + +<p>He pulled out his knife and ripped off the covering<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> +of the tusk Charlie had been pulling at. The +ivory gleamed yellow and discolored in the sunlight, +while a gasp of surprise went up from the +Masai, as for the first time they realized what +these things were. The gun-bearers gazed stolidly.</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 256px;"> +<img src="images/gs04.jpg" width="256" height="400" alt="One slash of the knife, and out trickled a little stream of yellow grains into the brown fist of the explorer." title="One slash of the knife, and out trickled a little stream of yellow grains into the brown fist of the explorer." /> +<span class="caption">One slash of the knife, and out trickled a little stream of yellow grains into the brown fist of the explorer.</span> +</div> + +<p>"What's this?"</p> + +<p>Jack had held up the tusk, the point of which +towered far above his head. As he lowered the +hollow butt to the ground in triumph, Charlie +sprang forward and picked up a little bag of skin +that had been held inside the hollow end by a +wooden plug, rotted away. The explorer leaped +forward, whipping out his knife, and grabbed the +little bag from Charlie's hand. One slash of the +knife, and out trickled a little stream of yellow +grains into the brown fist of the explorer.</p> + +<p>"Gold!"</p> + +<p>For a moment they all stood motionless, gazing +at the little bag. Von Hofe's face expressed mild +interest; that of Schoverling was aflame with passion; +Charlie knew that his own eyes were gleaming +and glittering, as were those of Jack. But +almost instantly the General laughed and resumed +control of himself.</p> + +<p>"We're acting like a lot of fools. Here, boys,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> +rip open the rest of those tusks and see if there +are more sacks."</p> + +<p>They fell to work with their knives, von Hofe +joining in the work, and a few moments later a +little heap of skin bags, each the size of a man's +fist, was piled up. Each tusk had held one, and +two or three yet retained the wooden plugs, which +had to be dug out, so firmly were they fastened.</p> + +<p>Charlie stood at the edge of the group, oblivious +to all else. Suddenly he felt the hand of his gun-bearer, +Amir Ali, laid on his arm, and the Gurkha +whispered in his ear.</p> + +<p>"Will the sahib come over here?"</p> + +<p>Wondering, the boy followed the Gurkha off to +one side. The gun-bearer pointed to the mainland, +toward the foot of the lake, and Charlie whipped +out his glasses instantly.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>SELIM SHOWS HIS TEETH</h3> + + +<p>No sooner had he obtained a focus than Charlie +gave a cry of surprise. There, half a mile away +still, were a dozen camels grouped together and +covering the ground with huge strides. On their +backs he could make out the white figures of men, +and something flashed in the sunlight like a rifle-barrel.</p> + +<p>Despite his surprise, Charlie saw with a glance +that the others had not heeded him, and smiled. +Casing his glasses, he walked back to the group +and stood beside Schoverling, who was examining +some of the gold-dust from the opened bag.</p> + +<p>"I have a little surprise-party for you," he +said quietly. They looked up at him, but Jack +caught something in his voice. "You might be +interested in knowing that Selim and his party +are about half a mile away and coming up at full +speed."</p> + +<p>With a rush and a shout the party ran to where +they could get a good look at the mainland, Charlie<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> +smiling at the sensation his words had created. +Gholab, whose keen eyes had first detected the approaching +camels, came running from the camp +with the rifles in his arms.</p> + +<p>Schoverling, after a long look through his +glasses, turned and took one of the 30-30s without +a word, buckling on his bandolier hurriedly. Von +Hofe turned to him protestingly.</p> + +<p>"We are not going to fight, Schoverling?"</p> + +<p>"Don't see what else," returned the explorer, +grimly, as he motioned to the boys to take their +rifles and bandoliers. "Those are Arabs beyond +any question. There's only one thing they are +here for, and that's the ivory and gold."</p> + +<p>With a troubled look, the doctor watched them.</p> + +<p>"You don't mean that they'd fight for it, General?" +asked Charlie, pausing. "Are you joking +or do you mean it?"</p> + +<p>"Mean it?" repeated the explorer, his bronzed +face hardening. "Why, boys, there's a fortune +in that stuff there! Do you think for a minute +that those Arabs are going to give it up to us, or +that I'm going to hand it over to them? Not +much! We've got it and we'll keep it while we +have a cartridge left!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Indians grinned, while they loaded their +own Sniders, Gholab taking one of the heavy Hammonds. +Schoverling took command of the situation, +while the boys gazed at each other in dismay, +knowing that he would never give in, and not relishing +the idea themselves of either fighting or +giving up the treasure that lay there in the sun +before them.</p> + +<p>"Bakari! Come here. Gholab, you see that the +cattle are led inside this old stockade, which will +keep them under cover from shore at least. Bakari, +post your men to north and south in the +bushes fronting the mainland. Do you understand? +But don't loose an arrow or spear until I +tell you. Got that?"</p> + +<p>The Masai understood well enough, and his +fierce eyes glittered at the thought of battle with +the Arabs, whom every native hated with good +reason. The oxen were led inside the half-burned +stockade and left to themselves.</p> + +<p>"Now, Doctor," and Schoverling's voice was +very keen and cold, "this isn't your funeral, you +know. If we have a row with these fellows you +had better keep—"</p> + +<p>"You are crazy as a loon, yes!" roared the big<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> +Teuton with a smile. "Would we gife up all +dis?" and his hand swept toward the tusks. +"Never, mine friends! I like not to fight, und +maybe we don't fight, but ve vill not gife up,—nein!"</p> + +<p>At this emphatic declaration the explorer smiled +grimly. A look showed Charlie and Jack that the +camels were almost to their old camp above the +lake, opposite.</p> + +<p>"If there's any chance to get out of it, General," +said Charlie, "I suppose you won't go +huntin' for trouble?"</p> + +<p>"Not I," returned Schoverling. "There are +twelve of them and eight of us, besides the Masai, +but we've got the stuff and we've got a strong position +here. Well, come on down to the shore and +we'll see what's doing."</p> + +<p>Five minutes later they stood in the bushes +above the water. The Indians Schoverling posted +at intervals, the Masai being hidden farther on. +Across the way, through the burned opening in +the reeds, they could see the camels drawing up +on the eminence a hundred yards back from the +lake, and through their glasses the boys distinctly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> +made out the figure of Selim ben Amoud, in white +burnous.</p> + +<p>The Arabs bunched together for a few moments, +examining the island through their glasses. The +wagon and zareba were in plain sight, but they +seemed to be puzzled by the absence of men or cattle. +All were armed with rifles, and two or three +began picketing out the camels, others taking off +the camel-bags and proceeding to make camp. A +moment later the tall form of Selim ben Amoud +advanced alone to the edge of the water. As he +did so, Schoverling rose to his feet and greeted +him with a warning shout in Arabic.</p> + +<p>"<i>Naharak said</i>, Selim!"</p> + +<p>Selim paused, evidently in astonishment, stared, +and half-raised his rifle. Then he dropped it +again, and Charlie could distinctly see his white +teeth flashing in the sun.</p> + +<p>"<i>Naharak said</i>, effendi! So it is my friend Mr. +Schoverling, eh? What a delightful surprise to +meet you here!"</p> + +<p>"I guess it's a surprise all right, Selim," responded +the explorer. "But the delight is all on +your side. Are you out trading?"</p> + +<p>"If you would come across and visit us," returned<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> +the Arab evasively, "we would be very, +very pleased to receive you."</p> + +<p>"Don't doubt it a bit," and Schoverling +grinned. "Say, come on over and have tea, +Selim. Come alone, though. You can trust me +but I don't trust you worth a whoop."</p> + +<p>For answer the Arab waved his hand and turned +back to his camels. The boys gazed after him in +curiosity, and Charlie turned to the explorer.</p> + +<p>"Think he'll come, Gen'ral?"</p> + +<p>"You bet," laughed the other. "He's dying +to know whether we've found that cache, and he'd +trust me well enough. But we've got to make +ready. Jack, go and sling a tent over that pile of +ivory. Gholab!"</p> + +<p>"Ready, sahib."</p> + +<p>"Make tea for all of us, with Selim thrown in. +A slice of that impalla for him, too, as he's apt to +be hungry. Guru, you and Akram and Ali keep +hidden. When I call for you, come alone."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sahib."</p> + +<p>"What you goin' to do, General?" asked Charlie +as the explorer told him to return to the zareba +with von Hofe and make every preparation to receive +their visitor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'm goin' to run a big bluff on him," said +Schoverling. "Remember, those chaps are watching +everything we do. Ah, Selim's taking a camel. +Keep well hidden up there, Guru!"</p> + +<p>With this parting admonition he departed. As +they walked slowly back toward the camp, Charlie +saw Schoverling pause amid the bushes, fling out +his arm as if talking to some one, and point toward +the shore. At one place he called Bakari and two +of the warriors, whose appearance and disappearance +caused a flutter in the group of Arabs.</p> + +<p>Selim, meanwhile, had mounted a camel and was +approaching the shore. It was only three in the +afternoon, and the stately Arab, clad in pure +white from head to foot, gleamed in the sunshine, +to the admiration of the boys. He drove his ungainly +steed into the water and they splashed +across. Schoverling, returning, met them at the +shore of the island, and led the camel forward to +the camp.</p> + +<p>Selim cast quick glances to right and left, but +the gate-post hole and the treasure were hid beneath +canvas and behind the grazing horses—a +touch of Jack's. The camel knelt, and the Arab<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> +slipped off, Charlie dividing his attention between +the man and the ugly, thick-lipped camel.</p> + +<p>They all shook hands with smiling courtesy, as +if rifles had not been leveled five minutes before, +and squatted on blankets around the folding canvas +table. Gholab was just making ready tea and +a slice of game for the Arab.</p> + +<p>"So," smiled Selim, though his black eyes narrowed, +"you found the wonderful lake of Quilqua, +after all! Did you have any guides?"</p> + +<p>"We had Mowbray for a guide," retorted Schoverling +dryly. A look of astonishment went over +the dark face as the explorer handed him his own +map. Then, in a few words, the General related +how they had found Mowbray and produced the +letter in proof. As he finished, Gholab came up +with the tea, the plate of impalla for Selim, and +one or two biscuits. The Arab glanced at the +game hesitatingly.</p> + +<p>"All right, Selim," declared the explorer. +"There is no salt on it. Take away the biscuits, +Gholab."</p> + +<p>Charlie and Jack interchanged a meaning +glance. The Arab would eat no salt with them, +which was not a good sign. But he fell to on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> +venison with gusto, and for half an hour the talk +was merely of the country, the game, and their +trip. Selim stated that the Arabs who deserted +Mowbray had all perished crossing the desert except +one, who had remained to guide him with a +rescue party. He congratulated them warmly +over their first elephant hunt, and also on their +battle with the buffalo. But at last Schoverling +became exasperated.</p> + +<p>"Look here, Selim," he said firmly, "you and I +know each other pretty well, and I don't see any +use in beating about the bush. Did you come after +Mowbray, and nothing else?"</p> + +<p>The Arab's face changed, his lids narrowing +and his cruel smile thinning down. He met the +gaze of the American squarely.</p> + +<p>"Do you know of anything else I might have +come after?"</p> + +<p>"It might have been ivory and gold-dust, for +one thing," with which the explorer relieved the +tense situation by proffering a cigar. Von Hofe +smiled to himself as Selim took it with no indication +that the words had startled him.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he admitted, "it might." He lit the +cigar calmly. At the same moment Guru came<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> +into sight, evidently having received some instructions +beforehand that Charlie had missed. He advanced +toward the party and saluted.</p> + +<p>"Well?" said Schoverling.</p> + +<p>"Report, sahib. Two of the Arabs have gone +up north by the shore."</p> + +<p>"You'd better call over to your men, Selim," +chuckled the American. "They're liable to meet +a buffalo or python in there." The Arab shrugged +his shoulders unconcernedly. "Very well, Guru. +Keep the men just as they are. Send out twenty +of the Masai to spread along the shore to the +north. Your men are arranged?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sahib," said the quick-witted Sikh impassively. +"Ten near the ford under Amir, and my +ten somewhat to the south."</p> + +<p>"You may go." Guru saluted and wheeled. +Charlie, watching Selim's clear-cut face during +this amazing dialogue, saw it change expression +slightly.</p> + +<p>"You have quite a force, Schoverling," remarked +the Arab calmly. "Then, I suppose that +you have found the gold-dust and the ivory?"</p> + +<p>"Under that canvas," and the explorer pointed. +"The game's up, Selim ben Amoud. We got here<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> +first, that's all. If your men had not deserted +Mowbray he would have cleaned up the stuff. As +it is, we have it."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you have it," repeated Selim slowly. +"But, my friend, you shall not have it long."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we have men enough to defend it," retorted +the American carelessly. Charlie drew a +quick breath. "You have only a dozen over there, +and could not cross the strait under our fire."</p> + +<p>"If it comes to that," and Selim's teeth glinted, +"you cannot cross under <i>our</i> fire, my friend. I +learned of the cache and of this lake, and equipped +the first expedition. By right, that treasure is +mine."</p> + +<p>"But I found it," returned the explorer brutally. +"And by might it is mine."</p> + +<p>For a moment tense silence fell upon the group. +The boys watched the slim Arab, whose composure +never gave way under the strain, which must +have been terrific. He puffed slowly at his cigar, +and then smiled.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Schoverling, and you, Dr. von Hofe, you +will realize that your men cannot subsist on air. +They must have food. You may be too strong for +us in open fight, but at least we can keep you on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> +the island. I do not give up so easily. You may +give me trouble, but in the end you will die—either +of starvation or by bullet. By the way, this +brush seems to be pretty dry. When my men were +here it was green. I think a taste of fire—you +catch my meaning!"</p> + +<p>Charlie, at least, caught it and stared aghast at +the cruel smile of the Arab.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>FRESH SPOOR</h3> + + +<p>"That's a good bluff, Selim," rejoined Schoverling +coolly, "but it won't go down with me. +You might as well give in."</p> + +<p>The other shook his head, still smiling. But at +this instant Jack, who had listened with intense +interest to the duel of words, struck in and cut the +Gordian knot.</p> + +<p>"Look here, General, and Mr. ben Amoud," he +said, leaning forward earnestly. "There's no +sense in getting hot-headed over this. As near's I +can see, we've each got a mighty good excuse to +scrap, and we can do a whole lot of damage once +we start. But this country isn't the place to start +a row, not to my notion.</p> + +<p>"You hold on, Gen'ral, till I get through. We +might shoot things up consid'able, both of us, an' +when we got through there wouldn't be enough of +us left to get back home with. If you start anything,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> +Selim, we'll raise you the limit; but there's +no sense to it. <i>I</i> say, let's each of us divvy up the +loot an' dig out for home."</p> + +<p>That Schoverling had not considered any division +of the cache was evident, and he considered +Jack's speech silently. Selim, however, smiled +again.</p> + +<p>"My young friend, you are very wise. Mr. +Schoverling, perhaps we might agree on that basis. +A fight would be costly to each of us, and might +leave us unable to get home, as is suggested. I am +none too anxious to stay in this land after the +tales you tell. I recognize the fact that you have +the advantage of having the treasure in your +power, and see no reason why we <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'should'">shoud</ins> not share +it and be gone."</p> + +<p>Schoverling hesitated as Selim spoke. He +plainly realized the force of the argument, and yet +to give up even a share of the ivory and dust went +against the grain. Perhaps he doubted the good +faith of his friend the enemy, but in any case von +Hofe's grunt of approbation decided him.</p> + +<p>"It iss goot," said the doctor anxiously. "We +haf come for elephant, please."</p> + +<p>"All right," and the American's face cleared +as he held out his hand to the Arab. "We'll split +even, Selim!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Hurray!" shouted Charlie in delight. +"Bully for you, General! Good work, Jack!"</p> + +<p>"That is entirely agreeable," smiled Selim, as +he gripped Schoverling's hand. "Now, my +friends, we have been in this country for two days, +and I have many affairs to get back to. There is +no reason why we should delay here for an hour. +It is still two hours to sunset, and our camels +could cover much ground before then. So, if you +are willing, let us divide the spoils and I will +trouble you no more."</p> + +<p>"That suits us," exclaimed the explorer, +springing to his feet. "Come along and we'll +have a look at the stuff."</p> + +<p>Casting a glance opposite as they arose, Charlie +saw that the Arabs had started a fire and +seemed to be eating, while the camels grazed. The +party left the zareba and moved over to the stockade. +Jack threw the canvas from the two piles, +and for a moment the Arab's eyes glittered as he +surveyed the great heap of ivory.</p> + +<p>"Those tusks," he said, "will be hard for us +to carry off. We had thought to sling them on our +camels, but after our experience of that desert to +the north it would make hard work, I fear."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well," suggested Charlie, "you might swap +your share of the ivory for some of our gold-dust. +That would make it easier to carry."</p> + +<p>"Yes," added the General thoughtfully. "We +can carry the tusks easily enough in the wagon. +There are sixteen each, Selim, and the same number +of bags. Here's one I cut open."</p> + +<p>The Arab ran the soft gold-dust through his +fingers for a moment.</p> + +<p>"There is no use stopping to count or weigh +all this, Schoverling. Each tusk must be worth, at +an average, some fifteen pounds at the coast. +Each of these bags seems to be of a size, and they +are probably weighed to the same amount. My +share of the ivory is worth, at a guess, some two +hundred and forty pounds, or twelve hundred of +your dollars. What would you say the dust +weighs?"</p> + +<p>"That is a little hard to say," returned the +American. "I rather think, however, that an estimate +of about two hundred and fifty dollars—or +fifty pounds a bag—would be just about right. +If that suits you, I'm agreeable."</p> + +<p>"I think that is nearly correct," smiled Selim, +nodding. "It is, I believe, slightly an under-estimate,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> +but that matters little. Then, at the rate we +figure, I would have twenty-one bags as my share, +leaving you all the ivory. That is correct?"</p> + +<p>"Perfectly," returned Schoverling. "It looks +to me like a fair split, and if the gold runs over +that figure, I won't kick. I'll throw in an odd bag +for good luck, Selim; that leaves us an even ten +and the ivory. There must be more gold where +that came from, just the same. You might come +back here with a good force and make a clean-up, +old man."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I will," said the other seriously. +"Now, will you help me get these bags into my +saddle-bags? I have no fancy to remain overnight +by this lake."</p> + +<p>All pitched in and helped to carry the twenty-two +little bags of precious metal over to the camel, +which was kneeling and chewing stolidly. Jack +stepped too near with his burden, and the vicious +head swung about to snap. He leaped back amid +the laughter of the rest, who remained at a safe +distance.</p> + +<p>"Well, I suppose we must part," smiled Selim, +holding out his hand as the last of the bags was +laced in the leathern flaps. "It would be insincere<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> +to say that I am not sorry at finding you +here before me, but I am really very glad we did +not have to fight. To tell the truth, my men were +almost too frightened to remain here, and had it +come to fighting, they would have refused point-blank."</p> + +<p>"Well," laughed Schoverling whimsically, "I +might as well show under true colors, since you +have led the way," and he called in all the men. +At sight of their real numbers, Selim gave a shout +of laughter.</p> + +<p>"Good, brother, good!" he cried as he urged +his camel forward from its knees. "We played +the game well, you and I." He waved a hand as +the camel plunged into the water at the ford. +"<i>Abqa'la kheir!</i>"</p> + +<p>"<i>Abqa'la kheir</i>," shouted the American, and +the two boys waved their hats with attempts at +the Arabic, which drew a last laughing wave from +Selim. Then his camel went up the farther bank.</p> + +<p>"That means 'until the next time,'" laughed +Schoverling. "Well, I'm glad that we got out +of that as we did."</p> + +<p>"So am I," declared von Hofe, smiling broadly. +"See, they are going."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span></p> + +<p>So it appeared, for as Selim joined the rest +there was an immediate bustle. The camels were +unpicketed, the saddles adjusted, and the camp +broken. All twelve Arabs were now in camp, and +one by one the awkward steeds rose to their feet.</p> + +<p>"They're mighty fine beasts," declared Schoverling. +"No common camels there, but picked +racers, worth a fortune apiece. Selim does things +up right, no doubt about that."</p> + +<p>"He come pretty near doing us up right," +grinned Jack. Then came a flutter of the burnouses, +those on the island waved, and the group +of camels moved away at an amazing speed, to +the southwest.</p> + +<p>"Probably going to circle around the hills and +strike for the north," commented Charlie.</p> + +<p>While daylight remained they did nothing save +store the ivory in the wagon and place the gold-dust +in the brass trunk belonging to von Hofe.</p> + +<p>It was decided to place the traps along the shore +of the island near the mainland, and all the men +were called upon to make note of where they were +placed, as they would be left in position until the +camp was abandoned.</p> + +<p>The injured Masai were slowly recovering from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> +their hurts, for although their wounds rapidly +healed, the broken bones took longer. As they sat +around the dinner-table that night the four explorers +decided that every day spent in that country +added to their danger, and that the search +for the rogue elephant should begin the next +morning.</p> + +<p>"I'm kind of disappointed," muttered Charlie +to Jack, as they rolled up that night with Schoverling +on guard. "Aren't you? I thought that +stuff would be worth heaps o' coin, but according +to the General's figures it doesn't come to more'n +five thousand iron men."</p> + +<p>"What're you looking for?" retorted Jack +wearily. "Four or five million? S'pose we split +up on that, it means a thousand each, easy. Why, +I never saw a thousand dollars in my life. It +looks mighty good to me, Chuck."</p> + +<p>"Oh, it looks good," admitted Charlie hastily. +"But when you talk about treasure you reckon in +big figures. I'm not kicking, though,—not on +your life! Good thing you came in when you did +with that splitting proposition. How'd you happen +to think of it?"</p> + +<p>"Who wouldn't?" returned Jack. "Made me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> +tired to hear 'em sit there and argue back and +forth, making threats and so on. No sense in it."</p> + +<p>Nothing occurred that night to disturb the +camp, although the Masai kept up until late a +dance and chant in triumph at having, as they supposed, +put the Arabs to flight. But in the morning +Schoverling made an announcement that +roused everyone.</p> + +<p>"About eleven last night," he said at breakfast, +"I heard a big crashing north of us, farther +toward the head of the lake. Then came snorts, +and a single trumpet. Sounded as if the rogue +elephant was out on a stroll and had run into a +buffalo or something."</p> + +<p>"Then I feel very sorry for that buffalo," +smiled von Hofe. "We shall all go out this morning, +no?"</p> + +<p>"You don't have to go, Doctor," said the explorer +earnestly. "At best you could only take +one of the rifles, for we'll have to carry the big +guns."</p> + +<p>"Pouf!" grunted the German. "It is my +party, and I shall go."</p> + +<p>"We might as well go on foot," declared the +American. "Now, boys, we can put a little tracking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> +into play. The Masai won't do us any good. +As near as I can see, we'll have to catch that fellow +when he isn't looking for trouble. And remember, +under no circumstances fire at his head."</p> + +<p>"How about the bull you killed back at +Kenia?" objected Charlie. "You put a bullet +in each eye, an' laid him out cold."</p> + +<p>"He was within ten feet of me then, and I had +no choice in the matter. No, when we do get a +shot just you aim to cripple him—in the shoulder +or leg. If he charges, hit his trunk or break his +leg. One of those bullets, big as they are, would +simply flatten out on his skull and stun him."</p> + +<p>Von Hofe, who still wished to kill one of the +giant buffalo himself, took a 30-30, and Akram +Das had perforce to take his Snider or go weaponless. +The three hunters carried their own heavy +guns, for they might be needed at an instant's notice, +and filled their bandoliers to the limit. +Gholab Singh was left in charge of the camp with +five Masai, Bakari and the other five accompanying +the party as flankers and scouts.</p> + +<p>An hour after sunrise they waded across the +strip of water between the island and shore, and +turned toward the head of the lake, as it was in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> +this direction that the explorer had heard the elephant +during the preceding night. There seemed +to be no sign of any game around them, for once, +at which Jack wondered.</p> + +<p>"Scared out," said the explorer grimly, "if +that rogue was around."</p> + +<p>Ahead, the country did not appear so densely +wooded as they had thought. It ascended toward +the hills beyond in gentle, rolling swells, and they +had no difficulty in advancing through the knee-deep +grass. On every hand were trees in clumps +or singly, but no sign of elephant spoor could +they see.</p> + +<p>"Maybe we'd better strike in a little from the +river," suggested Charlie. "Jack and I could +have a look, anyhow, an' we might pick up a +trail."</p> + +<p>"I don't think there's much danger that he'd +be here, so go ahead," returned Schoverling to +their delight. "Circle around for a couple of +hundred yards, but don't get out of sight. If +he was here last night, he was probably drinking, +and has gone in to feed."</p> + +<p>The two boys left the party, followed by Akram +and Amir Ali, their gun-bearers. But although<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> +they searched the ground well, no sign +of a trail did they see. Getting a little farther +from the party all the time, they proceeded for +nearly a mile, and found the forest verging into +a jungle of bamboo.</p> + +<p>"Jack," exclaimed Charlie quietly, stopping, +"come over here."</p> + +<p>Jack and the Indians joined him, and he pointed +to the ground a yard ahead. There, deep in the +soft soil, was the fresh spoor of an elephant—and +at its size the Indians gave a gasp of wonder. +It was the rogue!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>LOST!</h3> + + +<p>Charlie looked around. The bamboos were +all about them, and without retracing their steps +they could not summon the others. Jack gripped +his arm.</p> + +<p>"Look here, Chuck! Let's cut away from the +General an' get after that rogue ourselves!"</p> + +<p>"Got to obey orders," and Charlie negatived +it with a shake of the head. "That spoor is too +fresh to suit me, Jack."</p> + +<p>"Well, then," and Jack was quivering with +eagerness; "we can start on an' send Akram +back—slow. We ain't kids. We can tell pretty +well if we get up on him."</p> + +<p>Charlie considered this proposition for a moment. +He longed to have the triumph of downing +the old rogue himself, and yet he knew that +Schoverling would countenance no disobedience, +no departure from orders. But that fresh spoor, +leading off through the trees, tempted him and +at last he fell.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span></p> + +<p>"All right. Akram, you go back and call the +General. But don't hurry. Tell him that we'll +wait for him at the first sign of any danger."</p> + +<p>The Indian grinned, saluted, and loitered away. +Without hesitation Charlie turned and led the +way along the trail. This followed a newly-broken +path through the bamboos, and five minutes +later they were swallowed up in the dense +thickets.</p> + +<p>Both the boys had been used, Jack especially, +to following the trail of deer or moose and smaller +animals through the woods of the northland, +but this was very different. The ground was +soft, and the huge bulk of the elephant had sent +his feet down at times three or four feet. However, +they were able to read the signs of the trail +well enough.</p> + +<p>"He stopped to feed here," declared Charlie, +pointing to a tangle of broken branches at one +side. Wherever possible they trod in his tracks, +as no sticks or twigs remained to crack beneath +their feet; the holes in the swampier ground they +of course avoided.</p> + +<p>"Hello, what's this?" cried Jack. A new +trail merged into that which they followed, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> +by a footprint they knew it for that of one of the +giant buffaloes. "We've got to see if he's +waiting or not."</p> + +<p>The Indian watched them stolidly, gun ready, +while they examined the broken bamboos and +twigs, as well as the hoof-prints.</p> + +<p>"He came in ahead o' the rogue," declared +Charlie positively. "Look, here's a deep buffalo-print +that's dry. There's one 'bout as deep made +by the rogue, but there's water at the bottom. +Then these trees over here are dry, but there's +still a little sap on the elephant's trail."</p> + +<p>"Then they came by last night, sure enough," +said Jack. "The buffalo started along feeling +pretty good. Stopped to nibble here. The rogue +struck into his trail and swished right along careless. +Stopped to rub on that tree—there's buffalo +hair—whew! Say, that rogue is big!"</p> + +<p>"Twelve feet up," said Amir Ali with a delighted +display of teeth, as he reached in vain +toward the scarred bark.</p> + +<p>Somewhat sobered by this, the boys stared at +each other until Charlie resumed the march. No +sign had come from behind of Schoverling and +the rest. Fifty feet farther on the bamboos<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> +thinned out, and in a little glade they came upon +fresher tracks.</p> + +<p>"Hello!" cried Jack. "Buffalo stopped to +feed over here but didn't stay long. Look at the +tracks, Chuck. He turned around and stood for +a minute, till his hoofs sunk down. Most likely +that's where he heard the elephant coming +along."</p> + +<p>"Well, he didn't wait." Charlie was bending +over the spoor as he walked along, reading the +sign eagerly. "He pushed right ahead after a +minute—say, do you s'pose that was the rumpus +the General heard last night? He said it sounded +like a buffalo and an elephant!"</p> + +<p>Jack shook his head, and now they followed the +trail out onto higher ground. The bamboos +thinned behind them, and before them were scattered +woods, heavy, flat-topped thorn trees, junipers,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">and others the boys did not know, while the</span><br /> +country was well broken up by little rises. But +that was not what caused the boys to leap forward.</p> + +<p>In the open space ahead lay a shapeless mass +that had once been a buffalo. It was easy to +tell what had happened here. The elephant, possibly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> +coming upon the great bull at the edge of +the bamboos, had paid no attention to him; possibly +had brushed him aside. At all events, the +bull had drawn blood, for they saw spots on the +edge of the elephant spoor. The huge rogue had +plainly turned and pressed his opponent against a +big tree, which was scraped and dotted with hair +and blood. But this stood a good fifteen feet away +from the position of the buffalo, and there were +only elephant tracks between!</p> + +<p>"Jumping sandhills!" cried Charlie, realizing +the truth. "He must have caught up that +buffalo and <i>flung</i> him! Then he went over and +kneeled all over him."</p> + +<p>"Right you are," exclaimed Jack. "Ugh, +what a mess! Let's go on."</p> + +<p>As they turned, a vulture came winging out of +the sky and descended without fear on the carcass. +Charlie pointed out that they must be +wrong.</p> + +<p>"This is another bull, Jack. If the other fellow +fought last night, the vultures would be on +him by now. Anyhow, that sap was too fresh on +the twigs. Bet a dollar the rogue had two scraps +last night instead of one."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span></p> + +<p>That they were right was verified a moment +later by Amir Ali, who attracted their attention +to a moving object behind some trees six hundred +yards away, at the crest of a rise. The boys had +their glasses out instantly.</p> + +<p>"It's either a rhino or the fellow we're after," +declared Jack with a low exclamation. "He's +moving off—there he goes on the other side!"</p> + +<p>"Come on!" cried Charlie, running forward. +Carried away beyond all thought of caution by +the excitement, Jack and Amir Ali dashed after +him recklessly. It had been impossible to make +out the elephant clearly by reason of the trees +between, but Charlie had no doubt that he was +the one they were after.</p> + +<p>That they were plunging into grave danger +never occurred to him, nor did he wonder why +Schoverling and the rest had not come up. The +sun was now high overhead, and the higher +ground around them bore no tracks. But neither +boy had eye for anything except that clump of +trees where the huge animal had stood.</p> + +<p>"You keep your eye peeled," cried Jack, at +his chum's shoulder. "He's liable to be waitin' +there."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span></p> + +<p>But as the trees opened out ahead they saw +that the elephant had not waited. The group +of mimosas where he had been was waving slowly +in the wind, and for the first time Charlie remembered +that most essential part of African +hunting. A brief glance, however, showed that +they were across the wind from their prey, and +so were safe enough. What lay beyond the mimosas +was hidden by the rise, toward which they +were rapidly approaching.</p> + +<p>Panting, the boys at length drew up to the trees, +and the country ahead unfolded. To their keen +disappointment, there was no sign of the elephant +to be seen. Jack, however quickly pointed +to some tall bushes that grew on a slope to their +left, more in the direction of the lake.</p> + +<p>"There he is! See them bushes wave, Chuck? +Better send in a bullet!"</p> + +<p>"Cut it!" exclaimed Charlie sharply as Jack +brought up his rifle. "Remember what the General +said—that we'd have to catch him when he +wasn't looking? Got to bust a leg first crack or +we're goners. Say, how'll the rest know where +we are?"</p> + +<p>"They can follow our tracks," cried Jack over<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> +his shoulder, as he fell into a lope and headed for +the bushes, beyond which rose trees. They were +but four hundred yards away, and could plainly +be seen waving as some heavy body struggled +through them. The thought crossed Charlie's +brain as he followed, that even Schoverling would +have a hard time tracking; them on that high, +rocky ground, but he dismissed it carelessly +enough. Amir Ali pounded along after them, +grimly determined not to be left behind.</p> + +<p>They were soon near the bushes, but instead +of venturing into them, Jack turned aside toward +a small hill. Charlie was at his heels, and a moment +later the two boys drew up with a simultaneous +cry of dismay.</p> + +<p>"Rhino!" ejaculated Charlie in disgust. +"We're a dandy pair, we are!"</p> + +<p>Emerging from the bushes, a hundred yards +farther on, was a huge rhinoceros. They were +now down-wind, and he neither heard nor saw +them, but trotted off lumberingly without so +much as a glance in their direction.</p> + +<p>"We're a nice bunch of idiots," said Jack +angrily, unconsciously including the innocent +Amir in the epithet. "We just saw something<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> +big and gray moving around, and took it for +granted he was an elephant. We should have +stuck to the trail, Chuck."</p> + +<p>"Well," returned Charlie, "we're here. +Next question is, where are we?"</p> + +<p>"Where are we?" repeated Jack, turning in +surprise. "Why, we headed east to that first +clump of trees, and then north to here. There's +the bamboo patch we left, over there."</p> + +<p>"Not much," retorted his chum with conviction. +"We headed south first, and then east. +There's our elephant trail," and he pointed to a +second patch of bamboo jungle to their left.</p> + +<p>For a moment the two stared at each other. +Then Jack broke into a laugh.</p> + +<p>"Say, remember that story 'bout the two tenderfeet +up north o' Smith's Landing? One said +east was one way, the other said it was the other +way. They had a scrap and each went east for +the camp. An hour later they come face to face +in the same place. Well, that's us."</p> + +<p>Charlie appealed to Amir Ali, but the Indian +shrugged his shoulders and declared that he had +not kept the sense of direction, supposing that +the sahibs had done so. As neither boy had followed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> +the compass, the instruments were of little +use to them.</p> + +<p>"Plain fact of the matter is, we're lost," announced +Charlie. "If we fired our guns we'd +get the General down on us soon enough, but it'd +scare off the rogue."</p> + +<p>"Be a heap more likely to bring <i>him</i> down on +us," grunted Jack. "We've got to find the +bunch before the General gets sore, Chuck."</p> + +<p>Charlie suggested following their track back, +but of course this proved impracticable. There +were clumps of mimosa thorn in every direction, +each similar to that which they had first headed +for. They had left no tracks on the bare, rocky +soil, and the grass had closed behind them in the +wind.</p> + +<p>The tired Amir Ali squatted down to rest, +while with their glasses they searched in every +direction. They thought of the smoke from the +camp-fire, but this was invisible behind the trees. +In the distance moved a herd of zebra and another +of impalla, but this was the only indication +of life that they could find.</p> + +<p>"We'll hear the General shooting pretty +soon," said Charlie disgustedly. "What's that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> +over in those trees? Looks like an old native +village."</p> + +<p>"Let's go over an' see," suggested Jack. +"We can camp down there and build a fire. +That'll draw the General quicker'n shots would. +They might get the rogue's notice."</p> + +<p>"Ain't so eager," grinned Charlie. "What's +the matter? Nerve failed you?"</p> + +<p>"No," confessed the other. "It's all right +chasing along when you know the rest of them +are right behind. But to get stuck off somewhere +all by yourself isn't so soothing. Guess we won't +monkey with that rogue till the General comes +along."</p> + +<p>They started across the slope to where a few +of the ruined huts showed the location of a former +village. This, when they reached it, proved to +be of large extent, a few huts yet standing, others +lying in over-grown mounds amid the trees. To +their right extended fairly open plain, while at +the left the heavier forest and bamboo patches +closed in almost to the village.</p> + +<p>Jack set about building a fire to send up a +smoke-signal, while Charlie wandered through +the desolate village. Suddenly he came upon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span> +something that surprised him. Lying in a half-cleared +space were the half-burned sticks and the +ashes of a fire. Plainly, they had been there for +weeks, for vines were growing through, but they +could not be as old as the village itself. He +called Jack over to look at it.</p> + +<p>"This must be where Mowbray hit off to after +the rogue," exclaimed Jack excitedly. "We're +plumb on his tracks. I'm goin' to let off a gun, +rogue or no rogue. There—that's the bunch +now!"</p> + +<p>To their ears came the faint report of a heavy +gun, borne over the trees, Jack lifted his own +Hammond, and sent off both barrels in response.</p> + +<p>"That'll get him," he chuckled as he threw out +the shells and reloaded. "Now for the fire."</p> + +<p>But as he turned away, a startled cry from +Amir Ali drew their attention.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>THE ROGUE ELEPHANT</h3> + + +<p>"Sahibs! Sahibs! The elephant!"</p> + +<p>At first the boys looked behind him, taking it +for granted that he was running from the danger. +But at his gestures they whirled, and there +Charlie saw a sight that he never forgot.</p> + +<p>Breaking slowly and deliberately from the forest +to their left, three hundred yards from where +they stood, was an elephant. But no ordinary +tusker, this. To the startled imaginations of the +two boys it seemed that the tremendous brute +towered far above them; in reality, he was over +thirteen feet tall, but his immense tusk and huge +flapping ears increased his terrific aspect two-fold.</p> + +<p>"Jumping sandhills!" breathed Charlie. He +heard Jack give a startled gasp at his side.</p> + +<p>They were up-wind, and the elephant not only +heard but saw them. For a moment he stood, +and the boys were so awed by that terrible sight +that they forgot to shoot. With his great trunk<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> +flung far up, those twelve-foot tusks stretched +far up, and the great semi-circular ears lifted up +until they almost met above his head, he seemed +like some prehistoric monster from thousands of +years ago.</p> + +<p>Watching the evil glitter of the little red eyes, +Charlie stood as if paralyzed. He realized how +the primitive men must have felt when they stood +face to face with some huge mammoth, hurling +against him their stone-tipped spears and wielding +stone axes.</p> + +<p>The very thought woke him to himself, bringing +back to mind the gun in his hands. Jack +stood, awestruck at that fearsome sight, and +Charlie yelled at him. As he did so, the rogue +elephant curled forward his trunk and trumpeted +loud and shrill—a wild scream of rage and defiance +that sent the chattering monkeys scurrying +in frightened silence.</p> + +<p>"Shoot, sahibs!" implored the sweating Amir +Ali, not daring to infringe the rules himself.</p> + +<p>Once again the elephant trumpeted, and broke +forward with a lurch that sent the trees crashing +down around him. Jack, trembling with buckfever, +flung up his gun and let go both barrels<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> +at once. The shock sent him over backward with +a groan.</p> + +<p>Charlie waited an instant. He knew that Amir +was helping Jack up, but those two cordite bullets +had not stopped the great rogue—if, indeed, +they had hit him at all. As it proved, both +bullets had merely raked along his side. Then +he charged—terribly, deadly, asking and receiving +no quarter from these puny men who dared +to stand before him.</p> + +<p>For that instant Charlie felt a wild inclination +to turn and run. Then he conquered himself and +became cool as he heard the click of Jack's rifle-breech +behind him. Up went his Holland, and +aiming for the elephant's right fore-leg, he +pulled trigger.</p> + +<p>Without pausing to see the effect, he followed +it instantly with the second ball. During one +brief moment it seemed that neither had taken +effect, and with feverish energy Charlie pressed +home two fresh shells. That awe-inspiring beast +was a hundred and fifty yards away, and each +second seemed an hour. But, just as Jack stepped +forward and fired again, the great beast rocked +and went down.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span></p> + +<p>Both bullets had struck his fore-leg, shattering +it. A wild thrill of hope ran through Charlie and +he leaped forward. But the rogue had vitality +beyond the ordinary, vitality and a tremendous +raging strength that carried him to his feet again. +For an instant he stood, lurching and rocking on +three legs, trumpeting shrilly until the woods re-echoed, +and then the horrified Charlie saw him +plunge forward, trunk thrown out.</p> + +<p>Again Jack fired, and splinters of skin and +bone flew from the rogue's head. Charlie realized +full well that his only hope lay in crippling +the terrible beast, crippling him so that he could +advance no farther. A hundred yards away now, +and as he raised the big rifle slowly, mist blurred +his sight for a moment. All depended on those +two last shots in his rifle.</p> + +<p>The mist cleared away. It seemed that the great +beast was towering over him, reaching for him +with that terrible trunk. But he resisted the +temptation to fire at the head, and drew a careful +bead on the left fore-shoulder.</p> + +<p>Charlie never remembered firing those two +shots. The next thing he knew, the rogue was +standing before him, then the great head went<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> +down with a shrill scream of pain and anger, the +mighty form crumpled, and with a crash that +shook the very earth beneath them the rogue elephant +toppled forward.</p> + +<p>Something long and white flashed past, and +from behind came a sudden scream of pain. +Whirling, Charlie saw Amir Ali, who had stuck +to them bravely, stagger away and sink down. +As the elephant dropped, his impetus and the +tremendous weight of his gigantic body had +snapped off short one of the ends of his tusks, the +severed ivory flying forward and striking the +Gurkha in the head.</p> + +<p>Charlie ran to the man's side, but at a shout +from Jack left him and sprang up. The rogue +was not dead yet. Fighting to the last, he was +trying to rise to his shattered knees, trumpeting +till the woods rang again with the horrible +screams. Jack was dashing around to his side +for a finishing shot, and Charlie watched. Despite +himself, he could not help feeling a throb +of pity for the great animal, rogue and destroyer +though he might be, struggling there so desperately +to rise.</p> + +<p>And, impossible though it seemed, the elephant<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> +actually regained his feet. But even as he did +so the shattered fore-legs crumpled up again, and +with a low muttering moan of pain he went down. +A moment later Jack fired, twice, placing each +bullet behind the left shoulder.</p> + +<p>Charlie saw the mighty trunk go up, but no +sound issued forth. The red eyes seemed to meet +his as with one tremendous effort the rogue +lurched up once more, then the huge ears sagged +down, the trunk frothed forth bloody foam and +fell in the dust, and with a single groan the elephant +went over on his side, dead.</p> + +<p>Charlie's first thought was for Amir Ali. +Reaching the man's side, he pulled the stopper +from his canteen and poured water over the Gurkha's +head, which was flowing with blood. The +wound, however, proved to be slight and the man +was but stunned. Charlie gazed down at the foot-long +sliver of ivory, and rose. He felt unable to +do more, and glanced around for Jack. The other +was sitting in the grass, gazing at the dead rogue.</p> + +<p>Feeling his knees growing weak with the reaction, +Charlie staggered to his side and sank +down. For a few moments neither boy spoke. +There was something terrible about having killed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> +such an animal, something that oppressed them +both with a feeling that it was not yet over, that +at any moment he might rise and come at them.</p> + +<p>Charlie tried to speak, but his throat was dry. +He had emptied his canteen over Amir, and +caught that of Jack. Taking a swallow, he forced +the water on Jack, and a moment later the boys +rose to their feet.</p> + +<p>"I'm kind of sorry," was all Jack could find +to say, as he stared down at the brute who had +lived so badly and died so well. Charlie shared +his feeling, but a moment later a loud gun-shot +came to his ears. He remembered the other +party, and raising his gun, fired twice in the air.</p> + +<p>"Buck up, old man," he said, with a shaky +laugh. "The General will be here in a minute, +and he'll give us what for. The old boy died +game, Jack—but he had it coming to him. Just +remember Mowbray."</p> + +<p>Jack nodded without speaking. Then, from the +forest, not behind but ahead of them, broke a +group of yelling Masai headed by Bakari, running +on the spoor of the rogue elephant. Behind, +trying to hold them back from too close pursuit, +ran the figure of Schoverling.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span></p> + +<p>Both explorer and natives paused together as +they grasped the scene before them. Jack and +Charlie stood at the side of the dead beast, still +pale with the strain of their terrific battle. Behind +lay the motionless form of Amir Ali, his beard +sticking up in the sunlight, the sliver of ivory by +his head, while a few yards away the forgotten +fire sent up a thin wreath of smoke into the air.</p> + +<p>Schoverling was the first to break that awed +silence, as on his trail appeared Guru, von Hofe, +and the rest, all at full speed. While they came +up and paused in amazement, the explorer advanced +and held out his hand.</p> + +<p>"I congratulate you," he said huskily. Meeting +his eye, the two boys found there only honest +admiration, as from man to man, and they shook +hands without a word. Then von Hofe joined +them, shaking hands with a flood of excited German +through which broke no word of English, +and the boys laughed.</p> + +<p>"We thought you'd be pretty sore, General," +admitted Charlie a moment later, "about our +going off that way. But, honest, we didn't mean +to—except at first."</p> + +<p>"I understand, boys," smiled the bronzed explorer.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> +"But never mind that—Akram told me +all about it when we began to get anxious. We +thought you had gone right on the trail of the +elephant, which only led us out here, so we kept +on as fast as we could. And this is the great +Rogue Elephant! How on earth did you boys +kill him? Is Amir dead?"</p> + +<p>"No, only stunned," said Charlie. Guru and +Akram were attending to their injured comrade, +who by this time was sitting up, dazed but not +badly injured. Before hearing their story, Schoverling +despatched Bakari and Guru to bring on +the Masai with all speed, while Guru had instructions +to inspan and move the camp to this spot, +it being possible for the wagon to get around the +forest from the south. The Masai who were left, +at once fell to work, von Hofe directing them +while he listened.</p> + +<p>The two boys told the story of the hunt together, +freely confessing that at first they had +been too much frightened to take good aim. The +course of their bullets was followed, von Hofe +carefully pocketing the sliver of ivory that had +so nearly done for Amir Ali.</p> + +<p>"It iss no matter," he said. "I can it fix when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> +I set him up. Ach—vait, vait! My camera!"</p> + +<p>He hastily brushed the five Masai off the carcass +and photographed it from every angle, then +posed the boys with their rifles, each holding out +an ear of the huge beast. The elephant had +rolled back until its head lay on the ground, trunk +extended, between its fore-legs, and the two boys +looked and felt very small indeed as they stood +on each side of the massive head.</p> + +<p>An hour later the remaining Masai arrived and +all fell to work on the skinning. The explorer +built up the fire, making a great smoke signal +that would guide Guru and Gholab for miles, but +it was not until evening that the slow ox-team +crawled up to them and was outspanned. In +place of a zareba, the traps were set out, but there +was to be no rest for the skinners. While great +fires were lighted, before which strings of elephant +meat were roasted, they worked far into +the night getting off the skin of the Rogue.</p> + +<p>"How long will we be here, Doctor?" asked +the explorer anxiously.</p> + +<p>"We have not enough men to pare down the +skin inside of a week," said the scientist. "However, +the wagon can stand the weight, and we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span> +can let the paring go. With two days of drying +in the sun and one day to rub in the chemicals, we +will go."</p> + +<p>"Three days," nodded Schoverling, and +turned to the boys. "Well, boys, I needn't say +that I'm sorry not to have had a shot at the +brute, for poor Mowbray's sake, but I'll donate +a case with his shattered rifle, his letter, watch, +and pictures of the Rogue to the Club when we +get back. So you both get the credit for him together, +eh?"</p> + +<p>"I guess so," said Jack. "I didn't do much +to knock him over. Chuck did that. But I got +in the two shots that finished him."</p> + +<p>"Jack stopped him all right," protested +Charlie, "with that bullet in the head, when he +charged us on three legs. Honest, General, even +after he went down the second time, I was scared +stiff when I saw him get up! I thought I was +dreaming, for I knew that both my bullets had +got him in the knee."</p> + +<p>"I should think you would have been scared!" +laughed the explorer. "I was scared myself, +that day the other bull nearly got us up on Mount +Kenia. Well, it's all over now. I guess you boys<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span> +have gained the biggest share of the credit, but +you sure deserve it."</p> + +<p>When the boys woke in the morning, the Masai +were already hard at work again. At last they +got the huge sections of skin off, and the protesting +oxen were made to drag off the carcass away +from the camp. The hide was thoroughly +cleansed, and then staked out to dry in the sun +for two days, after which the doctor would attend +to it further.</p> + +<p>"Doesn't it all seem like a wild old dream to +you?" asked Jack that day, as they rode out +after an impalla steak. "It's hard to realize that +we've done it, Chuck."</p> + +<p>"Just the same, we have," laughed Charlie. +"Say, when we get back an' show up the pictures +we've taken, with the doctor's, won't we raise a +howl? I'd like to see that Inspector what's his +name?—Inspector Harrington's face when he +hears about it! He'll throw a fit!"</p> + +<p>"Not him," chuckled Jack ungrammatically +but happily. "He'll put out his hand an' say, +'By Jove, allow me to congratulate you! Wonderful!'"</p> + +<p>Which, as it turned out, was exactly what he +did.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>THE BACK TRAIL</h3> + + +<p>They remained in "Rogue Camp," as Charlie +christened it, for three days. The injured Masai +warriors were still in no shape to march, although +Amir was all right again, but the big wagon had +plenty of room. The ivory was loaded solidly +and lashed down, with the elephant hide and skull +over it, the latter being up in front. On top were +placed the tents and other impedimenta, leaving +just enough room for the two Masai to lie comfortably +beneath the tilt.</p> + +<p>"I don't envy him his place," grinned Jack +as they loaded him on, the fourth morning. "Bet +that hide won't smell like roses."</p> + +<p>"Little he minds that," laughed von Hofe, in +huge delight. "He is used to much worse. Schoverling, +what are the plans?"</p> + +<p>All gathered about the explorer with interest. +He drew forth the chart belonging to Selim, which +the Arab had omitted to take with him.</p> + +<p>"I have our compass-bearings from the other<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span> +camp, where Mowbray died, to the first water-hole +we struck. We can circle around these hills +to the southwest, then strike back to the river. To +follow our old march back to the water-hole will +not be hard.</p> + +<p>"There we had better rest a day and stock up. +Fortunately, the cattle are in prime shape for +the return march. I'll warn Bakari to keep his +men away from the water this time, and we ought +to get across. Gholab, come over here. Can you +follow a compass-bearing through the desert?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sahib."</p> + +<p>"Very well, that is all for now. You see," and +Schoverling turned to the others, "I figure that +by sending Gholab and Guru on ahead with the +wagon for three or four days, the other six of us +can wait at the waterhole. That will help out +the water in the casks wonderfully. With three +canteens apiece, we will be able to catch up to +them after four days, and our horses will still +be in prime condition."</p> + +<p>This plan was ultimately followed, and proved +excellent. They reached the water-hole by easy +stages, the wagon now being heavily laden, and +gave the cattle a day's rest here. The doctor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> +was forced to abandon his idea of getting a buffalo, +as every pound of weight would tell on the +oxen, but he cared little for that now.</p> + +<p>They met with no molestation on the return +trip beside the river. On one occasion Jack shot +another of the forty-foot pythons, which seemed +to live in the river, but they saw nothing of the +great buffalo herd. On the day they reached the +waterhole a rhino charged down on the caravan +and narrowly missed goring Bakari, but Schoverling +managed to drop him in the nick of time.</p> + +<p>The explorer allowed the wagon and the Masai +four days' start from the waterhole. A good +supply of fodder for the cattle was taken, although +this was hardly necessary for any save +the horses, and with full water-casks Gholab and +Guru plodded off. The others camped, resting +the horses and hunting, and on the fifth morning +took up the desert trail.</p> + +<p>They caught up with the caravan on the eighth +day, after narrowly missing it, for a compass-led +trip over the desert is no easy matter to keep accurate. +The cattle were going along well, the injured +Masai were healing well enough to walk<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> +part of the day, and all promised favorably for +the last stages of the journey.</p> + +<p>Being away from fresh game, the Masai were +forced to drink water on the desert, much to their +disgust. However, Bakari realized the necessity +of keeping his men on the allowance given them, +and there was no tapping the barrels at night this +time. Day after day they plodded along through +the dust, and at length Schoverling and the others +rode ahead to bring out the other wagon with +more water.</p> + +<p>So well had the explorer led them that they arrived +within half a mile of the camp, to be met +with shouts of delight by the men and tears of +joy by the lonely Gurkha who had remained in +charge. The other oxen were found sleek and +well, and Guru, who protested his entire ability, +was sent out with the second wagon, loaded with +water and fresh fodder, to meet the other.</p> + +<p>They came in five days later without accident, +the footsore and weary Masai riding delightedly +in the extra wagon. After a rest of two days, the +load was divided between the two wagons and all +set forth for the last trek across the first plain +they had crossed. But this was not so bad as that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span> +other, and with the aid of an opportune rainstorm +that lasted all night, they reached the friendly +foothills once more and gained the villages of +the Samburo.</p> + +<p>From here on to Yonge's Station was play compared +to what they had been through. The commissioner +met them with great delight, and they +outspanned the oxen for a three-days' rest before +going on. The Masai were paid and dismissed, +each with a handsome gift that sent them away +rejoicing.</p> + +<p>"Here," said Captain Yonge, holding out an +envelope, "is a cable that was forwarded by runner. +It came in two days since."</p> + +<p>Schoverling reached across the dinner-table and +tore it open. He scanned it, then broke into a +laugh and read it aloud:</p> + +<p> +"'<i>Louis Schoverling, care Captain Yonge, Commissioner District, B. S. A.:</i><br /> +</p> + +<p>"'Best wishes. Bags valued seventy pounds. +Got ahead of you there.</p> + +<div class='right'> +"'<span class="smcap">Selim ben Amoud</span>'"<br /> +</div> + +<p>They related the story of their trip to Yonge. +Schoverling had been in some doubt as to the +advisability of saying anything about the gold-dust,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span> +but von Hofe overruled him. When they +had finished, the captain dissipated their doubts.</p> + +<p>"Why, of course, my dear fellow! There will +be no objection in the least to your keeping the +ivory. You have brought back great news. Poor +Mowbray! He was a plucky fellow, and we always +regretted orders to go out after him—though +he licked us every time. But that news +about the new country up north is great! I +shouldn't wonder if you got an F. R. G. S. out +of it, Schoverling."</p> + +<p>Taking it easy, they arrived in due course of +time at the end of their trip. Runners had gone +on ahead, and for the last two days Piet Andrus +with a dozen more rode with them, having gone +out to meet the wagons.</p> + +<p>At Mombasa they interviewed the governor, +relating officially their news of Mowbray and giving +a detailed account of the lake country which +had been discovered. It was at once arranged +that six months later a great safari was to be +sent up, with Louis Schoverling in charge, to +make a scientific exploration and map out the +country about the hot lake.</p> + +<p>Letters and cables poured in on them, and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span> +two weeks spent at Mombasa were busy ones. +Accounts of their trip were despatched to London, +New York and Toronto, and on the day they +left a cable came which announced that Schoverling +had gained one of his life-long ambitions—Fellowship +in the Royal Geographical Society.</p> + +<p>"Well, we've sure had a great time," sighed +Jack as they steamed out of Mombasa. Von Hofe +was accompanying them to New York. "We've +pulled pretty near two thousand each out of that +ivory and dust, Chuck."</p> + +<p>"It certainly does look like big money now," +admitted Charlie. "Well, I see where I dig in +to learn for a while. Then maybe we can get together +for another trip somewheres, eh, General?"</p> + +<p>"I hope so," laughed Schoverling. "I thought +maybe you would have had enough of it."</p> + +<p>"Not much!" cried both boys together. Von +Hofe smiled.</p> + +<p>"Wait!" he said. "I have a surprise, some +day!"</p> + +<p>And one day, months later, he took them to a +special room in the great Museum of Sciences, +where stood the Rogue Elephant as he had stood<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span> +on that last day of his life; beneath, on the great +brass plate at the bottom, were these words:</p> + +<div class='center'> +<i>Elephas Africanus Peeli</i><br /> +<br /> +<span class="smcap">shot by charles collins and jack sawtooth.</span><br /> +<br /> +Mounted by Gross von Hofe, F. R. S.<br /></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[i]</a></span></p> + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="The Boy Scouts of the Air"> +<tr><td align='left'><h2>The<br /> +Boy Scouts<br /> +of the Air Books</h2><div class='center'><i>By</i> GORDON STUART</div> + +<div class='unindent'>Are stirring stories of adventure +in which real boys, clean-cut and +wide-awake, do the things other +wide-awake boys like to read +about.</div></td><td align='left'><img src="images/ad02.jpg" width="248" height="300" alt="The Boy Scouts of the Air" title="The Boy Scouts of the Air" /> +</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<div class='center'><i>Five titles, +per volume, +60 cents</i></div> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" summary="The Boy Scouts of the Air books"> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOY SCOUTS OF THE AIR AT EAGLE CAMP</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOY SCOUTS OF THE AIR AT GREENWOOD SCHOOL</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOY SCOUTS OF THE AIR IN INDIAN LAND</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOY SCOUTS OF THE AIR IN NORTHERN WILDS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BOY SCOUTS OF THE AIR ON FLATHEAD MOUNTAIN</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<div class='center'><br /> +<i>Splendid Illustrations by Norman P. Hall</i><br /> +—————————————————<br /> +Publishers The Reilly & Britton Co. Chicago</div> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/ad03.jpg" width="400" height="151" alt="The Famous Air Ship Boys" title="The Famous Air Ship Boys" /> +</div> + + +<div class='center'><br /> +<i>By</i> H. L. SAYLER<br /> +<br /> +<i>SEVEN TITLES</i></div> + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="The Airship Boys Books"> +<tr><td align='left'><b>1. THE AIRSHIP BOYS Or, The Quest of the Aztec Treasure</b></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>2. THE AIRSHIP BOYS ADRIFT Or, Saved by an Aeroplane</b></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>3. THE AIRSHIP BOYS DUE NORTH Or, By Balloon to the Pole</b></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>4. THE AIRSHIP BOYS IN THE BARREN LANDS Or, The Secret of the White Eskimos</b></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>5. THE AIRSHIP BOYS IN FINANCE Or, The Flight of the Flying Cow</b></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>6. THE AIRSHIP BOYS' OCEAN FLYER Or, New York to London in Twelve Hours</b></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><b>7. THE AIRSHIP BOYS AS DETECTIVES Or, On Secret Service in Cloudland</b></td></tr> +</table></div> +<div class='unindent'>Fascinating stories of that wonderful region of +invention where imagination and reality so nearly +meet. There is no more interesting field for stories +for wide-awake boys. Mr. Sayler combines a remarkable +narrative ability with a degree of technical +knowledge that makes these books correct in all +airship details. Full of adventure without being +sensational.</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><i>The make-up of these books is strictly up-to-date +and fetching. The covers are emblematic, +and the jackets are showy and in colors. +The illustrations are full of dash and vim. +Standard novel size. Price 75 cents net each.</i></div> +<div class='center'><br /> +—————————————————<br /> +Publishers The Reilly & Britton Co. Chicago</div> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>The Aeroplane Boys Series</h2> + +<h3><i>By</i> ASHTON LAMAR</h3> + +<p>"The best yet written," says the Grand Rapids +Herald. These stories have a strong appeal to the +active American boy, as their steady sales bear witness. +Each of the seven titles already published has met +with great popularity, and the new title, "On the +Edge of the Arctic," is the best of the series. Correct +in all mechanical details, full of wholesome adventure +and excitement.</p> + +<div class='center'>EIGHT TITLES</div> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="The Aeroplane Boys Books"> +<tr><td align='left'><i>1. IN THE CLOUDS FOR UNCLE SAM</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'><i>Or, Morey Marshall of the Signal Corps</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br /><i>2. THE STOLEN AEROPLANE</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'><i>Or, How Bud Wilson Made Good</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br /><i>3. THE AEROPLANE EXPRESS</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'><i>Or, The Boy Aeronaut's Grit</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br /><i>4. THE BOY AERONAUTS' CLUB</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'><i>Or, Flying for Fun</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br /><i>5. A CRUISE IN THE SKY</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'><i>Or, the Legend of the Great Pink Pearl</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br /><i>6. BATTLING THE BIGHORN</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'><i>Or, The Aeroplane in the Rockies</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br /><i>7. WHEN SCOUT MEETS SCOUT</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'><i>Or, The Aeroplane Spy</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><br /><i>8. ON THE EDGE OF THE ARCTIC</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align='center'><i>Or, An Aeroplane in Snowland</i></td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<div class='center'><br />——————————<br /> +<i>Fully illustrated. Colored frontispiece.<br /> +Cloth 12mo. 60 cents each.</i><br /> + + +—————————————————<br /> +Publishers The Reilly & Britton Co. Chicago</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Notes:</h3> +<p>Obvious punctuation errors repaired.</p> + +<p>The remaining corrections made are indicated by dotted lines under the corrections. Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text will <ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'apprear'">appear</ins>.</p></div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Rogue Elephant, by Elliott Whitney + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROGUE ELEPHANT *** + +***** This file should be named 25450-h.htm or 25450-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/5/4/5/25450/ + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Emmy and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Rogue Elephant + The Boys' Big Game Series + +Author: Elliott Whitney + +Illustrator: Fred J. Arting + +Release Date: May 12, 2008 [EBook #25450] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROGUE ELEPHANT *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Emmy and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + + +The Boys' Big Game Series + +THE ROGUE ELEPHANT + + + + + The + Boys' + Big + Game + Series + +[Illustration] + + =THE GIANT MOOSE.= The monarch of the big + Northwest; a story told over camp fires in the + reek of cedar smoke and the silence of the + barrens. + + =THE WHITE TIGER OF NEPAL.= The weird story of + the man-killer of the foothills. Tinged with + the mysticism of India, dramatic and stirring. + + =THE BLIND LION OF THE CONGO.= A story of the + least known part of the earth and its most + feared beast. A gripping tale of the land of + the white pigmies. + + =THE KING BEAR OF KADIAK ISLAND.= A tale of the + bully of the Frozen North and his mysterious + guardian. A game-and-man-story that makes a + good boy-story. + + =THE ROGUE ELEPHANT.= A big game hunt that + leads into strange lands and stranger + adventures in a real big game country. + + _Remarkable covers and four-color jackets. + Illustrations and cover designs by Dan Sayre + Groesbeck_ + +Price 60 cents each + + Publishers The Reilly & Britton Co. Chicago + + +[Illustration: It seemed that the great beast was towering over him, +reaching for him with that terrible trunk. Then he drew a careful bead +on the left fore-shoulder.] + + + + +THE ROGUE ELEPHANT + +BY + +ELLIOTT WHITNEY + +Illustrated by Fred J. Arting + + The Reilly & Britton Co. + Chicago + + + + + COPYRIGHT, 1913 + by + THE REILLY & BRITTON CO. + + + THE ROGUE ELEPHANT + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAPTER PAGE + + I A CHANCE "OUT" 9 + + II OFF FOR THE FRONT 21 + + III QUILQUA THE MYSTERIOUS 33 + + IV MAKING READY 46 + + V THE FIRST HUNT 59 + + VI MOUNT KENIA 71 + + VII ELEPHANT 83 + + VIII A RECONNAISSANCE 95 + + IX INTO THE UNKNOWN 108 + + X MOWBRAY'S END 120 + + XI THE DESERT TREK 133 + + XII A DESERTED LAND 145 + + XIII A DESPERATE BATTLE 158 + + XIV THE LAKE OF MYSTERY 170 + + XV "UNDER THE LEFT GATE-POST" 182 + + XVI SELIM SHOWS HIS TEETH 194 + + XVII FRESH SPOOR 206 + +XVIII LOST! 218 + + XIX THE ROGUE ELEPHANT 230 + + XX THE BACK TRAIL 242 + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + + It seemed that the great beast was towering + over him, reaching for him with that terrible + trunk. Then he drew a careful bead on the + left fore-shoulder. _Frontispiece_ + + Everything else was forgotten in the novel + method of riding. _Page 54_ + + For the man, just as he relapsed into unconsciousness, + murmured four words: + "Help--me debbil man!" _Page 118_ + + One slash of the knife, and out trickled a + little stream of yellow grains into the brown + fist of the explorer. _Page 192_ + + + + +The Rogue Elephant + + + + +CHAPTER I + +A CHANCE "OUT" + + +"You are so crazy as a loon! Boys? Boys to such a drip dake? Nein!" + +Von Hofe excitedly pounded the table until the attendants at the +Explorers' Club stared. Then he leaned back determinedly and lighted his +meerschaum. The lean, bronzed man who sat opposite pushed away his maps +with a smile. + +"You misunderstand, von Hofe. I know both these boys personally and +vouch for them. You have agreed that this is to be no milk-and-water +trip, with hundreds of porters bearing bath tubs and toilet water, but +that we shall live off the land as we go. That right?" + +The German nodded amid a cloud of smoke. + +"You want me to take you into the elephant country and shoot your +specimens. I have agreed to do this. I know Africa and I can do it. You +are paying the expenses of the trip, but that is immaterial. If we +hitch up, von Hofe, it will be on the understanding that I am in command +of this expedition; that I choose those I want to go along, and that you +are with me to prepare your specimens and nothing else. Now you can take +it or leave it--that's final." + +The elderly German paused before replying, the two men searching each +other's faces quietly. As most people have it, the famous Dr. Gross von +Hofe was a "taxidermist." The average "stuffer," the man who simply +covers and replaces the bones of the specimen with excelsior or cotton, +is properly named taxidermist, but von Hofe was an artist, known the +world over for his wonderful work. In various museums of the world you +may see his models, signed like the masterpieces of other artists, of +rare and disappearing animals from the distant quarters of the earth, +frozen in action, with the setting of the trees, grass, sand or water of +their native haunts. + +The other, somewhat younger than the famous artist in skin and bone, was +an American of German descent--Louis Schoverling. He was one of that +little class of world-wanderers, who have barely enough money to carry +them about the earth's strange places, hunting and exploring, gradually +pushing the frontier of civilization back into the savage quarters of +the world, and most happy when self-dependent and forced to rely on gun +or hook for a day's meal. + +So when Dr. von Hofe was commissioned by two celebrated museums to visit +East Africa and secure for each a family group of elephants--tusker +bull, calf, and cow--it was natural that he should come to the New York +Explorers' Club for a helper and guide. There he had picked on Louis +Schoverling--or "the General," as his fellow-explorers had laughingly +dubbed him after the failure of a certain South American revolution--to +take him to the tuskers. Dr. von Hofe was not a hunter and he knew it. +So Schoverling had agreed to go, not for the money in the trip, but for +the excitement of it. + +"I see," returned the big German at last, "why your comrades call you +'the General.' You are right. You shall take whom you like, und if I say +you are crazy as a loon, it makes no difference. You are satisfied?" + +"Quite," laughed the American. "When do we start?" + +"Three weeks from to-day," returned the other, whose English was perfect +save in moments of excitement. "I have a group to finish for the +Metropolitan here. Then we go." + +"All right. I'll meet you up here three weeks from to-day, with my +friends, at twelve sharp." + +Such was the interesting prelude to the letter which came to Charlie +Collins at Calgary, Canada, five days later. Charlie was one of the boys +whom the General had proposed to take with him to Africa. Born in Nova +Scotia, he had tramped his way across the continent at the age of +seventeen, when his father died. Catching the Peace River fever he had +made his way back to Calgary, then up to Peace River Landing, where he +went to work to make enough money to turn homesteader. At this juncture +Schoverling had met him while on a hunting trip. The General had become +keenly interested in the boy, whose ambitions were high. Charlie was +accustomed to depending on himself, which caught the explorer's fancy. +He had knocked the homesteading notion out of Charlie's head and got him +a position at Calgary, where he was now learning the trade of +electrician. + +So when Charlie walked into the office on that Saturday morning and +found a bulky letter from the Explorers' Club, he tore it open in keen +anticipation. For five minutes he stood reading in amazement; then he +uttered a yell that brought the eyes of the office force down on him, +and rushed to the paymaster's desk. + +"Give me my time, Mr. Clarke!" he cried, his gray eyes and pleasant, +healthy face denoting high excitement. "I've got to quit right off!" + +"What's the matter? Fallen heir to a million?" laughed the man behind +the window, who was used to his men quitting at a moment's notice. + +"Better than that! Jumping sandhills! I'm going to Africa!" almost +shouted the boy, as he grabbed his pay envelope and put for the door. + +"Hey! Better take your hat!" shouted some one, and Charlie made a quick +return for his forgotten headgear, then vanished. When he found himself +in his boarding-house room with the door locked, he flung off his coat +and settled down to read over once more the wonderful letter. It was +written in the customary vein of the explorer--as if he was talking to +his reader. + +"_My dear Charlie_:-- + +"_Draw your time and beat it for New York. Meet me at the Explorers' +Club at noon of the 22nd. Bring Jack Sawtooth ditto. You don't know him +but you will soon. We're going to Africa--sail the night of the 22nd, so +hump yourself, old man!_ + +"_First for the expedition. Remember asking me once why all explorers +couldn't live off the land, as we did up the Mackenzie that winter? I +said then that it could be done, and you're going to help prove me right +in Africa. We're going to hunt elephant--not where you get them driven +up while you sit in a camp-chair, either. We're going after bulls, +rogues, the big fellows who live solitary, soured on life in general. We +have to get two at least, for museums._ + +"_Never mind an outfit. Don't need your snowshoes, of course. Jack will +bring some knee-high moosehide moccasins--no machine-made junk, either. +I'm getting the guns. Bring six of those Canadian lynx or fox steel +traps. Can't seem to find 'em here, and they'll be useful._ + +"_Have wired and written Sawtooth. He's a quarter-breed--hold on, old +scout! Wait till he looks you up; Sunday, I expect. Jack is seventeen, +looks like a white--and is white clear through. Next to you he's the +hardiest and gamest ever. Got me skinned a mile on the trail. Educated +at the Mission School. You'll like him. He's not sensitive on his blood, +but rather proud of it._" + +Charlie paused and grinned to himself. He did not share the prejudice of +a "tenderfoot" against the half-breeds. He knew well enough that as in +any race a good, manly Cree or Salteaux was rather above the average +white man in point of character. + +"_Jack has to get down from Mirror Landing, so give him a couple of +days' leeway. You have plenty of time, I judge. Better fetch H. B. C. +blankets; nights are cold in Africa, and we might strike into the +mountains. The trip doesn't promise any more than expenses, but there is +always a chance that we can trade or clean up on a bit of ivory. Once we +get together we can go over the route and all that. However, the +experience is worth while, and it's the best kind of an education. If we +pull out ahead of the game you may have a stake to start in some kind of +business for yourself._ + +"_Check enclosed to cover expenses to New York. Don't buy any gold +bricks when you strike Broadway! And don't let Jack scalp anyone on +board the Overland._ + + "_Yours in haste,_ + "_Louis Schoverling._" + +Charlie slowly folded up the letter and stared out of the window for a +moment. + +"Jumping sandhills!" he murmured softly, and turned to where "the +General" hung framed on his wall. "What a prince of a friend you are to +a fellow! I guess I'll give you a bit of a surprise myself, just the +same!" + +Eight months before, when Schoverling had gone "out," as the saying is +up there, he had left Charlie in Calgary. The boy had little knowledge +of the ways of the city, but after parting with his new-found friend he +had thrown himself into his new life, grimly determined that he would +make good. And he had. In the day he had worked at his new trade, in the +evening he had plugged away at night-school, making up for lost time. He +had doffed his flannel shirt and timber boots for the garb of the city, +and as he looked at himself in the glass that morning he grinned again. + +The next day Jack Sawtooth showed up, tired out, fresh from the +wilderness. He had received the General's telegram three days before, +had not stopped for the letter following, but had said farewell to his +father and joined a freight sledge down to Athabasca Landing, to seek +out Charlie at Calgary. + +"Glad to meet you," exclaimed Charlie when his visitor was dubiously +announced by his landlady. The Cree boy was lithe, straight as an arrow, +open-browed and keen of eye, with none of the somber gravity of his +Indian blood. "I hardly thought you'd get here so quickly." + +"I didn't know what was up," smiled Jack. "Say, this is a neat little +room! Where did you get the bead-work? Why, you must be an old-timer! +Mr. Schoverling has not written me very often, and only mentioned you a +few times." + +"I've knocked around quite a bit," admitted Charlie, glancing at the +Indian bead-work and the pictures of camp and trail that hung on his +wall. "Don't you know where we're going?" + +The other shook his head. + +"We're going elephant hunting in Africa," laughed Charlie. Jack stared +at him. + +"Africa? Say, Collins, don't try to give me heart-failure that way! What +is it now, honest?" + +"You wait," chuckled Charlie, bringing out the explorer's letter and +reading over all that related to the trip. Not until Jack had set eyes +on it himself would he believe that Charlie was in earnest. Then he sat +back and stared again. + +"Me--in Africa! Great Scott, am I dreaming or just crazy? Does he mean +it?" + +Charlie produced the good-sized check in evidence, and Jack's amazement +soon gave way to calm acceptance of the situation. + +"Then we'll go to Africa, unless I wake up and find myself snowed in +somewhere along the trap line. When do we go?" + +"Catch the Overland to-night, if you're ready," returned Charlie +promptly. Jack gave a single glance at the other's neat clothing and +shook his head. + +"Not much. I got enough attention coming through town," and he pointed +to the jack he had deposited in the corner. "Look here, Chuck," he fell +readily into the common abbreviation for Charlie then prevalent, "you +fit me out with a rig like yours, in the morning. You know the ropes and +I don't. Then I'll pack up those heavy moccasins I brought along and we +can take the train to-morrow night. No great rush, is there?" + +"Guess not," grinned Charlie, inwardly delighted at the good sense of +his new comrade. "But we'll probably get an outfit in New York. Look +here, Jack, I got a new suit of rough tweed last week, and won't need it +now. If you don't mind, you could have that as well as not. We're built +about the same. Hang on to the hickory shirt, though. We'll probably use +'em. In the meantime I've got enough reg'lar shirts to hold us, and we +can dig out on the train to-night if you say." + +"Suits me," answered Jack, beaming. "I'm much obliged, old man, for +helping me out! Now I'll have to drop dad a note telling him about it, +and can write him later from the train. Got any paper handy?" + +With much interest Charlie watched the other scribble a hasty note in +weird-looking characters. Jack explained that his father could read the +Cree writing-language invented by Bishop Grouard, but not English. The +more Charlie saw of his new friend, the better he liked him, and the two +boys soon fell into a close friendship that was destined to be tested by +land and sea, in more ways than either of them imagined. + +"Dad will have a fit when he reads that," laughed Jack. "He'd trust me +anywhere with Mr. Schoverling, though. They used to know each other when +Schoverling was in the Hudsons Bay Company, years ago. Where'll you cash +that check?" + +"Hotel," returned Charlie. "They know me at the Alberta." + +Jack was soon fixed up with "store clothes," the traps and moccasins +were packed in two grips, Charlie arranged with his landlady to pack up +his stuff and store it for him, and that night the two went +"out"--aboard the Limited that would bear them across the continent. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +OFF FOR THE FRONT + + +The enthusiastic boys reached New York long before the three weeks were +up, but the General--as they came to call him, like everyone else--was +not in evidence. He had left letters for them at the Explorers' Club, +however, and had arranged for them to get a room there until his +arrival. + +At two minutes to twelve some days later he stepped out of the elevator +and entered the library, where Charlie and Jack were waiting in no +little dismay. The meeting was a joyful one all around. + +"Me?" laughed the General, in answer to their rapid-fire questions. "Oh, +I've been in Washington, getting some letters to pave the way for us. +But where's von Hofe? He was to meet us at noon." + +"Well, is he not here?" came a heavy voice from behind, and von Hofe +entered with a broad smile on his bearded face. "You did not say five +minutes before the hour, or one minute after the hour, so that I came +on the hour--ach! Let go mine hant! I am a man, not a wood or stone +image!" + +Neither Charlie nor Jack had known, of course, who was behind the +expedition, for the General had omitted any mention of von Hofe in his +haste. But as it chanced, Charlie had been reading an article that +morning which described the wonderful work done by von Hofe, and his +contributions to science. So, when Schoverling introduced him, the +astonished Charlie let out his accustomed expression, as he shook hands. + +"Jumping sandhills! Are you the chap I was reading about this +morning--the man who makes photos and sketches of animals before they're +shot an' then mounts 'em the same way? Was it you who swiped the skin of +a sacred white elephant out o' Siam, an'--" + +"Ach, what liars these newspapers are!" But the steel-blue eyes twinkled +forth from beneath the bushy yellow-gray brows, and Charlie's heart +leaped as he realized that this great man must be going with them. + +"You are not such foolish looking boys," decided the German, nodding his +head. "Herr Schoverling, they haf the look in the eyes, the look of the +dependable-upon men. I apologize. You are not crazy as a loon. Now we +haf much to talk over, and we are hungry, I hope?" + +"We certainly are," smiled the General, leading the way toward a private +dining room which was reserved for them. Jack whispered delightedly in +his friend's ear as they followed, "You catch-um that beard?" + +Charlie grinned at the Chinook expression and nodded. + +"He's a peach, Jack! Say, we're goin' to have the time of our lives, +believe me!" + +Luncheon was devoted to story-telling. Schoverling related tales of his +adventures when he had joined the H. B. C. in Canada as a boy, serving +his four years; the doctor jovially gave the story of certain adventures +in South Africa, and Jack chipped in with a relation of Indian legend +from the far north, relating to the mammoths which were said to be still +alive somewhere in the frozen regions. This last, which was backed up by +the explorer, interested von Hofe immensely; but at length the meal was +done with, the table cleared, and they were alone with their coffee. + +Schoverling drew forth a huge map, which he spread out on the table. On +it was a route heavily marked in red ink, and he pointed to this as he +spoke. + +"I got this map from a friend of mine, in Washington at present, who was +up there last year stealing ivory. It's not considered at all bad, boys, +among a certain class of hunters, to make a raid into the protected +regions and loot all the tusks they can get. Well, this is the latest +map of British East Africa, divested of all that is thrown in by chaps +who like to fill up blank spaces with names. + +"Down here south and east of Lake Rudolph, you see, is the Northern Game +Preserve. It is more or less indefinite, extending up to the Abyssinian +border. This chap I'm speaking of went dead across it, as you can see. +Incidentally, he landed in Abyssinia, which is another story. + +"Now, Dr. von Hofe and I have secured permits to get the beasts we are +after for scientific purposes. Coming back to the Uganda Railway, here +is Nairobi, you see. We'll go just where this friend of mine went--on to +Nakuro, then up to the Leikipia hills and through them into the Game +Preserve--" + +"To Abyssinia?" cried Charlie, leaning forward "Are we going--" + +"We are nod," interrupted von Hofe, his deep voice roaring through his +meerschaum smoke. "You will keep very still, if you please!" + +Charlie was undecided whether to resent it or not, until he caught a +wink from Jack and his quick anger was dissipated instantly. + +"No," smiled the General, "we need not fear to return through British +territory, for our permits are pretty general. Now let's get back to +this map. Here is Mt. Marsabit, straight north of Kenia. Midway between +the two we will branch off my friend's route and go over toward the +Lorian Swamp. That's unknown country, except to the ivory raiders, and +they keep their mouths shut; but that's where the elephants are. + +"Does that suit you, Doctor? We could stick closer to civilization, of +course, but we wouldn't get the big bulls. Besides, I'd like to do a bit +of exploring in there. Some mighty queer yarns have come out of that +country lately." + +The big Teuton emitted a dense cloud of smoke before answering. + +"You are not to worry about suiting me, my friend. What I want is bulls, +such bulls as have never come to this country. Perhaps I will change my +mind and go to the North Pole for those mammoth. Ach, what a thing! To +bring a mammoth down, skin him, photograph him, mount him for the +Smithsonian! What more could a man want?" + +"Bosh!" exclaimed the General. "That's all been exploded long ago. Now, +we're going to cut out the usual gang of porters and chiefs. I guess we +can get along from village to village well enough. Bring those traps and +moccasins, boys?" + +"They're up in our rooms," answered Jack. "How about clothes?" + +"All gone on board ship," smiled Schoverling. Charlie had already noted +his appreciative glance at their first meeting, and Jack was now feeling +quite at home in his new garments. + +They were going from New York straight to Alexandria on a steamer of a +Greek line, which would give the boys a brief glimpse of Athens en +route. At Alexandria they would pick up an East Coast steamer to +Mombasa. + +With this the discussion was closed, but Charlie and Jack put forth an +eager question as to their armament, which they had more than once +discussed in wild anticipation. The General smiled, comprehending their +eagerness. + +"The doctor has absolutely refused to touch a gun from start to finish, +boys, so that puts it up to us. I had everything we would need. There is +a double-barrelled 500-405 Holland for each of us--which of course we +won't use on anything but elephants. Two of them are mine, and one was +loaned me for the trip. For ordinary use we will carry our 30-30s, and a +number twelve shotgun. Those, with a suit case each, make up all our +luggage. Any trunks, Doctor?" + +"Trunks?" The blond German glared over his beard in surprise. "Would I +preserve elephant hide with air? No, but I have eleven cases of +chemicals, which you must take." + +"Very well--that will make about twenty porters," commented the explorer +quietly. "I think we'll have a mighty interesting time if we carry out +my original program of living off the country. Anything more to settle?" + +As nothing more seemed to present itself, the meeting was declared +adjourned. Von Hofe shook hands with the boys, put away his big pipe, +and retired to write some letters. As both Charlie and Jack had seen all +of New York that they cared about, Mr. Schoverling spent the afternoon +at the club with them, showing and explaining the cases full of savage +arms, relics and curios which had been contributed by the explorers and +scientists who formed the club. He introduced them to many of its famous +members, a few of whom they had already met while waiting for him. It +was an informal, cosy place, and during their stay the boys enjoyed +themselves immensely. + +As the news spread about of the General's proposed trip, a number of men +who had been in Africa promptly carried all three off to the library and +there ensued a high discussion. Most of them flatly declared that living +on the land might be possible, but that moccasins and traps were absurd. + +"But why?" laughed the General. "You fellows wear puttees and leather +breeches to keep dry, and safe from scratches or snakes. Moccasins are +equally as good, especially high ones like ours, and a whole lot more +comfortable. You chaps who go in for big game with all the comforts of +home don't know what real work is like!" + +This good-natured taunt happened to hit most of those around, and the +situation looked stormy until a little, awkward-looking man strolled up +and joined in. + +"Nonsense!" His irritated voice shrilled high above the rest. "Shut up, +you fools! Why, what do you know about East Africa? When I tramped from +Fort Rosebury to Kituta in my bare hide I got nothing worse than +mosquito bites, and I've had to make moccasins many a time or go +barefoot. I'm leaving this afternoon for Africa; how many of you chaps +want to go with me? Don't all speak at once, please." + +Charlie stared, expecting to see the little, bitter-tongued man mobbed. +But to his vast surprise not a word was said, and the dilettante hunters +faded away one by one. The little man turned to Schoverling with a +bristling laugh of delight. + +"See 'em run, General? Going in, I hear." + +"Boys, I'd like to have you meet Mr. Mowbray," said the explorer, +introducing the two. "You aren't going to British territory, I suppose?" + +"Never you mind, my son," snapped the little man. "Give me back my map. +Just got in from Washington an hour ago, and leave in another hour. I'll +need that map worse than you will--got wind of something big." + +As Schoverling pulled out the folded map and handed it over, Mowbray +lowered his voice. + +"I'll beat you there by some time, old boy, but I'll be around. Let you +in on it, if I can't handle it. Good-looking boys, there. Keep your ears +open for a nigger who says 'Me debbil man.' You can trust him. Got to +go, General. Mighty glad to have met you, boys--see you later, maybe. +Besselama!" + +"Jumping sandhills!" ejaculated Charlie. "Who's he? A grand mogul around +here? What's that last word mean?" + +"Arabic for 'so-long,'" smiled the General. + +"What made 'em all shut up when he handed it to them?" inquired Jack +curiously. + +"That's the chap, of course, who lent me the map, boys." And the General +spoke very seriously. "You must never repeat what he said to a soul, or +mention his name. In British Africa they have hunted him for years, by +regiments; there's a price on his head of some thousands of pounds, and +he's slipped into and out of the country whenever he liked. He's +defeated the Somali troops and even the white regulars time and again, +and no one knows how he gets into the ivory country. He does it for +sheer love of the game, for he has a fortune of his own." + +"You mean," asked the puzzled and wondering Charlie, "that he's one of +the ivory raiders?" + +"He's _the_ ivory raider of them all," nodded Schoverling, "and the +biggest man in the club here. For all his scornful words, not a man +there but would bite off his tongue sooner than repeat that Mowbray was +starting for Africa to-day. Why, the British would pay a thousand pounds +for those half-dozen words! Now just forget it, boys." + +Forget it! It was a long time before Charlie ever forgot the sight of +that little man, and the time came when he was to remember him more +vividly still, as was Jack also. Neither of them gave any thought to the +muttered "Me debbil man." If Schoverling did, he betrayed no inkling of +it through his bronzed mask of a face. + +That night they were aboard the steamer. During the days that followed +Charlie enjoyed every minute of the time, as did Jack also. But they +were both accustomed to hard work, and the luxuries of civilization, +where everything was done for them, soon grew monotonous. When they had +gone over their beloved guns, oiling every inch, and received +instructions for the use of the few simple medicines taken along, there +was little to do except to read up on Africa, which labor they threw +themselves into gladly. + +They saw little of von Hofe on the way over, for he was busy on some +chemical experiments; but the day before they reached Gibraltar a +strange odor, which permeated the whole ship, drew down on him the wrath +of the captain, after which the big Teuton abandoned his beloved +mixtures. + +The whole voyage to Port Said was uneventful in actual happenings. But +at Port Said they went aboard the _Mombasa_, and off Aden they had the +pleasure of meeting the gentlemanly Selim ben Amoud, and of first +hearing of the Magic Lake and its mysterious Rogue Elephant guardian. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +QUILQUA THE MYSTERIOUS + + +He was a suave, polished, open-shirted Arab, who appeared the morning +after they had left Port Said and the Suez far behind, and who smiled at +Louis Schoverling with the air of old acquaintance. The American sprang +up with extended hand. + +"Why, Selim! I had no idea you were aboard!" + +"Neither had the authorities at Port Said," rejoined the Arab softly. +The explorer raised his eyebrows, and Jack nudged Charlie significantly. +A moment later they were being introduced, and von Hofe was explaining +the object of their journey. + +"It should interest Mr. ben Amoud," smiled the General, "as he is one of +the largest Arab dealers in ivory--and other things--on the Coast." + +Selim, much to Charlie's surprise, spoke fluent English, enjoyed his +cigar as much as did the explorer, and was not as swarthy as their +Italian captain. He sat quietly beneath the awning, his wide hat shading +his face, and would easily have been taken for a German or Boer, with +his flowing beard and European clothes. Most of the Arabs on board wore +the burnous and sandals, and Charlie wondered if there were any reason +behind this European garb. + +The trader heard of their expedition, and gravely complimented von Hofe +on his work, of which he spoke with some knowledge, until the doctor +beamed genially. + +After a pause Selim turned to Schoverling. "Much has happened in the two +years since I last saw you. You have not, by any chance, heard of one +who calls himself 'Me debbil man'?" + +Charlie started, but Jack, his deep black eyes suddenly afire, gripped +his arm. Von Hofe stared, and the Arab gazed at Schoverling, whose face +never changed. + +"Yes," replied the explorer, quietly. "We are all friends of his." + +The Arab's gaze darted to one of the deck-hands, lounging on the rail +near by. Charlie saw ben Amoud rise, step to the man's side, and hiss +something. The man looked startled; then his face changed and he slunk +away. Selim, his narrow eyes glittering, returned to his deck-chair and +settled himself comfortably. + +"Now we can talk, my friends. Mr. Schoverling, have you ever heard of +Lake Quilqua?" + +The American looked puzzled. "Can't say I remember the name, Selim. +Where is it?" + +"Ah, many men have asked that question!" and Selim's white teeth shone. +Charlie stole a glance at Jack. His dreams of the mysterious East were +being rapidly realized! "No one has ever answered it, however. It is one +of those odd native yarns that are generally founded on fact, though you +white men disbelieve them. Here it is for you: + +"Two years ago rumors began to drift to certain of us that somewhere, +far down from the Abyssinian border in that desolate land north of the +Lorian Swamp, there was a lake. The tale was given me in fuller form by +one of my own Arabs who had got lost and found his way out to die, +crazed and raving of horrible things, only a few months ago. + +"This lake, it seems, is fed by underground springs--hot springs, that +spout up and fall like fountains on the water; its outlet is also by an +underground river, so that the lake lies, sweltering in the sun and +surrounded by desert and jungle and marsh, where no people live." + +Ben Amoud turned to the calmly interested German. "You, Doctor von Hofe, +are a scientist. Granted such a body of water, at an average temperature +of ninety to a hundred degrees Fahrenheit; would animal life in it and +near it be liable to any change in average size?" + +The big man stroked his beard reflectively, pulling at his pipe. + +"Possibly," he admitted at length. "But only one way. If animal life +could exist at such a temperature, it would perhaps be much larger than +elsewhere. For instance, a buffalo lives much in the water. In such a +place as that, a buffalo's great-grandchildren would be larger, and so +on through succeeding generations, each a little larger. Yes, it iss +possible--but nod probable." + +"Do you mean," cried Charlie, unable to repress his eagerness, "that +there are giant animals there?" + +The Arab smiled and waved his hand. "It is but a tale, remember. See, I +have heard that in this lake are great serpents of monstrous size. That, +as our friend has just said, there are such buffalo there as were never +seen, and that evil spirits dwell on an island near the reed-encircled +shore. But there is one thing more, that might interest you; indeed, it +was my reason for telling you the story. + +"Not only the wandering natives, but my own Arab, have raved of a +tremendous elephant, a rogue, who dwells near there. He is said to be of +great size, very wicked, and cursed by Allah with the desire to fight +men. His size is said to be that of a mountain--and in truth I doubt if +any man has ever seen him and lived to tell of it. There, my friends, +would be a conquest worthy of your skill!" + +Von Hofe grunted, but Charlie saw that his blue eyes were never off the +face of the Arab. Jack sat listening with all his ears. + +"What's a 'rogue'?" he asked. + +"Wait till you see one and you won't need to ask. A rogue is a big bull +elephant who's broken away from his herd and lives by himself in the +jungle. He's usually a man-fighter, and doesn't think anything of +attacking a whole herd of elephants. He's an outlaw, and he's a bad +citizen to meet. + +"But I hardly think, Selim," continued the General with a smile, "that +we will penetrate to such a place. All we wish is a couple of very large +bulls; the others of the groups can be picked up nearer home, but it is +essential that we get magnificent tuskers." + +"And I have told you where to get the best of all tuskers," rejoined +Selim seriously. "There is some foundation for such a tale, believe me. +I am not at liberty to tell you more, but perhaps you, Mr. Schoverling, +could imagine a friend of yours who would be very likely to try the +truth of the yarn." + +Charlie's quick eyes roved from face to face. He had not fought with the +world for most of his life and emerged unable to read men's faces, young +as he was; and he knew enough of Jack by this time to feel confident +that the other was losing nothing of what went on. + +At the Arab's last words a glance flashed between him and the explorer. +Von Hofe was frankly puzzled over these references to an unknown +person, but he asked no questions, wisely. It was the explorer who +finally spoke. + +"Yes, I can imagine such a man, Selim. But we are in no way connected +with him, nor are we acting in conjunction with him. He told me, the day +he left New York, that he had something big on hand, and would perhaps +meet me later." + +The Arab smiled slightly and tossed his cigar over the rail. Charlie had +jumped at the conclusion that they spoke of Mowbray, the ivory raider, +when Selim had first uttered the catch-phrase or password. At +Schoverling's reply he knew that he had been right, and watched eagerly +for more. + +But the conversation shifted to other things, and during the morning +there was no more said of the mysterious lake. The two boys got off by +themselves and discussed the matter, but arrived nowhere. + +"Prob'ly Mowbray is making a try for that Quilqua business," concluded +Jack sagely. "It sounds mighty good to me, old boy?" + +"Here too," agreed Charlie. "But Selim laid it on too thick, with sea +serpents and elephants like mountains. Bet a dollar to a pine chip that +he had some axe to grind with the General. You wait and see." + +"Mebbe," conceded Jack doubtfully. "He's a slick-lookin' proposition, +Chuck. I saw the lines of a gun in his coat pocket, too. He didn't do +much grinding, anyhow. The General didn't fall for his line of talk +worth a cent. Well, let's get back; it's almost time for lunch--or what +do they call it here? Tiff 'em?" + +"Tiffin," chuckled his friend; "same's they do in India. There's a heap +of Indians all down the coast, 'cause it's a Mohammedan country an' they +don't lose caste by coming over to work." + +All of which explanation was largely lost on Jack. Charlie knew a good +deal of the East Indians, having witnessed most of the Hindu immigrant +riots in western Canada, and he was frankly interested in them as a +race. + +When they returned to the after awning they found Selim just saying +good-bye. He was to leave the ship at Ras al Kyle, a port on the Italian +Somaliland coast, and they were nearly due to reach there. So he suavely +bowed himself away, in odd contrast to his Boer-like appearance, and the +boys immediately deluged the General with questions. Dr. von Hofe +rumbled out a laugh. + +"Would you prefer my absence, General? I--" + +"Nonsense, Doctor!" broke in Schoverling sharply. "Here is all I know," +and he told the big German of meeting Mowbray, and of the latter's +words. + +"So!" drawled von Hofe. "Then, this Selim ben Amoud is who?" + +"I have heard that he is the wealthiest Arab on the east coast," replied +the American. "You noticed, I suppose, what he first said?" + +Charlie nodded eagerly. + +"Privately, I have no doubt that he is a slaver," went on the explorer. +"He has a hand in everything, and is always in hot water with the +British authorities. He was trying to find out whether or not our +expedition had anything to do with that of Mowbray. I have met him +before and we know each other slightly." + +"Well," asked Jack, "is Mowbray going to the magic lake?" + +The explorer laughed. "Who knows? The whole yarn may be a +bluff--probably is. Selim would like the British to think that +Mowbray's party is merely exploring, and perhaps he thinks we will +spread the news, in which he is mistaken. Or, he may have been honest in +the matter; you can never tell what lies behind his words." + +At this Charlie's face fell slightly. He had been intensely interested +in the Arab's tale, and the thought that it was a put-up job did not +appeal to him in the least. + +"But wasn't it true?" he inquired, disappointed. "It sounded pretty good +to me!" + +"Frankly, Charlie, I don't believe a word of it. You can hear yarns like +that wherever you go, and they usually pan out pretty small--just like +Jack's story of the mammoth up in the north. You noticed the password, +'Me debbil man'? Well, there isn't a particle of doubt in my mind that +Mowbray and Selim are parts of a big underground concern for illicit +trading. I don't for a minute think Mowbray would traffic in slaves, but +of course he's the biggest ivory raider in the game." + +"Then it's a sort of conspiracy?" shot out Jack quickly. "Any chance of +our gettin' mixed up in the business?" + +"Not a bit of it," asserted the explorer, with a smile at von Hofe. +"I'll answer for that, Jack. Selim is satisfied, and we'll probably +never hear from him or Mowbray again. Our own trip is perfectly fair and +square, the authorities will know everything we do, and we can't afford +to soil our fingers with anything crooked. It doesn't pay." + +"That is why," struck in Dr. von Hofe, "I came to you. 'Schoverling,' +they told me, 'he is straight.' It is a good reputation to have, my +friend." + +The boys nodded, understanding. A look of gratification crossed the +explorer's face, such gratification as comes to a man when he knows that +he has won the esteem of other men. + +"We are not looking for hot water and sea serpents," went on the doctor +with a broad smile at the boys. "We are looking for elephants, let us +remember, please!" + +With that, the topic of Lake Quilqua was promptly dropped. At Ras al +Kyle, Selim ben Amoud went ashore--this time wearing sandals and +burnous--and the _Mombasa_ took up her interrupted journey south. But +late that night, as the boys swung into their bunks, Jack gave vent to +his long-repressed thought. + +"Chuck, I wish to thunder we were goin' to hunt for that lake!" + +"Forget it," advised Charlie. "Von Hofe isn't paying expenses for us to +chase around after sea serpents. Anyhow, Jack, when you come to think it +over it doesn't stand to reason that there's any such place as that. +There's a heap of sense in what the General said. I've heard that Injun +yarn about the mammoths up north; but you know's well as I do that when +it comes down to hard pan there's nothin' to it. Same with this magic +lake." + +"Guess you're right," sighed Jack regretfully, turning out the light. +While the boys were turning in, Dr. Gross von Hofe was replying to a +certain question put to him by the General, before they retired. + +"Yes, my friend, it could be. Lieutenant Graetz found just such gigantic +buffalo at Lake Bangweolo, and was all but killed by them. He has +promised that I shall mount one, when he is able to undertake a second +expedition to bring home specimens. But elephants and sea +serpents--ach, no! Such a yarn is crazy." + +"So crazy as a loon," laughed Schoverling, and said good night. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +MAKING READY + + +"Mombasa!" + +Before them lay the picturesque harbor, filled with Arab dhows from +Zanzibar and the Somali ports, tramp steamers, coasters, and a trim +French corvette up from Madagascar. Up above the waters rose the old +Arab city, now a trim English-ruled town of immense trade, while behind +all shimmered the vivid green of trees. + +"Dandy sight, isn't it!" and the boys turned to find Schoverling at +their side, with the doctor. "That old town used to have a sultan, as +Zanzibar has, and a gay pirate life was led along the east coast in the +days of Captain Kidd. Portugal captured the place, but the Arabs drove +her out again. Now England is making Mombasa into a mighty big trading +center, and as the Uganda Railway taps the Cape-to-Cairo, which is about +done, things are going to boom." + +Charlie and Jack had seen considerable of the cosmopolitan aspect of +Port Said, although they had had no time to visit Alexandria, but here +was something entirely new to them. As they passed through the streets +to the Mombasa Club they were surrounded by English officers in neat +uniforms, by Somali and other native troops, by Arabs in fez and +burnous, and above all by Indians. Hindus and Mohammedans alike moved +through the streets, some wearing the fez, others the turban; there were +Sikhs and Gurkhas, lordly Brahmins who disdained to touch the Europeans +with their garments, and those of the lower castes who were equally +particular. + +"I was reading the other day," said Charlie, "that the Indians were +swarming over here by the shipload, and this certainly looks like it!" + +Louis Schoverling brushed aside the would-be native guides, and led the +party direct to the Mombasa Club, where they were soon comfortably +ensconced. Barely had they arrived when a bronzed, trim Englishman +sought out the explorer. + +"Mr. Schoverling?" he inquired. "I am Inspector Harrington. The governor +heard that you and Doctor von Hofe came in on the _Mombasa_, and he +detailed me to look after you. He was anxious to see you in person, as +our embassador at Washington had written him, but he was called up +country yesterday." + +"That is very good of you," returned the explorer, introducing his +party. "I was assured at Washington that you would have our permits for +us." + +"They are ready at the Government House," said the inspector. "We are +anxious to extend every courtesy to you and Doctor von Hofe, of course. +You won't do any trading?" + +"Frankly, I don't expect to. We are here to procure specimens and +nothing else. But if I could pick up any ivory on my own hook, I suppose +it would be all right?" + +"With you, yes," smiled Harrington. "Men like you and Selous and +Cuninghame can be accepted at the standard of gentlemen. Unfortunately, +there are some who cannot. Now, how about porters and so on?" + +"We'll take about twenty-five porters," answered the explorer +carelessly. At this the Englishman sat up. + +"My word! Are you spoofin' me or what? Twenty-five porters! Why, +Roosevelt had two hundred, to say nothing of askaris, saises, tent +boys, and the rest!" + +Smiling, Schoverling and von Hofe explained their plan of action. +Harrington's amazement grew into settled doubt that such a march was +possible, for although a remarkably fine young officer, he was decidedly +conservative. + +"We are all used to doing things for ourselves," concluded the explorer. +"The doctor is less used to the trail, but he can wash his own dishes +and things right enough, and we'll do the shooting." + +"Well, it's your expedition," returned Harrington, "and not mine. But +how do you expect to send back the skins with such a small safari?" + +"Safari" was the term used for caravan, and was usually applied to the +entire expedition, who instead of being on the march, were said to be +"on safari." + +"There is where I want your help," said Schoverling. "We will camp at +the nearest possible point to Mt. Kenia and let the doctor make what +sketches he desires. There we will kill the cows and calves and send +back their skins. For this purpose we can pick up porters on the spot, +but I must have three or four reliable men to bring them back. Also, I +want a good cook who can act as a sort of major-domo over the men at +each place." + +Harrington pulled out his notebook and jotted down the requirements +methodically. Then he rose and shook hands all around. + +"As a member of the Club," he told the explorer, "you need no cicerone. +You will take the morning train? Well, I will meet you here at eight +o'clock with your men. Good-bye!" + +For the remainder of the day they rested. Schoverling departed to see +that their cases were placed aboard the train safely, while the boys +rambled around town with the doctor. The latter had been in Mombasa +before, but to-day his head was full of the expedition. + +Instead of the great quantity of salt usually taken along to cure hides, +he was using a strong chemical powder of his own invention, which could +be dissolved in water, and thus be greatly diffused. His fifteen cases +comprised not only a sufficient supply of this, but also the medicines +which were likely to be necessary. + +It had been found that a certain supply of provisions would have to be +taken along, but Schoverling was well satisfied when it was found that +evening that twenty-five porters would be sufficient for all. Their +tents were small sleeping-tents, and two porters could carry the lot +with ease. + +That evening they had a long talk with Piet Andrus, a Boer merchant of +the city. He very strongly advised them to procure ox-wagons at Nakuro +and to proceed north with them. + +"I do not know the country up north of the Guasa Nyero," he said, "but I +can see no reason why oxen could not be used. It would save porter hire +and be more reliable. If you lost them, for any reason, you could always +hire porters. I am going up on the same train with you, and if you like, +would be glad to pick out seasoned beasts." + +After a brief discussion it was decided to take both porters and wagons +as far as the first camp, and then send back the porters with the skins +taken there. + +In the morning Harrington arrived, followed by a group of men. These, it +proved, were all Indians who had been in the British army and in Africa +for years. They salaamed at the verandah steps. + +"First your cook and general manager," smiled the inspector. "Gholab +Singh!" + +A strapping Gurkha stepped out and saluted. Charlie liked his manner at +once. + +"Gholab Singh," said Schoverling promptly, "are you willing to serve me +faithfully and follow wherever I lead?" + +"I am, sahib," returned the other in a quiet, confident voice. + +"Then you will cook for us, and will be in charge of the safari under my +orders. The pay shall be as the inspector sahib has agreed with you. Is +it well?" + +"It is well, sahib." + +Harrington then brought up the gun-bearers--two Gurkhas and a stalwart +Sikh. The last, Guru, the General chose for himself as personal +attendant. To Charlie was alloted Amir Ali, and to Jack, Akram Das. All +three were faithful and highly recommended by the inspector. The four +remaining, one an Arab half-caste, two Somali, and one a Gurkha, were to +take charge of the safari under Gholab Singh, and to return with the +skins as obtained. + +At the railroad station Gholab Singh was given money for the tickets and +food en route, and the men vanished into one of the tiny carriages. +Special arrangements had been made in honor of Schoverling and the +doctor, however, and as the weather was fine they were to travel on a +wide seat fastened across the cow-catcher, which held four with comfort. +The boys took their places with some misgivings, but found the seat +comfortable enough. + +Inspector Harrington now waved them farewell, with assurances that all +had been arranged for their comfort on the trip, which would take two +days. Andrus, they knew, was on board, and had that morning wired ahead +to his traders to prepare teams and wagons. In fact, the general +courtesy with which they met both surprised and delighted the two boys. + +"They seem to do things just to please you," exclaimed Jack happily, as +he gave a last wave to Harrington and the train started. "Are they as +hospitable and obliging as this all the time, General?" + +[Illustration: Everything else was forgotten in the novel method of +riding.] + +"Those we meet are, Jack. But you must remember that we are a special +party, and that most of these men, who are big men themselves, consider +it an honor to assist the doctor, here. That chap Harrington, for +instance, just got in from two years up-country. He had charge of some +three hundred square miles of absolutely savage country, and with a +dozen Somalis kept order and law enforced. Andrus is another real man, +and real men are above smallness." + +As the train pulled out everything else was forgotten in the novel +method of riding. The boys already knew that on each side of the +railroad was a great game reserve, but on the first day's trip they saw +nothing save one or two antelope and jackals. Birds were plentiful, +however, and the rolling country was constantly presenting a change of +scene before them. + +The neat railroad stations were always surrounded with curious crowds of +natives, some half dressed. As a rule the station agents and officials +were Indians in the government service. Both Charlie and Jack kept their +pocket cameras busy. + +Toward evening they retired into their special carriage and wrote +their last letters home, which would be mailed at Nakuro. But with the +morning they were in the game country, and took advantage of the first +stop to resume their seats in front. Now everything was changed. At one +moment they would pass a group of giraffe, running in their ungainly +fashion to one side; hartebeests, impalla and other varieties of +antelope were everywhere, gazing in fearless fashion at the train. Herds +of zebra came into sight, while through the trees scampered monkeys in +endless variety. + +"They know they're safe, all right," chuckled Charlie, as a herd of +beautiful little gazelles stopped a dozen yards away to stare in mild +wonder. "Funny how animals get to know where they're protected." + +"It's the same in the Yellowstone," said von Hofe. "Within the limits +they are almost tame, but across the line--pouf! and they are gone." + +The wonderful journey, like no other in the world, was ended at last, +however, and they puffed past Lake Nakuro to the village station. Here +their trip was ended, their baggage was rolled off, and they were taken +in charge by a young subaltern, Lieutenant Smithers, together with the +Boer merchant, Piet Andrus. The latter offered them the hospitality of +his trading store, which they gratefully accepted. + +"Now to business," said the General that night after dinner. +"Lieutenant, what would be your advice as to porters? I'd like to get +off in the morning, if possible." + +"The usual way," laughed Smithers, "is to take Swahilis, but you seem to +be an unusual party. Since you are going to take wagons from here, I +would suggest that you load everything into the wagons and trek north to +Jan Botha's ranch. There you can pick up a score or two of Masai. They +are an offshoot of the old Zulu stock--brave as lions, faithful enough, +and able to provide for themselves. This safari business is largely +bally rot, to my mind." + +"Bully for you!" cried Charlie in delight, while the others laughed +heartily. + +"According to law," said Smithers, "you'll have to provide tents for the +porters. But the Masai would laugh at such things, and this will save +you a good deal of carriage. How about horses?" + +"They are in the compound," said Miers, the local agent of Andrus' firm. +"I have two good wagons and a dozen 'salted' oxen, specially selected. +This gives you six to a wagon, and even if you lose four of the beasts, +the other eight will do the work. Better to have too many than too few." + +Von Hofe nodded, thoroughly satisfied. By 'salted,' the trader meant +that the animals had been through the sickness caused by the bite of the +tsetse fly, and were henceforth immune to the worst scourge of Africa. +That night there was a gathering of the Boers, English settlers, and +officers at the station, all of whom were keenly interested in the novel +excursion. It was the general opinion that the expedition would succeed, +although the nature of the country beyond the mountains was an open +question. + +"Well," commented Charlie that night, as he made ready to share his bunk +with Jack, "we're off! Looks like we'd have a bully time, eh?" + +"It sure does, if we strike a rogue," chuckled Jack. "I'm crazy to get +out those guns, Chuck. Funny the doctor doesn't care for shooting." + +"He's got some tough work ahead of him, all right. Did you see those +paints an' things he brought along? Right on the job! Well, see you in +the morning. Good night." + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE FIRST HUNT + + +The place was astir with the dawn, and after sunrise, with breakfast +over, the party prepared for the start. Gholab Singh took charge of +loading the wagons, and the main question was the matter of personal +equipment. + +Each of the boys carried matches in a water-tight box, compass, and +sheath-knife, of course. The elephant guns and ammunition were stored +away for future reference, but the 30-30s were to be slung in holsters +at their saddles for the present. Each wore a bandolier for cartridges, +and their ordinary clothes--flannel shirt and khakis. And, instead of +sun helmets, each boy wore his northern hat--a light, stiff brimmed +Stetson. + +"As our shoes go to pieces," said the General, "we'll replace 'em with +moccasins. No use fussing with leggings while we're going to ride. We'll +have open veldt country as far as Mount Kenia, anyway. Just get the +idea that we're in Canada, going by wagon from Athabasca to Fort +McMurray." + +Dr. von Hofe was the only member of the party who from habit insisted on +leggings and boots. Their horses were steady, flea-bitten little beasts, +not unlike mustangs, and mounts had been provided for the gun-bearers, +to the huge delight of all three. Gholab Singh also demanded a horse, +which he obtained, as being worthy of his dignity. + +It was a military-looking little cavalcade. The Indians had all served +in the native cavalry regiments and Gholab maintained strict military +discipline. Behind their saddles the boys strapped slickers and H. B. C. +blankets--the sight of the latter making Jack just a trifle homesick. +Water canteens also were slung at the saddle. + +After receiving a letter from Andrus to Jan Botha, Louis Schoverling +gave the order to march. Gholab Singh rode to the gate of the compound, +reined up, and drew from his neck his silver whistle. One sharp blast, +and the two wagons, containing the four who were to bring back the +skins, started. A shouted farewell, and the two boys followed the +General and von Hofe to the head of the march, the Sikh riding with +them and the other gun-bearers on each side of the wagons. + +"Isn't this glorious?" declared Charlie as he rode at Jack's side. "I +thought it would be as hot as blazes!" + +"Oh, we'll need our blankets at night, I guess,--hello! There's an +antelope! What kind is he, General?" + +Charlie unslung his glasses hastily to gaze at the quiet figure on a +ridge four hundred yards away, but the explorer answered quickly. + +"Grant's gazelle, Jack. The most beautiful of all antelopes. He must be +an old buck, to judge from his long horns." + +"When are we going to hunt a little?" asked Charlie. "I'm itching to get +at the guns." + +"Not till this afternoon. We can knock over a couple of small antelope +then, which will be plenty for all of us. See here, Doctor. These wagons +won't make Botha's ranch until sometime to-morrow. How would it suit you +to ride on and put up there overnight, then get our Masai all ready to +start as soon as the wagons come up?" + +"I am very happy," declared von Hofe, who was settled down comfortably +in his saddle, his pipe going full blast. "It matters not to me a bit. +Perhaps it would be better to spend to-night in solid comfort." + +"Very well. Guru!" + +"Yes, sahib?" The Sikh drew up and saluted. + +"You will bring the other gun-bearers with us for a short hunt. We are +going to have an early meal and then push on. Gholab Singh, I leave the +safari in your care. You know the way to Jan Botha's?" + +"I do, sahib. We will arrive to-morrow morning at ten of the clock." + +Charlie winked at Jack, who smiled. The military precision of the +stately Gurkha was of no little amusement to them at first, but Gholab +promised to be a valuable man in a pinch. The gun-bearers were of little +use at present, but would be highly necessary later on, and with their +advice Schoverling knew that the two novices in Africa would get along +well enough. + +Von Hofe having absolutely no interest in hunting, save as regarded his +own work, stayed with the wagons. The other six rode out to one side, +parallel with the line of march. At a word from Guru, Amir Ali spurred +up his horse and departed at a steady gallop to the right. + +"He will beat up something," replied the Sikh to their looks of +surprise. "Here game is not very thick." + +Amir disappeared amid the tall grass and dotted trees, and five minutes +later Charlie, with rifle ready, saw a tiny shape bounding through the +grass two hundred yards to the right. + +"You first, Chuck," exclaimed Jack quietly. + +Setting his sights for two hundred yards, Charlie aimed behind the +shoulder of the antelope, and fired. The shot went a little high, owing +to the jump of the beast, but the boy gave a yell of satisfaction as the +antelope went down, its back broken by the shot. As they rode up he +mercifully killed it with a shot through the brain, and the two boys +looked down on their first Thomson's gazelle, or "tommy." + +"Good shot, Charlie," declared the explorer. "Now one for you, Jack, and +we'll have enough for this time." + +A mile or so farther on Jack got his chance at one of the larger +Grant's, and fetched him down with a single shot at three hundred +yards, which caused the two Indians to give a cry of delight at his +skill. By the time Amir rejoined them the wagons, were "hull down" on +the horizon. Guru and Akram Das slung the two gazelles over their +saddles, and all six started across the veldt at a brisk canter. + +Suddenly Jack's horse, in the lead, stopped dead still, trembling. In +vain the boy urged him on, wondering what was the matter. The horse only +backed, his ears flat, and then Jack saw that those of the others were +doing likewise. + +"What's the trouble, General?" exclaimed Charlie. Schoverling unslung +his rifle. + +"Lion, boys. These are well-trained horses, evidently. See that patch of +mimosa just ahead? We are down-wind from that, and they probably smelled +a lion. Head around it, and they will be all right." + +They arrived opposite the little ridge, topped with a dense growth of +long grass, thorn and trees, when an exclamation burst from the Sikh. +Out from the thicket broke a long, tawny shape, barely a hundred yards +away. It was a magnificent black-maned lion, who stood lashing his sides +and watching them as they drew rein. + +"There's your chance for a lion," said Schoverling, as the Indians cast +a glance at him. Charlie shrugged his shoulders, watching the animal +with eager interest. + +"What's the use in killing him, General?" he replied. "We don't want his +skin particularly, and he's no good for food. How about it, Jack?" + +The other's hand fell from his rifle-butt. + +"Of course, Chuck. He won't attack us, I suppose?" + +"You'd like the excuse, eh?" laughed the explorer. "No, he won't attack +us. He's probably got his dinner in that thicket, and heard us coming. +It might be of advantage to the sheep ranchers hereabouts to kill him, +but certainly not to us." + +They rode on, leaving the tawny beast still gazing after them. The +Indians were keenly disappointed over not shooting the lion, but neither +boy had cared to do so. They had been too well trained to slaughter +needlessly; Jack, in particular, had no small share of the Cree feeling +that animals are but "little brothers," and more than once thereafter +Charlie heard him mutter the Indian's apology for taking life, as he +shot. + +Upon rejoining the wagons a halt was made, Gholab Singh taking charge of +the gazelles. After a good dinner the four white men rode on ahead, +following the rude track across the veldt, and the wagons were speedily +out of sight. + +"This looks a whole lot like the Alberta and Montana country," declared +Charlie as they rode along. "With those hills off in the distance, and +the dry gullies fringed with trees, a fellow might think he was just +pushing across our own range land. Wouldn't this be a swell cow country, +Jack?" + +"Looks like it," rejoined the Cree. "Look at those ostriches! Isn't that +a ranch, up there among those buttes?" + +By the aid of their glasses they could see a small ranch-house, a good +four miles away, but clear-cut and distinct in the rarefied atmosphere +of the plateau. White dots were scattered near by, which Schoverling +declared were sheep. + +"They must suffer to some extent from wild animals," he said, "but on +the whole the sheep ranges up here are in fine shape. It's a great +little old country, boys. If I could make up my mind to settle down I'd +like to take up a few thousand acres back near the hills and try +irrigation." + +"It is too dry," nodded the doctor wisely. "Some day they will irrigate +all this. Then the animals will be gone, all gone." + +"What of it?" said Jack slyly. "Folks will come just the same to see the +masterpieces made by the great von Hofe! The sooner the game goes, the +more valuable you will be." + +"Ach, no!" Von Hofe shook his head sadly. "It is not nice to see the +fine animals be killed off. Look at South Africa--all the game is gone, +all the Zulu kingdoms are gone, and instead there is railroads and mines +and factories. It is not nice." + +"Well, that's the advance of civilization," declared Schoverling. "It +was the same in Ohio and Missouri and Montana--everywhere. And yet there +are always new fields to conquer." + +"As long as the H. B. C. ran things," flashed up Jack, with the true +Indian prejudice, "it was all right in Canada. The Company took care of +the game first rate. But now everybody takes a whack at trapping--and +where's the beaver gone?" + +"True enough," sighed the explorer. "But the hunter must give place to +the settler, Jack." + +A spirited argument ensued, to which Charlie and von Hofe listened +amusedly. In the end Jack had to confess that Schoverling was right, +however. Towards evening they got into more rolling country, while to +the northeast towered up the hills about Mount Kenia, whose snowy summit +had been long visible, although nearly a hundred miles away. + +Just before sunset they cantered up to Botha's ranch. The hospitable +Boer did not need the letter from Piet Andrus to welcome them, and the +boys were keenly interested in his family. This consisted of his wife, +two stalwart, bearded sons, and their own families--chubby little Dutch +people who clambered over everyone, once their shyness had been removed. +Von Hofe was soon a prime favorite with them. + +After dinner was over, the boys discovered that Botha was related to the +famous General of the same name, and had fought through the Boer war +with him until his capture. Like many other Boers, Jan had brought his +family up into the new country, where his sons had grown up, and where +his great ranch was speedily making him wealthy. Dutch and English lived +side by side on a perfectly friendly footing, and the old quarrels were +forgotten forever. + +Jan Botha willingly agreed to ride over early in the morning, and set +them right at the Masai village, a dozen miles away, where he was well +known. So Charlie and Jack found themselves up before the dawn with the +rest of the family, eating breakfast by lamplight, and with the first +light of dawn they were on horseback, shivering in the chill morning +air. + +An hour after sunrise they reached the village, a collection of grass +huts beside a river in the hills. Charlie was a little surprised to find +that the Masai were stalwart, eager-faced warriors, well dressed in +blankets or cotton cloth draped from the shoulder, and bearing spears, +bows, and black-and-white shields of hide. + +"I wonder if they are really a branch of the Zulus?" asked Jack while +Botha was talking with the headman. + +"Hardly," said Schoverling. "But no doubt they are distantly connected. +Perhaps they are some of the Zulus driven north by the great king +Tchaka, a hundred years ago. They are extremely fierce warriors, and +highly respected by the other natives. With a score of those fellows for +bodyguard, we'll get along finely." + +Bakari proved to be the name of an English-speaking Masai who was put in +charge of twenty-five men and hired to accompany the expedition as far +as Mount Kenia, or beyond. As the Masai eat nothing but meat, foraging +for vegetables would be an easy matter, Charlie concluded. + +They reached the Botha farmhouse about nine, the warriors loping easily +behind them. An hour later, almost to the minute, the wagons topped a +rise and Gholab Singh drew up and saluted. As there was no use in delay, +they all bade the hospitable Boers farewell, and pushed on straight for +Kenia. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +MOUNT KENIA + + +Now began the real march--a swift, ceaseless trek over veldt and through +the foot-hills, for Schoverling was in haste to reach Mount Kenia, +secure the cow and calf skins, and be gone on the real work of the +expedition, which lay farther on. Had he been able to foresee just what +that work would be, his eagerness would have been increased tenfold. + +"Gholab," he said that afternoon, "we are going to push for Kenia as +hard as we can. Can we push the oxen day and night?" + +"Easily, sahib. Halt for three hours at dawn, at noon, and at nightfall. +This will rest the beasts well, and the rest of the time we can march. +There will be a good moon for a week yet." + +The Masai seemed to make little of a forced march, and so it was agreed +upon. The Indians and Masai did not mix, but Bakari and his men yielded +ready obedience to the semi-uniformed figure of Gholab Singh. That +afternoon the real work of the two boys began. + +"Charlie, you and Jack come over here," called Schoverling, who was +sitting with von Hofe in one of the wagons, poring over a map. "We'll +have to have meat for these Masai by sundown. I must go over our route +with the doctor, so it's up to you. Get busy." + +"Aye, aye, General!" and the boys saluted in high delight. They called +their two gun-bearers, but Guru the Sikh refused to be left out of the +part, so all five cantered off ahead, followed by the eager Masai at a +little distance. + +Their first taste was not very encouraging. One of the Masai had leaped +ahead to a ridge in the veldt, and motioned them that there was game on +the other side. Slipping from their horses, the boys stole up gun in +hand, to see a herd of at least fifty wildebeest and zebra grazing about +three hundred yards off. But before they could get up their guns, the +quick-eyed beasts were off like the wind and out of range in an instant. + +"Pretty rotten," exclaimed Charlie disgustedly. "Say, they move like a +streak!" + +"You bet. Well, there's lots more where they came from." + +And there was. Half a mile farther on they came upon a dozen +kongoni--another form of antelope--feeding about some bushes. Happening +on a drift, or dry water-course, the boys and Guru crawled up this and +managed to get a shot. This time Charlie dropped a buck perfectly, but +Jack had to place a second bullet in his animal. The Masai took charge +of the bodies, tying the hoofs together, placing a long spear between, +and two men trotting off with each toward the wagons. + +Guru declared that this was not half enough meat for them all, so +accompanied by the rest of the Masai, they rode on, just within sight of +the caravan. Suddenly an eland dashed out from a clump of bushes barely +a hundred yards off, not having heard their approach. Jack fired, +missed, fired again, and the eland gave one high spring and rolled heels +over head. But as he did so Bakari let out a yell, and they drew rein +suddenly at sight of a lion leaping toward them through the long grass, +plainly bent on mischief. + +"We've roused him up, all right," exclaimed Charlie hastily, as he drew +bead. "I'll give him a chance to turn off." + +But the lion, as they discovered later, had been disturbed at his +feeding, and came straight for them. The Masai showed no signs of +flinching, and the horses trembled but stood still. Anxiously Charlie +waited until the great beast had come within two hundred yards, flying +over the grass-hummocks in great bounds, then he drew trigger. + +The lion went down, but was up again instantly with a roar of pain. +Charlie gave him another bullet, but with no better result. At a hundred +yards the Masai spread out, spears and arrows ready, but with his third +bullet Charlie dropped the huge beast for the last time, the ball +piercing the eye to the brain. + +"Good shot, old man," cried Jack, as the other wiped the sweat from his +face. That had been an anxious moment. + +"Had to hit him in the eye," returned Charlie. "Didn't see where else to +shoot, after I missed his shoulder." + +But he had not missed the shoulder. His first shot had been a mortal +one, and his second had struck nearly in the same place; the tremendous +vitality and energy of the lion had served to carry him forward until +the third bullet pierced his brain. This gave Guru a chance to point out +the advisability of shooting for the shoulder, in which case the lion +would be crippled and could not charge. + +The lion was packed off to be inspected, then photographed, and on the +way back Jack knocked over a small Grant's gazelle, which would make the +food supply a sufficient one. Charlie received many compliments on his +first lion from von Hofe and Schoverling, and regretted that keeping the +skin was impossible under the circumstances. + +At six that evening they outspanned the oxen, fed and watered them at a +waterhole, and rested for three hours, during which all the party slept +save Schoverling, who remained on guard. At nine the march was taken up +again, and they went on steadily until four in the morning. The night +was cold. Overhead on the horizon blazed the Southern Cross, while the +moon afforded a good light. + +At seven in the morning the oxen were inspanned and they went forward +until noon. On this occasion the General accompanied the boys, and they +brought in enough game for the rest of the day and night. During their +noon halt they met a freighter's wagon-safari trekking west to some of +the outlying ranches, but the men were all Boers or natives, and no stop +was made. + +So during four days and nights they pushed on relentlessly. During the +last two days they ran into a driving, cold rain, but finally this was +gone and the boys found themselves on the verge of the heavily forested +country about Mount Kenia. + +At the last stopping place, a shallow drift, or river, in a valley under +the western slopes of the great hills, it was decided to make camp here +beside the drift, as a sort of headquarters. They had met scattered +parties of Kikuyu men, and had passed one or two of the native villages, +so after a day's rest a number of the Masai were sent out to bring in +some of the natives. + +"They can tell us any news of the elephants," declared Schoverling, "and +can guide us to the herds. It's ticklish business going without some of +them along." + +"Why so?" inquired Charlie, "Are they such good hunters?" + +"Never mind," laughed the explorer. "You wait and you'll see something." + +With this the boys were forced to be content. The lower slopes of the +mountains were heavily forested, while the valleys were nothing but +jungle. Great trees reached far up above, and between them giant bamboos +formed an almost impenetrable mass. + +Bakari returned with a dozen Kikuyu hunters, who readily agreed to lead +the party to elephants. There was a herd of about fifty, they declared, +a day's journey to the east, and as it was morning now, the General +determined to start out at once. + +"Now, Doctor, just what stuff do you want to take along?" + +"My sketching kit," replied the German, all action on the instant. "My +small camera I have in my pocket. Beyond this, nothing." + +The two Somalis were appointed to take care of the doctor's needs. Half +a dozen of the Masai volunteered to serve as porters, for the tents and +some supplies had to be carried. It was arranged that the camp should be +supplied with fowls, pigs and vegetables from the nearest village, but +at the last moment it developed that they would have to do without +pigs, the Gurkhas being Mohammedans and refusing to allow pigs in the +camp for fear of defilement. + +The horses would of course have to be left behind. For an hour the camp +was in a buzz of excited preparation. The elephant guns and cordite +ammunition were broken out, the blankets, slickers and other necessaries +were loaded up on the porters, and the three hunters donned their +moccasins for the first time. + +"Feels mighty good to get back into moosehide," laughed Charlie, as he +laced up the water-tight flaps. "What are the Masai chattering about, +Jack?" + +"Making a corral--zareba, they call it--out of thorns," answered the +other, looking out through the end of the wagon. "For the oxen, I +suppose. I heard the General giving them orders about it. Gholab's +bossing things lively." + +Charlie finished first, and had barely emerged from the wagon-tilt when +he saw that something was wrong. The horses were pulling wildly at their +pickets, and a number of the porters had dropped their loads. Von Hofe +and Schoverling were in the other wagon, making final preparations. But +they were not fated to leave the camp for that day at least. + +"Hey, Jack! General!" shouted Charlie. "Tumble out lively--something's +busted!" + +At this moment Guru and Amir Ali ran up excitedly, uncasing the heavy +guns and loading them as they ran. Amir reached Charlie first, and +thrust the weapon into his hand. + +"Rhino, sahib! Rhino coming through the bushes from the river!" + +Jack and the explorer leaped to the ground from the wagons as Akram ran +up with the third gun. The Masai had clustered at the edge of the camp, +but as the explorer took in the situation the warriors broke and fled +before a huge dun shape that crashed bushes and trees down before it in +blind rage. Charlie gasped at the size of the beast, for he had not yet +seen a rhino. + +"Female," stated the General quietly. "Going to tear things up, too. +Ready, boys?" + +By this time the ground was littered with cast-off loads, while the +natives fled in all directions. Fortunately, the zareba and oxen were at +the other end of the camp, and the courageous Gholab ran down to the +horses and loosed them as the rhinoceros charged. + +This made the three hunters unable to fire for an instant. Gholab ducked +behind a huge tree, and the infuriated brute crashed full into it, +knocking off a great flake of the bark and wood. Stunned for an instant, +it stood glaring around, and in that instant Schoverling fired. + +His bullet took the rhino behind the shoulder, but the beast, rage +darting from its deep-set eyes, whirled in the direction of the wagons. +It was barely fifty yards from them, and as the explorer fired his +second barrel, Charlie pulled trigger also. The tremendous charges +halted and shook the big animal, but for an instant only. Then, rocking +and stumbling, it came on full tilt for the wagons, the wicked-looking +head held low. + +One of the Kikuyu porters had started to slip across the open space, and +was caught before he could escape. As the terrified man turned, the head +of the rhino caught him and tossed him a dozen feet into the air. But +that gave Jack and Charlie their chance. As the head went up, they fired +together. + +Jack's bullet broke the rhino's off-shoulder; that of Charlie tore into +her throat. Jack fired again, and at this instant Guru handed back +Schoverling's rifle, reloaded; but another bullet was unnecessary. The +huge beast stood for a moment quite still, then swayed and plunged down, +dead. + +"Good!" came the calm voice of von Hofe from behind them. "Now led us +see how the man hurd iss." + +Only his accent betrayed his excitement as he led the way to the injured +porter. The man had been gored in the side by the horn, but had saved +himself from mortal injury. The doctor dressed his wound and saw him +borne off to the village; meanwhile, the others had gathered about the +dead rhino, the natives with wild shouts and chants, the two boys in +silent wonder. + +"You chaps'll have to give me lessons in shooting," laughed the General. +"See here--my first bullet missed her shoulder, and my second likewise. +She couldn't have gone far, though; but she could have finished us right +enough. That was good shooting, boys." + +"Wouldn't have been," admitted Charlie, "if she hadn't lifted her head. +Jumping Sandhills! How that fellow did go up!" + +"Lucky he wasn't killed," added Jack. "I got her with both bullets, +right in the shoulder. Chuck's bullet must have gone clear through to +her tail." + +It proved that the bullet fired by Charlie through her throat had +penetrated to the spine, thus paralyzing her. But as the honors were +equal, it did not matter greatly. The Masai took possession of the hide, +while the Kikuyu bore off the flesh to their village. + +"I guess that ends our trip for to-day," said Schoverling ruefully, as +Gholab was directing the re-ordering of the camp. "Everything is badly +mussed up; even the men are demoralized. Well, no matter. We can leave +the camp in better shape, perhaps." + +So, content with their conquest of that day, they gave all their +attention to putting the camp in better order. Jack learned how the +thorn zareba was built, and Charlie visited the Kikuyu village with his +camera. The elephant trip was to take place the next day, and guides +came over that night, with a fresh party of natives. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +ELEPHANT + + +The start was made early. First went Schoverling, von Hofe and the boys, +with the guides and gun-bearers. Then the Masai marched along, followed +by the crowd of natives. So far they had not struck the mountain slopes, +and the Kikuyu led them deeper into the great African forest. + +The sun was shut out above by the dew-wet foliage,--twisted vines, trees +and bushes all matted together. The party traveled by means of old +elephant trails, which alone made the jungle passable to man. Hour after +hour they walked through the tangle of vegetation, striking into fresh +paths, twisting and turning until the boys felt hopelessly lost. + +Great ferns and mosses grew about them. Mighty trees with trunks +corrugated and knotted towered overhead, draped with Spanish moss and +filled with scampering, chattering monkeys. Into and across tree-ferned +ravines, through dashing streams of icy water, past cataract and +morass, the party plowed its devious way until long past noon. + +Suddenly one of the guides held up a warning hand and slipped ahead. In +a few moments he returned in great excitement. + +"Elephant!" he whispered. "Him close! Come!" + +No sign of elephant could Charlie or Jack see until they had advanced +another hundred feet in the half-gloom. Then the guide pointed out the +spoor, deep and heavy in the damp leaves that matted the trail. Here the +natives squatted down to wait, and here also the boys made a discovery. + +Charlie had stepped ahead, a little to one side of the trail. But as he +did so the guides started forward in silent dismay. He paid no attention +to them, trying to peer through the dense vegetation; suddenly it seemed +that everything gave way beneath him, and the next moment his legs were +dangling in vacancy, while he gripped the vines and sticks spread over a +great hole dug at one side of the track. + +The others broke into quiet laughter at his amazed expression, while the +guides pulled him out hurriedly and silently. Then he saw that he had +tumbled into an elephant pit--a long, deep trench, narrowing at the +bottom. + +"I told you you'd see something," whispered the explorer, as Charlie +recovered himself, somewhat disgusted. "Now let's get busy on the +trail." + +By lighting a match and by watching the tree-tops far overhead they +ascertained that the wind was right for an approach, and with guides and +gun-bearers they started off on the spoor. + +"How many, do you think?" asked Schoverling cautiously. Jack had been +studying the signs intently, and answered without hesitation. + +"About eight females, three little fellows, and a big chap." + +"Just what the guides say," grinned the explorer delightedly. "Pretty +good, eh, Doctor? We were lucky in finding them so near camp." + +The trail was now marked by freshly broken branches and splintered +trees, while in places the bushes were trampled down for yards, where an +elephant had stopped to feed. Charlie declared that the animals were not +more than half an hour ahead of them, at which the explorer nodded. + +Dr. von Hofe had been sketching busily for some time, paying special +attention to the spoor and the marks of feeding. He made careful +photographs as they advanced, and as Charlie watched him he wondered at +the painstaking efforts of the big German to get every smallest detail +correctly. Then Schoverling beckoned, and the two boys slipped ahead +with him, their moccasined feet as noiseless as the naked soles of the +guides. + +"Hear anything?" muttered the explorer when they had gone a hundred +yards. Listening, Charlie could hear a faint crashing, and his heart +leaped in excitement. Jack nodded also. + +They went on, but now the noise grew plainer and seemed to come from one +side. As they stood in perplexity, Charlie saw a single elephant track +leading off ahead. + +"General! One fellow has struck off through there--the others have +doubled back, and are on one side of us. We could follow that single +track." + +A guide was sent back for the others, and now the gun-bearers handed +over the heavy guns, retaining the thirty-thirties for emergencies. +Slowly they crept forward in silence, while the gruntings, crashings, +and rumblings of the great beasts came to them clearly. Cutting through +the single track, they soon came upon the whole spoor of the herd +again--but this time they knew that Charlie had been right, and that the +beasts could not be far ahead. + +So dense was the matted vegetation, however, that nothing could be seen. +One of the guides pointed to a tree-trunk with his spear, and a thrill +went through the boys at sight of the fresh-rubbed bark. From one side +flew up a flock of hornbills, with squawkings and flappings of wings, +but the slow movements of the elephants went on. + +At this juncture the guides nimbly sidestepped any farther advance by +going up trees like monkeys. They indicated that the herd was close at +hand, and again the party stole forward, rifles ready for instant +action. + +"Makes you feel queer," murmured Jack in Charlie's ear, "to hear 'em and +not be able to get a crack." + +Every sense on the alert, Charlie gripped Schoverling's arm and pointed +ahead. A long tendril of Spanish moss at a bend in the trail was shaking +slightly, and without a sound the three stepped off the trail to one +side, followed by the Indians. The doctor had remained some distance +behind, to sketch a strange flower. + +Something huge and shadowy appeared vaguely, and the hunters drew back +farther still amid the tangle. Then there came a tremendous crash, and, +at the side of the trail proper a sudden quivering seized the +vegetation. At the same moment that the first elephant appeared +leisurely, two more crashed from the undergrowth. + +Schoverling cast a quick glance of warning and shook his head. The two +who had burst through from the side stopped to feed, and after them came +two calves. All three were cows, but there were crashings all around, +and the Indians were as nervous as the two boys. They stuck to their +post nobly, however, the smaller rifles ready. The explorer leaned over +and breathed in Jack's ear. + +"Give the two cows both barrels. I'll bag the calves." + +Jack nodded and passed the word to Charlie. But slight as the breathed +whisper had been, the sensitive ear of the elephants caught it and their +heads went up. Without hesitation Charlie aimed at the eye of the cow +on the right, and all three pulled trigger together. + +Fortunately they stood at some distance apart, or the concussion of the +three heavy guns would have worked sore damage. Charlie's cow shivered +and went down at the first shot; that of Jack trumpeted loud and shrill +and tried to whirl, but the second barrel, just back of the shoulder, +finished her. + +The General had given each calf a single barrel. One plunged to its +knees, the other stood shivering. The boys felt the Indians press the +lighter guns into their hands, as a great crashing arose ahead. The +single cow in the trail proper was just turning, so rapidly had all +passed, when Charlie and the General fired together. Both bullets struck +her vitally, and she went down. + +For an instant the forest was filled with shrill trumpetings and the +earth seemed to shake beneath the tread of the frightened beasts. So +loud was the clamor that there came not the slightest warning of their +danger until the trees directly opposite them swayed and shattered +apart, and the enormous head and tusks of a great bull shoved through. + +There was no time to run, even had they been able. Jack let drive with +both barrels of his 30-30, and the huge beast paused with the shock. In +that brief instant the large guns, already reloaded by the agile +bearers, were thrust forward. Charlie brought his up and fired just as +the bull plunged on. The enormous trunk swept up and then down, hardly a +yard in front of them. One step more, and he would be on them. + +But even as the boys shrank aside instinctively, Schoverling fired +deliberately, right and left. So close was the huge head that Charlie +could distinctly see both bullets go home, each taking the bull in an +eye fair and square. + +It was enough. For a moment there was no movement--a little trickle of +blood came from each eye--and then the mighty head dropped, the trunk +swept down to the trail, and over went the tusker on his side, the last +sweep of his trunk narrowly missing Guru as he leaped away. + +"Jumping sandhills! I'm satisfied!" + +Charlie sank down weakly on a fallen bamboo, gazing at the tremendous +bulk five feet away. Jack, deadly pale, gripped his gun and waited while +the crashings and trumpetings died away. The explorer, his deep bronze +flushed with red, smiled and mopped his face. + +"By George, that was a close thing, boys! I wouldn't go through that +again for a million dollars cash." He turned and gripped the hands of +the gun-bearers. "Guru, Amir, Akram, you are men! I am proud of you!" + +"I guess we all owe you a vote of thanks, General," smiled Jack weakly. +Charlie nodded. + +"You bet! Jack and I both missed his eye--what dandy shots those were!" + +The nervy Indians showed their white teeth at the praise showered on +them, and a moment after, von Hofe appeared excitedly, followed by a +stream of Masai and Kikuyu. These gave wild yells of excitement and +leaped and danced on the fallen carcasses, while the story of that +terrible moment was told the doctor. He could barely speak, as he +realized what the danger had been. + +"Himmel! Ach, er ist--it iss vonderful! Bang-bang, und you haf ein, +zwei, drei cows, two calfs, und a bull killed! I shall no more say--ach! +Avay--raus!" + +And with a roar of anger he rushed at one of the Masai who had +triumphantly thrust his long spear into the elephant's hide. The +warrior gave one look, then vanished with a long leap, while the +disgusted doctor pulled out the spear and flung it after him. + +"Afraid they'll spoil your skin, eh?" laughed the explorer. The swift +change from the tragic to the ridiculous restored them all to even +balance once more, and they went forward to examine the kill. It was +indeed a wonderful example of shooting, the whole affair having taken +hardly more than two or three minutes, and Charlie found it hard to +realize that in such a short space of time they had almost fulfilled the +requirements of the whole world-over expedition. + +The bull was a large, old fellow, and the General pronounced his tusks +as weighing at least a hundred and thirty pounds each. It was a great +piece of luck that he should have wandered out of the wilds almost to +their side, for full-grown bulls with good tusks are rarely found. The +big Teuton pronounced him exactly suitable for one of his groups. + +The two cows who had been shot together were both of good size; the +third was smaller. The two largest were selected for skinning, together +with the calves. For a few moments the doctor sketched and +photographed, then handed over the task of skinning to Guru and his two +assistants, who were thoroughly qualified. + +"Do you want to stay by them?" asked Schoverling. "If not, we might get +back to camp by dark, and they can bring in the sections of skin." + +"The Sikh knows all about it," replied von Hofe. "Yes, he will see that +they are careful. Let us go back and rest." + +As the explorer captured one of the guides and explained his wishes, the +boys gazed at the scene before them. Stripped naked, the natives were +swarming over the great carcasses, which had to be skinned without a +moment's delay. Most of them were already splashed with blood, festoons +of meat were dripping from the branches, and the busy hands and knives +were making fast progress with the work. It was not a nice scene, and +Charlie turned away; but Jack watched it until the explorer called him. + +Carrying their own guns now, they found the trip back to camp a weary +one. All were tired and hungry, not having eaten since morning, and it +was dark when they finally stumbled into camp, to be met with exultant +shouts. Runners had already come across the forest paths bearing loads +of meat, and after a good wash in one of the mountain streams the four +sat down to a delicious meal of broiled elephant's heart and flapjacks, +with tea for beverage. + +"Do you chaps realize that we almost accomplished the work of this +expedition in about two minutes?" asked the General, smiling. The boys +leaned back with a sigh of content. + +"I don't care," returned Charlie. "I got all I wanted of elephant +hunting, and that's flat, General. My knees are shaking yet." + +"It was sheer luck, though," said von Hofe as he filled his pipe and +settled back in his folding chair. "We will not find another bull like +that for a hundred miles." + +"Well, I'm just as glad it's over," announced Jack. "Now we can strike +for parts unknown and enjoy life. We haven't struck any real work yet." + +"You'll get work enough before you're through," said the explorer +grimly. And as it turned out, Jack did. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +A RECONNAISSANCE + + +"Well, General, what's doing next?" + +It was the morning after the great hunt, and they had just finished a +delicious breakfast of roasted calves' feet and bananas. The explorer +was puffing at his briar luxuriously, and turned to the doctor. + +"Guru says that the skins are on the way now, Doctor. How long will it +take you to get them in shape to go back?" + +"Ten days," returned the German, whose cases were all piled in readiness +before an open space. + +"Need us here?" + +"No. Get out and keep those boys from bothering me." + +"Good!" laughed the explorer, and turned lazily to Charlie. "Feel like +starting out this morning? I want to push ahead on horseback and trace +out the route for the wagons. I've got it pretty well lined out now, but +we've got to make sure about provisions and all that." + +"I'm willing," announced Charlie, and Jack nodded unconcernedly. + +So, just as the Masai and Kikuyu, who had worked all night, came in with +the skins of the slain elephants, the three rode out together. The +Indians were highly disappointed that they were not to go along, but the +explorer did not wish to be bothered with them, and they would be +useless on this excursion. + +Schoverling had provided himself with government maps showing the +villages, and the best route across the plateau and through the hills +had been traced out for him. On second thought, however, he sent back +for Gholab Singh, who knew most of the native dialects from his years of +residence in the country, and left the camp in charge of Guru instead. + +At noon they struck into the caravan track from the north, and stopped +at each village in passing, where Gholab made inquiries. They found that +there was no lack of chickens, and wild fowl might be had on every hand +for the shooting. As for vegetables, every village had its mealie patch, +yams, bananas, a beet-like plant, and other greens which none of the +three recognized, but which Gholab assured them were excellent eating. +Besides, there were quantities of fish in the streams. On the whole, +Charlie was amazed at the readiness with which food could be had; while +to Jack, used to a hard-earned rabbit or trap-line in the snows, the +quantity of game was astounding. + +"I don't think we'll have any trouble living off the land," chuckled the +General that night. They had camped beside a mountain stream. In place +of tents, their hand axes lopped off a brush shelter in short order. A +trout-like fish was plentiful in the stream, and half a dozen of these +were soon broiling. These, with fried bananas and tea, made a generous +meal. + +"Can't see the sense o' fetching them traps," grunted Jack. "Better +leave 'em behind when we start. What good are they?" + +"I don't know, Jack. Can't tell what we'll strike, though." + +"Where does this caravan route go to?" asked Charlie. "This looks as if +it was deserted." + +"Oh, a caravan of camels and horses comes down about once a year from +the lakes up north, toward the Abyssinian border. We only follow it over +the plateau with the wagons." + +There was no doubt that the route, which existed on the map only, was +practicable for the light wagons. The next day they were among the +hills, in high altitudes, and here the game almost vanished for the next +two days. The villages of the natives were scattered, but those that +they found had more cultivated land near by than the others, which made +up for the scarcity of game. The wagons were much under-loaded, and were +taken more to bring back what might be found north of the Lorian swamp +than for anything else. + +"Seems to me," said Charlie on the third day, as he thawed out a gourd +full of water that had frozen overnight, "that we could load up the +wagons with green stuff when we go through here. That last village we +came through was plumb chuck full o' pumpkins." + +"Melons, you mean," laughed Jack. "I dug into one. There was some +squash, though, in the back fields. How far we going, General?" + +Schoverling consulted his pocket-map and compass before replying. + +"We ought to be near the station of the commissioner of the district +now. If we don't strike it by night we may as well go back. I've found +out what we came for." + +About noon, however, they came to a long unpainted frame building with +corrugated iron roof, set in the midst of a grove of small trees. At the +rear were stables and a great corral of wire netting, in which grazed a +herd of ostriches. As they rode up to the door one or two natives came +out, and a khaki-clad Englishman with shoulder-straps rushed out to +receive them. + +"Hello!" laughed Schoverling as he shook hands. "This is the +commissioner--Captain Yonge?" + +"Yes--and this is the famous Schoverling, I'll wager," smiled the +clean-shaven officer. "But where's von Hofe? I got word from down +country to watch out for him." + +Matters were soon explained, and they joined Yonge at lunch. An hour +later a dozen trim King's African Rifles cantered up--Zulus all, under +command of Yonge, who maintained order through two hundred miles of +savagery. + +"Say, the old M. P. ain't in it with this!" said Jack that evening, as +he and Charlie wandered out to inspect the ostrich farm. "Hear that yarn +he told about nabbing those ju-ju murderers last year, single-handed. +No wonder he got a D. S. O. for it!" + +"And they do it all with native troops, too," added Charlie +thoughtfully. "You've got to hand it to the British for governing by +force of character, right enough. Wonder what the country gets like on +the other side of this plateau. Let's find out." + +But they found out little. Captain Yonge said that beyond the Guaso +Nyero, in the north, the region was practically unexplored. After the +great river was left behind there were deserts, strange tribes, great +morasses, and the "going" was exceedingly "tough." + +"Did you ever hear of a Lake Quilqua?" asked Charlie. + +"Often," and the commissioner chuckled. "But, as you Americans say, +there's 'nothing in it.' These natives will make up all kinds of yarns, +simply to amuse us." + +Yonge himself had tried to penetrate the country to the northeast, but +had found it impracticable, as he could not get away for very long. +Other explorers had sheered off to the easier country to south and +northwest, but he agreed that if they wanted a big bull, a rogue, they +would stand a better chance of getting one in there than anywhere else. + +"When you stop with the wagons," he said, "I'll give you some +water-casks. They may come in handy, as I know from experience." + +All remained the next day, highly interested in the court of justice +being held over a dispute between two villages. The little plain on +which lay the commissioner's station was not cultivated, but it lay in +the central part of his district, and was eminently suited for ostrich +farming, which was his hobby. + +They set out on a leisurely return to the little safari, accompanied for +a few miles by the soldierly Zulus. They were well received by the +natives, for except in a few spots of Africa, there is to-day nothing +but respect for the whites; the dangers of early explorations have +largely passed away under the influence of the far-reaching prestige of +civilization. The natives are as savage as ever, but they have tasted +the retribution of English and German justice, and have little liking +for it. + +The four trotted along, Gholab making arrangements with the natives at +each village to give them a large supply of fruit and vegetables, but +they did no shooting as it was possible to get sheep, goats, or fowl +from the natives and fish from the streams and pools. They had timed +their ride to get back to the doctor in the evening, and on the morning +of their last day's march they came upon a large party of natives +setting off into the jungle. + +"Want to go along?" smiled the explorer. "Judging from their primitive +digging implements, they're going to make an elephant pit." + +"You bet!" cried the boys. Slipping from their horses, which were left +in charge of Gholab Singh, all three joined the natives, who received +them with delight, and all set off along an old elephant track. + +"Guess they think we'll bring 'em good luck," grinned Jack. "Got your +camera, Chuck?" + +Charlie fortunately had brought it, and an hour later he put it into +active operation, to the curiosity and childish amusement of the +negroes. They had stopped in a little open space full of fresh spoor and +elephant signs, and a score of natives were instantly at work clearing +off the ground at three points. The boys were amazed at the rapidity +with which the work was accomplished with the primitive implements. +Chanting a loud, monotonous chorus, the natives threw themselves into +the work and speedily had three pits started. These were about four feet +wide and twelve long at the top. + +"It's against the law for them to kill elephants," said Schoverling, +"but they pay little enough heed to that. There are hundreds of these +pits scattered between here and Kenia." + +"How do they watch them all?" asked Charlie. "They must have an awful +time keeping track of their trap-line!" + +"They don't watch them," laughed the explorer. "They wait till they see +the vultures and jackals heading somewhere, and trail along. An elephant +lives for days after he is trapped, for you'll see that the pits narrow +down at the bottom, and his feet are wedged in so that he can't move." + +"He must be pretty ripe by the time they get to him," returned Jack +disgustedly. + +"They don't care for that. These Ndorobo are little better than carrion +feeders anyway, and once an elephant is caught a whole village is +stocked in meat for a long time." + +As the holes were dug deeper, others of the natives carried off the +dirt, scattering it carefully in the depths of the jungle. The boys +secured some excellent views of the proceedings, but they were unable to +remain for the entire digging. The finished pit would be about ten feet +in depth, and at the bottom scarcely a foot wide. Fortunately for white +hunters these pits were not staked, as after a week or two the slight +covering of sticks, leaves and dirt is overlaid with vines and +vegetation that completely conceals it from sight. Indeed, they had +passed more than one pit on their way. + +A guide was sent back with them when they left the scene of operation. A +little after noon as they neared the safari they came upon a village +which was in great excitement. The day before, a man had been killed and +another badly gored by a bull buffalo, and the wounded man was then in +camp under the doctor's care. The villagers appealed to the white men to +kill the buffalo, and the latter needed little urging. + +"You want to be careful," said Schoverling as they advanced on foot with +some of the men. "A buffalo is about the most dangerous of beasts in +these parts. Shoot to cripple him, never mind the head." + +The buffalo was located in a patch of reeds and long swamp-grass near a +pool only a few miles distant. Further approach was impossible, and they +remained on dry ground while the natives tried to beat out the animal. +In this they were all too successful. With a crash, the powerful beast +swept through the reeds and charged a group of warriors, who scattered +to shelter with yells and splashings. + +"All right, Charlie," said Schoverling, quietly. + +Charlie put a bullet behind the shoulder just in time to save a Kikuyu +man. The bull whirled like a flash, and as he did so two more broke +cover and charged with a bellow. Jack halted one with a stunning bullet +that shattered against its skull. The explorer dropped the other, +breaking its shoulder at the first shot. + +Then the other came on full tilt, with lowered head. Charlie emptied his +magazine at the one he had first wounded, and all four shots took +effect, breaking the animal's back and killing him instantly. Jack's +bull got within fifty yards of them before the boy fired again, +imitating the action of the explorer with the bull elephant. Taking +careful aim, he pulled trigger when he was sure of his shot, and the +bull crashed down into the swamp-reeds badly wounded and seemingly +helpless. + +The natives darted forward with yells of triumph, but with a final +effort the brute clambered up and nearly caught them. Jack put a bullet +through its eye, however, that finished it, and the hunt was over. The +natives went into ecstacies of delight, dancing around and thanking the +three hunters exuberantly. + +"That is not useless slaughter," said Schoverling as they returned to +the horses. "These buffalo are hard on the natives, breaking into their +mealie patches and tearing things up badly. They will charge without the +least provocation, and the natives can't stand before them. We did a +good turn to this village, certainly." + +They remounted and rode on, but their halts had delayed them, and it was +nearly dark when they finally rode into the safari and were greeted +with loud yells by the Masai, while the big German came forward with +smiling countenance and bade them welcome home again. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +INTO THE UNKNOWN + + +"Well, Doctor," announced Schoverling the next morning, "How near +through are you? The sooner we get off the better." + +"I will be through to-morrow night," said von Hofe contentedly. "The +skins have been pared down to the right thickness, and to-day and +to-morrow they will be fixed up and sent off. What does the country look +like ahead?" + +"It looks like several weeks of rough work," smiled the explorer. "We'll +have no trouble in getting on, at least for the present. When we strike +down into the plains on the north, however, we may have a harder time. +But there are fig-trees in plenty, and on the northern rivers cabbage +palms and other wild fruits which ought to supply us. Then we can count +on leaving on the third morning?" + +Von Hofe nodded, and fell to work. The sections of skins were set out +on the ground and by this time were well dried, while their superfluous +thickness had been pared off by scores of Kikuyu and Masai knives. Now +the doctor mixed gourd after gourd of his preparative, and set the +natives to work rubbing it into the under side of the skins. + +At one side stood the skulls and a few other bones, boiled clear of all +flesh and varnished. These, with the tusks of the bull, the doctor began +packing up while the skins were being attended to. Guru and the other +Indians did all this work with great care, to the entire satisfaction of +the scientist. Then the well-wrapped packages were slung to poles, for +greater safety and more ease in carriage, and by evening were ready. + +The boys pitched in and gave good assistance in this work, directing the +natives in putting on coat after coat of preservative and rubbing it in +well. But von Hofe was everywhere, mixing his chemicals, seeing that +everything was done exactly as he wished it, and seemingly endowed with +superhuman energy. + +"He's no slouch when he gets a-going," murmured Charlie that night, as +von Hofe was getting his sketches and films into shape for packing. + +"He's done more hustling to-day than on all the rest of the trip put +together." + +"That's no lie," agreed Jack. "I kind of thought the old boy was a +bluff, at first. But he's all to the good, Chuck. Shouldn't wonder if he +surprised us a heap later on." + +The next day everything was packed up that could be got ready. The skins +were still staked out to dry thoroughly, but the Indians could attend to +them, and Schoverling was impatient to be off. Fifty Kikuyu men were +hired to take the stuff back, under the lead of the Arab and the two +Somalis, who were intelligent and thoroughly reliable. The spare Gurkha +was to accompany them. + +So far the oxen had got along in fine shape, and when it came to loading +the wagons, Charlie in charge of this duty, found that their equipment +was light indeed. + +"Look here, Gen'ral," he complained late that afternoon, "the doctor has +used up ten cases of his stuff. That leaves only five, with his little +brass trunk. Then there's that case of tomatoes we haven't opened yet, +another of baked beans, the ammunition and guns, tents and Gholab +Singh's little stove, and the traps. The whole business won't make a +quarter-load for one wagon." + +"So much the better for the oxen," returned the explorer. "We'll load up +as we go along, Chuck. Jack, I'll appoint you commissary-major, to bring +in the supplies of green stuff and vegetables. You can take Gholab as +interpreter. It'll be up to you to load, Charlie. We won't have to do +much hunting till after we pass the commissioner's place, except for the +Masai." + +"I'll give you all the work you can handle," prophesied Jack, to his +chum. "You just wait!" + +The next morning the safari filed out from the camp, the Masai greeting +the inspanning with huge delight. Bakari and his men promised that they +would accompany Schoverling as far as he wished to go, and the boys were +struck more than once by the utter fearlessness of these Masai, who had +absolutely no dread of advancing into a strange country. + +The march, however, was by no means fast. Von Hofe remained to see his +skins safely off, promising to catch up to them later. As before, they +made forced marches, for the oxen were fresh and the work was light for +them now. Now, as Schoverling had foretold, Jack got all the work he +wanted. With three three-hour halts a day, Jack and Gholab rode on ahead +and got everything ready for each halt--bartered for goats and sheep and +chickens, obtained what vegetables and fruit the natives could spare, +and when the wagons arrived Charlie pitched in and loaded up. + +So tired were the boys that at night they wrapped up in their blankets +and dozed as they rode. Once they passed a herd of at least fifty +buffalo, which gathered in a clump, horns out, and pawed the ground and +bellowed as the wagons passed. Fortunately, no charge was made, and all +drew a breath of relief when the danger was over. + +They finally drew up to the station with the wagons loaded high. Captain +Yonge greeted von Hofe delightedly, and they rested there for a day. A +dozen small water-casks were slung beneath the wagons, to be filled +later. As they were departing a native runner came up with news that +caused the commissioner to saddle in haste. + +"There's an outbreak fifty miles to the west," he said, his men +appearing from their own building. "We've got to go over and quash +things before the riot spreads. Well, good luck to you all! Sorry I +can't be with you!" + +Both boys were glad enough to hasten on. The high altitude was not good +for the oxen, and the cold nights disgusted both of them, for they were +hardly prepared to meet cold in this region. Day and night they forced +the march along, and were soon rewarded by drawing through valleys and +slopes to the plains once more. + +As they went forward the vegetation changed. There was no jungle ahead +of them--only long rolling slopes dotted with thorntree patches and +covered with long thick grass. More than once lions trotted away before +them, and on one occasion they were forced to kill a lioness that +charged full at the wagons. + +"It is beautiful country," exclaimed von Hofe enthusiastically, pointing +to the mountain peaks that shot up on every side. "Some day it will be +grand farms, when the soil is watered. See, it is volcanic." + +He picked up a stone, showing them the indications of volcanic origin. +Here and there palms towered up, and when they camped beside a river +the next evening the vegetation bordered its banks thickly. Of game +there was no lack, and that night the three took their gun-bearers and +sallied forth. + +"We ought to find a deer-run along this river," declared Jack. +Schoverling smiled. + +"According to the map it's a branch of the Guaso Nyero, and the last big +stream we strike. To-morrow we head off to the northeast, and into the +mapless country. See if you can run across any tracks, boys." + +Charlie and Jack separated and after twenty minutes' search in the dusk +Charlie located an open glade in a great grove of mimosas, where the +deep tracks showed that hundreds of animals were in the habit of +watering. Von Hofe had followed them and now joined the party, bearing a +little rifle which he had carried in sections in his tiny brass trunk. + +"I am something going to shoot," he said, paying no attention to their +jests. "Is it allowed to smoke?" + +"Not much," chuckled Jack. "You just sit tight and wait. What you going +to shoot?" + +"I want a good oryx head," declared the scientist. "But I will shoot him +myself." + +That was a wonderful night to the two boys. Hour after hour they waited +until the moon came up, and before them filed uncounted hundreds of +animals. There were great droves of zebra, giraffes by the score, three +or four rhinoceroses who plunged across the stream and vanished, herd +after herd of gazelle, antelope, and wildebeest, and a magnificent drove +of the cow-like eland. + +Lions abounded, but the other animals paid them no attention, nor did +the great cats come for game; they would appear, drink, and slink away, +two or three even swimming across the stream. Toward midnight a number +of oryx were seen, their long, black, sword-like horns mixed with a herd +of zebra. So far not a shot had been fired, but without warning von Hofe +raised his little sporting rifle and fired twice. + +Instantly the game was off, with a great clicking of hoofs and startled +snorts. The explorer and the two boys at once picked out their animals +and opened fire. To his vast delight, von Hofe's oryx bounded high and +fell dead; it was found that both bullets had gone through the heart. + +Schoverling put down another oryx and a zebra, whose flesh the Masai +delighted in, though it was too tough for the others. Jack and Charlie +each dropped an eland, Jack wounding a hartebeest which got away in the +rush. An instant later, only the thunder of hoofs dying away in the +distance showed what vast herds had been there. + +The next day they headed by compass for the northeast, which would take +them into the supposed desert country, but clear of the great Lorian +swamp. Here for the first time they began to be tormented by +flies--great long insects such as the boys had never seen, and which +rendered fly-nets necessary to their tents at night. Had it not been for +them, the tents might have remained unused, for the whites needed them +little and the Indians slept in the wagons. + +Once they came to an outlying village of the Samburu--a nomad people +dwelling farther south. Here they found not only cattle, sheep and +goats, but herds of camels, which were kept for their milk and hair +alone. These villagers knew nothing of what lay beyond, save that it was +desert and uninhabitable. + +So, with full water-casks, a renewed store of figs, cabbage-palm tops, +and other vegetables, the safari pushed into the desert, going forward +day and night. Charlie, much to his surprise and disgust, found that the +Masai had little need for water, drinking the blood of game instead, "to +make their hearts fierce." This, however, was a great saving to their +supply. + +There were many hyenas scattered over the district, and these the boys +shot wherever found, as they are a perfect scourge and good for nothing. +The earth was sun-baked, and the explorer declared that no water had +fallen here for possibly a year or more, which the boys could well +believe. The game gave place to giraffes, ostriches, and a few varieties +of the plains antelope, so that each day they had to circle farther from +the camp to secure enough. + +Day after day they pushed forward, skirting at times the edge of miasmic +swamps, and generally sticking to the desolate plain. They refilled +their casks at occasional water-holes, and the oxen used little water on +the march. Von Hofe made no comment, until two weeks of this had passed +with no sign of approaching villages or elephant country. Then, one +night, he gave voice to his thoughts. + +[Illustration: For the man, just as he relapsed into unconsciousness, +murmured four words: "Help--me debbil man!"] + +"Are you sure, Schoverling, that there is anything beyond this? It to me +seems not much like elephant country." + +"I'm taking a chance, Doctor," returned the dust-caked explorer. "This +desert is bound to loosen up sometime, and there is surely elephant +country ahead. Give us another week; then if we strike nothing I'll head +around toward Lake Rudolph and the mountains." + +The other nodded, and said no more. Charlie and Jack had also grown +weary of the desolate surroundings, but no complaint had come from the +Masai. Two days later one of the oxen died, and on the third day +another, from unexplained causes. Then, on the fifth morning, a yell of +delight went up from all at sight of green trees ahead. + +"It's a drift," exclaimed Charlie, examining the slender line of trees +as they pushed their horses on. + +"What's that under those big mimosas?" called Jack. "Looks like a native +hut." + +"Right you are, Jack!" cried the explorer. "Come on Guru!" + +They advanced at a gallop, leaving the wagons far behind. Half an hour +later they came to the drift--a wide, rocky little valley through which +trickled a tiny stream of water. No sign of natives appeared, however, +until their horses had watered and they clambered over the stones on +foot toward the single hut beneath the mimosas. Then, as Jack shouted +aloud, a man appeared in the doorway, crawling toward them on hands and +knees. + +"The poor devil's all in," exclaimed Schoverling. "Careful, boys! He may +have the plague." + +"Let me go first," said the German quietly. They could see that the man, +who seemed to be an Arab, was frightfully emaciated. His head was bound +up, and half-healed thorn-scars covered his body. Von Hofe beckoned them +to come on, as he knelt beside the poor wretch, but as the boys came to +his side a startled exclamation broke from them. + +For the man, just as he relapsed into unconsciousness, murmured four +words. + +"Help--me debbil man!" + + + + +CHAPTER X + +MOWBRAY'S END + + +"He iss starved," exclaimed von Hofe. "See what iss in the hut. I will +care for him." + +Charlie, Jack and Schoverling, with a single glance of amazement at the +words of the senseless Arab, advanced to the hut while the Indians +clustered about von Hofe. The shelter was a crude one, of bushes and +grass, built against the trunk of one of the great mimosas. + +"There's a man in here!" cried Charlie as they stood in the doorway. + +Before them, lying on a bed of leaves, was the figure of a man in +European clothes. His head, one arm, and side were bound in +blood-stained bandages. On his chest lay his right hand, still gripping +a pencil, while on his knees lay an old letter, scribbled over. With a +cry of pity, Schoverling knelt at the man's side--but started up again +in horror. + +"Good heavens!" His voice rang with a note that struck Charlie's heart. +"It is Mowbray--dead!" + +They pressed forward, and saw that the man was indeed dead. And Mowbray +it was--his cheeks fallen in, the bandage half-concealing his face, but +the iron chin locked grimly as ever in the last battle. + +"Yes," said Jack softly. "He's dead, right enough. Must have passed out +not long ago, though. Let's see what that letter says, Chuck." + +Charlie leaned over and picked up the paper sheets. The hut was +absolutely bare, save for an empty revolver that lay on the earthen +floor. With a shudder the boys emerged into the sunlight again, followed +by Schoverling. The wagon had not yet come up, and the doctor was +standing over the Arab. He turned at their approach. + +"No use, mine friends. He iss dead--was ist das? A letter?" + +He peered down at the paper in Charlie's hand. Without a word the boy +handed it to Schoverling. The wagons were just creeping through the +first trees, toward the water, and the Indians rushed off to restrain +the oxen from plunging into the stream. + +"Come over here into the shade," said the explorer quietly. "Mowbray is +lying in there, Doctor, dead, and seemingly pretty badly wounded. +Perhaps these two sheets will throw some light on the situation." + +They sat down around him beneath one of the big trees, and for a moment +there was dead silence as the explorer examined the scrawled writing on +the two sheets of paper and tattered envelope. Von Hofe nervously filled +his pipe, nearly dropping it in the attempt. + +"He seems to have written this after he got to the hut here," began the +explorer. "It has no date and runs on in disconnected sentences." He +paused, a catch in his voice. After a moment he went on, with no further +sign of the emotion that must have possessed him. + +"'Yesterday the camel died. Conscious but helpless. Arm, leg, ribs and +head broken. Five days travel, to south. Zahir hurt, but managed to drag +me to river and trees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, whence +cometh--' + +"That's the first of it," said the explorer. At this moment Gholab +approached and saluted respectfully, his bearded face immobile. "Well, +what is it?" + +"Does the sahib wish to outspan here?" + +"Yes. Outspan and pitch camp for to-day. And, Gholab, have two graves +dug at the top of this little rise." + +The Gurkha saluted and wheeled. Charlie caught an excited look from +Jack, and then gave his attention to the General once more. + +"'Zahir has built a hut. Could get away but refuses. No cartridges in +revolver. Z. is cutting up camel. Tough but nourishing. Have hopes. If I +pull out will reward Z. for life.' + +"That's the second bunch of sentences, written on the envelope. The next +seems to come on the back of the letter, and is addressed doubly." + +The explorer swept his eye down the two dirty, torn papers, and then +read slowly: + +"'To Selim ben Amoud or Louis Schoverling. Whoever finds, take to them. + +"'Fever for two weeks. Camel gone bad, no cartridges. Zahir-ed-din ben +Yusuf has caught some mice for me and starved self. No hope left unless +L. S. comes. Am weaker, and Z. has fever. + +"'In watchcase is plan of Selim's. Struck east from Lake Sugota with +camels. Had brush with British but shook them off. Into desert five days +full speed. Country deserted. Chain of small lakes, woods, hills as +indicated on plan. Deserted ruined huts, no natives. Found Lake Quilqua +to south of others.'" + +"What!" cried Charlie. "Is that there, General? Is it--" + +"You vill keep quiet, please!" rumbled von Hofe. Charlie subsided as the +General nodded. Jack said nothing, only his flushed cheeks and gleaming +eyes showing his eagerness. + +"'Lake fed by hot springs. Water warm, very reedy. Crossed to island +fifty yards from shore. Found stronghold ruined, slave irons and +neck-rings, plenty of skeletons. Evidently place was swept by plague, +none escaping. Burned slave-barracoon and house. All very old--at least +ten years. Slavers' stronghold explains desolated country. Natives all +skipped or slaves. + +"'Z. and I located big ivory cache under left gate-post. Went back to +camp for men, found dying Arab. Gigantic buffalo gored him. Rest gone +with camels. Big python showed up; all scared out. Found camel in trees +and stayed to look around. Stories true. Shot two buffalo--suggested +prehistoric type, great horns. Shot python, thirty-nine feet. + +"'Guns safe. Third day found elephant spoor. Could hardly believe it. +Sighted and caught him by deserted native village. Rogue, fine trophy +for L. S. Biggest ever saw, must stand fourteen feet or better. Ivory +twelve feet. Z. game to tackle him, next day. + +"'Rogue didn't wait. Tackled us before dawn. One foot came down through +tent, missed me by six inches. Rolled out and grabbed gun. Z. knocked +senseless. Fired once, but rogue placed trunk around me and threw me +twenty feet into bushes. Senseless. + +"'Woke up to find rogue gone. Z. pulled me out of thorns and tied me up. +Badly smashed. Amputated left hand at wrist. Elephant had smashed guns, +with all he could find. Z. lost his nerve. Don't wonder. He caught the +camel unhurt. I told him to head south to find L. S. or natives, then +fainted again. + +"'Don't remember much of what happened next. Z. says we rode bareback. +Held me in his arms all the way. Five days. No water or grub. Camel +died with river only hundred yards away, poor brute. That's all.'" + +The explorer paused, trying to make out the last few lines, which seemed +almost illegible. Charlie stared, gulping down a sob at the bare recital +of that terrible journey. It was hard to realize that only a few weeks +ago he had seen and talked with the intrepid little man who lay cold in +death on his bed of leaves, and whose last words were being read to +them. + +"This last is pretty faint," said Schoverling with expressionless voice. +"It's the last thing he wrote, and he seems to have failed at the end. +Here is what I can make out of it: + +"'Z. knocked over a vulture two days ago from carcass of camel. Made him +take half, and he promised to go for help. Was too weak and came back. +I'm pretty near gone. If you get this, L. S., go kill that rogue for me. +Ivory worth while in cache. Feel cold to waist--must be going. Great +news for British, eh? Thank God I've lived a decent life, according to +my lights.'" + +Schoverling's voice died away, and they knew he had reached the end. +Without another word the explorer rose to his feet, walked a few paces +and stood gazing over the river with his back toward them. Von Hofe, +sucking his unlighted pipe, made no secret of the tears that trickled +over his dusty blond beard. Charlie and Jack gazed at each other in awed +silence, for that last letter was very vivid and very real to them both. + +"He ampudaded hiss own hand--ach!" said the big German huskily, at last. + +At the words, Schoverling turned and came slowly back to them, his face +set and hard. Behind them the Masai were digging the graves under the +direction of Akram Das, and the oxen were splashing about in the shallow +silver thread of the river. + +"Five days by camel--that would mean at least a week or ten days with +the wagons," said the explorer quietly, looking at von Hofe. The German +met the look and nodded. + +"Yess. We shall do as he ordered." + +"Do you mean that we are going to Lake Quilqua?" exclaimed Jack eagerly. + +"We are, Jack. There is no reason why we should not bring back that +rogue. He's just the fellow we're after, as--as poor Mowbray said." His +voice shook a little. "If we'd only arrived a day or two sooner!" + +"It can't be helped, General," returned Charlie softly. "We could not +know that he was here, and we might have done no good anyhow. Those last +words of his were fine." + +"That letter will be framed, some day," said the explorer, "and it'll +hang where every man in the Explorer's Club will be proud of it. What a +fine fellow that Arab was, too! I'm heartsick to think that we failed to +save him." + +"It was no use," von Hofe rose to his feet calmly. "It was starvation +and wounds. He was a good man, yes. My friends, we will bring that +rogue's skin back, and those others. What a triumph of science!" + +"That letter said something 'bout there bein' a plan in his watch-case, +Gen'ral," spoke up Jack. Schoverling nodded, and turned to the hut. A +moment later he came out, a smashed and bent gold watch in his hand. +This they managed to pry open with a knife, and the explorer pulled out +a tiny, many-folded map of onion-skin paper. The tracings were made in a +brown ink, with marks that meant nothing to the boys. + +"Arabic," explained Schoverling briefly. "Evidently it was supplied to +Mowbray by Selim ben Amoud. From what I can make out, it is a plan of +the chain of lakes Mowbray mentions. Here is one off by itself to the +south, named Quilqua. Well, this does us no good. Let's get down to +cases." + +"One thing is sure," said Charlie as the explorer paused. "That is, that +our march will lie just about due north." + +"Yes. Now, Mowbray speaks of an island with a slaver's stronghold. That +would account for the desolated country--that and the rogue elephant. +Probably some Arab settled down there years ago and ran off slaves until +he and all his men were swept out in one of the terrible and mysterious +plagues that sometimes sweep this country. That would explain the rumors +among the natives. Probably Selim heard the story and fancied the place +might be worth finding, so went into partnership with Mowbray. The +latter evidently found a good store of ivory planted away." + +"I guess you've doped it out," said Charlie. "How long will we stay +here, General?" + +"Two days. That will give the horses and cattle a good rest. The three +of us ought to bring in a lot of game, and we'll make some real +northwoods pemmican to take us on. First, let's see if the Masai will go +with us." + +The explorer called to Bakari and the Masai leader came over grinning. +Slowly they explained what lay before them, the terrors of the +mysterious lake, and the desert journey, and asked if Bakari and ten of +his men would accompany them. The unabashed warrior grinned. + +"Me go! Him men go, very fierce. No 'fraid." + +Satisfied that he had understood, Schoverling dismissed him, and turned +to the boys. + +"Pemmican for ten Masai and Bakari, us four, and three gun-bearers. The +rest will stay here. We'll take one wagon and six oxen; they can go for +two or three days without any water easily enough. We have one thing to +do before we go on the hunt, though." + +What this duty was all knew well enough. The body of Mowbray was brought +out and sewed in the canvas of a spare tent; a small American flag +belonging to Schoverling was laid over him, and he was placed in one of +the graves. The faithful Zahir-ed-din was laid in the other. As the +story was told the Indians, they waited till von Hofe had recited the +Lord's Prayer over Mowbray, then Gholab Singh, Mohammedan like the other +Gurkhas, delivered a short prayer from the Koran over the Arab, and the +graves were filled in. + +Charlie, Jack and the General scoured the plain that afternoon, bringing +in three eland and sending the Masai out after two zebra. On their +return they found that von Hofe had been at work, for over each grave +stood a cross of wood, rudely carved with the name of him beneath. Oddly +enough, the Mohammedans made no objection to the cross being placed over +the Arab. + +"He was a good man," said the big Teuton softly. "It matters not that he +believed in Allah, for worse Christians I haf met, yes." + +During the next day the game was cut up and smoked by Jack and Charlie, +the explorer and Guru bringing in enough fresh meat to keep them for two +or three days ahead. That night six of the rested oxen were inspanned to +one of the wagons, loaded with water-casks and what was left of their +yams and bananas. The spare Gurkha was left with his own rifle, an old +Snider, to provide meat for the little camp, and as the moon rose the +expedition pushed out across the river to the north--in search of Lake +Quilqua and the Rogue Elephant. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE DESERT TREK + + +The rest, short as it had been, had worked wonders for the cattle. They +were as fresh and sleek as ever, and the lightly loaded wagon was a +small burden to them. At the last moment Schoverling had flung in the +six traps. + +"I have a notion," was all he would reply to the questions of the boys. + +He and the boys and von Hofe rode first, the Masai tramping along to a +swinging chant beside the wagon, and the three gun-bearers bringing up +the rear. The oxen did not require any driving, as they followed the +leaders unhesitatingly and patiently. + +"I guess we've got our work cut out for us," said Charlie as the long, +rolling white-dusted plain opened out before them in the moonlight. He +and Jack rode together, as usual. + +"Seems weird," replied Jack, "to think o' Mowbray coming across here on +a camel only to die, an' us going back on the same trail. Wonder how +that camel died in five days?" + +"I don't know. He said it was unhurt. Prob'ly the Arab pushed it day and +night at full speed. Even a camel would go down under that." + +As they advanced, the dust rose in clouds about them, hanging low and +choking the Indians behind until they had to come forward. Once or twice +the barking call of a zebra sounded from the distance, and toward +morning the distant growl of a lion, but no other signs of life came to +them. + +The boys had been busy all day, and they were tired enough to doze off +in the saddle as they went forward, the white dust covering them all +with a thick coating. Hour after hour they plodded on, at intervals +wiping out the nostrils of the horses and cattle with a wet cloth by way +of refreshment. Von Hofe chatted intermittently with Schoverling, who +guided the march by compass, but the boys were too weary for talk. + +At five o'clock they halted on the edge of a dry water-course. They had +not omitted to fetch along a good supply of fodder for the cattle, which +was loaded in the wagon to the very top of the tilt. The horses were +given a few swallows of water each, the Masai dined on roast meat about +their fires, while the four explorers and the Indians made an excellent +repast on cold meat and biscuits with tea. Biscuits were Charlie's +specialty, and before the start he had made a good supply, as their +flour was running low. + +For three hours they rested here, Schoverling and Jack keeping watch in +turn. At the next halt von Hofe and Charlie would stand guard, then the +three Indians. At eight the cattle were inspanned, and they plodded +onward until noon, hot and choked with dust. No complaint came from the +Masai, and here the second meal of the day was eaten. + +The boys had thought that first march across that almost deserted grass +plain was hard, but this gave them an inkling of the meaning of an +African trek. They slept with heads on their saddles, the single tent +they had brought along shading them somewhat. The Indians and a few +Masai slept on the fodder beneath the hood of the wagon, the rest +stretched out under the wagon itself. + +At three they inspanned and went on again until seven, when another two +hours' rest and the evening meal took place. Thus they traveled sixteen +hours and rested eight, the men and cattle both getting on more easily +at night than in the blazing sun. + +That first afternoon nothing much occurred to interest them. Out on the +dry desert scoured a few ostriches, at which the boys took distant shots +but without result. In the evening they saw two giraffes lumbering +across the horizon. + +"Wish we had a few yoke of those fellows," said the explorer. "They can +go for months without water, and seem to pick up a living from the dead +grass." + +"I thought camels were the only beasts who could live on air?" said +Charlie in surprise. "Do you mean that giraffes absolutely require no +water?" + +"That is it," answered von Hofe. "It is an unexplained mystery, my +friend. The giraffe, he carries no water-tank inside like the camel, yet +he sweats and lives. How, is not known." + +Charlie and Jack looked after the Masai, but found them dust-grimed and +cheerful. The leader, Bakari, had evidently picked out the best men--all +stalwart, sinewy warriors who won the respect of the boys in that +terrible march by their powers of endurance and unfailing good humor. + +"I don't see how they can plug along on foot that way," volunteered Jack +on the third day. "By jiminy, two days of it would 'bout put me in +hospital! Say, Chuck, ain't these moccasins great? If we had boots now +we'd be sorry." + +"You bet," nodded Charlie. "They keep the dust out pretty well. The +doctor has to empty out a pound o' dust every hour. No wonder his feet +are swollen up!" + +Indeed, that night von Hofe made application for a pair of the spare +moccasins. The dry, irritating dust made no entrance through the thick +moosehide, and although the moccasins were undeniably hot, they were +much better than hunting-boots. He freely admitted that in no instance +had Schoverling's prophecies and ideas fallen down, and thereafter wore +his moccasins until the end of the trip. + +The dry, brown grass of those plains was almost hidden by the dust, but +when their fodder gave out, on the fifth day, the oxen seemed to take it +willingly enough. Day after day the march kept up without intermission, +and fortunately the six-oxen suffered no loss. They were used to such +treks, and the unremitting care of the boys kept them in good shape. + +On the seventh day the supply of meat, large as it had been, began to +show signs of giving out. The Masai had accepted the smoked meat +willingly enough, but neither the explorer nor the boys had counted on +their enormous appetites. As it would not do to halt the march, the +wagon was left in charge of von Hofe, while the General, the boys, and +the three gun-bearers cantered out after whatever game they could find. +So far the horses had stood the strain well, being seasoned, wiry little +beasts. Schoverling rode between the boys. + +"I didn't want to tell the doctor," he volunteered in a low tone, when +they were a good half-mile from the wagon, "and don't let on before the +Indians; but we're going to be in bad unless we get across pretty soon. +There are only two casks of water left. I'm afraid the Masai have been +tapping them at night." + +"Jumping sandhills!" exclaimed Charlie, staring in dismay. "Why, we have +to use at least half a cask a day, only giving the horses and cattle a +few swallows, and us too! I s'pose we'll cut out the cattle?" + +"Have to," nodded the explorer. "I hate to do it, but we can't return +now. I'd like to take a gun-butt to those Masai!" + +"You can't blame them," put in Jack. "They've got the hardest end to +bear up, Gen'ral. We've only allowed them about a pint a day each, same +as us, when they've been hiking steady. It's hard lines on them, take it +from me." + +"We can't help that, Jack," Schoverling returned. "There's no use +punishing them, of course, for they may be valuable later on. But when +you're on watch, just take a look under the wagon now and then. If you +find anyone at the water-casks, take the cattle-whip to him. That water +means life to all of us--and _we come first_!" + +The boys fell silent. The danger was brought home to them, as the +explorer intended, and they realized the grim law of the white man in +savage places--that whatever happened, whoever perished, he must +survive. It is not a merciful law; Schoverling was not one of the +generous-hearted kind who treat the native as an equal at such times. +He was an average, self-preserving Caucasian, who was only merciless +when his own life hung in the balance. The boys had been trained in the +same school, and fully realized the force of his words. + +"The Masai are holding up finely," he went on, "but we'll have to watch +them close. At any minute they may get sick of things and try to rush +us. That means trouble, which I hope will not come." + +Charlie joined him silently in that hope, though from the behavior of +the natives he could hardly believe that they would turn on the whites. +However, the conversation was soon shifted by the discovery of a herd of +giraffes to the north. + +"Long range, I s'pose?" queried Jack, getting out his heavy gun. The +Indians were armed with the lighter ones. + +"Yes," returned the explorer. "We'll never get up on them in this +territory. Fire high, when they begin to run, or we'll lose them." + +The giraffes saw them plainly enough, but they got to within four +hundred yards before the herd began to shift. All drew rein instantly, +the trained horses standing stone still, and just as the herd took +alarm and broke into their lumbering, awkward-looking gallop, the six +rifles rang out. + +The lighter weapons of the Indians seemed to have no effect. Charlie saw +the bull at which he aimed stagger and go down. Another stopped with a +broken shoulder, and Jack's second barrel finished it. Schoverling fired +again, but either missed a vital place or his bullet went wide, for a +moment later the herd was gone in a cloud of dust. + +"Never mind," he cried gayly, reloading as they trotted forward. "Two +will be all we can carry in, and will help out wonderfully. They are +poor eating for us, but the Masai will be overjoyed." + +Reaching the two dead giraffes, all leaped from their horses and set +about cutting up the bodies. At last it was finished. Spattered with +blood, the boys got the heavy loads on their quivering, blood-sniffing +horses after some delay, and set about returning to the wagon. + +"Where is it?" exclaimed the explorer. "Surely we can't have lost it?" + +But, even with their powerful glasses, no sign could they see of the +little safari. In all directions the plain stretched out dry, white, +dusty, with no moving speck to break the monotony. The general cased his +glasses in disgust. + +"I was so interested in giving you my warning that I forgot to take any +thought of our direction, and the doctor has my compass. Let's +see--we've been riding about northeast." + +"Here," cried Jack, pointing to the dusty plain, "there's no wind, so we +can follow the tracks. It's a cinch." + +"Of course," laughed the explorer, and with Jack and Charlie in the lead +all six began retracing their steps. But it was not so easy to follow +the trail, after the dust had settled down upon it, and it was an hour +later before the white tilt of the wagon was seen, far to the southwest. + +"We came more east than north, evidently," said Schoverling. "However, +all's well that ends well. Don't gallop, Akram; we must go easy on the +horses!" + +They were soon up to the wagon and were greeted with a joyful yell by +the Masai, who had no scruples about partaking of the raw meat. Knowing +their tastes, the explorer had filled two or three gourds with the blood +of the slain giraffes, which the natives drank greedily. The boys were +disgusted, and sought refuge at the head of the column again. + +That night the two remaining casks of water were shifted to the bed of +the wagon, the empty casks remaining slung below. With the next evening, +however, there came a joyful change in their prospects, for as they +proceeded they saw that dark clouds were gathering along the horizon to +the north. + +"Rain!" cried the boys eagerly. Von Hofe nodded, and the Masai struck up +a "rain chant" which seemed to have the desired effect. By midnight the +sky was overcast, and when they outspanned the next morning for the +early halt gusts of wind and rain were sweeping down upon them that +gradually changed to a steady, settled rain. + +"This is a great piece of good luck," exclaimed Schoverling, revealing +to von Hofe for the first time how their water supply had shrunk. "Get +out all the casks, boys, and let them fill. It's a bad thing for the +march, however." + +"Why so?" queried the doctor, as the two boys began unslinging the +casks. + +"Because when this soil is wet it's mighty greasy, and makes hard going +for the ox-team. However, it's well worth it." + +The only trees on the plain were stunted thorn-trees, but from these the +Masai got enough dry wood to start a fire, after which others were +started. The boys, Schoverling and the doctor huddled together in the +wet grass under the tent, blankets around them and saddle-cloths over +their feet, and slept comfortably enough despite the drenching rain. + +When the camp wakened into action, the rain had passed over and once +more the sky was bright and the air hot. But they had obtained three +full casks of water, and now had little fear for the future. As the +explorer had predicted, the soil was wet and greasy, but aside from +getting stuck once in an old drift, they had no great trouble, and after +the noon halt the sun had dried up the ground fairly well. + +When they halted at sunset that night Charlie pulled out his glasses and +then gave a cry of joy. Far ahead, but unmistakable, they could see +green slopes and trees. Quilqua the mysterious was in sight. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +A DESERTED LAND + + +That night the water was not spared, and the rest of the meat was +polished off in reckless fashion. After a three-hour rest, they took up +the march again in renewed spirits, the Masai singing and chanting +eagerly. But distances were deceptive in that country of clear vision +and high altitude. When they camped at dawn after a hard march, they +seemed no nearer the trees than before, and the Masai and Indians went +to bed hungry, Jack making what little flour they had left into +flapjacks. + +By the time they camped at noon, however, the boys and Schoverling had +brought in an eland, which they had found solitary. This staved off +hunger, and without pausing to sleep the hunters set off again while the +cattle rested. The country was well timbered farther ahead, and they +rode toward this through scattered clumps of thorn-trees. + +"There's a lion, right enough," said Jack, as one of the tawny beasts +bounded away from a knoll to their right. "That means there's game +around." + +"We'll strike it in the trees," declared the General. "That seems like a +good rolling game country stretching out in front." + +Knowing that the doctor would bring on the wagon, they struck straight +ahead for five miles. Gradually game became apparent, and after knocking +over a couple of gazelles and a fine oryx, they found a waterhole. Akram +Das was sent back to guide the wagon to it, and that night there was +high feasting in camp. + +"I'm mighty glad our cattle pulled through safe," said Schoverling. +"We'll need them on the back trail." + +"Yes," put in von Hofe, "they will have to draw the elephant skin and +the ivory." + +"Don't count too far ahead," laughed Jack. "It's not going to be any +cinch! But I'd like to meet up with one of those buffalo." + +"If poor Mowbray's account is true," said the General, "we'd better have +the gun-bearers stick close with the heavy guns. There's no telling +what we'll strike here. We'll have to keep pretty good guard, too, for +lions will be apt to make a try for the cattle or horses." + +Now, with the worst of the march over, they relapsed into regular +day-marches again. But that night, sure enough, Charlie heard the low +mutterings of a lion, and by the light of the fires could see one of the +great beasts slinking past. He gave him two shots from his 30-30, and +the aroused camp found only a dead lion to exult over. + +The first day's march brought them to a tiny trickle of water in the +center of a drift, where they outspanned. There were palms and wild figs +in abundance, and with cabbage-palm hearts as a substitute their meat +diet was abandoned. Game was increasing, and that night they located +another drinking-place half a mile up the drift, where the boys bagged +three gerenuk, a kind of gazelle, and two wildebeest. + +As they went forward the next day they were all amazed at the remarkable +tameness of the herds which passed on every side. A drove of at least a +hundred zebra paused within fifty yards of them, gazing curiously, and +not until Bakari flourished a spear did they whirl and dash away. At +another time a group of slender-horned impalla bunched together not a +hundred yards away, watching fearlessly as the wagon passed. + +"That looks mighty queer," declared Charlie. "Seems like they don't get +hunted much up here." + +"Remember what that letter o' Mowbray's said?" interjected Jack quickly. +"How he never met any natives, I mean? Bet a cookie you were right, +General, about the slavers." + +"What's worrying me," returned Schoverling, "is where that lake can be. +There seems to be hills ahead, and to the right, but I can see no sign +of a lake." + +"I tell you," cried Charlie. "If we strike another drift, it's a good +guess that it comes from a lake, isn't it?" + +"Yes," rumbled von Hofe, smiling. "That is right, my boy. We will follow +the next river to which we come." + +Plainly enough, the country was a desert as far as human life was +concerned. But the animal life was far too abundant to suit them. That +day they passed a rhinoceros, standing to one side and watching them +from a distance of fifty yards. With his ears cocked forward he looked +like a gigantic pig, but the hunters kept their heavy rifles cocked, for +at any moment the beast might take it into his head to charge, and they +had had one experience with these huge beasts. + +"He's two-horned!" exclaimed Jack, watching intently. It was their first +meeting with one of the two-horned variety, and they were relieved when +he turned and slowly trotted off, the tick-birds on his back settling +down again. + +That night Schoverling issued orders that with each halt the Masai +should construct a thorn zareba for the oxen, while big fires should be +kept blazing all night. Lions were very plainly in abundance, and they +could afford to run no risk of losing the cattle, or horses either. + +Toward dawn they were aroused by Guru, on guard, to find the horses +shivering with fear and the glowing eyes of lions shining from the +undergrowth around the camp. A shot seemed to have no effect, until with +a well-placed bullet Schoverling killed one of the beasts and the rest +disappeared with threatening rumbles. + +"That shows what we can expect, in this no-man's country," he said. +"We'll have worse than that later on, I'm afraid." + +And his words were to prove true, though not exactly as he had intended, +before two days more had passed. + +Shortly before noon they came upon lower ground, with the high hills +rising some ten miles farther on. A stream trickled through beds of +reeds and swamp-grass, and it was decided that they should follow the +high ground upstream, in the hope of being thus led to their hard-sought +goal. + +Schoverling and Charlie employed the shotgun in turn, shooting from +their horses, and stocking the whole camp with wildfowl. The Masai had +spread out in great glee, investigating this strange land like children, +when a sudden yell of horror went up from one of them. + +Turning as the doctor echoed the shout, those ahead were horrified to +see a tremendous python curled about the struggling warrior, at the very +edge of the reeds twenty yards away. The huge head of the snake was +high--at least six feet above that of the warrior, about whom its coils +were tightening slowly. The Masai, with horrible yells, was slashing +away without effect, and even as they looked his arms were bound about +and fell useless. + +"Good heavens!" groaned Schoverling, who had left his rifle in the +wagon. The Indians spurred forward with outstretched guns, but in that +moment von Hofe proved himself cooler than any. The boys had been afraid +to fire, but even as Charlie and Jack threw up their guns the little +rifle of the doctor spoke out once and then again. + +Struck in the neck by both balls, the python's head drooped and his +coils broke away. In a flash the Masai wriggled loose and turned, sword +in hand, while his comrades dashed fearlessly to his rescue. For a +moment there was a wild turmoil of bodies; one of the warriors was flung +a dozen feet away by the slashing tail, then the python fell, cut into a +score of pieces. + +The exciting combat was begun and over in a moment. Charlie dashed to +the side of the men, but it proved that neither of the Masai had been +seriously hurt. The first had suffered merely from a vigorous squeeze, +the second had the breath knocked out of him, so no attention was paid +to the injuries. Measured carefully, the python proved to be thirty feet +in length. + +"Things look pretty grave," said Schoverling soberly that evening when +they were in camp farther up the stream, but well away from the reeds. +"Mowbray's forty-foot python was no dream, my friends. We must keep our +rifles in the holsters and at our hands night and day in this country." + +"The Masai behaved splendidly," exclaimed Charlie admiringly. "Where are +you going?" he asked as the General arose. + +"Show you in a minute. Guru!" + +The explorer had joined the Sikh at the wagon. There was a rattle of +chains, and with the steel traps in their hands the two returned to the +fire. + +"Now, Guru, we are going to set out these traps around the camp. After +this you and Akram and Amir Ali will have to do it, so observe us +closely." + +"Oh, that's what you wanted them for, eh?" cried Jack. Schoverling +smiled. + +"Not exactly, but they're going to be a whole lot of help. My idea is, +Doctor, that if we set these out around the camp they will keep us from +being surprised to some extent. They won't stop a lion or buffalo, of +course, but they will serve to check them or any other big game." + +"It is good," nodded von Hofe gravely. "I think it will be of much use. +I will go too." + +The boys cut heavy stakes with their hand-axes, and all six of the traps +were fastened securely. Then, accompanied by the Indians, they placed +the traps in a wide circle on each side of the zareba, the most +threatened point of attack. When the stakes were driven, the jaws of the +traps were opened and light creepers flung over them. + +"By golly, that'll make me sleep a whole lot sounder!" admitted Charlie +when they returned. Jack was disposed to turn up his nose at the +unbaited traps. + +"Any fool jackal would smell 'em," he declared emphatically. "Why, you +can see them glint in the moonlight!" + +"No matter," smiled the explorer. "We don't want to catch anything in +them--they're only there to keep us from being surprised." + +That very night the traps proved their value, for while Jack was on +guard he was roused by the click of steel, a tremendous snarling growl, +and the sound of a furious struggle. The whole camp was up instantly, +and by the light of the natives torches they could see a lioness rolling +over, tearing furiously at a trap which clenched her two forepaws. + +A moment later she tore free, but Jack's elephant-gun crashed out and +she lay still. The trap was promptly restaked and reset, while the Masai +dragged the body away. And after that, Jack said nothing more on the +question of unbaited traps. + +They were now in a veritable hunter's paradise. It was unnecessary for +Schoverling and the boys to shoot game, for the Masai could spear all +that was needed without trouble, two or three of them going up-wind and +driving the game past the hiding-place of the rest. The next morning +they were off with the dawn, in high hopes of reaching the lake, for the +water in the stream seemed warmer than usual, though the explorer laid +this to imagination. + +The country was open enough for the wagon to proceed without hindrance +at a little way from the vegetation of the river. In the course of the +morning Charlie descried what looked like grass huts ahead, but as they +did not dare leave the wagon it was nearly noon before they came up to +the little village. + +"Deserted, of course," exclaimed the General when they drew near. + +"Old and broken down, too," added Jack. "They're pretty well covered +with vines and creepers, and that hut over on the left is a--why, all +those mounds are old huts, General!" + +Sure enough, at close quarters they saw that scores of little mounds +scattered around had once been huts, fallen to pieces under the attacks +of animals and the weather. The few that were standing had been somewhat +preserved by the shelter of spreading juniper trees overhead, and young +bamboos had sprouted around and inside, thus serving to keep them in +shape. + +"Pretty rotten," said Charlie, poking one with his rifle. The grass and +twigs fell at the touch. "They've been deserted for years. But look over +there--that used to be a yam patch, and I'll bet a dollar--" + +Without finishing he flung himself from the saddle and ran to an +overgrown stretch of ground, where his quick eye had detected a few yams +growing wild, with a variety of squash. Most of them were trampled or +eaten by animals, but they managed to collect a dozen of each, which +would give a welcome variety of food. + +"General!" called out Jack, fifty yards away. + +"Come over here, all of you." + +He was standing over something on the ground, at the edge of the forest. +When the others arrived, he pointed to an immense buffalo track in the +soft ground. + +"There's your giant bull," he said triumphantly. "This is no place for +us, I guess." + +"I should say not!" cried Schoverling. "What a brute that fellow must +be! Ever see as big a track, Doctor?" + +"Never," and the German wagged his great beard, with a dubious glance +around. "Come, let us go on. Ach, what a country is this!" + +An hour later they outspanned for the noon halt. By some subtle warning, +Schoverling led them away from the river to a little bare mound crowned +by a single spreading mimosa, around which the oxen were grouped. Below +on one side, stretched the jungle. On the other, tall grass, reeds and +undergrowth led away to the river. And on that little eminence the +expedition all but came to grievous wreck. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +A DESPERATE BATTLE + + +Fortunately for the entire party, the bandoliers were filled that noon +with the heavy cordite bullets, for Schoverling advised all to carry +their heavy guns. Guru, Akram Das and Amir Ali carried the 30-30s, while +von Hofe broke out a box of shells for the shotgun, as he wished to get +a specimen of a peculiar crane he had seen that morning in the river, +and refused to let the others shoot it for him. + +"Nein," he objected determinedly. "I shoot my own specimens, thanks, for +it is good to say, 'Shot and mounted by Gross von Hofe.' I can shoot +when I wish." + +"I should say you can," laughed Charlie. "You sure nipped that big snake +in the right place, Doctor! I never saw any better shooting." + +"You let the doctor alone," chuckled Schoverling. "He knows his business +better than any of us. Give him an elephant gun, if he wants it!" + +The big Teuton smiled broadly through his blond beard, for the praise +was dear to his honest heart. While they sat and rested, Gholab Singh +washed the tin dishes, humming one of his native songs. Jack's quick eye +caught a movement in the bushes toward the river, and as he jumped up a +big boar came running out. + +"Knock him over," suggested Schoverling lazily. "But we'll have to cut +him up and cook him ourselves." + +Jack agreed, as the boar trotted across the open space, followed by +another. Catching up his 30-30, which lay with the other guns close at +hand, he put a shot through the brain of the second animal. Charlie +joined him and they ran out to bring in the body, as the Sikh was the +only Indian who would touch pig's flesh. + +"Say, Jack," exclaimed Charlie as they bent over the boar, "didn't it +strike you queer that they'd run out that way? 'Most as if somethin' was +after 'em." + +"Right," and Jack sprang to his feet. Looking closely, they could see +the tops of the twenty-foot reeds along the river-bank shaking heavily +and slowly, as if massive bodies were advancing. "Maybe it's a rhino, +Chuck. He wouldn't bother us--hello! What's up?" + +A chorus of shrill yells from the Masai above startled them. Glancing +up, they saw Schoverling and the gun-bearers catching up their weapons, +while the natives were leading the cattle away from the wagon, the +inspanning having already begun for the march. They saw Gholab Singh +catch up the little rifle belonging to von Hofe. + +"Jumpin' sandhills!" began Charlie in wonder. "What on earth--" + +"Get up here!" roared the General at them. "Boys! Quick!" + +Without pausing to inquire further the boys jumped for the camp. A +moment later they stood gazing around in amazement, inquiring what was +wrong. For answer the explorer pointed to the river below. The boys +whirled, then a single cry burst from their lips and they stood +astounded, unable to believe their eyes. + +"Ach, himmel! Vot a sight!" broke from the doctor. + +There, bending down the tough reeds like grass, a mighty herd of buffalo +was coming slowly forward, the first two or three just emerging into +the clearing. All together, there must have been sixty or seventy of +them--but what buffalo they were! + +Great, shaggy fellows, nearly a third larger than those the boys had +seen and shot during the first part of the trip, they seemed like some +part of a wild dream. It flashed through Charlie's mind that it must +have been such buffalo as this that Mowbray had seen, or rather, that +had scattered his Arabs. + +Slowly the great mass pushed forward, heads upturned. Plainly they had +scented the camp, for they were down-wind, and intended to investigate. +Both boys realized that they were in grave danger, as this became +apparent. + +"Think they'll dare to charge us?" murmured Charlie, a little pale. + +"Can't tell," returned the explorer, staring. "Great Scott, what +animals! No wonder Mowbray's men lit out for safety! If they come on, +we're goners." + +That they plainly meant to come on was soon evident. The foremost paused +to sniff and paw the body of the slain boar, and to gaze up at the +waiting men, then those crowding behind shoved them onward. Two or +three went on to one side, but the others began the ascent of the little +hill without hesitation. + +"We'll have to stop them," said Schoverling, his face set. Charlie +looked around to find Jack at his elbow, gun ready, black eyes +glittering, and cheeks flushed darkly. Behind were grouped the Indian +gun-bearers, fully recognizing the danger. The Masai, chattering but +with arrow on the string, stood near the wagon. + +"Bakari!" called the explorer quickly. At the sound of his voice the +giant buffalo halted for a moment, and the boys yelled in hope that they +would retire. But the hope proved groundless, as they came forward with +slow steps again. + +"Bakari, put some of your men up into that tree--keep those bulls away +from the wagon and oxen at all costs," ordered the General. The Masai +nodded, and a moment later five of his men went up nimbly into the big +mimosa, and threaded their way out along the branches until they stood +over the heads of the boys. The wagon and oxen were twenty feet behind, +and the remaining natives grouped before them. + +"All right, boys," said Schoverling quietly. "Don't fire at the head, +remember, unless you are sure of the eye. We've got to stop them at +once." + +Charlie and Jack lifted their guns. The tremendous beasts were a scant +fifty yards below, but more were crowding up from the reeds every +instant. The four white men spread out at intervals of a few yards, the +gun-bearers between. Von Hofe, shotgun in hand, stood on the long +wagon-tongue with Gholab Singh. + +The three heavy Hammonds rang out with a crash. Charlie's bull went +down, as did two more, and a wild bellow of fury went up from the entire +herd. Instantly the second barrels streamed forth their deadly cordite, +and a mass of kicking, struggling animals lay below them, while from the +Masai streamed forth spears and arrows. + +"Hope that holds them," said Schoverling, as they reloaded rapidly. The +gun-bearers, as good gun-bearers should, had not yet fired but stood +waiting till the last extremity. + +"By golly!" yelled Jack, bringing up his rifle hurriedly. Instead of +being intimidated, the shots and powder-reek seemed to render the herd +more furious yet. Loud snortings, swishing tails and pawing hoofs +testified to their rage, and the bodies of the slain were trampled into +a bloody mass as the herd swept on. + +Down went the foremost again, impeding those behind, and Schoverling +nodded to the Indians as he reloaded. The 30-30s spoke out, each of the +old soldiers wasting not a shot, but firing the five cartridges in his +magazine slowly and methodically. The scene below was terrible, and the +wild yells of the Masai rose high over the snorting and bellowing. But +great as was the slaughter, the immense herd poured up bodily, until +they were but thirty yards down the hill, the bodies of the killed +trampled underfoot, those behind pressing the others forward in mad +rage. + +Now there was no let-up. Charlie loaded and fired as fast as he was +able, as did Jack and the rest. Another volley from the Indians helped, +and from the wagon von Hofe scattered bird-shot wildly, but Gholab's +little rifle-ball picked more than one bull neatly through the eye to +the brain. + +From above the Masai streamed down their arrows into the backs of the +giant brutes, until the wounded ones turned and lashed out at their +fellows. Shot after shot poured down into the crowded mass of buffalo, +and a moment later Charlie knew that the fight was all but won. Those in +the van had gone down, those behind were rearing and trampling, fighting +each other in desperate confusion, forgetting what lay ahead. + +Suddenly a yell of terror from behind startled Charlie and he saw Jack +whirl with a shout. While they had been fighting the foe in front, a +single bull, led perhaps by some instinct, had quietly ascended the hill +from the rear and was shaking his head angrily at Bakari and his +remaining five men. + +As the boys turned, the Masai unhesitatingly poured spears at him, and +with a bellow of pain he charged them. They faced him gallantly, but +before Jack or Charlie could fire, one went high in air and another was +trampled under foot. Gholab leaped from the wagon with his small rifle, +and sprang forward; but, taking a desperate chance, Jack had fired at +the brute's shoulder. The buffalo turned and made for the little party, +and as he did so Gholab Singh shot him through the eye at ten yards. + +A yell of delight from Guru drew Charlie back to the front. Here it was +evident that the buffalo were retiring, only two solitary bulls +charging through the bloody, tangled mass of hoofs and horns. One of +these the General dropped, and Amir Ali attended to the other. A moment +later the herd drew away, sullenly and fighting among themselves still, +to the shelter of the reeds, where the snortings and bellowings +gradually died away in the distance. + +With the lifting of the terrific strain, Charlie staggered and caught +Schoverling's arm, while Jack sank down beside him with drawn face. Guru +and his comrades leaped down the hill to kill the wounded, kicking +bulls. + +"There, boys, you take it easy," said the explorer, his voice just a +trifle shaken. "That was pretty bad for a minute, but we pulled out all +right." + +"Better see to the Masai," said Charlie faintly. + +Schoverling looked up, noting for the first time the slain bull by the +wagon. The boys watched him leap to the side of von Hofe, who was +kneeling over the injured men. + +"I've had about enough of this country," grunted Charlie, rising shakily +as his weakness passed. "Feel better?" + +"Some." Jack, also unsteady under the reaction of their great mental and +physical strain, got to his feet. "It was a tight squeeze, old chap!" + +"You bet. Let's see how bad the men were hurt." + +They joined the group. The gored man had an ugly wound in his side. The +other had hung to the horns of the buffalo, and beyond a slash in the +arm and a few broken ribs, was in no serious danger. The two were placed +in the wagon, where the doctor gave them much needed attention. + +"I'm going to get away from here," said the explorer. "Bakari, you did +nobly! Gholab, Guru, and the rest of you, I can only say that I am proud +of you--more proud than ever. Shake hands!" + +Smiling broadly, the bearded Indians obeyed, after which the boys shook +hands also. + +"It was good work, sahib," declared the Sikh gravely. "We are men, all +of us. Such a fight will make great telling when we get back!" + +Von Hofe received his full share of the praise, for his bird-shot had +contributed no little to the rout of the giant buffaloes. He, however, +was already busy with his camera, and only the assurance of Schoverling +that they could get a skin at another time got him to his horse. Half +an hour later they were away from the scene of the battle, to which the +kites and vultures were already flocking through the sky. + +"We won't go far," announced the leader. "I don't mind confessing that +I'm pretty badly shaken up and want to rest for the remainder of the +day. We got out of that scrape almighty well, boys, if you want to know +it!" + +"Guess we did," returned Charlie with an uneasy glance around. "I won't +forget that for many a long day! If the Indians hadn't stood by us--" + +He did not need to finish, and the explorer nodded. Two miles farther +on, and a mile from the river; they halted beside a little creek. They +had learned the value of a big tree, and the oxen were outspanned around +a spreading fig-tree of gigantic size. The Masai built a zareba around, +and for the rest of the afternoon they stayed quietly recuperating from +the terrible exertions of that battle. In the evening great fires were +built and the traps set out again. + +Nothing disturbed them that night. They slept in their blankets under +the shelter of the giant tree, but as they rolled up--von Hofe being on +guard for the first three hours--Jack whispered to Charlie. + +"If we struck a herd of them fellows while we were down on low +ground--good-bye!" + +"You shut up and go to sleep," retorted Charlie. "Every time I close my +eyes I think of those tossin' heads. I don't want to dream about them." + +"Bet a cookie you will," chuckled Jack. "Remember how their eyes rolled, +and the first ones we shot got all trampled out of shape, and--" + +Charlie reached over with a mimosa thorn and ended the discussion +suddenly. But, nevertheless, his dreams that night were none too +pleasant, and he woke more than once, almost feeling a herd of those +giant buffaloes grinding him beneath their hoofs. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE LAKE OF MYSTERY + + +"This stream must be the outlet of the warm lake, all right," said +Schoverling the next morning as they sat at breakfast. "There seems to +be low hills ahead of us, but I think the wagon can get along." + +"Yes," announced the doctor. "The hot lake must be of volcanic origin, a +very long time ago. These things one meets with often in Africa. I must +shoot one of those big buffalo, please." + +"Then you'd better take my heavy gun," offered Charlie. "I've shot all +of 'em I care to." The doctor's white teeth flashed, as he nodded. + +"If it was anywhere else we could ride ahead and pick out a road," said +Jack. "But we wouldn't dare leave the wagon here." + +"Not much," laughed Schoverling. "If we'd been gone yesterday we'd have +had to settle down here for life. Well, let's inspan." + +"Let's see that plan of Mowbray's--the Arabic one," said Charlie. The +explorer found it and tossed it over. The two boys pored over the +rudely-drawn chart while the oxen were being inspanned. + +"This must be the river we're on," and Jack pointed to the line of a +stream flowing to the south and west of a small lake. "Why couldn't +we--" + +"Hey, General!" called Charlie. "Come back here a minute!" The explorer, +who was filling his bandolier, came over to their side, and Charlie +pointed to the stream. "This river seems to run west out of the lake, +and then turn south. Now, she's running north and south right here, +isn't she?" The explorer, glancing at his compass, nodded. "Then instead +of keeping close to the stream, why couldn't we strike off northeast and +head straight for the lake? The river only leads us every which way." + +"Good idea," exclaimed the General. "I had forgotten all about that map, +to tell the truth. The only question is whether we can depend on it." + +"That fellow Selim," put in the interested doctor, "was a man of brains, +my friends. He would not send his camels and partner where he did not +know. There is too much game beside this river, also. I like it not." + +"Very well," said Schoverling. "Then we will simply cut around those +hills ahead and march by compass. No lack o' water here, fortunately." + +So, much to the relief of the boys, they left the dangerous vicinity of +the river and struck across country. Except on the very banks of the +stream there was no jungle, but open and well-wooded country that seemed +well able to support a population of natives, had there been any to +support. An hour after inspanning they came to another and larger +village, which had fallen to decay as had the first. Monkeys were +everywhere, grinning and chattering among the ruined huts, and in the +center of the old village, fastened to a still sturdy post, they came +upon a pair of heavy iron hand-cuffs, which were simply a mass of rust. + +"There's an indication of the slave-trade," and Schoverling pointed. +"Probably a refractory slave was tied up there and whipped. I suppose +those Arabs found this a thickly populated, happy country and simply +made a clean sweep, men, women and children. Those that weren't killed +or carried off north no doubt perished miserably in the wilderness. Poor +devils! It's a tremendously good thing for Africa that the British put +down the slave-trade." + +"If they'd only conserved their resources," declared von Hofe, "they +might be running out slaves yet. But it was more than slavers, my +friend." He had advanced to the door of a hut and now drew back. "It is +not a good place to stay. There are skeletons--perhaps of the plague." + +"That's more like it," exclaimed Charlie, as they rode on. "Mowbray said +that he had found the Arab place plague-swept, and had burned the whole +thing, prob'ly for fear of infection. That would account for the absence +of human life a whole lot better than by laying it all on the slavers." + +There was another thought running through Charlie's head, +however--something of which no one had yet spoken openly. He wondered if +Schoverling had paid any attention to Mowbray's narrative of the big +cache of ivory "underneath the left gate-post." He had been long enough +in Africa to know the tremendous value of tusks, and resolved to talk +things over with Jack at the first opportunity. Von Hofe, meanwhile, had +been thinking along more practical lines. + +"If we had a large party, Schoverling, and plenty of time, we could make +money," he announced suddenly, and pointed to the hills on their left. +"Those hills must be of old volcanoes. Why should the Arabs have come so +far to settle here in a terrible land? Not for slaves or ivory alone. +No. In these lakes and rivers there is gold." + +"What!" exclaimed the explorer sharply. Then, more slowly, "I shouldn't +wonder if you're right, Doctor. I'd like to take a little trip with a +washing-pan up through there! If that is so, as it well might be, +there'd be some rich pickings for the taking. However, we're here for +elephant first and last, and I'm not inclined to linger with this +outfit." + +This excited the boys hugely, but both realized that on this expedition +there would be small opportunity for any gold-hunting, even if the +supposition should prove to be true. The sight of that big python and +the giant buffalo had been a good indication of what they might expect +if they lingered long hereabouts, and the fate of Mowbray's expedition +was vivid in their minds still. + +The day passed with no exciting feature, as all kept close to the slow +advance of the cattle and wagon. The Masai spread out fearlessly enough, +and brought in enough game for the party. That terrific battle with the +herd of buffalo had made great inroads on their stock of ammunition, and +the explorer cautioned them not to waste a shot in useless hunting. + +No sign of the expected lake appeared during the afternoon, and in the +evening they camped in a little valley between two kopjes, beside a +waterhole that welled out and sank again almost immediately into the +thirsty earth. + +"We'll need those traps here, I guess," declared Charlie when the +outspanning was going on. "Prob'ly every one of these water-holes is +pretty well frequented by animals, so we can look out for visitors. +Who's on guard to-night?" + +"You are," chuckled Jack; "You and your friend Amir Ali. So mind you +don't go asleep on duty, Chuck! I'd hate to wake up in the morning and +find one of your moccasins left around to remember you by." + +"Never you mind about me," retorted Charlie. "I never woke up the whole +camp by letting go an elephant gun at a jackal." + +This reminder of an earlier episode in the trip silenced Jack for the +time being, but Charlie had no intention of letting himself be caught +napping on duty. His watch lasted till midnight, when Amir would relieve +him, and as there was no moon the boys got in a plentiful supply of wood +for the fire. While the Indians were setting out the traps as usual, von +Hofe departed to inspect the injured men, and Charlie seized the +opportunity. + +"Say, General, what about that ivory cache of Mowbray's? Think we can +lug it off with us?" + +The explorer remained silent for a moment, the boys watching him +eagerly. + +"Look here, you chaps," he said at last, "there were two words in that +letter I didn't read. Mowbray said 'ivory--_and dust_!' I was afraid you +might get the gold fever, but I guess you're pretty safe. I was talking +to von Hofe about it yesterday. Now, you know that we're paid by him to +get elephant and nothing else. Still, the old boy is a sport clear +through, and underneath his German reserve he's just as eager as any of +us. If we strike the island before we strike the elephant, we'll camp +on it for safety and clear out the cache." + +"Hurray!" exclaimed Charlie. "Bully for him! Say, we'll--" + +"You wait, Chuck," interrupted Jack quickly. "Look here, Gen'ral, it +ain't so simple. Those Arabs with the camels got clear away. Selim ben +Amoud ain't a man to let Mowbray stick alone down here, not by a +jugfull. I'll bet you that we'll find a bunch of Selim's men there with +Selim himself. He was no slouch, that guy." + +Schoverling's face clouded. "You've struck the nail on the head, Jack. +That thought occurred to me also. Well, if he's there then we'll have to +keep away and stick to the rogue. But if we get there first--by thunder, +I'll load that cache into the wagon and get out with the elephant!" + +"Still, in a way it belongs to him--" began Charlie, but the explorer +grunted. + +"Rot! His expedition lost out. Mowbray directed his letter to me or +Selim, and said nothing about splitting up. Whoever gets there first +lands the loot, that's flat. If it belonged to anyone, it belonged to +the original bunch of slavers. However, we're counting our chickens a +long while before the incubator's opened. When we get there it's time +enough." + +To this there was no answer. That night, sure enough, Charlie was glad +that he had kept the big fires blazing high, for herds crowded about in +vain endeavors to get at the water-hole, even pressing up to the thorn +zareba, until the boy had to scatter burning brands among the quantities +of eland and antelope and zebra, not wishing to shoot them. Two of the +steel traps caught, however; one a slinking jackal and the other a fine +oryx, both of which Charlie reluctantly shot with the small rifle +belonging to the doctor. + +In the morning Amir Ali reported that lions had been about, but they had +made no disturbance, and the safari took up its advance soon after +sun-up. At the noon halt they were still winding through the valley, but +in the afternoon this opened out into open country once more. Jack had +his glasses out and gave a yell of delight. + +"There's the lake! Dead ahead!" + +Even without the aid of glasses they could all see the shimmer of water +in the sun, three miles ahead. The Masai gave a yell of joy at the news +that they had nearly reached the end of their journey, but they could +not hope to get up to the lake until evening with the slow-moving oxen. +So, leaving the doctor and the Indians to defend the wagon if need were, +Schoverling and his two assistants rode slowly onward to have a look at +things and pick out a suitable place for the night's camp. + +In half an hour they were standing on a slight rise that sloped down +gently to the waters of the lake. These were thickly cloaked with reeds, +but there was no sign of the high jets of hot water of Selim's story on +the _Mombasa_. + +"See that steam up at the other end of the lake?" said Schoverling, +looking through his glasses. "That's where the hot springs are, no +doubt." + +"There's the island," cried Jack excitedly, who had moved a hundred feet +away. Joining him, the others were now able to see a low island which +had been hidden by intervening trees. It lay barely half a mile beyond +them, and seemed almost a part of the shore. Beyond this the trees +seemed to get thicker, while across the lake itself the green and brown +hills rose to the height of a few hundred feet. In fact, hills seemed +to be all around them, save to the south. + +"Shouldn't wonder if this was one of the craters of an old volcano," +declared the General. + +"The ground has risen slightly, since we left the wagon, and those hills +all around would indicate such a thing, as would the steaming hot +springs up at the other end. Well, we can ride forward to the island. +Mowbray's camp must be there somewhere." + +Keeping a wary eye open for any danger, they rode on until they arrived +opposite the island. Here, under a group of spreading mimosas, they saw +vague signs of an old camp. All was overgrown with vegetation, but as +they rode down to it the indications of a camp were clear. + +"There are tattered old tents, all right," exclaimed Charlie in huge +excitement. "But animals and the weather have covered things up pretty +well." + +Arriving on the spot, they leaped from their saddles and kicked away +vines. + +"Here's a gun-butt," shouted Jack, holding up a moulded fragment of +wood. "And here's the rest of it--an elephant gun." + +Schoverling took the pieces and fitted them together. The barrels were +twisted and bent, the stock splintered. Rubbing the latter clear of +mould, something gleamed in the sun and he uttered an exclamation. + +"Mowbray's! Got his name on a silver plate. Well, that's worth keeping +as a trophy, boys. Now about camp. This was a mighty poor place for him +to land, but he wasn't expecting overgrown buffalo and pythons. There's +a little rise behind, where we can camp for to-night, but to-morrow +we'll try to get across to the island. That will be a whole lot safer +from his majesty the rogue." + +"Jumping sandhills, I forgot!" cried Charlie suddenly. "Say, General, +we've beat the Arabs back, that's a cinch!" + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +"UNDER THE LEFT GATE-POST" + + +They made a brief examination of the ground for any sign of elephant +spoor, but were relieved to find that there was nothing to indicate a +recent visitation from the rogue to the scene of his exploits. + +"Hold on," cried Charlie as they remounted. "Something's wrong!" + +The faint sound of gun-shots drifted to them against the wind, and as +the safari was out of sight behind the clusters of trees, all three +urged their horses into a gallop, grave anxiety in their hearts. With +rifles ready, they galloped on to find the wagon stuck hard and fast in +a rocky drift, while at one side lay the huge body of a rhinoceros. + +"All is well, sahib," saluted Gholab Singh, beaming. Von Hofe grinned +through his beard. + +"The rhino wished to inspect us, Schoverling, but the boys soon finished +him off. We'll have to work to get out of this, I fear." + +Congratulating the four gun-bearers, all placed themselves at the wheels +of the wagon, while Schoverling went to the heads of the cattle. After +twenty minutes of hard work they got the wagon across the drift and onto +better ground. + +They told of finding the camp abandoned by Mowbray, and the General +showed the fragments of the broken elephant-gun. This was a visible sign +that the rogue elephant was indeed to be feared, and the doctor +brightened up and rubbed his hands. + +"Ach, he must be wonderful! Let us push on, please!" + +They camped that night on the little hill that sloped down to the lake, +just opposite the island. None knew what danger might lurk in the reeds, +and as these seemed to be dry above the level of the water, with the +wind off-shore, they sent the Masai ahead to fire them while the others +waited with rifles ready. + +The reeds blazed up quickly for a width of a hundred feet, beyond which +they managed to keep the fire under control, for had it spread to the +country behind it would have worked sad havoc with animal life. +Gradually the smoke died down without anything having happened. But a +moment later there was a rustling of the reeds and grass off to the +right, and a cry broke from the Masai as a tremendous python swept +toward them. + +The heavy guns roared out instantly. With its head blown to pieces, the +huge snake lashed around for a few moments and then lay still. When they +advanced to measure it the boys could hardly believe their senses. The +python was a good forty feet in length, and while the excited Masai +danced around, von Hofe took photographs eagerly. + +"We'll get over to that island to-morrow." Schoverling peered through +his glasses as the sun sank below the hills. "No trees on it, but you +can make out the ruins of the place that Mowbray burned. We'll have to +make sure the oxen can get across that thirty yards of water, too." + +Von Hofe and Gholab Singh were on guard that night, but the dawn came +without any disturbance. The first move was to make sure that the cattle +and wagon could get across the strip of water to the island; if not, +then all their plans would have to be changed. Fortunately, they had met +with no crocodiles in the country. + +Schoverling and the boys, right after breakfast, rode down to the shore. +The burned patch of reeds had left the lake clear before them, and as +they urged the reluctant horses down into the water, they were gratified +to find that it was shallow--at the deepest part there was only three +feet of water. Without returning, they shouted to Gholab to lead on, for +the bottom was sandy and strewn, with small rocks. + +On these one of the oxen went down, but without injury. With the Masai +tugging at the wheels to help, the wagon soon rolled up on the shore +where the three were waiting, and they turned to look ahead. The island +seemed bare of trees, which fact was explained later; only thorn-bushes +clustered around them, the ground gently rising. + +"There's the stronghold Mowbray talked about," exclaimed Charlie as they +urged their horses to the crest of the little rise on the bank. Ahead of +them lay the ruins of a burned building, black and desolate. Others +could be seen behind, while around the first was a ring of half-burned +stakes that had at one time formed a strong palisade of heavy timbers. + +"We'd better keep out o' there," said Schoverling. "Here's a good place +for the outspanning, just at the bank. Bakari, better get a thorn fence +up right away. There's no telling what's liable to happen here, and we +can command the shore at all events." + +"Why can't we take a look around inside?" queried Jack, somewhat +puzzled. "There's no sign of any animals around." + +"Plague," returned the explorer briefly. "First thing we do, we must go +back and get in some game. The Masai only got one impalla buck +yesterday, and we can't run short on grub." + +With no disappointment the boys gazed over the blackened ruins before +them. At one time these must have formed a stronghold indeed. Signs of a +"corduroy" road for wagons led down to the water; a clear spring bubbled +out cold and refreshing from inside the compound and ran on past their +camping-place; and the sturdy palisade had resisted even the fire. +Charlie looked regretfully at the huge gate-posts, each nearly three +feet thick and planted solidly in the ground. + +"Well, the sooner we do the shooting the sooner we can dig," he sighed, +and turned to the horses. The three gun-bearers had old Snider rifles +of their own, which so far had not come into use, and these they left +with the doctor and Gholab, carrying the 30-30s as had been their custom +during the march. + +It was still an hour before noon, and by midday they had shot two +impalla, which with four hartebeest made up all the game they could +carry back. No signs of danger were seen on that short excursion, +although once a lion broke cover and trotted away ahead of them. The +boys could see no sign of elephant with their glasses. + +"He's around," laughed Schoverling to their expressions of doubt. "An +old rogue will stay hidden away until he makes up his mind to wipe the +earth with whomever's around. When we get ready to go after him, you'll +have your hands full." Which statement later turned into a very true +prophecy. + +They rode back to camp to find the zareba done, and von Hofe standing +before the charred gate-posts, hands on hips. He turned at their +laughter and smiled. + +"But yes," he retorted to their jokes as they surrounded him, "I too +have the treasure-hunt fever got! Yet is there one question which +puzzles me, my friends!" + +"What's that?" laughed Charlie. + +"The letter said 'under the left gate post.' Now, when you face the +burned buildings here, this one is the left; but when you turn around, +it becomes the right!" + +"Well, we'll tackle that one first," smiled the explorer. "But we'll +have to satisfy Gholab before we do anything else. Impalla steak would +taste pretty good right now, to me." + +None the less, the boys were too hungry to do much speculating over the +treasure, eager though they were. Half an hour later, over their tea, a +council was held as to just how to get at the cache. Spades they had +none, and the spears and swords of the Masai were not fitted for +digging. + +"Listen," said Jack impatiently. "Mowbray said he located the cache, +didn't he? Well, at best, he had only a few hours over here. When he +burned down the place the smoke kept him from knowing that his Arabs had +lit out. That stands to reason. He didn't have time to dig around; he +knew right where that stuff was hid, and he went for it. If he found +it, the earth would still be pretty loose where he dug." + +"I've got a better scheme than digging," put in Charlie, his eyes +gleaming. "Hitch up the cattle to the posts an' pull 'em out." + +"Good!" shouted Schoverling. "We're behind the times on thoughts, +Doctor! Gholab, inspan the cattle over by those posts." + +Ten minutes later the oxen were standing ready, while the explorer and +the boys made the ox-chains fast to one of the heavy posts. Slowly the +oxen forged ahead, but to their dismay the post broke off short. + +"That's a pretty good sign that the earth is unmoved," declared +Schoverling cheerfully. "Now for the other one." + +Once more the oxen were inspanned to the other post, and walked off at +the yells of the Indians. This time a shout went up from all, for the +huge post had been ripped out of the earth bodily, leaving a cavity +exposed. Charlie leaped down at once, feeling around. + +"More logs down here," he cried. "We'll have to throw out the dirt after +all." + +Instantly Jack was at his side, with two of the broad-bladed Masai +knives. There was but room for one to work, but with Jack above and +Charlie below the dirt began to fly at a great rate. The two boys were +soon plastered with sandy mud. Then came a shout from Charlie, who was +buried to his eyes. + +"Catch hold, up there!" + +Something rose above the ground, and Schoverling and Jack caught it, +while the doctor peered down. No sooner had the explorer caught the long +object than he gave a cry. + +"Those aren't logs, Chuck! They're tusks--wrapped up for carriage!" + +A moment later the hole had been enlarged in the sandy soil enough to +let Jack leap down to his chum's aid. One by one the tusks were passed +back to the Indians and Masai, who grouped them in a pile with much +wondering chatter. + +"Reg'lar cave down here," came the muffled voice of Jack. "All ready?" + +"All ready," and more tusks came up. A moment later the dirt-smeared, +excited face of Charlie appeared, and he clambered out, followed after +by the figure of Jack. + +"That's all, General. Hurray!" + +"All!" echoed Schoverling. "Sure there's nothing else? Here, let me get +down there." + +For the first time Charlie remembered the gold-dust. But although the +explorer poked around in the cave-like hole beneath with one of the +Masai knives, he finally had to climb up with the admission that the +boys had been right. There was no gold-dust. + +For a few moments they stood around the huge pile of tusks, while von +Hofe counted them. All were wrapped securely in canvas, mouldy and +rotted away with the damp of the ground. Charlie tore at one and it came +loose in his fingers. + +"Thirty-two," announced the big German excitedly. "They vas all goot, +but none fery large, too. Ach, vat a pile of ifory!" + +"I'm sorry there was no gold-dust, though," said Schoverling. "Funny +Mowbray mentioned it. Prob'ly he took it for granted that it was down +there with the tusks. You don't suppose there could be a cache under +that other post, do you?" + +"One o' these would be plenty to build," returned Jack. "Let's have a +look at the ivory, Chuck." + +He pulled out his knife and ripped off the covering of the tusk Charlie +had been pulling at. The ivory gleamed yellow and discolored in the +sunlight, while a gasp of surprise went up from the Masai, as for the +first time they realized what these things were. The gun-bearers gazed +stolidly. + +[Illustration: One slash of the knife, and out trickled a little stream +of yellow grains into the brown fist of the explorer.] + +"What's this?" + +Jack had held up the tusk, the point of which towered far above his +head. As he lowered the hollow butt to the ground in triumph, Charlie +sprang forward and picked up a little bag of skin that had been held +inside the hollow end by a wooden plug, rotted away. The explorer leaped +forward, whipping out his knife, and grabbed the little bag from +Charlie's hand. One slash of the knife, and out trickled a little stream +of yellow grains into the brown fist of the explorer. + +"Gold!" + +For a moment they all stood motionless, gazing at the little bag. Von +Hofe's face expressed mild interest; that of Schoverling was aflame with +passion; Charlie knew that his own eyes were gleaming and glittering, as +were those of Jack. But almost instantly the General laughed and resumed +control of himself. + +"We're acting like a lot of fools. Here, boys, rip open the rest of +those tusks and see if there are more sacks." + +They fell to work with their knives, von Hofe joining in the work, and a +few moments later a little heap of skin bags, each the size of a man's +fist, was piled up. Each tusk had held one, and two or three yet +retained the wooden plugs, which had to be dug out, so firmly were they +fastened. + +Charlie stood at the edge of the group, oblivious to all else. Suddenly +he felt the hand of his gun-bearer, Amir Ali, laid on his arm, and the +Gurkha whispered in his ear. + +"Will the sahib come over here?" + +Wondering, the boy followed the Gurkha off to one side. The gun-bearer +pointed to the mainland, toward the foot of the lake, and Charlie +whipped out his glasses instantly. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +SELIM SHOWS HIS TEETH + + +No sooner had he obtained a focus than Charlie gave a cry of surprise. +There, half a mile away still, were a dozen camels grouped together and +covering the ground with huge strides. On their backs he could make out +the white figures of men, and something flashed in the sunlight like a +rifle-barrel. + +Despite his surprise, Charlie saw with a glance that the others had not +heeded him, and smiled. Casing his glasses, he walked back to the group +and stood beside Schoverling, who was examining some of the gold-dust +from the opened bag. + +"I have a little surprise-party for you," he said quietly. They looked +up at him, but Jack caught something in his voice. "You might be +interested in knowing that Selim and his party are about half a mile +away and coming up at full speed." + +With a rush and a shout the party ran to where they could get a good +look at the mainland, Charlie smiling at the sensation his words had +created. Gholab, whose keen eyes had first detected the approaching +camels, came running from the camp with the rifles in his arms. + +Schoverling, after a long look through his glasses, turned and took one +of the 30-30s without a word, buckling on his bandolier hurriedly. Von +Hofe turned to him protestingly. + +"We are not going to fight, Schoverling?" + +"Don't see what else," returned the explorer, grimly, as he motioned to +the boys to take their rifles and bandoliers. "Those are Arabs beyond +any question. There's only one thing they are here for, and that's the +ivory and gold." + +With a troubled look, the doctor watched them. + +"You don't mean that they'd fight for it, General?" asked Charlie, +pausing. "Are you joking or do you mean it?" + +"Mean it?" repeated the explorer, his bronzed face hardening. "Why, +boys, there's a fortune in that stuff there! Do you think for a minute +that those Arabs are going to give it up to us, or that I'm going to +hand it over to them? Not much! We've got it and we'll keep it while we +have a cartridge left!" + +The Indians grinned, while they loaded their own Sniders, Gholab taking +one of the heavy Hammonds. Schoverling took command of the situation, +while the boys gazed at each other in dismay, knowing that he would +never give in, and not relishing the idea themselves of either fighting +or giving up the treasure that lay there in the sun before them. + +"Bakari! Come here. Gholab, you see that the cattle are led inside this +old stockade, which will keep them under cover from shore at least. +Bakari, post your men to north and south in the bushes fronting the +mainland. Do you understand? But don't loose an arrow or spear until I +tell you. Got that?" + +The Masai understood well enough, and his fierce eyes glittered at the +thought of battle with the Arabs, whom every native hated with good +reason. The oxen were led inside the half-burned stockade and left to +themselves. + +"Now, Doctor," and Schoverling's voice was very keen and cold, "this +isn't your funeral, you know. If we have a row with these fellows you +had better keep--" + +"You are crazy as a loon, yes!" roared the big Teuton with a smile. +"Would we gife up all dis?" and his hand swept toward the tusks. "Never, +mine friends! I like not to fight, und maybe we don't fight, but ve vill +not gife up,--nein!" + +At this emphatic declaration the explorer smiled grimly. A look showed +Charlie and Jack that the camels were almost to their old camp above the +lake, opposite. + +"If there's any chance to get out of it, General," said Charlie, "I +suppose you won't go huntin' for trouble?" + +"Not I," returned Schoverling. "There are twelve of them and eight of +us, besides the Masai, but we've got the stuff and we've got a strong +position here. Well, come on down to the shore and we'll see what's +doing." + +Five minutes later they stood in the bushes above the water. The Indians +Schoverling posted at intervals, the Masai being hidden farther on. +Across the way, through the burned opening in the reeds, they could see +the camels drawing up on the eminence a hundred yards back from the +lake, and through their glasses the boys distinctly made out the figure +of Selim ben Amoud, in white burnous. + +The Arabs bunched together for a few moments, examining the island +through their glasses. The wagon and zareba were in plain sight, but +they seemed to be puzzled by the absence of men or cattle. All were +armed with rifles, and two or three began picketing out the camels, +others taking off the camel-bags and proceeding to make camp. A moment +later the tall form of Selim ben Amoud advanced alone to the edge of the +water. As he did so, Schoverling rose to his feet and greeted him with a +warning shout in Arabic. + +"_Naharak said_, Selim!" + +Selim paused, evidently in astonishment, stared, and half-raised his +rifle. Then he dropped it again, and Charlie could distinctly see his +white teeth flashing in the sun. + +"_Naharak said_, effendi! So it is my friend Mr. Schoverling, eh? What a +delightful surprise to meet you here!" + +"I guess it's a surprise all right, Selim," responded the explorer. "But +the delight is all on your side. Are you out trading?" + +"If you would come across and visit us," returned the Arab evasively, +"we would be very, very pleased to receive you." + +"Don't doubt it a bit," and Schoverling grinned. "Say, come on over and +have tea, Selim. Come alone, though. You can trust me but I don't trust +you worth a whoop." + +For answer the Arab waved his hand and turned back to his camels. The +boys gazed after him in curiosity, and Charlie turned to the explorer. + +"Think he'll come, Gen'ral?" + +"You bet," laughed the other. "He's dying to know whether we've found +that cache, and he'd trust me well enough. But we've got to make ready. +Jack, go and sling a tent over that pile of ivory. Gholab!" + +"Ready, sahib." + +"Make tea for all of us, with Selim thrown in. A slice of that impalla +for him, too, as he's apt to be hungry. Guru, you and Akram and Ali keep +hidden. When I call for you, come alone." + +"Yes, sahib." + +"What you goin' to do, General?" asked Charlie as the explorer told him +to return to the zareba with von Hofe and make every preparation to +receive their visitor. + +"I'm goin' to run a big bluff on him," said Schoverling. "Remember, +those chaps are watching everything we do. Ah, Selim's taking a camel. +Keep well hidden up there, Guru!" + +With this parting admonition he departed. As they walked slowly back +toward the camp, Charlie saw Schoverling pause amid the bushes, fling +out his arm as if talking to some one, and point toward the shore. At +one place he called Bakari and two of the warriors, whose appearance and +disappearance caused a flutter in the group of Arabs. + +Selim, meanwhile, had mounted a camel and was approaching the shore. It +was only three in the afternoon, and the stately Arab, clad in pure +white from head to foot, gleamed in the sunshine, to the admiration of +the boys. He drove his ungainly steed into the water and they splashed +across. Schoverling, returning, met them at the shore of the island, and +led the camel forward to the camp. + +Selim cast quick glances to right and left, but the gate-post hole and +the treasure were hid beneath canvas and behind the grazing horses--a +touch of Jack's. The camel knelt, and the Arab slipped off, Charlie +dividing his attention between the man and the ugly, thick-lipped camel. + +They all shook hands with smiling courtesy, as if rifles had not been +leveled five minutes before, and squatted on blankets around the folding +canvas table. Gholab was just making ready tea and a slice of game for +the Arab. + +"So," smiled Selim, though his black eyes narrowed, "you found the +wonderful lake of Quilqua, after all! Did you have any guides?" + +"We had Mowbray for a guide," retorted Schoverling dryly. A look of +astonishment went over the dark face as the explorer handed him his own +map. Then, in a few words, the General related how they had found +Mowbray and produced the letter in proof. As he finished, Gholab came up +with the tea, the plate of impalla for Selim, and one or two biscuits. +The Arab glanced at the game hesitatingly. + +"All right, Selim," declared the explorer. "There is no salt on it. Take +away the biscuits, Gholab." + +Charlie and Jack interchanged a meaning glance. The Arab would eat no +salt with them, which was not a good sign. But he fell to on the +venison with gusto, and for half an hour the talk was merely of the +country, the game, and their trip. Selim stated that the Arabs who +deserted Mowbray had all perished crossing the desert except one, who +had remained to guide him with a rescue party. He congratulated them +warmly over their first elephant hunt, and also on their battle with the +buffalo. But at last Schoverling became exasperated. + +"Look here, Selim," he said firmly, "you and I know each other pretty +well, and I don't see any use in beating about the bush. Did you come +after Mowbray, and nothing else?" + +The Arab's face changed, his lids narrowing and his cruel smile thinning +down. He met the gaze of the American squarely. + +"Do you know of anything else I might have come after?" + +"It might have been ivory and gold-dust, for one thing," with which the +explorer relieved the tense situation by proffering a cigar. Von Hofe +smiled to himself as Selim took it with no indication that the words had +startled him. + +"Yes," he admitted, "it might." He lit the cigar calmly. At the same +moment Guru came into sight, evidently having received some +instructions beforehand that Charlie had missed. He advanced toward the +party and saluted. + +"Well?" said Schoverling. + +"Report, sahib. Two of the Arabs have gone up north by the shore." + +"You'd better call over to your men, Selim," chuckled the American. +"They're liable to meet a buffalo or python in there." The Arab shrugged +his shoulders unconcernedly. "Very well, Guru. Keep the men just as they +are. Send out twenty of the Masai to spread along the shore to the +north. Your men are arranged?" + +"Yes, sahib," said the quick-witted Sikh impassively. "Ten near the ford +under Amir, and my ten somewhat to the south." + +"You may go." Guru saluted and wheeled. Charlie, watching Selim's +clear-cut face during this amazing dialogue, saw it change expression +slightly. + +"You have quite a force, Schoverling," remarked the Arab calmly. "Then, +I suppose that you have found the gold-dust and the ivory?" + +"Under that canvas," and the explorer pointed. "The game's up, Selim ben +Amoud. We got here first, that's all. If your men had not deserted +Mowbray he would have cleaned up the stuff. As it is, we have it." + +"Yes, you have it," repeated Selim slowly. "But, my friend, you shall +not have it long." + +"Oh, we have men enough to defend it," retorted the American carelessly. +Charlie drew a quick breath. "You have only a dozen over there, and +could not cross the strait under our fire." + +"If it comes to that," and Selim's teeth glinted, "you cannot cross +under _our_ fire, my friend. I learned of the cache and of this lake, +and equipped the first expedition. By right, that treasure is mine." + +"But I found it," returned the explorer brutally. "And by might it is +mine." + +For a moment tense silence fell upon the group. The boys watched the +slim Arab, whose composure never gave way under the strain, which must +have been terrific. He puffed slowly at his cigar, and then smiled. + +"Mr. Schoverling, and you, Dr. von Hofe, you will realize that your men +cannot subsist on air. They must have food. You may be too strong for us +in open fight, but at least we can keep you on the island. I do not +give up so easily. You may give me trouble, but in the end you will +die--either of starvation or by bullet. By the way, this brush seems to +be pretty dry. When my men were here it was green. I think a taste of +fire--you catch my meaning!" + +Charlie, at least, caught it and stared aghast at the cruel smile of the +Arab. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +FRESH SPOOR + + +"That's a good bluff, Selim," rejoined Schoverling coolly, "but it won't +go down with me. You might as well give in." + +The other shook his head, still smiling. But at this instant Jack, who +had listened with intense interest to the duel of words, struck in and +cut the Gordian knot. + +"Look here, General, and Mr. ben Amoud," he said, leaning forward +earnestly. "There's no sense in getting hot-headed over this. As near's +I can see, we've each got a mighty good excuse to scrap, and we can do a +whole lot of damage once we start. But this country isn't the place to +start a row, not to my notion. + +"You hold on, Gen'ral, till I get through. We might shoot things up +consid'able, both of us, an' when we got through there wouldn't be +enough of us left to get back home with. If you start anything, Selim, +we'll raise you the limit; but there's no sense to it. _I_ say, let's +each of us divvy up the loot an' dig out for home." + +That Schoverling had not considered any division of the cache was +evident, and he considered Jack's speech silently. Selim, however, +smiled again. + +"My young friend, you are very wise. Mr. Schoverling, perhaps we might +agree on that basis. A fight would be costly to each of us, and might +leave us unable to get home, as is suggested. I am none too anxious to +stay in this land after the tales you tell. I recognize the fact that +you have the advantage of having the treasure in your power, and see no +reason why we should not share it and be gone." + +Schoverling hesitated as Selim spoke. He plainly realized the force of +the argument, and yet to give up even a share of the ivory and dust went +against the grain. Perhaps he doubted the good faith of his friend the +enemy, but in any case von Hofe's grunt of approbation decided him. + +"It iss goot," said the doctor anxiously. "We haf come for elephant, +please." + +"All right," and the American's face cleared as he held out his hand to +the Arab. "We'll split even, Selim!" + +"Hurray!" shouted Charlie in delight. "Bully for you, General! Good +work, Jack!" + +"That is entirely agreeable," smiled Selim, as he gripped Schoverling's +hand. "Now, my friends, we have been in this country for two days, and I +have many affairs to get back to. There is no reason why we should delay +here for an hour. It is still two hours to sunset, and our camels could +cover much ground before then. So, if you are willing, let us divide the +spoils and I will trouble you no more." + +"That suits us," exclaimed the explorer, springing to his feet. "Come +along and we'll have a look at the stuff." + +Casting a glance opposite as they arose, Charlie saw that the Arabs had +started a fire and seemed to be eating, while the camels grazed. The +party left the zareba and moved over to the stockade. Jack threw the +canvas from the two piles, and for a moment the Arab's eyes glittered as +he surveyed the great heap of ivory. + +"Those tusks," he said, "will be hard for us to carry off. We had +thought to sling them on our camels, but after our experience of that +desert to the north it would make hard work, I fear." + +"Well," suggested Charlie, "you might swap your share of the ivory for +some of our gold-dust. That would make it easier to carry." + +"Yes," added the General thoughtfully. "We can carry the tusks easily +enough in the wagon. There are sixteen each, Selim, and the same number +of bags. Here's one I cut open." + +The Arab ran the soft gold-dust through his fingers for a moment. + +"There is no use stopping to count or weigh all this, Schoverling. Each +tusk must be worth, at an average, some fifteen pounds at the coast. +Each of these bags seems to be of a size, and they are probably weighed +to the same amount. My share of the ivory is worth, at a guess, some two +hundred and forty pounds, or twelve hundred of your dollars. What would +you say the dust weighs?" + +"That is a little hard to say," returned the American. "I rather think, +however, that an estimate of about two hundred and fifty dollars--or +fifty pounds a bag--would be just about right. If that suits you, I'm +agreeable." + +"I think that is nearly correct," smiled Selim, nodding. "It is, I +believe, slightly an under-estimate, but that matters little. Then, at +the rate we figure, I would have twenty-one bags as my share, leaving +you all the ivory. That is correct?" + +"Perfectly," returned Schoverling. "It looks to me like a fair split, +and if the gold runs over that figure, I won't kick. I'll throw in an +odd bag for good luck, Selim; that leaves us an even ten and the ivory. +There must be more gold where that came from, just the same. You might +come back here with a good force and make a clean-up, old man." + +"Perhaps I will," said the other seriously. "Now, will you help me get +these bags into my saddle-bags? I have no fancy to remain overnight by +this lake." + +All pitched in and helped to carry the twenty-two little bags of +precious metal over to the camel, which was kneeling and chewing +stolidly. Jack stepped too near with his burden, and the vicious head +swung about to snap. He leaped back amid the laughter of the rest, who +remained at a safe distance. + +"Well, I suppose we must part," smiled Selim, holding out his hand as +the last of the bags was laced in the leathern flaps. "It would be +insincere to say that I am not sorry at finding you here before me, but +I am really very glad we did not have to fight. To tell the truth, my +men were almost too frightened to remain here, and had it come to +fighting, they would have refused point-blank." + +"Well," laughed Schoverling whimsically, "I might as well show under +true colors, since you have led the way," and he called in all the men. +At sight of their real numbers, Selim gave a shout of laughter. + +"Good, brother, good!" he cried as he urged his camel forward from its +knees. "We played the game well, you and I." He waved a hand as the +camel plunged into the water at the ford. "_Abqa'la kheir!_" + +"_Abqa'la kheir_," shouted the American, and the two boys waved their +hats with attempts at the Arabic, which drew a last laughing wave from +Selim. Then his camel went up the farther bank. + +"That means 'until the next time,'" laughed Schoverling. "Well, I'm glad +that we got out of that as we did." + +"So am I," declared von Hofe, smiling broadly. "See, they are going." + +So it appeared, for as Selim joined the rest there was an immediate +bustle. The camels were unpicketed, the saddles adjusted, and the camp +broken. All twelve Arabs were now in camp, and one by one the awkward +steeds rose to their feet. + +"They're mighty fine beasts," declared Schoverling. "No common camels +there, but picked racers, worth a fortune apiece. Selim does things up +right, no doubt about that." + +"He come pretty near doing us up right," grinned Jack. Then came a +flutter of the burnouses, those on the island waved, and the group of +camels moved away at an amazing speed, to the southwest. + +"Probably going to circle around the hills and strike for the north," +commented Charlie. + +While daylight remained they did nothing save store the ivory in the +wagon and place the gold-dust in the brass trunk belonging to von Hofe. + +It was decided to place the traps along the shore of the island near the +mainland, and all the men were called upon to make note of where they +were placed, as they would be left in position until the camp was +abandoned. + +The injured Masai were slowly recovering from their hurts, for although +their wounds rapidly healed, the broken bones took longer. As they sat +around the dinner-table that night the four explorers decided that every +day spent in that country added to their danger, and that the search for +the rogue elephant should begin the next morning. + +"I'm kind of disappointed," muttered Charlie to Jack, as they rolled up +that night with Schoverling on guard. "Aren't you? I thought that stuff +would be worth heaps o' coin, but according to the General's figures it +doesn't come to more'n five thousand iron men." + +"What're you looking for?" retorted Jack wearily. "Four or five million? +S'pose we split up on that, it means a thousand each, easy. Why, I never +saw a thousand dollars in my life. It looks mighty good to me, Chuck." + +"Oh, it looks good," admitted Charlie hastily. "But when you talk about +treasure you reckon in big figures. I'm not kicking, though,--not on +your life! Good thing you came in when you did with that splitting +proposition. How'd you happen to think of it?" + +"Who wouldn't?" returned Jack. "Made me tired to hear 'em sit there and +argue back and forth, making threats and so on. No sense in it." + +Nothing occurred that night to disturb the camp, although the Masai kept +up until late a dance and chant in triumph at having, as they supposed, +put the Arabs to flight. But in the morning Schoverling made an +announcement that roused everyone. + +"About eleven last night," he said at breakfast, "I heard a big crashing +north of us, farther toward the head of the lake. Then came snorts, and +a single trumpet. Sounded as if the rogue elephant was out on a stroll +and had run into a buffalo or something." + +"Then I feel very sorry for that buffalo," smiled von Hofe. "We shall +all go out this morning, no?" + +"You don't have to go, Doctor," said the explorer earnestly. "At best +you could only take one of the rifles, for we'll have to carry the big +guns." + +"Pouf!" grunted the German. "It is my party, and I shall go." + +"We might as well go on foot," declared the American. "Now, boys, we can +put a little tracking into play. The Masai won't do us any good. As +near as I can see, we'll have to catch that fellow when he isn't looking +for trouble. And remember, under no circumstances fire at his head." + +"How about the bull you killed back at Kenia?" objected Charlie. "You +put a bullet in each eye, an' laid him out cold." + +"He was within ten feet of me then, and I had no choice in the matter. +No, when we do get a shot just you aim to cripple him--in the shoulder +or leg. If he charges, hit his trunk or break his leg. One of those +bullets, big as they are, would simply flatten out on his skull and stun +him." + +Von Hofe, who still wished to kill one of the giant buffalo himself, +took a 30-30, and Akram Das had perforce to take his Snider or go +weaponless. The three hunters carried their own heavy guns, for they +might be needed at an instant's notice, and filled their bandoliers to +the limit. Gholab Singh was left in charge of the camp with five Masai, +Bakari and the other five accompanying the party as flankers and scouts. + +An hour after sunrise they waded across the strip of water between the +island and shore, and turned toward the head of the lake, as it was in +this direction that the explorer had heard the elephant during the +preceding night. There seemed to be no sign of any game around them, for +once, at which Jack wondered. + +"Scared out," said the explorer grimly, "if that rogue was around." + +Ahead, the country did not appear so densely wooded as they had thought. +It ascended toward the hills beyond in gentle, rolling swells, and they +had no difficulty in advancing through the knee-deep grass. On every +hand were trees in clumps or singly, but no sign of elephant spoor could +they see. + +"Maybe we'd better strike in a little from the river," suggested +Charlie. "Jack and I could have a look, anyhow, an' we might pick up a +trail." + +"I don't think there's much danger that he'd be here, so go ahead," +returned Schoverling to their delight. "Circle around for a couple of +hundred yards, but don't get out of sight. If he was here last night, he +was probably drinking, and has gone in to feed." + +The two boys left the party, followed by Akram and Amir Ali, their +gun-bearers. But although they searched the ground well, no sign of a +trail did they see. Getting a little farther from the party all the +time, they proceeded for nearly a mile, and found the forest verging +into a jungle of bamboo. + +"Jack," exclaimed Charlie quietly, stopping, "come over here." + +Jack and the Indians joined him, and he pointed to the ground a yard +ahead. There, deep in the soft soil, was the fresh spoor of an +elephant--and at its size the Indians gave a gasp of wonder. It was the +rogue! + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +LOST! + + +Charlie looked around. The bamboos were all about them, and without +retracing their steps they could not summon the others. Jack gripped his +arm. + +"Look here, Chuck! Let's cut away from the General an' get after that +rogue ourselves!" + +"Got to obey orders," and Charlie negatived it with a shake of the head. +"That spoor is too fresh to suit me, Jack." + +"Well, then," and Jack was quivering with eagerness; "we can start on +an' send Akram back--slow. We ain't kids. We can tell pretty well if we +get up on him." + +Charlie considered this proposition for a moment. He longed to have the +triumph of downing the old rogue himself, and yet he knew that +Schoverling would countenance no disobedience, no departure from orders. +But that fresh spoor, leading off through the trees, tempted him and at +last he fell. + +"All right. Akram, you go back and call the General. But don't hurry. +Tell him that we'll wait for him at the first sign of any danger." + +The Indian grinned, saluted, and loitered away. Without hesitation +Charlie turned and led the way along the trail. This followed a +newly-broken path through the bamboos, and five minutes later they were +swallowed up in the dense thickets. + +Both the boys had been used, Jack especially, to following the trail of +deer or moose and smaller animals through the woods of the northland, +but this was very different. The ground was soft, and the huge bulk of +the elephant had sent his feet down at times three or four feet. +However, they were able to read the signs of the trail well enough. + +"He stopped to feed here," declared Charlie, pointing to a tangle of +broken branches at one side. Wherever possible they trod in his tracks, +as no sticks or twigs remained to crack beneath their feet; the holes in +the swampier ground they of course avoided. + +"Hello, what's this?" cried Jack. A new trail merged into that which +they followed, and by a footprint they knew it for that of one of the +giant buffaloes. "We've got to see if he's waiting or not." + +The Indian watched them stolidly, gun ready, while they examined the +broken bamboos and twigs, as well as the hoof-prints. + +"He came in ahead o' the rogue," declared Charlie positively. "Look, +here's a deep buffalo-print that's dry. There's one 'bout as deep made +by the rogue, but there's water at the bottom. Then these trees over +here are dry, but there's still a little sap on the elephant's trail." + +"Then they came by last night, sure enough," said Jack. "The buffalo +started along feeling pretty good. Stopped to nibble here. The rogue +struck into his trail and swished right along careless. Stopped to rub +on that tree--there's buffalo hair--whew! Say, that rogue is big!" + +"Twelve feet up," said Amir Ali with a delighted display of teeth, as he +reached in vain toward the scarred bark. + +Somewhat sobered by this, the boys stared at each other until Charlie +resumed the march. No sign had come from behind of Schoverling and the +rest. Fifty feet farther on the bamboos thinned out, and in a little +glade they came upon fresher tracks. + +"Hello!" cried Jack. "Buffalo stopped to feed over here but didn't stay +long. Look at the tracks, Chuck. He turned around and stood for a +minute, till his hoofs sunk down. Most likely that's where he heard the +elephant coming along." + +"Well, he didn't wait." Charlie was bending over the spoor as he walked +along, reading the sign eagerly. "He pushed right ahead after a +minute--say, do you s'pose that was the rumpus the General heard last +night? He said it sounded like a buffalo and an elephant!" + +Jack shook his head, and now they followed the trail out onto higher +ground. The bamboos thinned behind them, and before them were scattered +woods, heavy, flat-topped thorn trees, junipers, and others the boys did +not know, while the country was well broken up by little rises. But that +was not what caused the boys to leap forward. + +In the open space ahead lay a shapeless mass that had once been a +buffalo. It was easy to tell what had happened here. The elephant, +possibly coming upon the great bull at the edge of the bamboos, had +paid no attention to him; possibly had brushed him aside. At all events, +the bull had drawn blood, for they saw spots on the edge of the elephant +spoor. The huge rogue had plainly turned and pressed his opponent +against a big tree, which was scraped and dotted with hair and blood. +But this stood a good fifteen feet away from the position of the +buffalo, and there were only elephant tracks between! + +"Jumping sandhills!" cried Charlie, realizing the truth. "He must have +caught up that buffalo and _flung_ him! Then he went over and kneeled +all over him." + +"Right you are," exclaimed Jack. "Ugh, what a mess! Let's go on." + +As they turned, a vulture came winging out of the sky and descended +without fear on the carcass. Charlie pointed out that they must be +wrong. + +"This is another bull, Jack. If the other fellow fought last night, the +vultures would be on him by now. Anyhow, that sap was too fresh on the +twigs. Bet a dollar the rogue had two scraps last night instead of +one." + +That they were right was verified a moment later by Amir Ali, who +attracted their attention to a moving object behind some trees six +hundred yards away, at the crest of a rise. The boys had their glasses +out instantly. + +"It's either a rhino or the fellow we're after," declared Jack with a +low exclamation. "He's moving off--there he goes on the other side!" + +"Come on!" cried Charlie, running forward. Carried away beyond all +thought of caution by the excitement, Jack and Amir Ali dashed after him +recklessly. It had been impossible to make out the elephant clearly by +reason of the trees between, but Charlie had no doubt that he was the +one they were after. + +That they were plunging into grave danger never occurred to him, nor did +he wonder why Schoverling and the rest had not come up. The sun was now +high overhead, and the higher ground around them bore no tracks. But +neither boy had eye for anything except that clump of trees where the +huge animal had stood. + +"You keep your eye peeled," cried Jack, at his chum's shoulder. "He's +liable to be waitin' there." + +But as the trees opened out ahead they saw that the elephant had not +waited. The group of mimosas where he had been was waving slowly in the +wind, and for the first time Charlie remembered that most essential part +of African hunting. A brief glance, however, showed that they were +across the wind from their prey, and so were safe enough. What lay +beyond the mimosas was hidden by the rise, toward which they were +rapidly approaching. + +Panting, the boys at length drew up to the trees, and the country ahead +unfolded. To their keen disappointment, there was no sign of the +elephant to be seen. Jack, however quickly pointed to some tall bushes +that grew on a slope to their left, more in the direction of the lake. + +"There he is! See them bushes wave, Chuck? Better send in a bullet!" + +"Cut it!" exclaimed Charlie sharply as Jack brought up his rifle. +"Remember what the General said--that we'd have to catch him when he +wasn't looking? Got to bust a leg first crack or we're goners. Say, +how'll the rest know where we are?" + +"They can follow our tracks," cried Jack over his shoulder, as he fell +into a lope and headed for the bushes, beyond which rose trees. They +were but four hundred yards away, and could plainly be seen waving as +some heavy body struggled through them. The thought crossed Charlie's +brain as he followed, that even Schoverling would have a hard time +tracking; them on that high, rocky ground, but he dismissed it +carelessly enough. Amir Ali pounded along after them, grimly determined +not to be left behind. + +They were soon near the bushes, but instead of venturing into them, Jack +turned aside toward a small hill. Charlie was at his heels, and a moment +later the two boys drew up with a simultaneous cry of dismay. + +"Rhino!" ejaculated Charlie in disgust. "We're a dandy pair, we are!" + +Emerging from the bushes, a hundred yards farther on, was a huge +rhinoceros. They were now down-wind, and he neither heard nor saw them, +but trotted off lumberingly without so much as a glance in their +direction. + +"We're a nice bunch of idiots," said Jack angrily, unconsciously +including the innocent Amir in the epithet. "We just saw something big +and gray moving around, and took it for granted he was an elephant. We +should have stuck to the trail, Chuck." + +"Well," returned Charlie, "we're here. Next question is, where are we?" + +"Where are we?" repeated Jack, turning in surprise. "Why, we headed east +to that first clump of trees, and then north to here. There's the bamboo +patch we left, over there." + +"Not much," retorted his chum with conviction. "We headed south first, +and then east. There's our elephant trail," and he pointed to a second +patch of bamboo jungle to their left. + +For a moment the two stared at each other. Then Jack broke into a laugh. + +"Say, remember that story 'bout the two tenderfeet up north o' Smith's +Landing? One said east was one way, the other said it was the other way. +They had a scrap and each went east for the camp. An hour later they +come face to face in the same place. Well, that's us." + +Charlie appealed to Amir Ali, but the Indian shrugged his shoulders and +declared that he had not kept the sense of direction, supposing that the +sahibs had done so. As neither boy had followed the compass, the +instruments were of little use to them. + +"Plain fact of the matter is, we're lost," announced Charlie. "If we +fired our guns we'd get the General down on us soon enough, but it'd +scare off the rogue." + +"Be a heap more likely to bring _him_ down on us," grunted Jack. "We've +got to find the bunch before the General gets sore, Chuck." + +Charlie suggested following their track back, but of course this proved +impracticable. There were clumps of mimosa thorn in every direction, +each similar to that which they had first headed for. They had left no +tracks on the bare, rocky soil, and the grass had closed behind them in +the wind. + +The tired Amir Ali squatted down to rest, while with their glasses they +searched in every direction. They thought of the smoke from the +camp-fire, but this was invisible behind the trees. In the distance +moved a herd of zebra and another of impalla, but this was the only +indication of life that they could find. + +"We'll hear the General shooting pretty soon," said Charlie disgustedly. +"What's that over in those trees? Looks like an old native village." + +"Let's go over an' see," suggested Jack. "We can camp down there and +build a fire. That'll draw the General quicker'n shots would. They might +get the rogue's notice." + +"Ain't so eager," grinned Charlie. "What's the matter? Nerve failed +you?" + +"No," confessed the other. "It's all right chasing along when you know +the rest of them are right behind. But to get stuck off somewhere all by +yourself isn't so soothing. Guess we won't monkey with that rogue till +the General comes along." + +They started across the slope to where a few of the ruined huts showed +the location of a former village. This, when they reached it, proved to +be of large extent, a few huts yet standing, others lying in over-grown +mounds amid the trees. To their right extended fairly open plain, while +at the left the heavier forest and bamboo patches closed in almost to +the village. + +Jack set about building a fire to send up a smoke-signal, while Charlie +wandered through the desolate village. Suddenly he came upon something +that surprised him. Lying in a half-cleared space were the half-burned +sticks and the ashes of a fire. Plainly, they had been there for weeks, +for vines were growing through, but they could not be as old as the +village itself. He called Jack over to look at it. + +"This must be where Mowbray hit off to after the rogue," exclaimed Jack +excitedly. "We're plumb on his tracks. I'm goin' to let off a gun, rogue +or no rogue. There--that's the bunch now!" + +To their ears came the faint report of a heavy gun, borne over the +trees, Jack lifted his own Hammond, and sent off both barrels in +response. + +"That'll get him," he chuckled as he threw out the shells and reloaded. +"Now for the fire." + +But as he turned away, a startled cry from Amir Ali drew their +attention. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE ROGUE ELEPHANT + + +"Sahibs! Sahibs! The elephant!" + +At first the boys looked behind him, taking it for granted that he was +running from the danger. But at his gestures they whirled, and there +Charlie saw a sight that he never forgot. + +Breaking slowly and deliberately from the forest to their left, three +hundred yards from where they stood, was an elephant. But no ordinary +tusker, this. To the startled imaginations of the two boys it seemed +that the tremendous brute towered far above them; in reality, he was +over thirteen feet tall, but his immense tusk and huge flapping ears +increased his terrific aspect two-fold. + +"Jumping sandhills!" breathed Charlie. He heard Jack give a startled +gasp at his side. + +They were up-wind, and the elephant not only heard but saw them. For a +moment he stood, and the boys were so awed by that terrible sight that +they forgot to shoot. With his great trunk flung far up, those +twelve-foot tusks stretched far up, and the great semi-circular ears +lifted up until they almost met above his head, he seemed like some +prehistoric monster from thousands of years ago. + +Watching the evil glitter of the little red eyes, Charlie stood as if +paralyzed. He realized how the primitive men must have felt when they +stood face to face with some huge mammoth, hurling against him their +stone-tipped spears and wielding stone axes. + +The very thought woke him to himself, bringing back to mind the gun in +his hands. Jack stood, awestruck at that fearsome sight, and Charlie +yelled at him. As he did so, the rogue elephant curled forward his trunk +and trumpeted loud and shrill--a wild scream of rage and defiance that +sent the chattering monkeys scurrying in frightened silence. + +"Shoot, sahibs!" implored the sweating Amir Ali, not daring to infringe +the rules himself. + +Once again the elephant trumpeted, and broke forward with a lurch that +sent the trees crashing down around him. Jack, trembling with buckfever, +flung up his gun and let go both barrels at once. The shock sent him +over backward with a groan. + +Charlie waited an instant. He knew that Amir was helping Jack up, but +those two cordite bullets had not stopped the great rogue--if, indeed, +they had hit him at all. As it proved, both bullets had merely raked +along his side. Then he charged--terribly, deadly, asking and receiving +no quarter from these puny men who dared to stand before him. + +For that instant Charlie felt a wild inclination to turn and run. Then +he conquered himself and became cool as he heard the click of Jack's +rifle-breech behind him. Up went his Holland, and aiming for the +elephant's right fore-leg, he pulled trigger. + +Without pausing to see the effect, he followed it instantly with the +second ball. During one brief moment it seemed that neither had taken +effect, and with feverish energy Charlie pressed home two fresh shells. +That awe-inspiring beast was a hundred and fifty yards away, and each +second seemed an hour. But, just as Jack stepped forward and fired +again, the great beast rocked and went down. + +Both bullets had struck his fore-leg, shattering it. A wild thrill of +hope ran through Charlie and he leaped forward. But the rogue had +vitality beyond the ordinary, vitality and a tremendous raging strength +that carried him to his feet again. For an instant he stood, lurching +and rocking on three legs, trumpeting shrilly until the woods re-echoed, +and then the horrified Charlie saw him plunge forward, trunk thrown out. + +Again Jack fired, and splinters of skin and bone flew from the rogue's +head. Charlie realized full well that his only hope lay in crippling the +terrible beast, crippling him so that he could advance no farther. A +hundred yards away now, and as he raised the big rifle slowly, mist +blurred his sight for a moment. All depended on those two last shots in +his rifle. + +The mist cleared away. It seemed that the great beast was towering over +him, reaching for him with that terrible trunk. But he resisted the +temptation to fire at the head, and drew a careful bead on the left +fore-shoulder. + +Charlie never remembered firing those two shots. The next thing he knew, +the rogue was standing before him, then the great head went down with a +shrill scream of pain and anger, the mighty form crumpled, and with a +crash that shook the very earth beneath them the rogue elephant toppled +forward. + +Something long and white flashed past, and from behind came a sudden +scream of pain. Whirling, Charlie saw Amir Ali, who had stuck to them +bravely, stagger away and sink down. As the elephant dropped, his +impetus and the tremendous weight of his gigantic body had snapped off +short one of the ends of his tusks, the severed ivory flying forward and +striking the Gurkha in the head. + +Charlie ran to the man's side, but at a shout from Jack left him and +sprang up. The rogue was not dead yet. Fighting to the last, he was +trying to rise to his shattered knees, trumpeting till the woods rang +again with the horrible screams. Jack was dashing around to his side for +a finishing shot, and Charlie watched. Despite himself, he could not +help feeling a throb of pity for the great animal, rogue and destroyer +though he might be, struggling there so desperately to rise. + +And, impossible though it seemed, the elephant actually regained his +feet. But even as he did so the shattered fore-legs crumpled up again, +and with a low muttering moan of pain he went down. A moment later Jack +fired, twice, placing each bullet behind the left shoulder. + +Charlie saw the mighty trunk go up, but no sound issued forth. The red +eyes seemed to meet his as with one tremendous effort the rogue lurched +up once more, then the huge ears sagged down, the trunk frothed forth +bloody foam and fell in the dust, and with a single groan the elephant +went over on his side, dead. + +Charlie's first thought was for Amir Ali. Reaching the man's side, he +pulled the stopper from his canteen and poured water over the Gurkha's +head, which was flowing with blood. The wound, however, proved to be +slight and the man was but stunned. Charlie gazed down at the foot-long +sliver of ivory, and rose. He felt unable to do more, and glanced around +for Jack. The other was sitting in the grass, gazing at the dead rogue. + +Feeling his knees growing weak with the reaction, Charlie staggered to +his side and sank down. For a few moments neither boy spoke. There was +something terrible about having killed such an animal, something that +oppressed them both with a feeling that it was not yet over, that at any +moment he might rise and come at them. + +Charlie tried to speak, but his throat was dry. He had emptied his +canteen over Amir, and caught that of Jack. Taking a swallow, he forced +the water on Jack, and a moment later the boys rose to their feet. + +"I'm kind of sorry," was all Jack could find to say, as he stared down +at the brute who had lived so badly and died so well. Charlie shared his +feeling, but a moment later a loud gun-shot came to his ears. He +remembered the other party, and raising his gun, fired twice in the air. + +"Buck up, old man," he said, with a shaky laugh. "The General will be +here in a minute, and he'll give us what for. The old boy died game, +Jack--but he had it coming to him. Just remember Mowbray." + +Jack nodded without speaking. Then, from the forest, not behind but +ahead of them, broke a group of yelling Masai headed by Bakari, running +on the spoor of the rogue elephant. Behind, trying to hold them back +from too close pursuit, ran the figure of Schoverling. + +Both explorer and natives paused together as they grasped the scene +before them. Jack and Charlie stood at the side of the dead beast, still +pale with the strain of their terrific battle. Behind lay the motionless +form of Amir Ali, his beard sticking up in the sunlight, the sliver of +ivory by his head, while a few yards away the forgotten fire sent up a +thin wreath of smoke into the air. + +Schoverling was the first to break that awed silence, as on his trail +appeared Guru, von Hofe, and the rest, all at full speed. While they +came up and paused in amazement, the explorer advanced and held out his +hand. + +"I congratulate you," he said huskily. Meeting his eye, the two boys +found there only honest admiration, as from man to man, and they shook +hands without a word. Then von Hofe joined them, shaking hands with a +flood of excited German through which broke no word of English, and the +boys laughed. + +"We thought you'd be pretty sore, General," admitted Charlie a moment +later, "about our going off that way. But, honest, we didn't mean +to--except at first." + +"I understand, boys," smiled the bronzed explorer. "But never mind +that--Akram told me all about it when we began to get anxious. We +thought you had gone right on the trail of the elephant, which only led +us out here, so we kept on as fast as we could. And this is the great +Rogue Elephant! How on earth did you boys kill him? Is Amir dead?" + +"No, only stunned," said Charlie. Guru and Akram were attending to their +injured comrade, who by this time was sitting up, dazed but not badly +injured. Before hearing their story, Schoverling despatched Bakari and +Guru to bring on the Masai with all speed, while Guru had instructions +to inspan and move the camp to this spot, it being possible for the +wagon to get around the forest from the south. The Masai who were left, +at once fell to work, von Hofe directing them while he listened. + +The two boys told the story of the hunt together, freely confessing that +at first they had been too much frightened to take good aim. The course +of their bullets was followed, von Hofe carefully pocketing the sliver +of ivory that had so nearly done for Amir Ali. + +"It iss no matter," he said. "I can it fix when I set him up. +Ach--vait, vait! My camera!" + +He hastily brushed the five Masai off the carcass and photographed it +from every angle, then posed the boys with their rifles, each holding +out an ear of the huge beast. The elephant had rolled back until its +head lay on the ground, trunk extended, between its fore-legs, and the +two boys looked and felt very small indeed as they stood on each side of +the massive head. + +An hour later the remaining Masai arrived and all fell to work on the +skinning. The explorer built up the fire, making a great smoke signal +that would guide Guru and Gholab for miles, but it was not until evening +that the slow ox-team crawled up to them and was outspanned. In place of +a zareba, the traps were set out, but there was to be no rest for the +skinners. While great fires were lighted, before which strings of +elephant meat were roasted, they worked far into the night getting off +the skin of the Rogue. + +"How long will we be here, Doctor?" asked the explorer anxiously. + +"We have not enough men to pare down the skin inside of a week," said +the scientist. "However, the wagon can stand the weight, and we can let +the paring go. With two days of drying in the sun and one day to rub in +the chemicals, we will go." + +"Three days," nodded Schoverling, and turned to the boys. "Well, boys, I +needn't say that I'm sorry not to have had a shot at the brute, for poor +Mowbray's sake, but I'll donate a case with his shattered rifle, his +letter, watch, and pictures of the Rogue to the Club when we get back. +So you both get the credit for him together, eh?" + +"I guess so," said Jack. "I didn't do much to knock him over. Chuck did +that. But I got in the two shots that finished him." + +"Jack stopped him all right," protested Charlie, "with that bullet in +the head, when he charged us on three legs. Honest, General, even after +he went down the second time, I was scared stiff when I saw him get up! +I thought I was dreaming, for I knew that both my bullets had got him in +the knee." + +"I should think you would have been scared!" laughed the explorer. "I +was scared myself, that day the other bull nearly got us up on Mount +Kenia. Well, it's all over now. I guess you boys have gained the +biggest share of the credit, but you sure deserve it." + +When the boys woke in the morning, the Masai were already hard at work +again. At last they got the huge sections of skin off, and the +protesting oxen were made to drag off the carcass away from the camp. +The hide was thoroughly cleansed, and then staked out to dry in the sun +for two days, after which the doctor would attend to it further. + +"Doesn't it all seem like a wild old dream to you?" asked Jack that day, +as they rode out after an impalla steak. "It's hard to realize that +we've done it, Chuck." + +"Just the same, we have," laughed Charlie. "Say, when we get back an' +show up the pictures we've taken, with the doctor's, won't we raise a +howl? I'd like to see that Inspector what's his name?--Inspector +Harrington's face when he hears about it! He'll throw a fit!" + +"Not him," chuckled Jack ungrammatically but happily. "He'll put out his +hand an' say, 'By Jove, allow me to congratulate you! Wonderful!'" + +Which, as it turned out, was exactly what he did. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +THE BACK TRAIL + + +They remained in "Rogue Camp," as Charlie christened it, for three days. +The injured Masai warriors were still in no shape to march, although +Amir was all right again, but the big wagon had plenty of room. The +ivory was loaded solidly and lashed down, with the elephant hide and +skull over it, the latter being up in front. On top were placed the +tents and other impedimenta, leaving just enough room for the two Masai +to lie comfortably beneath the tilt. + +"I don't envy him his place," grinned Jack as they loaded him on, the +fourth morning. "Bet that hide won't smell like roses." + +"Little he minds that," laughed von Hofe, in huge delight. "He is used +to much worse. Schoverling, what are the plans?" + +All gathered about the explorer with interest. He drew forth the chart +belonging to Selim, which the Arab had omitted to take with him. + +"I have our compass-bearings from the other camp, where Mowbray died, +to the first water-hole we struck. We can circle around these hills to +the southwest, then strike back to the river. To follow our old march +back to the water-hole will not be hard. + +"There we had better rest a day and stock up. Fortunately, the cattle +are in prime shape for the return march. I'll warn Bakari to keep his +men away from the water this time, and we ought to get across. Gholab, +come over here. Can you follow a compass-bearing through the desert?" + +"Yes, sahib." + +"Very well, that is all for now. You see," and Schoverling turned to the +others, "I figure that by sending Gholab and Guru on ahead with the +wagon for three or four days, the other six of us can wait at the +waterhole. That will help out the water in the casks wonderfully. With +three canteens apiece, we will be able to catch up to them after four +days, and our horses will still be in prime condition." + +This plan was ultimately followed, and proved excellent. They reached +the water-hole by easy stages, the wagon now being heavily laden, and +gave the cattle a day's rest here. The doctor was forced to abandon his +idea of getting a buffalo, as every pound of weight would tell on the +oxen, but he cared little for that now. + +They met with no molestation on the return trip beside the river. On one +occasion Jack shot another of the forty-foot pythons, which seemed to +live in the river, but they saw nothing of the great buffalo herd. On +the day they reached the waterhole a rhino charged down on the caravan +and narrowly missed goring Bakari, but Schoverling managed to drop him +in the nick of time. + +The explorer allowed the wagon and the Masai four days' start from the +waterhole. A good supply of fodder for the cattle was taken, although +this was hardly necessary for any save the horses, and with full +water-casks Gholab and Guru plodded off. The others camped, resting the +horses and hunting, and on the fifth morning took up the desert trail. + +They caught up with the caravan on the eighth day, after narrowly +missing it, for a compass-led trip over the desert is no easy matter to +keep accurate. The cattle were going along well, the injured Masai were +healing well enough to walk part of the day, and all promised favorably +for the last stages of the journey. + +Being away from fresh game, the Masai were forced to drink water on the +desert, much to their disgust. However, Bakari realized the necessity of +keeping his men on the allowance given them, and there was no tapping +the barrels at night this time. Day after day they plodded along through +the dust, and at length Schoverling and the others rode ahead to bring +out the other wagon with more water. + +So well had the explorer led them that they arrived within half a mile +of the camp, to be met with shouts of delight by the men and tears of +joy by the lonely Gurkha who had remained in charge. The other oxen were +found sleek and well, and Guru, who protested his entire ability, was +sent out with the second wagon, loaded with water and fresh fodder, to +meet the other. + +They came in five days later without accident, the footsore and weary +Masai riding delightedly in the extra wagon. After a rest of two days, +the load was divided between the two wagons and all set forth for the +last trek across the first plain they had crossed. But this was not so +bad as that other, and with the aid of an opportune rainstorm that +lasted all night, they reached the friendly foothills once more and +gained the villages of the Samburo. + +From here on to Yonge's Station was play compared to what they had been +through. The commissioner met them with great delight, and they +outspanned the oxen for a three-days' rest before going on. The Masai +were paid and dismissed, each with a handsome gift that sent them away +rejoicing. + +"Here," said Captain Yonge, holding out an envelope, "is a cable that +was forwarded by runner. It came in two days since." + +Schoverling reached across the dinner-table and tore it open. He scanned +it, then broke into a laugh and read it aloud: + + "'_Louis Schoverling, care Captain Yonge, Commissioner + District, B. S. A._: + +"'Best wishes. Bags valued seventy pounds. Got ahead of you there. + + "'SELIM BEN AMOUD'" + +They related the story of their trip to Yonge. Schoverling had been in +some doubt as to the advisability of saying anything about the +gold-dust, but von Hofe overruled him. When they had finished, the +captain dissipated their doubts. + +"Why, of course, my dear fellow! There will be no objection in the least +to your keeping the ivory. You have brought back great news. Poor +Mowbray! He was a plucky fellow, and we always regretted orders to go +out after him--though he licked us every time. But that news about the +new country up north is great! I shouldn't wonder if you got an F. R. G. +S. out of it, Schoverling." + +Taking it easy, they arrived in due course of time at the end of their +trip. Runners had gone on ahead, and for the last two days Piet Andrus +with a dozen more rode with them, having gone out to meet the wagons. + +At Mombasa they interviewed the governor, relating officially their news +of Mowbray and giving a detailed account of the lake country which had +been discovered. It was at once arranged that six months later a great +safari was to be sent up, with Louis Schoverling in charge, to make a +scientific exploration and map out the country about the hot lake. + +Letters and cables poured in on them, and the two weeks spent at +Mombasa were busy ones. Accounts of their trip were despatched to +London, New York and Toronto, and on the day they left a cable came +which announced that Schoverling had gained one of his life-long +ambitions--Fellowship in the Royal Geographical Society. + +"Well, we've sure had a great time," sighed Jack as they steamed out of +Mombasa. Von Hofe was accompanying them to New York. "We've pulled +pretty near two thousand each out of that ivory and dust, Chuck." + +"It certainly does look like big money now," admitted Charlie. "Well, I +see where I dig in to learn for a while. Then maybe we can get together +for another trip somewheres, eh, General?" + +"I hope so," laughed Schoverling. "I thought maybe you would have had +enough of it." + +"Not much!" cried both boys together. Von Hofe smiled. + +"Wait!" he said. "I have a surprise, some day!" + +And one day, months later, he took them to a special room in the great +Museum of Sciences, where stood the Rogue Elephant as he had stood on +that last day of his life; beneath, on the great brass plate at the +bottom, were these words: + + _Elephas Africanus Peeli_ + + SHOT BY CHARLES COLLINS AND JACK SAWTOOTH. + + Mounted by Gross von Hofe, F. R. S. + + + + +The Boy Scouts of the Air Books + +_By_ GORDON STUART + +Are stirring stories of adventure in which real boys, clean-cut and +wide-awake, do the things other wide-awake boys like to read about. + +_Five titles, per volume, 60 cents_ + + THE BOY SCOUTS OF THE AIR AT EAGLE CAMP + + THE BOY SCOUTS OF THE AIR AT GREENWOOD SCHOOL + + THE BOY SCOUTS OF THE AIR IN INDIAN LAND + + THE BOY SCOUTS OF THE AIR IN NORTHERN WILDS + + THE BOY SCOUTS OF THE AIR ON FLATHEAD MOUNTAIN + + _Splendid Illustrations by Norman P. Hall_ + + * * * * * + + Publishers The Reilly & Britton Co. Chicago + + + + +The Famous AIRSHIP BOY SERIES + +_By_ H. L. SAYLER + +_SEVEN TITLES_ + +=1. THE AIRSHIP BOYS Or, The Quest of the Aztec Treasure= + +=2. THE AIRSHIP BOYS ADRIFT Or, Saved by an Aeroplane= + +=3. THE AIRSHIP BOYS DUE NORTH Or, By Balloon to the Pole= + +=4. THE AIRSHIP BOYS IN THE BARREN LANDS Or, The Secret of the White +Eskimos= + +=5. THE AIRSHIP BOYS IN FINANCE Or, The Flight of the Flying Cow= + +=6. THE AIRSHIP BOYS' OCEAN FLYER Or, New York to London in Twelve +Hours= + +=7. THE AIRSHIP BOYS AS DETECTIVES Or, On Secret Service in Cloudland= + +Fascinating stories of that wonderful region of invention where +imagination and reality so nearly meet. There is no more interesting +field for stories for wide-awake boys. Mr. Sayler combines a remarkable +narrative ability with a degree of technical knowledge that makes these +books correct in all airship details. Full of adventure without being +sensational. + + _The make-up of these books is strictly + up-to-date and fetching. The covers are + emblematic, and the jackets are showy and in + colors. The illustrations are full of dash and + vim. Standard novel size. Price 75 cents net + each._ + + * * * * * + + Publishers The Reilly & Britton Co. Chicago + + + + +The Aeroplane Boys Series + +_By_ ASHTON LAMAR + +"The best yet written," says the Grand Rapids Herald. These stories have +a strong appeal to the active American boy, as their steady sales bear +witness. Each of the seven titles already published has met with great +popularity, and the new title, "On the Edge of the Arctic," is the best +of the series. Correct in all mechanical details, full of wholesome +adventure and excitement. + +EIGHT TITLES + + _1. IN THE CLOUDS FOR UNCLE SAM + Or, Morey Marshall of the Signal Corps_ + + _2. THE STOLEN AEROPLANE + Or, How Bud Wilson Made Good_ + + _3. THE AEROPLANE EXPRESS + Or, The Boy Aeronaut's Grit_ + + _4. THE BOY AERONAUTS' CLUB + Or, Flying for Fun_ + + _5. A CRUISE IN THE SKY + Or, the Legend of the Great Pink Pearl_ + + _6. BATTLING THE BIGHORN + Or, The Aeroplane in the Rockies_ + + _7. WHEN SCOUT MEETS SCOUT + Or, The Aeroplane Spy_ + + _8. ON THE EDGE OF THE ARCTIC + Or, An Aeroplane in Snowland_ + + _Fully illustrated. Colored frontispiece. + Cloth 12mo. 60 cents each._ + + * * * * * + + Publishers The Reilly & Britton Co. Chicago + + * * * * * + +Transcriber's Notes: + +Obvious punctuation errors repaired. + +Page 3, "reak" changed to "reek" (the reek of cedar) + +Page 19, "wierd" changed to "weird" (in weird-looking) + +Page 29, "surpise" changed to "surprise" (his vast surprise) + +Page 90, "botton" changed to "bottom" (at the bottom) + +Page 131, "Ghobal" changed to Gholab" (then Gholab Singh, Mohammedan) + +Page 136, "though" changed to "thought" (I thought camels) + +Page 207, "shoud" changed to "should" (we should not share) + +"Charley" was changed to "Charlie" to fit rest of 308 uses in the text. + + 15: Charlie paused and + 84: Charlie had stepped + 90: thrust forward. Charlie + Charlie sank down + 91: Charlie nodded. + 97: Charlie. "This looks + 100: Quilqua?" asked Charlie. + 177: began Charlie, but the + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Rogue Elephant, by Elliott Whitney + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROGUE ELEPHANT *** + +***** This file should be named 25450.txt or 25450.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/5/4/5/25450/ + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Emmy and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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