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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/32508-8.txt b/32508-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f9d8f8e --- /dev/null +++ b/32508-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6032 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The Blind Lion of the Congo, 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 Blind Lion of the Congo + +Author: Elliott Whitney + +Illustrator: Dan Sayre Groesbeck + +Release Date: May 24, 2010 [EBook #32508] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLIND LION OF THE CONGO *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, David K. Park, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +[Illustration: Without the least trace of excitement in his voice Mr. +Wallace had whipped out his revolver and covered the other. "Keep your +hands on the table, Montenay!"] + + + + + THE BLIND LION OF THE CONGO + + BY + ELLIOTT WHITNEY + + Illustrated by Dan Sayre Groesbeck + + The Reilly & Lee Co. + Chicago + + COPYRIGHT, 1912 + + by + + THE REILLY & BRITTON CO. + + + THE BLIND LION OF THE CONGO + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + + I AN AMAZING PROPOSAL 9 + + II CRITCHFIELD IS INTERVIEWED 21 + + III THE DECISION 34 + + IV OUTFITTING 46 + + V THE CONGO 58 + + VI THE MARK 71 + + VII CRITCH'S RHINO 84 + + VIII CAPTAIN MAC SUSPECTED 97 + + IX THE WHITE PIGMIES 110 + + X THE SACRED ANKH 125 + + XI MVITA SAVES BURT'S LIFE 137 + + XII MONTENAY RETURNS 150 + + XIII IN THE PIGMY VILLAGE 163 + + XIV THE SACRED LION 176 + + XV THE IVORY ZAREBA 189 + + XVI BURT LEFT ALONE 202 + + XVII THE DIARY 214 + + XVIII BURT COMES TO LIFE 228 + + XIX THE RAFT 241 + + XX DOWN THE MAKUA 255 + + + + +The Blind Lion of the Congo + + + + +CHAPTER I + +AN AMAZING PROPOSAL + + +"What's on for to-night, Burt?" + +Mr. St. John, a large automobile manufacturer of New Britain, +Connecticut, looked across the dinner table at his son Burton. The +latter was a boy of seventeen. Although he was sturdy for his age, his +features were pale and denoted hard study. As his father and mother +watched him there was just a hint of anxiety in their faces. + +"Lots," replied the boy. "Got a frat meeting on at seven. Then I've got +to finish my last paper for the history prof." + +"Can't you let the paper go?" asked his mother. "You've been working +pretty hard, Burt!" + +"Yes," added Mr. St. John heartily. "Forget the work, son. You've done +enough papers lately for a dozen boys." + +"Not much!" answered Burt earnestly. "I'm goin' to grab that Yale +scholarship. There's only a week till school's out now." + +At that moment a maid appeared at the dining room door. + +"Mr. St. John, there's a man called, sir. He didn't give me any name +and--" + +She was interrupted by a tall, fur-overcoated form that brushed her +aside. The visitor's hawk-like face broke instantly into an eager smile. + +"Hello, good people!" cried the man, as Mr. St. John sprang to his feet. +"Forgotten me, Tom?" + +"George!" + +"Wallace!" + +"Uncle George!" + +The three members of the family broke into three simultaneous cries of +surprise. The next instant Mrs. St. John was in the arms of the tall +man, who supported her with one hand and with the other greeted her. + +"Hello, Burt! How's your grip?" he cried as he released the couple and +seized the hand of their son. + +"Ouch!" yelled the boy, his grin changing to an expression of pain. "I +ain't no wooden man!" + +"Where on earth did you come from?" exclaimed Mr. St. John, taking his +brother-in-law's big coat and handing it to the astonished maid. "We +haven't heard from you for a year!" + +"Give me something to eat, Tom, and I'll talk later." As the hawk-faced +man sat down, Burt gazed at him admiringly. George William Wallace, his +uncle, was the boy's greatest hero. Famous under the name of "George +William" for his books on little-traveled countries, he was known widely +at every end of the world. He had crossed the Turkestan deserts, helped +to survey the Cape to Cairo railway, led armies in China and South +America, and explored the recesses of the Sahara. In his brief intervals +of relaxation he lived with the St. Johns, having no home of his own. + +As he gazed, Burt half wished that his own face was not so square and +angular and more like that of his uncle. Mr. Wallace was thin but of +very large frame. His close-cropped hair revealed a high forehead, +beneath which shone two intensely black eyes. A long, curving nose gave +his face its hawk-like effect, and thin lips and strong chin completed +the likeness to some great bird of prey. + +"What are you doing with that fur overcoat in June, George?" asked Mrs. +St. John with smile. + +"Keeping warm!" shot back the explorer as he pushed away his plate. +"This beastly rain goes to the bone, Etta. I landed only yesterday and +got the first train up here after leaving my cases at the Explorers' +Club." + +"Come on with the yarn, uncle!" exclaimed Burt eagerly. "Where've you +been this time?" + +Mr. Wallace lit one of his brother-in-law's cigars with huge enjoyment +and led the way to the library without answering. When all four were +comfortably ensconced about the big table he started in. + +"Let's see. I wrote you from Naples last time, wasn't it?" The others +nodded. "That was just before the war. I got a chance to go to the front +as special correspondent, and snapped it up. I hung around for a while +at Tripoli, then took a trip to the Turkish camp. There I got into a +scrap with a Turk officer and had to run for it. There was no place to +run except into the desert, so it took me quite a while to make +civilization again." + +"Good Heavens!" exclaimed Burt's father. "I suppose you circled around +and made Algiers?" + +"Tried to, but a bunch of Gharian slave dealers pulled me into the +mountains. I spent two months in the chain gang; then they sold me +south. There was no help for it. Instead of escaping to French territory +I sneaked off with a racing camel and ended up at the Gold Coast two +months ago." + +"What!" Mr. St. John leaped up in amazement. "Do you mean to say you +crossed the whole Sahara a second time, from north to south?" + +"That's what," declared Mr. Wallace. Burt stared at him wide-eyed. +"Found some of my old friends and they helped me along. How are you +fixed, Tom? Can you put me up all right, Etta?" + +"Your old room hasn't been touched," smiled Mrs. St. John as she glanced +at her husband. The latter nodded. + +"All fine and dandy, old man. Oh, I'm getting along pretty well. We've +got some new buildings over at the works. Turning out some great little +old cars too. Say, how long are you going to stay?" + +"That depends." Mr. Wallace smiled whimsically. "I have a book that I +want to finish this time. But I also have a notion that I want to do +some ivory hunting in the Congo. If the pull doesn't get too strong I +may stay a month or two." + +"Hurray!" chipped in Burt, enthusiastically. "Come along to the frat +meeting and tell us about the war last year! We got a 'nitiation on an' +you can boss it!" + +"No thanks!" laughed his uncle heartily. "When I want to do any +lecturing I'll let you know, Burt. By gracious, Tom, the boy looks like +a ghost! Been sick?" + +"No," replied Mr. St. John gravely. "I'm afraid he's overworked. He's +been trying for a scholarship at Yale that the high school offers, and +the strain has been a little too much." + +"Hm! Won't do, Burt," declared Mr. Wallace. "Books are all right but no +use running 'em into the ground. Play baseball?" + +"Sure!" replied Burt. "Not this spring though. Been too busy. Besides, +I've been helpin' Critch with some stuff." + +"Critch?" repeated his uncle, puzzled. "Who's Critch?" + +"Howard Critchfield," replied Mr. St. John. "His father is my head +draftsman and Burt and Howard are great chums. Howard has a room down at +the shops where he works afternoons and putters around at taxidermy." + +Burt glanced at his watch and rose hastily. It was past seven and he had +forgotten the time. + +"See you later, uncle!" he said as he went to the door. What a tale he +would have for the other boys! Despite his uncle's refusal to come with +him Burt knew that once he got "the crowd" up to the house Mr. Wallace +would provide a most delightful evening. + +The next day the explorer's trunks arrived and he got settled in his old +quarters. These were filled with hunting trophies, guns and foreign +costumes from every quarter of the world. For two days Burt did not see +his uncle except at meals, but on Friday evening Mr. Wallace announced +that he would like to take a look at the works the next day. Burt +promptly volunteered his services, which were accepted. + +"You don't look right to me, Burt!" stated Mr. Wallace as they walked +down the street after breakfast. "If we were down on the West Coast now +I would say you were in for a good dose of fever." + +"Did you ever have it?" asked Burt. He did not relish such close +interest in his health, which seemed good enough to him. He also had +vivid memories of a vile-tasting remedy which his uncle had proposed for +a cold, years before. + +"A dozen times," came the reply. "A chap gets it in high and low +countries alike in Africa. So you've been helping young Critchfield, +eh?" + +"A little, sir. We haven't much chance of course but we've got some +birds and rabbits and an old weasel we shot. It's heaps of fun." + +"Hm!" Mr. Wallace cast a sharp glance at Burt but the boy did not +observe it. They were nearing the factories now and presently Burt +turned into a large fence-enclosed ground where the works stood. + +They did not visit the old shops, which Mr. Wallace had seen before, but +went through the new assembling rooms and display building. The explorer +was much interested in all that he saw and proved to have no slight +knowledge of mechanics himself. Mr. St. John saw them from his private +office and came out. By his orders they were treated to the unusual +sight of a complete machine lying on the floor in pieces and inside of +five minutes ready to run. + +"Say!" cried the explorer in admiration. "Civilization certainly can +produce wonders, Tom! I suppose that some day there'll be a shop like +this in the heart of Africa! But let's have a squint at this chum of +yours, Burt. I'd like to size him up a bit." + +They left the new buildings and went to one of the older ones where +Howard had been given a small room. Without stopping to knock, Burt +threw open the door and ushered in his uncle proudly. + +As he did so his look of confident pride vanished. Before him stood +Critch, his freckled face streaked with dust and blood, his long apron +spotted and stained and on the table before him two rabbits +half-skinned. + +"Gosh! You look like a murderer!" exclaimed Burt in dismay. "Uncle +George, this is Critch. He ain't always in this shape though." + +"Sorry I can't shake hands, Mr. Wallace!" said the red-haired boy. To +his surprise the explorer laughed and stuck out his hand. + +"Nonsense, lad! Shake!" + +Critch dropped his knife, wiped his hand hastily on his apron and +gripped that of the explorer heartily. "Frank Gates brought in those +tame rabbits of his that died," he explained. "I told him it wasn't +worth while stuffing them this weather, but he had the coin to pay for +'em and pretty near got sore about it, so I took on the job. I'm awful +glad to meet you, sir! I've heard a heap about you, and Burt's lent me +all your books." + +"Go right ahead," insisted Mr. Wallace. "I'd like to see how you do it. +Many's the skin I've had to put up in a hurry if I wanted it, but I'd +sooner tramp a hundred miles than handle the beastly things!" + +Critch picked up his knife and Mr. Wallace glanced around the little +room. On the walls stood shelves of books and stuffed birds and animals. +Bottles of liquids stood in the corners, and over the door was a stuffed +horned owl mounted on a tree branch. + +"That looks good!" commented the explorer approvingly. "That owl's a +mighty good piece of work, boys!" He turned to Howard. "There you have +him--nice and clean! You know how to handle a knife, I see. Ever hear +how we tackle the big skins?" + +"No," replied Critch with interest. "Tell us about it, Mr. Wallace, if +you don't mind! I've read a little, but nothing definite." + +"With soft-skinned animals like deer we usually do just what you're +doing with those rabbits--simply make incisions, slit 'em from neck to +tail and peel off the skins. By the way, what do you use for +preservative?" + +"Get it ready-mixed," replied Critch and pointed to the bottles. "It's +odorless, takes the grease out o' the skin, and don't cost much. Guess +I'll use arsenic on these, though. They need something pretty strong." + +"I see," went on Mr. Wallace. "Well, with thick skins like elephant or +rhino, it's a different matter. I never fixed an elephant skin myself +but I've seen other fellows do it. They take it off in sections, rub it +well with salt and let it dry after the fat's gone. Then a dozen blacks +get around each section with their paring knives and get busy." + +"Paring knives!" cried Burt. "What for?" + +"Pare down the skin," smiled Mr. Wallace. "Thick skins are too heavy to +carry and too thick to be pliable, so the skinners often spend a week +paring down a skin till it's portable. Then it's rubbed with salt again +or else packed in brine and shipped down to the coast or back wherever +your agents are, who get it preserved right for you." + +They talked for half an hour while the rabbits were being finished. Then +Burt and his uncle left the building, and finding that Mr. St. John had +already gone to lunch, started home themselves. + +"Say, Burt," said Mr. Wallace as they walked down the street, "how'd you +like to come to Africa with me next month?" + + + + +CHAPTER II + +MR. CRITCHFIELD IS INTERVIEWED + + +"What! Me?" Burt stopped short and stared at his uncle. Mr. Wallace +chuckled and lifted one eyebrow. + +"Of course, if you don't want to go--" he began. + +"Want to!" shouted Burt, careless of the passers-by who were looking at +them curiously. "You can bet your life I want to! I'd give a million +dollars to go with you!" His face dropped suddenly. "What's the use, +Uncle George? You know's well as I do, the folks ain't going to stand +for anything like that. Why, dad'd have a fit if he thought I was in +Africa. What's the use of dreaming?" + +"Here--trot along!" His uncle seized his arm and drew him on toward +home. "I guess you're right about that, Burt. Anyhow, you keep mum and +let me do the talking. Mind, now, don't you butt in anywhere along the +line. I'm dead in earnest, young man. Maybe we'll be able to do +something if you lie low and let me handle it. Understand?" + +"I understand," replied Burt a trifle more hopefully. "Gee! If I could +only go! Could I shoot real lions and elephants, uncle?" + +"Dozens of 'em!" laughed Mr. Wallace cheerfully. "Where I want to go +there are no game laws to hinder. You'd have a tough time for a while, +though. It's not like a camping trip up the Maine coast." + +"Oh, shucks!" replied the boy eagerly. "Why, there ain't a boy in the +world that wouldn't be crazy to hike with you. They've _got_ to let me +go!" + +Although nearly bursting with his secret Burt said nothing of it until +he returned to the shops that afternoon and joined Critch. Then he was +unable to hold in and he poured out the story to his chum. Critch +listened in incredulous amazement, which changed to cheerful envy when +he found Burt was not joking. + +"Why, you dog-goned old bookworm!" he exclaimed when Burt finished. The +red-headed boy was genuinely delighted over his chum's good luck. "Think +of you out there shootin' your head off, while I'm plugging away here +at home! Think your folks'll kick?" + +"Of course they will," groaned Burt gloomily. "Ever know a feller to +want any fun, without his folks kicking like sin? They like Uncle George +a heap, but when it comes to takin' the darlin' boy where he can have a +reg'lar circus, it's no go. Darn it, I wish I was grown-up and didn't +have any boss!" + +"It'll be a blamed shame if they don't let you go, old sport!" agreed +Critch with a smile. "But you haven't asked 'em yet. Mebbe they'll come +around all right." + +"Huh!" grunted Burt sarcastically. "Mebbe I'll find a million dollars in +my clothes to-morrow morning! Say--" + +"Well? Spit her out!" laughed Critch as Burt paused suddenly. + +"S'pose I could work you in on the game!" cried Burt enthusiastically. +"That'd help a lot if the folks knew you were going, too, and if your +dad would fall for it we might take you as some kind of assistant! I +tell you--I'll take you as my personal servant, my valet! How'd that +strike you, just for a bluff?" + +"Strike me fine," responded Critch vigorously. "I'd be willin' to work +my way--" + +"Oh, shucks! I didn't mean that. I mean to get your expenses paid that +way, see? After we got going--" + +"Come out of it!" interrupted Critch. "You talk as if you was really +going. Where do you reckon my dad comes in? S'pose he'll stand for any +game like that? Not on your life! Dad's figgering on pulling me into the +office when school's out." + +Burt left for home greatly sobered by the practical common sense of his +chum. He was quickly enthusiastic over any project and was apt to be +carried away by it, while Critch was just the opposite. None the less, +Burt was determined that if it was possible for him to go, his chum +should go too. + +After dinner that evening while the family was sitting in the library, +Mr. Wallace cautiously introduced the subject to Burt's parents. Burt +was upstairs in his own room. + +"Etta, isn't that boy of yours getting mighty peaked?" + +"I'm afraid so," sighed Mrs. St. John anxiously. "But we can't make him +give up that scholarship. I'll be glad when school is over next week." + +"I guess we'll pack him off with Howard," put in Mr. St. John. "I'll +send 'em up the Kennebec on a canoe trip." + +"Nonsense!" snorted the explorer. "What the boy needs is something +different. Complete change--ocean air--make him forget all about his +books for six months!" + +"There's a good deal in that, Tom," agreed his sister thoughtfully. +"Perhaps if I took him abroad for a month or two--" + +"Stop right there!" interrupted the explorer. "Take him abroad, indeed! +Tie him to your apron strings and lead him to bang-up hotels? Dress him +up every day, stuff him on high-class grub? Nonsense! If you want him to +go abroad, for goodness sake give him a flannel shirt and a letter of +credit, and let him go. Don't baby him! Give him a chance to develop his +own resources. Guess you didn't have any indulgent papa, Tom! All the +boy wants is a chance. Why won't you let him have it?" + +"Don't be a fool, George!" cautioned his sister, smiling at the +outburst. "You know perfectly well that I don't want my boy running +wild. He's all we have, and we intend to take care of him. And I warn +you right here not to put any of your notions into his head. It's bad +enough to have one famous man in the family!" + +The explorer laughed and winked at Mr. St. John, who was enjoying the +discussion from the shelter of his cigar smoke. At this, however, he +came to the aid of his brother-in-law. + +"Yes, George is perfectly right, Etta. Burt needs to shift for himself a +bit, and I think the Kennebec trip will be just the thing for him if we +give him a free hand and let him suit himself. I don't want to send him +off to foreign countries all alone." + +"Look here, Tom." Mr. Wallace leaned forward and spoke very earnestly. +"That kind of a vacation isn't worth much to a good, healthy boy. He +wants something he has earned, not something that's shoved at him. Make +Burt earn some money while he's having a good time. He'll enjoy it twice +as much. Make him pay his own expenses somewhere; do something that will +repay him, or get busy on some outdoor stunt that will give him +something new and interesting to absorb him. Think it over!" + +The conversation ended there for the night. Mr. Wallace was satisfied +that he had sown good seed, however, and went up to Burt's room with a +smile. + +"Hello, uncle!" cried the boy, giving up his chair and flinging himself +down on the bed. "Say anything to the folks yet?" + +"A little. We'll have to go slow, remember! Now just what do you know +about putting up skins and taking them from their rightful owners?" + +"Me? Not a whole lot. Let's see. I helped Critch skin an' mount Chuck +Evan's bulldog, some birds, a weasel--" + +"Hold on!" laughed Mr. Wallace. "That's not what I mean. Know anything +about horned animals?" + +"No," admitted Burt. "I've read up 'bout 'em though. So's Critch." + +"Suppose you had a deer's horns to take off. How'd you do it?" + +"Take his skin off by cuttin' straight down the breast to the tail," +replied Burt promptly. "Make cross-cuts down the inside o' each leg an' +turn him inside out. For the horns you make a cut between 'em, then back +down the neck a little." + +"Wouldn't you take his skull?" questioned Mr. Wallace. + +"Sure! I forgot that. You'd have to cut between the lids and eye-sockets +down to the lips an' cut these from the bone. For the skull, cut her off +and boil her." + +"Pretty good!" commented his uncle. "I guess you've got the knowledge +all right. How'd you do in Africa about the skin?" + +"Nothing," grinned Burt. "'Cording to your books you just salt 'em well +and ship 'em to the coast." + +"All right!" laughed his uncle. "Get those rabbits done up?" + +"You bet!" Burt made a wry face. "We rubbed them with arsenic. That's +about the only stuff that'll hold them in this weather. We make money +though--or Critch does. We've done lots of birds for a dollar each, and +we got five for Chuck's bulldog." + +"I wish you'd take me over to your friend's home to-morrow night if +you've nothing special on," replied Mr. Wallace. "I'd like to have a +little chat with him. Are his parents living?" + +"His father is, but not his mother. They only live about three blocks +down the line. We'll go over after supper." + +"Well, I'll go back and write another chapter before going to bed." Mr. +Wallace rose and departed. He left Burt wondering. Why did his uncle +want to see Critch? + +He wondered more than ever the next evening. When they arrived at the +small frame house in which Howard and his father lived, Mr. Wallace +chatted with the boys for a little and then turned to Mr. Critchfield, a +kindly, shrewd-eyed man of forty-five. + +"Mr. Critchfield, suppose we send the boys off for a while? I'd like to +have a little talk with you if you don't mind." + +"All right, uncle," laughed Burt. "We'll skin out. Come on up to the +house, Critch." + +When they got outside, the red-haired boy's curiosity got the better of +him and he asked Burt what his uncle wanted with his father. + +"Search me," answered Burt thoughtfully. "He put me through the third +degree yesterday about skinning deer. Next time he gives me a chance +I'll ask him about taking you along." + +"What!" exclaimed Howard. "Have your folks come around?" + +"I don't know. I'm leaving it all to Uncle George. Believe me, they've +got to come around or I'll--I'll run away!" + +"Yes, I've got a picture o' you running away!" grinned Critch. "Mebbe +dad'll tell me what's up when I get home." + +But Critch was not enlightened that night nor for many nights +thereafter. This was the last week of school and Burt was too busy with +his examinations to waste much time speculating on the African trip. +Howard was also pretty well occupied, although not trying for any +scholarship, and for the rest of the week both boys gave all their +attention to school. On Friday evening Burt arrived home jubilantly. + +"Done!" he shouted, bursting in on his mother and uncle. "Got it!" + +"What, the scholarship? How do you know?" asked his mother in surprise. + +"Prof. Garwood tipped me off. Won't get the reg'lar announcement till +commencement exercises next week but he says I needn't worry! Hurray! +One more year and then Yale for mine!" + +"Good boy!" cried Mr. Wallace. "Guess you've plugged for it though. +Burt, I'll have that book finished next week. If she goes through all +right I'll be off by the end of the month for Africa." He winked +meaningly. "Guess I'll take you along." + +"What!" exclaimed Mrs. St. John in amazement. "Take him along? Why, +George William Wallace, what do you mean?" + +"What on earth d'you suppose I mean?" chuckled her brother. "Why +shouldn't Burt take his vacation with me if he wants to? Don't you think +I am competent to take care of him?" + +Burt was quivering with eagerness and his mother hesitated as she caught +the anxious light in his eyes. He stood waiting in silence, however. + +"George," replied his mother at last, "are you serious about this? Do +you really mean--" + +"Of course I do!" laughed the explorer confidently. "If I know anything +about it, Burt'd come back twice as much a man as he is now. Besides we +ought to pull out ahead of the game, because I'm going after ivory." + +"Wait till Tom comes home," declared Burt's mother with decision. "We'll +talk it over at dinner. You'll have a hard task to convince me that +there's any sense in such a scheme, George!" + +As her brother was quite aware of that fact he forbore to press the +subject just then. A little later Mr. St. John came home from the works +and at the dinner table his wife brought up the subject herself. + +"Tom, this foolish brother of mine wants to take Burton away to Africa +with him next month! Did you ever hear of anything so silly?" + +"Don't know about that," replied Mr. St. John, to his son's intense +surprise. "It depends on what part of Africa, Etta. You must remember +that the world's not so small as it used to be. You can jump on a boat +in New York and go to Africa or China or Russia and never have to bother +your head about a thing. What's the proposition, George?" + +"I've been thinking that it would do Burt a lot of good to go with me to +the Congo," answered the explorer. "The sea voyage would set him up in +fine shape, and we would keep out of the low lands, you know." + +"The Congo!" cried his sister in dismay. "Why, that's where they torture +people! Do you--" + +"Nonsense!" interrupted Mr. Wallace impatiently. "The Congo is just as +civilized as parts of our own country. We can take a steamer at the +mouth and travel for thousands of miles by it. I have one recruit from +New Britain already, and I'd like to have Burt if you'll spare him." + +"Why, who's going from here?" asked Mr. St. John in surprise. + +"Young Critchfield," came the reply. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE DECISION + + +"Critch!" shouted Burt, unable to restrain his amazement. His parents +looked equally incredulous and Mr. Wallace explained with a smile. + +"Yes, Howard Critchfield. You see, I'd like to bring back some skins and +things but I detest the beastly work of getting them off and putting +them in shape. So when I found that Critch was no slouch at taxidermy +and only needed the chance, it occurred to me to take him along. I saw +his father about it and proposed to pay all his expenses and a small +salary. Mr. Critchfield came around after a little. He saw that it would +be a splendid education for the boy--would give him a knowledge of the +world and would develop him amazingly." + +"Why didn't Critch tell me about it?" cried Burt indignantly. + +"He didn't know!" laughed his uncle. "His father and I agreed that we'd +let him get safely through school without having other things to think +of. Now look at the thing sensibly, you folks. We wouldn't be away +longer than six months at most. Burt would be in far more danger in his +canoe on the Kennebec than in a big steamer on the Congo." + +"But after you leave the steamer? You can't shoot ivory from the boat, I +presume," protested Mr. St. John. + +"And what about snakes and savage tribes?" put in his wife. + +"My dear Etta," replied the explorer patiently, "we will be near few +savage tribes. I might almost say that there are none. As for snakes, +I've seen only three deadly ones in all the years I've spent in Africa. +After we leave the steamer, Tom, we'll get out of the jungles into the +highlands. Burt stands just as much chance of getting killed here as +there. An auto might run over him any day, a mad dog might bite him or a +chimney might fall on him!" + +For all his anxiety Burt joined heartily in the laugh that went up at +his uncle's concluding words. The laughter cleared the somewhat tense +situation, and the discussion was carried into the library. Burt saw, +much to his relief, that his father was not absolutely opposed to the +trip, although his mother seemed anxious enough. + +"Now give us your proposition, George," said his father as they settled +down around the table. "What's your definite idea about it?" + +"Good! Now we're getting down to cases!" cried the explorer with a smile +at his sister. "Burt, get us that large atlas over there." Burt had the +atlas on the table in an instant. "Let's see--Africa--here we are. Get +around here, folks!" As he spoke Mr. Wallace pulled out a pencil and +pointed to the mouth of the Congo River. + +"Here's the mouth of the Congo, you see. Here we step aboard one of the +State steamers. These are about like the steamers plying between New +York and Boston. Following the Congo up and around for twelve hundred +miles, roughly speaking, we come to the Aruwimi river. Up this--and here +we are at Yambuya, the head of navigation on the Aruwimi. From here +we'll go on up by boat or launch for three or four hundred miles +farther, then strike off after elephants." + +"But how do you get down there in the first place?" asked Mr. St. John, +who seemed keenly interested. + +"Any way you want to!" returned the explorer. "There are lines running +to Banana Point or Boma, the capital, from Antwerp, Lisbon, Bordeaux, +Hamburg, or from England. We'll probably go from England though." + +"My gracious!" said Burt's mother. "I had no idea that the Congo was so +near civilization as all that! Are there real launches away up there in +the heart of Africa?" + +"Launches? Automobiles, probably!" laughed her husband. + +"Of course," agreed Mr. Wallace. "There are motor trucks in service at +several points. We could even take the trip by railroad if we wished, +and we'll telegraph you direct when we reach there!" + +"Well that's news to me!" declared Mr. St. John. "I thought that Central +Africa was a blank wilderness filled with gorillas and savages. Seems to +me I remember something about game laws in Roosevelt's book. How about +that?" + +"There are stringent laws in Uganda and British East Africa," replied +Mr. Wallace. "But I intend to depend on trade more than on shooting for +my ivory. Now look at this Makua river that runs west, up north of the +Aruwimi. I'm not going to take any chances on being held up at Boma +after getting out. There are several trading companies who'd be tickled +to death to let me bring out a bunch of ivory and then rob me of it at +the last minute. So we're going right up to the Makua and down that +river to the French Congo. I've got a mighty strong pull with the French +people ever since they made me a Commander of the Legion of Honor for my +Sahara explorations." + +"I see." Burt's father gazed at the map reflectively then looked up with +a sudden smile. "You say 'we' as if it was all settled, George!" + +"Oh, I was talking about young Critchfield and myself," laughed the +explorer. "Come now, Etta, doesn't it sound a whole lot more reasonable +than it did at first?" + +"Yes," admitted his sister. "I must say it does. Especially if it is all +so civilized as you say." + +"Now look here." Mr. Wallace bent over the map again and traced down the +Congo to Stanley Falls. "A railroad runs from here over to the Great +Lakes, at Mahagi on the Albert Nyanza. The Great Lakes are all connected +and have steamer lines on them, so that you can get on a train or boat +at the west coast and travel right through to the east coast just like +going from New York to Duluth. Get me?" + +"Why," exclaimed Burt, "I thought you had to have porters and all that? +Can you just hop on a train and shoot?" + +"Not exactly," laughed his uncle. "When we leave the Aruwimi we'll +probably take a hundred bearers with us." + +"Well, it's not a question that we can decide on the spur of the +moment," announced Mrs. St. John. "We'll talk it over, George. If +conditions are as you say, perhaps--" + +"Hurray!" burst out her son excitedly. "You've got to give in, dad! +Mother's on our side!" And Burt darted off to find his chum. + +"The fact that you've won over Mr. Critchfield counts a good deal," +smiled Mr. St. John as the door slammed. "He's a solid, level-headed +chap and, besides, I really think it might do Burt good." + +Burt found his chum in a state of high excitement. Critch's father had +just told him about Mr. Wallace's proposal and his own qualified +consent. + +"I'll have to think it over some more," he had said. "It's too big to +rush into blindly. As it stands, however, I see no reason why you +shouldn't go and make a little money, besides getting the trip." + +Burt and Critch got an atlas and went over the route that Mr. Wallace +had traced. When Burt reported all that his uncle had said about +civilization in the Congo, Critch heaved a deep sigh. + +"Seems 'most too good to be true," he said. "To think of us away over +there! I don't see where your uncle's going to clear up much coin, +though. It must cost like smoke." + +"So does ivory," grinned Burt. He was in high spirits now that there +actually seemed to be some hope of his taking the trip. "He ain't +worried about the money. Say, I'm mighty glad I've been learning French! +It'll come in handy down there." + +"You won't have any pleasure tour," put in Mr. Critchfield quietly. "Mr. +Wallace means business. He told me he meant to leave the whole matter +of skins and heads to you two chaps." + +"Wonder what he wants them for?" speculated Burt. "Mebbe he's going to +start a museum." + +"Hardly," laughed Mr. Critchfield. "He said he wanted to give them to +some Explorers' Club in New York. That means they'll have to be well +done, Howard. I want you to be a credit to him if he takes you on this +trip." + +"I will." Howard nodded with confident air. "Just let me get a chance! +How's the scholarship? Hear anything yet?" + +"Got her cinched," replied Burt happily. "Well, guess I'll get back. See +you to-morrow!" + +For the next week the question of the African trip was left undecided. +When Burt had received his definite announcement of the scholarship, +dependent on his next year's work, Mr. Wallace urged that the matter be +brought to a decision one way or the other. On the following Saturday +evening Mr. Critchfield and Howard arrived at the St. John residence and +the "Board of Directors went into executive session," as the explorer +laughingly said. + +"There's one thing to be considered," announced Mr. Critchfield. "That's +the length of your absence. Next year is Howard's last year in high +school and I wouldn't like his course to be smashed up." Mr. St. John +nodded approval and all looked at Mr. Wallace expectantly. + +"I anticipated that," he replied quietly. "I saw Mr. Garwood, the +superintendent of schools, yesterday. I told him just what we wanted to +do and asked him about Burt's scholarship. School will not begin till +the twentieth of September. He said if you boys were back by November +and could make up a reasonable amount of work he'd make an exception in +your cases owing to your good records. I'm fairly confident that we'll +be back by November." + +"I don't see how," interposed Mr. St. John. "I've been reading up on +Stanley's journeys in that country and--" + +"Hold on!" laughed Mr. Wallace. "Please remember, Tom, that Stanley made +his trips in the eighties--nearly thirty-five years ago. Where it took +him months to penetrate we can go in hours and days. This is the end of +June. By the first of August we'll be steaming up the Congo. I don't +think it'll take us two months to cross from the Aruwimi to the Makua +and reach French territories. In any case, I intend to return direct +from Loango, a port in the French Congo. We'll come down the river under +the French flag in a French steamer, turn the corner to Loango and +there'll be a steamer there waiting to bring us and our stuff direct to +New York. I'm almost sure we'll be back by November." + +"Even if we aren't," put in Howard, "it'll only throw us out half a +semester." + +"Supposing they do miss connections, Critchfield," said Mr. St. John, "I +wouldn't worry. It is a great thing for the boys and perhaps an extra +six months in school won't do any harm. However, figure on getting +back." + +"I guess it's up to you, Etta!" laughed Mr. Wallace. "What do you say? +Yes or no?" + +As Burt said afterward, "I came so near havin' heart failure for a +minute that I could see the funeral procession." Mrs. St. John +hesitated, her head on her hand. Then looking up, her eye met Burt's and +she smiled. + +"Yes--" + +"Hurray!" Critch joined Burt in a shout of delight, while the latter +gave his mother a stout hug of gratitude. + +"I don't know what we'll do here without you," she continued when freed. +"When will you start, George?" + +"Since we have to be back by November," replied the explorer, "we'll +leave here Monday morning and catch the _Carmania_ from New York +Tuesday. I'll wire to-night for accommodations." + +"Monday!" cried Mr. St. John in amazement. "Why, there'll be no time to +get the boys outfits or pack their trunks, or--" + +"We don't want outfits or trunks, eh, Burt?" smiled Mr. Wallace. "The +comfort of traveling, Tom, is to be able to take a suit case and light +out for anywhere on earth in an hour. That's what we'll do. Wear a +decent suit of clothes, boys, and take a few changes of linen. We'll +reach Liverpool Friday night and London on Saturday. We'll get the +outfits there, and if we hustle we can pick up one of the African +Steamship Company's steamers Tuesday or Wednesday." + +"But your book?" asked Mrs. St. John. "Is that finished?" + +"Bother the book!" ejaculated her brother impatiently. "I'll write the +last chapter to-night and if the publishers don't like it they can +change it around to suit themselves. I'm going to Africa and I'm going +to leave New York Tuesday morning rain or shine!" + +"That's the way to talk!" shouted Burt, wildly excited. "Good for you, +mother! I'll bring you back a lion skin for your den, dad!" + +Had Burt been able to foresee just what lion skin he would bring back +and what he would pass through before he got it he might not have been +so enthusiastic over the prospect of his African trip. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +OUTFITTING + + +The trip was begun very much as Mr. Wallace had outlined. The news +spread rapidly that Burt and Howard were going to Africa, and when the +two boys arrived at the station early Monday morning a good-sized crowd +of friends was present to see them off. + +"Take good care of yourself," cautioned Mrs. St. John as she kissed her +son good-bye. "Don't be afraid to telegraph us!" + +The train pulled out with a last cheer from the frat fellows, and Burt +and Howard realized that they were actually off. They arrived in New +York at noon and Mr. Wallace took them direct to the Explorers' Club for +luncheon. + +Here they first began to feel in touch with the outside world. The club +was an institution composed of explorers, hunters and wanderers in +foreign lands. Its walls were decorated with game heads, arms and armor +of many savage tribes, while in glass cases were hung odd costumes and +headgear and unique relics and curios. At the dining-room tables the +boys saw bronzed and bearded men who nodded to Mr. Wallace like old +friends or spoke to him in strange tongues. + +"You fellows wait for me in the library," said the explorer as they +finished luncheon. "I guess you'll find plenty to amuse you there. We'll +stop here for to-night. I'm going down to send off some cables now and +get part of our outfit ordered ahead. When I come back we'll go out and +see the town a little." + +"Did you get rooms on the steamer?" asked Critch. + +"Wired last night. The answer will be down here at the office but +there's not much doubt about getting them. See you in the library." + +The boys made themselves at home in the library and in half an hour Mr. +Wallace returned with the stateroom slips. Then they took a taxi and +made a few purchases for the voyage. As there was nothing to be obtained +except some clean linen and a steamer rug each, they spent most of the +afternoon "seeing" New York City. + +The evening spent at the club was a wonderful one to the boys. On +talking it over later they found that they had only a confused memory +of meeting several famous men and of hearing some surprising stories. + +"Critch!" whispered Burt as they lay in bed. "'Member that thin fellow +with the scar on his chin? S'pose his yarn was true!" + +"What? About being tortured by New Guinea cannibals?" returned his chum. +"Prob'ly. That sure was a whopper though that the man with the black +beard told! The one that'd been in China, I mean." + +"Said he had photos of the Forbidden City, didn't he?" asked Burt. "Gee! +That story of his about the joss with the emerald eyes and the ropes of +pearls--" + +So it went until long past midnight when the boys finally fell asleep. +They were up early and after breakfast took a taxi again and went on +board the _Carmania_, which was to sail at ten. + +The voyage was uneventful to Mr. Wallace but proved of tremendous +novelty to the boys. By the time they reached Liverpool Burt felt like +new. His color was returning fast and the sea air had filled out his +lungs once more and put him into prime condition. The question of their +outfit was what puzzled the boys most until they put it up to Mr. +Wallace. + +"Oh, we'll get all that in London," he explained. "I cabled ahead so +that most of it will be ready. You see, boys, these outfitters put up +boxes of food in regular amounts for each day. All I have to do is to +tell 'em how long we'll be gone and how many of us there are. They pack +a box--chop-boxes, they're called--holding enough for so many days. +According to custom the blacks only expect to carry sixty pounds, so +these boxes are made up at that weight. All are of tin, hermetically +sealed. Some firms use colored bands to distinguish the boxes but ours +numbers each box and furnishes us with lists of what they contain." + +"Some system, isn't it!" exclaimed Critch admiringly. "Do we have to +carry everything with us? Must be an awful freight bill!" + +"Can't go to Africa for nothing," laughed Mr. Wallace. "Yes, we'll get +most of that stuff here. We could get it at Boma but I'd sooner depend +on the English firm." + +"Wish we could stay longer in London," sighed Burt. "I hate to rush off +without seeing anything of the city." + +"Well, our boat leaves Tuesday afternoon and this is Friday," replied +his uncle. "Our chop-boxes are already on board, I suppose. Our +trunks--tin-lined by the way--will probably go down Monday night if we +get our stuff Saturday. I'd like to spend a week in London myself but if +we're to be back home by November we haven't much time to waste." + +The Liverpool customs did not delay them long as they had only a suit +case each, and they took the night express for London. The boys were +much surprised and not a little dismayed when they entered the English +compartment cars, so different from the coaches they were used to. They +soon found that it was much nicer to travel by themselves, however, as +Mr. Wallace interviewed the guard and provided against intrusion. In the +morning they awoke to find themselves in London. + +Mr. Wallace took them to the famous Carleton House for breakfast, now +entirely rebuilt after its fire of the year before. When they had +finished, all three went to the writing room. + +"Take out your pencils now," said the explorer, "and get busy. I know +just about what I want to take and a list ready-made will save a lot of +time in the shops. Ready?" + +The two boys were not only ready but anxious. The lists that they wrote +out were identical. Here is that of their personal effects and clothes +as Burt made it out. + + Four suits underwear, Indian gauze. + + Two ditto, woolen. + + Two heavy gabardine shooting suits. + + Two flannel shirts, khaki cartridge pockets. + + Two pair high boots. One pair of soft leather. + + Extra thick leggings, two pairs. + + Camelshair poncho blanket, convertible. + + Kid-lined gloves, two pairs. + + Sleeping bag, waterproof. + + Wool socks and pajamas. + + Two khaki helmets. + + Mosquito net for head and body. + + Cholera belt, flannel. + + Zeiss field glasses. + + Large colored silk handkerchiefs, six. + + Compass. Toilet articles. + +"There," exclaimed Mr. Wallace as he ran over Burt's list, "that looks +pretty good to me. You won't need the wool underwear unless you get +prickly heat. The leggings are the most important. If you get scratched +up by spear-grass and thorns and then step into some swamp-pool it's all +off. You'd get craw-craw sure." + +"What's that?" asked Critch. "Sounds like crow!" + +"It's a skin disease," replied Mr. Wallace. "Something frightful, too. +The poncho will serve for blanket and raincoat, but this is the dry +season. Must have the mosquito net, though. When we get up the Aruwimi +we'll find little bees about as big as gnats but a whole lot worse, and +it'll need thick nets to keep 'em out. New for the armament." + +Burt's "armory" consisted of the following weapons: + + Double-barreled Holland .450 cordite rifle, for close quarters. + + Winchester .405 rifle for general use. + + Twenty-gauge Parker shotgun. + + Eight-inch skinning knife. + +"Ain't we going to take revolvers?" asked Burt disappointedly as his +uncle finished. + +"No," replied the latter. "They're of no use whatever. I'll take mine +from force of habit but you chaps will never need one. Oh, the +ammunition! Put down a hundred solid and a hundred soft-nosed cartridges +for the Hollands; for the Winchesters two hundred of each, and six boxes +of shells. That'll be enough to last us double the time." + +"How 'bout a camera?" asked Critch anxiously. "Will we be able to tote +one along?" + +"Surest thing you know!" replied Mr. Wallace. "We'll take one of those +new moving-picture machines. They're no larger than a camera and you can +take motion pictures or straight shots on the reel." + +"Gee! That'll be great!" cried Burt delightedly. "But won't the heat +spoil the reels? An' don't they cost like fury?" + +"The reels will be hermetically sealed before and after using," +explained his uncle. "Needn't worry 'bout them. The whole outfit only +costs twelve or thirteen pounds--say sixty dollars. It's well worth it, +too. Now for the tents. We're going to travel light as possible, so put +down two double-roofed ridge tents twelve by ten, with ground-sheets. +Three cots without mattresses. You'll have to do without them or +pillows--they're a beastly nuisance to pack along. Canvas bath each and +condensing outfit to supply fresh water." + +"Why's that, uncle?" asked Burt in surprise. "Lots of fresh water, ain't +there?" + +"Lots," smiled his uncle, "and lots o' guinea worms, fever germs, +poisons and other things in it. Better add a four-quart canteen, glass +stoppers, to your personal list. Can't take any cork or the roaches'll +eat it. Two blankets for each person, and six towels. I guess that's all +we need put down now, boys." + +"Hold on there!" cried practical Critch abruptly. "How 'bout eatin' +utensils and fryin' pans, medicine, can openers and all them things?" + +"All arranged for," laughed Mr. Wallace. "The cooking part of it will be +up to John Quincy Adams Washington." + +"John--who?" stammered Burt. "Say it again, please!" + +For answer Mr. Wallace pressed a button and a footman appeared. + +"Send the manager here at once, please." The man bowed and withdrew and +while the boys were still staring at the explorer in wonder a dapper +little man appeared bowing. + +"Mr. Wallace? Glad to see you looking so well, sir! What can I do for +you?" + +"I want that fellow Washington," smiled the explorer. "Can you let me +have him for say three months? I'm going down to Africa and he'll have +to go along." + +"Certainly! I'll send him right up, sir." The manager vanished with +another bow and Mr. Wallace turned to the boys. + +"Washington--or John rather--is a Liberia boy I picked up five years +ago. He's the best cook on earth! He's been in China and South America +with me and whenever I don't need him he has a steady job as fifth chef +here. Ah, here he is!" + +An immense black man appeared, wearing a grin that almost hid his face, +as Burt expressed it. He stepped up and caught the explorer's hand, not +shaking it but pressing it to his forehead as he spoke. + +"Glad to see you, sar! What for you want John now?" + +"Africa, John. This is my nephew, Mr. St. John, and my friend, Mr. +Critchfield, who will go along. We leave for the Congo Tuesday." + +"Pleased to meet you, sar!" The grinning black pressed the hands of Burt +and Howard to his forehead in turn. "What boat we leave, sar?" + +"The _Benguela_. African Steamship Company docks." + +"Hit's Liverpool boat, sar! What time hit leave London docks?" + +"Three o'clock, John. Here's a hundred pounds." Mr. Wallace peeled off +five twenty-pound bank notes and handed them to the negro; "that ought +to buy your outfit, eh?" + +"By hall means, sar! Thank you. Hi'll 'ave most helegant brass pots, +sar!" + +"Good gracious!" exclaimed Burt as the cook withdrew. "You hand out bank +notes as if you're made o' money! S'pose the coon'll ever show up with +all that wad on him?" + +"Show up?" repeated Mr. Wallace. "Why, I'd turn over my bill book to him +and never count it when he gave it back! He's a blamed sight more honest +than most white men you'll meet down there. And nerve! He carried me +five miles on his back once, in northern China, stopping occasionally +to fight off a bunch of bandits. That's the kind of man John is." + +"Funny accent he's got," said Critch. "I thought all coons talked like +they do down south." + +"You'll get over that pretty quick!" laughed the explorer heartily. +"John can use West Coast, cockney, Spanish and half a dozen other +accents accordin' to whom he's been mixing up with latest. When we +strike the Congo he'll probably fall into French. Well, let's trot along +to Piccadilly and get measured. It's gettin' on toward noon." + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE CONGO + + +The boys were now due to receive another surprise. When their taxi drew +up they jumped out, fully expecting to see a wonderful store like those +of New York. Instead they found themselves before a dingy little shop +whose aspect gave them distinct disappointment. + +"No," laughed Mr. Wallace as he dismissed the taxi, "it's all right! +Doesn't look up to much but it sends out good stuff." + +This was the gunshop and they found it very different inside. Mr. +Wallace had no time to waste in having special guns made, so the clerks +measured the boys' shoulders and arms and that was all there was to it, +for the guns would be slightly altered and sent on board. + +Now the party went to the Boma Trading Company's store. Here they found +that the chop-boxes had all gone on board their ship. Mr. Wallace +ordered three Borroughs and Wellcome medicine cases, specially made up +for the West Coast. He also procured two hypodermic syringes and a +small quantity of Pasteur serums. + +"We'll probably never need them," he explained, as they left the store, +"but in case our men strike a snake a quick hypodermic is the only thing +to save them. Then we have poisoned arrows to consider also. If we +happened to get into the pigmy country--which I hope we won't--it'll +take a powerful anti-tetanic serum to kill their poisons." + +After a lunch they returned to the Boma Company. The lists which Mr. +Wallace had given the clerks had been filled and now each of them was +measured for the clothes and personal equipment. This consumed an hour, +after which they took another taxi and went to a camera supply house. + +The boys went into extravagant delight over the small and compact +moving-picture outfit. Burt promptly took charge of this, or rather +promised to take charge, for when the whole outfit had been sealed up it +would be sent down to the steamer like the other supplies. + +"Tell you what," he cried, "we'll get some great little old pictures! +You let an elephant chase you, Uncle George, while I get a good view +and Critch shoots him!" + +"Don't want much, do you?" laughed his uncle. "Nothing like that for +mine. I'd sooner have an elephant after me, at that, than a big buffalo. +That's the most dangerous animal we'll find in Africa." + +"How 'bout rhinoceros?" challenged Critch. + +"All poppycock," snorted the explorer. "A rhino can't see ten feet away. +He goes by smell. He'll usually run away unless he's wounded. But a +buffalo doesn't wait to be wounded. You rouse him up out of a +comfortable feeding place and he'll go for you. Takes more than one +bullet to kill him unless you're lucky." + +The boys now stocked up with fresh linen for the voyage while Mr. +Wallace looked up his own guns, which he usually stored in London. They +stopped at the Carleton over Sunday and Monday. As Burt's father had +sales offices in London they secured a large touring car without cost +and spent the two days riding about the historic city. There were +various minor details of their outfits to be attended to on Monday and +on Tuesday noon they went aboard the _Benguela_, when she arrived from +Liverpool. + +She proved to be a large cargo and passenger boat and was very +comfortably fitted up. They had seen nothing of John Quincy Adams +Washington but Mr. Wallace smilingly assured them that he would show up +in time. Sure enough, when they went up the gangplank the big negro was +waiting with his all-embracing grin. + +"Good mornin', sar, good mornin'!" he cried, taking charge of their hand +baggage and assuming a lordly attitude over the stewards. "Very +hauspicious day, sar! John t'ink we 'ave very fine trip, sar!" + +And a fine trip they had. There were a dozen other passengers on board. +Most of these were clerks or traders going out to positions at Sierra +Leone or the Gold Coast, with one or two Frenchmen and officials of the +Congo State. When they crossed the Equator there were the usual +ceremonies and horseplay among the sailors, and the boys thoroughly +enjoyed themselves. By the time they left the Gold Coast behind and +headed for Banana Point Burt felt better than he had ever been in his +life and his uncle assured him that he need not worry about the fever. + +Finally the long reddish cliffs and grassy up-lands of the Congo coast +drew into sight late on the fifteenth afternoon. The _Benguela_ took a +black pilot aboard and proceeded straight up to the port of Banana. Mr. +Wallace and the boys at once disembarked and interviewed the customs +officials and took a launch up to the capital, Boma. The steamer would +follow them after discharging some cargo. + +The next morning Mr. Wallace put on his ribbon of Commander of the +Legion of Honor. The boys were amazed at the respect which this gained +for all of them when they sought an audience with the governor general. +After explaining to him the object of their trip and the length of time +they would be gone, Mr. Wallace arranged to have all the necessary +papers made out and to charter one of the State steamers to take their +outfit up the river. + +"I can give you only a small one," said the governor general. +"Unfortunately, there are few at my disposal just now. Stay! You might +arrange with Captain Montenay. He chartered _La Belgique_ two days +since for a similar trip, but surely he'll have plenty of room to +spare." + +"Montenay?" repeated Mr. Wallace. "Isn't he the Scotch explorer?" + +"Yes!" smiled the governor. "Come to think of it I believe he is at the +palace now." Clapping his hands, he dispatched a gendarme. "If you can +arrange matters with him I will see that your baggage is passed directly +to _La Belgique_ through the customs. You have no liquor, I presume?" + +"Half a dozen pint flasks of brandy," replied the explorer and the +governor nodded. It is one of the strictest laws of the Congo that no +liquors shall be brought into the country, save in small personal +amounts. A moment later the gendarme returned with a small, khaki-clad +man. He was very sallow of complexion, had dark hair and eyes, and +carried his left arm awkwardly. When the governor introduced him to the +three Americans his thin face lit up with a quick smile and he gripped +Mr. Wallace's hand impulsively. + +"So you're Wallace!" he cried, looking deep into the other's eyes. "Man, +I've been wantin' to meet ye for ten years! I ran across your trail in +China and got within fifty miles o' ye when the Cape to Cairo was +surveyin'. Man, I'm pleased to meet ye!" + +"I'm mighty glad to meet you, too," smiled Mr. Wallace. "I've heard a +lot about you, Montenay!" + +Mr. Wallace then introduced the boys and suggested that they have a talk +in another room of the palace. Thanking the governor for his assistance +and kindness they followed the gendarme to another room. + +"Now, Captain," said Mr. Wallace, "we're going up the Aruwimi after +ivory. We can't get a large boat here and the Governor suggested that +you could take us up on the _Belgique_." + +"O' course I can!" exclaimed the small but famous Scotchman. "An' that's +precisely where I'm bound for too. How'd ye guess it?" + +"Good!" cried Mr. Wallace. "When do you start up?" + +"I was meanin' to go in the mornin'," answered the other, rubbing his +stubbly chin reflectively. "We'll get your stuff out o' the _Benguela_ +to-morrow or ma name ain't McAllister Montenay!" + +"We'll split expenses on the _Belgique_, of course," declared the +American. "It's mighty good of--" + +"None o' that now, none o' that," interrupted Captain Montenay hastily. +"Why, man, I'd give a hundred pound for the benefeet o' your company up +the stream! Ivory, you say?" + +"Partly." Mr. Wallace answered the keen questioning look with a nod. +"I'm going up past the Avatiko country to the Makua and down the river +under the French flag. I've chartered a tramp to be waiting at Loanga by +November. Get the idea?" + +"Aye!" Montenay threw back his head in a noiseless laugh. "Man, ye're no +fool! I brought down ten tusks two year gone. When I got down to Stanley +Pool the Afrique Concessions jumped me an' laid claim to the lot. The +rank thieves! They had witnesses to swear that I got the ivory in their +land an' before I knew where I was they fined me twenty pound--_an'_ the +ivory! By cripes, they won't monkey twice with McAllister Montenay +though! Well, let's be movin'. It'll be vera tiresome gettin' these +blacks to work." + +As they passed a water cooler on their way out the captain paused. The +boys saw him take a bottle from his pocket and pour out a palmful of +white powder into a cigarette paper. This he rolled up and threw into +his mouth, tossing a glass of water after it. + +"Quinine," he explained, although he called it "queeneen." + +"Pretty big dose, wasn't it?" asked Mr. Wallace. + +"'Bout fifty grain," replied the other calmly, to the intense +astonishment of the boys. "Fever gets me bad down here on the coast. By +cripes, ye're a lucky beggar!" he continued as they came in sight of +John standing guard over their valises. "That's your man Washington? +I've heard o' him. They say he's a magneeficent cook." + +"Better than that," laughed Mr. Wallace. "He'll take charge of your +blacks and get real work out of 'em. Do you mean what you said about +going up the Aruwimi?" + +"Aye." Montenay nodded. "We'll talk that over later. Ye'll be wantin' +yer mosquito nets, so better bring the stuff down to the _Belgique_. +We'll sleep on board her to-night." + +As they had stayed at the hotel the night before, the boys had not been +troubled much by the insects. They were much more worried by the +quantities of quinine that Mr. Wallace insisted on their taking. When +Burt had protested at taking ten grains all at once his uncle had +laughed. + +"Nonsense! I'm running this trip! Why, it's nothing unusual for men to +take seventy and eighty grains out here. So put it down and shut up or +I'll send you back home!" + +They found the _Belgique_ to be a small but comfortable little steamer +manned by a crew of a dozen blacks and a Swiss pilot. The _Benguela_ +came up the river that afternoon and the smaller steamer was placed +alongside her. By special arrangement with the customs people the boxes +belonging to Mr. Wallace were slung right out to the deck of _La +Belgique_. Here John was in charge of the blacks and under his +heavy-handed rule the cases were rapidly stowed away. + +Mr. Wallace and the boys got out all their personal equipment at once. +The heat was intense and the boys naturally suffered from it greatly at +first, although the two older men did not seem to mind it in the least. +By the next afternoon their loading was completed and the _Belgique_ +headed upstream without further delay. + +Their five days' trip got the boys inured to the heat somewhat. They +never tired of watching the tropical forest on either bank of the river +and the strange craft that plied around them. Although there were many +other steamers and State launches as well as trading companies' boats, +there was no lack of dugouts and big thirty-foot canoes laden with +merchandise from the trading posts. The two explorers lay back in their +canvas chairs and recounted their experiences in strange lands, while +the boys listened eagerly as they watched their new surroundings. + +The water-maker, as John called it, was installed the first day out. The +boys found their cook to be all that Mr. Wallace had stated and more, +while Captain Montenay was so delighted that he laughingly offered John +exorbitant wages to desert the American, but in vain. The _Belgique_ +made stops for wood only and after four days they arrived at the +mile-wide mouth of the Aruwimi River. + +On the fifth day they arrived at Yambuya, just below the great cataracts +which stopped further navigation. Here the two experienced explorers +unloaded the chop-boxes, tents and other supplies and proceeded to make +arrangements for hiring bearers. This was accomplished through the local +chief with the aid of the government representative, who was an Italian. +Indeed, the boys found that not only were Belgians and French employed +all through the country, but men of every nationality, from "remittance +men" of England to Swiss and Cubans. + +After a two days' delay at Yambuya the caravan was formed. It consisted +of one hundred Bantu porters under the directions of a head-chief who +spoke French fairly well, as do many of the natives. Besides the porters +there were tent boys, skinners, gun-bearers and cooks to the number of +thirty. Captain Montenay spoke Bantu to some extent and all the orders +were given by him direct while the river trip was continued. + +The expedition started from the other side of the cataracts in five +immense dugout canoes paddled by the porters. For the white men had been +provided a small antiquated launch with which the canoes were easily +able to keep up. + +"Well," said Mr. Wallace as they puffed away from the shore, "the real +trip's begun, boys! We'll arrive at Makupa to-morrow and then up to the +Makua!" + +"Makupa?" exclaimed Captain Montenay. "Why, that's only a hundred and +fifty miles up! Well, we can talk it over later. John, fill a canvas +tub. I feel the need o' havin' a bath." + +And Captain McAllister Montenay's bath was the first indication that the +boys received of the Blind Lion. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE MARK OF PONGO + + +The folding tubs they all used were more like little canvas rooms, open +at the top. The crew of their launch consisted of two Bantus. One of +these helped John fill the tub by the simple method of standing on a +chair and pouring water on the head of the occupant of the tiny chamber +after his clothes had been thrown out. + +The boys were watching the proceedings and intended to follow the +captain's example. As he finished he told the Bantu boy to hand him his +clothes and stretched out an arm through the slit in the canvas walls. +As it happened, this opening faced the boys. + +The Bantu held up the bundle of clothes. As Captain Montenay took them +the boys saw the black recoil suddenly and sink to his knees with a low +groan, his face gray. Burt immediately leaped to his feet and caught the +Bantu but the latter thrust him away and staggered back to the engine. +Here he sank on a locker and buried his face in his knees. + +"Well I'll be jiggered!" exclaimed Burt half angrily. "What's the matter +with him?" He was about to call his uncle who was up under the forward +awning when Critch caught his arm. + +"Shut up!" the red-haired boy whispered excitedly. "Come over here." +When they reached the rail he turned on Burt. "Didn't you see it, you +chump? What's the matter with you, anyway?" + +"Me?" gasped Burt, bewildered by this sudden attack. "Say--" + +"Thought you saw it sure," interrupted his chum hurriedly. "Didn't you +see Cap'n Mac's arm?" + +"No," returned Burt shortly. "Like any other arm, ain't it? I was +lookin' at the sick nigger." + +"Sick nothin'," retorted Critch. "Cap'n Mac's got a shoulder on him +enough to scare a cat! When he shoved the canvas back I could see it all +twisted up an' dead white, with a big red scar on the corner o' the +shoulder. That nigger wasn't sick--he was scared!" + +"Scared!" Burt stared at Critch and then turned to look at the Bantu boy +crouched on the locker. "Golly! Mebbe he is! Say, what was the scar +like?" + +"Looked to me like a cross but I didn't see it well. Come on, we'll ask +the coon. He talks French some." + +They stopped beside the Bantu. The second black was sitting in the bow +at the wheel and had noticed nothing. Critch took the black by the +shoulder and gave him a shake, while Burt addressed him in French. + +"Wake up, boy! What scared you?" + +The Bantu gave one terrified shudder and his eyes were rolling wildly as +his head came up "Pongo! L'emblème de Pon--" he began with a frightened +gasp and then stopped. His face resumed its normally blank expression +and he glanced around quickly. + +"What's Pongo?" questioned Burt. "What do you mean by the sign of +Pongo?" + +"No savvy, m'sieu, no savvy." The Bantu shook his head and absolutely +refused to say another word in spite of threats and commands. + +"Come on," said Critch disgustedly. "He's wise to something but he +won't let on. There's Cap'n Mac. Shut up." + +They rejoined the captain and Mr. Wallace in the bow. Evidently the +Scotchman had neither seen nor heard anything unusual, for he at once +plunged into discussing plans with Mr. Wallace. + +"Look here," he said finally. "I can't give up that cook o' yours, +Wallace! Ye've got a good Scots name too. S'pose we make one party?" + +"One party!" exclaimed Mr. Wallace. "I thought you were going more to +the east?" + +"Aye, but I ain't over parteec'lar. Mind, I'm no sayin' I'll go clear to +the Makua wi' ye, but I may." + +"Here's John with the dinner," said Mr. Wallace. "We'll talk it over +while we eat. Looks mighty good to me, Montenay! I'd like you to go with +us if you will." + +"Hello, what's this stuff?" cried Burt as he leaned over his bowl and +sniffed suspiciously. John stood by with a triumphant grin. + +"Smells good," commented Critch. Captain Mac, as they had come to call +him, winked at Mr. Wallace. + +"It's vera good for fever," he said solemnly. "They make it out o' +chopped snakes an' nigger bones." + +The boys looked up in dismay but were reassured by Mr. Wallace's smile +and John's ever present grin. Burt put the question to the latter. + +"Palm-oil chop, sar! Chicken chop-chop, palm-oil, peppers, hother t'ings +halso, sar. Hit be good." + +The boys cautiously sampled the concoction and found it to be new but +not unpleasant. Before they had been in the country another week they +were vociferously demanding palm-oil chop from John every day. The +launch tied up at a plantation dock for the night and at daylight +proceeded on her way. + +"Hello!" exclaimed Critch as he emerged from the tiny cabin for +breakfast. "That's funny! Thought it was in my outside pocket." + +"What's bitin' you?" asked Burt with a rather sickly smile. He also was +fishing in his pockets. + +"My compass--it's gone!" + +"Same here," confessed Burt after a moment. "I'll be jiggered! My coin's +all right!" + +"What's the matter?" inquired Mr. Wallace. He was just coming out and +behind him was Captain Mac. The boys explained their strange loss and +Montenay frowned. + +"That's queer," he said thoughtfully. "Mine's safe. How's yours, +Wallace?" + +"Here." Mr. Wallace produced his own silver-set compass from an inner +pocket. "You've probably dropped 'em around the cabin, boys." + +The two turned and vanished hastily but reappeared shaking their heads. +The missing instruments were not to be found on board, although a +thorough search was made of the launch and men. + +"Na doot they were stolen," said Captain Mac as they sat at breakfast. +"These blacks will steal anythin' that ain't nailed down, an' they were +prowlin' all about last night. Well, we'll get new ones at Makupa from +the trader when we get there to-night." + +"It's decidedly queer, Montenay!" Mr. Wallace looked out over the river +with a perplexed frown. "Why should these two compasses vanish, when +nothing else in the cabin was touched? I don't like it." + +"Ye know what ju-ju is, o' course?" Captain Mac leaned back easily in +his chair as the American explorer nodded. "The Bantus think compasses +are ju-ju." + +"What's that?" asked Critch. + +"Anything they don't understand and that savors of witchcraft or mystery +is ju-ju," explained Mr. Wallace. "In that case, Montenay, our compasses +will be looked upon as the gods of a Bantu village, eh?" + +"Aye. Let's get our business done with, Wallace." Montenay deftly rolled +himself a quinine capsule and swallowed it. "What d'ye say? Shall we +combine or no?" + +"I don't see why we shouldn't," returned Mr. Wallace thoughtfully. +"We're both after ivory. One caravan will cut down expenses for each of +us. You're not sure about making the Makua with us?" + +"Well," replied the other slowly with a sharp glance at Mr. Wallace, +"I'm no sure yet. There's some mighty queer country north o' here that +I'd like to have a look at. Mind, I'm no promisin' anythin' whatever. +I'll be free to come an' go." + +"Of course," answered Mr. Wallace. "Then it's agreed, Captain! We'll +leave Makupa together in the morning." + +"Vera good. Now I'll be lookin' after a letter or so under the awnin' +aft where the shakin' ain't so strong." Montenay rose and strolled aft +and was immediately absorbed in his traveling writing-case. Mr. Wallace +gazed after him reflectively. + +"There's a curious man, boys! We're in luck to have him along. There +probably aren't a dozen men in Africa who haven't heard of him and there +probably aren't a dozen who know him outside of officials. He always +travels alone. If he strikes in at Zanzibar or Nairobi he's likely to +come out at Cairo or the Cape." + +"Strikes me as a good sport," agreed Burt heartily. "He don't say much +but I'd hate to monkey with him when he gets mad. Say! Ever hear o' +Pongo, Uncle George?" + +"Pongo?" repeated the explorer as he stared hard at Burt. "Pongo? No, +don't think I have. What is it?" + +The boys explained what had taken place the previous afternoon but to +their surprise Mr. Wallace frowned disapproval. "Whatever it is, boys, +it's his business. If you'll look at his arm you'll see a dozen scars. I +have a few myself. That's where a native chief cuts a gash in his arm +and ours, the cuts are rubbed together and we are then termed +'blood-brothers.' It may have been some such mark that scared the black +boy." + +"No it wasn't," asserted Critch positively. "It looked like a cross. +Wasn't cut either. Looked like a burn more than anything else." + +"Then forget it," commanded Mr. Wallace decisively. "It's none of our +business. I must say that Montenay's mighty indefinite though. He says +he's after ivory and wants to have a look at the country. But if I know +anything he's not worrying about ivory this trip." + +"Why not?" asked Burt. "D'you mean he's lying?" + +"Lying is a strong term, Burt!" smiled his uncle. "It's not a nice word +to use either. No, I think he's keeping us in the dark about his own +projects. Probably he has some new animal or some new tribe he wants to +be sure of getting all the credit for discovering. Naturally he wouldn't +want to run any risk of our cutting in on him." + +Just then the subject of their discussion rejoined them and the topic +was changed. On up the river they went all that day while the big +canoes followed closely with the paddling-chants of the men rising from +time to time. The breeze created by their motion relieved them of the +clouds of mosquitoes and other insects but the heat was so great that it +even affected John to some extent. + +Just before sunset they reached the Makupa station. This consisted of a +large native village dominated by the State trading post, a corrugated +iron building whose whitewashed walls contrasted strongly with the palm +thatched huts of the blacks all around. The trader met them at the +landing and proved to be a Belgian, pleasant and courteous in every way. + +They spent the night here. In the morning they were up before daybreak +and Mr. Wallace mentioned the compasses as they were dressing. At that +moment Burt was speaking to Captain Montenay, and he saw a peculiar +light flash into the little explorer's face when his uncle spoke. That +look puzzled Burt somewhat. He was still more puzzled when Montenay +rushed through his dressing and hurried from the room. The sudden change +in the man had evidently been caused by his uncle's words, but Burt +could not see any connection whatever. + +When they entered the lamp-lit dining room for breakfast they found the +agent and Captain Mac together. The former sprang up and greeted them +effusively, hastily stuffing something into his pocket that looked to +Burt like banknotes. Still, the boy remembered his uncle's words of the +day before and made up his mind not to bother about other people's +affairs. + +"Oh, the compasses!" ejaculated Mr. Wallace as the black boys brought in +fruit and coffee. "Lieutenant, we lost two compasses coming up the +river. It would be a great assistance if you would sell us a couple from +your stores." + +"Alas!" An expression of dismay rose to the Belgian's face and he spread +out his hands helplessly. "My friend, I am grieved deeply to have to +inform you that we have none! A trading party came down the river last +week and completely cleaned me out, even to my own instrument. I am +desolated, my heart is torn, but it is impossible!" + +A sudden suspicion flashed across Burt's mind but as he glanced sharply +at Captain Mac he dismissed it. Montenay was the picture of dismay, but +to all their suggestions and queries the Belgian only returned a +"desolated" shrug. + +"Well, never mind." Mr. Wallace smiled at Montenay in resignation. "We +still have ours. Two should be enough. Now make a good breakfast, boys! +We eat from chop-boxes after this." + +With sunrise the caravan started north from the station. The river +bottom was low but Captain Mac asserted that after a day's journey they +would find themselves on the higher plains, and this proved quite true. +On the second day they entered the great forests and left behind the +half-civilized tribes. As they drew up to the top of a hill-crest that +rose among the trees Critch caught Burt's arm and pointed ahead to where +the jungle thinned out. + +"There we are, ol' sport! Look at 'em, just look at 'em!" + +And Burt saw through his glasses a number of black groups of animals, +grazing and moving slowly about. + +"What are they, Uncle George?" he cried in high excitement to Mr. +Wallace who was also looking through his glasses. + +"Hartebeest, bushbuck and antelope," replied the explorer calmly. "If +I'm not mistaken there's a rhino in that patch of bush about two miles +to the right--see it? John, O John! Get those gun-boys on deck, will +you?" + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +CRITCH'S RHINO + + +"Are we going to have a hunt?" asked Burt as they left the hill and +plunged forward into the jungle again at the head of the caravan. + +"Not to-day," laughed Mr. Wallace. "We won't get out of this till night, +will we?" + +"Hardly," replied Montenay. "Once we get out o' this thick jungle and up +to those plains we'll have clear sailin'. I'm no meanin' that we'll find +no jungle there, mind, for we will. But by night we'll be in more decent +veldt-country I'm thinkin'." + +They camped at sunset in a grassy space clear of trees. As Captain Mac +had predicted, the low and malarial jungle was left behind them and they +were now getting into the higher lands. These were scattered with +patches of dense forest and jungle, but there were also great plains or +veldts covered with game and animal life. + +"Now we'll make those gun-boys earn their pay," said Mr. Wallace the +next morning. + +"We'll shoot half a dozen antelope every day to give the bearers meat." +"We'll be shootin' more than that," grimly added Captain Mac as he held +up his hand for silence. "Hear that?" + +All listened. It seemed to Burt and Critch that in the distance sounded +a faint mutter of far-away thunder, and they looked at the older men +expectantly. + +"Lion," laughed Mr. Wallace shortly. "If we only had ponies we'd land +him to-day!" + +The advisability of taking horses along had been discussed but the +explorer had vetoed it finally. "It would only be an experiment," he had +declared. "In other parts of the country it might work but not in the +Congo. We have too many jungles to wade through and a horse would be +stung to death in a day or two." + +Three or four of the Bantu hunters were sent ahead, and toward noon, as +they approached a little rise, one of these came running back. He said +something to Captain Mac, who translated. + +"Get your guns! They've located a herd of wildebeest an' hartebeest just +ahead." + +The boys excitedly took their second-weight guns from the bearers. The +heavy guns were not needed for the antelope. They all moved forward, +while the porters halted in charge of John, and after a half hour +reached the crest of the rise, wading through the deep grass and bush. +Here the Bantus made a gesture of caution and carefully parted the grass +ahead of them. + +The boys gave a little gasp of surprise. Before them was a plain +scattered with high ant hills and trees. Grazing without thought of +danger were hundreds of antelope-like animals, some with long curving +horns and others with straight spiral ones. As Burt watched them he +found himself trembling with feverish excitement. + +"Keep cool, lad!" whispered Captain Mac with a slight smile. "See that +group to the right? Take the bull hartebeest. Ready, Wallace?" + +Mr. Wallace and Critch had selected their animals and the former nodded. +Montenay gave the word and all fired together. Burt saw his bull give +one tremendous leap and fall. Critch, who had fired at a small bull, had +poorer luck, for his animal bounded off with the others of the herd and +was gone in an instant. Both Montenay and Mr. Wallace had dropped +hartebeest bucks, and the bearers were jubilant as all ran down the +hill. + +"Now, Critch," said Mr. Wallace, "it's up to you! You boys stay here +with the blacks and we'll go back and bring on the porters and the salt. +Keep the heads of that hartebeest of Burt's and mine. We don't want to +fill our empty chop-boxes too fast." + +As the tin-lined chop-boxes were emptied they were to be used for +packing heads and skins of game and were thus doubly useful. The Bantus +took out their knives and while Burt transmitted in French the orders of +his chum they set to work. Mr. Wallace and Montenay returned to meet and +bring up the caravan, whose advance was necessarily slow. + +The skilled blacks first removed the two heads and skinned them +carefully. Then they laid aside the skulls for boiling and cut up the +three bodies to serve as rations for the porters while the boys stood +looking around them. Although the great herds had bounded off at the +volley, they had only gone a mile or two away and in the thin clear air +seemed half that distance. Burt stood with his eyes glued to his glasses +for a few moments, then saw a jackal a hundred yards to the right, +slinking through the grass. As jackals are invariably destroyed wherever +seen he called Critch and took a gun from the pile dropped by the +bearers. Luckily for him he grabbed up one of the heavy Winchesters in +his haste. + +"Come on, Critch! Get over to that ant hill an' we'll bag him." + +Not far from the jackal was one of the tall hills made by the white +ants. As these are hard as rock and often eight or ten feet high they +make excellent shelter for hunters. Critch caught up a gun and ran after +Burt hastily. + +When they reached the ant hill they located the jackal in a patch of +brush below them. Only his head was visible, but the two boys aimed and +fired together and he dropped. + +"Bet I got him in the eye!" cried Critch as they ran toward the spot. +"Got a dandy bead on him." + +"Hello! What's that?" Burt stopped suddenly and pointed to a patch of +trees a hundred yards farther on. Above the stunted growth they saw a +number of little birds flying erratically about. + +"Look at that--golly!" whispered Critch. "What's that big black thing--" + +"Elephant!" returned Burt fumbling at his gun. + +"Elephant nothing! Look at the birds--ain't any birds on elephants--it's +a rhino! Come on!" + +An indistinct shape showed through the bush as they made their way +forward but they could not make out what it was and hesitated to fire. +They knew that the rhinoceros is guarded by numbers of tick birds and +concluded from the birds flying above the bushes that this was a rhino. +They got to within eighty yards before alarming the beast. Then came a +crashing and swishing of the bush and out stalked a big rhino, sniffing +the wind and advancing slowly toward them. + +"Get behind that ant hill!" exclaimed Critch. Separating, they took up +positions beside two of the conical mounds. "Got your big gun? Go to +it!" + +Lifting his rifle, Burt fired. He had aimed at the shoulder of the great +beast but to his dismay the shot seemed to have absolutely no effect. +Instead of dropping, the rhino threw up its tail and ears, gave a +little squeal and started for Burt. + +Burt fired again at fifty yards. His bullet struck the rhino in the head +and glanced off, serving only to increase the rage of the brute. He +broke into a lumbering gallop and Burt yelled to Critch to fire. + +The latter obeyed but in his haste missed entirely with his first bullet +and with his second only tore the rhino's left ear slightly. Burt raised +his own gun and aimed at the eye. Again his shots had no effect, for he +missed the delicate mark afforded by the eye and both bullets glanced +from the armor. + +"Duck!" yelled Critch, dancing up and down. "He can't see! Duck!" + +Burt ducked, for the rhino was within ten yards and thundering straight +at him. Dropping his gun he sprang behind the ant hill and around it. +But the animal had seemingly anticipated this or had turned its charge +at Critch, for Burt almost leaped on the tossing horn of the beast. + +With one wild spring backward he ploughed headfirst into the grass. He +heard both barrels of Critch's heavy gun. As he wriggled up he saw the +rhino, not ten feet away, stop short as the terrific charge struck him +behind the shoulder. For an instant he wavered, then sank to the ground +dead. + +A wild burst of yells sounded behind as Burt arose. The Bantus had +observed the affair and when they saw the rhino fall, ran forward with +high glee, while just over the crest of the rise appeared the caravan. + +Burt walked over to his chum with somewhat shaky steps and held out his +hand without a word, for something kept him from speaking. + +"Oh, shucks!" said Critch huskily. "You dog-goned idiot! You pretty near +scared me to death. Didn't you hear me yell?" + +"Didn't hear nothin'," Burt smiled weakly. "I was wishing I was back +home and had never seen Africa. If you hadn't shot he'd got me--" + +"Come out of it!" replied Critch. "He couldn't see you and was coming +for me. Ain't he a big fellow?" As they walked over and stood beside the +great black body that lay stretched in the grass with the Bantus around +it, Mr. Wallace and Captain Mac ran up. + +"What's this mean?" roared the former as he saw the body. "Haven't you +two got sense enough to--" + +"Leave 'em alone!" shouted Captain Mac delightedly. "They've killed him! +Hurray!" The exuberant Scotchman seized Burt and whirled him around in a +wild dance as the excited porters came up. Burt gave the honor to Critch +and when he told of his narrow escape Mr. Wallace at once directed camp +to be formed. + +"Now see here," he ordered as the skinners collected around the body, +"I've had enough of this business. After this you take Burt with you, +Montenay, and I'll take Critch. Those young villains are crazy enough to +do anything if we leave 'em alone. Understand, boys? If you chase off by +yourselves you get sent back home." + +Seeing that Mr. Wallace was thoroughly aroused and in earnest, the boys +hastily promised that his orders would be obeyed in future. Then they +examined the carcass of the rhinoceros carefully. Burt's first shot +would have killed the beast in time but it was the two from Critch's +rifle at close quarters that had proved fatal almost instantly. By that +evening the Bantus had removed the skin from the rhino and were ready +to pare it down for transportation. + +"That'll take a couple of days anyway," said Mr. Wallace that night as +they sat around the fire. "I think we might as well establish a camp +here for a week, Montenay. We are right in the game country and I can +get hold of all the specimens I want to send home while we are here, and +get them safely off. Then we can strike on after ivory and see what +we'll find." + +"Suits me," returned Captain Mac. "Ye've done vera well, lads! The horn +o' yon beast is eighteen inches." + +"I'd kind o' like to keep the head, uncle," said Burt. "Critch an' I had +a hard time gettin' him. We don't want the skin but we could set up the +head back home an'--" + +"Sure!" returned Mr. Wallace heartily. "We'll keep the skin without +paring it down, then. We can trade it to the natives for almost anything +we ask. Aren't there some villages near here, Captain?" + +Montenay called up the head Bantu and put some questions to him. They +learned that there was a village several miles off where ivory might be +found, and the Bantu was ordered to send a man over in the morning to +bring back whatever ivory the natives might have to trade. + +The next day Critch and Burt superintended the preparation of the rhino +head and the skins of a number of various antelope varieties which Mr. +Wallace and the captain shot. On the day following the Bantu messenger +returned with a score of blacks who bore two small fifty-pound tusks. +These they gladly traded for the rhino skin, which they would use for +shields, and for some tobacco, beads, and sweaters of blazing red. + +On that same day Burt evened up trophies with his chum. In the afternoon +Mr. Wallace and Critch went off together when the trading had been +finished. Barely had they left when a Bantu ran in with the news that +there was a herd of buffalo near the stream which ran a few hundred +yards past the camp. Captain Mac immediately called Burt and the +gun-bearers and on they went with all haste. + +After half an hour's walking they located the buffalo at the edge of the +creek bed in a thick jungle swamp. Holding their guns in readiness the +explorer and Burt advanced slowly. They could see two or three bulls +watching them, the rest of the herd being hidden. Not until the hunters +were within a hundred yards did the buffaloes move. Their massive white +in-curving horns shone against the black bodies, and their wicked little +eyes were fixed sullenly on the men. + +Suddenly the nearest bull shook his head and began advancing. At this +the gun-bearers scattered despite Montenay's shouted threats, and sought +the shelter of ant hills. Captain Mac and Burt held their heavy guns and +the former told Burt to take the first shot. + +By good luck the boy's bullet struck the buffalo in the eye and +penetrated the brain. Before Montenay could lift his weapon the others +had turned and vanished. + +"Well," laughed the explorer, "that's better than I expected. I was +lookin' for a charge from 'em. Fine old bull too!" + +The buffalo was a splendid trophy and the men at once began skinning +him. That evening Mr. Wallace determined to finish the buffalo hide and +then send back the specimens they had collected. + +"I've got enough to stock the club for years," he laughed. "No use +being a hog--hello, that's funny!" + +"What's the matter?" asked Montenay from across the fire. + +"Why--why--yes, sir, it's gone!" Mr. Wallace arose, searching his +pockets. Then his face hardened. "John, call up those boys who were with +me this morning! My compass has disappeared." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +CAPTAIN MAC SUSPECTED + + +Montenay and the boys gave an exclamation of surprise and Captain Mac +leaped to his feet with excited questions. Mr. Wallace, however, replied +nothing. Burt had never seen his uncle really angry before and now he +realized why this man was respected all over the world. The strong face +was more hawk-like than ever. Between the down-drawn brows were too deep +furrows, the thin mouth was set grimly, and the piercing eyes were +aflame with anger. Even Montenay quieted down suddenly when he saw Mr. +Wallace's face. + +John very respectfully brought up a group of a dozen blacks who stood in +fear and trembling as the loss of the compass was made known to them. +Falling on their faces one and all denied any share in the theft. + +"John, call the headman." When the latter appeared, fully as frightened +as his men, Mr. Wallace turned to him. "You see these men?" The explorer +spoke so rapidly that Burt could not gather more than a few scattered +words of French, but what he heard made him spring up with a cry of +protest. + +"Sit down!" His uncle whirled on him savagely and Montenay nodded +approval. The headman turned an ashy gray and bobbed his head against +Mr. Wallace's boots while a howl of fear went up from the black boys, +who returned to their companions, accompanied by John with a rifle. + +"What'd he say?" whispered Critch anxiously. Mr. Wallace heard the +words. + +"I gave 'em ten minutes to produce that compass," he said quietly. "If +they didn't do it by then I told 'em I'd bury those boys up to their +necks in the swamp down yonder and leave 'em." + +"What!" Critch was on his feet instantly. "Why--why--you--" + +"Sit down, lad!" Captain Mac laughed and pulled him back. "It's only a +bluff. Don't fash yerself over it." + +"Was that all?" demanded Burt eagerly and his uncle nodded without a +smile, to his intense relief. + +"I'll be walkin' over yonder," declared Montenay rising. "I'll chat +with 'em in their own tongue a bit, Wallace. It may do good." + +For five minutes not a word was spoken. Mr. Wallace stared into the fire +while the boys looked alternately at him and at the fires of the blacks, +fifty yards away. Then Captain Mac strode up and with a word tossed the +gleaming silver-mounted instrument into Mr. Wallace's lap. + +"She's broke," he said shortly. The American calmly examined the +compass, as did the boys. The glass was shattered as if a stone had +smashed it, while the needle no longer swung on its pivot. + +"Who had it?" asked Burt's uncle. + +"Mgoro, the hunter." Captain Mac spoke quite as a matter of course and +Mr. Wallace's anger seemed to have vanished suddenly. "He said he found +it just outside the camp and that it was already broke. I discharged him +and told him to go back in the mornin' without his wages. He's lyin', o' +course." + +"Of course," agreed Mr. Wallace musingly. With this the subject was +closed. In the morning Mgoro was sent on the back trail in disgrace, +although he still asserted his innocence. For two days more the camp +remained in the same place. Then the buffalo skin was pared down and +packed and a dozen porters were sent back to Makupa with the specimens. +Mr. Wallace had already arranged with the Belgian there to send them on +down to Boma. + +The only compass now in the party was that belonging to Montenay, who +guided them. Usually Captain Mac and Burt went ahead to the right while +Mr. Wallace and Critch went to the left, each party taking a number of +hunters and gun bearers. Owing to their lack of compasses it was not +possible to wander very far from the caravan. Every morning Captain Mac +and the headman Moboro mapped out the day's march and at noon and at +dark the two parties returned to the caravan. + +For several days they did little shooting of any importance. Each party +brought in two or three food-animals for the porters, and jackals were +of course shot on sight. On the third day after leaving their "Specimen +Camp," as Burt named their halting place, came their first adventure. + +They are getting well into the lion country by this time and each camp +was made as small as possible with plenty of fires around it. As Burt +and Captain Mac returned to camp at noon of the third day they found the +Bantus in high excitement and were greeted with the news that two lions +had been sighted in a dense thicket just ahead. Mr. Wallace and Critch +soon came in and all four went toward the thicket while a number of +Bantus armed with spears and shields went around to drive out the +animals. + +This was done by the simple means of setting fire to the dense clump of +bushes. The party took up their position near an ant hill. With them +were the gun-bearers and a dozen Bantu hunters. When the thicket was +fired a dense cloud of smoke hid the nearer edge. Almost at once a +tremendous roar was heard. The Bantus replied with a yell of defiance. + +As they did so a great tawny shape flew out of the cloud of smoke and +struck down a hunter. Mr. Wallace fired instantly and the lion whirled +about and came for the party. The Bantus flung their spears, but the +beast dashed them aside and not even the heavy, jacketed bullets stopped +him. When he was ten yards away and crouching for his last bound the +gun-bearers broke. + +"I've got him," announced Captain Mac quietly. As the lion sprang he +fired and the beast rolled over, clawing at the grass. At the same +instant the lioness bounded out of the smoke. + +Critch broke her foreleg with his first bullet and his second brought +her to the earth. She rolled over, then gave another spring. Burt +followed Montenay's example and fired just as the beast left the ground. +This time she stumbled heavily and lay still, for the bullet had found +her brain. + +The combat had been short but hot. The Bantus brought up their wounded +comrade for attention. He had been badly clawed in the arms and +shoulders but his shield had saved him from fatal wounds, and Mr. +Wallace soon had him fixed up. The Bantus were hugely delighted over the +success of the hunt. They danced about the bodies with waving spears and +shields while Burt took some good pictures. Then the skinning began. + +When the skins had been safely packed the caravan again moved forward, +and two days later they came to a native village. When he heard the name +of the place Mr. Wallace looked somewhat surprised, then consulted a map +which he had procured at Boma. He folded it up without a word, however, +and they entered the town. + +"We're in the elephant country at last," announced Montenay that night. +"These fellows say that there is a small herd off to the east two miles. +Suppose we go over to-morrow." + +"To the east?" repeated Mr. Wallace. "Aren't we rather working away from +our bearings? However, no matter. I'm after ivory and not particular +where I find it. We'll go to-morrow." + +Burt was just a little puzzled at his uncle's attitude. He said nothing +definite, but the boy in some way got the idea that he was watching +Captain Mac. At first Burt put aside the thought. Then he resented it, +for he had a strong liking for the eccentric Scotchman. Finally he +resolved to wait and see what turned up. + +That night his suspicions were confirmed. He and Critch slept together +in one of the small tents and as they arranged the mosquito nets for the +night Howard paused. + +"Say, did you notice anything funny about Cap'n Mac lately?" + +"No," replied Burt. "Uncle George is acting kind of funny, though." + +"You bet he is," nodded Critch. "He's just about got the goods on Cap'n +Mac, too!" + +"What!" Burt stared at his chum eagerly. "I knew it! Spit it out, old +sport." + +"It's that compass business. Anyway, that got your uncle going. When we +was ridin' after that hartebeest to-day he comes out with it. This here +place ain't on our line o' march at all. We're 'way east of where we +ought to be!" + +"East!" repeated Burt. "What's that got to do with Cap'n Mac?" He was +still ready to stand up for his friend, though Howard's confident air +sorely shook his faith. + +"Like this. Your uncle says Montenay's been leadin' us wrong. He don't +know what for and he's waiting to find out. B'lieve me, I'd hate to be +Cap'n Mac when he does find out! Golly, he was mad to-day!" + +"Does he think Cap'n Mac swiped our compasses?" + +"You bet! Thinks that business with Mgoro was a put-up job, too. When we +were out to-day we found a young eland lying dead. It had two o' the +blamedest arrows in it you ever seen. Here's the head o' one." + +Critch produced a little bundle of skin from his pocket and very +carefully unwrapped it. He laid a long many-barbed iron point in Burt's +hand. + +"Watch out for it. That black stuff's poison, your uncle says. It's a +pigmy arrow." + +"What's a pigmy arrow?" asked Burt. "Oh, you mean--" he stared at +Critch, who nodded. + +"That's what. We're over east near the pigmy country, 'stead of being up +in the higher country where we ought to be. We'll be in the jungle in +another day, your uncle says." + +"What's he going to do about it?" asked Burt. "Here, take this blamed +thing back." And he very gingerly deposited the arrow-point in the bit +of skin. + +"Nothing," replied Critch. "He says to lay low and keep your eye peeled. +He ain't going very far into the jungle either." + +Whether Montenay noticed anything in their attitude the next morning or +not, he was as gay as ever when they started out after their first +elephant. In fact, he had never appeared more open, frank and merry than +he did this morning and Burt found himself involuntarily siding against +his uncle. + +They were accompanied by a large force of trackers from the town. After +a stiff two-mile walk into the deep forest toward the denser jungle one +of these trackers returned with word that a herd was not far ahead. Soon +afterwards the party came upon the spoor. In low places the tracks were +big holes three feet in depth. They were always marked by shattered and +broken smaller trees and torn branches. + +Suddenly an elephant trumpeted close by and the boys jumped. Now they +stole along quietly in single file, while they could hear the great +beasts feeding and crashing among the trees not a hundred yards away. +The party moved noiselessly in the tracks of the elephants, for their +great weight had left no sticks or leaves to crack. Birds flew up in +flocks and monkeys chattered all around. Then as the trail twisted about +the boys saw their first wild elephant--a good deal closer than they +could have wished. + +Without the least warning the bushes and mass of tangled creepers at +their left parted with a tremendous crashing and a big bull surged out +twenty feet away. He was as much surprised as they and stood looking +while the blacks fled. Mr. Wallace and Captain Mac fired almost +together, one bullet taking him in the shoulder and the other just above +the eye. Neither wound was fatal but for an instant the great beast was +stunned by the shock and stood reeling. Then as he lifted his trunk, +flapped his ears forward with his great in-curving tusks half raised and +took a step toward the party, both men fired again and the immense bulk +quivered and crashed down dead. + +The blacks raised a shout of joy but only for an instant. At the sudden +firing shrill trumpeting and crashing had gone up from the herd in +front, and another bull appeared in the path in full charge. Trees, +matted creepers and bushes went down before him and for an instant the +little group stood paralyzed with the sudden danger. Then Burt raised +his rifle and fired. His bullet was wildly aimed but proved lucky, for +it struck the elephant in the eye and penetrated the brain. He staggered +forward another step and then rolled over just as the others fired. + +"Good for you!" cried Mr. Wallace. He gripped Burt's hand and shook it +heartily, as did Captain Mac. Critch pounded his chum on the back in an +ecstasy of delight. The herd had crashed away and was gone, and as one +of the bearers was carrying the camera, Burt and Critch got some views +of the dead elephants, after which the hunters took out their knives. + +The hides were disregarded as not worth the effort of preparing. The +tusks were cut out and the feet were taken off to be served up by John +as the most delicate of jungle dishes. Then the local blacks fell to +work and cut up the rest of the carcasses for home consumption. It was +about noon, so Mr. Wallace decided that they would return to their camp +and follow the herd another day. + +"This is good country," he said as they walked along. "Between hunting +and trading we ought to get a nice lot of ivory together pretty soon. I +think I'll make a permanent camp just outside the town and not go in any +farther, Montenay." + +Captain Mac merely nodded. He remained very silent, however, on the +return trip. When they got home the tusks were weighed and it was found +that the smaller bull, the first to appear, carried one hundred and ten +pounds of ivory. The larger, which Burt had killed, was a good deal +older and his tusks weighed twenty pounds more. + +"That's big ivory, lad," said Montenay as they sat down to their +postponed lunch in the afternoon. "It ain't often ye'll get beasts +carryin' more'n a hundred thirty. 'Cept, o' course, some old chap who's +wandered off by himself an' kept the blacks too scared to be huntin' +him. I mind once I dropped just such an old bull down south an' got a +hundred seventy--nigh to bein' a record." + +"It was a mighty lucky shot," laughed Burt. "I just threw her up an' let +go 'cause I was too scared to aim. Goin' out to-morrow?" + +"Since ye're goin' to camp here permanent," returned Captain Mac, +addressing Mr. Wallace, "I'm thinkin' I'll be takin' a little hike into +the woods. I'll take a score o' the boys an' be back in a week." + +"No, you won't." Without the least trace of excitement in his voice Mr. +Wallace whipped out his revolver and covered the other. "Keep your hands +on the table, Montenay! Burt, remove the captain's gun." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE WHITE PIGMIES + + +As Burt obeyed it seemed to him that the Scotchman was taking the +situation very coolly. The little thin man sat silently with his eyes on +those of Mr. Wallace and only his quivering nostrils denoted the emotion +that must have consumed him. + +"Now, Captain Montenay," resumed Mr. Wallace when Burt was again seated, +"let's have a little explanation." Burt saw that his uncle's face looked +as he had seen it on the night when his compass disappeared. "In the +first place you stole our compasses." + +"I did not!" Captain Mac gave a harsh little laugh. "Ye have yer own, or +what's left of it. I've got the other two in my pocket. I removed 'em +temporarily so to speak. Be more choice in yer use o' words, man." + +"Secondly, you've been leading us astray." + +"Aye," retorted Captain Mac, "but I didn't give ye the credit for +findin' it out so quick." + +"Now you propose to leave us here, on the edge of the jungle country," +continued Mr. Wallace. "There are three things that are open to +explanation, Captain Montenay. I am sorry to use this method of +persuasion but it seems to be necessary." The little man's face lost its +look of half-malicious mockery and for a moment he did not answer but +stared over the head of Mr. Wallace at the afternoon sun. + +"If I'm not wantin' to tell, man, I'm thinkin' ye'd have a hard job to +make me," was his answer at last. + +"If you won't tell," snapped out Mr. Wallace, "I'll tie you up here and +now and carry you back to Boma. You know what you'd get there." + +"Aye. Is that yer final deceesion?" + +"It is. Explain or go to Boma." + +"Vera good. Gi' me the gun, lad." To Burt's vast surprise his uncle +nodded and replaced his weapon. As Captain Mac quietly buckled the +restored revolver about his waist his face broke into a wrinkled smile. + +"It'll be a longish yarn, Wallace." There was no trace of animosity in +his tone. "Let's finish eatin' an' when I get the old pipe between my +teeth I'll feel like talkin'." + +Their meal was finished in silence. Before Captain Mac gave his +explanation, however, a startling event happened. It seemed that a dozen +men of the village had remained with the bodies of the elephants to +remove more of the meat. Just as Captain Mac was filling his ancient and +evil-smelling pipe a native rushed into camp shouting something that +sent the pipe to the ground and the captain to his feet. + +The native came up and fell on his face. After a hasty exchange of +question and answer Captain Mac turned to the others and Burt saw that a +strange light stood in his dark and rather sad eyes. + +"Get out the medicines, Wallace. We've got seven dying men on our hands. +We may save one or two with serum and morphia." + +"Why, what do you mean?" cried Mr. Wallace, giving a shout for John. +When the trusty cook had been dispatched for the medicine chop-box +Captain Mac explained further. + +"Those chaps we left wi' the beasts yonder drove off some Wambuti +pigmies, bein' utter fools and prob'ly ignorant o' what the dwarfs +were. They got a shower o' poisoned arrows in return. A bunch from the +village just found 'em an' are bringin' 'em in here." + +John arrived with the medicine case and Mr. Wallace got out his serums +and syringes while the boys stared at each other in amazement. + +"That's what them dirty little black arrow-points do," said Critch in a +low tone. Just then a band of men came running into the camp. On their +shoulders they bore rude litters which they set down before Mr. Wallace +with gestures of despair. + +On the litters lay seven men. All were gray with pain and sweating +profusely. As they lay there Burt could see their naked breasts rise and +fall with the increased palpitation caused by the poison. The matter of +Captain Mac was forgotten on the instant, as all four went to work in a +desperate effort to save the wounded men. The captain hastily loaded the +hypodermic syringes and handed them to the other three, who injected the +contents into the arms of the wounded as rapidly as possible. While this +was going on the camp was surrounded by the villagers, and only the +leveled guns of John and the other men held them outside. + +One of the men died just as Mr. Wallace was treating him, although +neither of the boys noticed it until they had finished. Then the wounds +were cauterized, a task which was not relished by the boys. In fact, the +smell of burning flesh was nearly too much for Burt, who retired +temporarily. + +"There," and Captain Mac straightened up with a sigh of relief, "I guess +that's all we can do, Wallace." + +"Will they recover?" asked the American quietly, washing the syringe. +The other shrugged his shoulders. + +"Mayhap. Don't let the village people have 'em, John. The witch doctor'd +kill 'em sure. They'll sleep till morning. If they wake they can be +thankin' us for it." + +Critch said nothing. He was pale and his knees felt shaky, for their +task had been no pleasant one, and he fervently trusted that they would +have no more poisoned arrows in future. A few moments later all were +once more gathered about the table in the dining-tent, where Burt +rejoined them. Montenay calmly refilled his pipe and began. + +"As I was sayin', Wallace, the yarn is a long one. I'm thinkin' it'll no +bore ye to listen, though," and the Scotchman chuckled. + +"Fire away," smiled Wallace grimly. "We have time to burn." For a moment +the other puffed away in silence, his eyes fixed on the tent-wall behind +Burt. Then he began his story, the strangest story which the two +American boys had ever listened to. + +"Two years ago, it was. I started out o' Nairobi wi' the most elegant +bunch o' fightin' men ye could find. Took me nigh a month to select 'em. +I laid it out as a scientific trip, to the British authorities, but the +men knew better. I bought 'em all trade-guns wi' lots of ammunition, for +I was after two things. + +"Trip before that, I had met up with an Arab dealer called Yusuf Ben +Salir, what misused me like a nigger. He was a slave-merchant on the +quiet, an' would ha' sold me upcountry if I hadn't got away. I was after +him first, and ivory next. We headed off for the Congo line, baggin' a +little ivory as we went. + +"One day we learned from the natives that Yusuf was twenty mile ahead of +us wi' plenty o' tusks and a big trade-caravan. Two days later we +caught up, formin' a zareba near his. He had twice as many men, but mine +were picked, ye remember. + +"Well, the details o' what happened don't matter. We were busy for three +days, and I will admit that Yusuf had his merits as a fighter. But at +the last his nerve failed him, and when we rushed his zareba, he and his +men made their getaway--leaving everything behind. While I was lookin' +over his stuff I found two things wrapped up in oilskin. + +"One was a queer shaped bit o' wood which I flung away, like a fool. The +other was a bit o' cloth with Arabic written on it. I can read the +lingo, and I made out that Yusuf had been down near the pigmy country +an' had run across some yarn about white pigmies." + +"White pigmies!" ejaculated Mr. Wallace in astonishment, while a look of +keen interest swept across his face. "Then the story was so!" + +"What story?" asked Montenay sharply. + +"Why, a tradition I heard up in the Sahara, that there was a white race +of small people somewhere down this way. The Arab who told me was +mighty reticent about it, and I gathered that there was some queer +religious feature to the tradition, if it was one." + +"It was not," asserted Montenay, betraying signs of excitement for the +first time, and leaning forward. "Wallace, it was fact! I found the +white pigmies!" + +"What!" A simultaneous cry went up from his three listeners and Mr. +Wallace's eagle-face was bent sternly upon the narrator. + +"Careful, Montenay!" he said with repressed eagerness. "Remember you are +not talking to green hands!" + +"Man, it's the truth!" There could be no doubt of Captain Mac's +sincerity as he leaned forward and met the American's gaze. There was +more than sincerity in his eyes. There was an appeal for belief, a +conviction, that won over the others instantly. "The truth! But that's +only the least of it." + +"And your proofs?" inquired Mr. Wallace crisply. + +"Proofs enough," rejoined the other, more calmly, "in their time. I +didn't take much stock in the Arabic stuff, but I thought I'd take a +shot at it. I sent half o' the boys back wi' the ivory and a plausible +story o' how we came to get so much. Then I asked the rest if they'd go +with me. + +"After the way we'd wiped up Yusuf, they were ready for anythin'. After +all was fixed up we started, fifty boys an' me. We worked down slowly +from the high country, takin' it easy an' gatherin' in spoils as we +went. Finally we got down to the jungle an' touched the edge o' the +pigmy country. Then it began. + +"We had no trouble till we started inquirin' through some o' the pigmies +that come in to trade. As soon as we asked about their white relations +the camp emptied like a flash. The last little deevil out turned an' put +an arrow through one o' my boys. + +"It was just a massacre, man. The boys were fair ragin' at the way they +were shot down, and I pushed 'em ahead fast. We went through that jungle +like a whirlwind. Finally there were only seven boys left, an' they +refused to go any farther. Didn't do 'em any good, for the next day the +pigmies rushed us. I was pretty well played out by that time, as ye can +judge. When the smoke blew away five o' my boys were laid out, and I +was tied up with the other two. If I hadn't been so obstinate about +pushin' on we might ha' pulled out. + +"However, we put a good face on it. They treated us fine, but kept us on +the jump for a week, movin' from place to place through the jungle. For +another week we were stuck in one o' them pigmy villages. Queerly +enough, they hadn't touched a thing belongin' to us except the guns an' +chop-boxes an' general camp stuff. + +"'Bout the end o' the second week they routed us out early one mornin', +highly excited. When we got outside we found the whole village squattin' +around ten new chaps, who were armed wi' trade-guns and seemed to boss +things pretty general. But what struck me was that while they were of +the same size as the rest, they were white." + +"White!" exclaimed Mr. Wallace again. His thin cheeks were dashed with +color, and his brilliant eyes showed that he no longer doubted the truth +of Montenay's story. The latter nodded quietly. + +"Not white like us," he continued, "but as white as an Arab or +thereabouts. Their faces showed more intelligence than those o' the +blacks, an' they seemed to be overlords o' the--" + +"Hold on!" Mr. Wallace broke in with a puzzled frown. "Surely you don't +mean that, Mac! There could be no feudal system of that sort here in the +very heart of Africa! The blacks haven't the brains--" + +"Aye, but the whites have!" cried Montenay triumphantly. "These white +pigmies ain't fools by any means, as ye'll see later. Now will ye quit +interruptin' me?" + +"Go ahead," laughed Mr. Wallace, and the boys saw that Captain Mac was +really so interested in his own story that he was anxious to lay it +before them without more delay. + +"I meant to tell ye this yarn," he went on, "a bit later on, as ye'll +see also. The party o' whites were in command of a young chap named +Mbopo, an' we took to each other first crack. Well, they carried us off +through the jungle for a week's trip. We must ha' been on the edge o' +the pigmy country, for we traveled hard. At every pigmy village Mbopo +seemed to get reports or somethin' o' the kind, an' also tribute in the +way o' slaves. By the end o' the week there were six others besides +oursel's. + +"Then we spent a day at the village o' the white pigmies. Man alive, ye +should ha' seen 'em! They seemed to live on the blacks, just like the +blacks live on the big tribes around, an' they lived well. Palm huts, o' +course, but there seemed to be a system o' government that beat +ever'thing I ever saw outside the Zulus. + +"We passed through two more o' the white villages, then struck a big +stream an' followed that for a day or two. Finally we got into a bit o' +higher ground an' struck the biggest surprise of all. Just before sunset +we came out o' the forest into a stretch o' yam patches along the river. +Beyond these an' right ahead of us was the biggest village we had seen +yet--three to four hundred huts, I'd say. Outside was the whole tribe +waitin' for us. Off to one side, near the forest, was a good sized palm +hut, and around it was a zareba." + +"What's queer about that?" asked Mr. Wallace, as the narrator paused for +a moment. The boys saw a smile flicker across Montenay's face. + +"The zareba was made out o' ivory," was his quiet reply. Burt at once +broke into a laugh, thinking that Captain Mac was joking. + +"Pretty good," he chuckled. "What'd they do--cut up the tusks into +square blocks to make a six-foot wall?" But his mirth died away suddenly +as his uncle made a silencing gesture. + +"An ivory zareba," went on Montenay. "Made o' tusks, clear around the +hut. They were set with points up, curvin' out. But I didn't get much +chance to see it then. We were taken into the village and I was given a +hut to myself. The young chap, Mbopo, reported to an old, wizened +witch-doctor who was the boss. I judged he was speakin' in my favor, but +the old fellow shook his head an' waved a hand at the separate hut. The +whole crowd set up a yell o' 'Pongo!' Then they threw me into the hut. + +"I stayed there for eight days, too. Ye'll mind that there were just +eight slaves an' mysel' in the party. They treated me well, fed me fine, +but every night I heard a big jamboree goin' on. On the ninth evenin' +they brought me out. The village was surrounded by the usual thorn +zareba, an' the whole tribe was gathered just inside the gates, +feastin'. Mbopo an' three others tied me up an' carried me out halfway +to the separate hut. Here they laid me on the ground beside a small +fire. + +"The old wizened chap came out after us with a long iron which he stuck +in the fire. Then he pulled off my shirt an' did--this." Captain Mac +slipped down his shirt collar and exposed the scarred shoulder that +Critch had seen on the boat. As the others gathered around with +exclamations of astonishment, Burt could see that the scar was in the +form of a cross, except that a long loop took the place of the +head-piece. Besides this, the whole shoulder seemed a mass of +cicatrices. + +"Yon's the shape o' the bit o' wood I found in Yusuf's packet," went on +Montenay, when Mr. Wallace interrupted him in wonder. + +"Mac! Do you know what that symbol is?" + +"It's the sign o' Pongo," returned the other. "From what I saw later it +had to do wi' ancient Egypt--" + +"I should say it had!" ejaculated Mr. Wallace, sinking back into his +chair and staring at Montenay, who slipped his shirt back into position. +"Why, that sign is the Egyptian cross, or ankh--the symbol of life, and +the peculiar insignia of Maat, the ancient Goddess of Truth!" + +"So I found out, if ye'd given me time to finish," replied Montenay +drily. "Mbopo an' the rest staked me out there an' left me. What wi' the +burn an' the insects that settled down, I was pretty nigh gone inside an +hour. The fire was out, an' just after moonrise I heard a 'pad-pad' o' +steps near by. Then a minute later I caught one glimpse of a monstrous +lion, just as he sprang an' grabbed me by the wounded shoulder. That +finished me for sure, and I fainted." + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE SACRED ANKH + + +"When I came to," continued Montenay, "I thought sure I was crazy. I was +lyin' in a palm-thatch hut, on a floor littered wi' bones an' refuse an' +smellin' to high heaven. To one side was a little dish full o' palm oil, +with a lighted wick floatin' in it. Leanin' up against the wall, behind +the lamp, was a big painted mummy. Layin' in front o' the mummy was an +ankh, four foot long an' made out o' solid gold." + +"What!" Mr. Wallace stared at the other, almost speechless. The two +boys, fascinated by the deadly earnestness of Montenay's recital, were +pale with excitement. "But go ahead, man. I can talk later." + +"I was still trussed up like a turkey, but I wriggled and squirmed until +I got loose. My shoulder was badly torn up," went on Captain Mac, "and I +was nigh frantic wi' the pain. A little o' the palm oil helped, but wi' +them things around me I thought sure I was crazy. I crawled to the +door, an' found I was in the hut inside the ivory zareba. + +"The whole business must ha' gone to my head, for I don't remember very +well what happened then. I know I went back to the mummy an' saw that +his neck was torn open. There was somethin' shinin', and I grabbed at +it. Just then I heard somethin' behind me, an' there was the big lion, +standin' and lashin' his tail. I remember laughing, then I caught up the +lamp an' flung it at him. The oil blazed up as the vessel smashed him +fair between the eyes, he gave a roar, and I fainted again. + +"Next I remember was Mbopo bending over me. The poor fellow had come to +the hut in the mornin' an' found me. It seemed that I had been staked +out as a sacrifice to Pongo. This Pongo was a combination o' the lion +and ankh. The ankh was the real god, but the lion had taken up livin' in +the hut, so the lion was called Pongo and worshipped as the reg'lar +deity. In short, whoever had possession o' the ankh could boss the whole +country. Pongo, which was the lion, had carried me to the hut. I was in +possession o' the hut an' was the first who had ever escaped the +sacrifice. Therefore, I was sacred and in the way o' bein' a god +mysel'. I didn't find this all out right off, mind. I stayed in that +village for six months. + +"I taught Mbopo some English an' learned some pigmy talk. No, I didn't +bother none whatever wi' the lion. He showed up later an' took +possession o' the hut again. My shoulder was a long time healin' and I +guess my nerve was gone for a while. Man, but I wanted to carry off that +gold ankh an' that ivory! But the thing was impossible. After six months +I got a chance while I was out wi' hunters, and I lit out. I worked my +way out by strikin' a bunch of Arabs who treated me white. That's the +yarn." + +There was a moment of silence. Burt and Critch stared at Montenay in +fascination. Mr. Wallace was looking down at the table. Finally he +glanced up and spoke, slowly. + +"Mac, you said something about proofs." + +"I did that." Captain Mac unbuckled his belt, and took a small +silk-wrapped package from it. "I told ye that I grabbed something from +the mummy. Here it is." + +Mr. Wallace unwrapped the package, while the boys leaned over his +shoulder in high excitement. From the oiled silk fell out three linked +scarabs, set in wrought gold. Critch gave a gasp, but Mr. Wallace turned +over the scarabs and held them closer to the light as he examined their +inscriptions. + +"Hm!" he exclaimed at length. "Montenay, your proofs are pretty good. +This seems to have formed part of a necklace belonging to one +Ta-En-User, high priest of Maat. I should say the scarabs belonged to +about the Twenty-first Dynasty." + +"Ye're no child yersel'," chuckled Captain Mac in delight. "That's just +what they told me at the British Museum. Now, here's another queer +thing. + +"Ye know more about old Egypt than I do, Wallace. From what I could +learn from Mbopo, it seemed that long ago these white pigmies migrated +from the east to where they are now. On their way they struck a +half-ruined "City of the Gods," as Mbopo called it. They brought away a +lot o' stuff from there, which they looked on as sacred. All that's left +is the mummy and the ankh. Is that possible?" + +"Possible," returned Mr. Wallace, "but hardly probable. They might have +run across one of the extreme southern Egyptian cities, and indeed that +would be the only logical explanation of the presence of these things so +far west. Yes, the tradition must be true. It's a strange bit of +prehistoric African history you've run into, Mac." + +"It is that," rejoined the other. "Well, for a year I've been tryin' to +make up a party to carry off that ivory an' that gold ankh. I got hold +o' Tom Reynolds at Cairo, an' put it up to him. He called me a plain +fool. I found McConnell in London. He laughed at the yarn. I tried to +find you, but ye'd vanished around Tripoli. So at last I came down to +tackle the job alone. + +"When I struck your party, I knew right off that wi' the laddies along +ye'd never tackle it. Man, I was fair desperate! I determined to lead ye +off to the edge o' the pigmy country, where we are now, an' then put it +up to ye. There ye are, Wallace. Will ye come in wi' me an' try it? The +pigmies won't hurt me, mind." + +Mr. Wallace stared at the scarabs. Burt stole a glance at his chum, and +the two waited in breathless interest, not daring to urge the project. +At length Mr. Wallace sighed. + +"You've tempted me, Mac, tempted me more than you know! I'd like nothing +better than to make a dash for that place with you--not only for the +treasure, but for the discoveries we could make. But with the boys here +it is impossible. I am responsible for them, and I dare not go off and +leave them in this country. If you'd told me this back up the river I'd +have left them at the trading station and made a dash in with you." + +"Oh, uncle!" burst out Burt, dismayed. "Ain't it perfectly safe? Take +us! Let's all go! Cap'n Mac says they won't hurt him; he's a kind o' +god, an' he can fix it so's we'll all--" + +"No," broke in his uncle decisively. "I refuse to take the risk, Burt. +No use, lad. That's final. You'll have to trust to my judgment in this +affair." + +"Ye're right," nodded Montenay dejectedly. "I can't blame ye, Wallace. +But do ye understand? Ye won't hold the compass business against me--" + +Mr. Wallace sprang to his feet and held out his hand. + +"Nonsense! Shake, old chap, and forget it!" And the two clasped hands +silently, while the boys gave a shout of delight. + +"I knew it!" cried Burt joyously, dancing around the two men. "I knew +Cap'n Mac was all right! Hurray!" + +"I wish you'd take us an' get after them white pigmies, though," put in +Critch disconsolately. + +"I'd certainly like to get hold of that mummy," asserted Mr. Wallace, +his eyes sparkling. "To say nothing of the ankh!" + +"An' to say nothin' o' the ivory an' gold," laughed Montenay. + +"But," cried Burt excitedly, "why didn't you get after that lion an' +kill him? I should ha' thought you'd do that right away!" + +"No," and Montenay shook his head. "As I told ye, my nerve was pretty +well gone, laddy. The pigmies had guns, but they were old trade-muskets. +None o' them except Mbopo, mebbe, would ha' stood up to the lion. That +chap Mbopo was a good sort. He stood by me right along, took care o' me +when I was sick wi' fever, cured up my wounds, an' learned to speak +passable Scots dialect. It was amusin' to hear the boy speak the +tongue." + +"That feudal business interests me," said Mr. Wallace thoughtfully. "Was +this Mbopo a chief?" + +"I don't know, rightly," returned the other. "The old witch-doctor was +the boss, but Mbopo seemed to be second in charge. The women o' the +place cultivated yams an' plantains, while the men hunted. They didn't +seem to use poison, like the black dwarfs. That's another queer thing. +They had poisoned weapons, right enough, but they got supplies o' the +stuff from the blacks. Ye mind, the Wambuti and other black dwarfs are +simply parasites on the bigger tribes. Well, these white chaps were +parasites on the black dwarfs, near's I could figure it out." + +Critch related what had happened on the launch coming upstream, when the +black boy had caught a glimpse of Montenay's shoulder. The eccentric +explorer laughed heartily. + +"They all know it," he said. "The whites couldn't draw it out o' them +wi' tortures, but every tribe hereabouts knows what Pongo is, or think +they do. It's mostly reputation. These niggers are mighty +superstitious." + +"Well, we ain't goin' to leave that white pigmy business without doin' +anything, are we?" asked Burt. Captain Mac glanced at his uncle. + +"Not if I can help it," he smiled. "How about my original proposition, +Wallace? Now that ye know the yarn, will ye wait here for me while I +take a crack at the pigmies?" + +"Why, yes," returned Mr. Wallace slowly. "But frankly, Mac, I think you +would be foolish. We are on the edge of their country, but you'd have to +get through the black fellows first. They wouldn't know you, and in any +event would probably have forgotten all about you. By the way, in which +direction is this place of Mbopo's?" + +"Northeast from here," returned Montenay, "as near as I know. I'm pretty +sure I'll be all right, Wallace. I can show the beggars my shoulder if +necessary. Once I get to Mbopo with a few bearers, we'll bring off the +ivory." + +"If they'll let you," supplemented Mr. Wallace. "You're too cocksure +about it, Mac. While I'd be perfectly willing to go along if I was +alone, my personal opinion is that it's mighty risky." + +"Nothing venture, nothing win," laughed Captain Mac gayly. "Man, but I'm +eager to be done wi' the caravan and into the pigmy country! Now let's +settle our plans. How long would ye be willin' to wait here?" + +"That depends on how long you'll be," answered Mr. Wallace, Yankee-like. +"If you meet with opposition I suppose you'll come back?" + +"That I will," responded Montenay. "Suppose ye wait here two weeks for +me. If I don't show up by then, work up towards the Makua. If I get the +stuff I'll hit the headwaters o' the Makua, get some canoes, an' come +down. How's that?" + +"Sounds all right to me," rejoined the American. "We'll give you two +weeks, then. If we hear nothing from you by that time we'll move up +slowly toward the Makua. It will be easy enough to learn whether or not +you have passed downstream. We'll wait there another two weeks, which +is all I dare give. That will make about six weeks in all." + +"Vera good," announced Montenay with a nod of satisfaction. "Now about +the boys. I'll take twenty, if that suits you. Some rockets might come +in handy, too." + +These rockets were some that Mr. Wallace had obtained at Boma, made so +they could be fired from a gun or revolver. They were intended for +signaling at night, but had not been used so far. + +"Half the caravan is yours," laughed the American. "You'll leave your +guns here, I suppose?" + +"All but my Express," returned Montenay. "I'll travel light." + +"When will you start?" asked Burt. + +"To-morrow morning," grinned the explorer, calling for John. When that +worthy appeared he was instructed to make all arrangements and select a +score of the best Bantus as porters. A bustle of excitement soon rose +from the camp, while the four discussed the final arrangements. In half +an hour John reappeared and informed them that all was ready for the +start. + +Before daybreak the boys were up and at breakfast. With the first streak +of gray in the east Captain Montenay called his men together, and all +left the camp. Mr. Wallace and the boys had decided to accompany him for +a mile or two in order to see him off safely. + +The party started toward the northeast, in which direction the forest +extended and dipped down into heavier jungle and lower ground. After +two miles they came to a small stream, and here the farewells were said. +Montenay shook hands all around, with no display of emotion. + +"If ye're no seein' me again," he said to Mr. Wallace, while the porters +were fording the stream, "ye'll deliver the letter I gave ye last +night?" + +"I will," answered Mr. Wallace soberly. "And what's more, I'll ship the +boys home and come back for you. So long, old man!" + +"So long. Good luck to ye," and Montenay was caught up between two of +his men and carried across the shallow stream. On the opposite bank he +turned and waved, the three gave him a hearty cheer, and with his little +band he was lost in the heavy foliage. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +MVITA SAVES BURT'S LIFE + + +For three days after the departure of Captain Mac there was little +hunting done. Silent and morose as he often was, the absent explorer +more than made up for this in his moments of gayety. His was a strong +personality, moreover, and his absence could not but make itself felt +keenly. + +There was plenty to occupy the boys, however. A number of heads and +skins had to be prepared and packed. Then there was the native village +to visit, and this was a source of never-ending delight. The chief, +whose name was Mvita, gave a great feast in honor of the hunters--to +which the hunters donated the greater share of the viands--and the +moving-picture outfit came into play with brilliant effect. + +Mr. Wallace took out the boys on a two-days' trip after animal pictures, +also. By utilizing the natives of Mvita's village and also the Bantu +porters as beaters, a bloodless hunt was held. In this the animals were +surrounded and forced to pass before a white-ant hill on which Burt was +posted with the camera. Excellent pictures of various antelope, zebra, +an old and toothless lion, and an infuriated rhino were obtained. In +this way a week was passed, and finally Mr. Wallace announced that on +the morrow they would hold another real elephant hunt, as Mvita reported +a herd of the giant beasts three miles to the north. + +As they were leaving camp at dawn, a number of the villagers hastened +up, headed by their chief. With anxious face Mvita implored the honor of +bearing the guns of one of the white men. John refused him, wishing to +save the usual gifts and emoluments of the office. Burt, however, +interrupted with a laugh. + +"Let him carry our guns, uncle! We've never been waited on by a real +king before, an' it's somethin' to boast of. He won't steal 'em, will +he?" + +"I guess not," laughed Mr. Wallace, nodding to Mvita. With evident +delight the chief took Burt's heavy elephant-gun. He was clad in long +flowing red cotton robes, doubtless his insignia of office, but when +John suggested that he remove them for the journey he refused +indignantly. He could speak a little French, but very little. + +"Are we going to spend all day?" inquired Critch, as the camp was left +behind and the red spears of dawn shot up in the east. + +"Can't tell," replied Mr. Wallace. "The elephants were reported as being +three miles north yesterday. By this time they may be twenty miles away, +or they may remain in the same place for a week at a time, until their +food is exhausted. However, we ought to strike something before noon." + +"Say," broke out Burt suddenly, "remember what Cap'n Mac said last night +about his scrap with that Arab trader? Do you think he was giving it to +us straight?" + +"Of course," answered his uncle decidedly. "Why?" + +"Well," responded Burt doubtfully, "it looked a whole lot like downright +piracy to me, that's all. It might ha' happened five hundred years ago, +but it's hard to realize--" + +"Look here," broke in Mr. Wallace, "you've got to remember, Burt, that +Montenay has spent practically all his life exploring. He has his bad +points, like all of us, but he has his share of good ones also. I myself +don't blame him a bit. That Arab, Yusuf ben Salir, was a slave dealer +and pirate himself. Besides, it was a matter of personal revenge with +Mac. He's just done a tremendously brave thing in setting out for the +pigmy land alone,--well, he's a strange character." + +"Think we'll meet him?" asked Critch in a low voice. "Or rather, will he +meet us?" + +"I'm afraid not," replied Mr. Wallace. "He has only one chance in a +thousand of making it. Hello! Look at that ant hill--the sunny side!" + +Following his finger, the boys saw a huge snake stretched out, warming +himself in the hot sun. All three were at the head of the beaters, and +Mvita, the only gunbearer who noticed the snake, brought up his heavy +gun rapidly. Mr. Wallace waved him back, however, drawing his revolver +and putting a bullet through the serpent's head. Upon measuring him, the +reptile was found to be exactly fifteen feet in length. + +"Say, ain't he a beaut though!" observed Critch, gazing down at the +bright green and gold body. "Is he hard to skin?" + +"Not a bit," replied Mr. Wallace. "Not worth while, though. The colors +won't last. The gold turns white and the green black." + +"I don't care," said Burt, "let's leave a couple o' men to skin him +anyhow. Even black an' white ought to make a mighty fine trophy. Snake +skin keeps better than fur, anyhow." + +As Critch was also anxious to save the python skin, two of the Bantus +were left to take it into camp while the party proceeded north. + +They had marched for over an hour without any sign of elephant when one +of Mvita's men appeared ahead. A number had been sent out from the +village to locate the herd, if possible. The man, flourishing his spear, +ran up and reported that before dawn he had heard loud trumpeting in the +forest ahead, not over a mile distant. + +"Good enough," exclaimed Mr. Wallace. "John, get these chaps spread out +in a line across country, to drive in anything toward the center. You +stick to me, though, and handle my guns." + +"Yes, sar," came the reply. A moment later the party had scattered, the +natives stretching out in a long thin line far to right and left. Once +more the advance was taken up, and all trudged steadily forward for half +a mile. It was exciting work, for at any moment the patches of small +trees, high grass and rush might yield anything from an elephant to a +lion. A very hopeful-looking thicket had just been beaten through +without any luck, and the three whites sighted an open grassy glade +which stretched away in front, when Mvita gave a low whistle and +muttered to John. The latter instantly stopped his master. Parting the +bushes cautiously and gazing out on the fairly open glade, all could see +a good sized herd of wildebeest grazing a quarter of a mile away. + +"We must have one of them," whispered Mr. Wallace, as the boys stared at +the weird, bison-like animals eagerly. "We're down-wind, so I'll stalk +'em. Come on, John." + +The two stole out cautiously, and began making a slow advance over the +open space, hiding behind the ant hills and among the tall grass. Only +the waving tops of the latter betrayed their presence, but just as the +boys were expecting to hear a shot, Mvita touched Burt on the arm. One +of his men had approached silently, and his face portended big tidings. + +"What is it--elephant?" asked Burt. Mvita grinned and shook his head, +then murmured one word. + +"_Simba!_" + +"Lion!" echoed Critch, who knew the native term. "Come on, Burt!" + +Without hesitation the two boys turned away and followed the native +guide. The latter led them to the right for some distance, and as no +sign of lion showed up Burt became impatient. + +"Where--" he began, when the native stopped, clicked his tongue, and +pointed with his spear. Ahead of them the boys caught sight of a small +lioness trotting away from a clump of thick bushes. Burt, grabbing for +his rifle, ran forward eagerly. Critch's bearer was a Bantu, who handed +over the heavy gun but refused absolutely to advance. The two boys ran +forward in order to cut off the trotting lioness from a stretch of +rushes for which she was making. + +They were barely fifty yards from the clump of bushes when they both +stopped short at a shrill yell from Mvita, who had followed them +closely, at the same instant Burt saw something appear at the edge of +the bushes. Then came a low, muttering growl, and a huge black-maned +lion appeared, his red mouth open, gazing steadily at the hunters. Burt +pulled up his rifle and fired quickly. The growl ended in a snarl, and +the lion rolled over. + +"Hurray!" shouted Burt, "I landed him--" + +"Look out!" yelled Critch, and the explosion of his rifle almost +deafened his chum. As Burt had fired, three more lionesses had appeared +among the bushes, following the first! Two disappeared, but Critch's +shot stopped the last one, not killing her. He put another bullet into +her shoulder and she lay still. While he ran forward to make sure of his +prize, Burt, followed by Mvita, turned toward the lion. The great beast +lay perfectly still. Three of the Bantus had run up, and were standing +within a few yards of him. + +They were gathered in a group near his tail, admiring and yet afraid to +touch him. Burt remembered his uncle's warnings about the remarkable +tenacity of life often shown by lions, and stopped when fifty feet away. +The lion was still breathing, but lay motionless. Concluding that if he +paid no attention to the chattering natives he would remain quiet for a +finishing shot, Burt and Mvita ran onward, the chief displaying no fear +whatever, unlike the Bantus. + +They approached from his rear, and assuming that he was unable to rise, +Burt stepped around for a good shot at the eye, which would not harm the +pelt. The instant he came into view of the wounded beast, however, the +latter revived. + +With one terrific roar he sprang to his feet as if uninjured. His green +eyes blazed with fury, and his lips were drawn back until his long, +yellow teeth were exposed in a snarl that struck Burt cold, for the boy +was barely a dozen feet away. The men had fled instantly, only Mvita +remaining beside Burt. The latter, taken by surprise, gave a step +backward, lifting his rifle. + +Just as the beast was in the act of springing, Burt fired. The heavy +bullet missed the eye and glanced off the sharply backward-sloping head +of the brute, but its terrific impact was sufficient to stop the animal +for the instant. Burt heard a yell from Critch, and was tempted to turn +and run. The lion was up immediately, however, and again Burt stepped +back and pulled the trigger. + +This time, however, his foot caught in the grass. The bullet went wild, +and the terrified boy gave himself up for lost. A tremendous thud and +crash at his side told him that the lion had sprung; then a quick flash +of red caught his eye as he rolled over and gained his feet. + +The flash of red came from the robe of Mvita, whose faith in the white +hunters had given way at the last moment. Seeming to realize all at once +the danger of his situation, he turned and ran just as Burt fell, with a +shrill scream. Beyond doubt this movement had saved Burt's life, for the +brilliant red robe caught the eye of the lion, who at once gave chase to +the yelling chief. + +Burt, pale and excited, gained his feet just as the lion was catching up +with Mvita. Lifting his rifle, he fired. To his dismay the bullet missed +completely, throwing up the dust beyond Mvita. In a desperate effort to +save the man before it was too late, Burt pumped at the magazine. At the +same instant Mvita made a quick swerve. The lion also turned, coming +broadside on to Burt. Just as Mvita was about to be brought down, the +boy fired. The lion dropped in the middle of his spring, his back +broken. A shot from Critch's rifle struck him as he lay, and Burt +finally put a bullet through the lion's brain. + +Relieved and rather weak-kneed at the imminent danger, Burt looked +around for his chum. He was astonished to see Critch, who had hastily +returned, give a gasp, then burst into a roar of laughter. Whirling +about, Burt stared over the body of the lion and then went into a spasm +of mirth. + +The sight that met his eyes turned what was nearly a tragedy into +instant comedy. There was Mvita, a dozen yards from the lion, earnestly +bent upon scrambling up a thorn-tree in the shortest possible time! He +never cast a glance below, as the roars of laughter went up from the +boys and even from the natives, but only climbed the faster. He was +nearing the top of the spiny tree; on every limb and thorn hung remnants +of his gorgeous crimson robe, and by the time he reached the top he was +fully as well clad as his humblest subject below. + +In vain did the boys yell at him to come down. Mvita was taking no +chances of a mistake again, and not until he had reached the very top +branch that would bear his weight did the terrified chieftain glance +down. Even the sight of his laughing subjects and the dead lion hardly +reassured him, but once he was certain of his safety he took a speedy +and certain method of restoring his lost dignity. Descending as quickly +as he had gone up, he brought a long thorn-branch with him, and applied +this to his subjects and the Bantus indiscriminately until their +laughter was changed to howls for mercy. Only at the intercession of the +gasping boys did the angry chief cease. + +The Bantus speedily gathered, and played like children about the dead +bodies of the two beasts, which had been placed side by side. They +proved themselves surprisingly good mimics, one taking the part of the +lion and jumping with a growl at the others. Another took Burt's part, +snapping his fingers as he stepped backward and finally fell; while a +third played Mvita, running to the thorn tree with the lion in hot +pursuit. At this instant an angry voice stopped the proceedings, and the +boys looked around in alarm to see Mr. Wallace running toward them. + +"Here, what is all this?" he shouted, waving his rifle. Before the boys +could answer he caught sight of the two carcasses, and stopped short. +"So you've been disobeying orders again!" + +"Not quite that, uncle," returned Burt quickly. He then explained why +they had left, together with all that had happened. As Mr. Wallace +glanced at the almost naked chief, and then at the decorated thorn tree, +his face relaxed and Burt knew there was no more to fear. + +"You spoiled a fine shot for me," was all Mr. Wallace said. "I guess +you've had lesson enough. Get the boys busy on the skins, John." + +"How about the elephants?" spoke up Critch. + +"They're not far off, unless your shooting frightened them. We'll leave +the Bantus to skin these beasts, while we go on with Mvita's men." + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +MONTENAY RETURNS + + +"We ought to provide Mvita with a new robe," suggested Burt with a grin. +"He saved my life all right back there, whether he meant to or not." + +"A few yards of cloth will fix him," returned his uncle, as they started +off with the chief and his men. "You'd better carry your big guns now +yourselves. No telling what will happen." + +One of the villagers led them forward at a brisk pace, straight onward +for about a mile. They were now almost in the jungle, the open spaces +and higher ground seeming to end abruptly with a small stream which they +passed. Mvita's men were spread out in a wide circle, for the elephant +herd had finally been located, and once the beaters got around them the +animals would scent them and come up-wind toward the hunters. + +Presently they came upon the elephant spoor, or trail--a wide swath +ripped through the heavy undergrowth by the passage of the big animals. +To one side of this Mr. Wallace and the boys took their stand, hiding +amid the bushes. + +"Let them pass us," cautioned the explorer, "and when you have a clear +shoulder-shot, make it fatal the first time. You take the first, +Critch--" + +He was cut short by a yell that arose ahead. This was followed by a loud +trumpeting as the frightened animals crashed away from the beaters. Burt +paled as he thought of what might happen should the elephants burst upon +them through the jungle instead of following their own trail, but he had +little time for reflection. Even as the thought came to him the first +elephant appeared with a shrill trumpet of rage, his trunk flung high +and his wide ears flapping forward. Behind him came more of the dim, +gigantic shapes, and the boys pulled up their guns. + +Not ten feet from them, the first elephant thundered past, the others +crowding close upon him. Critch waited until he was sure of his shot, +and then sent the first beast reeling into the opposite side of the +trail with the force of his bullet. Almost instantly Burt fired at the +second elephant, striking him just behind the shoulder. The others +stopped for a second, giving Mr. Wallace a chance for a fine shot, then +smashed into the jungle and were gone. + +"Hurray!" yelled Critch, leaping to his feet. "Mine's down!" + +"So's mine," shouted Burt eagerly, gazing at the motionless form of the +elephant, who had staggered and sunk into the grass at once. + +"Come on," cried his uncle as the first of the natives appeared, "I hit +mine badly, and he can't be far away." + +Mvita came up on the run as they started, and all broke into the jungle +on the trail of the wounded elephant, John carrying the spare guns. Only +a hundred yards away they came upon their quarry. The elephant, mortally +wounded, was standing beneath a large tree, half-hidden among the +foliage. They could see him swaying from side to side, and just as Mr. +Wallace was circling around for a finishing shot the huge bulk crashed +down and lay still. + +"Ain't it pretty near time to eat?" inquired Critch, after they had +inspected the body. + +"Just about," answered Mr. Wallace. "Where will we make camp, John?" + +"By de river, sar," was the reply, and John was busied at once with +orders to Mvita and the natives, who had brought along a chop-box. The +three elephants killed were all bulls, that of Mr. Wallace having only +one tusk. While the ivory was being cut out and the bodies being +dissected by the natives, who would make a grand feast that night, the +three whites returned to the small stream which had been crossed half an +hour before. + +John had found a small spring of clear, sweet water near some high +ground on the west bank. Opposite, there was a long stretch of marshy, +low ground that gave upon the jungle proper. On their camping side, +however, this fever-threatening swamp was entirely absent. + +Before an hour had passed the three were sitting around their folding +canvas table, doing full honor to the forest delicacies furnished by +John and his assistants. More of the villagers trooped up to share in +the elephant meat, until it seemed to the boys that the entire village +was present. Suddenly Burt, who was sitting facing the stream, gave a +startled exclamation and pointed to the low ground opposite. + +"What's that, Uncle George?" + +Turning in their seats, the others saw the top of the high marsh-grass +waving as if some creature were forcing its way along. John, who had +over-heard the question, brought up the rifles at once but Mr. Wallace +waved him back and took out his glasses. + +"I don't know, Burt. Doesn't show up yet. It'd hardly be any animal, for +we are up-wind and he would scent us. It might be a crocodile, although +in that case he would not make so much commotion. What do you think, +John?" + +The gigantic negro took the glasses and gazed long and earnestly at the +faint movement in the grass, which seemed to be coming toward the river. +Then he returned them with a shrug. + +"Not know, sar." + +"Tell Mvita to send over some of his boys and find out," suggested +Critch. Mr. Wallace nodded and John was off instantly. A moment later a +dozen natives started crossing the stream, advancing cautiously, for +they too had been puzzled and were taking no chances. Before they had +reached the opposite bank Critch gave a cry. + +"Look there! It's coming out!" + +Through their glasses they could see a dark object crossing one of the +more open spaces. Its method of progression was peculiar, because while +it was undoubtedly coming toward the river, it seemed to be rising and +falling, floundering in the marsh-mud, and at times lying motionless on +the grass-hummocks. + +"It's a man!" exclaimed Burt in amazement. Critch uttered a scornful +denial, but Mr. Wallace slowly nodded. + +"I believe it is," he asserted. "I thought I could make out arms and +legs but I wasn't sure. If it is a man, he must be in a mighty bad fix." + +A sudden idea occurred to Burt and he glanced at his chum. Critch met +his eye and read the unspoken thought. When Burt raised his glasses +again his face was white. + +Now the natives were surrounding the strange figure, and a moment later +one of them waved his spear. The others could be seen lifting the +creature, whatever it was, and speedily carried him to the river. + +"Come along," and Mr. Wallace rose hastily. "We'll go down and meet +them. If it's a man he'll need help. John, did you bring the small +medicine case?" + +"Here, sar," and as if by magic the grinning black produced the required +object. They all hurried down to the river, where the villagers were +already crowding around in great curiosity. The little band of natives +splashed across the stream, and suddenly Burt felt his uncle grip his +arm. + +"Burt!" and he had never before heard such tense horror in a man's +voice. "Go up and get some water boiling right away! Hurry, lad, hurry!" +Without pausing to ask questions Burt dashed off. As he went he could +hear his uncle continuing. "John, make for the camp right away. Get out +bandages, have hot water, make the hypodermics ready and mix some strong +morphia and anti-toxin solution. That is Captain Montenay." John was off +at a run instantly. + +The last words struck Burt like a blow. With pale face he got the water +heating, and met his uncle as the latter ordered the senseless form of +Captain Mac set down. The explorer was unrecognizable. He was plastered +with mud from head to foot and his whole body was swelled and poisoned +until he bore small resemblance to a man. Mr. Wallace gave a glance +around, then shook his head. + +"We can do nothing here. Boys, we'll have to work to save him. Looks to +me like black wasp stings." Turning to Mvita, he ordered Montenay's body +carried to the village at top speed. Instantly four natives caught up +the senseless figure and made off at a lope. + +Mr. Wallace and the boys dropped everything and followed. When they +reached the camp after a hard march they found John bathing the swollen +body of Captain Mac, and Mr. Wallace went to work at once with the +medicines that lay ready. With the mud and dirt removed, Montenay's +horrible condition only became more evident. Mr. Wallace went to work +with the hypodermic while the boys aided John to cleanse the explorer's +body, then handed the syringe to John to clean and turned to the +bandages and lint. + +The countless stings were washed with a weak solution of ammonia to take +out the poison, and an hour later they left the Scotchman a mass of +bandages but sleeping soundly. + +"I gave him some morphia," explained Mr. Wallace as they washed up +outside. "What he needs first is sleep. He must have been in absolute +agony in there." + +It was after sunset before Captain Mac wakened from his sleep. The boys +were at his side immediately, followed by Mr. Wallace. + +"Well," cried the latter heartily, "how's the sick man now? Feel a bit +better?" + +"Gi' me a drink," whispered the other feebly. When he had taken a long +draught from Burt's canteen he sank back with a satisfied sigh. "Where'd +ye find me?" + +"Down by the river," answered Mr. Wallace. "Feel able to talk?" Montenay +nodded and fixed his eyes on the American. "I suppose the pigmies got +after your men?" + +"Into 'em's more like it," returned Captain Mac. "Didn't see one of 'em. +Just arrows--arrows--arrows, day an' night." He paused for breath. "What +day's this?" + +"Friday," said Critch. "We found you this morning." + +"Wednesday it was," went on Montenay as he gained strength slowly. "Last +six men went in a bunch. Pulled off my shirt an' yelled 'Pongo.' Tried +to talk to the deevils but they wouldn't show up. Started on alone an' +they shot arrows all around me. Didn't dare hit me, I guess. So I came +back." + +"Two days," mused Mr. Wallace. "You certainly looked nice when we found +you!" + +"It was the black wasps," said the other. "I fell into a nest that night +an' it nigh finished me." + +"Come along, boys," returned Mr. Wallace as he arose. "You get to sleep +again, Montenay. You'll be more fit in the morning." + +They adjusted the mosquito curtains for the night and returned to find +dinner waiting for them. After dining sumptuously on eland tongue and +hartebeest tenderloin Burt pushed back his canvas chair with a sigh of +content. + +"I s'pose we'll work up toward the Makua pretty quick, won't we?" he +asked his uncle. + +"You bet we will," replied the latter fervently. "Just as soon as +Captain Mac's able to navigate. That'll be two or three days anyway. We +have a nice little bunch of ivory and we'll get more in by trading as we +go along. Mvita has four more tusks to bring in too." + +"That ivory zareba'd mean a good bunch o' money, wouldn't it?" put in +Critch. "I'd hate to go through what Cap'n Mac has, though." + +"By the way," said Mr. Wallace, "don't use all those chop-boxes. I want +a couple of zebra and giraffe skins. We'll get 'em farther north on our +way up." + +"Mvita told me this morning," said Burt, "that there was some giraffe +about five miles to the northeast of here. Why couldn't we get 'em and +have a skin fixed by the time Cap'n Mac's ready to march?" + +"We'd save time that way, but I don't want to leave him," returned his +uncle thoughtfully. "However, I might send you two out with John. I'd +trust him anywhere." + +"Go ahead!" pleaded Critch excitedly. "That'd be great, Mr. Wallace!" + +"John!" called the explorer with a smile. "If I send you out after +giraffe in the morning with these boys, will you take good care of 'em?" + +"Sure, sar!" grinned the big Liberian cheerfully. "John him be beri +careful. Bring back safe!" + +"All right. Get your stuff ready then. You can take my big rifle +yourself." As John went off with a wider grin than ever Mr. Wallace +turned to the boys. "I want you two to promise me that whatever happens +you'll obey John and do just as he tells you." + +"All right, sir," replied Critch at once. + +"So'll I," agreed Burt. "Five miles in this country won't be any joke, +though!" + +"It'll take a good day right enough," nodded Mr. Wallace. "John is +pretty safe to be with and he'll take as good care of you as I would. If +you find the giraffes don't bring down more than two. You might run +across some zebra in the same country and if you do, you can get some of +'em too. But I guess there's not much danger of that, without horses. + +"Now remember to obey John in everything. He'll be in my place for the +day. Better fill your canteens with cold coffee before you go and take +your heavy rifles. Let John have your compass, Burt. If you run across +any waterbuck bring in a couple for the men. It'll be a good change of +diet. Now get to sleep, for you'll be up before day." + +After laying out a supply of heavy cartridges and some fresh clothes for +the morning the boys tumbled into their sleeping bags on top of their +cots. Each leg of the cots was placed in a dish of water to keep off +ants and other crawling creatures which might wander in. Critch was half +asleep when he heard Burt's voice. + +"Oh, Critch! Remember what Cap'n Mac looked like coming across that +swamp?" + +"Shut up! I don't want to dream about it." + +"I was just thinkin' that we'll stick pretty close to John to-morrow, +eh?" + +"You bet your life we will! Go to sleep." + +It was their last sleep in the comfortable tent for many a night. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +IN THE PIGMY VILLAGE + + +As Mr. Wallace had predicted, they were up long before the sun. After a +hasty breakfast by candle light John discarded his role of chef and +buckled on a cartridge belt. As their gun-bearers and a dozen porters +assembled, two hunters came in from the village to guide them to the +place where the giraffes had been seen and the boys bade Mr. Wallace +farewell. + +A five-mile walk through rough and thickly wooded African country is not +a light task by any means. In the main they followed trails where heavy +animals had beaten down the thick grass and left openings through the +bush. They saw little game for the first hour, although once a big +python slid across the path and Burt missed him. + +"Won't we have a yarn when we get home?" said Burt, gleefully. "We'll +run some great little old stories in the high school paper next year, +eh?" + +"Bet your life!" replied Critch. "I'd like to bottle some o' them blamed +little red ants and use 'em for initiations. Wouldn't they make the +fellows squirm?" + +"Say, don't forget to swap some of Mvita's men out o' their stuff. We +want to take home a good bunch o' them spears, Critch. A couple o' +shields and knives'd go great too." + +"No talk-talk now, massa Burt!" John turned to them warningly. "Him +giraffe not beri far. Maybe hear." + +The hunters had slipped through the tall grass and vanished. It was now +two hours after daylight and the boys knew they must be getting near the +hunting grounds. They were no longer in the plain and were advancing by +a buffalo-trail through a low jungle-growth not far from a small river. + +One of the hunters appeared in a highly excited state and John motioned +to the boys to get out their guns. They now advanced more cautiously as +they saw the Bantus in front gesturing to them and in another moment +sighted two giraffes standing in an open glade ahead. + +As the boys raised their guns something flashed out from the farther +side of the thicket and both animals gave a leap. Without stopping to +think what it was the boys fired. Burt hit the animal on the right and +he dropped to his knees, then bounded off and the boy brought him down +with his second barrel. Critch had hit the other giraffe in the brain +and killed him instantly. + +The boys sprang forward with a shout of joy but were stopped by John's +voice. "Come back!" cried the big Liberian. "Pigmies in there." + +"What!" Critch whirled incredulously. "Where?" + +"Them shoot arrows first. Maybe mad 'cause we kill giraffes. Go back +quick--" + +The hurried order was stopped by a frenzied yell from the Bantus. Dark +objects flitted through the trees at their side and the hunters broke in +wild fear. Before the boys could stir in their tracks they saw John reel +and fall suddenly. At the same time something struck and threw them to +the ground, and despite their struggles they were bound hand and foot +while skins thrown around their heads made them gasp for light and air. + +It was all done so swiftly that Burt hardly realized what had happened +before he felt himself picked up and carried off. He could not know that +Critch was close behind him and he was in an agony of suspense. Had his +chum and big John been killed? He tried to call out but the skin around +his head stifled him. He could hear nothing save an occasional guttural +clicking word from his bearers and was forced to resign himself to his +fate. + +It seemed that he was borne along for ages. His head was protected, but +mosquitoes and gnats settled on his bound hands until his arms seemed to +be dipped in living flame. Then he heard his captors splashing through +shallow water and knew that they were crossing the river into the jungle +beyond. After this they slipped through thorn-laden bushes that ripped +his clothes to shreds, and once a black wasp's sting drew a groan of +pain from the boy, for the touch was like hot iron to his hand. + +He did not doubt for a moment that he was captured by pigmies. If only +they had grasped John's warning an instant sooner! Burt groaned again as +he remembered how the big Liberian had reeled and fallen. And what +would his uncle do? The thought gave him sudden hope. His uncle would +know he had been carried off, surely! But if Captain Mac had failed to +penetrate the jungle even with his "pull," how could he look to his +uncle for rescue? + +Suddenly Burt felt himself thrown roughly to the ground. His bonds were +cut and the skin pulled from about his head. As he sat up a strange +sight greeted his startled gaze. + +Critch sat beside him, rubbing his inflamed hands grimly. All around +them stood little men hardly four feet tall. They were armed with +knives, spears and bows and were naked save for waist-cloths. Each man +wore a square-shaped headdress and all were chattering away with their +peculiar guttural clicks. Most of them had arm rings and neck rings of +iron or brass. + +Beyond them were a number of low huts four feet high arranged in a rough +circle and in the center of this circle were the boys. When Burt glanced +at the faces of the men around him he was surprised to find them not +black but brown, with wide-set eyes and frank expressions. The village +was set in the semi-gloom of the deep jungle. + +"Well," grunted Critch, "nice mess, ain't it?" + +"What'll they do with us?" queried Burt anxiously. "Golly, my hands are +fierce! S'pose uncle'll find us?" + +"Search me," replied Critch. "What happened to John?" + +"Don't talk about it. I don't know." Burt shuddered. "Wonder if they +speak French?" + +Burt addressed the pigmies in that language. They chattered excitedly in +response but he could make nothing of their words. They seemed to be +perplexed as to what disposition to make of their prisoners, for one +after another chattered angrily while the rest shook their heads. + +"Ain't a bad looking lot at that," commented Critch coolly. "High +foreheads and good eyes, most of 'em. Look at their color, Burt! S'pose +they're the white pigmies?" + +"No," replied Burt. "Guess they're Wambuti. Cap'n Mac said they looked +like this. By golly! I got it!" + +Seizing a stick that lay beside him the boy attracted the attention of +the dwarfs. As they watched him curiously he drew a loop in the ground +with the end of the stick. From the loop he extended an arm and drew +another across. A startled silence fell on the pigmies as they watched. + +"Pongo!" shouted Critch suddenly. "Bet she works, old man!" + +At sight of the sacred emblem and at his shout something like a groan of +fear and horror went up from the pigmies. Instantly one, who had a +higher headdress and wore more ornaments than the rest, stepped forward +and spoke excitedly. When Burt shook his head and repeated the sacred +word a spasm of anger flashed across the pigmy's face and he motioned +them to rise. One of the little men darted off into the jungle as the +boys were led to a hut and made to enter. + +They crouched down in the dark cramped interior and as they did so a +pigmy thrust some roasted bananas in at the door. The boys got outside +of these without delay and as they still had their canteens of coffee +they began to feel more cheerful. + +"That was a rotten poor idea," said Critch disgustedly. "Wish we'd shut +up 'bout Pongo." + +"If we had we might be in the soup by now," laughed Burt. "Got that +camphor bottle with you? Mine's busted." + +Each of the boys carried a small bottle of camphor while away from the +camp. The camphor was a good thing for bites and assisted in keeping off +many insects. Critch found his bottle intact and they bathed their +hands. Fortunately their pith helmets had not been knocked off by the +skins thrown around them and these afforded their faces some protection, +although the nets were badly torn. + +"I'm going to try getting out of this," asserted Critch as the time +passed on without anything stirring without. "Too blamed hot in here for +me." + +He crawled to the door and stuck out his head, then withdrew it so +suddenly that he fell back over Burt. "Gosh!" he cried. "There's a +fellow out there with a spear and he pretty near stuck me. It's got that +black stuff on it, too! Guess I'll stay in here a while. You can go out +for a walk if you want." + +"No thanks," grinned Burt faintly. "It ain't exactly inviting outside, +I judge. I put my foot in it all right when I mentioned Cap'n Mac's +friend. Wonder what they'll do with us?" + +The afternoon wore away slowly and painfully and merged into night +suddenly. More of the roasted bananas were thrust in at the door, +together with some water and mashed-up beans. The little hut was barely +large enough to allow the boys to stretch out and as it became evident +that they were not to be visited that night they made themselves as +comfortable as possible and finally got to sleep. They suffered little +from insects because not only was the hut closely thatched and plastered +with mud, but there was a fire outside the door. + +Burt was awakened by a tug at his foot. Sitting up with a startled +exclamation he saw a pigmy blocking the door. It was evidently long +after daybreak, for even the darkest recesses of the pigmy village were +showing some light. Burt aroused Critch and the latter followed him +through the door. + +Outside they found apparently the whole tribe assembled. Men, women and +children stood or squatted around in a big circle and as the boys +emerged they were greeted by a rippling click. Whether it was of fear or +anger the boys could not tell. They stood and stretched their cramped +limbs. + +"Seem to be looking for some one," said Critch. In fact the pigmies were +many of them gazing expectantly toward the end of the village, where +there was an opening in the circle of huts. As the boys followed their +looks curiously Burt recognized the little warrior who had darted off +the previous afternoon. He was advancing quickly from the jungle and +behind him were a number of others. + +"By golly, they're white!" exclaimed Critch. + +"Can't be--yes, they are!" Burt cried in excitement. He saw that the six +men who followed the pigmy were no larger than he, but they were of a +distinctly lighter color. They were also better dressed and carried +larger and stronger bows. The foremost was seemingly a very young man. + +They advanced rapidly and when they reached the circle of villagers the +latter struck their heads against the ground and clicked as if in fear. +The white pigmies were first shown the two boys, then were taken to the +sign of the _ankh_ which Burt had scratched on the ground the day +before. When they saw this the six gave low exclamations and the young +one advanced to the side of the boys. + +"You know Pongo?" he said in English. The boys gave a shout of joy at +hearing the words but repressed it as a dozen spears were poised. + +"Yes!" cried Burt, sitting down again hastily. "Cap'n Mac told us. +Say--" + +"Hold on!" interrupted Critch excitedly. "Are you Mbopo?" + +"Mbopo!" the young pigmy repeated with evident delight. "Where know +that? You know Buburika Mac?" + +"Yes," replied Burt. He spoke slowly and distinctly in order to make the +pigmy understand and supplemented his words with gestures. "He's off +that way. These people killed his party a few days ago and nearly killed +him. They attacked us and brought us here yesterday." + +"Hurt Buburika?" demanded the pigmy angrily. He turned and poured out a +flood of words at the darker pigmies who howled and beat the ground with +their heads. One of his own men stepped forward and spoke a few words +and the young man turned to the boys again. + +"I friend," he said gently. "No can help much. You slave--go to Pongo." + +"To Pongo!" cried Burt in dismay. But he quickly rallied. "Where'd you +learn English?" + +"Buburika," smiled the young fellow proudly. "Buburika--Leopard, little +leopard. Him like me. Me help him. Help you maybe. Buburika Mac him +Pongo too." + +The other white pigmies chattered something and Mbopo motioned to the +boys to follow them. The black ones brought out the guns taken from the +boys, together with the cartridges and knives. These Mbopo's men took +care of and with the young pigmy at their side the boys were marched +away from the village of the brown tribe. + +"No talkee," cautioned Mbopo. In a moment they were hidden from sight or +sound of the village. All about them rose the dense jungle growth. Great +trees stretched high above them with their boughs meeting overhead, +matted with creepers and vines. Only an occasional ray of sunlight +filtered through that vast canopy of foliage under which leaped and +chattered flocks of monkeys. Tiny bees tormented them through the torn +places in their nets. + +Every few yards they had to climb half rotted tree trunks studded with +briary creepers and alive with ants. They passed stagnant swamps and +pools covered with greasy green scum and emitting vile odors. Once or +twice a black pigmy appeared silently, received a sign from Mbopo, and +vanished again without a word. That vast silence oppressed the boys +terribly and they were heartily glad when they arrived at a village +similar to that they had left, and halted for dinner. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE SACRED LION + + +"Things might be a whole lot worse," said Critch as he stretched out +after the meal. "I'd kind of like a change from roast bananas and beans, +though." + +"A little grub cheers a fellow up some, don't it?" returned Burt. "I +hate to think of what's coming to us, though. D'you s'pose they'll brand +us?" + +"Search me," yawned Critch. "I reckon Mbopo'll help us if he can. We +just got to grin and bear it, old sport. Ain't no use whining." + +"Whining yourself, you red-head!" retorted Burt indignantly. "D'you +reckon they're toting us for their health? If we could only swipe one of +those guns and lay out the big lion! Here's Mbopo." + +The pigmy approached and squatted down before them with a smile. His +face was intelligent and well-formed. He had a row of cicatrices down +each cheek like his fellows and wore a leopard skin hung across his +shoulders. + +"Mbopo help," he asserted. "How Buburika?" + +"Him good," replied Critch. "Good name for Cap'n Mac, ain't it, Burt? +What are your people going to do with us, Mbopo?" + +"White boys ju-ju," replied Mbopo. "Give Pongo." + +"Is that the lion Buburika laid out?" exclaimed Burt. The pigmy looked +blank and Burt repeated his question. + +"Him lion," nodded the other. "Maybe him scared you too. Him scared +white skin. Scared Buburika. What? Mbopo help. Aye, vera good." + +The concluding words sent a twinkle into the boys' eyes but they were +careful not to laugh. The very tone was an exact imitation of Montenay's +voice. + +"You bet that's good," replied Critch. "Can you get one o' them bang +bangs? Guns?" He made the motion of shooting but Mbopo shook his head +decisively. + +"No got. Him stay here." The pigmy pointed to the chief's hut. "Come. +We go. No fash yerself--Mbopo help!" + +Barely able to repress their laughter at the comical imitation of +Captain Mac, the boys rose and Mbopo patted their hands encouragingly. +He clicked and his men appeared from different directions. The boys saw +that their guns were left behind. + +"That don't look encouraging--" began Critch but Mbopo stopped him with +a warning "no talkee" and the march was again taken up through the +jungle. A number of black dwarfs accompanied them this time and the boys +were amazed at the agility with which the little men swung through the +trees or cleared a path through the jungle growths. They seemed +perfectly confident that their captives would not try to escape. Both +boys realized how useless it would be and had not even discussed the +idea. + +At nightfall they halted in a third Wambuti village. On the way the +party of hunters with them brought in a wart hog and a small gazelle. On +these the village feasted that night. There were no more bananas or +plantains but plenty of the ground beans and some manioc and nuts like +chestnuts which the pigmies ate voraciously but which did not appeal to +the boys. + +They were left unguarded that night and tried to sleep in the open +beside a fire. The insects proved too much for them, however, and they +were glad to seek the shelter of a hut, cramped as it was. As their +belongings had not been taken, with the exception of their weapons, +Critch still had his compass. That evening they discussed the course of +their march and agreed that it had been north by east. + +"I've been watching the needle," said Critch. "We came north yesterday +from the camp. To-day we've been traveling a little east of north. +Golly, I'm tired! Guess we can't bank on your uncle finding us now." + +"Guess not," agreed Burt hopelessly. "We only got one chance of ever +getting out of this mess, Critch. If we can do what Cap'n Mac did we may +work it." + +"We got Mbopo to help," returned Critch. "I ain't looking forward to +getting branded very eager. We got to get around that part of it, Burt." + +"Don't see how," answered Burt. "It don't look like Cap'n Mac hurt old +Pongo very much with his blazing oil. We ain't got a gun either. If we +knew any conjuring tricks we might make a bluff on Mbopo's people." + +"I can pull a coin out of handkerchiefs," grinned Critch. "But we ain't +got a coin and if we don't keep our hankies tied on our hands we'd be +eaten alive. Try again." + +"An electric battery'd be the stunt," said Burt. "Fellows in books +always have batteries handy, or eclipses, or something. Guess we ain't +lucky. What d'you s'pose Cap'n Mac would do if he was here?" + +"Prob'ly tell you to shut your head and go to sleep while you can," +grunted Critch. Burt accepted the advice. + +They set out again in the morning and still traveled north by east. +Mbopo said little to them that day. Instead of stopping at a village +they camped out at noon and made a meagre meal of nuts and wild +plantains. They were getting into higher country now although it was +still jungle. The black hunters had not accompanied them and the six +white pigmies were the sole guardians of the boys. At evening there was +no sign of a village and when one of the men brought in another small +wart hog the rest scattered and collected more wild nuts and berries. + +They camped that night in the center of a ring of fires. These smudges +protected them somewhat from the clouds of insects, but nevertheless +both boys suffered a great deal. Their mosquito nets were badly torn and +their camphor was all gone by this time. Although the pigmies did not +seem to mind the mosquitoes, they were very careful to avoid the hanging +nests of the trumpet ants and the black wasps while passing through the +jungle. + +The next morning there was still the same desolate silence all about +them as they marched on. Mbopo had said nothing the night before and the +boys had been too dead tired to ask any questions. Toward noon they both +noticed that their captors became more careless about keeping watch. The +boys were nearly worn out by the terrible journey, but Mbopo pushed +forward relentlessly. As the shadows lengthened the boys saw the reason +for this. + +They had left the lower and denser jungle behind, and seemed to be +slowly reaching higher and freer ground. There was no restriction on +their talking now, and as the sun touched the tips of the trees in the +west Critch gave an exclamation. + +"Look over there ahead, Burt! That's a river, sure's you're born!" + +"Mebbe it's the same one Cap'n Mac told about," returned his chum, +catching sight of the silver thread that was partially hidden by the +trees. At the name, Mbopo turned around with a cheerful grin and fell +back to their side. + +"Mbopo help," he asserted again. "No fash yerself, lad." + +"Thanks, old man," exclaimed Burt. "Is the village near?" + +"Pongo," nodded the dwarf, and Burt gave up trying to talk to him. + +Now two of the men darted ahead at a fast run. For another half mile +they advanced along the river bank. Then the forest ended suddenly. + +"Here we are!" cried Critch. + +Before them lay a small yam-field, and beyond that the famous village of +the white dwarfs. As Captain Montenay had said, it was a very large +one. Despite their plight, the boys looked eagerly for the hut of Pongo. + +"There she is!" exclaimed Burt, and Critch also gave a cry. Off to their +left, almost at the edge of the trees and some distance from the village +thorn-zareba, stood a large hut surrounded by something dark gray in the +sunset. Their attention was soon drawn away from this, however, for a +series of yells went up from the village and out poured the tribe to +welcome them. + +As nearly as the boys could guess, there were something like three +hundred warriors gathered about the gate of the zareba as they came up. +Mbopo saluted them with a few words, but his little party held together +and pushed through the crowd. Behind the warriors and inside the zareba +was a still larger assemblage of women and children. As they passed the +gateway, the boys found themselves in the presence of the chief, no +doubt the same whom Montenay so disliked, for he was an old and +shriveled man whose countenance boded ill for the two captive youths. + +Clad in a splendid leopard-skin robe, he was seated on a pile of skins. +Ranged behind him was a rank of picked spearmen, larger than most of +their fellows, and at one side were a dozen men with tom-toms made of +hollow logs. As the party came in sight these men began beating their +instruments, sending up a roaring clamor that amazed the two boys. + +Mbopo fell on his face before the chief, and the others of the party +after him. Only the two white boys remained erect, facing the glittering +eyes of the old chief while he listened to Mbopo's recital. At its +conclusion he motioned to the latter to rise, and said a few words. The +young dwarf replied and seemed to be expostulating, but the chief sprang +to his feet in a flame of rage. Raising his arm, he pointed toward the +separate hut, and both boys distinctly caught the one word "Pongo." At a +sharp command Mbopo and another dwarf jerked the boys and led them away +to one of the huts, leaving them inside without a word. + +"Well," said Burt throwing himself down with a sigh of relief on some +skins, "the old boy certainly has it in for us. He ain't exactly a nice +specimen, is he?" + +"Not much," ejaculated Critch. "Anyhow, I'm going to sleep, Burt. I'm +too tired to care what happens." + +Burt stretched out likewise and immediately was lost in slumber. The +day's trip had been a hard one indeed, and neither boy was able to +resist the chance to snatch a little rest. When they awoke they were in +darkness, and the voice of Mbopo was in their ears. + +"All right," grumbled Critch. "Quit shaking me. What's up?" + +"Him eat, vera good," came Mbopo's voice. Growing accustomed to the +darkness, the boys found that a faint light flickered in through the +entrance. By this they saw the form of Mbopo. He gave them some roasted +bananas and a gourd containing a sweetish drink made from the banana. +Burt got out his matches and struck a light, by which they found it was +nearly eight o'clock. They had been sleeping only three hours, but even +that small amount of rest had refreshed them wonderfully, and the food +and drink made new boys of them. + +When they had finished the last scrap, Mbopo motioned them to rise. Burt +did so with a groan, for his muscles were stiff and sore, and a moment +later they were outside. Here they could see a number of fires blazing +in a vacant space near the thorn zareba, and toward this Mbopo led them. + +"Mbopo help," was his only speech. "Him lad kill Pongo mebbe. Him do +like Buburika Mac." + +"Don't see how," grunted Burt. + +"Shut up," ordered Critch. "Our friend's got a notion in his head that +we're here to kill the lion, I'll bet a dollar. Say, going to stand for +that branding stunt?" + +"Not if I know it," came the quick response. "S'pose we can't help +ourselves, though. See what turns up." + +"No talkee," cautioned their guide. They drew near the fires, and saw +that the whole tribe was gathered around in a semicircle, enjoying a +huge feast. In the center of this semicircle, not far from the thorn +wall, the old chief reclined on his throne of rugs, the tom-tom beaters +near him. Mbopo, who plainly stood in great awe of the wizened +potentate, fell on his face in salute. Once more the boys calmly met the +evil black eyes that stared at them, and Burt could see small hope in +the malevolent glare of the chief. + +After a few murmured words from Mbopo the chief gave a sharp order. A +dozen feet distant stood a small fire, over which hung some meat on +spits. This was removed, and a warrior brought forward a long thin +object that sent a thrill through Burt. It was a rudely-fashioned +branding iron. + +The warrior thrust one end into the fire. Burt moved closer to his chum, +with fists clenched. He knew well how useless it would be to put up any +fight, but he was determined not to give in to the torture without a +struggle. The old chief smiled slightly at the action, and gave a +motion. Four of the little warriors, only reaching to the shoulder of +the boys, stepped forward with axes ready. + +"No use, old man," said Critch quietly. "We'll have to take our +medicine, I guess." + +The four warriors led the boys to the fire. One of them reached up and +deliberately tore Burt's tattered shirt from his shoulder. The +pale-faced boy made no move to resist, and next moment the white-hot +iron was taken from the fire, and the tom-toms rolled forth their +thunder. + +But at that instant even the noise of the great drums was drowned in an +appalling roar that turned the eyes of all upon the thorn wall. The +startled boys saw the latter bend, there came another terrific roar, +then the stout thorn zareba was burst apart and into the enclosure +rolled the form of an immense lion! + +Before a move could be made the cat-like animal regained his feet, gave +one quick sniff of the air, and pounced on the old chief, who was +struggling to rise. To the surprise of the boys the crowd fell +prostrate; a murmur of "Pongo! Pongo!" went up, and a moment later the +lion gave one bound and had vanished in the night, unharmed. And with +him went the chief of the white dwarfs. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE IVORY ZAREBA + + +The whole thing happened in less than a moment. As Burt recovered from +his surprise the pigmies were still prostrate in the attitude of +worship. Beside him lay the branding iron, unheeded. With a quick motion +the boy stooped and caught it up, whirled it around, and sent it flying +across the zareba. Then he turned to Mbopo. + +"Now make good!" he exclaimed, as a murmur arose from the crowd at his +action. "You're the boss, Mbopo!" + +As though he had understood the words, the young pigmy sprang to his +feet and began to speak rapidly in the clicking language of the dwarfs. +For a moment there was a surge of the warriors toward the captives, then +it was stopped. Mbopo spoke more and more rapidly, and finished his +speech by seizing a spear from the nearest man and leaping on the throne +of skins, where he stood in an attitude of defiance. For a moment the +crowd seemed stupefied by surprise. Then went up two bark-like notes +from every throat, and once more the pigmies sank prostrate in the dust, +saluting their new chief. + +"Bully for him!" cried Critch delightedly. "Now we're all right, Burt!" + +"Looks that way," replied the flushed Burt, who had feared a speedy +retribution for his rash act. Mbopo said a few more words, and again the +peculiar bark-like guttural came from the crowd. There was a movement, +and a dozen of the largest warriors, those who had formed the bodyguard +of the old chief, stepped forward and saluted the new chief with a +prostration. Mbopo had seized the throne. + +"Now I wonder what'll happen?" said Critch. "Say, did you notice that +lion's head, Burt?" + +"Sure," nodded his chum. "It was all scarred white. Funny the way he +butted through that thorn fence, wasn't it? Just like he didn't see it." + +"I'll bet the scar came from the oil Cap'n Mac threw at him!" cried +Critch excitedly. "Mebbe it--" + +"That's it!" exclaimed Burt. "He's blind! He couldn't see the zareba +but he could smell all right. That's it; he's blind!" + +"Hurray!" shouted Critch. Before he could say any more a murmur from the +crowd stopped him. The conversation of the two captives had not passed +unobserved. One of the old men came forward, saluted the chief, and +began to speak. The crowd signified their approval by repeated clicks +and Mbopo also nodded while the wondering boys watched. + +The old man finished his speech. Mbopo stood in silence for a moment and +then gave an order. To the astonishment of the boys they were surrounded +and bound hand and foot in a flash, and laid at the feet of the chief. + +"No fash yerself, lad," came the familiar voice from above them in +reassuring tones. "Mbopo help mebbe. Kill Pongo." + +The bewildered boys lay silent. Burt tried in vain to reason out what +was the reason for their seizure. He was convinced that Mbopo was their +friend, and yet it might well be that the pigmies had demanded a +sacrifice to Pongo from the new ruler and that Mbopo had yielded. + +Then came another order, and the boys were picked up by a dozen hands. +They were carried away from the fires and through rows of grass huts to +the gateway of the zareba. This was opened, and Burt felt a thrill of +fear as he realized that they were being carried outside. Were they to +be staked out for the lion as Captain Mac had been? + +The two were carried forward side by side, and at length were dropped on +the ground. Then followed a clicking conversation, then the warriors +retired and Mbopo leaned over them, knife in hand. + +"Kill Pongo," he whispered cheeringly as he cut their bonds. "Mbopo +help. Old chief vera bad mon. Mbopo him chief." + +"Well, of all things!" ejaculated Critch as he sat up and rubbed his +wrists. "What does it mean, Burt?" + +"Why," responded Burt slowly, "I guess Mbopo has a notion that we can +kill the lion by magic. We've run quite a bluff and I guess we'll have +to make good, old man. What'll we do?" + +Critch looked around. The night was oppressively silent save for the +sound of drums and chanting from the village. They were sitting halfway +between the town and the sacred hut, which could barely be made out in +the starlight. + +"If we could only get inside that hut," returned the red-haired boy, +"without finding the lion there, we might wait for him with some +poisoned arrows. We'll never see our rifles again, that's sure." + +"The lion is blind, I guess," said Burt doubtfully, "but I'd hate to +stand up to him with nothin' but a bow and arrow. Besides, d'you +remember what Cap'n Mac said? They don't use poison here." + +"That's right!" Critch turned to Mbopo. "You got poison, spears, +arrows?" He had to repeat the question several times before the dwarf +could comprehend his meaning. When he did so, Mbopo shook his head, +saying that he had none. + +"I don't b'lieve he's got you yet," said Burt disgustedly. "Well, we got +to make good somehow, Critch. If Mbopo gets the notion that we've been +running a bluff it's good night for us." + +"Are you game to tackle the hut?" asked Critch shortly. "We're taking a +chance on findin' Pongo at home, but it's all I can see to do. Anyhow, +Burt, he ain't very hungry just now." + +"I s'pose not," and Burt shuddered a trifle. "Come on then," and he rose +to his feet. "Say! Why couldn't Mbopo bring us some weapons? If we had +one o' them axes--" + +"That's the talk!" burst out Critch. "If we had a couple o' men with +axes, Burt, we could make a trap for the old lion! How's that?" + +"Fine!" replied Burt hopefully. "Have to make it out o' pretty big logs, +though. If the lion isn't inside, we can make a fire an' scare him off +for a while anyhow." + +"Lot o' good that'd do," grunted his chum. "He wouldn't know there was +any fire there unless he walked into it!" + +Burt turned to Mbopo. By dint of constant repetition and much patience +he finally made the dwarf understand that he wanted another man or two +and some weapons. Mbopo hesitated, then handed over a small axe that was +slung at his waist. + +"Me got bruder," he replied at length. "Bring him, bring plenty spear, +hey?" + +"That's it," exclaimed Burt. "Bring 'em over there, see?" and he pointed +toward the sacred hut. + +"Mebbe so, pretty quick," asserted the dwarf, rather doubtfully. "Kill +Pongo?" + +"You bet," answered Critch, a good deal more confidently than he felt, +patting the dwarf on the shoulder. "Chase along now, old scout. We'll +kill Pongo right enough!" + +"Vera good," replied Mbopo. The next instant he was lost in the +darkness, and Burt turned to his chum. + +"Well, we might as well die game," he said, with an attempt at a smile. +"Ready?" + +"I s'pose so," responded Critch, who had suddenly lost his confident +manner. "Get your matches ready." + +The two boys started toward the sacred hut. Both were extremely stiff +and sore, and in sad need of sleep. The sound of chanting and the throb +of tom-toms came from the village behind without interruption, while in +front of them was the forest, silent and black and somber. Suddenly the +black hut with its dull gray stockade loomed up before them. + +"Who's goin' first?" asked Burt, half-heartedly. + +"I will," volunteered Critch. Holding a match ready, he entered the +narrow gate of the ivory zareba. The little enclosure around the thatch +hut was empty, and before them loomed a small black doorway. Critch, +with one swift gesture, scratched the match and flung it inside, +stooping to look after it. The brief flame gave them a rapid vista of +bare walls and floor. + +"Hurray!" whispered the red-haired lad hoarsely. "She's empty!" + +Ashamed of his own timidity, Burt stepped past him without a word. As he +went, he lit a match and held it on high. Tearing a piece of the loose +thatch from the walls, he lit it and cast it on the floor and then the +two boys looked around. + +The hut was much larger than the other dwellings of the white pigmies. +The floor was littered with bones, leaves, sticks and dirt of every +description. Close inside the door stood three earthenware vessels, and +while Burt threw more leaves and sticks on the little fire, Critch +picked up one of these. + +"Palm oil!" he cried. "Here's a light, Burt! Put a strip of cloth in +each of these and we'll have elegant lamps." + +In another moment each of the three improvised lamps was burning +faintly, while the fire also flared up. As it did so Burt gave an +exclamation. + +"Say, I clear forgot about the mummy! There she is, Critch." + +He pointed to the wall opposite the entrance, holding up his "lamp." +Both walked across the rubbish-littered floor, which smelt most +frightfully. Before them, standing erect against the wall, was a large +wooden mummy-case. Most of its paint was gone long since, only a few +faint traces of gilding remaining to show what it must once have been. +Beside this lay an object that brought a whistle of amazement from +Critch. + +"That's Pongo, Burt! The golden ankh, sure's you're born!" + +The boys looked down in awe at this relic of an ancient people. About +four feet long and nearly as thick as Burt's wrist, the symbol of the +Goddess of Truth gleamed up with a ruddy yellow color from the dirt that +half covered it. Fascinated by the sight, the boys stared in silence +until at last Critch uttered a sigh. + +"Well, we're wastin' time, Burt. We got to plan out that trap." + +Burt turned away from the two relics, and threw some dry sticks on the +fire. There was an opening in the center of the roof through which the +smoke escaped fairly well. Burt's head was full of the mummy, and for +the moment he paid no attention to his chum's remark. + +"It's kind of queer," he remarked, sitting down against the wall, "to +think of Ta-En-User meeting us this way! Just think of his trip clear +over from Egypt, and our trip clear over from--" + +"Shucks," interrupted the more practical Critch. "I'm thinking of Pongo +right now. Come out of it! We've got to frame up something before Mbopo +gets back." + +"I can't see what there is to frame up," retorted Burt hopelessly. "All +we can do is to lay low. What kind of a trap you thinking of?" + +"Well," explained Critch, frowning, "I kind of thought we could make one +out of logs, like they use on bears out West." + +"Why wouldn't it be better," suggested Burt, "to dig a pit like those +Bantus do? We could dig it right out in front here, cover it over with +grass, and stick a spear up in the bottom. That'd finish Mr. Pongo +mighty sudden next time he came around." + +"Can't do that," replied the other. "It's a mighty big job to tackle, +Burt. If you'd ever dug holes for fence posts you'd know." + +"I wonder what Uncle George is doing right now?" said Burt suddenly. "Do +you think he'll start after us?" + +"He might," answered Critch doubtfully. "He'd never make it in a million +years though. You know what the black dwarfs did to Cap'n Mac. Say, this +is worse than any story book I ever read! We're right up against it +solid, Burt. If we pull out of this hole it'll mean work. We ain't got +your uncle to lean on or anyone else. Mbopo don't count for much, I'm +afraid. Gosh, I wish we had a couple guns! We could clean up on old +Pongo like a house afire." + +"He was pretty big, just the same," said Burt. "Lot's bigger'n any we've +bagged so far. Even if he is blind, which we aren't sure of, it wouldn't +be any cinch to tackle him." + +"Anyhow," retorted his chum, "we can't expect to lay around and wait for +something to happen. We got to make it happen. We're in possession of +the ankh, like Cap'n Mac was, so we're safe enough for the present. +Mbopo's the only one who's game to go after Pongo, that's sure. If his +brother is up to the mark we ought to do something." + +"That was fierce, the way the old chief got carried off," remarked Burt +as he gazed around with a little shiver. Still the dull throb of the +drums came faintly from without, but the chanting had now ceased. "It +was mighty lucky for us, just the same. Don't it seem funny, that here +we are plannin' to kill Pongo right after he's saved our lives that +way?" + +"There's a whole lot of things that strike me funny," answered Critch. +"Wouldn't it be great if we could carry off all this ivory and the gold +ankh." + +"Huh!" grunted Burt. "Fine chance of that. It stumped Cap'n Mac to do +it." + +"Come on now, get down to business," said Critch, straightening up. +"First, we got to figure on how many logs we'll need. I should think we +might rig up something right here inside the ivory zareba, but I don't +see quite how. We can't very well fix a trap out in the forest, because +Pongo ain't liable to be hungry right away. It's queer that he didn't +bring the old chief here like he brought Cap'n Mac. Mebbe he uses this +more as sleeping quarters, and prefers to take his meals out in the open +air." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +BURT LEFT ALONE + + +"Critch," said Burt suddenly, "that was a blamed good idea while it +lasted. But it hasn't lasted. We can't do it." + +"Sure we can!" returned Critch hopefully. "Why not?" + +"It'd take us a year to build a deadfall like that." + +"We don't need to! Ain't Pongo blind? All we have to do is rig up a +figure-four trap out o' logs." + +"That'd be a nice easy job, wouldn't it!" retorted Burt. "He may be +blind but he ain't foolish. No, sir, it won't work. We just got to kill +that lion though. If we don't, Mbopo'll know we've been runnin' a bluff +on him." + +"What you goin' to do?" said Critch irritably. "Sit here and let him +come?" + +"Not much. Seems to me that if the lion's blind there ought to be some +way of fixing him without any danger. We're safe enough from the +pigmies while we're here with Ta-En-User, but not from the lion. Dust +your brain off! Think!" + +"All right," responded Critch briskly. "Here goes for the first thing." +Without ceremony he got up and pulled over the mummy-case. "We got to +fix Mbopo sure, ain't we? Well, take hold o' this--don't bust it!" + +"What you doing?" exclaimed Burt as his chum began to pry open the +mummy-case with the edge of the little axe obtained from Mbopo. Critch +paused to reply. + +"It's a pipe, Burt! We'll just upwrap Ta-En-User here, see? I guess he +ain't in extra good condition but he'll do for a while. Then we'll fill +up the case with leaves and the wrappings. These pigmies have never seen +inside the case, remember. They don't know a mummy from a goat. Soon's +we get him unwrapped an' laid out in his nightie, out go the lights and +you get back in the corner. + +"When Mbopo comes I'll tell 'em you did this to the ankh." Critch raised +his axe and cut a deep gash on the cross arm in the soft gold. "Then +I'll say that Pongo dried you up for insulting him. Get the point? +That'll scare 'em stiff. We'll take the ankh, the stuffed case and the +mummy back to the village." + +"Yes you will!" cried Burt hastily. "S'pose I'm going to stay here?" + +"Sure you are!" grinned Critch. "I'd do it only I reckon the mummy won't +have red hair an' it wouldn't work. You've got to do it!" + +"But what for?" persisted Burt. "What's the use? S'pose the lion comes?" + +"If he comes you can throw some blazing oil at him just like Cap'n Mac. +That ought to scare him away. Soon's I get to the village I'll see if I +can't locate some o' that poison. The whole tribe'll be scared stiff +when they see the mummy, 'specially if he's kind of spoiled. You hide +out here till morning and then I'll come back with what weapons I can +get. I'll warn the dwarfs away from here first. That's the only way I +see of gettin' what we need. We can't make Mbopo understand very well." + +"It wouldn't be a bad idea if you was going to stay here 'stead of me," +assented Burt dubiously. "S'pose we kill the lion. How'll you account +for me coming back to life?" + +"I'll tote the mummy in here and bury him," returned Critch promptly. +"Then maybe to-morrow night I'll have them bring the ankh to the +doorway. I'll go through a Latin verb and yell and you walk out. Why, +man, I'll be no end sacred! We'll own the whole blamed tribe!" + +"It listens good enough," admitted Burt. "Tell you what you do. Send the +stuff on with Mbopo and build a fire right in front of the door before +you go. Leave me some sticks--these bones ought to burn too. Mebbe that +fire'll keep the lion out." + +"Hurray!" exclaimed Critch enthusiastically. "Now let's get the old boy +unwrapped. It's been pretty damp for him here, I guess. He ought to be +pretty well preserved in spite of that. He isn't torn up except at the +neck. Off she comes!" + +Critch set to work at the head and Burt at the foot of the case. It did +not take them long to get the gaudily-painted wooden case apart. Then a +heavy aromatic odor filled the hut. As Critch had said, the mummy was +unharmed except at the neck. Here the case had been splintered open but +when the lid was off the boys saw that only a few layers of the +wrappings had been torn away. The whole mummy was wrapped in cloths. + +Burt and Critch lifted out the mass of wrappings to the mud floor of the +hut. As they did so something tinkled and fell against the case. Their +eyes fell on the remainder of the scarab necklace of which Montenay had +obtained a part. Evidently it had been placed around the neck after the +mummy was wrapped. Burt hurriedly stuffed it into his pocket. + +"Got that anyhow," he remarked. "Hope Mbopo don't show up before we get +through. Here we go!" + +With the help of the keen-edged axe the mummy was soon unwrapped and +laid on the floor. Intertwined with the wrappings the boys found six +necklaces, each formed of gold beads of different shapes. The largest +was formed of half amber and half gold beads, and held a large pendant +in the shape of the ankh. This was left on the mummy, while Critch +stuffed the others into his pocket. As he did so he gave a cry. + +"Hello!" He picked up a tight roll of parchment, welded into a solid +mass by the wrappings. "Wonder what this is? Well, we can't waste time +on her now. Go slow--that's all right. Now we got to hustle, Burt." + +"Lay him here this way--right beside the ankh," replied Burt. "Stick +your axe in his hand. Can't do that either. Liable to bust off. Well, +lay it handy here. I'd better keep it, so don't carry it off." + +The boys then hurriedly stuffed the pile of wrappings back into the case +and put the lid on as before. It had formerly been cemented with some +kind of strong pitch and now the gaping seam at the side showed plainly. + +"That won't do," cried Burt as they inspected it. "How'll we fix that, +Critch?" + +"Search me," replied his chum, puzzled. "They'd see that in a minute, +'cause we busted up that cement considerable." + +"Cement!" exclaimed Burt. "Looks a whole lot like tar to me, Critch. +Mebbe a little heat would fix her up fine!" + +"That's the candy!" returned Critch. Each boy took a brand from the +little fire and ran this along the seam. The black pitch-like stuff +smoked, bubbled, and set them coughing, but to their delight it +coalesced and it only remained to allow the cement to harden. + +"Golly, I'm glad that's over!" sighed Burt as he wiped his streaming +face and threw his brand back into the fire. No sound had broken in on +their labor except a throbbing beat of tom-toms from the village, +mingled once more with the shrill, steady chanting of the pigmy +warriors. The boys had grown too accustomed to the night-noises of the +jungle to heed the flickering far-off howls and cries that formed a +faint background to the nearer sounds. + +"We'd better carry all the stuff near the door," said Critch. "We'll +leave one light going so's they can see things right." + +Between them they dragged the heavy ankh over the floor to the entrance. +Then the mummy was set beside it leaning against the wall, two of the +lamps were blown out and Burt lay down in the far corner. Critch threw +some dead leaves over him and then sat down to wait with his head on his +knees. + +"Say, Critch!" grunted Burt suddenly. "Wonder what Uncle George'd say if +he could see us? Do you s'pose he an' Cap'n Mac are on their way home by +now?" + +"Don't you believe it!" replied Critch grimly. "I'll bet a million +dollars that they'll be hunting for us pretty quick in the jungle. Your +uncle ain't goin' to shoot for home and leave us back here. He ain't +that kind and neither's Cap'n Mac." + +"Guess you're right," agreed Burt hopefully. "I wouldn't be s'prised if +Uncle George ducked in here all by his lonely. He wouldn't have much +chance against them poison affairs of the black dwarfs, though," he +added more gloomily. + +"You got to remember that we've only been gone a few days," replied +Critch. "Cap'n Mac had to get well, too. Tell you what, pard, we're +powerful lucky not to be in his fix just about now." + +"Well, mebbe you're enjoying yourself a whole lot," retorted Burt, "but +I ain't. Golly, don't this ol' place smell like all get out? You ought +to be over here, Critch, with the bones and things. I wish Mbopo--" + +"S-sh!" came a mutter from the other. "I hear something down the line. +Here's my box of matches." An object fell near Burt's hand. "I'll be +back just as soon--lay low!" + +Burt, lying in the shadow cast by his chum, heard a light shuffle of +feet and then Mbopo appeared in the doorway, holding another little +figure by the hand, while a third followed reluctantly. + +"Him bruder," grinned the dwarf happily. "Him scared. T'ink Pongo kill. +Kill lion--where bruder gone?" + +The three dwarfs were standing within the entrance now, gazing fearfully +at Critch and the dim surroundings. + +"My brother very bad," answered the boy slowly, pointing to the ankh. +"Him take axe, hit Pongo. Pongo hit him with fire, burn him up," and he +moved the single lamp a trifle so that the light fell full on the mummy +beside him. + +Had the situation not been so serious Burt could have laughed at the +sickly gray look which overspread the features of the pigmies as they +fell to their knees. With one frightened groan all three buried their +faces in the dirt. Critch knew it was time to act and rose to his feet. + +"Get up!" commanded the boy sternly. He took the dwarfs by the hand and +raised them up one by one. "Pongo him mad. Him say no kill lion yet. Him +say take to village." Critch pointed at the village and the pigmies +comprehended. Then he patted them on the back and smiled and little by +little their fears were overcome. Taking a spear from Mbopo he passed it +through the loop of the golden ankh and signed to the two brothers to +raise it. + +They obeyed after some hesitation, with frightened looks at the grinning +mummy. Then Critch picked up the mummy and laid him in the trembling +arms of Mbopo and made shift to get the case on his own shoulder. He led +the way out and a moment later Burt was alone. + +He could hear the four stop outside while Critch lit a small fire in +front of the entrance. Then the latter re-entered with an armful of +large sticks and flung them down. + +"So long," he muttered. "I'll put some logs up against the door inside +the fire. If the lion gets through the smoke he'll stop at the logs +mebbe. See you later." + +"So long," murmured Burt and the other vanished. He heard a few sharp +orders transmitted through Mbopo and then after five minutes three or +four small logs were piled against the door. This was a decided +improvement on his own plan of the fire, for now the opening was nearly +blocked. + +Burt waited for a few moments and then rolled over and sat up. The +single wick was still burning dimly and he picked up the box of matches +and stowed them away beside his own. As he listened he could hear the +deep throb-throb of the larger drums from the village mingled with the +sharper and more staccato notes of the tom-toms. Over all rose the +shrill monotonous chant. + +Suddenly there came a change. The tom-toms ceased abruptly with one or +two scattered notes. The chanting died away an instant later. Then arose +a low, mournful wail of absolute fear that made the listening boy +shudder. This was followed by silence for a brief space and then came +two bark-like notes such as had answered the young chief earlier in the +evening. Critch had triumphed! Otherwise, Burt well knew that he would +have heard only one shrill yell. + +Burt still had his watch in its safety-pocket and had kept it wound +pretty regularly. He now drew it out and held it close to the blue +flame. Two o'clock; the boy stared at the hands incredulously. Had all +these events only occupied five or six hours? He had been sure it was +nearly morning. As it was, there were still three hours until daylight. +Three hours before Critch would come! + +For one moment Burt felt an insane impulse to rush from the hut and seek +the village. The horror of the place rushed over him. The combined odors +of the mummy, the burning oil, and the filth on the floor sickened him +and he made a step forward. Then he paused abruptly. Critch was counting +on him to fulfill his share of the task. His chum was doing his own +share--it was no easy matter to face that village of pigmies. Was he to +endanger everything at the last moment? + +With a little sigh Burt drew back. He settled down among the dry leaves, +leaving the light for companionship's sake. As he leaned back his eyes +closed and a feeling of delicious rest stole on him, for he was very +weary and tired. In another minute he was sound asleep. + +He was awakened by something scratching and sniffing at the thatch +behind him. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE DIARY + + +Burt leaped away with a yell of pure terror as he woke. He was answered +by a deep growl that sent his hair on end with fright. The lion was +outside and had smelled him! + +There was silence for a moment and then came a scratching at the logs +before the entrance. This was succeeded by one angry roar and Burt +concluded that the fire outside was still burning. He pulled out his +watch with trembling fingers. Three thirty! And the sun did not rise +until after four! + +A low mutter of growls and a swift pad-pad of feet came to him as the +angry and baffled lion ran around the hut. Burt's first spasm of wild, +uncontrolled fear gave way to courage born of desperation. There was no +place for him to run to. If he did manage to get out he must get past +the lion and face the pigmy village. His only hope was to fight off the +blind beast until Critch should arrive. + +Burt got out his matches and lit all three of the jars of palm oil +hurriedly. At the sound of his movements the growls outside increased in +fury. Then the soft footfalls ceased and the next instant the whole hut +quivered as the paw of the great beast struck it. + +The thatch was very closely woven, however. Burt hesitated between using +the axe or the oil and finally decided to reserve the former in case the +oil failed to drive off the lion. Again and again the beast struck at +the side of the hut. The thatch shredded away with a rustle and the hut +shook beneath the strain. Then a piece of the wall a foot square came +away and into the opening swept a great yellow foot armed with immense +claws. + +Burt did not hesitate. With a match ready lit he set fire to the oil in +one of the jars. It sputtered, then broke into a burst of flame and the +boy swiftly flung it at the great paw which was clawing frantically at +the side of the opening. + +A terrific roar responded, a roar such as the boy had never heard before +in all his life. It drove the blood from his cheeks and left him +gripping the handle of his axe, but outside he could hear the lion +rolling over and crashing among the long grass between the hut and the +zareba, and he knew that he was the victor for the moment. + +Another danger caught his eye and he sprang forward. Whipping off his +coat he hastily beat out the flames that were running up the side of the +hut from the blazing oil, and scattered dust over the latter with his +foot. That frail thatch was his only protection now! + +He still had two jars of oil. One he was resolved to keep in case he had +to use the little axe. At least he would have the advantage of sight. +His hopes and courage rose somewhat as he listened to the blinded animal +thrashing about in the grass. Then came silence outside. + +Burt waited but could hear nothing. "I hope he's run off!" muttered the +boy to himself. He hardly dared hope for that, however, and his fears +were justified when he heard the swift pad-pad outside again. This time +it was faster and heavier. Burt remembered the lions he had seen running +like great cats across the plain and his heart leaped as he pictured the +look of the animal outside. + +Now came a furious attack at the corner of the hut beside him. So +sudden and unexpected was it that Burt was caught napping. Before he +could strike a match or catch up the pot of oil he was horrified to see +a double row of fangs crash through the thatch, followed by a great +tawny head. Across the face extended a broad white scar as of an old +burn. + +With one strangled cry Burt lifted the keen little axe and brought it +down in the center of the white scar. He saw a tremendous paw that +ripped across his breast and hurled him backward, heard a maddened +scream from the beast, and as he fainted his last memory was of the +rocking, reeling walls about him. + +He woke with the sting of cold water on his face and gasped. His first +thought was that the lion was over him, and he struck out blindly and +savagely. + +"Go slow, old man!" sounded the voice of Critch. Burt looked up and saw +the face of his chum. He sank back weakly, while Critch went on bathing +his face. "Take it easy, Burt. Don't try to talk yet. Want a drink?" + +Burt certainly did want a drink, and he half emptied the canteen of +water at a draught, while Critch supported him. Then he struggled to +his feet. + +"Let's get out o' here," he murmured. A shudder swept over him as he +glanced around. There were gaping holes in the thatch walls, and before +him was a pool of blood, black against the dirt. The two boys reached +the doorway and Burt sank down gratefully in the warm morning sunlight, +leaning against the wall of the hut. + +"You must have had a fierce time," said Critch sympathetically. "Are you +hurt?" + +Burt glanced down and shook his head. His shirt had been ripped to +pieces by that savage sweep of the lion's paw, but beyond one slight +scratch he had escaped damage. He paled again at the narrowness of the +escape. Then Critch thrust some roasted bananas into his hand, and the +two boys made their breakfast together. + +"I feel a heap better now," smiled Burt weakly as he set down the empty +canteen at length. "Now we can talk." + +"What happened, anyhow?" inquired Critch eagerly. "When I got here five +minutes ago you were lyin' on your back. I thought you was dead, sure, +when I saw all that blood and the wrecked hut." + +Strengthened by his sleep and the food, Burt gradually regained his +self-control as he related the story of that terrible night to his chum. +Critch listened with eager interest, then rose and dashed into the hut. +An instant later he reappeared, frowning. + +"The axe is gone," he exclaimed excitedly. "Think you killed him?" + +"How do I know?" retorted Burt. "I hit him as hard as I could, and I +guess it landed between his eyes, but that's all I can tell." + +"You must ha' landed pretty hard, then," mused Critch, "judgin' from all +that blood. Anyhow, we can follow him up--" + +"Do it yourself," broke in Burt. "I know just about how Cap'n Mac felt +now. I wouldn't monkey with that lion again for a million dollars cash. +No sir!" + +"Well, I will!" cried Critch excitedly. "I can get Mbopo--" + +"Oh, how did you come out?" interrupted Burt, with new interest. "I +judged from the sounds that it worked all right." + +"Work!" laughed Critch. "I should say it did work! Why, I've got the +whole blamed tribe eatin' out o' my hand, Burt! Even Mbopo ain't quite +sure whether he ought to kow-tow or kneel down when he speaks to me. It +was easy! + +"After we left here I had a lot of trouble trying to make the other +fellows carry that _ankh_. They were scared to death of the thing. +Before we got to the gate I fixed up the procession right. Mbopo went +first with the mummy. Then come the two brothers carryin' the _ankh_ +between 'em on the spear. I come last with the mummy-case. + +"The whole tribe was feasting and dancing and singing when we showed up. +When Mbopo went through the gate and got into the firelight the bunch +stopped all of a sudden. Then they saw the two boys with the _ankh_. The +tom-toms quit work and everybody went down on their noses. Before they +had a chance to look up I fixed things right. + +"I had Mbopo stand on that pile of skins. The _ankh_ and mummy-case were +set down right in front of him. I stood alongside him and took old +Ta-En-User, setting him on his feet natural-like. About half the crowd +was looking up by this time. They couldn't understand what was up till +I nodded to Mbopo and he began to speak. + +"Well, sir, he hadn't said more'n about ten words, pointing to the +_ankh_ and the mummy, before them dwarfs let a howl out of 'em like they +were all struck by lightning." + +"Yes," broke in Burt, "I heard that. It sure sounded awful." + +"I reckon they _felt_ kind of awful," grinned Critch contentedly. "I was +scared stiff at first, honest. It seemed so blamed foolish, Burt, to +trot out a mummy and a hunk of gold and set up as a god on the strength +of it! I soon got over being scared, though. I could be chief o' that +tribe right now if I wanted to! + +"Mbopo went on explaining how you happened to be all dried up that way. +The crowd turned several degrees whiter while he was talking. It made me +feel pretty mean for a minute to think o' them grown men an' women +knuckling down that way to me. Then I got another idea. + +"I set Ta down gentle and reached out for Mbopo's hand. It scared him, +but he was game. I led him forward a step, then picked up the _ankh_ an' +stood it on end. When I took Mbopo's hand again his knees were shaking, +but I grinned at him and placed his hand on the loop. When he found that +nothing happened he just swelled up, an' looked at me so grateful and +plumb happy that I couldn't keep from laughing. The crowd stared, but +when they saw Mbopo standing there proud and confident, they hollered +out their kind o' cheer--two sharp little barks." + +"Heard that too," nodded Burt. "Whew, I'd like to have seen all that, +Critch! But didn't you get any sleep at all?" + +"You bet I did!" was the reply. "Just as soon as I got things settled +that way Mbopo made another speech. Then I got him to understand that I +wanted some place to sleep. He had a fellow take me to an elegant big +hut. There were lots of skins and stuff in there and I went to sleep +right off. I was pretty near dead. I woke up at sunrise and got some +bananas and water and came over here. That's all, I guess." + +"Well, when are you going to resurrect me?" asked Burt. "I'm not going +to hang around here, I can tell you." + +"You got to," replied his chum earnestly. "If you showed up now it'd +spoil the whole thing, Burt! You can stay out here in the shade, can't +you? The zareba hides you from the village, as long as you keep away +from the entrance." + +"All right." Burt struggled to his feet, himself again. "Let's have a +look at that zareba, Critch." + +The two boys walked across the little open space and halted in front of +the row of tusks. Strands of thorn-bush were interwoven among the tusks, +which were planted closely in the ground, but the zareba was so low that +the lion would have had no difficulty in leaping over it. It was +evidently intended more for show than for defence. + +"Those tusks don't look as if they were worth taking away," said Burt +disgustedly. "Look at how old they are, and all cracked up!" + +Indeed, the tusks seemed very ancient. Their surface was not the smooth, +white surface of new ivory but was gray and rough and pitted with holes +worn by the weather and insects. + +"They must have been here for a long time," agreed Critch. "But I don't +know 'bout their not being worth taking off, Burt. You know when your +uncle swapped Mvita for those old tusks o' his? They looked just like +these, and your uncle isn't buying old tusks for his health. Besides, +Cap'n Mac was crazy about these. If they hadn't been worth while he +wouldn't--" + +"That's so," exclaimed Burt more hopefully. "Prob'ly they're all right +on the inside. We're liable to make some money out o' this trip yet." + +"You talk just's if we had it cinched!" laughed his chum. "Say, take +some thorns and pin your shirt together. I got to get back to the +village now. I'm going to bring out some weapons and some more grub, but +I want to make sure that everything's safe. I'll have to warn Mbopo not +to come near here, too. I guess we can fix things up to resurrect you by +to-night, anyhow." + +"You'd better," returned Burt, fastening his tattered shirt together +after Critch's suggestion. "I'm not going to stay here another night, +that's straight. Why don't you get Mbopo out after Pongo with some of +the men?" + +"Not yet," answered Critch thoughtfully. "I want to finish up your +business first. That'll tie everything down tight. Then we can get busy +with the lion. I believe we'll pull out of this yet, Burt!" + +"Sure we will," laughed Burt, his spirits fully restored by this time. +"I'm going to get some more sleep here in the shade. Better go easy with +Mbopo. If he gets a swelled head he might make trouble." + +"No chance of that," replied Critch, pausing at the gateway. "He's a +mighty good scout. Well, so long! Anything special you want?" + +"Oh, nothin but a two-inch steak, a couple o' books, and a letter from +back home," replied Burt. "So long!" And as his chum disappeared he +flung himself down in the long grass under the hut wall, whose shadow +would protect him from the sun. He had come to care little for insects +by this time, and in any case he was too weary to think about them. + +When he next opened his eyes the sun was in the west and Critch was +shaking him vigorously. Burt sat up, yawning, to find his chum highly +excited. Beside them lay a collection of axes, swords, knives and +spears. + +"Wake up, you!" cried Critch. "I got pretty near everything you asked +for." + +"You got what?" said Burt sleepily, staring at his chum. Then he +remembered his parting words and laughed as Critch displayed a thick +antelope-steak, a couple of baked yams and the refilled canteen. + +"I got more than that," exclaimed Critch. "I found a kid playing with +something a while ago. Come to find out, it was this," and he threw the +remains of a little red leather book into Burt's lap. The latter, who +had already attacked the steak with the help of one of the knives, +picked it up with interest. + +The little book drew a gasp of amazement from Burt when he opened it, +for on the inside cover was inscribed, in small and neat writing, +"McAllister Montenay, V. C. His Diary." + +"Is that straight?" asked Burt, looking up with flushed cheeks. Critch +nodded. + +"You bet it is. Get finished with the eats, while I tell you. I saw a +kid trailin' that around in the dust, so I rescued it and took a look. +You could have knocked me over with a feather when I saw what it was! +There's a whole lot of it that you can't make out, but enough's left to +do business with. + +"Everything's lovely at the village. Some hunters brought in three +wildebeest and an antelope this morning and the whole tribe's feasting +up. That seems to be about all they do." + +Burt was not long in disposing of the provisions. After emptying the +canteen, he picked up the little tattered red book once more and opened +it, Critch close beside him. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +BURT COMES TO LIFE + + +"Didn't know he was a V. C.," commented Burt, turning past the first +page. "Say most o' this is spoiled!" + +The pages were many of them torn, all were smudged and streaked with +dirt, and ominous dark red stains covered a large portion of the +booklet. + +"Here's the first place you can read," and Critch turned over a number +of unreadable pages. "Start in right here." Burt settled back and read +aloud as follows: + +"'June 1st. Five men down. Yusuf cut off from supplies. Will rush +to-morrow. + +"'June 2nd. Rushed. Lost thirteen. Finished Yusuf. Got lots of ivory, +unmounted yet. Read burial service this evening. Big loot to divide.'" + +"That next you can't read, most of it," broke in Critch. "There's +something about Pongo, though." Burt nodded and continued: + +"'--with odd bit of wood. May be some truth in it. Must investigate. +If the boys will have a go at it--' + +"That's all, there," announced Burt. "All that's about the time he +cleaned up on the Arab caravan, eh? Let's see--there's five pages where +everything's mussed up." + +"Looks like blood," laughed Critch, "but it ain't. That's the red stuff +the dwarfs use to stain their things with. See here, on this +spear-shaft. There's a lot comes next that he wrote after he set up in +Pongo's place--it was his left arm that was hurt, so he could write all +right. But you can't make out more'n a few scattered words. Turn to the +last page that's written on. There's where the big thing is." + +Burt obeyed, turning over the pages rapidly. Most of the writing had +been obliterated or stained over, but although the final page was half +torn away, the remaining words were clear and legible. + +"'Dec. 16th. Impossible to carry off the stuff. Must slip away while out +hunting if possible. Not much hope. River runs northwest. May find Arabs +or English traders to the east or north. Will find from Mbopo +whether--' + +"And that's all," announced Burt, looking puzzled. "I don't see what you +mean by sayin' there's anything big there, though." + +"Read it over again," suggested Critch with a grin. Burt did so, and +once more glanced up with a wondering look. + +"You got me, Critch. What are you getting at, anyhow?" + +"Don't you see?" cried his chum excitedly. "That part about the river +running northwest!" + +"Well, what about it?" demanded Burt. + +"Why, which way does the Makua run?" + +"If I remember the map," replied Burt slowly, "it runs due west, joins +the Loangi, and meets up with the Congo on the way south. Oh, I see!" he +added suddenly. "You mean that this river out here runs up to the +Makua?" + +"Brilliant!" exclaimed Critch sarcastically. "Why, it's got to, Burt! +That is, unless it switches off an' goes south. I don't believe it does, +though." + +"That won't do us much good either," responded Burt. "These dwarfs don't +use boats, or Cap'n Mac would have gotten off that way." + +"What do we want of boats?" demanded Critch. "After you're resurrected +I'll be the boss of this tribe for fair. I'll set them to work on a +raft, and away we go! If we hit the Makua we're bound to strike your +uncle and Cap'n Mac sooner or latter." + +"Good for you!" cried Burt, staring at the other in wide-eyed +comprehension. "And we can carry off this whole blamed zareba that way, +with the _ankh_ too!" + +"Not much we can't," and Critch shook his head. "We could get off with +the ivory, I s'pose, if Mbopo helps us. But not the _ankh_. That's their +real god, you know. I don't believe we'd dare try that." + +"Well, it's getting on toward sunset," and Burt glanced at the sun, just +above the western tree tops. "You'd better chase back and get ready to +resurrect me. I ain't anxious to be around here after dark. What's the +program?" + +"Why," replied Critch thoughtfully, "you keep hid till dark. As soon's +it gets good and dark, say eight o'clock, I'll lead out the mob. I don't +know just yet what I'll do, but I'll bring the mummy in here. You get a +hole dug to bury him in. Then I'll lead you out and can shake hands +with Pongo." + +"With which?" exclaimed Burt. + +"With the _ankh_--just lay your hand on him like Mbopo did," explained +Critch, laughing. "Stick that book of Cap'n Mac's in your pocket. If we +get out o' here he'd like to see it again, I reckon. So long." + +"So long," answered Burt. "Don't keep me waitin' all night, now." + +So Critch departed on his mission, while Burt lay back to think things +over. If it was true that the river near the village ran northwest, then +it almost certainly ran into the Makua, or a tributary of the Makua. In +that case they would be perfectly safe in floating down. There would be +dangers on the way, but by taking a few of the white dwarfs along Burt +realized that these would be greatly lessened. On the other hand, should +the river prove to turn and flow back toward the Aruwimi country, they +would probably miss the caravan altogether. In any case, their whole +future depended upon the issue of that night's "performance," as Burt +mentally styled his bringing to life. + +The disappearance of the sun roused him to the fact that he had work to +do. Taking a spear and a broad-bladed sword from the weapons Critch had +left, Burt went inside the hut. Here he set to work energetically +digging the hole for the final resting place of Ta-En-User, the High +Priest of Maat. The tramped earthen floor was easily broken up by means +of the spear, and as the dusk settled down over the forest Burt finished +a shallow hole sufficient to hold the mummy. + +"It's kind o' hard lines," he thought, wiping his dripping face as he +returned outside. "Here old Ta was wrapped up carefully three thousand +years back, meaning to lie quiet forever. He don't more than get +comfortably settled down when along come the white dwarfs to rouse him +up, and they carry him clear over here. Then he settles down once more, +and we come along and finish him. If he'd been buried right in the first +place--why, if they'd done things different three thousand years back +there wouldn't be any Pongo!" + +Burt was roused from his rather intricate calculations by a particularly +savage mosquito settling on his ear. Having disposed of the insect, +Burt daubed his face and hands with what remained of the palm oil. Then +he beat down the grass at a spot where he could see between two of the +tusks and settled down to wait. He was uneasy at the idea that the lion +might return at any moment, and felt not the slightest temptation to +drop off to sleep. + +The swift tropical night settled down over the forest, and soon Burt +could make out the glow of the village fires. After what seemed an age +he heard the sound of chanting mingled with the throb of the tom-toms. +This continued for half an hour, then ceased. A few moments later a +moving light appeared at the zareba gate, followed by others. Burt +guessed that these were torches, and knew that the time was at hand. + +More and more torches poured out of the gate, until by their light Burt +could make out fairly well all that took place. It seemed that the +entire tribe was leaving the village. At the head of the procession +stalked Mbopo, with Critch beside him. Burt could see his chum carrying +something wrapped in a skin, and knew this was the mummy. Then came the +two brothers of Mbopo, carrying the golden _ankh_ between them on a +spear, while a third man bore the mummy-case. Behind marched the +bodyguard of the chief, the rest of the tribe following in a mob. + +At the point where the boys had been left for the lion, halfway between +village and hut, the tribe was halted. Mbopo arranged the men and women +in a wide semicircle, evidently following the orders of Critch. The +"drum corps" was then brought to the front, the greater part of the +torches were extinguished, and Critch, Mbopo and the bearers of the +relics moved forward. Burt saw his chum stop at a point distant about a +hundred feet from the hut and directly in front of the gateway. + +After a slight delay, a fire was lit here. This presently blazed up, +Critch wishing to wait until plenty of light was cast upon the sacred +objects and the gateway of the ivory zareba. At a signal from Mbopo the +tom-toms began a steady, regular beat and the pigmies broke into a low +chant that swelled at intervals until the echoes came back faintly from +the forest. Burt watched the scene through his loophole in silent +fascination. He had no fears as to its outcome, for the dwarfs were +plainly under the dominance of Critch. + +Now the fire blazed up higher and higher. Burt saw his chum, whose +flaming hair glowed out in the ruddy light, suddenly raise his hand. The +drums and chanting stopped abruptly, and the dead silence that ensued +sent a quiver through the boy behind the ivory stockade. Critch bent +over, opened the skin bundle, and exposed the mummy to view. At this, +one prolonged groan went up from the audience and the crowd went down on +their faces, even Mbopo falling prostrate. + +Moving a step forward, Critch faced the sacred hut and began to speak. +His voice came faintly at first, but as he gained confidence it rang +louder. The words came plainly to Burt. Critch first delivered all the +French he could think of, then broke into Antony's oration, which he had +learned at school the year before. Perhaps fearing that Mbopo might +comprehend too much of this, Critch switched off abruptly and delivered +a complete conjugation of the Latin verb "habeo," speaking slowly and +distinctly in as deep a voice as he could assume. + +Burt was doubled up in silent laughter, and he saw his chum pause at +times as though struggling to repress his feelings also. But his face +was away from the pigmies, and his voice remained firm enough. Burt +could well imagine the effect produced by all this mummery upon the +ignorant and highly superstitious pigmies, ridiculous as it might appear +to him. + +Finally Critch ran out of words, it seemed, for he stopped suddenly. The +firelight gleamed on hundreds of eyes behind his figure, and Burt +wondered vaguely what would happen if the waiting tribe should by any +chance see through their trickery. The thought made him collect all his +forces, and at this moment Critch stooped again. Picking up the mummy, +he touched it to the golden _ankh_. + +At the action a ripple of sound rose from the pigmies, followed by what +was almost a wail of fear as Critch straightened up, the mummy in his +arms, and began walking slowly toward the sacred hut. Burt knew it was +time to get inside, so he slipped in through the hole made by the lion, +the doorway being in view of the crowd. A moment later the form of +Critch darkened the entrance. + +"Fine work!" whispered Burt. He was answered by a sigh of relief. + +"Take Ta, will you? I'm all in." Critch sank weakly down, and with some +repugnance Burt caught the mummy. Placing it in the hole, he filled in +the earth, tramped it down, and sprinkled leaves and bones over the +place. "Say," went on his chum, "that may have sounded funny to you, but +it was something fierce!" + +"Never mind," murmured Burt. "You did it mighty fine, old man." + +"It was awful to think what'd happen if I made a slip," confessed +Critch. "Honest, Burt, I was so weak-kneed I could hardly walk over +here! How you coming?" + +"He's buried," responded Burt as he finished his task. "Do we go out +now?" + +"No use keeping them waitin'," said Critch. "I'm goin' to leave the +_ankh_ and the mummy-case in here for good. Are you ready? Give me a +hand." + +Burt helped his chum to his feet. Critch stepped into the doorway, +holding Burt's hand. Then began a slow and solemn advance across the +firelit space before the hut. As the figures of the two boys came into +sight of the pigmies, an indescribable murmur of awe swept from the +crowd. Then came a prolonged groan of unutterable horror as Burt's face +stood out more clearly, and Burt, whose gaze was fixed on Mbopo, saw the +pigmy chief go down in the dust, his extended hands trembling in the +firelight. A moment more and the boys stood beside the _ankh_. + +Releasing Burt's hand, Critch caught the loop of the symbol of Maat and +stood it on end. Then Burt placed his hand on it beside that of Critch. +At this a click, seemingly of joy, arose from the crowd. Mbopo looked +up, his face ashen gray, and wild amazement in his eyes. + +Critch now beckoned the two brothers forward, and at his repeated +gestures they trembling took up the _ankh_ on the spear and awaited his +further commands. + +"Take one end o' the case," directed Critch. Burt obeyed, and the two +boys led the way back to the hut. No sooner had they deposited the +_ankh_ than Burt chanced to touch one of the pigmies in the dark. The +man gave a terrific shriek and dashed through the doorway, followed by +his brother. For a moment a wild fear clutched Burt. What if the mob +imagined that they were hurting the two men? The boys hurried out, and +found the men prostrate beside Mbopo. Critch raised them up and Burt, +needing no instruction, smilingly touched each of the shrinking men in +turn. Finding that they suffered nothing, their fear gradually lessened, +and as Mbopo grasped the hand of Burt there was a look of joy in the +honest eyes of the young dwarf that told far more than any words could +have done. + +Then Critch led the way to the village. The crowd, still prostrate, +separated to let them through. Ten minutes later the boys lay side by +side on a heap of skins in a hut, too much overcome by the strain to +even speak. But as Burt fell asleep, he knew that they had won the +fight. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE RAFT + + +When he wakened, it was hard for Burt to realize where he was. He stared +up at the thatched roof above him and gradually collected his thoughts. +A shiver swept over him as he recollected what had occurred the +preceding night. He sat up, and saw Critch still asleep beside him. It +appeared to be broad daylight outside, and he roused his chum at once. +Critch rolled over and sprang to his feet, then stood blinking around +with so puzzled an expression that Burt went into a shout of laughter. + +"What's the matter?" he gasped. + +"I was dreaming that old Ta was having a scrap with me," confessed his +chum sheepishly. "He threw the _ankh_ at me and just then Pongo come +along and jumped him. Both of 'em rolled over on me and I woke up." + +"Say, was last night all a dream?" asked Burt, soberly, as he stared at +his chum. "Or did we really put it over--" + +"You bet we did!" cried Critch with a grin of recollection. "No dream +about that, old man. We've only been here two days, but we've done a +heap of things. Now we got to finish the lion. Then we can see about +getting off." + +"I'm not anxious to monkey with Pongo," stated Burt. "However, we might +send out Mbopo to trail him. I'll take him over to the hut if you'll get +some breakfast fixed up." + +"I'm on," exclaimed Critch. Upon leaving the hut, the two boys found +themselves objects of awed veneration from the pigmies. They met Mbopo, +and Burt took him out to the sacred hut. Here he described the fight +with Pongo in detail, not mentioning when it occurred and purposely +leaving the dwarf rather confused. There could be no such doubt about +the struggle itself, however, and Mbopo nodded understandingly. + +They then left the ivory zareba while Mbopo made a cast around the place +for the lion's trail. Burt accompanied him, and Mbopo soon uttered a +shout of excitement. Running to his side, Burt saw the beaten spot in +the tall grass where the lion must have alighted from his last leap over +the ivory zareba after having been wounded. There was a speck or two +of dried blood in evidence, and Mbopo found more blood farther on, as +well as a clearly defined trail. The excited pigmy was for following it +up at once, but Burt held him back. By dint of much patience he made +Mbopo understand that Critch, whom the pigmies called "Mwanzi," or +"Red-head," must accompany them, as well as some warriors. Burt had had +one experience with a wounded lion and he intended to take no chances +this time. + +The two returned to the village where Mbopo shouted forth his news, and +Burt was instantly the center of an excited mob. He pushed through them, +however, and found Critch with breakfast ready. Over the meal they +discussed the matter of the lion, and decided to start out at once. + +"Mebbe they'll go without waitin' for us," suggested Burt, glancing at +the chattering crowd of warriors around the young chief. Critch shook +his head. + +"Not much. They ain't got the nerve. They'll do whatever we tell 'em, +but they won't leave us out o' the game, take it from me." + +As soon as they had finished, the boys joined Mbopo. Their first object +was a search for weapons. Critch suggested taking two of the spears, +whose blades were over a foot long and keen as a razor, but Burt +objected. + +"We don't know how to use them," he said. "Let's see; didn't Cap'n Mac +say something about trade-guns?" + +"Mebbe he did," assented Critch, "but I haven't seen any sign of guns +around here. Let's ask Mbopo." + +They tried to make the young chief understand, but without success. +Thereupon the boys took matters into their own hands, and began a search +among the largest huts. This was presently rewarded by the finding of an +old Snider, wrapped in tarpaulin. There were three cartridges in the +magazine, but no more. These were displayed to Mbopo, but he stated that +there were no more weapons of the kind in the village. + +"Well, she seems to be in pretty fair shape," remarked Burt, squinting +down the barrel of the rifle. "Get some palm oil, Critch. Three bullets +ought to do." + +"Don't catch me around when you fire that thing," sniffed his chum +disgustedly. "She's liable to bust. I'll bet she's twenty years old." + +"Better'n a spear at that," chuckled Burt, oiling the rifle until it +worked perfectly. "We ain't so badly off, Critch. There, I guess that'll +do. Ready?" + +Critch armed himself with one of the spears, and at the head of twenty +picked warriors they left the village. Mbopo led the way to the spoor +already found, and Critch at once ordered the pigmy warriors to follow +it up. + +"Let 'em take the chances," he grinned. "They ain't scared now I'm +along. If they find Pongo you can finish him with the gun--unless the +gun finishes you." + +"You're sore because you didn't find the gun yourself," retorted Burt. +"Come on, they're quite a ways ahead." + +The pigmies had started at once along the spoor of the lion, spreading +out on either side and calling to one another continually. The boys +followed more carefully with Mbopo. The spoor led them through the long +rank grass into the forest, and was easy for the boys to read. + +The lion had made only one leap after leaving the zareba. This had taken +him almost across the grassy space. Upon reaching the first thicket he +had crawled along and left a plain blood-marked trail for the hunters to +follow. A hundred yards farther on they heard a shrill yell from ahead, +and hurried on. + +Emerging from the thicket, they found the pigmies clustered about a +clump of thorn-bushes. These were almost impenetrable save by the trail +left by the lion. The pigmies reported to Mbopo, who turned to Critch. + +"Him Pongo in there," he stated, pointing to the bushes with a grin. +"Mwanzi kill? Vera good!" + +Critch hesitated. He glanced at the waiting pigmies, who evidently had +not the slightest intention of robbing him of the honor of going first. + +"Come on," he muttered to Burt. "We got to pull the bluff through right +here. Have your gun ready." + +Burt nodded. The two boys, their hearts beating fast, advanced to the +edge of the thicket. No sound came from the bushes, and Burt thrust the +first branches aside as he entered. The thorns made sad havoc with their +clothes, but the boys were too anxious to heed this. A moment later Burt +gave a startled exclamation. Critch came to his side, and the boys saw +a tawny shape lying ahead of them. + +"Is he dead?" whispered Critch. + +"Can't see him plain enough," responded Burt. "If he jumps and I don't +stop him, try to catch him on the spear." + +A few steps farther on and the lion came into full view. He was lying on +his side, stretched out, and something black hid his head. Burt levelled +the gun, but as he did so the black object resolved itself into a swarm +of flies, who buzzed up at the noise made by the boys. + +"Hurray!" shouted Burt, flinging down the gun, "he's dead!" + +"Look at the axe!" yelled his chum, pointing to the weapon that was +almost buried in the skull of the beast. "Golly, you must have hit like +fury! Hey, Mbopo!" + +The pigmies were not far behind the boys, and at the shout they came +dashing forward. A shrill yell went up as they saw the dead lion, then +all remained silent and motionless, gazing down at the form of the beast +which they had worshipped for so long. That he was blind could be easily +made out, for the white scar ran across his eyes, which were not +pleasant to see. Burt turned away with a shudder. + +"Leave Mbopo to skin him, Critch. I'm goin' back where it's cool." + +His chum nodded, directed Mbopo to skin the lion and followed Burt back +to the shade of the hut. There the two boys settled down for a talk. + +"We got nothing to worry over now," remarked Critch, "except the getting +away. How'll we keep the skin of Pongo?" + +"Let Mbopo do that," replied Burt. "They can fix it so it'll keep long +enough to get down the river with anyhow." He suddenly sat up. "Say, +building that raft is going to be some job! Let's have a look at the +river." + +"Come on," and Critch sprang to his feet. "If we do get off, Burt, let's +take a collection o' these pigmy weapons. Wouldn't they be swell in our +rooms at home?" + +"Right now I'd take the rooms without anything at all in 'em," grinned +Burt, who was fast recovering his spirits in the fresh morning air. A +few moments later they reached the village, which stood on the river +bank, and descended by a well-worn path to the edge of the stream. + +"There's some big trees growin' handy," announced Critch. "How'll we +make it?" Burt thought a moment. + +"Why," he replied slowly, "take four big logs an' lash 'em in a square. +Then put four on top o' them, with a platform. That ought to float +pretty high even with a good load. Guess we'll have to make two rafts, +though. We couldn't carry any men an' that ivory on one, 'less we made +it almighty big." + +"The river wouldn't stand for a very big one," suggested Critch. "Go an' +get a bunch o' the men, Burt. We might as well pitch in right now." + +Burt nodded and returned up the path, leaving Critch to inspect the +trees growing at the edge of the river. He returned with a score of men, +all of whom brought their little axes. They looked wonderingly at the +two boys. + +"Here's a good tree," declared Critch, pointing to one about two feet +through. "We'll take an axe an' show 'em how to do it." + +Shedding their upper garments, for the place was by no means cool, the +boys fell to work on the tree. The pigmies comprehended at once, and +also went to work on three other trees picked out by the boys. The +latter, having started things satisfactorily, flung themselves down in +the shade and directed operations. + +When the first tree was about to fall, they showed the dwarfs how to +make it fall toward the stream, so that it lay half in the water. There +seemed to be no crocodiles in the river, the men splashing about without +fear. Then Burt took a spear and measured a straight section of the +trunk for three spear-lengths, or fifteen feet. While Critch saw that +this was lopped and cut rightly, Burt visited the other workers. + +All this, however, was not done in a few moments. The axes of the +pigmies were keen, but they were also very small. No sooner had the work +begun than the whole tribe came down from the village to look on with +wondering interest, and Mbopo shortly after arrived also. + +It was well into the afternoon before the four trees were down, and not +until noon of the next day were they cut into the proper lengths and +trimmed. Finally, however, the logs lay end to end in the shape of a +square, in the shallow water. Burt now explained to Mbopo that these +were to be fastened together. The young chief comprehended at once, and +with strips of tough hides had the first part of the raft completed by +nightfall. + +The abundance of help lightened the work wonderfully, as the other +warriors learned the work. They went at it like children, laughing and +playing continually, until the two white boys wondered how they could +ever have stood in fear of these pranking dwarfs who were so full of fun +and laughter. + +At the end of five days the first raft was finished to the satisfaction +of the boys. Even when the platform was crowded with men it floated +clear of the water, and with an ordinary load the platform would be at +least a foot above the surface. The whole fabric was very strong, for +the platform itself was formed of saplings which were lashed carefully, +and no ordinary shock would break up the raft. A small bulwark was then +run around the edges. + +At the end of a week the second raft also lay completed, and now the +boys had to face the somewhat difficult task of explaining their purpose +to Mbopo. They took him over to the sacred hut, and Burt pointed to the +ivory tusks, with gestures of uprooting them. + +"Take him to Buburika Mac," he explained over and over. "You go along. +Come back afterwards." + +Mbopo looked doubtful as he grasped the idea that the tusks were to be +loaded on the rafts. Finally, however, he nodded and the boys drew a +breath of relief. That they would be obeyed now they had no fear at all, +for the pigmies were their devoted slaves in every way, and stood in +evident awe of the two boys and especially of "Mwanzi." + +This belief was confirmed when Mbopo addressed the tribe in a great +council that night. The pigmies made not the slightest opposition, and +the boys could see by his gestures that he was describing their desires. + +"All right," murmured Burt as the two short guttural barks ascended from +the audience, "it's all over but the shouting, Critch. S'pose we can get +the stuff loaded up to-morrow?" + +"We ought to," replied his chum. "We'll have to see first. Those thorns +are tangled up with the tusks somethin' fierce." + +Next morning the entire tribe left the village and approached the +sacred hut of Pongo. Under the direction of Mbopo, who took matters into +his own hands now, the work of uprooting the ivory was begun. This was +difficult, but by evening the last of the great tusks lay in the pile by +the river edge. All that remained was to load them aboard the rafts. +This, however, would be no easy matter, for the tusks were heavy and the +balance of the rafts must be preserved. + +Critch took charge of the loading, while Burt attended to getting +provisions together for the journey. There was dried meat in abundance, +and plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits. The boys had a long +consultation over loading the ivory, for even with the protection of the +dwarfs a raftload of tusks would be too much of an inducement for the +tribes they were sure to meet. + +At length it was settled by making a layer of tusks, of which there were +thirty-nine in all, on the platforms. Fifteen of the tusks had been +discarded by the boys as worthless. Over the layer of ivory was placed +enough dirt to fill in the spaces and hold the tusks steady. A top layer +of skins completed the whole. + +The young chief made no objection to taking the journey on the rafts, +for the boys held out "Buburika Mac" at the end of the trip as a bribe, +and Mbopo could not resist. He selected six warriors for each raft; he +and Burt took charge of one and Critch of the other. Poles were cut for +the "deckhands," as Burt named the crews, and at length all was ready. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +DOWN THE MAKUA + + +The start was made in the early dawn of a perfect day. The whole tribe +assembled to see the party off, and it was plain that the pigmies, while +not opposing the departure, did not like to lose "Mwanzi," for many +gifts were brought to the boys, with gestures of good will. In their +turn, Burt and Critch gave away all the small articles they possessed +except those which they would absolutely need. Their collection of +weapons was completed, and Burt carefully wrapped up the rifle with its +three precious cartridges in the tarpaulin. As the sequel proved, it was +well indeed for the boys that they had found the old rifle. + +Finally all was ready. The warriors took their places on board, standing +amid the piles of provisions and skins of water, for the boys dared not +drink the river water. + +"Cast off!" shouted Critch, throwing off the vine that bound his raft to +the bank. Burt followed suit. A roll of tom-toms and a loud shout rose +from the tribe, which was answered by a shout from the crews. Slowly the +poles sent the rafts out into mid-stream, where the current caught them +and swept them down. For half a mile they remained in sight of the +village, then a bend swept all away. The perilous voyage was begun. + +Burt's raft followed that of Critch at a distance of fifty feet. Neither +boy made any effort to increase the speed of the craft, confining their +efforts to keeping the rafts from turning around and around in the +current. Both floated well above the water, and the pigmies were highly +delighted with their novel situation. + +The river was of good size and to the joy of the two boys it continued +to flow steadily toward the northwest. They floated down between banks +of heavy vegetation, but saw no signs of life. That night they camped on +an island and the party seemed in high spirits. + +The next day they received their first sign of the hidden life that +filled the great jungles. There came a high shrill yell from one bank, +to which Mbopo replied, and the boys knew that once more they were among +the black dwarfs. This was repeated in the afternoon, but even by the +aid of their glasses they could not make out who had hailed them. + +Only once did they meet with trouble. This occurred when Critch ran +aground on a hidden shoal. The solid raft ran deeply into the mud of the +river bottom and it took the efforts of both crews to get her off. + +For three days more they floated down the river, but on the third +evening both boys noticed signs of uneasiness among the pigmies. In the +morning, before the start, Mbopo approached Critch. + +"Where Buburika Mac?" he inquired, glancing around as if he expected to +find Captain Montenay in their vicinity. Critch glanced at Burt. + +"Him down there," and he waved his hand downstream. Mbopo looked +doubtfully around. + +"Mbopo no like vera good," was his reply. "Him Zwengi pretty quick." + +"Zwengi?" repeated Critch, puzzled. + +"Him vera bad," declared Mbopo. "Him big, much fight. Mbopo no like." + +"Must be a tribe they're at war with," said Burt. He took up the rifle +and turned to the chief. "Him kill Zwengi." + +"Mwanzi kill Zwengi?" asked Mbopo of Critch, plainly putting all his +faith in the latter's prowess. Critch laughed and nodded. Mbopo turned +and spoke joyfully to his men, who instantly lost their uneasy +appearance and sprang aboard with a shout of delight. + +"It's up to you," grinned Burt, and Critch nodded soberly. + +"Plain bluff again," he said. "If we are held up, those bows o' the +dwarfs ought to get in good work, an' your three cartridges'll help a +whole lot unless the Zwengi have guns. If they have, it's all up, I +guess." + +"The Makua can't be so very far off now," replied Burt. "The river's +getting bigger and bigger, and the current's swifter. S'pose we could +rig up any kind of breastwork on the rafts?" + +"Better not waste time trying," dissented Critch. "I'm afraid of making +them top-heavy. Well, let's be off. We ought to hit the Makua pretty +quick now. If we don't meet Cap'n Mac I expect Mbopo'll be sore. That's +what's worrying me right now." + +It was worrying Burt too, but he jumped aboard his raft and cast loose +without giving vent to his fears. He realized only too well that the +Zwengi might have canoes, and if they were discovered and pursued their +only hope was to beat off the enemy. + +For several hours they swept along the rapidly widening river without +any sign of a foe. Toward noon the stream swept around in a great bend, +and as Burt stared ahead he caught a wild shout from Critch. + +"There she is!" and the red-haired boy danced around and waved his arms +back at the other raft. "The Makua, Burt!" + +Sweeping around with the current, Burt saw ahead of them two or three +scattered islands. Beyond these was the sheen of water, and he could +plainly see that their river formed a juncture with another and much +larger stream. As he was staring down the river there came a sudden yell +from his men. + +"Zwengi!" + +Whirling around, Burt saw them pointing to the right bank. At the same +instant a yell of alarm went up from Critch's raft. It was answered by +another shout from the right bank, and Burt saw three long canoes +putting out, with a crowd of savage warriors pouring into others. He +saw instantly that they had only one chance. + +"Make for the island!" he shouted to Critch. "Land and hold them off!" + +Critch waved his hand, and both boys set the men to work frantically, +trying to guide the unwieldy craft toward an island that rose straight +ahead of them. Burt unwrapped the rifle, but did not wish to use it +until he had to. + +With a dozen paddlers in each, the big war canoes shot out across the +river to head off the first raft. Now, the bows used by the white +pigmies were larger than those of any other tribe the boys had seen. +They were fully as long as the men themselves and of great strength. +Burt saw Critch say something to Mbopo and take the pole from one of his +men. Instantly he followed suit, directing the man he relieved to shoot +at two of the following canoes which were heading toward them. As he did +so a flight of arrows came over the water, all but one falling short, +the one rebounding from the wet logs without sticking. + +As Burt's man caught up his bow, the boy saw Mbopo and another warrior +loose their shafts from the first raft. The arrows, driven by the full +force of those tremendous bows, easily reached to the canoes. The bowman +in the first canoe gave a yell and dropped his paddle; as he did so, the +man behind him threw up his arms and fell back, overturning the canoe. +At this instant Burt's man shot, and although his arrow missed, the +pursuing canoes instantly ceased their approach and sheered off, +paddling down ahead of the rafts. + +Their plan was evident. By reaching the islands ahead of the two rafts, +which were still two hundred yards away, they could command the passages +that led into the Makua. Realizing the danger as he saw one of the +canoes turn and head for the island in front of them, Burt took up his +rifle. He did not wish to shoot to kill and therefore took careful aim +at the bow of the canoe, ahead of the bowman and just at the waterline. +As the canoes were hollowed-out logs, a bullet there would shatter the +whole bow. + +Trusting to luck that the old rifle would hold together, Burt pulled the +trigger. The sharp crack awoke a thousand echoes from the forest on +either hand. At the same instant the bow of the canoe seemed to fly into +splinters, a shrill yell of fear went up from the foe, and as the canoe +filled, the others instantly turned back but still continued +downstream. A moment later Critch's raft swept down toward the island, +four of the pigmies sprang out, and drew her safely to shore. + +The other islands, however, were well within range of the Zwengi bows +and to them the canoes dashed. Mbopo's men sent one whirling downstream +by a flight of arrows that completely cleared the craft, but the others +gained the shelter of the islands just as Burt's raft was landed beside +that of Critch. Then the dwarfs made fast and sprang out. + +"We're in for it," cried Critch, pointing upstream. "Look there!" + +Pulling out his glasses, Burt saw at least a dozen other canoes slinking +down close to the banks. Catching up his rifle, he aimed full at the bow +of the first. It was a long shot, but as the echoes rose the boys saw +the paddlers spring overboard, and the canoe filled and sank a moment +later. + +"Dandy shot," shouted Critch, "but they got us, Burt! Mebbe we can hold +'em off while our arrows last, but--" + +At that instant something happened that caused the boys to whirl and +stare at each other with pale faces. Clear and sharp above the yells of +the warriors, and coming from the left bank, the south bank, they had +heard the report of a heavy rifle! + +"Hear that!" yelled Burt. "There's a hunter there!" + +"Hurray!" shouted his chum, turning and hitting Mbopo a clap on the back +that sent the dwarf staggering. "Mwanzi'll fix them, old scout. Hurray! +Try another shot, Burt!" + +And as a flight of Zwengi arrows poured into the island, Burt fired +again, this time in the air. As if in answer there came another shot +from the left bank, and a yell went up from the dwarfs as one of their +foes on the neighboring island threw up his arms and fell back. A shriek +of terror went up from the Zwengi, while the pigmy arrows played havoc +among them as they fled back to their canoes. Next instant a canoe put +out from the south bank. + +"Look there!" shouted Burt, peering through his glasses. "White helmets! +We're saved, Critch!" + +"Yes," and Critch began to dance up and down, waving his arms like mad, +"an' it's your uncle and Cap'n Mac! Hurray! Hurray!" + +A week later a small German Company steamer was making her way down the +broad Makua River. In the shade of her awning reclined Mr. Wallace, +Captain Montenay, Burt and Critch. John was busying himself forward, and +the decks of the little craft were littered with long, curved packages +that looked strangely like elephant tusks. + +"Well, it was mighty lucky for us that you started after us that way," +Burt was saying. "If you'd tried to strike right through the black dwarf +country we'd have missed you. Ain't it queer how things worked out?" + +"Not a bit," asserted Captain Mac quietly. "It looks to me, Burt, as if +the hand o' Providence was in it." + +The boys stared at the Scotchman for a moment in wonder. Suddenly Burt +sprang to his feet. + +"Oh, I forgot!" he cried. "I ain't showed you that roll yet!" Dashing +off to the cabin, he returned with the tightly rolled packet he had +taken from the mummy as he and Critch had unwrapped it. Mr. Wallace took +it with an exclamation of pleasure. + +"This is really something worth having, boys!" he declared, carefully +unfolding the papyrus. "Hello! Let's see what it says." + +In spite of its age, the first part that unrolled showed clear and +strong picture writing, in bright colors. The others gave a simultaneous +exclamation, while Mr. Wallace bent his brows in the endeavor to read +it. + +"Well, it's nothing special," he announced, "merely being scenes from +the life of Ta-En-User, with the story of his achievements. I think we'd +better roll it up and keep it from the damp now; we can read it later. +It'll make something great for your room, Burt! It's mighty few boys +that can boast of having a relic like that hanging on their walls!" + +"Well, I'm kind o' sorry we're going home," sighed Critch. "Won't this +be a great yarn to write up for the school paper, eh, Burt?" + +"Nonsense!" said Mr. Wallace sharply. "It's too big a story for that, +Critch. Why don't you two chaps get busy and make a book out of it? I'll +help you in the stiff places." + +"Hurray!" cried Burt. + +"Bully!" uttered Critch, delighted. "That's just what we'll do, Mr. +Wallace! Say, won't it make a great yarn?" + +"An' if you do," put in Captain Mac with a quiet grin, "be sure an' send +me a copy o' the thing, laddies! I'd like powerful well to see my name +in a story book!" + +"You bet we will!" said Burt, and Critch grinned happily. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Blind Lion of the Congo, by Elliott Whitney + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLIND LION OF THE CONGO *** + +***** This file should be named 32508-8.txt or 32508-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/2/5/0/32508/ + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, David K. 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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 Blind Lion of the Congo + +Author: Elliott Whitney + +Illustrator: Dan Sayre Groesbeck + +Release Date: May 24, 2010 [EBook #32508] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLIND LION OF THE CONGO *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, David K. Park, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + + +<h1>The Blind Lion of the Congo</h1> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 544px;"> +<p><img src="images/cover.jpg" width="544" height="600" alt="cover" title="" /></p> + +</div> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 424px;"> +<img src="images/frontis.jpg" width="424" height="600" alt="Without the least trace of excitement in his voice Mr. +Wallace had whipped out his revolver and covered the other. "Keep your hands on the table, Montenay!"" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Without the least trace of excitement in his voice Mr. +Wallace had whipped out his revolver and covered the other. "Keep your hands on the table, Montenay!"</span> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<h1><small>THE</small><br /> +<big>BLIND LION</big><br /> +<small>OF THE CONGO</small></h1> + +<h3>BY<br /> +ELLIOTT WHITNEY</h3> + +<h4>Illustrated by Dan Sayre Groesbeck</h4> + +<h2>The Reilly & Lee Co.<br /> +<small>Chicago</small></h2> + +<hr style="width: 65%" /> + + +<h4>COPYRIGHT, 1912<br /> + +by<br /> + +THE REILLY & BRITTON CO.</h4> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<h5>THE BLIND LION OF THE CONGO</h5> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS</h2> + +<div class="center"> +<table summary="Contents" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"> +<tr><td align="left" colspan="2">CHAPTER</td><td align="right">PAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">I</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">An Amazing Proposal</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">9</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">II</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Critchfield is Interviewed</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">21</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">III</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Decision</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">34</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">IV</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Outfitting</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">46</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">V</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Congo</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">58</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">VI</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Mark</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">71</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">VII</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Critch's Rhino</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">84</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">VIII</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Captain Mac Suspected</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">97</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">IX</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The White Pigmies</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">110</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">X</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Sacred Ankh</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">125</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XI</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Mvita Saves Burt's Life</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">137</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XII</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Montenay Returns</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">150</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XIII</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">In The Pigmy Village</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">163</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XIV</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Sacred Lion</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">176</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XV</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Ivory Zareba</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">189</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XVI</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Burt Left Alone</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">202</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XVII</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Diary</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">214</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XVIII</td><td align="left"><span class="smacap">Burt Comes to Life</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">228</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XIX</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Raft</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">241</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">XX</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Down the Makua</span></td><td align="right"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">255</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> + + + +<h1>The Blind Lion of the Congo</h1> + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I<br /><br/> + +<small>AN AMAZING PROPOSAL</small></h2> + + +<p>"What's on for to-night, Burt?"</p> + +<p>Mr. St. John, a large automobile manufacturer of New Britain, +Connecticut, looked across the dinner table at his son Burton. The +latter was a boy of seventeen. Although he was sturdy for his age, his +features were pale and denoted hard study. As his father and mother +watched him there was just a hint of anxiety in their faces.</p> + +<p>"Lots," replied the boy. "Got a frat meeting on at seven. Then I've got +to finish my last paper for the history prof."</p> + +<p>"Can't you let the paper go?" asked his mother. "You've been working +pretty hard, Burt!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," added Mr. St. John heartily. "Forget the work, son. You've done +enough papers lately for a dozen boys."</p> + +<p>"Not much!" answered Burt earnestly. "I'm goin' to grab that Yale<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> +scholarship. There's only a week till school's out now."</p> + +<p>At that moment a maid appeared at the dining room door.</p> + +<p>"Mr. St. John, there's a man called, sir. He didn't give me any name +and—"</p> + +<p>She was interrupted by a tall, fur-overcoated form that brushed her +aside. The visitor's hawk-like face broke instantly into an eager smile.</p> + +<p>"Hello, good people!" cried the man, as Mr. St. John sprang to his feet. +"Forgotten me, Tom?"</p> + +<p>"George!"</p> + +<p>"Wallace!"</p> + +<p>"Uncle George!"</p> + +<p>The three members of the family broke into three simultaneous cries of +surprise. The next instant Mrs. St. John was in the arms of the tall +man, who supported her with one hand and with the other greeted her.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Burt! How's your grip?" he cried as he released the couple and +seized the hand of their son.</p> + +<p>"Ouch!" yelled the boy, his grin changing to expression of pain. "I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> +ain't no wooden man!"</p> + +<p>"Where on earth did you come from?" exclaimed Mr. St. John, taking his +brother-in-law's big coat and handing it to the astonished maid. "We +haven't heard from you for a year!"</p> + +<p>"Give me something to eat, Tom, and I'll talk later." As the hawk-faced +man sat down, Burt gazed at him admiringly. George William Wallace, his +uncle, was the boy's greatest hero. Famous under the name of "George +William" for his books on little-traveled countries, he was known widely +at every end of the world. He had crossed the Turkestan deserts, helped +to survey the Cape to Cairo railway, led armies in China and South +America, and explored the recesses of the Sahara. In his brief intervals +of relaxation he lived with the St. Johns, having no home of his own.</p> + +<p>As he gazed, Burt half wished that his own face was not so square and +angular and more like that of his uncle. Mr. Wallace was thin but of +very large frame. His close-cropped hair revealed a high forehead, +beneath which two intensely black eyes. A long, curving nose gave +his face itshawk-like effect, and thin lips and strong chin completed the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> +likeness to some great bird of prey.</p> + +<p>"What are you doing with that fur overcoat in June, George?" asked Mrs. +St. John with smile.</p> + +<p>"Keeping warm!" shot back the explorer as he pushed away his plate. +"This beastly rain goes to the bone, Etta. I landed only yesterday and +got the first train up here after leaving my cases at the Explorers' +Club."</p> + +<p>"Come on with the yarn, uncle!" exclaimed Burt eagerly. "Where've you +been this time?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Wallace lit one of his brother-in-law's cigars with huge enjoyment +and led the way to the library without answering. When all four were +comfortably ensconced about the big table he started in.</p> + +<p>"Let's see. I wrote you from Naples last time, wasn't it?" The others +nodded. "That was just before the war. I got a chance to go to the front +as special correspondent, and snapped it up. I hung around for a while +at Tripoli, then took a trip to the Turkish camp. There I got into a +scrap with a Turk officer and had to run for it. There was no place to +run except into the desert, so it took me quite a while to make +civilization again.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" +id="Page_13"></a></span></p> + +<p>"Good Heavens!" exclaimed Burt's father. "I suppose you circled around +and made Algiers?"</p> + +<p>"Tried to, but a bunch of Gharian slave dealers pulled me into the +mountains. I spent two months in the chain gang; then they sold me +south. There was no help for it. Instead of escaping to French territory +I sneaked off with a racing camel and ended up at the Gold Coast two +months ago."</p> + +<p>"What!" Mr. St. John leaped up in amazement. "Do you mean to say you +crossed the whole Sahara a second time, from north to south?"</p> + +<p>"That's what," declared Mr. Wallace. Burt stared at him wide-eyed. +"Found some of my old friends and they helped me along. How are you +fixed, Tom? Can you put me up all right, Etta?"</p> + +<p>"Your old room hasn't been touched," smiled Mrs. St. John as she glanced +at her husband. The latter nodded.</p> + +<p>"All fine and dandy, old man. Oh, I'm getting along pretty well. We've +got some new buildings over at the works. Turning out some great little +old cars too. Say, how long are you going to stay?"</p> + +<p>"That depends." Mr. Wallace smiled whimsically. "I have a book that I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> +want to finish this time. But I also have a notion that I want to do +some ivory hunting in the Congo. If the pull doesn't get too strong I +may stay a month or two."</p> + +<p>"Hurray!" chipped in Burt, enthusiastically. "Come along to the frat +meeting and tell us about the war last year! We got a 'nitiation on an' +you can boss it!"</p> + +<p>"No thanks!" laughed his uncle heartily. "When I want to do any +lecturing I'll let you know, Burt. By gracious, Tom, the boy looks like +a ghost! Been sick?"</p> + +<p>"No," replied Mr. St. John gravely. "I'm afraid he's overworked. He's +been trying for a scholarship at Yale that the high school offers, and +the strain has been a little too much."</p> + +<p>"Hm! Won't do, Burt," declared Mr. Wallace. "Books are all right but no +use running 'em into the ground. Play baseball?"</p> + +<p>"Sure!" replied Burt. "Not this spring though. Been too busy. Besides, +I've been helpin' Critch with some stuff."</p> + +<p>"Critch?" repeated his uncle, puzzled. "Who's Critch?"</p> + +<p>"Howard Critchfield," replied Mr. St. John. "His father is my head<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> +draftsman and Burt and Howard are great chums. Howar d has a room down +at the shops where he works afternoons and putters around at taxidermy."</p> + +<p>Burt glanced at his watch and rose hastily. It was past seven and he had +forgotten the time.</p> + +<p>"See you later, uncle!" he said as he went to the door. What a tale he +would have for the other boys! Despite his uncle's refusal to come with +him Burt knew that once he got "the crowd" up to the house Mr. Wallace +would provide a most delightful evening.</p> + +<p>The next day the explorer's trunks arrived and he got settled in his old +quarters. These were filled with hunting trophies, guns and foreign +costumes from every quarter of the world. For two days Burt did not see +his uncle except at meals, but on Friday evening Mr. Wallace announced +that he would like to take a look at the works the next day. Burt +promptly volunteered his services, which were accepted.</p> + +<p>"You don't look right to me, Burt!" stated Mr. Wallace as they walked +down the street after breakfast. "If we were down on the West Coast now<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> +I would say you were in for a good dose of fever."</p> + +<p>"Did you ever have it?" asked Burt. He did not relish such close +interest in his health, which seemed good enough to him. He also had +vivid memories of a vile-tasting remedy which his uncle had proposed for +a cold, years before.</p> + +<p>"A dozen times," came the reply. "A chap gets it in high and low +countries alike in Africa. So you've been helping young Critchfield, +eh?"</p> + +<p>"A little, sir. We haven't much chance of course but we've got some +birds and rabbits and an old weasel we shot. It's heaps of fun."</p> + +<p>"Hm!" Mr. Wallace cast a sharp glance at Burt but the boy did not +observe it. They were nearing the factories now and presently Burt +turned into a large fence-enclosed ground where the works stood.</p> + +<p>They did not visit the old shops, which Mr. Wallace had seen before but +went through the new assembling rooms and display building. The explorer +was much interested in all that he saw and proved to have no slight +knowledge of mechanics himself. Mr. St. John saw them from his private +office and came out. By his orders they were treated to the unusual<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> +sight of a complete machine lying on the floor in pieces and inside of +five minutes ready to run.</p> + +<p>"Say!" cried the explorer in admiration. "Civilization certainly can +produce wonders, Tom! I suppose that some day there'll be a shop like +this in the heart of Africa! But let's have a squint at this chum of +yours, Burt. I'd like to size him up a bit."</p> + +<p>They left the new buildings and went to one of the older ones where +Howard had been given a small room. Without stopping to knock, Burt +threw open the door and ushered in his uncle proudly.</p> + +<p>As he did so his look of confident pride vanished. Before him stood +Critch, his freckled face streaked with dust and blood, his long apron +spotted and stained and on the table before him two rabbits +half-skinned.</p> + +<p>"Gosh! You look like a murderer!" exclaimed Burt in dismay. "Uncle +George, this is Critch. He ain't always in this shape though."</p> + +<p>"Sorry I can't shake hands, Mr. Wallace!" said the red-haired boy. To +his surprise the explorer laughed and stuck out his hand.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Nonsense, lad! Shake!"</p> + +<p>Critch dropped his knife, wiped his hand hastily on his apron and +gripped that of the explorer heartily. "Frank Gates brought in those +tame rabbits of his that died," he explained. "I told him it wasn't +worth while stuffing them this weather, but he had the coin to pay for +'em and pretty near got sore about it, so I took on the job. I'm awful +glad to meet you, sir! I've heard a heap about you, and Burt's lent me +all your books."</p> + +<p>"Go right ahead," insisted Mr. Wallace. "I'd like to see how you do it. +Many's the skin I've had to put up in a hurry if I wanted it, but I'd +sooner tramp a hundred miles than handle the beastly things!"</p> + +<p>Critch picked up his knife and Mr. Wallace glanced around the little +room. On the walls stood shelves of books and stuffed birds and animals. +Bottles of liquids stood in the corners, and over the door was a stuffed +horned owl mounted on a tree branch.</p> + +<p>"That looks good!" commented the explorer approvingly. "That owl's a +mighty good piece of work, boys!" He turned to Howard. "There you have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> +him—nice and clean! You know how to handle a knife, I see. Ever +hear how we tackle the big skins?"</p> + +<p>"No," replied Critch with interest. "Tell us about it, Mr. Wallace, if +you don't mind! I've read a little, but nothing definite."</p> + +<p>"With soft-skinned animals like deer we usually do just what you're +doing with those rabbits—simply make incisions, slit 'em from neck to +tail and peel off the skins. By the way, what do you use for +preservative?"</p> + +<p>"Get it ready-mixed," replied Critch and pointed to the bottles. "It's +odorless, takes the grease out o' the skin, and don't cost much. Guess +I'll use arsenic on these, though. They need something pretty strong."</p> + +<p>"I see," went on Mr. Wallace. "Well, with thick skins like elephant or +rhino, it's a different matter. I never fixed an elephant skin myself +but I've seen other fellows do it. They take it off in sections, rub it +well with salt and let it dry after the fat's gone. Then a dozen blacks +get around each section with their paring knives and get busy."</p> + +<p>"Paring knives!" cried Burt. "What for?"</p> + +<p>Pare down the skin," smiled Mr. Wallace.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> +"Thick skins are too heavy to carry and too thick to be pliable, so the +skinners often spend a week paring down a skin till it's portable. Then +it's rubbed with salt again or else packed in brine and shipped down to +the coast or back wherever your agents are, who get it preserved right +for you."</p> + +<p>They talked for half an hour while the rabbits were being finished. Then +Burt and his uncle left the building, and finding that Mr. St. John had +already gone to lunch, started home themselves.</p> + +<p>"Say, Burt," said Mr. Wallace as they walked down the street, "how'd you +like to come to Africa with me next month?"</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II<br /><br /> + +<small>MR. CRITCHFIELD IS INTERVIEWED</small></h2> + + +<p>"What! Me?" Burt stopped short and stared at his uncle. Mr. Wallace +chuckled and lifted one eyebrow.</p> + +<p>"Of course, if you don't want to go—" he began.</p> + +<p>"Want to!" shouted Burt, careless of the passers-by who were looking at +them curiously. "You can bet your life I want to! I'd give a million +dollars to go with you!" His face dropped suddenly. "What's the use, +Uncle George? You know's well as I do, the folks ain't going to stand +for anything like that. Why, dad'd have a fit if he thought I was in +Africa. What's the use of dreaming?"</p> + +<p>"Here—trot along!" His uncle seized his arm and drew him on toward +home. "I guess you're right about that, Burt. Anyhow, you keep mum and +let me do the talking. Mind, now, don't you butt in anywhere along the +line. I'm dead in earnest, young man. Maybe we'll be able to do<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> +something if you lie low and let me handle it. Understand?"</p> + +<p>"I understand," replied Burt a trifle more hopefully. "Gee! If I could +only go! Could I shoot real lions and elephants, uncle?"</p> + +<p>"Dozens of 'em!" laughed Mr. Wallace cheerfully. "Where I want to go +there are no game laws to hinder. You'd have a tough time for a while, +though. It's not like a camping trip up the Maine coast."</p> + +<p>"Oh, shucks!" replied the boy eagerly. "Why, there ain't a boy in the +world that wouldn't be crazy to hike with you. They've <i>got</i> to let me +go!"</p> + +<p>Although nearly bursting with his secret Burt said nothing of it until +he returned to the shops that afternoon and joined Critch. Then he was +unable to hold in and he poured out the story to his chum. Critch +listened in incredulous amazement, which changed to cheerful envy when +he found Burt was not joking.</p> + +<p>"Why, you dog-goned old bookworm!" he exclaimed when Burt finished. The +red-headed boy was genuinely delighted over his chum's good luck. "Think +of you out there shootin' your head off, while I'm plugging away here at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> +home! Think your folks'll kick?"</p> + +<p>"Of course they will," groaned Burt gloomily. "Ever know a feller to +want any fun, without his folks kicking like sin? They like Uncle George +a heap, but when it comes to takin' the darlin' boy where he can have a +reg'lar circus, it's no go. Darn it, I wish I was grown-up and didn't +have any boss!"</p> + +<p>"It'll be a blamed shame if they don't let you go, old sport!" agreed +Critch with a smile. "But you haven't asked 'em yet. Mebbe they'll come +around all right."</p> + +<p>"Huh!" grunted Burt sarcastically. "Mebbe I'll find a million dollars in +my clothes to-morrow morning! Say—"</p> + +<p>"Well? Spit her out!" laughed Critch as Burt paused suddenly.</p> + +<p>"S'pose I could work you in on the game!" cried Burt enthusiastically. +"That'd help a lot if the folks knew you were going, too, and if your +dad would fall for it we might take you as some kind of assistant! I +tell you—I'll take you as my personal servant, my valet! How'd that +strike you, just for a bluff?"</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Strike me fine," responded Critch vigorously. "I'd be willin' to work +my way—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, shucks! I didn't mean that. I mean to get your expenses paid that +way, see? After we got going—"</p> + +<p>"Come out of it!" interrupted Critch. "You talk as if you was really +going. Where do you reckon my dad comes in? S'pose he'll stand for any +game like that? Not on your life! Dad's figgering on pulling me into the +office when school's out."</p> + +<p>Burt left for home greatly sobered by the practical common sense of his +chum. He was quickly enthusiastic over any project and was apt to be +carried away by it, while Critch was just the opposite. None the less, +Burt was determined that if it was possible for him to go, his chum +should go too.</p> + +<p>After dinner that evening while the family was sitting in the library, +Mr. Wallace cautiously introduced the subject to Burt's parents. Burt +was upstairs in his own room.</p> + +<p>"Etta, isn't that boy of yours getting mighty peaked?"</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid so," sighed Mrs. St. John anxiously. "But we can't make him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> +give up that scholarship. I'll be glad when school is over next week."</p> + +<p>"I guess we'll pack him off with Howard," put in Mr. St. John. "I'll +send 'em up the Kennebec on a canoe trip."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" snorted the explorer. "What the boy needs is something +different. Complete change—ocean air—make him forget all about his +books for six months!"</p> + +<p>"There's a good deal in that, Tom," agreed his sister thoughtfully. +"Perhaps if I took him abroad for a month or two—"</p> + +<p>"Stop right there!" interrupted the explorer. "Take him abroad, indeed! +Tie him to your apron strings and lead him to bang-up hotels? Dress him +up every day, stuff him on high-class grub? Nonsense! If you want him to +go abroad, for goodness sake give him a flannel shirt and a letter of +credit, and let him go. Don't baby him! Give him a chance to develop his +own resources. Guess you didn't have any indulgent papa, Tom! All the +boy wants is a chance. Why won't you let him have it?"</p> + +<p>"Don't be a fool, George!" cautioned his sister, smiling at the +outburst. "You know perfectly well that I don't want my boy running<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> +wild. He's all we have, and we intend to take care of him. And I warn +you right here not to put any of your notions into his head. It's bad +enough to have one famous man in the family!"</p> + +<p>The explorer laughed and winked at Mr. St. John, who was enjoying the +discussion from the shelter of his cigar smoke. At this, however, he +came to the aid of his brother-in-law.</p> + +<p>"Yes, George is perfectly right, Etta. Burt needs to shift for himself a +bit, and I think the Kennebec trip will be just the thing for him if we +give him a free hand and let him suit himself. I don't want to send him +off to foreign countries all alone."</p> + +<p>"Look here, Tom." Mr. Wallace leaned forward and spoke very earnestly. +"That kind of a vacation isn't worth much to a good, healthy boy. He +wants something he has earned, not something that's shoved at him. Make +Burt earn some money while he's having a good time. He'll enjoy it twice +as much. Make him pay his own expenses somewhere; do something that will +repay him, or get busy on some outdoor stunt that will give him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> +something new and interesting to absorb him. Think it over!"</p> + +<p>The conversation ended there for the night. Mr. Wallace was satisfied +that he had sown good seed, however, and went up to Burt's room with a +smile.</p> + +<p>"Hello, uncle!" cried the boy, giving up his chair and flinging himself +down on the bed. "Say anything to the folks yet?"</p> + +<p>"A little. We'll have to go slow, remember! Now just what do you know +about putting up skins and taking them from their rightful owners?"</p> + +<p>"Me? Not a whole lot. Let's see. I helped Critch skin an' mount Chuck +Evan's bulldog, some birds, a weasel—"</p> + +<p>"Hold on!" laughed Mr. Wallace. "That's not what I mean. Know anything +about horned animals?"</p> + +<p>"No," admitted Burt. "I've read up 'bout 'em though. So's Critch."</p> + +<p>"Suppose you had a deer's horns to take off. How'd you do it?"</p> + +<p>"Take his skin off by cuttin' straight down the breast to the tail," +replied Burt promptly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Make cross-cuts down the inside o' each leg an' turn him inside out. +For the horns you make a cut between 'em, then back down the neck a +little."</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't you take his skull?" questioned Mr. Wallace.</p> + +<p>"Sure! I forgot that. You'd have to cut between the lids and eye-sockets +down to the lips an' cut these from the bone. For the skull, cut her off +and boil her."</p> + +<p>"Pretty good!" commented his uncle. "I guess you've got the knowledge +all right. How'd you do in Africa about the skin?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing," grinned Burt. "'Cording to your books you just salt 'em well +and ship 'em to the coast."</p> + +<p>"All right!" laughed his uncle. "Get those rabbits done up?"</p> + +<p>"You bet!" Burt made a wry face. "We rubbed them with arsenic. That's +about the only stuff that'll hold them in this weather. We make money +though—or Critch does. We've done lots of birds for a dollar each, +and we got five for Chuck's bulldog."</p> + +<p>"I wish you'd take me over to your friend's home to-morrow night if<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> +you've nothing special on," replied Mr. Wallace. "I'd like to have a +little chat with him. Are his parents living?"</p> + +<p>"His father is, but not his mother. They only live about three blocks +down the line. We'll go over after supper."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll go back and write another chapter before going to bed." Mr. +Wallace rose and departed. He left Burt wondering. Why did his uncle +want to see Critch?</p> + +<p>He wondered more than ever the next evening. When they arrived at the +small frame house in which Howard and his father lived, Mr. Wallace +chatted with the boys for a little and then turned to Mr. Critchfield, a +kindly, shrewd-eyed man of forty-five.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Critchfield, suppose we send the boys off for a while? I'd like to +have a little talk with you if you don't mind."</p> + +<p>"All right, uncle," laughed Burt. "We'll skin out. Come on up to the +house, Critch."</p> + +<p>When they got outside, the red-haired boy's curiosity got the better of +him and he asked Burt what his uncle wanted with his father.</p> + +<p>"Search me," answered Burt thoughtfully."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p> +<p>"He put me through the third degree yesterday about skinning deer. Next +time he gives me a chance I'll ask him about taking you along."</p> + +<p>"What!" exclaimed Howard. "Have your folks come around?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know. I'm leaving it all to Uncle George. Believe me, they've +got to come around or I'll—I'll run away!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I've got a picture o' you running away!" grinned Critch. "Mebbe +dad'll tell me what's up when I get home."</p> + +<p>But Critch was not enlightened that night nor for many nights +thereafter. This was the last week of school and Burt was too busy with +his examinations to waste much time speculating on the African trip. +Howard was also pretty well occupied, although not trying for any +scholarship, and for the rest of the week both boys gave all their +attention to school. On Friday evening Burt arrived home jubilantly.</p> + +<p>"Done!" he shouted, bursting in on his mother and uncle. "Got it!"</p> + +<p>"What, the scholarship? How do you know?" asked his mother in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Prof. Garwood tipped me off. Won't get the reg'lar announcement till<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> +commencement exercises next week but he says I needn't worry! Hurray! +One more year and then Yale for mine!"</p> + +<p>"Good boy!" cried Mr. Wallace. "Guess you've plugged for it though. +Burt, I'll have that book finished next week. If she goes through all +right I'll be off by the end of the month for Africa." He winked +meaningly. "Guess I'll take you along."</p> + +<p>"What!" exclaimed Mrs. St. John in amazement. "Take him along? Why, +George William Wallace, what do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"What on earth d'you suppose I mean?" chuckled her brother. "Why +shouldn't Burt take his vacation with me if he wants to? Don't you think +I am competent to take care of him?"</p> + +<p>Burt was quivering with eagerness and his mother hesitated as she caught +the anxious light in his eyes. He stood waiting in silence, however.</p> + +<p>"George," replied his mother at last, "are you serious about this? Do +you really mean—"</p> + +<p>"Of course I do!" laughed the explorer confidently. "If I know anything +about it, Burt'd come back twice as much a man as he is now. Besides<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> +we ought to pull out ahead of the game, because I'm going after ivory."</p> + +<p>"Wait till Tom comes home," declared Burt's mother with decision. "We'll +talk it over at dinner. You'll have a hard task to convince me that +there's any sense in such a scheme, George!"</p> + +<p>As her brother was quite aware of that fact he forbore to press the +subject just then. A little later Mr. St. John came home from the works +and at the dinner table his wife brought up the subject herself.</p> + +<p>"Tom, this foolish brother of mine wants to take Burton away to Africa +with him next month! Did you ever hear of anything so silly?"</p> + +<p>"Don't know about that," replied Mr. St. John, to his son's intense +surprise. "It depends on what part of Africa, Etta. You must remember +that the world's not so small as it used to be. You can jump on a boat +in New York and go to Africa or China or Russia and never have to bother +your head about a thing. What's the proposition, George?"</p> + +<p>"I've been thinking that it would do Burt a lot of good to go with me to +the Congo," answered the explorer. "The sea voyage would set him up in +fine shape, and we would keep out of the low lands, you know."</p> + +<p>"The Congo!" cried his sister in dismay. "Why, that's where they torture +people! Do you—"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" interrupted Mr. Wallace impatiently. "The Congo is just as +civilized as parts of our own country. We can take a steamer at the +mouth and travel for thousands of miles by it. I have one recruit from +New Britain already, and I'd like to have Burt if you'll spare him."</p> + +<p>"Why, who's going from here?" asked Mr. St. John in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Young Critchfield," came the reply.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III<br /><br /> + +<small>THE DECISION</small></h2> + + +<p>"Critch!" shouted Burt, unable to restrain his amazement. His parents +looked equally incredulous and Mr. Wallace explained with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Howard Critchfield. You see, I'd like to bring back some skins and +things but I detest the beastly work of getting them off and putting +them in shape. So when I found that Critch was no slouch at taxidermy +and only needed the chance, it occurred to me to take him along. I saw +his father about it and proposed to pay all his expenses and a small +salary. Mr. Critchfield came around after a little. He saw that it would +be a splendid education for the boy—would give him a knowledge of the +world and would develop him amazingly."</p> + +<p>"Why didn't Critch tell me about it?" cried Burt indignantly.</p> + +<p>"He didn't know!" laughed his uncle. "His father and I agreed that we'd +let him get safely through school without having other things to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> +think of. Now look at the thing sensibly, you folks. We wouldn't be away +longer than six months at most. Burt would be in far more danger in his +canoe on the Kennebec than in a big steamer on the Congo."</p> + +<p>"But after you leave the steamer? You can't shoot ivory from the boat, I +presume," protested Mr. St. John.</p> + +<p>"And what about snakes and savage tribes?" put in his wife.</p> + +<p>"My dear Etta," replied the explorer patiently, "we will be near few +savage tribes. I might almost say that there are none. As for snakes, +I've seen only three deadly ones in all the years I've spent in Africa. +After we leave the steamer, Tom, we'll get out of the jungles into the +highlands. Burt stands just as much chance of getting killed here as +there. An auto might run over him any day, a mad dog might bite him or a +chimney might fall on him!"</p> + +<p>For all his anxiety Burt joined heartily in the laugh that went up at +his uncle's concluding words. The laughter cleared the somewhat tense +situation, and the discussion was carried into the library. Burt saw, +much to his relief, that his father was not absolutely opposed to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> +trip, although his mother seemed anxious enough.</p> + +<p>"Now give us your proposition, George," said his father as they settled +down around the table. "What's your definite idea about it?"</p> + +<p>"Good! Now we're getting down to cases!" cried the explorer with a smile +at his sister. "Burt, get us that large atlas over there." Burt had the +atlas on the table in an instant. "Let's see—Africa—here we are. Get +around here, folks!" As he spoke Mr. Wallace pulled out a pencil and +pointed to the mouth of the Congo River.</p> + +<p>"Here's the mouth of the Congo, you see. Here we step aboard one of the +State steamers. These are about like the steamers plying between New +York and Boston. Following the Congo up and around for twelve hundred +miles, roughly speaking, we come to the Aruwimi river. Up this—and here +we are at Yambuya, the head of navigation on the Aruwimi. From here +we'll go on up by boat or launch for three or four hundred miles +farther, then strike off after elephants."</p> + +<p>"But how do you get down there in the first place?" asked Mr. St. John, +who seemed keenly interested.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Any way you want to!" returned the explorer. "There are lines running +to Banana Point or Boma, the capital, from Antwerp, Lisbon, Bordeaux, +Hamburg, or from England. We'll probably go from England though."</p> + +<p>"My gracious!" said Burt's mother. "I had no idea that the Congo was so +near civilization as all that! Are there real launches away up there in +the heart of Africa?"</p> + +<p>"Launches? Automobiles, probably!" laughed her husband.</p> + +<p>"Of course," agreed Mr. Wallace. "There are motor trucks in service at +several points. We could even take the trip by railroad if we wished, +and we'll telegraph you direct when we reach there!"</p> + +<p>"Well that's news to me!" declared Mr. St. John. "I thought that Central +Africa was a blank wilderness filled with gorillas and savages. Seems to +me I remember something about game laws in Roosevelt's book. How about +that?"</p> + +<p>"There are stringent laws in Uganda and British East Africa," replied +Mr. Wallace. "But I intend to depend on trade more than on shooting for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> +my ivory. Now look at this Makua river that runs west, up north of the +Aruwimi. I'm not going to take any chances on being held up at Boma +after getting out. There are several trading companies who'd be tickled +to death to let me bring out a bunch of ivory and then rob me of it at +the last minute. So we're going right up to the Makua and down that +river to the French Congo. I've got a mighty strong pull with the French +people ever since they made me a Commander of the Legion of Honor for my +Sahara explorations."</p> + +<p>"I see." Burt's father gazed at the map reflectively then looked up with +a sudden smile. "You say 'we' as if it was all settled, George!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I was talking about young Critchfield and myself," laughed the +explorer. "Come now, Etta, doesn't it sound a whole lot more reasonable +than it did at first?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," admitted his sister. "I must say it does. Especially if it is all +so civilized as you say."</p> + +<p>"Now look here." Mr. Wallace bent over the map again and traced down the +Congo to Stanley Falls. "A railroad runs from here over to the Great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> +Lakes, at Mahagi on the Albert Nyanza. The Great Lakes are all connected +and have steamer lines on them, so that you can get on a train or boat +at the west coast and travel right through to the east coast just like +going from New York to Duluth. Get me?"</p> + +<p>"Why," exclaimed Burt, "I thought you had to have porters and all that? +Can you just hop on a train and shoot?"</p> + +<p>"Not exactly," laughed his uncle. "When we leave the Aruwimi we'll +probably take a hundred bearers with us."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's not a question that we can decide on the spur of the +moment," annournced Mrs. St. John. "We'll talk it over, George. If +conditions are as you say, perhaps—"</p> + +<p>"Hurray!" burst out her son excitedly. "You've got to give in, dad! +Mother's on our side!" And Burt darted off to find his chum.</p> + +<p>"The fact that you've won over Mr. Critchfield counts a good deal," +smiled Mr. St. John as the door slammed. "He's a solid, level-headed +chap and, besides, I really think it might do Burt good."</p> + +<p>Burt found his chum in a state of high excitement. Critch's father had +just told him about Mr. Wallace's proposal and his own qualified<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> +consent.</p> + +<p>"I'll have to think it over some more," he had said. "It's too big to +rush into blindly. As it stands, however, I see no reason why you +shouldn't go and make a little money, besides getting the trip."</p> + +<p>Burt and Critch got an atlas and went over the route that Mr. Wallace +had traced. When Burt reported all that his uncle had said about +civilization in the Congo, Critch heaved a deep sigh.</p> + +<p>"Seems 'most too good to be true," he said. "To think of us away over +there! I don't see where your uncle's going to clear up much coin, +though. It must cost like smoke."</p> + +<p>"So does ivory," grinned Burt. He was in high spirits now that there +actually seemed to be some hope of his taking the trip. "He ain't +worried about the money. Say, I'm mighty glad I've been learning +French! It'll come in handy down there."</p> + +<p>"You won't have any pleasure tour," put in Mr. Critchfield quietly. +"Mr. Wallace means business. He told me he meant to leave the whole<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> +matter of skins and heads to you two chaps."</p> + +<p>"Wonder what he wants them for?" speculated Burt. "Mebbe he's going to +start a museum."</p> + +<p>"Hardly," laughed Mr. Critchfield. "He said he wanted to give them to +some Explorers' Club in New York. That means they'll have to be well +done, Howard. I want you to be a credit to him if he takes you on this +trip."</p> + +<p>"I will." Howard nodded with confident air. "Just let me get a chance! +How's the scholarship? Hear anything yet?"</p> + +<p>"Got her cinched," replied Burt happily. "Well, guess I'll get back. See +you to-morrow!"</p> + +<p>For the next week the question of the African trip was left undecided. +When Burt had received his definite announcement of the scholarship, +dependent on his next year's work, Mr. Wallace urged that the matter be +brought to a decision one way or the other. On the following Saturday +evening Mr. Critchfield and Howard arrived at the St. John residence and +the "Board of Directors went into executive session," as the explorer +laughingly said.</p> + +<p>"There's one thing to be considered," announced Mr. Critchfield. "That's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> +the length of your absence. Next year is Howard's last year in high +school and I wouldn't like his course to be smashed up." Mr. St. John +nodded approval and all looked at Mr. Wallace expectantly.</p> + +<p>"I anticipated that," he replied quietly. "I saw Mr. Garwood, the +superintendent of schools, yesterday. I told him just what we wanted to +do and asked him about Burt's scholarship. School will not begin till +the twentieth of September. He said if you boys were back by November +and could make up a reasonable amount of work he'd make an exception in +your cases owing to your good records. I'm fairly confident that we'll +be back by November."</p> + +<p>"I don't see how," interposed Mr. St. John. "I've been reading up on +Stanley's journeys in that country and—"</p> + +<p>"Hold on!" laughed Mr. Wallace. "Please remember, Tom, that Stanley made +his trips in the eighties—nearly thirty-five years ago. Where it took +him months to penetrate we can go in hours and days. This is the end of +June. By the first of August we'll be steaming up the Congo. I don't +think it'll take us two months to cross from the Aruwimi to the Makua +and reach French territories. In any case, I intend to return direct<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> +from Loango, a port in the French Congo. We'll come down the river under +the French flag in a French steamer, turn the corner to Loango and +there'll be a steamer there waiting to bring us and our stuff direct to +New York. I'm almost sure we'll be back by November."</p> + +<p>"Even if we aren't," put in Howard, "it'll only throw us out half a +semester."</p> + +<p>"Supposing they do miss connections, Critchfield," said Mr. St. John, "I +wouldn't worry. It is a great thing for the boys and perhaps an extra +six months in school won't do any harm. However, figure on getting +back."</p> + +<p>"I guess it's up to you, Etta!" laughed Mr. Wallace. "What do you say? +Yes or no?"</p> + +<p>As Burt said afterward, "I came so near havin' heart failure for a +minute that I could see the funeral procession." Mrs. St. John +hesitated, her head on her hand. Then looking up, her eye met Burt's and +she smiled.</p> + +<p>"Yes—"</p> + +<p>"Hurray!" Critch joined Burt in a shout of delight, while the latter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> +gave his mother a stout hug of gratitude.</p> + +<p>"I don't know what we'll do here without you," she continued when freed. +"When will you start, George?"</p> + +<p>"Since we have to be back by November," replied the explorer, "we'll +leave here Monday morning and catch the <i>Carmania</i> from New York +Tuesday. I'll wire to-night for accommodations."</p> + +<p>"Monday!" cried Mr. St. John in amazement. "Why, there'll be no time to +get the boys outfits or pack their trunks, or—"</p> + +<p>"We don't want outfits or trunks, eh, Burt?" smiled Mr. Wallace. "The +comfort of traveling, Tom, is to be able to take a suit case and light +out for anywhere on earth in an hour. That's what we'll do. Wear a +decent suit of clothes, boys, and take a few changes of linen. We'll +reach Liverpool Friday night and London on Saturday. We'll get the +outfits there, and if we hustle we can pick up one of the African +Steamship Company's steamers Tuesday or Wednesday."</p> + +<p>"But your book?" asked Mrs. St. John. "Is that finished?"</p> + +<p>"Bother the book!" ejaculated her brother impatiently. "I'll write the +last chapter to-night and if the publishers don't like it they can<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> +change it around to suit themselves. I'm going to Africa and I'm going +to leave New York Tuesday morning rain or shine!"</p> + +<p>"That's the way to talk!" shouted Burt, wildly excited. "Good for you, +mother! I'll bring you back a lion skin for your den, dad!"</p> + +<p>Had Burt been able to foresee just what lion skin he would bring back +and what he would pass through before he got it he might not have been +so enthusiastic over the prospect of his African trip.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV<br /><br /> + +<small>OUTFITTING</small></h2> + + +<p>The trip was begun very much as Mr. Wallace had outlined. The news +spread rapidly that Burt and Howard were going to Africa, and when the +two boys arrived at the station early Monday morning a good-sized crowd +of friends was present to see them off.</p> + +<p>"Take good care of yourself," cautioned Mrs. St. John as she kissed her +son good-bye. "Don't be afraid to telegraph us!"</p> + +<p>The train pulled out with a last cheer from the frat fellows, and Burt +and Howard realized that they were actually off. They arrived in New +York at noon and Mr. Wallace took them direct to the Explorers' Club for +luncheon.</p> + +<p>Here they first began to feel in touch with the outside world. The club +was an institution composed of explorers, hunters and wanderers in +foreign lands. Its walls were decorated with game heads, arms and armor +of many savage tribes, while in glass cases were hung odd costumes and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> +headgear and unique relics and curios. At the dining-room tables the +boys saw bronzed and bearded men who nodded to Mr. Wallace like old +friends or spoke to him in strange tongues.</p> + +<p>"You fellows wait for me in the library," said the explorer as they +finished luncheon. "I guess you'll find plenty to amuse you there. We'll +stop here for to-night. I'm going down to send off some cables now and +get part of our outfit ordered ahead. When I come back we'll go out and +see the town a little."</p> + +<p>"Did you get rooms on the steamer?" asked Critch.</p> + +<p>"Wired last night. The answer will be down here at the office but +there's not much doubt about getting them. See you in the library."</p> + +<p>The boys made themselves at home in the library and in half an hour Mr. +Wallace returned with the stateroom slips. Then they took a taxi and +made a few purchases for the voyage. As there was nothing to be obtained +except some clean linen and a steamer rug each, they spent most of the +afternoon "seeing" New York City.</p> + +<p>The evening spent at the club was a wonderful one to the boys. On +talking it over later they found that they had only a confused memory<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> +of meeting several famous men and of hearing some surprising stories.</p> + +<p>"Critch!" whispered Burt as they lay in bed. "'Member that thin fellow +with the scar on his chin? S'pose his yarn was true!"</p> + +<p>"What? About being tortured by New Guinea cannibals?" returned his chum. +"Prob'ly. That sure was a whopper though that the man with the black +beard told! The one that'd been in China, I mean."</p> + +<p>"Said he had photos of the Forbidden City, didn't he?" asked Burt. "Gee! +That story of his about the joss with the emerald eyes and the ropes of +pearls—"</p> + +<p>So it went until long past midnight when the boys finally fell asleep. +They were up early and after breakfast took a taxi again and went on +board the <i>Carmania</i>, which was to sail at ten.</p> + +<p>The voyage was uneventful to Mr. Wallace but proved of tremendous +novelty to the boys. By the time they reached Liverpool Burt felt like +new. His color was returning fast and the sea air had filled out his +lungs once more and put him into prime condition. The question of their +outfit was what puzzled the boys most until they put it up to Mr.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> +Wallace.</p> + +<p>"Oh, we'll get all that in London," he explained. "I cabled ahead so +that most of it will be ready. You see, boys, these outfitters put up +boxes of food in regular amounts for each day. All I have to do is to +tell 'em how long we'll be gone and how many of us there are. They pack +a box—chop-boxes, they're called—holding enough for so many days. +According to custom the blacks only expect to carry sixty pounds, so +these boxes are made up at that weight. All are of tin, hermetically +sealed. Some firms use colored bands to distinguish the boxes but ours +numbers each box and furnishes us with lists of what they contain."</p> + +<p>"Some system, isn't it!" exclaimed Critch admiringly. "Do we have to +carry everything with us? Must be an awful freight bill!"</p> + +<p>"Can't go to Africa for nothing," laughed Mr. Wallace. "Yes, we'll get +most of that stuff here. We could get it at Boma but I'd sooner depend +on the English firm."</p> + +<p>"Wish we could stay longer in London," sighed Burt. "I hate to rush off<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> +without seeing anything of the city."</p> + +<p>"Well, our boat leaves Tuesday afternoon and this is Friday," replied +his uncle. "Our chop-boxes are already on board, I suppose. Our +trunks—tin-lined by the way—will probably go down Monday night if we +get our stuff Saturday. I'd like to spend a week in London myself but if +we're to be back home by November we haven't much time to waste."</p> + +<p>The Liverpool customs did not delay them long as they had only a suit +case each, and they took the night express for London. The boys were +much surprised and not a little dismayed when they entered the English +compartment cars, so different from the coaches they were used to. They +soon found that it was much nicer to travel by themselves, however, as +Mr. Wallace interviewed the guard and provided against intrusion. In the +morning they awoke to find themselves in London.</p> + +<p>Mr. Wallace took them to the famous Carleton House for breakfast, now +entirely rebuilt after its fire of the year before. When they had +finished, all three went to the writing room.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Take out your pencils now," said the explorer, "and get busy. I know +just about what I want to take and a list ready-made will save a lot of +time in the shops. Ready?"</p> + +<p>The two boys were not only ready but anxious. The lists that they wrote +out were identical. Here is that of their personal effects and clothes +as Burt made it out.</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;">Four suits underwear, Indian gauze.</span><br /> + +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Two ditto, woolen.</span><br /> + +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Two heavy gabardine shooting suits.</span><br /> + +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Two flannel shirts, khaki cartridge pockets.</span><br /> + +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Two pair high boots. One pair of soft leather.</span><br /> + +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Extra thick leggings, two pairs.</span><br /> + +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Camelshair poncho blanket, convertible.</span><br /> + +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Kid-lined gloves, two pairs.</span><br /> + +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Sleeping bag, waterproof.</span><br /> + +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Wool socks and pajamas.</span><br /> + +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Two khaki helmets.</span><br /> + +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Mosquito net for head and body.</span><br /> + +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Cholera belt, flannel.</span><br /> + +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Zeiss field glasses.</span><br /> + +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Large colored silk handkerchiefs, six.</span><br /> + +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Compass. Toilet articles.</span><br /></p> + +<p>"There," exclaimed Mr. Wallace as he ran over Burt's list, "that looks +pretty good to me. You won't need the wool underwear unless you get<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> +prickly heat. The leggings are the most important. If you get scratched +up by spear-grass and thorns and then step into some swamp-pool it's all +off. You'd get craw-craw sure."</p> + +<p>"What's that?" asked Critch. "Sounds like crow!"</p> + +<p>"It's a skin disease," replied Mr. Wallace. "Something frightful, too. +The poncho will serve for blanket and raincoat, but this is the dry +season. Must have the mosquito net, though. When we get up the Aruwimi +we'll find little bees about as big as gnats but a whole lot worse, and +it'll need thick nets to keep 'em out. New for the armament."</p> + +<p>Burt's "armory" consisted of the following weapons:</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;">Double-barreled Holland .450 cordite rifle, for close quarters.</span><br /> + +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Winchester .405 rifle for general use.</span><br /> + +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Twenty-gauge Parker shotgun.</span><br /> + +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Eight-inch skinning knife.</span><br /></p> + +<p>"Ain't we going to take revolvers?" asked Burt disappointedly as his +uncle finished.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No," replied the latter. "They're of no use whatever. I'll take mine +from force of habit but you chaps will never need one. Oh, the +ammunition! Put down a hundred solid and a hundred soft-nosed cartridges +for the Hollands; for the Winchesters two hundred of each, and six boxes +of shells. That'll be enough to last us double the time."</p> + +<p>"How 'bout a camera?" asked Critch anxiously. "Will we be able to tote +one along?"</p> + +<p>"Surest thing you know!" replied Mr. Wallace. "We'll take one of those +new moving-picture machines. They're no larger than a camera and you can +take motion pictures or straight shots on the reel."</p> + +<p>"Gee! That'll be great!" cried Burt delightedly. "But won't the heat +spoil the reels? An' don't they cost like fury?"</p> + +<p>"The reels will be hermetically sealed before and after using," +explained his uncle. "Needn't worry 'bout them. The whole outfit only +costs twelve or thirteen pounds—say sixty dollars. It's well worth it, +too. Now for the tents. We're going to travel light as possible, so put +down two double-roofed ridge tents twelve by ten, with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> +ground-sheets. Three cots without mattresses. You'll have to do without them or +pillows—they're a beastly nuisance to pack along. Canvas bath each and +condensing outfit to supply fresh water."</p> + +<p>"Why's that, uncle?" asked Burt in surprise. "Lots of fresh water, ain't +there?"</p> + +<p>"Lots," smiled his uncle, "and lots o' guinea worms, fever germs, +poisons and other things in it. Better add a four-quart canteen, glass +stoppers, to your personal list. Can't take any cork or the roaches'll +eat it. Two blankets for each person, and six towels. I guess that's all +we need put down now, boys."</p> + +<p>"Hold on there!" cried practical Critch abruptly. "How 'bout eatin' +utensils and fryin' pans, medicine, can openers and all them things?"</p> + +<p>"All arranged for," laughed Mr. Wallace. "The cooking part of it will +be up to John Quincy Adams Washington."</p> + +<p>"John—who?" stammered Burt. "Say it again, please!"</p> + +<p>For answer Mr. Wallace pressed a button and a footman appeared.</p> + +<p>"Send the manager here at once, please." The man bowed and withdrew +and while the boys were still staring at the explorer in wonder a dapper<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> +little man appeared bowing.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Wallace? Glad to see you looking so well, sir! What can I do for +you?"</p> + +<p>"I want that fellow Washington," smiled the explorer. "Can you let me +have him for say three months? I'm going down to Africa and he'll have +to go along."</p> + +<p>"Certainly! I'll send him right up, sir." The manager vanished with +another bow and Mr. Wallace turned to the boys.</p> + +<p>"Washington—or John rather—is a Liberia boy I picked up +five years ago. He's the best cook on earth! He's been in China and +South America with me and whenever I don't need him he has a steady jo +as fifth chef here. Ah, here he is!"</p> + +<p>An immense black man appeared, wearing a grin that almost hid his face, +as Burt expressed it. He stepped up and caught the explorer's hand, not +shaking it but pressing it to his forehead as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"Glad to see you, sar! What for you want John now?"</p> + +<p>"Africa, John. This is my nephew, Mr. St. John, and my friend, Mr.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> +Critchfield, who will go along. We leave for the Congo Tuesday."</p> + +<p>"Pleased to meet you, sar!" The grinning black pressed the hands of Burt +and Howard to his forehead in turn. "What boat we leave, sar?"</p> + +<p>"The <i>Benguela</i>. African Steamship Company docks."</p> + +<p>"Hit's Liverpool boat, sar! What time hit leave London docks?"</p> + +<p>"Three o'clock, John. Here's a hundred pounds." Mr. Wallace peeled off +five twenty-pound bank notes and handed them to the negro; "that ought +to buy your outfit, eh?"</p> + +<p>"By hall means, sar! Thank you. Hi'll 'ave most helegant brass pots, +sar!"</p> + +<p>"Good gracious!" exclaimed Burt as the cook withdrew. "You hand out bank +notes as if you're made o' money! S'pose the coon'll ever show up with +all that wad on him?"</p> + +<p>"Show up?" repeated Mr. Wallace. "Why, I'd turn over my bill book to him +and never count it when he gave it back! He's a blamed sight more honest +than most white men you'll meet down there. And nerve! He carried me +five miles on his back once, in northern China, stopping occasionally<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> +to fight off a bunch of bandits. That's the kind of man John is."</p> + +<p>"Funny accent he's got," said Critch. "I thought all coons talked like +they do down south."</p> + +<p>"You'll get over that pretty quick!" laughed the explorer heartily. +"John can use West Coast, cockney, Spanish and half a dozen other +accents accordin' to whom he's been mixing up with latest. When we +strike the Congo he'll probably fall into French. Well, let's trot along +to Piccadilly and get measured. It's gettin' on toward noon."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V<br /><br /> + +<small>THE CONGO</small></h2> + + +<p>The boys were now due to receive another surprise. When their taxi drew +up they jumped out, fully expecting to see a wonderful store like those +of New York. Instead they found themselves before a dingy little shop +whose aspect gave them distinct disappointment.</p> + +<p>"No," laughed Mr. Wallace as he dismissed the taxi, "it's all right! +Doesn't look up to much but it sends out good stuff."</p> + +<p>This was the gunshop and they found it very different inside. Mr. +Wallace had no time to waste in having special guns made, so the clerks +measured the boys' shoulders and arms and that was all there was to it, +for the guns would be slightly altered and sent on board.</p> + +<p>Now the party went to the Boma Trading Company's store. Here they found +that the chop-boxes had all gone on board their ship. Mr. Wallace +ordered three Borroughs and Wellcome medicine cases, specially made up +for the West Coast. He also procured two hypodermic syringes and a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> +small quantity of Pasteur serums.</p> + +<p>"We'll probably never need them," he explained, as they left the store, +"but in case our men strike a snake a quick hypodermic is the only thing +to save them. Then we have poisoned arrows to consider also. If we +happened to get into the pigmy country—which I hope we won't—it'll +take a powerful anti-tetanic serum to kill their poisons."</p> + +<p>After a lunch they returned to the Boma Company. The lists which Mr. +Wallace had given the clerks had been filled and now each of them was +measured for the clothes and personal equipment. This consumed an hour, +after which they took another taxi and went to a camera supply house.</p> + +<p>The boys went into extravagant delight over the small and compact +moving-picture outfit. Burt promptly took charge of this, or rather +promised to take charge, for when the whole outfit had been sealed up it +would be sent down to the steamer like the other supplies.</p> + +<p>"Tell you what," he cried, "we'll get some great little old pictures! +You let an elephant chase you, Uncle George, while I get a good view and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> +Critch shoots him!"</p> + +<p>"Don't want much, do you?" laughed his uncle. "Nothing like that for +mine. I'd sooner have an elephant after me, at that, than a big buffalo. +That's the most dangerous animal we'll find in Africa."</p> + +<p>"How 'bout rhinoceros?" challenged Critch.</p> + +<p>"All poppycock," snorted the explorer. "A rhino can't see ten feet away. +He goes by smell. He'll usually run away unless he's wounded. But a +buffalo doesn't wait to be wounded. You rouse him up out of a +comfortable feeding place and he'll go for you. Takes more than one +bullet to kill him unless you're lucky."</p> + +<p>The boys now stocked up with fresh linen for the voyage while Mr. +Wallace looked up his own guns, which he usually stored in London. They +stopped at the Carleton over Sunday and Monday. As Burt's father had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> +sales offices in London they secured a large touring car without cost +and spent the two days riding about the historic city. There were +various minor details of their outfits to be attended to on Monday and +on Tuesday noon they went aboard the <i>Benguela</i>, when she arrived +from Liverpool.</p> + +<p>She proved to be a large cargo and passenger boat and was very +comfortably fitted up. They had seen nothing of John Quincy Adams +Washington but Mr. Wallace smilingly assured them that he would show up +in time. Sure enough, when they went up the gangplank the big negro was +waiting with his all-embracing grin.</p> + +<p>"Good mornin', sar, good mornin'!" he cried, taking charge of their hand +baggage and assuming a lordly attitude over the stewards. "Very +hauspicious day, sar! John t'ink we 'ave very fine trip, sar!"</p> + +<p>And a fine trip they had. There were a dozen other passengers on board. +Most of these were clerks or traders going out to positions at Sierra +Leone or the Gold Coast, with one or two Frenchmen and officials of the +Congo State. When they crossed the Equator there were the usual +ceremonies and horseplay among the sailors, and the boys thoroughly +enjoyed themselves. By the time they left the Gold Coast behind and +headed for Banana Point Burt felt better than he had ever been in his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> +life and his uncle assured him that he need not worry about the fever.</p> + +<p>Finally the long reddish cliffs and grassy up-lands of the Congo coast +drew into sight late on the fifteenth afternoon. The <i>Benguela</i> took a +black pilot aboard and proceeded straight up to the port of Banana. Mr. +Wallace and the boys at once disembarked and interviewed the customs +officials and took a launch up to the capital, Boma. The steamer would +follow them after discharging some cargo.</p> + +<p>The next morning Mr. Wallace put on his ribbon of Commander of the +Legion of Honor. The boys were amazed at the respect which this gained +for all of them when they sought an audience with the governor general. +After explaining to him the object of their trip and the length of time +they would be gone, Mr. Wallace arranged to have all the necessary +papers made out and to charter one of the State steamers to take their +outfit up the river.</p> + +<p>"I can give you only a small one," said the governor general. +"Unfortunately, there are few at my disposal just now. Stay! You might<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> +arrange with Captain Montenay. He chartered <i>La Belgique</i> two days +since for a similar trip, but surely he'll have plenty of room to +spare."</p> + +<p>"Montenay?" repeated Mr. Wallace. "Isn't he the Scotch explorer?"</p> + +<p>"Yes!" smiled the governor. "Come to think of it I believe he is at the +palace now." Clapping his hands, he dispatched a gendarme. "If you can +arrange matters with him I will see that your baggage is passed directly +to <i>La Belgique</i> through the customs. You have no liquor, I presume?"</p> + +<p>"Half a dozen pint flasks of brandy," replied the explorer and the +governor nodded. It is one of the strictest laws of the Congo that no +liquors shall be brought into the country, save in small personal +amounts. A moment later the gendarme returned with a small, khaki-clad +man. He was very sallow of complexion, had dark hair and eyes, and +carried his left arm awkwardly. When the governor introduced him to the +three Americans his thin face lit up with a quick smile and he gripped +Mr. Wallace's hand impulsively.</p> + +<p>"So you're Wallace!" he cried, looking deep into the other's eyes. "Man, +I've been wantin' to meet ye for ten years! I ran across your trail in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> +China and got within fifty miles o' ye when the Cape to Cairo was +surveyin'. Man, I'm pleased to meet ye!"</p> + +<p>"I'm mighty glad to meet you, too," smiled Mr. Wallace. "I've heard a +lot about you, Montenay!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Wallace then introduced the boys and suggested that they have a talk +in another room of the palace. Thanking the governor for his assistance +and kindness they followed the gendarme to another room.</p> + +<p>"Now, Captain," said Mr. Wallace, "we're going up the Aruwimi after +ivory. We can't get a large boat here and the Governor suggested that +you could take us up on the <i>Belgique</i>."</p> + +<p>"O' course I can!" exclaimed the small but famous Scotchman. "An' that's +precisely where I'm bound for too. How'd ye guess it?"</p> + +<p>"Good!" cried Mr. Wallace. "When do you start up?"</p> + +<p>"I was meanin' to go in the mornin'," answered the other, rubbing his +stubbly chin reflectively. "We'll get your stuff out o' the <i>Benguela</i> +to-morrow or ma name ain't McAllister Montenay!"</p> + +<p>"We'll split expenses on the <i>Belgique</i>, of course," declared the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> +American. "It's mighty good of—"</p> + +<p>"None o' that now, none o' that," interrupted Captain Montenay hastily. +"Why, man, I'd give a hundred pound for the benefeet o' your company up +the stream! Ivory, you say?"</p> + +<p>"Partly." Mr. Wallace answered the keen questioning look with a nod. +"I'm going up past the Avatiko country to the Makua and down the river +under the French flag. I've chartered a tramp to be waiting at Loanga by +November. Get the idea?"</p> + +<p>"Aye!" Montenay threw back his head in a noiseless laugh. "Man, ye're no +fool! I brought down ten tusks two year gone. When I got down to Stanley +Pool the Afrique Concessions jumped me an' laid claim to the lot. The +rank thieves! They had witnesses to swear that I got the ivory in their +land an' before I knew where I was they fined me twenty pound—<i>an'</i> the +ivory! By cripes, they won't monkey twice with McAllister Montenay +though! Well, let's be movin'. It'll be vera tiresome gettin' these +blacks to work."</p> + +<p>As they passed a water cooler on their way out the captain paused. The +boys saw him take a bottle from his pocket and pour out a palmful of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> +white powder into a cigarette paper. This he rolled up and threw into +his mouth, tossing a glass of water after it.</p> + +<p>"Quinine," he explained, although he called it "queeneen."</p> + +<p>"Pretty big dose, wasn't it?" asked Mr. Wallace.</p> + +<p>"'Bout fifty grain," replied the other calmly, to the intense +astonishment of the boys. "Fever gets me bad down here on the coast. By +cripes, ye're a lucky beggar!" he continued as they came in sight of +John standing guard over their valises. "That's your man Washington? +I've heard o' him. They say he's a magneeficent cook."</p> + +<p>"Better than that," laughed Mr. Wallace. "He'll take charge of your +blacks and get real work out of 'em. Do you mean what you said about +going up the Aruwimi?"</p> + +<p>"Aye." Montenay nodded. "We'll talk that over later. Ye'll be wantin' +yer mosquito nets, so better bring the stuff down to the <i>Belgique</i>. +We'll sleep on board her to-night."</p> + +<p>As they had stayed at the hotel the night before, the boys had not been +troubled much by the insects. They were much more worried by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> +quantities of quinine that Mr. Wallace insisted on their taking. When +Burt had protested at taking ten grains all at once his uncle had +laughed.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! I'm running this trip! Why, it's nothing unusual for men to +take seventy and eighty grains out here. So put it down and shut up or +I'll send you back home!"</p> + +<p>They found the <i>Belgique</i> to be a small but comfortable little steamer +manned by a crew of a dozen blacks and a Swiss pilot. The <i>Benguela</i> +came up the river that afternoon and the smaller steamer was placed +alongside her. By special arrangement with the customs people the boxes +belonging to Mr. Wallace were slung right out to the deck of <i>La +Belgique</i>. Here John was in charge of the blacks and under his +heavy-handed rule the cases were rapidly stowed away.</p> + +<p>Mr. Wallace and the boys got out all their personal equipment at once. +The heat was intense and the boys naturally suffered from it greatly at +first, although the two older men did not seem to mind it in the least.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> +By the next afternoon their loading was completed and the <i>Belgique</i> +headed upstream without further delay.</p> + +<p>Their five days' trip got the boys inured to the heat somewhat. They +never tired of watching the tropical forest on either bank of the river +and the strange craft that plied around them. Although there were many +other steamers and State launches as well as trading companies' boats, +there was no lack of dugouts and big thirty-foot canoes laden with +merchandise from the trading posts. The two explorers lay back in their +canvas chairs and recounted their experiences in strange lands, while +the boys listened eagerly as they watched their new surroundings.</p> + +<p>The water-maker, as John called it, was installed the first day out. The +boys found their cook to be all that Mr. Wallace had stated and more, +while Captain Montenay was so delighted that he laughingly offered John +exorbitant wages to desert the American, but in vain. The <i>Belgique</i> +made stops for wood only and after four days they arrived at the +mile-wide mouth of the Aruwimi River.</p> + +<p>On the fifth day they arrived at Yambuya, just below the great cataracts +which stopped further navigation. Here the two experienced explorers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> +unloaded the chop-boxes, tents and other supplies and proceeded to make +arrangements for hiring bearers. This was accomplished through the local +chief with the aid of the government representative, who was an Italian. +Indeed, the boys found that not only were Belgians and French employed +all through the country, but men of every nationality, from "remittance +men" of England to Swiss and Cubans.</p> + +<p>After a two days' delay at Yambuya the caravan was formed. It consisted +of one hundred Bantu porters under the directions of a head-chief who +spoke French fairly well, as do many of the natives. Besides the porters +there were tent boys, skinners, gun-bearers and cooks to the number of +thirty. Captain Montenay spoke Bantu to some extent and all the orders +were given by him direct while the river trip was continued.</p> + +<p>The expedition started from the other side of the cataracts in five +immense dugout canoes paddled by the porters. For the white men had been +provided a small antiquated launch with which the canoes were easily +able to keep up.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Mr. Wallace as they puffed away from the shore, "the real<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> +trip's begun, boys! We'll arrive at Makupa to-morrow and then up to the +Makua!"</p> + +<p>"Makupa?" exclaimed Captain Montenay. "Why, that's only a hundred and +fifty miles up! Well, we can talk it over later. John, fill a canvas +tub. I feel the need o' havin' a bath."</p> + +<p>And Captain McAllister Montenay's bath was the first indication that the +boys received of the Blind Lion.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI<br /><br /> + +<small>THE MARK OF PONGO</small></h2> + + +<p>The folding tubs they all used were more like little canvas rooms, open +at the top. The crew of their launch consisted of two Bantus. One of +these helped John fill the tub by the simple method of standing on a +chair and pouring water on the head of the occupant of the tiny chamber +after his clothes had been thrown out.</p> + +<p>The boys were watching the proceedings and intended to follow the +captain's example. As he finished he told the Bantu boy to hand him his +clothes and stretched out an arm through the slit in the canvas walls. +As it happened, this opening faced the boys.</p> + +<p>The Bantu held up the bundle of clothes. As Captain Montenay took them +the boys saw the black recoil suddenly and sink to his knees with a low +groan, his face gray. Burt immediately leaped to his feet and caught the +Bantu but the latter thrust him away and staggered back to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> +engine. Here he sank on a locker and buried his face in his knees.</p> + +<p>"Well I'll be jiggered!" exclaimed Burt half angrily. "What's the matter +with him?" He was about to call his uncle who was up under the forward +awning when Critch caught his arm.</p> + +<p>"Shut up!" the red-haired boy whispered excitedly. "Come over here." +When they reached the rail he turned on Burt. "Didn't you see it, you +chump? What's the matter with you, anyway?"</p> + +<p>"Me?" gasped Burt, bewildered by this sudden attack. "Say—"</p> + +<p>"Thought you saw it sure," interrupted his chum hurriedly. "Didn't you +see Cap'n Mac's arm?"</p> + +<p>"No," returned Burt shortly. "Like any other arm, ain't it? I was +lookin' at the sick nigger."</p> + +<p>"Sick nothin'," retorted Critch. "Cap'n Mac's got a shoulder on him +enough to scare a cat! When he shoved the canvas back I could see it all +twisted up an' dead white, with a big red scar on the corner o' the +shoulder. That nigger wasn't sick—he was scared!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Scared!" Burt stared at Critch and then turned to look at the Bantu boy +crouched on the locker. "Golly! Mebbe he is! Say, what was the scar +like?"</p> + +<p>"Looked to me like a cross but I didn't see it well. Come on, we'll ask +the coon. He talks French some."</p> + +<p>They stopped beside the Bantu. The second black was sitting in the bow +at the wheel and had noticed nothing. Critch took the black by the +shoulder and gave him a shake, while Burt addressed him in French.</p> + +<p>"Wake up, boy! What scared you?"</p> + +<p>The Bantu gave one terrified shudder and his eyes were rolling wildly as +his head came up "Pongo! L'emblème de Pon—" he began with a frightened +gasp and then stopped. His face resumed its normally blank expression +and he glanced around quickly.</p> + +<p>"What's Pongo?" questioned Burt. "What do you mean by the sign of +Pongo?"</p> + +<p>"No savvy, m'sieu, no savvy." The Bantu shook his head and absolutely +refused to say another word in spite of threats and commands.</p> + +<p>"Come on," said Critch disgustedly. "He's wise to something but he won't<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> +let on. There's Cap'n Mac. Shut up."</p> + +<p>They rejoined the captain and Mr. Wallace in the bow. Evidently the +Scotchman had neither seen nor heard anything unusual, for he at once +plunged into discussing plans with Mr. Wallace.</p> + +<p>"Look here," he said finally. "I can't give up that cook o' yours, +Wallace! Ye've got a good Scots name too. S'pose we make one party?"</p> + +<p>"One party!" exclaimed Mr. Wallace. "I thought you were going more to +the east?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, but I ain't over parteec'lar. Mind, I'm no sayin' I'll go clear to +the Makua wi' ye, but I may."</p> + +<p>"Here's John with the dinner," said Mr. Wallace. "We'll talk it over +while we eat. Looks mighty good to me, Montenay! I'd like you to go with +us if you will."</p> + +<p>"Hello, what's this stuff?" cried Burt as he leaned over his bowl and +sniffed suspiciously. John stood by with a triumphant grin.</p> + +<p>"Smells good," commented Critch. Captain Mac, as they had come to call +him, winked at Mr. Wallace.</p> + +<p>"It's vera good for fever," he said solemnly. "They make it out o' chopped<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> +snakes an' nigger bones."</p> + +<p>The boys looked up in dismay but were reassured by Mr. Wallace's smile +and John's ever present grin. Burt put the question to the latter.</p> + +<p>"Palm-oil chop, sar! Chicken chop-chop, palm-oil, peppers, hother t'ings +halso, sar. Hit be good."</p> + +<p>The boys cautiously sampled the concoction and found it to be new but +not unpleasant. Before they had been in the country another week they +were vociferously demanding palm-oil chop from John every day. The +launch tied up at a plantation dock for the night and at daylight +proceeded on her way.</p> + +<p>"Hello!" exclaimed Critch as he emerged from the tiny cabin for +breakfast. "That's funny! Thought it was in my outside pocket."</p> + +<p>"What's bitin' you?" asked Burt with a rather sickly smile. He also was +fishing in his pockets.</p> + +<p>"My compass—it's gone!"</p> + +<p>"Same here," confessed Burt after a moment. "I'll be jiggered! My coin's +all right!"</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" inquired Mr. Wallace. He was just coming out and +behind him was Captain Mac. The boys explained their strange loss and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> +Montenay frowned.</p> + +<p>"That's queer," he said thoughtfully. "Mine's safe. How's yours, +Wallace?"</p> + +<p>"Here." Mr. Wallace produced his own silver-set compass from an inner +pocket. "You've probably dropped 'em around the cabin, boys."</p> + +<p>The two turned and vanished hastily but reappeared shaking their heads. +The missing instruments were not to be found on board, although a +thorough search was made of the launch and men.</p> + +<p>"Na doot they were stolen," said Captain Mac as they sat at breakfast. +"These blacks will steal anythin' that ain't nailed down, an' they were +prowlin' all about last night. Well, we'll get new ones at Makupa from +the trader when we get there to-night."</p> + +<p>"It's decidedly queer, Montenay!" Mr. Wallace looked out over the river +with a perplexed frown. "Why should these two compasses vanish, when +nothing else in the cabin was touched? I don't like it."</p> + +<p>"Ye know what ju-ju is, o' course?" Captain Mac leaned back easily in +his chair as the American explorer nodded. "The Bantus think compasses<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> +are ju-ju."</p> + +<p>"What's that?" asked Critch.</p> + +<p>"Anything they don't understand and that savors of witchcraft or mystery +is ju-ju," explained Mr. Wallace. "In that case, Montenay, our compasses +will be looked upon as the gods of a Bantu village, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Aye. Let's get our business done with, Wallace." Montenay deftly rolled +himself a quinine capsule and swallowed it. "What d'ye say? Shall we +combine or no?"</p> + +<p>"I don't see why we shouldn't," returned Mr. Wallace thoughtfully. +"We're both after ivory. One caravan will cut down expenses for each of +us. You're not sure about making the Makua with us?"</p> + +<p>"Well," replied the other slowly with a sharp glance at Mr. Wallace, +"I'm no sure yet. There's some mighty queer country north o' here that +I'd like to have a look at. Mind, I'm no promisin' anythin' whatever. +I'll be free to come an' go."</p> + +<p>"Of course," answered Mr. Wallace. "Then it's agreed, Captain! We'll +leave Makupa together in the morning."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Vera good. Now I'll be lookin' after a letter or so under the awnin' +aft where the shakin' ain't so strong." Montenay rose and strolled aft +and was immediately absorbed in his traveling writing-case. Mr. Wallace +gazed after him reflectively.</p> + +<p>"There's a curious man, boys! We're in luck to have him along. There +probably aren't a dozen men in Africa who haven't heard of him and there +probably aren't a dozen who know him outside of officials. He always +travels alone. If he strikes in at Zanzibar or Nairobi he's likely to +come out at Cairo or the Cape."</p> + +<p>"Strikes me as a good sport," agreed Burt heartily. "He don't say much +but I'd hate to monkey with him when he gets mad. Say! Ever hear o' +Pongo, Uncle George?"</p> + +<p>"Pongo?" repeated the explorer as he stared hard at Burt. "Pongo? No, +don't think I have. What is it?"</p> + +<p>The boys explained what had taken place the previous afternoon but to +their surprise Mr. Wallace frowned disapproval. "Whatever it is, boys, +it's his business. If you'll look at his arm you'll see a dozen scars. I +have a few myself. That's where a native chief cuts a gash in his arm<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> +and ours, the cuts are rubbed together and we are then termed +'blood-brothers.' It may have been some such mark that scared the black +boy."</p> + +<p>"No it wasn't," asserted Critch positively. "It looked like a cross. +Wasn't cut either. Looked like a burn more than anything else."</p> + +<p>"Then forget it," commanded Mr. Wallace decisively. "It's none of our +business. I must say that Montenay's mighty indefinite though. He says +he's after ivory and wants to have a look at the country. But if I know +anything he's not worrying about ivory this trip."</p> + +<p>"Why not?" asked Burt. "D'you mean he's lying?"</p> + +<p>"Lying is a strong term, Burt!" smiled his uncle. "It's not a nice word +to use either. No, I think he's keeping us in the dark about his own +projects. Probably he has some new animal or some new tribe he wants to +be sure of getting all the credit for discovering. Naturally he wouldn't +want to run any risk of our cutting in on him."</p> + +<p>Just then the subject of their discussion rejoined them and the topic +was changed. On up the river they went all that day while the big<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> +canoes followed closely with the paddling-chants of the men rising from +time to time. The breeze created by their motion relieved them of the +clouds of mosquitoes and other insects but the heat was so great that it +even affected John to some extent.</p> + +<p>Just before sunset they reached the Makupa station. This consisted of a +large native village dominated by the State trading post, a corrugated +iron building whose whitewashed walls contrasted strongly with the palm +thatched huts of the blacks all around. The trader met them at the +landing and proved to be a Belgian, pleasant and courteous in every way.</p> + +<p>They spent the night here. In the morning they were up before daybreak +and Mr. Wallace mentioned the compasses as they were dressing. At that +moment Burt was speaking to Captain Montenay, and he saw a peculiar +light flash into the little explorer's face when his uncle spoke. That +look puzzled Burt somewhat. He was still more puzzled when Montenay +rushed through his dressing and hurried from the room. The sudden change +in the man had evidently been caused by his uncle's words, but Burt<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> +could not see any connection whatever.</p> + +<p>When they entered the lamp-lit dining room for breakfast they found the +agent and Captain Mac together. The former sprang up and greeted them +effusively, hastily stuffing something into his pocket that looked to +Burt like banknotes. Still, the boy remembered his uncle's words of the +day before and made up his mind not to bother about other people's +affairs.</p> + +<p>"Oh, the compasses!" ejaculated Mr. Wallace as the black boys brought in +fruit and coffee. "Lieutenant, we lost two compasses coming up the +river. It would be a great assistance if you would sell us a couple from +your stores."</p> + +<p>"Alas!" An expression of dismay rose to the Belgian's face and he spread +out his hands helplessly. "My friend, I am grieved deeply to have to +inform you that we have none! A trading party came down the river last +week and completely cleaned me out, even to my own instrument. I am +desolated, my heart is torn, but it is impossible!"</p> + +<p>A sudden suspicion flashed across Burt's mind but as he glanced sharply +at Captain Mac he dismissed it. Montenay was the picture of dismay, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> +to all their suggestions and queries the Belgian only returned a +"desolated" shrug.</p> + +<p>"Well, never mind." Mr. Wallace smiled at Montenay in resignation. "We +still have ours. Two should be enough. Now make a good breakfast, boys! +We eat from chop-boxes after this."</p> + +<p>With sunrise the caravan started north from the station. The river +bottom was low but Captain Mac asserted that after a day's journey they +would find themselves on the higher plains, and this proved quite true. +On the second day they entered the great forests and left behind the +half-civilized tribes. As they drew up to the top of a hill-crest that +rose among the trees Critch caught Burt's arm and pointed ahead to where +the jungle thinned out.</p> + +<p>"There we are, ol' sport! Look at 'em, just look at 'em!"</p> + +<p>And Burt saw through his glasses a number of black groups of animals, +grazing and moving slowly about.</p> + +<p>"What are they, Uncle George?" he cried in high excitement to Mr. +Wallace who was also looking through his glasses.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Hartebeest, bushbuck and antelope," replied the explorer calmly. "If +I'm not mistaken there's a rhino in that patch of bush about two miles +to the right—see it? John, O John! Get those gun-boys on deck, will +you?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII<br /><br /> + +<small>CRITCH'S RHINO</small></h2> + + +<p>"Are we going to have a hunt?" asked Burt as they left the hill and +plunged forward into the jungle again at the head of the caravan.</p> + +<p>"Not to-day," laughed Mr. Wallace. "We won't get out of this till night, +will we?"</p> + +<p>"Hardly," replied Montenay. "Once we get out o' this thick jungle and up +to those plains we'll have clear sailin'. I'm no meanin' that we'll find +no jungle there, mind, for we will. But by night we'll be in more decent +veldt-country I'm thinkin'."</p> + +<p>They camped at sunset in a grassy space clear of trees. As Captain Mac +had predicted, the low and malarial jungle was left behind them and they +were now getting into the higher lands. These were scattered with +patches of dense forest and jungle, but there were also great plains or +veldts covered with game and animal life.</p> + +<p>"Now we'll make those gun-boys earn their pay," said Mr. Wallace the +next morning.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We'll shoot half a dozen antelope every day to give the bearers meat."</p> + +<p>"We'll be shootin' more than that," grimly added Captain Mac as he held +up his hand for silence. "Hear that?"</p> + +<p>All listened. It seemed to Burt and Critch that in the distance sounded +a faint mutter of far-away thunder, and they looked at the older men +expectantly.</p> + +<p>"Lion," laughed Mr. Wallace shortly. "If we only had ponies we'd land +him to-day!"</p> + +<p>The advisability of taking horses along had been discussed but the +explorer had vetoed it finally. "It would only be an experiment," he had +declared. "In other parts of the country it might work but not in the +Congo. We have too many jungles to wade through and a horse would be +stung to death in a day or two."</p> + +<p>Three or four of the Bantu hunters were sent ahead, and toward noon, as +they approached a little rise, one of these came running back. He said +something to Captain Mac, who translated.</p> + +<p>"Get your guns! They've located a herd of wildebeest an' hartebeest just +ahead."</p> + +<p>The boys excitedly took their second-weight guns from the bearers. The +heavy guns were not needed for the antelope. They all moved forward,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> +while the porters halted in charge of John, and after a half hour +reached the crest of the rise, wading through the deep grass and bush. +Here the Bantus made a gesture of caution and carefully parted the grass +ahead of them.</p> + +<p>The boys gave a little gasp of surprise. Before them was a plain +scattered with high ant hills and trees. Grazing without thought of +danger were hundreds of antelope-like animals, some with long curving +horns and others with straight spiral ones. As Burt watched them he +found himself trembling with feverish excitement.</p> + +<p>"Keep cool, lad!" whispered Captain Mac with a slight smile. "See that +group to the right? Take the bull hartebeest. Ready, Wallace?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Wallace and Critch had selected their animals and the former nodded. +Montenay gave the word and all fired together. Burt saw his bull give +one tremendous leap and fall. Critch, who had fired at a small bull, had +poorer luck, for his animal bounded off with the others of the herd and +was gone in an instant. Both Montenay an Mr. Wallace had dropped<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> +hartebeest bucks, and the bearers were jubilant as all ran down the hill.</p> + +<p>"Now, Critch," said Mr. Wallace, "it's up to you! You boys stay here +with the blacks and we'll go back and bring on the porters and the salt. +Keep the heads of that hartebeest of Burt's and mine. We don't want to +fill our empty chop-boxes too fast."</p> + +<p>As the tin-lined chop-boxes were emptied they were to be used for +packing heads and skins of game and were thus doubly useful. The Bantus +took out their knives and while Burt transmitted in French the orders of +his chum they set to work. Mr. Wallace and Montenay returned to meet and +bring up the caravan, whose advance was necessarily slow.</p> + +<p>The skilled blacks first removed the two heads and skinned them +carefully. Then they laid aside the skulls for boiling and cut up the +three bodies to serve as rations for the porters while the boys stood +looking around them. Although the great herds had bounded off at the +volley, they had only gone a mile or two away and in the thin clear air +seemed half that distance. Burt stood with his eyes glued to his glasses +for a few moments, then saw a jackal a hundred yards to the right,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> +slinking through the grass. As jackals are invariably destroyed wherever +seen he called Critch and took a gun from the pile dropped by the +bearers. Luckily for him he grabbed up one of the heavy Winchesters in +his haste.</p> + +<p>"Come on, Critch! Get over to that ant hill an' we'll bag him."</p> + +<p>Not far from the jackal was one of the tall hills made by the white +ants. As these are hard as rock and often eight or ten feet high they +make excellent shelter for hunters. Critch caught up a gun and ran after +Burt hastily.</p> + +<p>When they reached the ant hill they located the jackal in a patch of +brush below them. Only his head was visible, but the two boys aimed and +fired together and he dropped.</p> + +<p>"Bet I got him in the eye!" cried Critch as they ran toward the spot. +"Got a dandy bead on him."</p> + +<p>"Hello! What's that?" Burt stopped suddenly and pointed to a patch of +trees a hundred yards farther on. Above the stunted growth they saw a +number of little birds flying erratically about.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Look at that—golly!" whispered Critch. "What's that big black thing—"</p> + +<p>"Elephant!" returned Burt fumbling at his gun.</p> + +<p>"Elephant nothing! Look at the birds—ain't any birds on elephants—it's +a rhino! Come on!"</p> + +<p>An indistinct shape showed through the bush as they made their way +forward but they could not make out what it was and hesitated to fire. +They knew that the rhinoceros is guarded by numbers of tick birds and +concluded from the birds flying above the bushes that this was a rhino. +They got to within eighty yards before alarming the beast. Then came a +crashing and swishing of the bush and out stalked a big rhino, sniffing +the wind and advancing slowly toward them.</p> + +<p>"Get behind that ant hill!" exclaimed Critch. Separating, they took up +positions beside two of the conical mounds. "Got your big gun? Go to +it!"</p> + +<p>Lifting his rifle, Burt fired. He had aimed at the shoulder of the great +beast but to his dismay the shot seemed to have absolutely no effect. +Instead of dropping, the rhino threw up its tail and ears, gave a little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> +squeal and started for Burt.</p> + +<p>Burt fired again at fifty yards. His bullet struck the rhino in the head +and glanced off, serving only to increase the rage of the brute. He +broke into a lumbering gallop and Burt yelled to Critch to fire.</p> + +<p>The latter obeyed but in his haste missed entirely with his first bullet +and with his second only tore the rhino's left ear slightly. Burt raised +his own gun and aimed at the eye. Again his shots had no effect, for he +missed the delicate mark afforded by the eye and both bullets glanced +from the armor.</p> + +<p>"Duck!" yelled Critch, dancing up and down. "He can't see! Duck!"</p> + +<p>Burt ducked, for the rhino was within ten yards and thundering straight +at him. Dropping his gun he sprang behind the ant hill and around it. +But the animal had seemingly anticipated this or had turned its charge +at Critch, for Burt almost leaped on the tossing horn of the beast.</p> + +<p>With one wild spring backward he ploughed headfirst into the grass. He +heard both barrels of Critch's heavy gun. As he wriggled up he saw the +rhino, not ten feet away, stop short as the terrific charge struck him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> +behind the shoulder. For an instant he wavered, then sank to the ground +dead.</p> + +<p>A wild burst of yells sounded behind as Burt arose. The Bantus had +observed the affair and when they saw the rhino fall, ran forward with +high glee, while just over the crest of the rise appeared the caravan.</p> + +<p>Burt walked over to his chum with somewhat shaky steps and held out his +hand without a word, for something kept him from speaking.</p> + +<p>"Oh, shucks!" said Critch huskily. "You dog-goned idiot! You pretty near +scared me to death. Didn't you hear me yell?"</p> + +<p>"Didn't hear nothin'," Burt smiled weakly. "I was wishing I was back +home and had never seen Africa. If you hadn't shot he'd got me—"</p> + +<p>"Come out of it!" replied Critch. "He couldn't see you and was coming +for me. Ain't he a big fellow?" As they walked over and stood beside the +great black body that lay stretched in the grass with the Bantus around +it, Mr. Wallace and Captain Mac ran up.</p> + +<p>"What's this mean?" roared the former as he saw the body. "Haven't you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> +two got sense enough to—"</p> + +<p>"Leave 'em alone!" shouted Captain Mac delightedly. "They've killed him! +Hurray!" The exuberant Scotchman seized Burt and whirled him around in a +wild dance as the excited porters came up. Burt gave the honor to Critch +and when he told of his narrow escape Mr. Wallace at once directed camp +to be formed.</p> + +<p>"Now see here," he ordered as the skinners collected around the body, +"I've had enough of this business. After this you take Burt with you, +Montenay, and I'll take Critch. Those young villains are crazy enough to +do anything if we leave 'em alone. Understand, boys? If you chase off by +yourselves you get sent back home."</p> + +<p>Seeing that Mr. Wallace was thoroughly aroused and in earnest, the boys +hastily promised that his orders would be obeyed in future. Then they +examined the carcass of the rhinoceros carefully. Burt's first shot +would have killed the beast in time but it was the two from Critch's +rifle at close quarters that had proved fatal almost instantly. By that +evening the Bantus had removed the skin from the rhino and were ready to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> +pare it down for transportation.</p> + +<p>"That'll take a couple of days anyway," said Mr. Wallace that night as +they sat around the fire. "I think we might as well establish a camp +here for a week, Montenay. We are right in the game country and I can +get hold of all the specimens I want to send home while we are here, and +get them safely off. Then we can strike on after ivory and see what +we'll find."</p> + +<p>"Suits me," returned Captain Mac. "Ye've done vera well, lads! The horn +o' yon beast is eighteen inches."</p> + +<p>"I'd kind o' like to keep the head, uncle," said Burt. "Critch an' I had +a hard time gettin' him. We don't want the skin but we could set up the +head back home an'—"</p> + +<p>"Sure!" returned Mr. Wallace heartily. "We'll keep the skin without +paring it down, then. We can trade it to the natives for almost anything +we ask. Aren't there some villages near here, Captain?"</p> + +<p>Montenay called up the head Bantu and put some questions to him. They +learned that there was a village several miles off where ivory might<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> +be found, and the Bantu was ordered to send a man over in the morning to +bring back whatever ivory the natives might have to trade.</p> + +<p>The next day Critch and Burt superintended the preparation of the rhino +head and the skins of a number of various antelope varieties which Mr. +Wallace and the captain shot. On the day following the Bantu messenger +returned with a score of blacks who bore two small fifty-pound tusks. +These they gladly traded for the rhino skin, which they would use for +shields, and for some tobacco, beads, and sweaters of blazing red.</p> + +<p>On that same day Burt evened up trophies with his chum. In the afternoon +Mr. Wallace and Critch went off together when the trading had been +finished. Barely had they left when a Bantu ran in with the news that +there was a herd of buffalo near the stream which ran a few hundred +yards past the camp. Captain Mac immediately called Burt and the +gun-bearers and on they went with all haste.</p> + +<p>After half an hour's walking they located the buffalo at the edge of the +creek bed in a thick jungle swamp. Holding their guns in readiness the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> +explorer and Burt advanced slowly. Theycould see two or three bulls +watching them, the rest of the herd being hidden. Not until the hunters +were within a hundred yards did the buffaloes move. Their massive white +in-curving horns shone against the black bodies, and their wicked little +eyes were fixed sullenly on the men.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the nearest bull shook his head and began advancing. At this +the gun-bearers scattered despite Montenay's shouted threats, and sought +the shelter of ant hills. Captain Mac and Burt held their heavy guns and +the former told Burt to take the first shot.</p> + +<p>By good luck the boy's bullet struck the buffalo in the eye and +penetrated the brain. Before Montenay could lift his weapon the others +had turned and vanished.</p> + +<p>"Well," laughed the explorer, "that's better than I expected. I was +lookin' for a charge from 'em. Fine old bull too!"</p> + +<p>The buffalo was a splendid trophy and the men at once began skinning +him. That evening Mr. Wallace determined to finish the buffalo hide and +then send back the specimens they had collected.</p> + +<p>"I've got enough to stock the club for years," he laughed. "No use<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> +being a hog—hello, that's funny!"</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" asked Montenay from across the fire.</p> + +<p>"Why—why—yes, sir, it's gone!" Mr. Wallace arose, searching his +pockets. Then his face hardened. "John, call up those boys who were with +me this morning! My compass has disappeared."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII<br /><br /> + +<small>CAPTAIN MAC SUPECTED</small></h2> + + +<p>Montenay and the boys gave an exclamation of surprise and Captain Mac +leaped to his feet with excited questions. Mr. Wallace, however, replied +nothing. Burt had never seen his uncle really angry before and now he +realized why this man was respected all over the world. The strong face +was more hawk-like than ever. Between the down-drawn brows were too deep +furrows, the thin mouth was set grimly, and the piercing eyes were +aflame with anger. Even Montenay quieted down suddenly when he saw Mr. +Wallace's face.</p> + +<p>John very respectfully brought up a group of a dozen blacks who stood in +fear and trembling as the loss of the compass was made known to them. +Falling on their faces one and all denied any share in the theft.</p> + +<p>"John, call the headman." When the latter appeared, fully as frightened +as his men, Mr. Wallace turned to him. "You see these men?" The explorer +spoke so rapidly that Burt could not gather more than a few scattered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> +words of French, but what he heard made him spring up with a cry of +protest.</p> + +<p>"Sit down!" His uncle whirled on him savagely and Montenay nodded +approval. The headman turned an ashy gray and bobbed his head against +Mr. Wallace's boots while a howl of fear went up from the black boys, +who returned to their companions, accompanied by John with a rifle.</p> + +<p>"What'd he say?" whispered Critch anxiously. Mr. Wallace heard the +words.</p> + +<p>"I gave 'em ten minutes to produce that compass," he said quietly. "If +they didn't do it by then I told 'em I'd bury those boys up to their +necks in the swamp down yonder and leave 'em."</p> + +<p>"What!" Critch was on his feet instantly. "Why—why—you—"</p> + +<p>"Sit down, lad!" Captain Mac laughed and pulled him back. "It's only a +bluff. Don't fash yerself over it."</p> + +<p>"Was that all?" demanded Burt eagerly and his uncle nodded without a +smile, to his intense relief.</p> + +<p>"I'll be walkin' over yonder," declared Montenay rising. "I'll chat with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> +'em in their own tongue a bit, Wallace. It may do good."</p> + +<p>For five minutes not a word was spoken. Mr. Wallace stared into the fire +while the boys looked alternately at him and at the fires of the blacks, +fifty yards away. Then Captain Mac strode up and with a word tossed the +gleaming silver-mounted instrument into Mr. Wallace's lap.</p> + +<p>"She's broke," he said shortly. The American calmly examined the +compass, as did the boys. The glass was shattered as if a stone had +smashed it, while the needle no longer swung on its pivot.</p> + +<p>"Who had it?" asked Burt's uncle.</p> + +<p>"Mgoro, the hunter." Captain Mac spoke quite as a matter of course and +Mr. Wallace's anger seemed to have vanished suddenly. "He said he found +it just outside the camp and that it was already broke. I discharged him +and told him to go back in the mornin' without his wages. He's lyin', o' +course."</p> + +<p>"Of course," agreed Mr. Wallace musingly. With this the subject was +closed. In the morning Mgoro was sent on the back trail in disgrace, +although he still his innocence. For two days more the camp remained in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> +the same place. Then the buffalo skin was pared down and packed and a +dozen porters were sent back to Makupa with the specimens. Mr. Wallace +had already arranged with the Belgian there to send them on down to +Boma.</p> + +<p>The only compass now in the party was that belonging to Montenay, who +guided them. Usually Captain Mac and Burt went ahead to the right while +Mr. Wallace and Critch went to the left, each party taking a number of +hunters and gun bearers. Owing to their lack of compasses it was not +possible to wander very far from the caravan. Every morning Captain Mac +and the headman Moboro mapped out the day's march and at noon and at +dark the two parties returned to the caravan.</p> + +<p>For several days they did little shooting of any importance. Each party +brought in two or three food-animals for the porters, and jackals were +of course shot on sight. On the third day after leaving their "Specimen +Camp," as Burt named their halting place, came their first adventure.</p> + +<p>They are getting well into the lion country by this time and each camp +was made as small as possible with plenty of fires around it. As Burt<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> +and Captain Mac returned to camp at noon of the third day they found the +Bantus in high excitement and were greeted with the news that two lions +had been sighted in a dense thicket just ahead. Mr. Wallace and Critch +soon came in and all four went toward the thicket while a number of +Bantus armed with spears and shields went around to drive out the +animals.</p> + +<p>This was done by the simple means of setting fire to the dense clump of +bushes. The party took up their position near an ant hill. With them +were the gun-bearers and a dozen Bantu hunters. When the thicket was +fired a dense cloud of smoke hid the nearer edge. Almost at once a +tremendous roar was heard. The Bantus replied with a yell of defiance.</p> + +<p>As they did so a great tawny shape flew out of the cloud of smoke and +struck down a hunter. Mr. Wallace fired instantly and the lion whirled +about and came for the party. The Bantus flung their spears, but the +beast dashed them aside and not even the heavy, jacketed bullets stopped +him. When he was ten yards away and crouching for his last bound the +gun-bearers broke.</p> + +<p>"I've got him," announced Captain Mac quietly. As the lion sprang he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> +fired and the beast rolled over, clawing at the grass. At the same +instant the lioness bounded out of the smoke.</p> + +<p>Critch broke her foreleg with his first bullet and his second brought +her to the earth. She rolled over, then gave another spring. Burt +followed Montenay's example and fired just as the beast left the ground. +This time she stumbled heavily and lay still, for the bullet had found +her brain.</p> + +<p>The combat had been short but hot. The Bantus brought up their wounded +comrade for attention. He had been badly clawed in the arms and +shoulders but his shield had saved him from fatal wounds, and Mr. +Wallace soon had him fixed up. The Bantus were hugely delighted over the +success of the hunt. They danced about the bodies with waving spears and +shields while Burt took some good pictures. Then the skinning began.</p> + +<p>When the skins had been safely packed the caravan again moved forward, +and two days later they came to a native village. When he heard the name +of the place Mr. Wallace looked somewhat surprised, then consulted a map +which he had procured at Boma. He folded it up without a word, however,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> +and they entered the town.</p> + +<p>"We're in the elephant country at last," announced Montenay that night. +"These fellows say that there is a small herd off to the east two miles. +Suppose we go over to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"To the east?" repeated Mr. Wallace. "Aren't we rather working away from +our bearings? However, no matter. I'm after ivory and not particular +where I find it. We'll go to-morrow."</p> + +<p>Burt was just a little puzzled at his uncle's attitude. He said nothing +definite, but the boy in some way got the idea that he was watching +Captain Mac. At first Burt put aside the thought. Then he resented it, +for he had a strong liking for the eccentric Scotchman. Finally he +resolved to wait and see what turned up.</p> + +<p>That night his suspicions were confirmed. He and Critch slept together +in one of the small tents and as they arranged the mosquito nets for the +night Howard paused.</p> + +<p>"Say, did you notice anything funny about Cap'n Mac lately?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No," replied Burt. "Uncle George is acting kind of funny, though."</p> + +<p>"You bet he is," nodded Critch. "He's just about got the goods on Cap'n +Mac, too!"</p> + +<p>"What!" Burt stared at his chum eagerly. "I knew it! Spit it out, old +sport."</p> + +<p>"It's that compass business. Anyway, that got your uncle going. When we +was ridin' after that hartebeest to-day he comes out with it. This here +place ain't on our line o' march at all. We're 'way east of where we +ought to be!"</p> + +<p>"East!" repeated Burt. "What's that got to do with Cap'n Mac?" He was +still ready to stand up for his friend, though Howard's confident air +sorely shook his faith.</p> + +<p>"Like this. Your uncle says Montenay's been leadin' us wrong. He don't +know what for and he's waiting to find out. B'lieve me, I'd hate to be +Cap'n Mac when he does find out! Golly, he was mad to-day!"</p> + +<p>"Does he think Cap'n Mac swiped our compasses?"</p> + +<p>"You bet! Thinks that business with Mgoro was a put-up job, too. When we +were out to-day we found a young eland lying dead. It had two o' the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> +blamedest arrows in it you ever seen. Here's the head o' one."</p> + +<p>Critch produced a little bundle of skin from his pocket and very +carefully unwrapped it. He laid a long many-barbed iron point in Burt's +hand.</p> + +<p>"Watch out for it. That black stuff's poison, your uncle says. It's a +pigmy arrow."</p> + +<p>"What's a pigmy arrow?" asked Burt. "Oh, you mean—" he stared at +Critch, who nodded.</p> + +<p>"That's what. We're over east near the pigmy country, 'stead of being up +in the higher country where we ought to be. We'll be in the jungle in +another day, your uncle says."</p> + +<p>"What's he going to do about it?" asked Burt. "Here, take this blamed +thing back." And he very gingerly deposited the arrow-point in the bit +of skin.</p> + +<p>"Nothing," replied Critch. "He says to lay low and keep your eye peeled. +He ain't going very far into the jungle either."</p> + +<p>Whether Montenay noticed anything in their attitude the next morning or +not, he was as gay as ever when they started out after their first +elephant. In fact, he had never appeared more open, frank and merry than<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> +he did this morning and Burt found himself involuntarily siding against +his uncle.</p> + +<p>They were accompanied by a large force of trackers from the town. After +a stiff two-mile walk into the deep forest toward the denser jungle one +of these trackers returned with word that a herd was not far ahead. Soon +afterwards the party came upon the spoor. In low places the tracks were +big holes three feet in depth. They were always marked by shattered and +broken smaller trees and torn branches.</p> + +<p>Suddenly an elephant trumpeted close by and the boys jumped. Now they +stole along quietly in single file, while they could hear the great +beasts feeding and crashing among the trees not a hundred yards away. +The party moved noiselessly in the tracks of the elephants, for their +great weight had left no sticks or leaves to crack. Birds flew up in +flocks and monkeys chattered all around. Then as the trail twisted about +the boys saw their first wild elephant—a good deal closer than they +could have wished.</p> + +<p>Without the least warning the bushes and mass of tangled creepers at +their left parted with a tremendous crashing and a big bull surged out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> +twenty feet away. He was as much surprised as they and stood looking +while the blacks fled. Mr. Wallace and Captain Mac fired almost +together, one bullet taking him in the shoulder and the other just above +the eye. Neither wound was fatal but for an instant the great beast was +stunned by the shock and stood reeling. Then as he lifted his trunk, +flapped his ears forward with his great in-curving tusks half raised and +took a step toward the party, both men fired again and the immense bulk +quivered and crashed down dead.</p> + +<p>The blacks raised a shout of joy but only for an instant. At the sudden +firing shrill trumpeting and crashing had gone up from the herd in +front, and another bull appeared in the path in full charge. Trees, +matted creepers and bushes went down before him and for an instant the +little group stood paralyzed with the sudden danger. Then Burt raised +his rifle and fired. His bullet was wildly aimed but proved lucky, for +it struck the elephant in the eye and penetrated the brain. He staggered +forward another step and then rolled over just as the others fired.</p> + +<p>"Good for you!" cried Mr. Wallace. He gripped Burt's hand and shook it +heartily, as did Captain Mac. Critch pounded his chum on the back in an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> +ecstasy of delight. The herd had crashed away and was gone, and as one +of the bearers was carrying the camera, Burt and Critch got some views +of the dead elephants, after which the hunters took out their knives.</p> + +<p>The hides were disregarded as not worth the effort of preparing. The +tusks were cut out and the feet were taken off to be served up by John +as the most delicate of jungle dishes. Then the local blacks fell to +work and cut up the rest of the carcasses for home consumption. It was +about noon, so Mr. Wallace decided that they would return to their camp +and follow the herd another day.</p> + +<p>"This is good country," he said as they walked along. "Between hunting +and trading we ought to get a nice lot of ivory together pretty soon. I +think I'll make a permanent camp just outside the town and not go in any +farther, Montenay."</p> + +<p>Captain Mac merely nodded. He remained very silent, however, on the +return trip. When they got home the tusks were weighed and it was found +that the smaller bull, the first to appear, carried one hundred and ten +pounds of ivory.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span></p> + +<p>The larger, which Burt had killed, was a good deal older and his tusks +weighed twenty pounds more.</p> + +<p>"That's big ivory, lad," said Montenay as they sat down to their +postponed lunch in the afternoon. "It ain't often ye'll get beasts +carryin' more'n a hundred thirty. 'Cept, o' course, some old chap who's +wandered off by himself an' kept the blacks too scared to be huntin' +him. I mind once I dropped just such an old bull down south an' got a +hundred seventy—nigh to bein' a record."</p> + +<p>"It was a mighty lucky shot," laughed Burt. "I just threw her up an' let +go 'cause I was too scared to aim. Goin' out to-morrow?"</p> + +<p>"Since ye're goin' to camp here permanent," returned Captain Mac, +addressing Mr. Wallace, "I'm thinkin' I'll be takin' a little hike into +the woods. I'll take a score o' the boys an' be back in a week."</p> + +<p>"No, you won't." Without the least trace of excitement in his voice Mr. +Wallace whipped out his revolver and covered the other. "Keep your hands +on the table, Montenay! Burt, remove the captain's gun."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX<br /><br /> + +<small>THE WHITE PIGMIES</small></h2> + + +<p>As Burt obeyed it seemed to him that the Scotchman was taking the +situation very coolly. The little thin man sat silently with his eyes on +those of Mr. Wallace and only his quivering nostrils denoted the emotion +that must have consumed him.</p> + +<p>"Now, Captain Montenay," resumed Mr. Wallace when Burt was again seated, +"let's have a little explanation." Burt saw that his uncle's face looked +as he had seen it on the night when his compass disappeared. "In the +first place you stole our compasses."</p> + +<p>"I did not!" Captain Mac gave a harsh little laugh. "Ye have yer own, or +what's left of it. I've got the other two in my pocket. I removed 'em +temporarily so to speak. Be more choice in yer use o' words, man."</p> + +<p>"Secondly, you've been leading us astray."</p> + +<p>"Aye," retorted Captain Mac, "but I didn't give ye the credit for +findin' it out so quick."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Now you propose to leave us here, on the edge of the jungle country," +continued Mr. Wallace. "There are three things that are open to +explanation, Captain Montenay. I am sorry to use this method of +persuasion but it seems to be necessary." The little man's face lost its +look of half-malicious mockery and for a moment he did not answer but +stared over the head of Mr. Wallace at the afternoon sun.</p> + +<p>"If I'm not wantin' to tell, man, I'm thinkin' ye'd have a hard job to +make me," was his answer at last.</p> + +<p>"If you won't tell," snapped out Mr. Wallace, "I'll tie you up here and +now and carry you back to Boma. You know what you'd get there."</p> + +<p>"Aye. Is that yer final deceesion?"</p> + +<p>"It is. Explain or go to Boma."</p> + +<p>"Vera good. Gi' me the gun, lad." To Burt's vast surprise his uncle +nodded and replaced his weapon. As Captain Mac quietly buckled the +restored revolver about his waist his face broke into a wrinkled smile.</p> + +<p>"It'll be a longish yarn, Wallace." There was no trace of animosity in +his tone. "Let's finish eatin' an' when I get the old pipe between my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> +teeth I'll feel like talkin'."</p> + +<p>Their meal was finished in silence. Before Captain Mac gave his +explanation, however, a startling event happened. It seemed that a dozen +men of the village had remained with the bodies of the elephants to +remove more of the meat. Just as Captain Mac was filling his ancient and +evil-smelling pipe a native rushed into camp shouting something that +sent the pipe to the ground and the captain to his feet.</p> + +<p>The native came up and fell on his face. After a hasty exchange of +question and answer Captain Mac turned to the others and Burt saw that a +strange light stood in his dark and rather sad eyes.</p> + +<p>"Get out the medicines, Wallace. We've got seven dying men on our hands. +We may save one or two with serum and morphia."</p> + +<p>"Why, what do you mean?" cried Mr. Wallace, giving a shout for John. +When the trusty cook had been dispatched for the medicine chop-box +Captain Mac explained further.</p> + +<p>"Those chaps we left wi' the beasts yonder drove off some Wambuti +pigmies, bein' utter fools and prob'ly ignorant o' what the dwarfs were.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> +They got a shower o' poisoned arrows in return. A bunch from the village +just found 'em an' are bringin' 'em in here."</p> + +<p>John arrived with the medicine case and Mr. Wallace got out his serums +and syringes while the boys stared at each other in amazement.</p> + +<p>"That's what them dirty little black arrow-points do," said Critch in a +low tone. Just then a band of men came running into the camp. On their +shoulders they bore rude litters which they set down before Mr. Wallace +with gestures of despair.</p> + +<p>On the litters lay seven men. All were gray with pain and sweating +profusely. As they lay there Burt could see their naked breasts rise and +fall with the increased palpitation caused by the poison. The matter of +Captain Mac was forgotten on the instant, as all four went to work in a +desperate effort to save the wounded men. The captain hastily loaded the +hypodermic syringes and handed them to the other three, who injected the +contents into the arms of the wounded as rapidly as possible. While this +was going on the camp was surrounded by the villagers, and only the +leveled guns of John and the other men held them outside.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span></p> + +<p>One of the men died just as Mr. Wallace was treating him, although +neither of the boys noticed it until they had finished. Then the wounds +were cauterized, a task which was not relished by the boys. In fact, the +smell of burning flesh was nearly too much for Burt, who retired +temporarily.</p> + +<p>"There," and Captain Mac straightened up with a sigh of relief, "I guess +that's all we can do, Wallace."</p> + +<p>"Will they recover?" asked the American quietly, washing the syringe. +The other shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p>"Mayhap. Don't let the village people have 'em, John. The witch doctor'd +kill 'em sure. They'll sleep till morning. If they wake they can be +thankin' us for it."</p> + +<p>Critch said nothing. He was pale and his knees felt shaky, for their +task had been no pleasant one, and he fervently trusted that they would +have no more poisoned arrows in future. A few moments later all were +once more gathered about the table in the dining-tent, where Burt +rejoined them. Montenay calmly refilled his pipe and began.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span></p> + +<p>"As I was sayin', Wallace, the yarn is a long one. I'm thinkin' it'll +nobore ye to listen, though," and the Scotchman chuckled.</p> + +<p>"Fire away," smiled Wallace grimly. "We have time to burn." For a moment +the other puffed away in silence, his eyes fixed on the tent-wall behind +Burt. Then he began his story, the strangest story which the two +American boys had ever listened to.</p> + +<p>"Two years ago, it was. I started out o' Nairobi wi' the most elegant +bunch o' fightin' men ye could find. Took me nigh a month to select 'em. +I laid it out as a scientific trip, to the British authorities, but the +men knew better. I bought 'em all trade-guns wi' lots of ammunition, for +I was after two things.</p> + +<p>"Trip before that, I had met up with an Arab dealer called Yusuf Ben +Salir, what misused me like a nigger. He was a slave-merchant on the +quiet, an' would ha' sold me upcountry if I hadn't got away. I was after +him first, and ivory next. We headed off for the Congo line, baggin' a +little ivory as we went.</p> + +<p>"One day we learned from the natives that Yusuf was twenty mile ahead of +us wi' plenty o'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span></p> + +<p>tusks and a big trade-caravan. Two days later we caught up, formin' a +zareba near his. He had twice as many men, but mine were picked, ye +remember.</p> + +<p>"Well, the details o' what happened don't matter. We were busy for three +days, and I will admit that Yusuf had his merits as a fighter. But at +the last his nerve failed him, and when we rushed his zareba, he and his +men made their getaway—leaving everything behind. While I was lookin' +over his stuff I found two things wrapped up in oilskin.</p> + +<p>"One was a queer shaped bit o' wood which I flung away, like a fool. The +other was a bit o' cloth with Arabic written on it. I can read the +lingo, and I made out that Yusuf had been down near the pigmy country +an' had run across some yarn about white pigmies."</p> + +<p>"White pigmies!" ejaculated Mr. Wallace in astonishment, while a look of +keen interest swept across his face. "Then the story was so!"</p> + +<p>"What story?" asked Montenay sharply.</p> + +<p>"Why, a tradition I heard up in the Sahara, that there was a white race +of small people somewhere down this way. The Arab who told me was mighty<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> +reticent about it, and I gathered that there was some queer religious +feature to the tradition, if it was one."</p> + +<p>"It was not," asserted Montenay, betraying signs of excitement for the +first time, and leaning forward. "Wallace, it was fact! I found the +white pigmies!"</p> + +<p>"What!" A simultaneous cry went up from his three listeners and Mr. +Wallace's eagle-face was bent sternly upon the narrator.</p> + +<p>"Careful, Montenay!" he said with repressed eagerness. "Remember you are +not talking to green hands!"</p> + +<p>"Man, it's the truth!" There could be no doubt of Captain Mac's +sincerity as he leaned forward and met the American's gaze. There was +more than sincerity in his eyes. There was an appeal for belief, a +conviction, that won over the others instantly. "The truth! But that's +only the least of it."</p> + +<p>"And your proofs?" inquired Mr. Wallace crisply.</p> + +<p>"Proofs enough," rejoined the other, more calmly, "in their time. I +didn't take much stock in the Arabic stuff, but I thought I'd take a +shot at it. I sent half o' the boys back wi' the ivory and a plausible<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> +story o' how we came to get so much. Then I asked the rest if they'd go +with me.</p> + +<p>"After the way we'd wiped up Yusuf, they were ready for anythin'. After +all was fixed up we started, fifty boys an' me. We worked down slowly +from the high country, takin' it easy an' gatherin' in spoils as we +went. Finally we got down to the jungle an' touched the edge o' the +pigmy country. Then it began.</p> + +<p>"We had no trouble till we started inquirin' through some o' the pigmies +that come in to trade. As soon as we asked about their white relations +the camp emptied like a flash. The last little deevil out turned an' put +an arrow through one o' my boys.</p> + +<p>"It was just a massacre, man. The boys were fair ragin' at the way they +were shot down, and I pushed 'em ahead fast. We went through that jungle +like a whirlwind. Finally there were only seven boys left, an' they +refused to go any farther. Didn't do 'em any good, for the next day the +pigmies rushed us. I was pretty well played out by that time, as ye can +judge. When the smoke blew away five o' my boys were laid out, and I +was tied up with the other two. If I hadn't been so obstinate about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> +pushin' on we might ha' pulled out.</p> + +<p>"However, we put a good face on it. They treated us fine, but kept us on +the jump for a week, movin' from place to place through the jungle. For +another week we were stuck in one o' them pigmy villages. Queerly +enough, they hadn't touched a thing belongin' to us except the guns an' +chop-boxes an' general camp stuff.</p> + +<p>"'Bout the end o' the second week they routed us out early one mornin', +highly excited. When we got outside we found the whole village squattin' +around ten new chaps, who were armed wi' trade-guns and seemed to boss +things pretty general. But what struck me was that while they were of +the same size as the rest, they were white."</p> + +<p>"White!" exclaimed Mr. Wallace again. His thin cheeks were dashed with +color, and his brilliant eyes showed that he no longer doubted the truth +of Montenay's story. The latter nodded quietly.</p> + +<p>"Not white like us," he continued, "but as white as an Arab or +thereabouts. Their faces showed more intelligence than those o' the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> +blacks, an' they seemed to be overlords o' the—"</p> + +<p>"Hold on!" Mr. Wallace broke in with a puzzled frown. "Surely you don't +mean that, Mac! There could be no feudal system of that sort here in the +very heart of Africa! The blacks haven't the brains—"</p> + +<p>"Aye, but the whites have!" cried Montenay triumphantly. "These white +pigmies ain't fools by any means, as ye'll see later. Now will ye quit +interruptin' me?"</p> + +<p>"Go ahead," laughed Mr. Wallace, and the boys saw that Captain Mac was +really so interested in his own story that he was anxious to lay it +before them without more delay.</p> + +<p>"I meant to tell ye this yarn," he went on, "a bit later on, as ye'll +see also. The party o' whites were in command of a young chap named +Mbopo, an' we took to each other first crack. Well, they carried us off +through the jungle for a week's trip. We must ha' been on the edge o' +the pigmy country, for we traveled hard. At every pigmy village Mbopo +seemed to get reports or somethin' o' the kind, an' also tribute in the +way o' slaves. By the end o' the week there were six others besides<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> +oursel's.</p> + +<p>"Then we spent a day at the village o' the white pigmies. Man alive, ye +should ha' seen 'em! They seemed to live on the blacks, just like the +blacks live on the big tribes around, an' they lived well. Palm huts, o' +course, but there seemed to be a system o' government that beat +ever'thing I ever saw outside the Zulus.</p> + +<p>"We passed through two more o' the white villages, then struck a big +stream an' followed that for a day or two. Finally we got into a bit o' +higher ground an' struck the biggest surprise of all. Just before sunset +we came out o' the forest into a stretch o' yam patches along the river. +Beyond these an' right ahead of us was the biggest village we had seen +yet—three to four hundred huts, I'd say. Outside was the whole tribe +waitin' for us. Off to one side, near the forest, was a good sized palm +hut, and around it was a zareba."</p> + +<p>"What's queer about that?" asked Mr. Wallace, as the narrator paused for +a moment. The boys saw a smile flicker across Montenay's face.</p> + +<p>"The zareba was made out o' ivory," was his quiet reply. Burt at once<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> +broke into a laugh, thinking that Captain Mac was joking.</p> + +<p>"Pretty good," he chuckled. "What'd they do—cut up the tusks into +square blocks to make a six-foot wall?" But his mirth died away suddenly +as his uncle made a silencing gesture.</p> + +<p>"An ivory zareba," went on Montenay. "Made o' tusks, clear around the +hut. They were set with points up, curvin' out. But I didn't get much +chance to see it then. We were taken into the village and I was given a +hut to myself. The young chap, Mbopo, reported to an old, wizened +witch-doctor who was the boss. I judged he was speakin' in my favor, but +the old fellow shook his head an' waved a hand at the separate hut. The +whole crowd set up a yell o' 'Pongo!' Then they threw me into the hut.</p> + +<p>"I stayed there for eight days, too. Ye'll mind that there were just +eight slaves an' mysel' in the party. They treated me well, fed me fine, +but every night I heard a big jamboree goin' on. On the ninth evenin' +they brought me out. The village was surrounded by the usual thorn +zareba, an' the whole tribe was gathered just inside the gates, +feastin'. Mbopo an' three others tied me up an' carried me out halfway<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> +to the separate hut. Here they laid me on the ground beside a small +fire.</p> + +<p>"The old wizened chap came out after us with a long iron which he stuck +in the fire. Then he pulled off my shirt an' did—this." Captain Mac +slipped down his shirt collar and exposed the scarred shoulder that +Critch had seen on the boat. As the others gathered around with +exclamations of astonishment, Burt could see that the scar was in the +form of a cross, except that a long loop took the place of the +head-piece. Besides this, the whole shoulder seemed a mass of +cicatrices.</p> + +<p>"Yon's the shape o' the bit o' wood I found in Yusuf's packet," went on +Montenay, when Mr. Wallace interrupted him in wonder.</p> + +<p>"Mac! Do you know what that symbol is?"</p> + +<p>"It's the sign o' Pongo," returned the other. "From what I saw later it +had to do wi' ancient Egypt—"</p> + +<p>"I should say it had!" ejaculated Mr. Wallace, sinking back into his +chair and staring at Montenay, who slipped his shirt back into position. +"Why, that sign is the Egyptian cross, or ankh—the symbol of life, and +the peculiar insignia of Maat, the ancient Goddess of Truth!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p> + +<p>"So I found out, if ye'd given me time to finish," replied Montenay +drily. "Mbopo an' the rest staked me out there an' left me. What wi' the +burn an' the insects that settled down, I was pretty nigh gone inside an +hour. The fire was out, an' just after moonrise I heard a 'pad-pad' o' +steps near by. Then a minute later I caught one glimpse of a monstrous +lion, just as he sprang an' grabbed me by the wounded shoulder. That +finished me for sure, and I fainted."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X<br /><br /> + +<small>THE SACRED ANKH</small></h2> + + +<p>"When I came to," continued Montenay, "I thought sure I was crazy. I was +lyin' in a palm-thatch hut, on a floor littered wi' bones an' refuse an' +smellin' to high heaven. To one side was a little dish full o' palm oil, +with a lighted wick floatin' in it. Leanin' up against the wall, behind +the lamp, was a big painted mummy. Layin' in front o' the mummy was an +ankh, four foot long an' made out o' solid gold."</p> + +<p>"What!" Mr. Wallace stared at the other, almost speechless. The two +boys, fascinated by the deadly earnestness of Montenay's recital, were +pale with excitement. "But go ahead, man. I can talk later."</p> + +<p>"I was still trussed up like a turkey, but I wriggled and squirmed until +I got loose. My shoulder was badly torn up," went on Captain Mac, "and I +was nigh frantic wi' the pain. A little o' the palm oil helped, but wi' +them things around me I thought sure I was crazy. I crawled to the door,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> +an' found I was in the hut inside the ivory zareba.</p> + +<p>"The whole business must ha' gone to my head, for I don't remember very +well what happened then. I know I went back to the mummy an' saw that +his neck was torn open. There was somethin' shinin', and I grabbed at +it. Just then I heard somethin' behind me, an' there was the big lion, +standin' and lashin' his tail. I remember laughing, then I caught up the +lamp an' flung it at him. The oil blazed up as the vessel smashed him +fair between the eyes, he gave a roar, and I fainted again.</p> + +<p>"Next I remember was Mbopo bending over me. The poor fellow had come to +the hut in the mornin' an' found me. It seemed that I had been staked +out as a sacrifice to Pongo. This Pongo was a combination o' the lion +and ankh. The ankh was the real god, but the lion had taken up livin' in +the hut, so the lion was called Pongo and worshipped as the reg'lar +deity. In short, whoever had possession o' the ankh could boss the whole +country. Pongo, which was the lion, had carried me to the hut. I was in +possession o' the hut an' was the first who had ever escaped the +sacrifice.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p> + +<p>Therefore, I was sacred and in the way o' bein' a god mysel'. I didn't +find this all out right off, mind. I stayed in that village for six +months.</p> + +<p>"I taught Mbopo some English an' learned some pigmy talk. No, I didn't +bother none whatever wi' the lion. He showed up later an' took +possession o' the hut again. My shoulder was a long time healin' and I +guess my nerve was gone for a while. Man, but I wanted to carry off that +gold ankh an' that ivory! But the thing was impossible. After six months +I got a chance while I was out wi' hunters, and I lit out. I worked my +way out by strikin' a bunch of Arabs who treated me white. That's the +yarn."</p> + +<p>There was a moment of silence. Burt and Critch stared at Montenay in +fascination. Mr. Wallace was looking down at the table. Finally he +glanced up and spoke, slowly.</p> + +<p>"Mac, you said something about proofs."</p> + +<p>"I did that." Captain Mac unbuckled his belt, and took a small +silk-wrapped package from it. "I told ye that I grabbed something from +the mummy. Here it is."</p> + +<p>Mr. Wallace unwrapped the package, while the boys leaned over his +shoulder in high excitement. From the oiled silk fell out three linked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> +scarabs, set in wrought. Critch gave a gasp, but Mr. Wallace turned +over the scarabs and held them closer to the light as he examined their +inscriptions.</p> + +<p>"Hm!" he exclaimed at length. "Montenay, your proofs are pretty good. +This seems to have formed part of a necklace belonging to one +Ta-En-User, high priest of Maat. I should say the scarabs belonged to +about the Twenty-first Dynasty."</p> + +<p>"Ye're no child yersel'," chuckled Captain Mac in delight. "That's just +what they told me at the British Museum. Now, here's another queer +thing.</p> + +<p>"Ye know more about old Egypt than I do, Wallace. From what I could +learn from Mbopo, it seemed that long ago these white pigmies migrated +from the east to where they are now. On their way they struck a +half-ruined "City of the Gods," as Mbopo called it. They brought away a +lot o' stuff from there, which they looked on as sacred. All that's left +is the mummy and the ankh. Is that possible?"</p> + +<p>"Possible," returned Mr. Wallace, "but hardly probable. They might have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> +run across one of the extreme southern Egyptian cities, and indeed that +would be the only logical explanation of the presence of these things so +far west. Yes, the tradition must be true. It's a strange bit of +prehistoric African history you've run into, Mac."</p> + +<p>"It is that," rejoined the other. "Well, for a year I've been tryin' to +make up a party to carry off that ivory an' that gold ankh. I got hold +o' Tom Reynolds at Cairo, an' put it up to him. He called me a plain +fool. I found McConnell in London. He laughed at the yarn. I tried to +find you, but ye'd vanished around Tripoli. So at last I came down to +tackle the job alone.</p> + +<p>"When I struck your party, I knew right off that wi' the laddies along +ye'd never tackle it. Man, I was fair desperate! I determined to lead ye +off to the edge o' the pigmy country, where we are now, an' then put it +up to ye. There ye are, Wallace. Will ye come in wi' me an' try it? The +pigmies won't hurt me, mind."</p> + +<p>Mr. Wallace stared at the scarabs. Burt stole a glance at his chum, and +the two waited in breathless interest, not daring to urge the project. +At length Mr. Wallace sighed.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You've tempted me, Mac, tempted me more than you know! I'd like nothing +better than to make a dash for that place with you—not only for the +treasure, but for the discoveries we could make. But with the boys here +it is impossible. I am responsible for them, and I dare not go off and +leave them in this country. If you'd told me this back up the river I'd +have left them at the trading station and made a dash in with you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, uncle!" burst out Burt, dismayed. "Ain't it perfectly safe? Take +us! Let's all go! Cap'n Mac says they won't hurt him; he's a kind o' +god, an' he can fix it so's we'll all—"</p> + +<p>"No," broke in his uncle decisively. "I refuse to take the risk, Burt. +No use, lad. That's final. You'll have to trust to my judgment in this +affair."</p> + +<p>"Ye're right," nodded Montenay dejectedly. "I can't blame ye, Wallace. +But do ye understand? Ye won't hold the compass business against me—"</p> + +<p>Mr. Wallace sprang to his feet and held out his hand.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! Shake, old chap, and forget it!" And the two clasped hands<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> +silently, while the boys gave a shout of delight.</p> + +<p>"I knew it!" cried Burt joyously, dancing around the two men. "I knew +Cap'n Mac was all right! Hurray!"</p> + +<p>"I wish you'd take us an' get after them white pigmies, though," put in +Critch disconsolately.</p> + +<p>"I'd certainly like to get hold of that mummy," asserted Mr. Wallace, +his eyes sparkling. "To say nothing of the ankh!"</p> + +<p>"An' to say nothin' o' the ivory an' gold," laughed Montenay.</p> + +<p>"But," cried Burt excitedly, "why didn't you get after that lion an' +kill him? I should ha' thought you'd do that right away!"</p> + +<p>"No," and Montenay shook his head. "As I told ye, my nerve was pretty +well gone, laddy. The pigmies had guns, but they were old trade-muskets. +None o' them except Mbopo, mebbe, would ha' stood up to the lion. That +chap Mbopo was a good sort. He stood by me right along, took care o' me +when I was sick wi' fever, cured up my wounds, an' learned to speak +passable Scots dialect. It was amusin' to hear the boy speak the +tongue."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That feudal business interests me," said Mr. Wallace thoughtfully. "Was +this Mbopo a chief?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, rightly," returned the other. "The old witch-doctor was +the boss, but Mbopo seemed to be second in charge. The women o' the +place cultivated yams an' plantains, while the men hunted. They didn't +seem to use poison, like the black dwarfs. That's another queer thing. +They had poisoned weapons, right enough, but they got supplies o' the +stuff from the blacks. Ye mind, the Wambuti and other black dwarfs are +simply parasites on the bigger tribes. Well, these white chaps were +parasites on the black dwarfs, near's I could figure it out."</p> + +<p>Critch related what had happened on the launch coming upstream, when the +black boy had caught a glimpse of Montenay's shoulder. The eccentric +explorer laughed heartily.</p> + +<p>"They all know it," he said. "The whites couldn't draw it out o' them +wi' tortures, but every tribe hereabouts knows what Pongo is, or think +they do. It's mostly reputation. These niggers are mighty +superstitious."</p> + +<p>"Well, we ain't goin' to leave that white pigmy business without doin'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> +anything, are we?" asked Burt. Captain Mac glanced at his uncle.</p> + +<p>"Not if I can help it," he smiled. "How about my original proposition, +Wallace? Now that ye know the yarn, will ye wait here for me while I +take a crack at the pigmies?"</p> + +<p>"Why, yes," returned Mr. Wallace slowly. "But frankly, Mac, I think you +would be foolish. We are on the edge of their country, but you'd have to +get through the black fellows first. They wouldn't know you, and in any +event would probably have forgotten all about you. By the way, in which +direction is this place of Mbopo's?"</p> + +<p>"Northeast from here," returned Montenay, "as near as I know. I'm pretty +sure I'll be all right, Wallace. I can show the beggars my shoulder if +necessary. Once I get to Mbopo with a few bearers, we'll bring off the +ivory."</p> + +<p>"If they'll let you," supplemented Mr. Wallace. "You're too cocksure +about it, Mac. While I'd be perfectly willing to go along if I was +alone, my personal opinion is that it's mighty risky."</p> + +<p>"Nothing venture, nothing win," laughed Captain Mac gayly. "Man, but I'm +eager to be done wi' the caravan and into the pigmy country! Now<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> +let's settle our plans. How long would ye be willin' to wait here?"</p> + +<p>"That depends on how long you'll be," answered Mr. Wallace, Yankee-like. +"If you meet with opposition I suppose you'll come back?"</p> + +<p>"That I will," responded Montenay. "Suppose ye wait here two weeks for +me. If I don't show up by then, work up towards the Makua. If I get the +stuff I'll hit the headwaters o' the Makua, get some canoes, an' come +down. How's that?"</p> + +<p>"Sounds all right to me," rejoined the American. "We'll give you two +weeks, then. If we hear nothing from you by that time we'll move up +slowly toward the Makua. It will be easy enough to learn whether or not +you have passed downstream. We'll wait there another two weeks, which is +all I dare give. That will make about six weeks in all."</p> + +<p>"Vera good," announced Montenay with a nod of satisfaction. "Now about +the boys. I'll take twenty, if that suits you. Some rockets might come +in handy, too."</p> + +<p>These rockets were some that Mr. Wallace had obtained at Boma, made so +they could be firedfrom a gun or revolver. They were intended for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> +signaling at night, but had not been used so far.</p> + +<p>"Half the caravan is yours," laughed the American. "You'll leave your +guns here, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"All but my Express," returned Montenay. "I'll travel light."</p> + +<p>"When will you start?" asked Burt.</p> + +<p>"To-morrow morning," grinned the explorer, calling for John. When that +worthy appeared he was instructed to make all arrangements and select a +score of the best Bantus as porters. A bustle of excitement soon rose +from the camp, while the four discussed the final arrangements. In half +an hour John reappeared and informed them that all was ready for the +start.</p> + +<p>Before daybreak the boys were up and at breakfast. With the first streak +of gray in the east Captain Montenay called his men together, and all +left the camp. Mr. Wallace and the boys had decided to accompany him for +a mile or two in order to see him off safely.</p> + +<p>The party started toward the northeast, in which direction the forest +extended and dipped down into heavier jungle and lower ground. After two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> +miles they came to a small stream, and here the farewells were said. +Montenay shook hands all around, with no display of emotion.</p> + +<p>"If ye're no seein' me again," he said to Mr. Wallace, while the porters +were fording the stream, "ye'll deliver the letter I gave ye last +night?"</p> + +<p>"I will," answered Mr. Wallace soberly. "And what's more, I'll ship the +boys home and come back for you. So long, old man!"</p> + +<p>"So long. Good luck to ye," and Montenay was caught up between two of +his men and carried across the shallow stream. On the opposite bank he +turned and waved, the three gave him a hearty cheer, and with his little +band he was lost in the heavy foliage.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI<br /><br /> + +<small>MVITA SAVES BURT'S LIFE</small></h2> + + +<p>For three days after the departure of Captain Mac there was little +hunting done. Silent and morose as he often was, the absent explorer +more than made up for this in his moments of gayety. His was a strong +personality, moreover, and his absence could not but make itself felt +keenly.</p> + +<p>There was plenty to occupy the boys, however. A number of heads and +skins had to be prepared and packed. Then there was the native village +to visit, and this was a source of never-ending delight. The chief, +whose name was Mvita, gave a great feast in honor of the hunters—to +which the hunters donated the greater share of the viands—and the +moving-picture outfit came into play with brilliant effect.</p> + +<p>Mr. Wallace took out the boys on a two-days' trip after animal pictures, +also. By utilizing the natives of Mvita's village and also the Bantu +porters as beaters, a bloodless hunt was held. In this the animals were +surrounded and forced to pass before a white-ant hill on which Burt was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> +posted with the camera. Excellent pictures of various antelope, zebra, +an old and toothless lion, and an infuriated rhino were obtained. In +this way a week was passed, and finally Mr. Wallace announced that on +the morrow they would hold another real elephant hunt, as Mvita reported +a herd of the giant beasts three miles to the north.</p> + +<p>As they were leaving camp at dawn, a number of the villagers hastened +up, headed by their chief. With anxious face Mvita implored the honor of +bearing the guns of one of the white men. John refused him, wishing to +save the usual gifts and emoluments of the office. Burt, however, +interrupted with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"Let him carry our guns, uncle! We've never been waited on by a real +king before, an' it's somethin' to boast of. He won't steal 'em, will +he?"</p> + +<p>"I guess not," laughed Mr. Wallace, nodding to Mvita. With evident +delight the chief took Burt's heavy elephant-gun. He was clad in long +flowing red cotton robes, doubtless his insignia of office, but when +John suggested that he remove them for the journey he refused +indignantly. He could speak a little French, but very little.</p> + +<p>"Are we going to spend all day?" inquired Critch, as the camp was left<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> +behind and the red spears of dawn shot up in the east.</p> + +<p>"Can't tell," replied Mr. Wallace. "The elephants were reported as being +three miles north yesterday. By this time they may be twenty miles away, +or they may remain in the same place for a week at a time, until their +food is exhausted. However, we ought to strike something before noon."</p> + +<p>"Say," broke out Burt suddenly, "remember what Cap'n Mac said last night +about his scrap with that Arab trader? Do you think he was giving it to +us straight?"</p> + +<p>"Of course," answered his uncle decidedly. "Why?"</p> + +<p>"Well," responded Burt doubtfully, "it looked a whole lot like downright +piracy to me, that's all. It might ha' happened five hundred years ago, +but it's hard to realize—"</p> + +<p>"Look here," broke in Mr. Wallace, "you've got to remember, Burt, that +Montenay has spent practically all his life exploring. He has his bad +points, like all of us, but he has his share of good ones also. I myself +don't blame him a bit. That Arab, Yusuf ben Salir, was a slave dealer<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> +and pirate himself. Besides, it was a matter of personal revenge with +Mac. He's just done a tremendously brave thing in setting out for the +pigmy land alone,—well, he's a strange character."</p> + +<p>"Think we'll meet him?" asked Critch in a low voice. "Or rather, will he +meet us?"</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid not," replied Mr. Wallace. "He has only one chance in a +thousand of making it. Hello! Look at that ant hill—the sunny side!"</p> + +<p>Following his finger, the boys saw a huge snake stretched out, warming +himself in the hot sun. All three were at the head of the beaters, and +Mvita, the only gunbearer who noticed the snake, brought up his heavy +gun rapidly. Mr. Wallace waved him back, however, drawing his revolver +and putting a bullet through the serpent's head. Upon measuring him, the +reptile was found to be exactly fifteen feet in length.</p> + +<p>"Say, ain't he a beaut though!" observed Critch, gazing down at the +bright green and gold body. "Is he hard to skin?"</p> + +<p>"Not a bit," replied Mr. Wallace. "Not worth while, though. The colors +won't last. The gold turns white and the green black."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I don't care," said Burt, "let's leave a couple o' men to skin him +anyhow. Even black an' white ought to make a mighty fine trophy. Snake +skin keeps better than fur, anyhow."</p> + +<p>As Critch was also anxious to save the python skin, two of the Bantus +were left to take it into camp while the party proceeded north.</p> + +<p>They had marched for over an hour without any sign of elephant when one +of Mvita's men appeared ahead. A number had been sent out from the +village to locate the herd, if possible. The man, flourishing his spear, +ran up and reported that before dawn he had heard loud trumpeting in the +forest ahead, not over a mile distant.</p> + +<p>"Good enough," exclaimed Mr. Wallace. "John, get these chaps spread out +in a line across country, to drive in anything toward the center. You +stick to me, though, and handle my guns."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sar," came the reply. A moment later the party had scattered, the +natives stretching out in a long thin line far to right and left. Once +more the advance was taken up, and all trudged steadily forward for half +a mile. It was exciting work, for at any moment the patches of small +trees, high grass and rush might yield anything from an elephant to a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> +lion. A very hopeful-looking thicket had just been beaten through +without any luck, and the three whites sighted an open grassy glade +which stretched away in front, when Mvita gave a low whistle and +muttered to John. The latter instantly stopped his master. Parting the +bushes cautiously and gazing out on the fairly open glade, all could see +a good sized herd of wildebeest grazing a quarter of a mile away.</p> + +<p>"We must have one of them," whispered Mr. Wallace, as the boys stared at +the weird, bison-like animals eagerly. "We're down-wind, so I'll stalk +'em. Come on, John."</p> + +<p>The two stole out cautiously, and began making a slow advance over the +open space, hiding behind the ant hills and among the tall grass. Only +the waving tops of the latter betrayed their presence, but just as the +boys were expecting to hear a shot, Mvita touched Burt on the arm. One +of his men had approached silently, and his face portended big tidings.</p> + +<p>"What is it—elephant?" asked Burt. Mvita grinned and shook his head, +then murmured one word.</p> + +<p>"<i>Simba!</i>"</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Lion!" echoed Critch, who knew the native term. "Come on, Burt!"</p> + +<p>Without hesitation the two boys turned away and followed the native +guide. The latter led them to the right for some distance, and as no +sign of lion showed up Burt became impatient.</p> + +<p>"Where—" he began, when the native stopped, clicked his tongue, and +pointed with his spear. Ahead of them the boys caught sight of a small +lioness trotting away from a clump of thick bushes. Burt, grabbing for +his rifle, ran forward eagerly. Critch's bearer was a Bantu, who handed +over the heavy gun but refused absolutely to advance. The two boys ran +forward in order to cut off the trotting lioness from a stretch of +rushes for which she was making.</p> + +<p>They were barely fifty yards from the clump of bushes when they both +stopped short at a shrill yell from Mvita, who had followed them +closely, at the same instant Burt saw something appear at the edge of +the bushes. Then came a low, muttering growl, and a huge black-maned +lion appeared, his red mouth open, gazing steadily at the hunters. Burt +pulled up his rifle and fired quickly. The growl ended in a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> +snarl, and the lion rolled over.</p> + +<p>"Hurray!" shouted Burt, "I landed him—"</p> + +<p>"Look out!" yelled Critch, and the explosion of his rifle almost +deafened his chum. As Burt had fired, three more lionesses had appeared +among the bushes, following the first! Two disappeared, but Critch's +shot stopped the last one, not killing her. He put another bullet into +her shoulder and she lay still. While he ran forward to make sure of his +prize, Burt, followed by Mvita, turned toward the lion. The great beast +lay perfectly still. Three of the Bantus had run up, and were standing +within a few yards of him.</p> + +<p>They were gathered in a group near his tail, admiring and yet afraid to +touch him. Burt remembered his uncle's warnings about the remarkable +tenacity of life often shown by lions, and stopped when fifty feet away. +The lion was still breathing, but lay motionless. Concluding that if he +paid no attention to the chattering natives he would remain quiet for a +finishing shot, Burt and Mvita ran onward, the chief displaying no fear +whatever, unlike the Bantus.</p> + +<p>They approached from his rear, and assuming that he was unable to rise,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> +Burt stepped around for a good shot at the eye, which would not harm the +pelt. The instant he came into view of the wounded beast, however, the +latter revived.</p> + +<p>With one terrific roar he sprang to his feet as if uninjured. His green +eyes blazed with fury, and his lips were drawn back until his long, +yellow teeth were exposed in a snarl that struck Burt cold, for the boy +was barely a dozen feet away. The men had fled instantly, only Mvita +remaining beside Burt. The latter, taken by surprise, gave a step +backward, lifting his rifle.</p> + +<p>Just as the beast was in the act of springing, Burt fired. The heavy +bullet missed the eye and glanced off the sharply backward-sloping head +of the brute, but its terrific impact was sufficient to stop the animal +for the instant. Burt heard a yell from Critch, and was tempted to turn +and run. The lion was up immediately, however, and again Burt stepped +back and pulled the trigger.</p> + +<p>This time, however, his foot caught in the grass. The bullet went wild, +and the terrified boy gave himself up for lost. A tremendous thud and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> +crash at his side told him that the lion had sprung; then a quick flash +of red caught his eye as he rolled over and gained his feet.</p> + +<p>The flash of red came from the robe of Mvita, whose faith in the white +hunters had given way at the last moment. Seeming to realize all at once +the danger of his situation, he turned and ran just as Burt fell, with a +shrill scream. Beyond doubt this movement had saved Burt's life, for the +brilliant red robe caught the eye of the lion, who at once gave chase to +the yelling chief.</p> + +<p>Burt, pale and excited, gained his feet just as the lion was catching up +with Mvita. Lifting his rifle, he fired. To his dismay the bullet missed +completely, throwing up the dust beyond Mvita. In a desperate effort to +save the man before it was too late, Burt pumped at the magazine. At the +same instant Mvita made a quick swerve. The lion also turned, coming +broadside on to Burt. Just as Mvita was about to be brought down, the +boy fired. The lion dropped in the middle of his spring, his back +broken. A shot from Critch's rifle struck him as he lay, and Burt +finally put a bullet through the lion's brain.</p> + +<p>Relieved and rather weak-kneed at the imminent danger, Burt looked +around for his chum.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span></p> + +<p>He was astonished to see Critch, who had hastily returned, give a gasp, +then burst into a roar of laughter. Whirling about, Burt stared over the +body of the lion and then went into a spasm of mirth.</p> + +<p>The sight that met his eyes turned what was nearly a tragedy into +instant comedy. There was Mvita, a dozen yards from the lion, earnestly +bent upon scrambling up a thorn-tree in the shortest possible time! He +never cast a glance below, as the roars of laughter went up from the +boys and even from the natives, but only climbed the faster. He was +nearing the top of the spiny tree; on every limb and thorn hung remnants +of his gorgeous crimson robe, and by the time he reached the top he was +fully as well clad as his humblest subject below.</p> + +<p>In vain did the boys yell at him to come down. Mvita was taking no +chances of a mistake again, and not until he had reached the very top +branch that would bear his weight did the terrified chieftain glance +down. Even the sight of his laughing subjects and the dead lion hardly +reassured him, but once he was certain of his safety he took a speedy +and certain method of restoring his lost dignity. Descending as quickly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> +as he had gone up, he brought a long thorn-branch with him, and applied +this to his subjects and the Bantus indiscriminately until their +laughter was changed to howls for mercy. Only at the intercession of the +gasping boys did the angry chief cease.</p> + +<p>The Bantus speedily gathered, and played like children about the dead +bodies of the two beasts, which had been placed side by side. They +proved themselves surprisingly good mimics, one taking the part of the +lion and jumping with a growl at the others. Another took Burt's part, +snapping his fingers as he stepped backward and finally fell; while a +third played Mvita, running to the thorn tree with the lion in hot +pursuit. At this instant an angry voice stopped the proceedings, and the +boys looked around in alarm to see Mr. Wallace running toward them.</p> + +<p>"Here, what is all this?" he shouted, waving his rifle. Before the boys +could answer he caught sight of the two carcasses, and stopped short. +"So you've been disobeying orders again!"</p> + +<p>"Not quite that, uncle," returned Burt quickly. He then explained why +they had left, together with all that had happened. As Mr. Wallace<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> +glanced at the almost naked chief, and then at the decorated thorn tree, +his face relaxed and Burt knew there was no more to fear.</p> + +<p>"You spoiled a fine shot for me," was all Mr. Wallace said. "I guess +you've had lesson enough. Get the boys busy on the skins, John."</p> + +<p>"How about the elephants?" spoke up Critch.</p> + +<p>"They're not far off, unless your shooting frightened them. We'll leave +the Bantus to skin these beasts, while we go on with Mvita's men."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII<br /><br /> + +<small>MONTENAY RETURNS</small></h2> + + +<p>"We ought to provide Mvita with a new robe," suggested Burt with a grin. +"He saved my life all right back there, whether he meant to or not."</p> + +<p>"A few yards of cloth will fix him," returned his uncle, as they started +off with the chief and his men. "You'd better carry your big guns now +yourselves. No telling what will happen."</p> + +<p>One of the villagers led them forward at a brisk pace, straight onward +for about a mile. They were now almost in the jungle, the open spaces +and higher ground seeming to end abruptly with a small stream which they +passed. Mvita's men were spread out in a wide circle, for the elephant +herd had finally been located, and once the beaters got around them the +animals would scent them and come up-wind toward the hunters.</p> + +<p>Presently they came upon the elephant spoor, or trail—a wide swath +ripped through the heavy undergrowth by the passage of the big animals.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> +To one side of this Mr. Wallace and the boys took their stand, hiding +amid the bushes.</p> + +<p>"Let them pass us," cautioned the explorer, "and when you have a clear +shoulder-shot, make it fatal the first time. You take the first, +Critch—"</p> + +<p>He was cut short by a yell that arose ahead. This was followed by a loud +trumpeting as the frightened animals crashed away from the beaters. Burt +paled as he thought of what might happen should the elephants burst upon +them through the jungle instead of following their own trail, but he had +little time for reflection. Even as the thought came to him the first +elephant appeared with a shrill trumpet of rage, his trunk flung high +and his wide ears flapping forward. Behind him came more of the dim, +gigantic shapes, and the boys pulled up their guns.</p> + +<p>Not ten feet from them, the first elephant thundered past, the others +crowding close upon him. Critch waited until he was sure of his shot, +and then sent the first beast reeling into the opposite side of the +trail with the force of his bullet. Almost instantly Burt fired at the +second elephant, striking him just behind the shoulder. The others<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> +stopped for a second, giving Mr. Wallace a chance for a fine shot, then +smashed into the jungle and were gone.</p> + +<p>"Hurray!" yelled Critch, leaping to his feet. "Mine's down!"</p> + +<p>"So's mine," shouted Burt eagerly, gazing at the motionless form of the +elephant, who had staggered and sunk into the grass at once.</p> + +<p>"Come on," cried his uncle as the first of the natives appeared, "I hit +mine badly, and he can't be far away."</p> + +<p>Mvita came up on the run as they started, and all broke into the jungle +on the trail of the wounded elephant, John carrying the spare guns. Only +a hundred yards away they came upon their quarry. The elephant, mortally +wounded, was standing beneath a large tree, half-hidden among the +foliage. They could see him swaying from side to side, and just as Mr. +Wallace was circling around for a finishing shot the huge bulk crashed +down and lay still.</p> + +<p>"Ain't it pretty near time to eat?" inquired Critch, after they had +inspected the body.</p> + +<p>"Just about," answered Mr. Wallace. "Where will we make camp, John?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span></p> + +<p>"By de river, sar," was the reply, and John was busied at once with +orders to Mvita and the natives, who had brought along a chop-box. The +three elephants killed were all bulls, that of Mr. Wallace having only +one tusk. While the ivory was being cut out and the bodies being +dissected by the natives, who would make a grand feast that night, the +three whites returned to the small stream which had been crossed half an +hour before.</p> + +<p>John had found a small spring of clear, sweet water near some high +ground on the west bank. Opposite, there was a long stretch of marshy, +low ground that gave upon the jungle proper. On their camping side, +however, this fever-threatening swamp was entirely absent.</p> + +<p>Before an hour had passed the three were sitting around their folding +canvas table, doing full honor to the forest delicacies furnished by +John and his assistants. More of the villagers trooped up to share in +the elephant meat, until it seemed to the boys that the entire village +was present. Suddenly Burt, who was sitting facing the stream, gave a +startled exclamation and pointed to the low ground opposite.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What's that, Uncle George?"</p> + +<p>Turning in their seats, the others saw the top of the high marsh-grass +waving as if some creature were forcing its way along. John, who had +over-heard the question, brought up the rifles at once but Mr. Wallace +waved him back and took out his glasses.</p> + +<p>"I don't know, Burt. Doesn't show up yet. It'd hardly be any animal, for +we are up-wind and he would scent us. It might be a crocodile, although +in that case he would not make so much commotion. What do you think, +John?"</p> + +<p>The gigantic negro took the glasses and gazed long and earnestly at the +faint movement in the grass, which seemed to be coming toward the river. +Then he returned them with a shrug.</p> + +<p>"Not know, sar."</p> + +<p>"Tell Mvita to send over some of his boys and find out," suggested +Critch. Mr. Wallace nodded and John was off instantly. A moment later a +dozen natives started crossing the stream, advancing cautiously, for +they too had been puzzled and were taking no chances. Before they had +reached the opposite bank Critch gave a cry.</p> + +<p>"Look there! It's coming out!"</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span></p> + +<p>Through their glasses they could see a dark object crossing one of the +more open spaces. Its method of progression was peculiar, because while +it was undoubtedly coming toward the river, it seemed to be rising and +falling, floundering in the marsh-mud, and at times lying motionless on +the grass-hummocks.</p> + +<p>"It's a man!" exclaimed Burt in amazement. Critch uttered a scornful +denial, but Mr. Wallace slowly nodded.</p> + +<p>"I believe it is," he asserted. "I thought I could make out arms and +legs but I wasn't sure. If it is a man, he must be in a mighty bad fix."</p> + +<p>A sudden idea occurred to Burt and he glanced at his chum. Critch met +his eye and read the unspoken thought. When Burt raised his glasses +again his face was white.</p> + +<p>Now the natives were surrounding the strange figure, and a moment later +one of them waved his spear. The others could be seen lifting the +creature, whatever it was, and speedily carried him to the river.</p> + +<p>"Come along," and Mr. Wallace rose hastily. "We'll go down and meet +them. If it's a man he'll need help. John, did you bring the small<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> +medicine case?"</p> + +<p>"Here, sar," and as if by magic the grinning black produced the required +object. They all hurried down to the river, where the villagers were +already crowding around in great curiosity. The little band of natives +splashed across the stream, and suddenly Burt felt his uncle grip his +arm.</p> + +<p>"Burt!" and he had never before heard such tense horror in a man's +voice. "Go up and get some water boiling right away! Hurry, lad, hurry!" +Without pausing to ask questions Burt dashed off. As he went he could +hear his uncle continuing. "John, make for the camp right away. Get out +bandages, have hot water, make the hypodermics ready and mix some strong +morphia and anti-toxin solution. That is Captain Montenay." John was off +at a run instantly.</p> + +<p>The last words struck Burt like a blow. With pale face he got the water +heating, and met his uncle as the latter ordered the senseless form of +Captain Mac set down. The explorer was unrecognizable. He was plastered +with mud from head to foot and his whole body was swelled and poisoned +until he bore small resemblance to a man. Mr. Wallace gave a glance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> +around, then shook his head.</p> + +<p>"We can do nothing here. Boys, we'll have to work to save him. Looks to +me like black wasp stings." Turning to Mvita, he ordered Montenay's body +carried to the village at top speed. Instantly four natives caught up +the senseless figure and made off at a lope.</p> + +<p>Mr. Wallace and the boys dropped everything and followed. When they +reached the camp after a hard march they found John bathing the swollen +body of Captain Mac, and Mr. Wallace went to work at once with the +medicines that lay ready. With the mud and dirt removed, Montenay's +horrible condition only became more evident. Mr. Wallace went to work +with the hypodermic while the boys aided John to cleanse the explorer's +body, then handed the syringe to John to clean and turned to the +bandages and lint.</p> + +<p>The countless stings were washed with a weak solution of ammonia to take +out the poison, and an hour later they left the Scotchman a mass of +bandages but sleeping soundly.</p> + +<p>"I gave him some morphia," explained Mr. Wallace as they washed up +outside. "What he needs first is sleep. He must have been in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> +absolute agony in there."</p> + +<p>It was after sunset before Captain Mac wakened from his sleep. The boys +were at his side immediately, followed by Mr. Wallace.</p> + +<p>"Well," cried the latter heartily, "how's the sick man now? Feel a bit +better?"</p> + +<p>"Gi' me a drink," whispered the other feebly. When he had taken a long +draught from Burt's canteen he sank back with a satisfied sigh. "Where'd +ye find me?"</p> + +<p>"Down by the river," answered Mr. Wallace. "Feel able to talk?" Montenay +nodded and fixed his eyes on the American. "I suppose the pigmies got +after your men?"</p> + +<p>"Into 'em's more like it," returned Captain Mac. "Didn't see one of 'em. +Just arrows—arrows—arrows, day an' night." He paused for breath. "What +day's this?"</p> + +<p>"Friday," said Critch. "We found you this morning."</p> + +<p>"Wednesday it was," went on Montenay as he gained strength slowly. "Last +six men went in a bunch. Pulled off my shirt an' yelled 'Pongo.' Tried +to talk to the deevils but they wouldn't show up. Started on alone an'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> +they shot arrows all around me. Didn't dare hit me, I guess. So I came +back."</p> + +<p>"Two days," mused Mr. Wallace. "You certainly looked nice when we found +you!"</p> + +<p>"It was the black wasps," said the other. "I fell into a nest that night +an' it nigh finished me."</p> + +<p>"Come along, boys," returned Mr. Wallace as he arose. "You get to sleep +again, Montenay. You'll be more fit in the morning."</p> + +<p>They adjusted the mosquito curtains for the night and returned to find +dinner waiting for them. After dining sumptuously on eland tongue and +hartebeest tenderloin Burt pushed back his canvas chair with a sigh of +content.</p> + +<p>"I s'pose we'll work up toward the Makua pretty quick, won't we?" he +asked his uncle.</p> + +<p>"You bet we will," replied the latter fervently. "Just as soon as +Captain Mac's able to navigate. That'll be two or three days anyway. We +have a nice little bunch of ivory and we'll get more in by trading as we +go along. Mvita has four more tusks to bring in too."</p> + +<p>"That ivory zareba'd mean a good bunch o' money, wouldn't it?" put in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> +Critch. "I'd hate to go through what Cap'n Mac has, though."</p> + +<p>"By the way," said Mr. Wallace, "don't use all those chop-boxes. I want +a couple of zebra and giraffe skins. We'll get 'em farther north on our +way up."</p> + +<p>"Mvita told me this morning," said Burt, "that there was some giraffe +about five miles to the northeast of here. Why couldn't we get 'em and +have a skin fixed by the time Cap'n Mac's ready to march?"</p> + +<p>"We'd save time that way, but I don't want to leave him," returned his +uncle thoughtfully. "However, I might send you two out with John. I'd +trust him anywhere."</p> + +<p>"Go ahead!" pleaded Critch excitedly. "That'd be great, Mr. Wallace!"</p> + +<p>"John!" called the explorer with a smile. "If I send you out after +giraffe in the morning with these boys, will you take good care of 'em?"</p> + +<p>"Sure, sar!" grinned the big Liberian cheerfully. "John him be beri +careful. Bring back safe!"</p> + +<p>"All right. Get your stuff ready then. You can take my big rifle +yourself." As John went off with a wider grin than ever Mr. Wallace<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> +turned to the boys. "I want you two to promise me that whatever happens +you'll obey John and do just as he tells you."</p> + +<p>"All right, sir," replied Critch at once.</p> + +<p>"So'll I," agreed Burt. "Five miles in this country won't be any joke, +though!"</p> + +<p>"It'll take a good day right enough," nodded Mr. Wallace. "John is +pretty safe to be with and he'll take as good care of you as I would. If +you find the giraffes don't bring down more than two. You might run +across some zebra in the same country and if you do, you can get some of +'em too. But I guess there's not much danger of that, without horses.</p> + +<p>"Now remember to obey John in everything. He'll be in my place for the +day. Better fill your canteens with cold coffee before you go and take +your heavy rifles. Let John have your compass, Burt. If you run across +any waterbuck bring in a couple for the men. It'll be a good change of +diet. Now get to sleep, for you'll be up before day."</p> + +<p>After laying out a supply of heavy cartridges and some fresh clothes for +the morning the boys tumbled into their sleeping bags on top of their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> +cots. Each leg of the cots was placed in a dish of water to keep off +ants and other crawling creatures which might wander in. Critch was half +asleep when he heard Burt's voice.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Critch! Remember what Cap'n Mac looked like coming across that +swamp?"</p> + +<p>"Shut up! I don't want to dream about it."</p> + +<p>"I was just thinkin' that we'll stick pretty close to John to-morrow, +eh?"</p> + +<p>"You bet your life we will! Go to sleep."</p> + +<p>It was their last sleep in the comfortable tent for many a night.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII<br /><br /> + +<small>THE PIGMY VILLAGE</small></h2> + +<p>As Mr. Wallace had predicted, they were up long before the sun. After a +hasty breakfast by candle light John discarded his role of chef and +buckled on a cartridge belt. As their gun-bearers and a dozen porters +assembled, two hunters came in from the village to guide them to the +place where the giraffes had been seen and the boys bade Mr. Wallace +farewell.</p> + +<p>A five-mile walk through rough and thickly wooded African country is not +a light task by any means. In the main they followed trails where heavy +animals had beaten down the thick grass and left openings through the +bush. They saw little game for the first hour, although once a big +python slid across the path and Burt missed him.</p> + +<p>"Won't we have a yarn when we get home?" said Burt, gleefully. "We'll +run some great little old stories in the high school paper next year, +eh?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Bet your life!" replied Critch. "I'd like to bottle some o' them blamed +little red ants and use 'em for initiations. Wouldn't they make the +fellows squirm?"</p> + +<p>"Say, don't forget to swap some of Mvita's men out o' their stuff. We +want to take home a good bunch o' them spears, Critch. A couple o' +shields and knives'd go great too."</p> + +<p>"No talk-talk now, massa Burt!" John turned to them warningly. "Him +giraffe not beri far. Maybe hear."</p> + +<p>The hunters had slipped through the tall grass and vanished. It was now +two hours after daylight and the boys knew they must be getting near the +hunting grounds. They were no longer in the plain and were advancing by +a buffalo-trail through a low jungle-growth not far from a small river.</p> + +<p>One of the hunters appeared in a highly excited state and John motioned +to the boys to get out their guns. They now advanced more cautiously as +they saw the Bantus in front gesturing to them and in another moment +sighted two giraffes standing in an open glade ahead.</p> + +<p>As the boys raised their guns something flashed out from the farther<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> +side of the thicket and both animals gave a leap. Without stopping to +think what it was the boys fired. Burt hit the animal on the right and +he dropped to his knees, then bounded off and the boy brought him down +with his second barrel. Critch had hit the other giraffe in the brain +and killed him instantly.</p> + +<p>The boys sprang forward with a shout of joy but were stopped by John's +voice. "Come back!" cried the big Liberian. "Pigmies in there."</p> + +<p>"What!" Critch whirled incredulously. "Where?"</p> + +<p>"Them shoot arrows first. Maybe mad 'cause we kill giraffes. Go back +quick—"</p> + +<p>The hurried order was stopped by a frenzied yell from the Bantus. Dark +objects flitted through the trees at their side and the hunters broke in +wild fear. Before the boys could stir in their tracks they saw John reel +and fall suddenly. At the same time something struck and threw them to +the ground, and despite their struggles they were bound hand and foot +while skins thrown around their heads made them gasp for light and air.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was all done so swiftly that Burt hardly realized what had happened +before he felt himself picked up and carried off. He could not know that +Critch was close behind him and he was in an agony of suspense. Had his +chum and big John been killed? He tried to call out but the skin around +his head stifled him. He could hear nothing save an occasional guttural +clicking word from his bearers and was forced to resign himself to his +fate.</p> + +<p>It seemed that he was borne along for ages. His head was protected, but +mosquitoes and gnats settled on his bound hands until his arms seemed to +be dipped in living flame. Then he heard his captors splashing through +shallow water and knew that they were crossing the river into the jungle +beyond. After this they slipped through thorn-laden bushes that ripped +his clothes to shreds, and once a black wasp's sting drew a groan of +pain from the boy, for the touch was like hot iron to his hand.</p> + +<p>He did not doubt for a moment that he was captured by pigmies. If only +they had grasped John's warning an instant sooner! Burt groaned again as +he remembered how the big Liberian had reeled and fallen. And what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> +would his uncle do? The thought gave him sudden hope. His uncle would +know he had been carried off, surely! But if Captain Mac had failed to +penetrate the jungle even with his "pull," how could he look to his +uncle for rescue?</p> + +<p>Suddenly Burt felt himself thrown roughly to the ground. His bonds were +cut and the skin pulled from about his head. As he sat up a strange +sight greeted his startled gaze.</p> + +<p>Critch sat beside him, rubbing his inflamed hands grimly. All around +them stood little men hardly four feet tall. They were armed with +knives, spears and bows and were naked save for waist-cloths. Each man +wore a square-shaped headdress and all were chattering away with their +peculiar guttural clicks. Most of them had arm rings and neck rings of +iron or brass.</p> + +<p>Beyond them were a number of low huts four feet high arranged in a rough +circle and in the center of this circle were the boys. When Burt glanced +at the faces of the men around him he was surprised to find them not +black but brown, with wide-set eyes and frank expressions. The village<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> +was set in the semi-gloom of the deep jungle.</p> + +<p>"Well," grunted Critch, "nice mess, ain't it?"</p> + +<p>"What'll they do with us?" queried Burt anxiously. "Golly, my hands are +fierce! S'pose uncle'll find us?"</p> + +<p>"Search me," replied Critch. "What happened to John?"</p> + +<p>"Don't talk about it. I don't know." Burt shuddered. "Wonder if they +speak French?"</p> + +<p>Burt addressed the pigmies in that language. They chattered excitedly in +response but he could make nothing of their words. They seemed to be +perplexed as to what disposition to make of their prisoners, for one +after another chattered angrily while the rest shook their heads.</p> + +<p>"Ain't a bad looking lot at that," commented Critch coolly. "High +foreheads and good eyes, most of 'em. Look at their color, Burt! S'pose +they're the white pigmies?"</p> + +<p>"No," replied Burt. "Guess they're Wambuti. Cap'n Mac said they looked +like this. By golly! I got it!"</p> + +<p>Seizing a stick that lay beside him the boy attracted the attention of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> +the dwarfs. As they watched him curiously he drew a loop in the ground +with the end of the stick. From the loop he extended an arm and drew +another across. A startled silence fell on the pigmies as they watched.</p> + +<p>"Pongo!" shouted Critch suddenly. "Bet she works, old man!"</p> + +<p>At sight of the sacred emblem and at his shout something like a groan of +fear and horror went up from the pigmies. Instantly one, who had a +higher headdress and wore more ornaments than the rest, stepped forward +and spoke excitedly. When Burt shook his head and repeated the sacred +word a spasm of anger flashed across the pigmy's face and he motioned +them to rise. One of the little men darted off into the jungle as the +boys were led to a hut and made to enter.</p> + +<p>They crouched down in the dark cramped interior and as they did so a +pigmy thrust some roasted bananas in at the door. The boys got outside +of these without delay and as they still had their canteens of coffee +they began to feel more cheerful.</p> + +<p>"That was a rotten poor idea," said Critch disgustedly. "Wish we'd shut<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> +up 'bout Pongo."</p> + +<p>"If we had we might be in the soup by now," laughed Burt. "Got that +camphor bottle with you? Mine's busted."</p> + +<p>Each of the boys carried a small bottle of camphor while away from the +camp. The camphor was a good thing for bites and assisted in keeping off +many insects. Critch found his bottle intact and they bathed their +hands. Fortunately their pith helmets had not been knocked off by the +skins thrown around them and these afforded their faces some protection, +although the nets were badly torn.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to try getting out of this," asserted Critch as the time +passed on without anything stirring without. "Too blamed hot in here for +me."</p> + +<p>He crawled to the door and stuck out his head, then withdrew it so +suddenly that he fell back over Burt. "Gosh!" he cried. "There's a +fellow out there with a spear and he pretty near stuck me. It's got that +black stuff on it, too! Guess I'll stay in here a while. You can go out +for a walk if you want."</p> + +<p>"No thanks," grinned Burt faintly. "It ain't exactly inviting outside,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> +I judge. I put my foot in it all right when I mentioned Cap'n Mac's +friend. Wonder what they'll do with us?"</p> + +<p>The afternoon wore away slowly and painfully and merged into night +suddenly. More of the roasted bananas were thrust in at the door, +together with some water and mashed-up beans. The little hut was barely +large enough to allow the boys to stretch out and as it became evident +that they were not to be visited that night they made themselves as +comfortable as possible and finally got to sleep. They suffered little +from insects because not only was the hut closely thatched and plastered +with mud, but there was a fire outside the door.</p> + +<p>Burt was awakened by a tug at his foot. Sitting up with a startled +exclamation he saw a pigmy blocking the door. It was evidently long +after daybreak, for even the darkest recesses of the pigmy village were +showing some light. Burt aroused Critch and the latter followed him +through the door.</p> + +<p>Outside they found apparently the whole tribe assembled. Men, women and +children stood or squatted around in a big circle and as the boys<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> +emerged they were greeted by a rippling click. Whether it was of fear or +anger the boys could not tell. They stood and stretched their cramped +limbs.</p> + +<p>"Seem to be looking for some one," said Critch. In fact the pigmies were +many of them gazing expectantly toward the end of the village, where +there was an opening in the circle of huts. As the boys followed their +looks curiously Burt recognized the little warrior who had darted off +the previous afternoon. He was advancing quickly from the jungle and +behind him were a number of others.</p> + +<p>"By golly, they're white!" exclaimed Critch.</p> + +<p>"Can't be—yes, they are!" Burt cried in excitement. He saw that the six +men who followed the pigmy were no larger than he, but they were of a +distinctly lighter color. They were also better dressed and carried +larger and stronger bows. The foremost was seemingly a very young man.</p> + +<p>They advanced rapidly and when they reached the circle of villagers the +latter struck their heads against the ground and clicked as if in fear. +The white pigmies were first shown the two boys, then were taken to the +sign of the <i>ankh</i> which Burt had scratched on the ground the day<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> +before. When they saw this the six gave low exclamations and the young +one advanced to the side of the boys.</p> + +<p>"You know Pongo?" he said in English. The boys gave a shout of joy at +hearing the words but repressed it as a dozen spears were poised.</p> + +<p>"Yes!" cried Burt, sitting down again hastily. "Cap'n Mac told us. +Say—"</p> + +<p>"Hold on!" interrupted Critch excitedly. "Are you Mbopo?"</p> + +<p>"Mbopo!" the young pigmy repeated with evident delight. "Where know +that? You know Buburika Mac?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Burt. He spoke slowly and distinctly in order to make the +pigmy understand and supplemented his words with gestures. "He's off +that way. These people killed his party a few days ago and nearly killed +him. They attacked us and brought us here yesterday."</p> + +<p>"Hurt Buburika?" demanded the pigmy angrily. He turned and poured out a +flood of words at the darker pigmies who howled and beat the ground with +their heads. One of his own men stepped forward and spoke a few words<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> +and the young man turned to the boys again.</p> + +<p>"I friend," he said gently. "No can help much. You slave—go to Pongo."</p> + +<p>"To Pongo!" cried Burt in dismay. But he quickly rallied. "Where'd you +learn English?"</p> + +<p>"Buburika," smiled the young fellow proudly. "Buburika—Leopard, little +leopard. Him like me. Me help him. Help you maybe. Buburika Mac him +Pongo too."</p> + +<p>The other white pigmies chattered something and Mbopo motioned to the +boys to follow them. The black ones brought out the guns taken from the +boys, together with the cartridges and knives. These Mbopo's men took +care of and with the young pigmy at their side the boys were marched +away from the village of the brown tribe.</p> + +<p>"No talkee," cautioned Mbopo. In a moment they were hidden from sight or +sound of the village. All about them rose the dense jungle growth. Great +trees stretched high above them with their boughs meeting overhead, +matted with creepers and vines. Only an occasional ray of sunlight +filtered through that vast canopy of foliage under which leaped and +chattered flocks of monkeys. Tiny bees tormented them through the torn<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> +places in their nets.</p> + +<p>Every few yards they had to climb half rotted tree trunks studded with +briary creepers and alive with ants. They passed stagnant swamps and +pools covered with greasy green scum and emitting vile odors. Once or +twice a black pigmy appeared silently, received a sign from Mbopo, and +vanished again without a word. That vast silence oppressed the boys +terribly and they were heartily glad when they arrived at a village +similar to that they had left, and halted for dinner.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV<br /><br /> + +<small>THE SACRED LION</small></h2> + + +<p>"Things might be a whole lot worse," said Critch as he stretched out +after the meal. "I'd kind of like a change from roast bananas and beans, +though."</p> + +<p>"A little grub cheers a fellow up some, don't it?" returned Burt. "I +hate to think of what's coming to us, though. D'you s'pose they'll brand +us?"</p> + +<p>"Search me," yawned Critch. "I reckon Mbopo'll help us if he can. We +just got to grin and bear it, old sport. Ain't no use whining."</p> + +<p>"Whining yourself, you red-head!" retorted Burt indignantly. "D'you +reckon they're toting us for their health? If we could only swipe one of +those guns and lay out the big lion! Here's Mbopo."</p> + +<p>The pigmy approached and squatted down before them with a smile. His +face was intelligent and well-formed. He had a row of cicatrices<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> +down each cheek like his fellows and wore a leopard skin hung across his +shoulders.</p> + +<p>"Mbopo help," he asserted. "How Buburika?"</p> + +<p>"Him good," replied Critch. "Good name for Cap'n Mac, ain't it, Burt? +What are your people going to do with us, Mbopo?"</p> + +<p>"White boys ju-ju," replied Mbopo. "Give Pongo."</p> + +<p>"Is that the lion Buburika laid out?" exclaimed Burt. The pigmy looked +blank and Burt repeated his question.</p> + +<p>"Him lion," nodded the other. "Maybe him scared you too. Him scared +white skin. Scared Buburika. What? Mbopo help. Aye, vera good."</p> + +<p>The concluding words sent a twinkle into the boys' eyes but they were +careful not to laugh. The very tone was an exact imitation of Montenay's +voice.</p> + +<p>"You bet that's good," replied Critch. "Can you get one o' them bang +bangs? Guns?" He made the motion of shooting but Mbopo shook his head +decisively.</p> + +<p>"No got. Him stay here." The pigmy pointed to the chief's hut. "Come.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> +We go. No fash yerself—Mbopo help!"</p> + +<p>Barely able to repress their laughter at the comical imitation of +Captain Mac, the boys rose and Mbopo patted their hands encouragingly. +He clicked and his men appeared from different directions. The boys saw +that their guns were left behind.</p> + +<p>"That don't look encouraging—" began Critch but Mbopo stopped him with +a warning "no talkee" and the march was again taken up through the +jungle. A number of black dwarfs accompanied them this time and the boys +were amazed at the agility with which the little men swung through the +trees or cleared a path through the jungle growths. They seemed +perfectly confident that their captives would not try to escape. Both +boys realized how useless it would be and had not even discussed the +idea.</p> + +<p>At nightfall they halted in a third Wambuti village. On the way the +party of hunters with them brought in a wart hog and a small gazelle. On +these the village feasted that night. There were no more bananas or +plantains but plenty of the ground beans and some manioc and nuts like<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> +chestnuts which the pigmies ate voraciously but which did not appeal to +the boys.</p> + +<p>They were left unguarded that night and tried to sleep in the open +beside a fire. The insects proved too much for them, however, and they +were glad to seek the shelter of a hut, cramped as it was. As their +belongings had not been taken, with the exception of their weapons, +Critch still had his compass. That evening they discussed the course of +their march and agreed that it had been north by east.</p> + +<p>"I've been watching the needle," said Critch. "We came north yesterday +from the camp. To-day we've been traveling a little east of north. +Golly, I'm tired! Guess we can't bank on your uncle finding us now."</p> + +<p>"Guess not," agreed Burt hopelessly. "We only got one chance of ever +getting out of this mess, Critch. If we can do what Cap'n Mac did we may +work it."</p> + +<p>"We got Mbopo to help," returned Critch. "I ain't looking forward to +getting branded very eager. We got to get around that part of it, Burt."</p> + +<p>"Don't see how," answered Burt. "It don't look like Cap'n Mac hurt old<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> +Pongo very much with his blazing oil. We ain't got a gun either. If we +knew any conjuring tricks we might make a bluff on Mbopo's people."</p> + +<p>"I can pull a coin out of handkerchiefs," grinned Critch. "But we ain't +got a coin and if we don't keep our hankies tied on our hands we'd be +eaten alive. Try again."</p> + +<p>"An electric battery'd be the stunt," said Burt. "Fellows in books +always have batteries handy, or eclipses, or something. Guess we ain't +lucky. What d'you s'pose Cap'n Mac would do if he was here?"</p> + +<p>"Prob'ly tell you to shut your head and go to sleep while you can," +grunted Critch. Burt accepted the advice.</p> + +<p>They set out again in the morning and still traveled north by east. +Mbopo said little to them that day. Instead of stopping at a village +they camped out at noon and made a meagre meal of nuts and wild +plantains. They were getting into higher country now although it was +still jungle. The black hunters had not accompanied them and the six +white pigmies were the sole guardians of the boys. At evening there was +no sign of a village and when one of the men brought in another small<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> +wart hog the rest scattered and collected more wild nuts and berries.</p> + +<p>They camped that night in the center of a ring of fires. These smudges +protected them somewhat from the clouds of insects, but nevertheless +both boys suffered a great deal. Their mosquito nets were badly torn and +their camphor was all gone by this time. Although the pigmies did not +seem to mind the mosquitoes, they were very careful to avoid the hanging +nests of the trumpet ants and the black wasps while passing through the +jungle.</p> + +<p>The next morning there was still the same desolate silence all about +them as they marched on. Mbopo had said nothing the night before and the +boys had been too dead tired to ask any questions. Toward noon they both +noticed that their captors became more careless about keeping watch. The +boys were nearly worn out by the terrible journey, but Mbopo pushed +forward relentlessly. As the shadows lengthened the boys saw the reason +for this.</p> + +<p>They had left the lower and denser jungle behind, and seemed to be +slowly reaching higher and freer ground. There was no restriction on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> +their talking now, and as the sun touched the tips of the trees in the +west Critch gave an exclamation.</p> + +<p>"Look over there ahead, Burt! That's a river, sure's you're born!"</p> + +<p>"Mebbe it's the same one Cap'n Mac told about," returned his chum, +catching sight of the silver thread that was partially higrin and fell +back to their side.</p> + +<p>"Mbopo help," he asserted again. "No fash yerself, lad."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, old man," exclaimed Burt. "Is the village near?"</p> + +<p>"Pongo," nodded the dwarf, and Burt gave up trying to talk to him.</p> + +<p>Now two of the men darted ahead at a fast run. For another half mile +they advanced along the river bank. Then the forest ended suddenly.</p> + +<p>"Here we are!" cried Critch.</p> + +<p>Before them lay a small yam-field, and beyond that the famous village of +the white dwarfs. As Captain Montenay had said, it was a very large<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> +one. Despite their plight, the boys looked eagerly for the hut of Pongo.</p> + +<p>"There she is!" exclaimed Burt, and Critch also gave a cry. Off to their +left, almost at the edge of the trees and some distance from the village +thorn-zareba, stood a large hut surrounded by something dark gray in the +sunset. Their attention was soon drawn away from this, however, for a +series of yells went up from the village and out poured the tribe to +welcome them.</p> + +<p>As nearly as the boys could guess, there were something like three +hundred warriors gathered about the gate of the zareba as they came up. +Mbopo saluted them with a few words, but his little party held together +and pushed through the crowd. Behind the warriors and inside the zareba +was a still larger assemblage of women and children. As they passed the +gateway, the boys found themselves in the presence of the chief, no +doubt the same whom Montenay so disliked, for he was an old and +shriveled man whose countenance boded ill for the two captive youths.</p> + +<p>Clad in a splendid leopard-skin robe, he was seated on a pile of skins. +Ranged behind him was a rank of picked spearmen, larger than most of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> +their fellows, and at one side were a dozen men with tom-toms made of +hollow logs. As the party came in sight these men began beating their +instruments, sending up a roaring clamor that amazed the two boys.</p> + +<p>Mbopo fell on his face before the chief, and the others of the party +after him. Only the two white boys remained erect, facing the glittering +eyes of the old chief while he listened to Mbopo's recital. At its +conclusion he motioned to the latter to rise, and said a few words. The +young dwarf replied and seemed to be expostulating, but the chief sprang +to his feet in a flame of rage. Raising his arm, he pointed toward the +separate hut, and both boys distinctly caught the one word "Pongo." At a +sharp command Mbopo and another dwarf jerked the boys and led them away +to one of the huts, leaving them inside without a word.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Burt throwing himself down with a sigh of relief on some +skins, "the old boy certainly has it in for us. He ain't exactly a nice +specimen, is he?"</p> + +<p>"Not much," ejaculated Critch. "Anyhow, I'm going to sleep, Burt. I'm<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> +too tired to care what happens."</p> + +<p>Burt stretched out likewise and immediately was lost in slumber. The +day's trip had been a hard one indeed, and neither boy was able to +resist the chance to snatch a little rest. When they awoke they were in +darkness, and the voice of Mbopo was in their ears.</p> + +<p>"All right," grumbled Critch. "Quit shaking me. What's up?"</p> + +<p>"Him eat, vera good," came Mbopo's voice. Growing accustomed to the +darkness, the boys found that a faint light flickered in through the +entrance. By this they saw the form of Mbopo. He gave them some roasted +bananas and a gourd containing a sweetish drink made from the banana. +Burt got out his matches and struck a light, by which they found it was +nearly eight o'clock. They had been sleeping only three hours, but even +that small amount of rest had refreshed them wonderfully, and the food +and drink made new boys of them.</p> + +<p>When they had finished the last scrap, Mbopo motioned them to rise. Burt +did so with a groan, for his muscles were stiff and sore, and a moment<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> +later they were outside. Here they could see a number of fires blazing +in a vacant space near the thorn zareba, and toward this Mbopo led them.</p> + +<p>"Mbopo help," was his only speech. "Him lad kill Pongo mebbe. Him do +like Buburika Mac."</p> + +<p>"Don't see how," grunted Burt.</p> + +<p>"Shut up," ordered Critch. "Our friend's got a notion in his head that +we're here to kill the lion, I'll bet a dollar. Say, going to stand for +that branding stunt?"</p> + +<p>"Not if I know it," came the quick response. "S'pose we can't help +ourselves, though. See what turns up."</p> + +<p>"No talkee," cautioned their guide. They drew near the fires, and saw +that the whole tribe was gathered around in a semicircle, enjoying a +huge feast. In the center of this semicircle, not far from the thorn +wall, the old chief reclined on his throne of rugs, the tom-tom beaters +near him. Mbopo, who plainly stood in great awe of the wizened +potentate, fell on his face in salute. Once more the boys calmly met the +evil black eyes that stared at them, and Burt could see small hope in +the malevolent glare of the chief.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span></p> + +<p>After a few murmured words from Mbopo the chief gave a sharp order. A +dozen feet distant stood a small fire, over which hung some meat on +spits. This was removed, and a warrior brought forward a long thin +object that sent a thrill through Burt. It was a rudely-fashioned +branding iron.</p> + +<p>The warrior thrust one end into the fire. Burt moved closer to his chum, +with fists clenched. He knew well how useless it would be to put up any +fight, but he was determined not to give in to the torture without a +struggle. The old chief smiled slightly at the action, and gave a +motion. Four of the little warriors, only reaching to the shoulder of +the boys, stepped forward with axes ready.</p> + +<p>"No use, old man," said Critch quietly. "We'll have to take our +medicine, I guess."</p> + +<p>The four warriors led the boys to the fire. One of them reached up and +deliberately tore Burt's tattered shirt from his shoulder. The +pale-faced boy made no move to resist, and next moment the white-hot +iron was taken from the fire, and the tom-toms rolled forth their +thunder.</p> + +<p>But at that instant even the noise of the great drums was drowned in an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> +appalling roar that turned the eyes of all upon the thorn wall. The +startled boys saw the latter bend, there came another terrific roar, +then the stout thorn zareba was burst apart and into the enclosure +rolled the form of an immense lion!</p> + +<p>Before a move could be made the cat-like animal regained his feet, gave +one quick sniff of the air, and pounced on the old chief, who was +struggling to rise. To the surprise of the boys the crowd fell +prostrate; a murmur of "Pongo! Pongo!" went up, and a moment later the +lion gave one bound and had vanished in the night, unharmed. And with +him went the chief of the white dwarfs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV<br /><br /> + +<small>THE IVORY ZAREBA</small></h2> + + +<p>The whole thing happened in less than a moment. As Burt recovered from +his surprise the pigmies were still prostrate in the attitude of +worship. Beside him lay the branding iron, unheeded. With a quick motion +the boy stooped and caught it up, whirled it around, and sent it flying +across the zareba. Then he turned to Mbopo.</p> + +<p>"Now make good!" he exclaimed, as a murmur arose from the crowd at his +action. "You're the boss, Mbopo!"</p> + +<p>As though he had understood the words, the young pigmy sprang to his +feet and began to speak rapidly in the clicking language of the dwarfs. +For a moment there was a surge of the warriors toward the captives, then +it was stopped. Mbopo spoke more and more rapidly, and finished his +speech by seizing a spear from the nearest man and leaping on the throne +of skins, where he stood in an attitude of defiance. For a moment<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> +the crowd seemed stupefied by surprise. Then went up two bark-like notes +from every throat, and once more the pigmies sank prostrate in the dust, +saluting their new chief.</p> + +<p>"Bully for him!" cried Critch delightedly. "Now we're all right, Burt!"</p> + +<p>"Looks that way," replied the flushed Burt, who had feared a speedy +retribution for his rash act. Mbopo said a few more words, and again the +peculiar bark-like guttural came from the crowd. There was a movement, +and a dozen of the largest warriors, those who had formed the bodyguard +of the old chief, stepped forward and saluted the new chief with a +prostration. Mbopo had seized the throne.</p> + +<p>"Now I wonder what'll happen?" said Critch. "Say, did you notice that +lion's head, Burt?"</p> + +<p>"Sure," nodded his chum. "It was all scarred white. Funny the way he +butted through that thorn fence, wasn't it? Just like he didn't see it."</p> + +<p>"I'll bet the scar came from the oil Cap'n Mac threw at him!" cried +Critch excitedly. "Mebbe it—"</p> + +<p>"That's it!" exclaimed Burt. "He's blind! He couldn't see the zareba but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> +he could smell all right. That's it; he's blind!"</p> + +<p>"Hurray!" shouted Critch. Before he could say any more a murmur from the +crowd stopped him. The conversation of the two captives had not passed +unobserved. One of the old men came forward, saluted the chief, and +began to speak. The crowd signified their approval by repeated clicks +and Mbopo also nodded while the wondering boys watched.</p> + +<p>The old man finished his speech. Mbopo stood in silence for a moment and +then gave an order. To the astonishment of the boys they were surrounded +and bound hand and foot in a flash, and laid at the feet of the chief.</p> + +<p>"No fash yerself, lad," came the familiar voice from above them in +reassuring tones. "Mbopo help mebbe. Kill Pongo."</p> + +<p>The bewildered boys lay silent. Burt tried in vain to reason out what +was the reason for their seizure. He was convinced that Mbopo was their +friend, and yet it might well be that the pigmies had demanded a +sacrifice to Pongo from the new ruler and that Mbopo had yielded.</p> + +<p>Then came another order, and the boys were picked up by a dozen hands.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> +They were carried away from the fires and through rows of grass huts to +the gateway of the zareba. This was opened, and Burt felt a thrill of +fear as he realized that they were being carried outside. Were they to +be staked out for the lion as Captain Mac had been?</p> + +<p>The two were carried forward side by side, and at length were dropped on +the ground. Then followed a clicking conversation, then the warriors +retired and Mbopo leaned over them, knife in hand.</p> + +<p>"Kill Pongo," he whispered cheeringly as he cut their bonds. "Mbopo +help. Old chief vera bad mon. Mbopo him chief."</p> + +<p>"Well, of all things!" ejaculated Critch as he sat up and rubbed his +wrists. "What does it mean, Burt?"</p> + +<p>"Why," responded Burt slowly, "I guess Mbopo has a notion that we can +kill the lion by magic. We've run quite a bluff and I guess we'll have +to make good, old man. What'll we do?"</p> + +<p>Critch looked around. The night was oppressively silent save for the +sound of drums and chanting from the village. They were sitting halfway<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> +between the town and the sacred hut, which could barely be made out in +the starlight.</p> + +<p>"If we could only get inside that hut," returned the red-haired boy, +"without finding the lion there, we might wait for him with some +poisoned arrows. We'll never see our rifles again, that's sure."</p> + +<p>"The lion is blind, I guess," said Burt doubtfully, "but I'd hate to +stand up to him with nothin' but a bow and arrow. Besides, d'you +remember what Cap'n Mac said? They don't use poison here."</p> + +<p>"That's right!" Critch turned to Mbopo. "You got poison, spears, +arrows?" He had to repeat the question several times before the dwarf +could comprehend his meaning. When he did so, Mbopo shook his head, +saying that he had none.</p> + +<p>"I don't b'lieve he's got you yet," said Burt disgustedly. "Well, we got +to make good somehow, Critch. If Mbopo gets the notion that we've been +running a bluff it's good night for us."</p> + +<p>"Are you game to tackle the hut?" asked Critch shortly. "We're taking a +chance on findin' Pongo at home, but it's all I can see to do. Anyhow, +Burt, he ain't very hungry just now."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I s'pose not," and Burt shuddered a trifle. "Come on then," and he rose +to his feet. "Say! Why couldn't Mbopo bring us some weapons? If we had +one o' them axes—"</p> + +<p>"That's the talk!" burst out Critch. "If we had a couple o' men with +axes, Burt, we could make a trap for the old lion! How's that?"</p> + +<p>"Fine!" replied Burt hopefully. "Have to make it out o' pretty big logs, +though. If the lion isn't inside, we can make a fire an' scare him off +for a while anyhow."</p> + +<p>"Lot o' good that'd do," grunted his chum. "He wouldn't know there was +any fire there unless he walked into it!"</p> + +<p>Burt turned to Mbopo. By dint of constant repetition and much patience +he finally made the dwarf understand that he wanted another man or two +and some weapons. Mbopo hesitated, then handed over a small axe that was +slung at his waist.</p> + +<p>"Me got bruder," he replied at length. "Bring him, bring plenty spear, +hey?"</p> + +<p>"That's it," exclaimed Burt. "Bring 'em over there, see?" and he pointed +toward the sacred hut.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Mebbe so, pretty quick," asserted the dwarf, rather doubtfully. "Kill +Pongo?"</p> + +<p>"You bet," answered Critch, a good deal more confidently than he felt, +patting the dwarf on the shoulder. "Chase along now, old scout. We'll +kill Pongo right enough!"</p> + +<p>"Vera good," replied Mbopo. The next instant he was lost in the +darkness, and Burt turned to his chum.</p> + +<p>"Well, we might as well die game," he said, with an attempt at a smile. +"Ready?"</p> + +<p>"I s'pose so," responded Critch, who had suddenly lost his confident +manner. "Get your matches ready."</p> + +<p>The two boys started toward the sacred hut. Both were extremely stiff +and sore, and in sad need of sleep. The sound of chanting and the throb +of tom-toms came from the village behind without interruption, while in +front of them was the forest, silent and black and somber. Suddenly the +black hut with its dull gray stockade loomed up before them.</p> + +<p>"Who's goin' first?" asked Burt, half-heartedly.</p> + +<p>"I will," volunteered Critch. Holding a match ready, he entered the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> +narrow gate of the ivory zareba. The little enclosure around the thatch +hut was empty, and before them loomed a small black doorway. Critch, +with one swift gesture, scratched the match and flung it inside, +stooping to look after it. The brief flame gave them a rapid vista of +bare walls and floor.</p> + +<p>"Hurray!" whispered the red-haired lad hoarsely. "She's empty!"</p> + +<p>Ashamed of his own timidity, Burt stepped past him without a word. As he +went, he lit a match and held it on high. Tearing a piece of the loose +thatch from the walls, he lit it and cast it on the floor and then the +two boys looked around.</p> + +<p>The hut was much larger than the other dwellings of the white pigmies. +The floor was littered with bones, leaves, sticks and dirt of every +description. Close inside the door stood three earthenware vessels, and +while Burt threw more leaves and sticks on the little fire, Critch +picked up one of these.</p> + +<p>"Palm oil!" he cried. "Here's a light, Burt! Put a strip of cloth in +each of these and we'll have elegant lamps."</p> + +<p>In another moment each of the three improvised lamps was burning<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> +faintly, while the fire also flared up. As it did so Burt gave an +exclamation.</p> + +<p>"Say, I clear forgot about the mummy! There she is, Critch."</p> + +<p>He pointed to the wall opposite the entrance, holding up his "lamp." +Both walked across the rubbish-littered floor, which smelt most +frightfully. Before them, standing erect against the wall, was a large +wooden mummy-case. Most of its paint was gone long since, only a few +faint traces of gilding remaining to show what it must once have been. +Beside this lay an object that brought a whistle of amazement from +Critch.</p> + +<p>"That's Pongo, Burt! The golden ankh, sure's you're born!"</p> + +<p>The boys looked down in awe at this relic of an ancient people. About +four feet long and nearly as thick as Burt's wrist, the symbol of the +Goddess of Truth gleamed up with a ruddy yellow color from the dirt that +half covered it. Fascinated by the sight, the boys stared in silence +until at last Critch uttered a sigh.</p> + +<p>"Well, we're wastin' time, Burt. We got to plan out that trap."</p> + +<p>Burt turned away from the two relics, and threw some dry sticks on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> +fire. There was an opening in the center of the roof through which the +smoke escaped fairly well. Burt's head was full of the mummy, and for +the moment he paid no attention to his chum's remark.</p> + +<p>"It's kind of queer," he remarked, sitting down against the wall, "to +think of Ta-En-User meeting us this way! Just think of his trip clear +over from Egypt, and our trip clear over from—"</p> + +<p>"Shucks," interrupted the more practical Critch. "I'm thinking of Pongo +right now. Come out of it! We've got to frame up something before Mbopo +gets back."</p> + +<p>"I can't see what there is to frame up," retorted Burt hopelessly. "All +we can do is to lay low. What kind of a trap you thinking of?"</p> + +<p>"Well," explained Critch, frowning, "I kind of thought we could make one +out of logs, like they use on bears out West."</p> + +<p>"Why wouldn't it be better," suggested Burt, "to dig a pit like those +Bantus do? We could dig it right out in front here, cover it over with +grass, and stick a spear up in the bottom. That'd finish Mr. Pongo +mighty sudden next time he came around."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Can't do that," replied the other. "It's a mighty big job to tackle, +Burt. If you'd ever dug holes for fence posts you'd know."</p> + +<p>"I wonder what Uncle George is doing right now?" said Burt suddenly. "Do +you think he'll start after us?"</p> + +<p>"He might," answered Critch doubtfully. "He'd never make it in a million +years though. You know what the black dwarfs did to Cap'n Mac. Say, this +is worse than any story book I ever read! We're right up against it +solid, Burt. If we pull out of this hole it'll mean work. We ain't got +your uncle to lean on or anyone else. Mbopo don't count for much, I'm +afraid. Gosh, I wish we had a couple guns! We could clean up on old +Pongo like a house afire."</p> + +<p>"He was pretty big, just the same," said Burt. "Lot's bigger'n any we've +bagged so far. Even if he is blind, which we aren't sure of, it wouldn't +be any cinch to tackle him."</p> + +<p>"Anyhow," retorted his chum, "we can't expect to lay around and wait for +something to happen. We got to make it happen. We're in possession of +the ankh, like Cap'n Mac was, so we're safe enough for the present. +Mbopo's the only one who's game to go after Pongo, that's sure.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> +If his brother is up to the mark we ought to do something."</p> + +<p>"That was fierce, the way the old chief got carried off," remarked Burt +as he gazed around with a little shiver. Still the dull throb of the +drums came faintly from without, but the chanting had now ceased. "It +was mighty lucky for us, just the same. Don't it seem funny, that here +we are plannin' to kill Pongo right after he's saved our lives that +way?"</p> + +<p>"There's a whole lot of things that strike me funny," answered Critch. +"Wouldn't it be great if we could carry off all this ivory and the gold +ankh."</p> + +<p>"Huh!" grunted Burt. "Fine chance of that. It stumped Cap'n Mac to do +it."</p> + +<p>"Come on now, get down to business," said Critch, straightening up. +"First, we got to figure on how many logs we'll need. I should think we +might rig up something right here inside the ivory zareba, but I don't +see quite how. We can't very well fix a trap out in the forest, because +Pongo ain't liable to be hungry right away. It's queer that he didn't +bring the old chief here like he brought Cap'n Mac. Mebbe he uses<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> +this more as sleeping quarters, and prefers to take his meals out in the +open air."</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI<br /><br /> + +<small>BURT LEFT ALONE</small></h2> + + +<p>"Critch," said Burt suddenly, "that was a blamed good idea while it +lasted. But it hasn't lasted. We can't do it."</p> + +<p>"Sure we can!" returned Critch hopefully. "Why not?"</p> + +<p>"It'd take us a year to build a deadfall like that."</p> + +<p>"We don't need to! Ain't Pongo blind? All we have to do is rig up a +figure-four trap out o' logs."</p> + +<p>"That'd be a nice easy job, wouldn't it!" retorted Burt. "He may be +blind but he ain't foolish. No, sir, it won't work. We just got to kill +that lion though. If we don't, Mbopo'll know we've been runnin' a bluff +on him."</p> + +<p>"What you goin' to do?" said Critch irritably. "Sit here and let him +come?"</p> + +<p>"Not much. Seems to me that if the lion's blind there ought to be some +way of fixing him without any danger. We're safe enough from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> +pigmies while we're here with Ta-En-User, but not from the lion. Dust +your brain off! Think!"</p> + +<p>"All right," responded Critch briskly. "Here goes for the first thing." +Without ceremony he got up and pulled over the mummy-case. "We got to +fix Mbopo sure, ain't we? Well, take hold o' this—don't bust it!"</p> + +<p>"What you doing?" exclaimed Burt as his chum began to pry open the +mummy-case with the edge of the little axe obtained from Mbopo. Critch +paused to reply.</p> + +<p>"It's a pipe, Burt! We'll just upwrap Ta-En-User here, see? I guess he +ain't in extra good condition but he'll do for a while. Then we'll fill +up the case with leaves and the wrappings. These pigmies have never seen +inside the case, remember. They don't know a mummy from a goat. Soon's +we get him unwrapped an' laid out in his nightie, out go the lights and +you get back in the corner.</p> + +<p>"When Mbopo comes I'll tell 'em you did this to the ankh." Critch raised +his axe and cut a deep gash on the cross arm in the soft gold. "Then +I'll say that Pongo dried you up for insulting him. Get the point? +That'll scare 'em stiff. We'll take the ankh, the stuffed case and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> +mummy back to the village."</p> + +<p>"Yes you will!" cried Burt hastily. "S'pose I'm going to stay here?"</p> + +<p>"Sure you are!" grinned Critch. "I'd do it only I reckon the mummy won't +have red hair an' it wouldn't work. You've got to do it!"</p> + +<p>"But what for?" persisted Burt. "What's the use? S'pose the lion comes?"</p> + +<p>"If he comes you can throw some blazing oil at him just like Cap'n Mac. +That ought to scare him away. Soon's I get to the village I'll see if I +can't locate some o' that poison. The whole tribe'll be scared stiff +when they see the mummy, 'specially if he's kind of spoiled. You hide +out here till morning and then I'll come back with what weapons I can +get. I'll warn the dwarfs away from here first. That's the only way I +see of gettin' what we need. We can't make Mbopo understand very well."</p> + +<p>"It wouldn't be a bad idea if you was going to stay here 'stead of me," +assented Burt dubiously. "S'pose we kill the lion. How'll you account +for me coming back to life?"</p> + +<p>"I'll tote the mummy in here and bury him," returned Critch promptly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> +"Then maybe to-morrow night I'll have them bring the ankh to the +doorway. I'll go through a Latin verb and yell and you walk out. Why, +man, I'll be no end sacred! We'll own the whole blamed tribe!"</p> + +<p>"It listens good enough," admitted Burt. "Tell you what you do. Send the +stuff on with Mbopo and build a fire right in front of the door before +you go. Leave me some sticks—these bones ought to burn too. Mebbe that +fire'll keep the lion out."</p> + +<p>"Hurray!" exclaimed Critch enthusiastically. "Now let's get the old boy +unwrapped. It's been pretty damp for him here, I guess. He ought to be +pretty well preserved in spite of that. He isn't torn up except at the +neck. Off she comes!"</p> + +<p>Critch set to work at the head and Burt at the foot of the case. It did +not take them long to get the gaudily-painted wooden case apart. Then a +heavy aromatic odor filled the hut. As Critch had said, the mummy was +unharmed except at the neck. Here the case had been splintered open but +when the lid was off the boys saw that only a few layers of the +wrappings had been torn away. The whole mummy was wrapped in cloths.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p> + +<p>Burt and Critch lifted out the mass of wrappings to the mud floor of the +hut. As they did so something tinkled and fell against the case. Their +eyes fell on the remainder of the scarab necklace of which Montenay had +obtained a part. Evidently it had been placed around the neck after the +mummy was wrapped. Burt hurriedly stuffed it into his pocket.</p> + +<p>"Got that anyhow," he remarked. "Hope Mbopo don't show up before we get +through. Here we go!"</p> + +<p>With the help of the keen-edged axe the mummy was soon unwrapped and +laid on the floor. Intertwined with the wrappings the boys found six +necklaces, each formed of gold beads of different shapes. The largest +was formed of half amber and half gold beads, and held a large pendant +in the shape of the ankh. This was left on the mummy, while Critch +stuffed the others into his pocket. As he did so he gave a cry.</p> + +<p>"Hello!" He picked up a tight roll of parchment, welded into a solid +mass by the wrappings. "Wonder what this is? Well, we can't waste time +on her now. Go slow—that's all right. Now we got to hustle, Burt."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Lay him here this way—right beside the ankh," replied Burt. "Stick +your axe in his hand. Can't do that either. Liable to bust off. Well, +lay it handy here. I'd better keep it, so don't carry it off."</p> + +<p>The boys then hurriedly stuffed the pile of wrappings back into the case +and put the lid on as before. It had formerly been cemented with some +kind of strong pitch and now the gaping seam at the side showed plainly.</p> + +<p>"That won't do," cried Burt as they inspected it. "How'll we fix that, +Critch?"</p> + +<p>"Search me," replied his chum, puzzled. "They'd see that in a minute, +'cause we busted up that cement considerable."</p> + +<p>"Cement!" exclaimed Burt. "Looks a whole lot like tar to me, Critch. +Mebbe a little heat would fix her up fine!"</p> + +<p>"That's the candy!" returned Critch. Each boy took a brand from the +little fire and ran this along the seam. The black pitch-like stuff +smoked, bubbled, and set them coughing, but to their delight it +coalesced and it only remained to allow the cement to harden.</p> + +<p>"Golly, I'm glad that's over!" sighed Burt as he wiped his streaming<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> +face and threw his brand back into the fire. No sound had broken in on +their labor except a throbbing beat of tom-toms from the village, +mingled once more with the shrill, steady chanting of the pigmy +warriors. The boys had grown too accustomed to the night-noises of the +jungle to heed the flickering far-off howls and cries that formed a +faint background to the nearer sounds.</p> + +<p>"We'd better carry all the stuff near the door," said Critch. "We'll +leave one light going so's they can see things right."</p> + +<p>Between them they dragged the heavy ankh over the floor to the entrance. +Then the mummy was set beside it leaning against the wall, two of the +lamps were blown out and Burt lay down in the far corner. Critch threw +some dead leaves over him and then sat down to wait with his head on his +knees.</p> + +<p>"Say, Critch!" grunted Burt suddenly. "Wonder what Uncle George'd say +if he could see us? Do you s'pose he an' Cap'n Mac are on their way home +by now?"</p> + +<p>"Don't you believe it!" replied Critch grimly. "I'll bet a million +dollars that they'll be hunting for us pretty quick in the jungle. Your +uncle ain't goin' to shoot for home and leave us back here. He ain't +that kind and neither's Cap'n Mac."</p> + +<p>"Guess you're right," agreed Burt hopefully. "I wouldn't be s'prised if +Uncle George ducked in here all by his lonely. He wouldn't have much +chance against them poison affairs of the black dwarfs, though," he +added more gloomily.</p> + +<p>"You got to remember that we've only been gone a few days," replied +Critch. "Cap'n Mac had to get well, too. Tell you what, pard, we're +powerful lucky not to be in his fix just about now."</p> + +<p>"Well, mebbe you're enjoying yourself a whole lot," retorted Burt, "but +I ain't. Golly, don't this ol' place smell like all get out? You ought +to be over here, Critch, with the bones and things. I wish Mbopo—"</p> + +<p>"S-sh!" came a mutter from the other. "I hear something down the line. +Here's my box of matches." An object fell near Burt's hand. "I'll be +back just as soon—lay low!"</p> + +<p>Burt, lying in the shadow cast by his chum, heard a light shuffle of +feet and then Mbopo appeared in the doorway, holding another little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> +figure by the hand, while a third followed reluctantly.</p> + +<p>"Him bruder," grinned the dwarf happily. "Him scared. T'ink Pongo kill. +Kill lion—where bruder gone?"</p> + +<p>The three dwarfs were standing within the entrance now, gazing fearfully +at Critch and the dim surroundings.</p> + +<p>"My brother very bad," answered the boy slowly, pointing to the ankh. +"Him take axe, hit Pongo. Pongo hit him with fire, burn him up," and he +moved the single lamp a trifle so that the light fell full on the mummy +beside him.</p> + +<p>Had the situation not been so serious Burt could have laughed at the +sickly gray look which overspread the features of the pigmies as they +fell to their knees. With one frightened groan all three buried their +faces in the dirt. Critch knew it was time to act and rose to his feet.</p> + +<p>"Get up!" commanded the boy sternly. He took the dwarfs by the hand and +raised them up one by one. "Pongo him mad. Him say no kill lion yet. Him +say take to village." Critch pointed at the village and the pigmies +comprehended.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then he patted them on the back and smiled and little by little their +fears were overcome. Taking a spear from Mbopo he passed it through the +loop of the golden ankh and signed to the two brothers to raise it.</p> + +<p>They obeyed after some hesitation, with frightened looks at the grinning +mummy. Then Critch picked up the mummy and laid him in the trembling +arms of Mbopo and made shift to get the case on his own shoulder. He led +the way out and a moment later Burt was alone.</p> + +<p>He could hear the four stop outside while Critch lit a small fire in +front of the entrance. Then the latter re-entered with an armful of +large sticks and flung them down.</p> + +<p>"So long," he muttered. "I'll put some logs up against the door inside +the fire. If the lion gets through the smoke he'll stop at the logs +mebbe. See you later."</p> + +<p>"So long," murmured Burt and the other vanished. He heard a few sharp +orders transmitted through Mbopo and then after five minutes three or +four small logs were piled against the door. This was a decided +improvement on his own plan of the fire, for now the opening was nearly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> +blocked.</p> + +<p>Burt waited for a few moments and then rolled over and sat up. The +single wick was still burning dimly and he picked up the box of matches +and stowed them away beside his own. As he listened he could hear the +deep throb-throb of the larger drums from the village mingled with the +sharper and more staccato notes of the tom-toms. Over all rose the +shrill monotonous chant.</p> + +<p>Suddenly there came a change. The tom-toms ceased abruptly with one or +two scattered notes. The chanting died away an instant later. Then arose +a low, mournful wail of absolute fear that made the listening boy +shudder. This was followed by silence for a brief space and then came +two bark-like notes such as had answered the young chief earlier in the +evening. Critch had triumphed! Otherwise, Burt well knew that he would +have heard only one shrill yell.</p> + +<p>Burt still had his watch in its safety-pocket and had kept it wound +pretty regularly. He now drew it out and held it close to the blue +flame. Two o'clock; the boy stared at the hands incredulously. Had all +these events only occupied five or six hours? He had been sure it was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> +nearly morning. As it was, there were still three hours until daylight. +Three hours before Critch would come!</p> + +<p>For one moment Burt felt an insane impulse to rush from the hut and seek +the village. The horror of the place rushed over him. The combined odors +of the mummy, the burning oil, and the filth on the floor sickened him +and he made a step forward. Then he paused abruptly. Critch was counting +on him to fulfill his share of the task. His chum was doing his own +share—it was no easy matter to face that village of pigmies. Was he to +endanger everything at the last moment?</p> + +<p>With a little sigh Burt drew back. He settled down among the dry leaves, +leaving the light for companionship's sake. As he leaned back his eyes +closed and a feeling of delicious rest stole on him, for he was very +weary and tired. In another minute he was sound asleep.</p> + +<p>He was awakened by something scratching and sniffing at the thatch +behind him.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII<br /><br /> + +<small>THE DIARY</small></h2> + + +<p>Burt leaped away with a yell of pure terror as he woke. He was answered +by a deep growl that sent his hair on end with fright. The lion was +outside and had smelled him!</p> + +<p>There was silence for a moment and then came a scratching at the logs +before the entrance. This was succeeded by one angry roar and Burt +concluded that the fire outside was still burning. He pulled out his +watch with trembling fingers. Three thirty! And the sun did not rise +until after four!</p> + +<p>A low mutter of growls and a swift pad-pad of feet came to him as the +angry and baffled lion ran around the hut. Burt's first spasm of wild, +uncontrolled fear gave way to courage born of desperation. There was no +place for him to run to. If he did manage to get out he must get past +the lion and face the pigmy village. His only hope was to fight off the +blind beast until Critch should arrive.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span></p> + +<p>Burt got out his matches and lit all three of the jars of palm oil +hurriedly. At the sound of his movements the growls outside increased in +fury. Then the soft footfalls ceased and the next instant the whole hut +quivered as the paw of the great beast struck it.</p> + +<p>The thatch was very closely woven, however. Burt hesitated between using +the axe or the oil and finally decided to reserve the former in case the +oil failed to drive off the lion. Again and again the beast struck at +the side of the hut. The thatch shredded away with a rustle and the hut +shook beneath the strain. Then a piece of the wall a foot square came +away and into the opening swept a great yellow foot armed with immense +claws.</p> + +<p>Burt did not hesitate. With a match ready lit he set fire to the oil in +one of the jars. It sputtered, then broke into a burst of flame and the +boy swiftly flung it at the great paw which was clawing frantically at +the side of the opening.</p> + +<p>A terrific roar responded, a roar such as the boy had never heard before +in all his life. It drove the blood from his cheeks and left him +gripping the handle of his axe, but outside he could hear the lion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> +rolling over and crashing among the long grass between the hut and the +zareba, and he knew that he was the victor for the moment.</p> + +<p>Another danger caught his eye and he sprang forward. Whipping off his +coat he hastily beat out the flames that were running up the side of the +hut from the blazing oil, and scattered dust over the latter with his +foot. That frail thatch was his only protection now!</p> + +<p>He still had two jars of oil. One he was resolved to keep in case he had +to use the little axe. At least he would have the advantage of sight. +His hopes and courage rose somewhat as he listened to the blinded animal +thrashing about in the grass. Then came silence outside.</p> + +<p>Burt waited but could hear nothing. "I hope he's run off!" muttered the +boy to himself. He hardly dared hope for that, however, and his fears +were justified when he heard the swift pad-pad outside again. This time +it was faster and heavier. Burt remembered the lions he had seen running +like great cats across the plain and his heart leaped as he pictured the +look of the animal outside.</p> + +<p>Now came a furious attack at the corner of the hut beside him. So sudden<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> +and unexpected was it that Burt was caught napping. Before he could +strike a match or catch up the pot of oil he was horrified to see a +double row of fangs crash through the thatch, followed by a great tawny +head. Across the face extended a broad white scar as of an old burn.</p> + +<p>With one strangled cry Burt lifted the keen little axe and brought it +down in the center of the white scar. He saw a tremendous paw that +ripped across his breast and hurled him backward, heard a maddened +scream from the beast, and as he fainted his last memory was of the +rocking, reeling walls about him.</p> + +<p>He woke with the sting of cold water on his face and gasped. His first +thought was that the lion was over him, and he struck out blindly and +savagely.</p> + +<p>"Go slow, old man!" sounded the voice of Critch. Burt looked up and saw +the face of his chum. He sank back weakly, while Critch went on bathing +his face. "Take it easy, Burt. Don't try to talk yet. Want a drink?"</p> + +<p>Burt certainly did want a drink, and he half emptied the canteen of +water at a draught, while Critch supported him. Then he struggled to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> +his feet.</p> + +<p>"Let's get out o' here," he murmured. A shudder swept over him as he +glanced around. There were gaping holes in the thatch walls, and before +him was a pool of blood, black against the dirt. The two boys reached +the doorway and Burt sank down gratefully in the warm morning sunlight, +leaning against the wall of the hut.</p> + +<p>"You must have had a fierce time," said Critch sympathetically. "Are you +hurt?"</p> + +<p>Burt glanced down and shook his head. His shirt had been ripped to +pieces by that savage sweep of the lion's paw, but beyond one slight +scratch he had escaped damage. He paled again at the narrowness of the +escape. Then Critch thrust some roasted bananas into his hand, and the +two boys made their breakfast together.</p> + +<p>"I feel a heap better now," smiled Burt weakly as he set down the empty +canteen at length. "Now we can talk."</p> + +<p>"What happened, anyhow?" inquired Critch eagerly. "When I got here five +minutes ago you were lyin' on your back. I thought you was dead, sure,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> +when I saw all that blood and the wrecked hut."</p> + +<p>Strengthened by his sleep and the food, Burt gradually regained his +self-control as he related the story of that terrible night to his chum. +Critch listened with eager interest, then rose and dashed into the hut. +An instant later he reappeared, frowning.</p> + +<p>"The axe is gone," he exclaimed excitedly. "Think you killed him?"</p> + +<p>"How do I know?" retorted Burt. "I hit him as hard as I could, and I +guess it landed between his eyes, but that's all I can tell."</p> + +<p>"You must ha' landed pretty hard, then," mused Critch, "judgin' from all +that blood. Anyhow, we can follow him up—"</p> + +<p>"Do it yourself," broke in Burt. "I know just about how Cap'n Mac felt +now. I wouldn't monkey with that lion again for a million dollars cash. +No sir!"</p> + +<p>"Well, I will!" cried Critch excitedly. "I can get Mbopo—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, how did you come out?" interrupted Burt, with new interest. "I +judged from the sounds that it worked all right."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Work!" laughed Critch. "I should say it did work! Why, I've got the +whole blamed tribe eatin' out o' my hand, Burt! Even Mbopo ain't quite +sure whether he ought to kow-tow or kneel down when he speaks to me. It +was easy!</p> + +<p>"After we left here I had a lot of trouble trying to make the other +fellows carry that <i>ankh</i>. They were scared to death of the thing. +Before we got to the gate I fixed up the procession right. Mbopo went +first with the mummy. Then come the two brothers carryin' the <i>ankh</i> +between 'em on the spear. I come last with the mummy-case.</p> + +<p>"The whole tribe was feasting and dancing and singing when we showed up. +When Mbopo went through the gate and got into the firelight the bunch +stopped all of a sudden. Then they saw the two boys with the <i>ankh</i>. The +tom-toms quit work and everybody went down on their noses. Before they +had a chance to look up I fixed things right.</p> + +<p>"I had Mbopo stand on that pile of skins. The <i>ankh</i> and +mummy-case were set down right in front of him. I stood alongside him +and took old Ta-En-User, setting him on his feet natural-like. About +half the crowd was looking up by this time. They couldn't understand<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> +what was up till I nodded to Mbopo and he began to speak.</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, he hadn't said more'n about ten words, pointing to the +<i>ankh</i> and the mummy, before them dwarfs let a howl out of 'em like they +were all struck by lightning."</p> + +<p>"Yes," broke in Burt, "I heard that. It sure sounded awful."</p> + +<p>"I reckon they <i>felt</i> kind of awful," grinned Critch contentedly. "I was +scared stiff at first, honest. It seemed so blamed foolish, Burt, to +trot out a mummy and a hunk of gold and set up as a god on the strength +of it! I soon got over being scared, though. I could be chief o' that +tribe right now if I wanted to!</p> + +<p>"Mbopo went on explaining how you happened to be all dried up that way. +The crowd turned several degrees whiter while he was talking. It made me +feel pretty mean for a minute to think o' them grown men an' women +knuckling down that way to me. Then I got another idea.</p> + +<p>"I set Ta down gentle and reached out for Mbopo's hand. It scared him, +but he was game. I led him forward a step, then picked up the +<i>ankh</i> an' stood it on end. When I took Mbopo's hand again his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> +knees were shaking, but I grinned at him and placed his hand on the +loop. When he found that nothing happened he just swelled up, an' looked +at me so grateful and plumb happy that I couldn't keep from laughing. +The crowd stared, but when they saw Mbopo standing there proud and +confident, they hollered out their kind o' cheer—two sharp little +barks."</p> + +<p>"Heard that too," nodded Burt. "Whew, I'd like to have seen all that, +Critch! But didn't you get any sleep at all?"</p> + +<p>"You bet I did!" was the reply. "Just as soon as I got things settled +that way Mbopo made another speech. Then I got him to understand that I +wanted some place to sleep. He had a fellow take me to an elegant big +hut. There were lots of skins and stuff in there and I went to sleep +right off. I was pretty near dead. I woke up at sunrise and got some +bananas and water and came over here. That's all, I guess."</p> + +<p>"Well, when are you going to resurrect me?" asked Burt. "I'm not going +to hang around here, I can tell you."</p> + +<p>"You got to," replied his chum earnestly. "If you showed up now it'd +spoil the whole thing, Burt! You can stay out here in the shade, can't<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> +you? The zareba hides you from the village, as long as you keep away +from the entrance."</p> + +<p>"All right." Burt struggled to his feet, himself again. "Let's have a +look at that zareba, Critch."</p> + +<p>The two boys walked across the little open space and halted in front of +the row of tusks. Strands of thorn-bush were interwoven among the tusks, +which were planted closely in the ground, but the zareba was so low that +the lion would have had no difficulty in leaping over it. It was +evidently intended more for show than for defence.</p> + +<p>"Those tusks don't look as if they were worth taking away," said Burt +disgustedly. "Look at how old they are, and all cracked up!"</p> + +<p>Indeed, the tusks seemed very ancient. Their surface was not the smooth, +white surface of new ivory but was gray and rough and pitted with holes +worn by the weather and insects.</p> + +<p>"They must have been here for a long time," agreed Critch. "But I don't +know 'bout their not being worth taking off, Burt. You know when your +uncle swapped Mvita for those old tusks o' his? They looked just like<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> +these, and your uncle isn't buying old tusks for his health. Besides, +Cap'n Mac was crazy about these. If they hadn't been worth while he +wouldn't—"</p> + +<p>"That's so," exclaimed Burt more hopefully. "Prob'ly they're all right +on the inside. We're liable to make some money out o' this trip yet."</p> + +<p>"You talk just's if we had it cinched!" laughed his chum. "Say, take +some thorns and pin your shirt together. I got to get back to the +village now. I'm going to bring out some weapons and some more grub, but +I want to make sure that everything's safe. I'll have to warn Mbopo not +to come near here, too. I guess we can fix things up to resurrect you by +to-night, anyhow."</p> + +<p>"You'd better," returned Burt, fastening his tattered shirt together +after Critch's suggestion. "I'm not going to stay here another night, +that's straight. Why don't you get Mbopo out after Pongo with some of +the men?"</p> + +<p>"Not yet," answered Critch thoughtfully. "I want to finish up your +business first. That'll tie everything down tight. Then we can get busy +with the lion. I believe we'll pull out of this yet, Burt!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Sure we will," laughed Burt, his spirits fully restored by this time. +"I'm going to get some more sleep here in the shade. Better go easy with +Mbopo. If he gets a swelled head he might make trouble."</p> + +<p>"No chance of that," replied Critch, pausing at the gateway. "He's a +mighty good scout. Well, so long! Anything special you want?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, nothin but a two-inch steak, a couple o' books, and a letter from +back home," replied Burt. "So long!" And as his chum disappeared he +flung himself down in the long grass under the hut wall, whose shadow +would protect him from the sun. He had come to care little for insects +by this time, and in any case he was too weary to think about them.</p> + +<p>When he next opened his eyes the sun was in the west and Critch was +shaking him vigorously. Burt sat up, yawning, to find his chum highly +excited. Beside them lay a collection of axes, swords, knives and +spears.</p> + +<p>"Wake up, you!" cried Critch. "I got pretty near everything you asked +for."</p> + +<p>"You got what?" said Burt sleepily, staring at his chum. Then he +remembered his parting words and laughed as Critch displayed a thick<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> +antelope-steak, a couple of baked yams and the refilled canteen.</p> + +<p>"I got more than that," exclaimed Critch. "I found a kid playing with +something a while ago. Come to find out, it was this," and he threw the +remains of a little red leather book into Burt's lap. The latter, who +had already attacked the steak with the help of one of the knives, +picked it up with interest.</p> + +<p>The little book drew a gasp of amazement from Burt when he opened it, +for on the inside cover was inscribed, in small and neat writing, +"McAllister Montenay, V. C. His Diary."</p> + +<p>"Is that straight?" asked Burt, looking up with flushed cheeks. Critch +nodded.</p> + +<p>"You bet it is. Get finished with the eats, while I tell you. I saw a +kid trailin' that around in the dust, so I rescued it and took a look. +You could have knocked me over with a feather when I saw what it was! +There's a whole lot of it that you can't make out, but enough's left to +do business with.</p> + +<p>"Everything's lovely at the village. Some hunters brought in three +wildebeest and an antelope this morning and the whole tribe's feasting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> +up. That seems to be about all they do."</p> + +<p>Burt was not long in disposing of the provisions. After emptying the +canteen, he picked up the little tattered red book once more and opened +it, Critch close beside him.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII<br /><br /> + +<small>BURT COMES TO LIFE</small></h2> + + +<p>"Didn't know he was a V. C.," commented Burt, turning past the first +page. "Say most o' this is spoiled!"</p> + +<p>The pages were many of them torn, all were smudged and streaked with +dirt, and ominous dark red stains covered a large portion of the +booklet.</p> + +<p>"Here's the first place you can read," and Critch turned over a number +of unreadable pages. "Start in right here." Burt settled back and read +aloud as follows:</p> + +<p>"'June 1st. Five men down. Yusuf cut off from supplies. Will rush +to-morrow.</p> + +<p>"'June 2nd. Rushed. Lost thirteen. Finished Yusuf. Got lots of ivory, +unmounted yet. Read burial service this evening. Big loot to divide.'"</p> + +<p>"That next you can't read, most of it," broke in Critch. "There's +something about Pongo, though." Burt nodded and continued:</p> + +<p>"'—with odd bit of wood. May be some truth in it. Must<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> +investigate. If the boys will have a go at it—'</p> + +<p>"That's all, there," announced Burt. "All that's about the time he +cleaned up on the Arab caravan, eh? Let's see—there's five pages where +everything's mussed up."</p> + +<p>"Looks like blood," laughed Critch, "but it ain't. That's the red stuff +the dwarfs use to stain their things with. See here, on this +spear-shaft. There's a lot comes next that he wrote after he set up in +Pongo's place—it was his left arm that was hurt, so he could write all +right. But you can't make out more'n a few scattered words. Turn to the +last page that's written on. There's where the big thing is."</p> + +<p>Burt obeyed, turning over the pages rapidly. Most of the writing had +been obliterated or stained over, but although the final page was half +torn away, the remaining words were clear and legible.</p> + +<p>"'Dec. 16th. Impossible to carry off the stuff. Must slip away while out +hunting if possible. Not much hope. River runs northwest. May find Arabs +or English traders to the east or north. Will find from Mbopo +whether—'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And that's all," announced Burt, looking puzzled. "I don't see what you +mean by sayin' there's anything big there, though."</p> + +<p>"Read it over again," suggested Critch with a grin. Burt did so, and +once more glanced up with a wondering look.</p> + +<p>"You got me, Critch. What are you getting at, anyhow?"</p> + +<p>"Don't you see?" cried his chum excitedly. "That part about the river +running northwest!"</p> + +<p>"Well, what about it?" demanded Burt.</p> + +<p>"Why, which way does the Makua run?"</p> + +<p>"If I remember the map," replied Burt slowly, "it runs due west, joins +the Loangi, and meets up with the Congo on the way south. Oh, I see!" he +added suddenly. "You mean that this river out here runs up to the +Makua?"</p> + +<p>"Brilliant!" exclaimed Critch sarcastically. "Why, it's got to, Burt! +That is, unless it switches off an' goes south. I don't believe it does, +though."</p> + +<p>"That won't do us much good either," responded Burt. "These dwarfs don't +use boats, or Cap'n Mac would have gotten off that way."</p> + +<p>"What do we want of boats?" demanded Critch. "After you're resurrected<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> +I'll be the boss of this tribe for fair. I'll set them to work on a +raft, and away we go! If we hit the Makua we're bound to strike your +uncle and Cap'n Mac sooner or latter."</p> + +<p>"Good for you!" cried Burt, staring at the other in wide-eyed +comprehension. "And we can carry off this whole blamed zareba that way, +with the <i>ankh</i> too!"</p> + +<p>"Not much we can't," and Critch shook his head. "We could get off with +the ivory, I s'pose, if Mbopo helps us. But not the <i>ankh</i>. That's +their real god, you know. I don't believe we'd dare try that."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's getting on toward sunset," and Burt glanced at the sun, just +above the western tree tops. "You'd better chase back and get ready to +resurrect me. I ain't anxious to be around here after dark. What's the +program?"</p> + +<p>"Why," replied Critch thoughtfully, "you keep hid till dark. As soon's +it gets good and dark, say eight o'clock, I'll lead out the mob. I don't +know just yet what I'll do, but I'll bring the mummy in here. You get a +hole dug to bury him in. Then I'll lead you out and can shake hands +with Pongo."</p> + +<p>"With which?" exclaimed Burt.</p> + +<p>"With the <i>ankh</i>—just lay your hand on him like Mbopo did," +explained Critch, laughing. "Stick that book of Cap'n Mac's in your +pocket. If we get out o' here he'd like to see it again, I reckon. So +long."</p> + +<p>"So long," answered Burt. "Don't keep me waitin' all night, now."</p> + +<p>So Critch departed on his mission, while Burt lay back to think things +over. If it was true that the river near the village ran northwest, then +it almost certainly ran into the Makua, or a tributary of the Makua. In +that case they would be perfectly safe in floating down. There would be +dangers on the way, but by taking a few of the white dwarfs along Burt +realized that these would be greatly lessened. On the other hand, should +the river prove to turn and flow back toward the Aruwimi country, they +would probably miss the caravan altogether. In any case, their whole +future depended upon the issue of that night's "performance," as Burt +mentally styled his bringing to life.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span></p> + +<p>The disappearance of the sun roused him to the fact that he had work to +do. Taking a spear and a broad-bladed sword from the weapons Critch had +left, Burt went inside the hut. Here he set to work energetically +digging the hole for the final resting place of Ta-En-User, the High +Priest of Maat. The tramped earthen floor was easily broken up by means +of the spear, and as the dusk settled down over the forest Burt finished +a shallow hole sufficient to hold the mummy.</p> + +<p>"It's kind o' hard lines," he thought, wiping his dripping face as he +returned outside. "Here old Ta was wrapped up carefully three thousand +years back, meaning to lie quiet forever. He don't more than get +comfortably settled down when along come the white dwarfs to rouse him +up, and they carry him clear over here. Then he settles down once more, +and we come along and finish him. If he'd been buried right in the first +place—why, if they'd done things different three thousand years +back there wouldn't be any Pongo!"</p> + +<p>Burt was roused from his rather intricate calculations by a particularly +savage mosquito settling on his ear. Having disposed of the insect,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> +Burt daubed his face and hands with what remained of the palm oil. Then +he beat down the grass at a spot where he could see between two of the +tusks and settled down to wait. He was uneasy at the idea that the lion +might return at any moment, and felt not the slightest temptation to +drop off to sleep.</p> + +<p>The swift tropical night settled down over the forest, and soon Burt +could make out the glow of the village fires. After what seemed an age +he heard the sound of chanting mingled with the throb of the tom-toms. +This continued for half an hour, then ceased. A few moments later a +moving light appeared at the zareba gate, followed by others. Burt +guessed that these were torches, and knew that the time was at hand.</p> + +<p>More and more torches poured out of the gate, until by their light Burt +could make out fairly well all that took place. It seemed that the +entire tribe was leaving the village. At the head of the procession +stalked Mbopo, with Critch beside him. Burt could see his chum carrying +something wrapped in a skin, and knew this was the mummy. Then came the +two brothers of Mbopo, carrying the golden <i>ankh</i> between them on a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> +spear, while a third man bore the mummy-case. Behind marched the +bodyguard of the chief, the rest of the tribe following in a mob.</p> + +<p>At the point where the boys had been left for the lion, halfway between +village and hut, the tribe was halted. Mbopo arranged the men and women +in a wide semicircle, evidently following the orders of Critch. The +"drum corps" was then brought to the front, the greater part of the +torches were extinguished, and Critch, Mbopo and the bearers of the +relics moved forward. Burt saw his chum stop at a point distant about a +hundred feet from the hut and directly in front of the gateway.</p> + +<p>After a slight delay, a fire was lit here. This presently blazed up, +Critch wishing to wait until plenty of light was cast upon the sacred +objects and the gateway of the ivory zareba. At a signal from Mbopo the +tom-toms began a steady, regular beat and the pigmies broke into a low +chant that swelled at intervals until the echoes came back faintly from +the forest. Burt watched the scene through his loophole in silent +fascination. He had no fears as to its outcome, for the dwarfs were +plainly under the dominance of Critch.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span></p> + +<p>Now the fire blazed up higher and higher. Burt saw his chum, whose +flaming hair glowed out in the ruddy light, suddenly raise his hand. The +drums and chanting stopped abruptly, and the dead silence that ensued +sent a quiver through the boy behind the ivory stockade. Critch bent +over, opened the skin bundle, and exposed the mummy to view. At this, +one prolonged groan went up from the audience and the crowd went down on +their faces, even Mbopo falling prostrate.</p> + +<p>Moving a step forward, Critch faced the sacred hut and began to speak. +His voice came faintly at first, but as he gained confidence it rang +louder. The words came plainly to Burt. Critch first delivered all the +French he could think of, then broke into Antony's oration, which he had +learned at school the year before. Perhaps fearing that Mbopo might +comprehend too much of this, Critch switched off abruptly and delivered +a complete conjugation of the Latin verb "habeo," speaking slowly and +distinctly in as deep a voice as he could assume.</p> + +<p>Burt was doubled up in silent laughter, and he saw his chum pause at +times as though struggling to repress his feelings also. But his face +was away from the pigmies, and his voice remained firm enough. Burt<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> +could well imagine the effect produced by all this mummery upon the +ignorant and highly superstitious pigmies, ridiculous as it might appear +to him.</p> + +<p>Finally Critch ran out of words, it seemed, for he stopped suddenly. The +firelight gleamed on hundreds of eyes behind his figure, and Burt +wondered vaguely what would happen if the waiting tribe should by any +chance see through their trickery. The thought made him collect all his +forces, and at this moment Critch stooped again. Picking up the mummy, +he touched it to the golden <i>ankh</i>.</p> + +<p>At the action a ripple of sound rose from the pigmies, followed by what +was almost a wail of fear as Critch straightened up, the mummy in his +arms, and began walking slowly toward the sacred hut. Burt knew it was +time to get inside, so he slipped in through the hole made by the lion, +the doorway being in view of the crowd. A moment later the form of +Critch darkened the entrance.</p> + +<p>"Fine work!" whispered Burt. He was answered by a sigh of relief.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Take Ta, will you? I'm all in." Critch sank weakly down, and with some +repugnance Burt caught the mummy. Placing it in the hole, he filled in +the earth, tramped it down, and sprinkled leaves and bones over the +place. "Say," went on his chum, "that may have sounded funny to you, but +it was something fierce!"</p> + +<p>"Never mind," murmured Burt. "You did it mighty fine, old man."</p> + +<p>"It was awful to think what'd happen if I made a slip," confessed +Critch. "Honest, Burt, I was so weak-kneed I could hardly walk over +here! How you coming?"</p> + +<p>"He's buried," responded Burt as he finished his task. "Do we go out +now?"</p> + +<p>"No use keeping them waitin'," said Critch. "I'm goin' to leave the +<i>ankh</i> and the mummy-case in here for good. Are you ready? Give me a +hand."</p> + +<p>Burt helped his chum to his feet. Critch stepped into the doorway, +holding Burt's hand. Then began a slow and solemn advance across the +firelit space before the hut. As the figures of the two boys came into +sight of the pigmies, an indescribable murmur of awe swept from the +crowd. Then came a prolonged groan of unutterable horror as Burt's face<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> +stood out more clearly, and Burt, whose gaze was fixed on Mbopo, saw the +pigmy chief go down in the dust, his extended hands trembling in the +firelight. A moment more and the boys stood beside the <i>ankh</i>.</p> + +<p>Releasing Burt's hand, Critch caught the loop of the symbol of Maat and +stood it on end. Then Burt placed his hand on it beside that of Critch. +At this a click, seemingly of joy, arose from the crowd. Mbopo looked +up, his face ashen gray, and wild amazement in his eyes.</p> + +<p>Critch now beckoned the two brothers forward, and at his repeated +gestures they trembling took up the <i>ankh</i> on the spear and awaited his +further commands.</p> + +<p>"Take one end o' the case," directed Critch. Burt obeyed, and the two +boys led the way back to the hut. No sooner had they deposited the +<i>ankh</i> than Burt chanced to touch one of the pigmies in the dark. The +man gave a terrific shriek and dashed through the doorway, followed by +his brother. For a moment a wild fear clutched Burt. What if the mob +imagined that they were hurting the two men? The boys hurried out, and +found<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> +the men prostrate beside Mbopo. Critch raised them up and Burt, +needing no instruction, smilingly touched each of the shrinking men in +turn. Finding that they suffered nothing, their fear gradually lessened, +and as Mbopo grasped the hand of Burt there was a look of joy in the +honest eyes of the young dwarf that told far more than any words could +have done.</p> + +<p>Then Critch led the way to the village. The crowd, still prostrate, +separated to let them through. Ten minutes later the boys lay side by +side on a heap of skins in a hut, too much overcome by the strain to +even speak. But as Burt fell asleep, he knew that they had won the +fight.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX<br /><br /> + +<small>THE RAFT</small></h2> + + +<p>When he wakened, it was hard for Burt to realize where he was. He stared +up at the thatched roof above him and gradually collected his thoughts. +A shiver swept over him as he recollected what had occurred the +preceding night. He sat up, and saw Critch still asleep beside him. It +appeared to be broad daylight outside, and he roused his chum at once. +Critch rolled over and sprang to his feet, then stood blinking around +with so puzzled an expression that Burt went into a shout of laughter.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" he gasped.</p> + +<p>"I was dreaming that old Ta was having a scrap with me," confessed his +chum sheepishly. "He threw the <i>ankh</i> at me and just then Pongo come +along and jumped him. Both of 'em rolled over on me and I woke up."</p> + +<p>"Say, was last night all a dream?" asked Burt, soberly, as he stared at +his chum. "Or did we really put it over—"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You bet we did!" cried Critch with a grin of recollection. "No dream +about that, old man. We've only been here two days, but we've done a +heap of things. Now we got to finish the lion. Then we can see about +getting off."</p> + +<p>"I'm not anxious to monkey with Pongo," stated Burt. "However, we might +send out Mbopo to trail him. I'll take him over to the hut if you'll get +some breakfast fixed up."</p> + +<p>"I'm on," exclaimed Critch. Upon leaving the hut, the two boys found +themselves objects of awed veneration from the pigmies. They met Mbopo, +and Burt took him out to the sacred hut. Here he described the fight +with Pongo in detail, not mentioning when it occurred and purposely +leaving the dwarf rather confused. There could be no such doubt about +the struggle itself, however, and Mbopo nodded understandingly.</p> + +<p>They then left the ivory zareba while Mbopo made a cast around the place +for the lion's trail. Burt accompanied him, and Mbopo soon uttered a +shout of excitement. Running to his side, Burt saw the beaten spot in +the tall grass where the lion must have alighted from his last leap over +the ivory zareba after having been wounded. There was a speck or two of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> +dried blood in evidence, and Mbopo found more blood farther on, as well +as a clearly defined trail. The excited pigmy was for following it up at +once, but Burt held him back. By dint of much patience he made Mbopo +understand that Critch, whom the pigmies called "Mwanzi," or "Red-head," +must accompany them, as well as some warriors. Burt had had one +experience with a wounded lion and he intended to take no chances this +time.</p> + +<p>The two returned to the village where Mbopo shouted forth his news, and +Burt was instantly the center of an excited mob. He pushed through them, +however, and found Critch with breakfast ready. Over the meal they +discussed the matter of the lion, and decided to start out at once.</p> + +<p>"Mebbe they'll go without waitin' for us," suggested Burt, glancing at +the chattering crowd of warriors around the young chief. Critch shook +his head.</p> + +<p>"Not much. They ain't got the nerve. They'll do whatever we tell 'em, +but they won't leave us out o' the game, take it from me."</p> + +<p>As soon as they had finished, the boys joined Mbopo. Their first object +was a search for weapons.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> +Critch suggested taking two of the spears, +whose blades were over a foot long and keen as a razor, but Burt +objected.</p> + +<p>"We don't know how to use them," he said. "Let's see; didn't Cap'n Mac +say something about trade-guns?"</p> + +<p>"Mebbe he did," assented Critch, "but I haven't seen any sign of guns +around here. Let's ask Mbopo."</p> + +<p>They tried to make the young chief understand, but without success. +Thereupon the boys took matters into their own hands, and began a search +among the largest huts. This was presently rewarded by the finding of an +old Snider, wrapped in tarpaulin. There were three cartridges in the +magazine, but no more. These were displayed to Mbopo, but he stated that +there were no more weapons of the kind in the village.</p> + +<p>"Well, she seems to be in pretty fair shape," remarked Burt, squinting +down the barrel of the rifle. "Get some palm oil, Critch. Three bullets +ought to do."</p> + +<p>"Don't catch me around when you fire that thing," sniffed his chum +disgustedly. "She's liable to bust. I'll bet she's twenty years old."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Better'n a spear at that," chuckled Burt, oiling the rifle until it +worked perfectly. "We ain't so badly off, Critch. There, I guess that'll +do. Ready?"</p> + +<p>Critch armed himself with one of the spears, and at the head of twenty +picked warriors they left the village. Mbopo led the way to the spoor +already found, and Critch at once ordered the pigmy warriors to follow +it up.</p> + +<p>"Let 'em take the chances," he grinned. "They ain't scared now I'm +along. If they find Pongo you can finish him with the gun—unless the +gun finishes you."</p> + +<p>"You're sore because you didn't find the gun yourself," retorted Burt. +"Come on, they're quite a ways ahead."</p> + +<p>The pigmies had started at once along the spoor of the lion, spreading +out on either side and calling to one another continually. The boys +followed more carefully with Mbopo. The spoor led them through the long +rank grass into the forest, and was easy for the boys to read.</p> + +<p>The lion had made only one leap after leaving the zareba. This had taken +him almost across the grassy space. Upon reaching the first thicket he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> +had crawled along and left a plain blood-marked trail for the hunters to +follow. A hundred yards farther on they heard a shrill yell from ahead, +and hurried on.</p> + +<p>Emerging from the thicket, they found the pigmies clustered about a +clump of thorn-bushes. These were almost impenetrable save by the trail +left by the lion. The pigmies reported to Mbopo, who turned to Critch.</p> + +<p>"Him Pongo in there," he stated, pointing to the bushes with a grin. +"Mwanzi kill? Vera good!"</p> + +<p>Critch hesitated. He glanced at the waiting pigmies, who evidently had +not the slightest intention of robbing him of the honor of going first.</p> + +<p>"Come on," he muttered to Burt. "We got to pull the bluff through right +here. Have your gun ready."</p> + +<p>Burt nodded. The two boys, their hearts beating fast, advanced to the +edge of the thicket. No sound came from the bushes, and Burt thrust the +first branches aside as he entered. The thorns made sad havoc with their +clothes, but the boys were too anxious to heed this. A moment later Burt +gave a startled exclamation. Critch came to his side, and the boys saw a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> +tawny shape lying ahead of them.</p> + +<p>"Is he dead?" whispered Critch.</p> + +<p>"Can't see him plain enough," responded Burt. "If he jumps and I don't +stop him, try to catch him on the spear."</p> + +<p>A few steps farther on and the lion came into full view. He was lying on +his side, stretched out, and something black hid his head. Burt levelled +the gun, but as he did so the black object resolved itself into a swarm +of flies, who buzzed up at the noise made by the boys.</p> + +<p>"Hurray!" shouted Burt, flinging down the gun, "he's dead!"</p> + +<p>"Look at the axe!" yelled his chum, pointing to the weapon that was +almost buried in the skull of the beast. "Golly, you must have hit like +fury! Hey, Mbopo!"</p> + +<p>The pigmies were not far behind the boys, and at the shout they came +dashing forward. A shrill yell went up as they saw the dead lion, then +all remained silent and motionless, gazing down at the form of the beast +which they had worshipped for so long. That he was blind could be easily +made out, for the white scar ran across his eyes, which were not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> +pleasant to see. Burt turned away with a shudder.</p> + +<p>"Leave Mbopo to skin him, Critch. I'm goin' back where it's cool."</p> + +<p>His chum nodded, directed Mbopo to skin the lion and followed Burt back +to the shade of the hut. There the two boys settled down for a talk.</p> + +<p>"We got nothing to worry over now," remarked Critch, "except the getting +away. How'll we keep the skin of Pongo?"</p> + +<p>"Let Mbopo do that," replied Burt. "They can fix it so it'll keep long +enough to get down the river with anyhow." He suddenly sat up. "Say, +building that raft is going to be some job! Let's have a look at the +river."</p> + +<p>"Come on," and Critch sprang to his feet. "If we do get off, Burt, let's +take a collection o' these pigmy weapons. Wouldn't they be swell in our +rooms at home?"</p> + +<p>"Right now I'd take the rooms without anything at all in 'em," grinned +Burt, who was fast recovering his spirits in the fresh morning air. A +few moments later they reached the village, which stood on the river +bank, and descended by a well-worn path to the edge of the stream.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span></p> + +<p>"There's some big trees growin' handy," announced Critch. "How'll we +make it?" Burt thought a moment.</p> + +<p>"Why," he replied slowly, "take four big logs an' lash 'em in a square. +Then put four on top o' them, with a platform. That ought to float +pretty high even with a good load. Guess we'll have to make two rafts, +though. We couldn't carry any men an' that ivory on one, 'less we made +it almighty big."</p> + +<p>"The river wouldn't stand for a very big one," suggested Critch. "Go an' +get a bunch o' the men, Burt. We might as well pitch in right now."</p> + +<p>Burt nodded and returned up the path, leaving Critch to inspect the +trees growing at the edge of the river. He returned with a score of men, +all of whom brought their little axes. They looked wonderingly at the +two boys.</p> + +<p>"Here's a good tree," declared Critch, pointing to one about two feet +through. "We'll take an axe an' show 'em how to do it."</p> + +<p>Shedding their upper garments, for the place was by no means cool, the +boys fell to work on the tree. The pigmies comprehended at once, and <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> +also went to work on three other trees picked out by the boys. The +latter, having started things satisfactorily, flung themselves down in +the shade and directed operations.</p> + +<p>When the first tree was about to fall, they showed the dwarfs how to +make it fall toward the stream, so that it lay half in the water. There +seemed to be no crocodiles in the river, the men splashing about without +fear. Then Burt took a spear and measured a straight section of the +trunk for three spear-lengths, or fifteen feet. While Critch saw that +this was lopped and cut rightly, Burt visited the other workers.</p> + +<p>All this, however, was not done in a few moments. The axes of the +pigmies were keen, but they were also very small. No sooner had the work +begun than the whole tribe came down from the village to look on with +wondering interest, and Mbopo shortly after arrived also.</p> + +<p>It was well into the afternoon before the four trees were down, and not +until noon of the next day were they cut into the proper lengths and +trimmed. Finally, however, the logs lay end to end in the shape of a +square, in the shallow water. Burt now explained to Mbopo that these +were to be fastened together. The young chief comprehended at once, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> +with strips of tough hides had the first part of the raft completed by +nightfall.</p> + +<p>The abundance of help lightened the work wonderfully, as the other +warriors learned the work. They went at it like children, laughing and +playing continually, until the two white boys wondered how they could +ever have stood in fear of these pranking dwarfs who were so full of fun +and laughter.</p> + +<p>At the end of five days the first raft was finished to the satisfaction +of the boys. Even when the platform was crowded with men it floated +clear of the water, and with an ordinary load the platform would be at +least a foot above the surface. The whole fabric was very strong, for +the platform itself was formed of saplings which were lashed carefully, +and no ordinary shock would break up the raft. A small bulwark was then +run around the edges.</p> + +<p>At the end of a week the second raft also lay completed, and now the +boys had to face the somewhat difficult task of explaining their purpose +to Mbopo. They took him over to the sacred hut, and Burt pointed to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> +ivory tusks, with gestures of uprooting them.</p> + +<p>"Take him to Buburika Mac," he explained over and over. "You go along. +Come back afterwards."</p> + +<p>Mbopo looked doubtful as he grasped the idea that the tusks were to be +loaded on the rafts. Finally, however, he nodded and the boys drew a +breath of relief. That they would be obeyed now they had no fear at all, +for the pigmies were their devoted slaves in every way, and stood in +evident awe of the two boys and especially of "Mwanzi."</p> + +<p>This belief was confirmed when Mbopo addressed the tribe in a great +council that night. The pigmies made not the slightest opposition, and +the boys could see by his gestures that he was describing their desires.</p> + +<p>"All right," murmured Burt as the two short guttural barks ascended from +the audience, "it's all over but the shouting, Critch. S'pose we can get +the stuff loaded up to-morrow?"</p> + +<p>"We ought to," replied his chum. "We'll have to see first. Those thorns +are tangled up with the tusks somethin' fierce."</p> + +<p>Next morning the entire tribe left the village and approached the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> +sacred hut of Pongo. Under the direction of Mbopo, who took matters into +his own hands now, the work of uprooting the ivory was begun. This was +difficult, but by evening the last of the great tusks lay in the pile by +the river edge. All that remained was to load them aboard the rafts. +This, however, would be no easy matter, for the tusks were heavy and the +balance of the rafts must be preserved.</p> + +<p>Critch took charge of the loading, while Burt attended to getting +provisions together for the journey. There was dried meat in abundance, +and plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits. The boys had a long +consultation over loading the ivory, for even with the protection of the +dwarfs a raftload of tusks would be too much of an inducement for the +tribes they were sure to meet.</p> + +<p>At length it was settled by making a layer of tusks, of which there were +thirty-nine in all, on the platforms. Fifteen of the tusks had been +discarded by the boys as worthless. Over the layer of ivory was placed +enough dirt to fill in the spaces and hold the tusks steady. A top layer +of skins completed the whole.</p> + +<p>The young chief made no objection to taking the journey on the rafts,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> +for the boys held out "Buburika Mac" at the end of the trip as a bribe, +and Mbopo could not resist. He selected six warriors for each raft; he +and Burt took charge of one and Critch of the other. Poles were cut for +the "deckhands," as Burt named the crews, and at length all was ready.</p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX<br /><br /> + +<small>DOWN THE MAKUA</small></h2> + + +<p>The start was made in the early dawn of a perfect day. The whole tribe +assembled to see the party off, and it was plain that the pigmies, while +not opposing the departure, did not like to lose "Mwanzi," for many +gifts were brought to the boys, with gestures of good will. In their +turn, Burt and Critch gave away all the small articles they possessed +except those which they would absolutely need. Their collection of +weapons was completed, and Burt carefully wrapped up the rifle with its +three precious cartridges in the tarpaulin. As the sequel proved, it was +well indeed for the boys that they had found the old rifle.</p> + +<p>Finally all was ready. The warriors took their places on board, standing +amid the piles of provisions and skins of water, for the boys dared not +drink the river water.</p> + +<p>"Cast off!" shouted Critch, throwing off the vine that bound his raft to +the bank. Burt followed suit. A roll of tom-toms and a loud shout rose +from the tribe, which was answered by a shout from the crews. Slowly the +poles sent the rafts out into mid-stream, where the current caught them +and swept them down. For half a mile they remained in sight of the +village, then a bend swept all away. The perilous voyage was begun.</p> + +<p>Burt's raft followed that of Critch at a distance of fifty feet. Neither +boy made any effort to increase the speed of the craft, confining their +efforts to keeping the rafts from turning around and around in the +current. Both floated well above the water, and the pigmies were highly +delighted with their novel situation.</p> + +<p>The river was of good size and to the joy of the two boys it continued +to flow steadily toward the northwest. They floated down between banks +of heavy vegetation, but saw no signs of life. That night they camped on +an island and the party seemed in high spirits.</p> + +<p>The next day they received their first sign of the hidden life that +filled the great jungles. There came a high shrill yell from one bank, +to which Mbopo replied, and the boys knew that once more they were among +the black dwarfs. This was repeated in the afternoon, but even by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> +aid of their glasses they could not make out who had hailed them.</p> + +<p>Only once did they meet with trouble. This occurred when Critch ran +aground on a hidden shoal. The solid raft ran deeply into the mud of the +river bottom and it took the efforts of both crews to get her off.</p> + +<p>For three days more they floated down the river, but on the third +evening both boys noticed signs of uneasiness among the pigmies. In the +morning, before the start, Mbopo approached Critch.</p> + +<p>"Where Buburika Mac?" he inquired, glancing around as if he expected to +find Captain Montenay in their vicinity. Critch glanced at Burt.</p> + +<p>"Him down there," and he waved his hand downstream. Mbopo looked +doubtfully around.</p> + +<p>"Mbopo no like vera good," was his reply. "Him Zwengi pretty quick."</p> + +<p>"Zwengi?" repeated Critch, puzzled.</p> + +<p>"Him vera bad," declared Mbopo. "Him big, much fight. Mbopo no like."</p> + +<p>"Must be a tribe they're at war with," said Burt. He took up the rifle +and turned to the chief. "Him kill Zwengi."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Mwanzi kill Zwengi?" asked Mbopo of Critch, plainly putting all his +faith in the latter's prowess. Critch laughed and nodded. Mbopo turned +and spoke joyfully to his men, who instantly lost their uneasy +appearance and sprang aboard with a shout of delight.</p> + +<p>"It's up to you," grinned Burt, and Critch nodded soberly.</p> + +<p>"Plain bluff again," he said. "If we are held up, those bows o' the +dwarfs ought to get in good work, an' your three cartridges'll help a +whole lot unless the Zwengi have guns. If they have, it's all up, I +guess."</p> + +<p>"The Makua can't be so very far off now," replied Burt. "The river's +getting bigger and bigger, and the current's swifter. S'pose we could +rig up any kind of breastwork on the rafts?"</p> + +<p>"Better not waste time trying," dissented Critch. "I'm afraid of making +them top-heavy. Well, let's be off. We ought to hit the Makua pretty +quick now. If we don't meet Cap'n Mac I expect Mbopo'll be sore. That's +what's worrying me right now."</p> + +<p>It was worrying Burt too, but he jumped aboard his raft and cast loose +without giving vent to his fears. He realized only too well that the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> +Zwengi might have canoes, and if they were discovered and pursued their +only hope was to beat off the enemy.</p> + +<p>For several hours they swept along the rapidly widening river without +any sign of a foe. Toward noon the stream swept around in a great bend, +and as Burt stared ahead he caught a wild shout from Critch.</p> + +<p>"There she is!" and the red-haired boy danced around and waved his arms +back at the other raft. "The Makua, Burt!"</p> + +<p>Sweeping around with the current, Burt saw ahead of them two or three +scattered islands. Beyond these was the sheen of water, and he could +plainly see that their river formed a juncture with another and much +larger stream. As he was staring down the river there came a sudden yell +from his men.</p> + +<p>"Zwengi!"</p> + +<p>Whirling around, Burt saw them pointing to the right bank. At the same +instant a yell of alarm went up from Critch's raft. It was answered by +another shout from the right bank, and Burt saw three long canoes +putting out, with a crowd of savage warriors pouring into others. He saw<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> +instantly that they had only one chance.</p> + +<p>"Make for the island!" he shouted to Critch. "Land and hold them off!"</p> + +<p>Critch waved his hand, and both boys set the men to work frantically, +trying to guide the unwieldy craft toward an island that rose straight +ahead of them. Burt unwrapped the rifle, but did not wish to use it +until he had to.</p> + +<p>With a dozen paddlers in each, the big war canoes shot out across the +river to head off the first raft. Now, the bows used by the white +pigmies were larger than those of any other tribe the boys had seen. +They were fully as long as the men themselves and of great strength. +Burt saw Critch say something to Mbopo and take the pole from one of his +men. Instantly he followed suit, directing the man he relieved to shoot +at two of the following canoes which were heading toward them. As he did +so a flight of arrows came over the water, all but one falling short, +the one rebounding from the wet logs without sticking.</p> + +<p>As Burt's man caught up his bow, the boy saw Mbopo and another warrior +loose their shafts from the first raft. The arrows, driven by the full<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> +force of those tremendous bows, easily reached to the canoes. The bowman +in the first canoe gave a yell and dropped his paddle; as he did so, the +man behind him threw up his arms and fell back, overturning the canoe. +At this instant Burt's man shot, and although his arrow missed, the +pursuing canoes instantly ceased their approach and sheered off, +paddling down ahead of the rafts.</p> + +<p>Their plan was evident. By reaching the islands ahead of the two rafts, +which were still two hundred yards away, they could command the passages +that led into the Makua. Realizing the danger as he saw one of the +canoes turn and head for the island in front of them, Burt took up his +rifle. He did not wish to shoot to kill and therefore took careful aim +at the bow of the canoe, ahead of the bowman and just at the waterline. +As the canoes were hollowed-out logs, a bullet there would shatter the +whole bow.</p> + +<p>Trusting to luck that the old rifle would hold together, Burt pulled the +trigger. The sharp crack awoke a thousand echoes from the forest on +either hand. At the same instant the bow of the canoe seemed to fly into +splinters, a shrill yell of fear went up from the foe, and as the canoe +filled, the others instantly turned back but still continued downstream.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> +A moment later Critch's raft swept down toward the island, four of the +pigmies sprang out, and drew her safely to shore.</p> + +<p>The other islands, however, were well within range of the Zwengi bows +and to them the canoes dashed. Mbopo's men sent one whirling downstream +by a flight of arrows that completely cleared the craft, but the others +gained the shelter of the islands just as Burt's raft was landed beside +that of Critch. Then the dwarfs made fast and sprang out.</p> + +<p>"We're in for it," cried Critch, pointing upstream. "Look there!"</p> + +<p>Pulling out his glasses, Burt saw at least a dozen other canoes slinking +down close to the banks. Catching up his rifle, he aimed full at the bow +of the first. It was a long shot, but as the echoes rose the boys saw +the paddlers spring overboard, and the canoe filled and sank a moment +later.</p> + +<p>"Dandy shot," shouted Critch, "but they got us, Burt! Mebbe we can hold +'em off while our arrows last, but—"</p> + +<p>At that instant something happened that caused the boys to whirl and +stare at each other with pale<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> +faces. Clear and sharp above the yells of +the warriors, and coming from the left bank, the south bank, they had +heard the report of a heavy rifle!</p> + +<p>"Hear that!" yelled Burt. "There's a hunter there!"</p> + +<p>"Hurray!" shouted his chum, turning and hitting Mbopo a clap on the back +that sent the dwarf staggering. "Mwanzi'll fix them, old scout. Hurray! +Try another shot, Burt!"</p> + +<p>And as a flight of Zwengi arrows poured into the island, Burt fired +again, this time in the air. As if in answer there came another shot +from the left bank, and a yell went up from the dwarfs as one of their +foes on the neighboring island threw up his arms and fell back. A shriek +of terror went up from the Zwengi, while the pigmy arrows played havoc +among them as they fled back to their canoes. Next instant a canoe put +out from the south bank.</p> + +<p>"Look there!" shouted Burt, peering through his glasses. "White helmets! +We're saved, Critch!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," and Critch began to dance up and down, waving his arms like mad, +"an' it's your uncle and Cap'n Mac! Hurray! Hurray!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span></p> + +<p>A week later a small German Company steamer was making her way down the +broad Makua River. In the shade of her awning reclined Mr. Wallace, +Captain Montenay, Burt and Critch. John was busying himself forward, and +the decks of the little craft were littered with long, curved packages +that looked strangely like elephant tusks.</p> + +<p>"Well, it was mighty lucky for us that you started after us that way," +Burt was saying. "If you'd tried to strike right through the black dwarf +country we'd have missed you. Ain't it queer how things worked out?"</p> + +<p>"Not a bit," asserted Captain Mac quietly. "It looks to me, Burt, as if +the hand o' Providence was in it."</p> + +<p>The boys stared at the Scotchman for a moment in wonder. Suddenly Burt +sprang to his feet.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I forgot!" he cried. "I ain't showed you that roll yet!" Dashing +off to the cabin, he returned with the tightly rolled packet he had +taken from the mummy as he and Critch had unwrapped it. Mr. Wallace took +it with an exclamation of pleasure.</p> + +<p>"This is really something worth having, boys!" he declared, carefully<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> +unfolding the papyrus. "Hello! Let's see what it says."</p> + +<p>In spite of its age, the first part that unrolled showed clear and +strong picture writing, in bright colors. The others gave a simultaneous +exclamation, while Mr. Wallace bent his brows in the endeavor to read +it.</p> + +<p>"Well, it's nothing special," he announced, "merely being scenes from +the life of Ta-En-User, with the story of his achievements. I think we'd +better roll it up and keep it from the damp now; we can read it later. +It'll make something great for your room, Burt! It's mighty few boys +that can boast of having a relic like that hanging on their walls!"</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm kind o' sorry we're going home," sighed Critch. "Won't this +be a great yarn to write up for the school paper, eh, Burt?"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" said Mr. Wallace sharply. "It's too big a story for that, +Critch. Why don't you two chaps get busy and make a book out of it? I'll +help you in the stiff places."</p> + +<p>"Hurray!" cried Burt.</p> + +<p>"Bully!" uttered Critch, delighted. "That's just what we'll do, Mr.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> +Wallace! Say, won't it make a great yarn?"</p> + +<p>"An' if you do," put in Captain Mac with a quiet grin, "be sure an' send +me a copy o' the thing, laddies! I'd like powerful well to see my name +in a story book!"</p> + +<p>"You bet we will!" said Burt, and Critch grinned happily.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span></p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Blind Lion of the Congo, by Elliott Whitney + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLIND LION OF THE CONGO *** + +***** This file should be named 32508-h.htm or 32508-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/2/5/0/32508/ + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, David K. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> + + + diff --git a/32508-h/images/cover.jpg b/32508-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..ab880f3 --- /dev/null +++ b/32508-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/32508-h/images/frontis.jpg b/32508-h/images/frontis.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..fd31d3b --- /dev/null +++ b/32508-h/images/frontis.jpg diff --git a/32508.txt b/32508.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9fb0467 --- /dev/null +++ b/32508.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6032 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The Blind Lion of the Congo, 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 Blind Lion of the Congo + +Author: Elliott Whitney + +Illustrator: Dan Sayre Groesbeck + +Release Date: May 24, 2010 [EBook #32508] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLIND LION OF THE CONGO *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, David K. Park, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +[Illustration: Without the least trace of excitement in his voice Mr. +Wallace had whipped out his revolver and covered the other. "Keep your +hands on the table, Montenay!"] + + + + + THE BLIND LION OF THE CONGO + + BY + ELLIOTT WHITNEY + + Illustrated by Dan Sayre Groesbeck + + The Reilly & Lee Co. + Chicago + + COPYRIGHT, 1912 + + by + + THE REILLY & BRITTON CO. + + + THE BLIND LION OF THE CONGO + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + + I AN AMAZING PROPOSAL 9 + + II CRITCHFIELD IS INTERVIEWED 21 + + III THE DECISION 34 + + IV OUTFITTING 46 + + V THE CONGO 58 + + VI THE MARK 71 + + VII CRITCH'S RHINO 84 + + VIII CAPTAIN MAC SUSPECTED 97 + + IX THE WHITE PIGMIES 110 + + X THE SACRED ANKH 125 + + XI MVITA SAVES BURT'S LIFE 137 + + XII MONTENAY RETURNS 150 + + XIII IN THE PIGMY VILLAGE 163 + + XIV THE SACRED LION 176 + + XV THE IVORY ZAREBA 189 + + XVI BURT LEFT ALONE 202 + + XVII THE DIARY 214 + + XVIII BURT COMES TO LIFE 228 + + XIX THE RAFT 241 + + XX DOWN THE MAKUA 255 + + + + +The Blind Lion of the Congo + + + + +CHAPTER I + +AN AMAZING PROPOSAL + + +"What's on for to-night, Burt?" + +Mr. St. John, a large automobile manufacturer of New Britain, +Connecticut, looked across the dinner table at his son Burton. The +latter was a boy of seventeen. Although he was sturdy for his age, his +features were pale and denoted hard study. As his father and mother +watched him there was just a hint of anxiety in their faces. + +"Lots," replied the boy. "Got a frat meeting on at seven. Then I've got +to finish my last paper for the history prof." + +"Can't you let the paper go?" asked his mother. "You've been working +pretty hard, Burt!" + +"Yes," added Mr. St. John heartily. "Forget the work, son. You've done +enough papers lately for a dozen boys." + +"Not much!" answered Burt earnestly. "I'm goin' to grab that Yale +scholarship. There's only a week till school's out now." + +At that moment a maid appeared at the dining room door. + +"Mr. St. John, there's a man called, sir. He didn't give me any name +and--" + +She was interrupted by a tall, fur-overcoated form that brushed her +aside. The visitor's hawk-like face broke instantly into an eager smile. + +"Hello, good people!" cried the man, as Mr. St. John sprang to his feet. +"Forgotten me, Tom?" + +"George!" + +"Wallace!" + +"Uncle George!" + +The three members of the family broke into three simultaneous cries of +surprise. The next instant Mrs. St. John was in the arms of the tall +man, who supported her with one hand and with the other greeted her. + +"Hello, Burt! How's your grip?" he cried as he released the couple and +seized the hand of their son. + +"Ouch!" yelled the boy, his grin changing to an expression of pain. "I +ain't no wooden man!" + +"Where on earth did you come from?" exclaimed Mr. St. John, taking his +brother-in-law's big coat and handing it to the astonished maid. "We +haven't heard from you for a year!" + +"Give me something to eat, Tom, and I'll talk later." As the hawk-faced +man sat down, Burt gazed at him admiringly. George William Wallace, his +uncle, was the boy's greatest hero. Famous under the name of "George +William" for his books on little-traveled countries, he was known widely +at every end of the world. He had crossed the Turkestan deserts, helped +to survey the Cape to Cairo railway, led armies in China and South +America, and explored the recesses of the Sahara. In his brief intervals +of relaxation he lived with the St. Johns, having no home of his own. + +As he gazed, Burt half wished that his own face was not so square and +angular and more like that of his uncle. Mr. Wallace was thin but of +very large frame. His close-cropped hair revealed a high forehead, +beneath which shone two intensely black eyes. A long, curving nose gave +his face its hawk-like effect, and thin lips and strong chin completed +the likeness to some great bird of prey. + +"What are you doing with that fur overcoat in June, George?" asked Mrs. +St. John with smile. + +"Keeping warm!" shot back the explorer as he pushed away his plate. +"This beastly rain goes to the bone, Etta. I landed only yesterday and +got the first train up here after leaving my cases at the Explorers' +Club." + +"Come on with the yarn, uncle!" exclaimed Burt eagerly. "Where've you +been this time?" + +Mr. Wallace lit one of his brother-in-law's cigars with huge enjoyment +and led the way to the library without answering. When all four were +comfortably ensconced about the big table he started in. + +"Let's see. I wrote you from Naples last time, wasn't it?" The others +nodded. "That was just before the war. I got a chance to go to the front +as special correspondent, and snapped it up. I hung around for a while +at Tripoli, then took a trip to the Turkish camp. There I got into a +scrap with a Turk officer and had to run for it. There was no place to +run except into the desert, so it took me quite a while to make +civilization again." + +"Good Heavens!" exclaimed Burt's father. "I suppose you circled around +and made Algiers?" + +"Tried to, but a bunch of Gharian slave dealers pulled me into the +mountains. I spent two months in the chain gang; then they sold me +south. There was no help for it. Instead of escaping to French territory +I sneaked off with a racing camel and ended up at the Gold Coast two +months ago." + +"What!" Mr. St. John leaped up in amazement. "Do you mean to say you +crossed the whole Sahara a second time, from north to south?" + +"That's what," declared Mr. Wallace. Burt stared at him wide-eyed. +"Found some of my old friends and they helped me along. How are you +fixed, Tom? Can you put me up all right, Etta?" + +"Your old room hasn't been touched," smiled Mrs. St. John as she glanced +at her husband. The latter nodded. + +"All fine and dandy, old man. Oh, I'm getting along pretty well. We've +got some new buildings over at the works. Turning out some great little +old cars too. Say, how long are you going to stay?" + +"That depends." Mr. Wallace smiled whimsically. "I have a book that I +want to finish this time. But I also have a notion that I want to do +some ivory hunting in the Congo. If the pull doesn't get too strong I +may stay a month or two." + +"Hurray!" chipped in Burt, enthusiastically. "Come along to the frat +meeting and tell us about the war last year! We got a 'nitiation on an' +you can boss it!" + +"No thanks!" laughed his uncle heartily. "When I want to do any +lecturing I'll let you know, Burt. By gracious, Tom, the boy looks like +a ghost! Been sick?" + +"No," replied Mr. St. John gravely. "I'm afraid he's overworked. He's +been trying for a scholarship at Yale that the high school offers, and +the strain has been a little too much." + +"Hm! Won't do, Burt," declared Mr. Wallace. "Books are all right but no +use running 'em into the ground. Play baseball?" + +"Sure!" replied Burt. "Not this spring though. Been too busy. Besides, +I've been helpin' Critch with some stuff." + +"Critch?" repeated his uncle, puzzled. "Who's Critch?" + +"Howard Critchfield," replied Mr. St. John. "His father is my head +draftsman and Burt and Howard are great chums. Howard has a room down at +the shops where he works afternoons and putters around at taxidermy." + +Burt glanced at his watch and rose hastily. It was past seven and he had +forgotten the time. + +"See you later, uncle!" he said as he went to the door. What a tale he +would have for the other boys! Despite his uncle's refusal to come with +him Burt knew that once he got "the crowd" up to the house Mr. Wallace +would provide a most delightful evening. + +The next day the explorer's trunks arrived and he got settled in his old +quarters. These were filled with hunting trophies, guns and foreign +costumes from every quarter of the world. For two days Burt did not see +his uncle except at meals, but on Friday evening Mr. Wallace announced +that he would like to take a look at the works the next day. Burt +promptly volunteered his services, which were accepted. + +"You don't look right to me, Burt!" stated Mr. Wallace as they walked +down the street after breakfast. "If we were down on the West Coast now +I would say you were in for a good dose of fever." + +"Did you ever have it?" asked Burt. He did not relish such close +interest in his health, which seemed good enough to him. He also had +vivid memories of a vile-tasting remedy which his uncle had proposed for +a cold, years before. + +"A dozen times," came the reply. "A chap gets it in high and low +countries alike in Africa. So you've been helping young Critchfield, +eh?" + +"A little, sir. We haven't much chance of course but we've got some +birds and rabbits and an old weasel we shot. It's heaps of fun." + +"Hm!" Mr. Wallace cast a sharp glance at Burt but the boy did not +observe it. They were nearing the factories now and presently Burt +turned into a large fence-enclosed ground where the works stood. + +They did not visit the old shops, which Mr. Wallace had seen before, but +went through the new assembling rooms and display building. The explorer +was much interested in all that he saw and proved to have no slight +knowledge of mechanics himself. Mr. St. John saw them from his private +office and came out. By his orders they were treated to the unusual +sight of a complete machine lying on the floor in pieces and inside of +five minutes ready to run. + +"Say!" cried the explorer in admiration. "Civilization certainly can +produce wonders, Tom! I suppose that some day there'll be a shop like +this in the heart of Africa! But let's have a squint at this chum of +yours, Burt. I'd like to size him up a bit." + +They left the new buildings and went to one of the older ones where +Howard had been given a small room. Without stopping to knock, Burt +threw open the door and ushered in his uncle proudly. + +As he did so his look of confident pride vanished. Before him stood +Critch, his freckled face streaked with dust and blood, his long apron +spotted and stained and on the table before him two rabbits +half-skinned. + +"Gosh! You look like a murderer!" exclaimed Burt in dismay. "Uncle +George, this is Critch. He ain't always in this shape though." + +"Sorry I can't shake hands, Mr. Wallace!" said the red-haired boy. To +his surprise the explorer laughed and stuck out his hand. + +"Nonsense, lad! Shake!" + +Critch dropped his knife, wiped his hand hastily on his apron and +gripped that of the explorer heartily. "Frank Gates brought in those +tame rabbits of his that died," he explained. "I told him it wasn't +worth while stuffing them this weather, but he had the coin to pay for +'em and pretty near got sore about it, so I took on the job. I'm awful +glad to meet you, sir! I've heard a heap about you, and Burt's lent me +all your books." + +"Go right ahead," insisted Mr. Wallace. "I'd like to see how you do it. +Many's the skin I've had to put up in a hurry if I wanted it, but I'd +sooner tramp a hundred miles than handle the beastly things!" + +Critch picked up his knife and Mr. Wallace glanced around the little +room. On the walls stood shelves of books and stuffed birds and animals. +Bottles of liquids stood in the corners, and over the door was a stuffed +horned owl mounted on a tree branch. + +"That looks good!" commented the explorer approvingly. "That owl's a +mighty good piece of work, boys!" He turned to Howard. "There you have +him--nice and clean! You know how to handle a knife, I see. Ever hear +how we tackle the big skins?" + +"No," replied Critch with interest. "Tell us about it, Mr. Wallace, if +you don't mind! I've read a little, but nothing definite." + +"With soft-skinned animals like deer we usually do just what you're +doing with those rabbits--simply make incisions, slit 'em from neck to +tail and peel off the skins. By the way, what do you use for +preservative?" + +"Get it ready-mixed," replied Critch and pointed to the bottles. "It's +odorless, takes the grease out o' the skin, and don't cost much. Guess +I'll use arsenic on these, though. They need something pretty strong." + +"I see," went on Mr. Wallace. "Well, with thick skins like elephant or +rhino, it's a different matter. I never fixed an elephant skin myself +but I've seen other fellows do it. They take it off in sections, rub it +well with salt and let it dry after the fat's gone. Then a dozen blacks +get around each section with their paring knives and get busy." + +"Paring knives!" cried Burt. "What for?" + +"Pare down the skin," smiled Mr. Wallace. "Thick skins are too heavy to +carry and too thick to be pliable, so the skinners often spend a week +paring down a skin till it's portable. Then it's rubbed with salt again +or else packed in brine and shipped down to the coast or back wherever +your agents are, who get it preserved right for you." + +They talked for half an hour while the rabbits were being finished. Then +Burt and his uncle left the building, and finding that Mr. St. John had +already gone to lunch, started home themselves. + +"Say, Burt," said Mr. Wallace as they walked down the street, "how'd you +like to come to Africa with me next month?" + + + + +CHAPTER II + +MR. CRITCHFIELD IS INTERVIEWED + + +"What! Me?" Burt stopped short and stared at his uncle. Mr. Wallace +chuckled and lifted one eyebrow. + +"Of course, if you don't want to go--" he began. + +"Want to!" shouted Burt, careless of the passers-by who were looking at +them curiously. "You can bet your life I want to! I'd give a million +dollars to go with you!" His face dropped suddenly. "What's the use, +Uncle George? You know's well as I do, the folks ain't going to stand +for anything like that. Why, dad'd have a fit if he thought I was in +Africa. What's the use of dreaming?" + +"Here--trot along!" His uncle seized his arm and drew him on toward +home. "I guess you're right about that, Burt. Anyhow, you keep mum and +let me do the talking. Mind, now, don't you butt in anywhere along the +line. I'm dead in earnest, young man. Maybe we'll be able to do +something if you lie low and let me handle it. Understand?" + +"I understand," replied Burt a trifle more hopefully. "Gee! If I could +only go! Could I shoot real lions and elephants, uncle?" + +"Dozens of 'em!" laughed Mr. Wallace cheerfully. "Where I want to go +there are no game laws to hinder. You'd have a tough time for a while, +though. It's not like a camping trip up the Maine coast." + +"Oh, shucks!" replied the boy eagerly. "Why, there ain't a boy in the +world that wouldn't be crazy to hike with you. They've _got_ to let me +go!" + +Although nearly bursting with his secret Burt said nothing of it until +he returned to the shops that afternoon and joined Critch. Then he was +unable to hold in and he poured out the story to his chum. Critch +listened in incredulous amazement, which changed to cheerful envy when +he found Burt was not joking. + +"Why, you dog-goned old bookworm!" he exclaimed when Burt finished. The +red-headed boy was genuinely delighted over his chum's good luck. "Think +of you out there shootin' your head off, while I'm plugging away here +at home! Think your folks'll kick?" + +"Of course they will," groaned Burt gloomily. "Ever know a feller to +want any fun, without his folks kicking like sin? They like Uncle George +a heap, but when it comes to takin' the darlin' boy where he can have a +reg'lar circus, it's no go. Darn it, I wish I was grown-up and didn't +have any boss!" + +"It'll be a blamed shame if they don't let you go, old sport!" agreed +Critch with a smile. "But you haven't asked 'em yet. Mebbe they'll come +around all right." + +"Huh!" grunted Burt sarcastically. "Mebbe I'll find a million dollars in +my clothes to-morrow morning! Say--" + +"Well? Spit her out!" laughed Critch as Burt paused suddenly. + +"S'pose I could work you in on the game!" cried Burt enthusiastically. +"That'd help a lot if the folks knew you were going, too, and if your +dad would fall for it we might take you as some kind of assistant! I +tell you--I'll take you as my personal servant, my valet! How'd that +strike you, just for a bluff?" + +"Strike me fine," responded Critch vigorously. "I'd be willin' to work +my way--" + +"Oh, shucks! I didn't mean that. I mean to get your expenses paid that +way, see? After we got going--" + +"Come out of it!" interrupted Critch. "You talk as if you was really +going. Where do you reckon my dad comes in? S'pose he'll stand for any +game like that? Not on your life! Dad's figgering on pulling me into the +office when school's out." + +Burt left for home greatly sobered by the practical common sense of his +chum. He was quickly enthusiastic over any project and was apt to be +carried away by it, while Critch was just the opposite. None the less, +Burt was determined that if it was possible for him to go, his chum +should go too. + +After dinner that evening while the family was sitting in the library, +Mr. Wallace cautiously introduced the subject to Burt's parents. Burt +was upstairs in his own room. + +"Etta, isn't that boy of yours getting mighty peaked?" + +"I'm afraid so," sighed Mrs. St. John anxiously. "But we can't make him +give up that scholarship. I'll be glad when school is over next week." + +"I guess we'll pack him off with Howard," put in Mr. St. John. "I'll +send 'em up the Kennebec on a canoe trip." + +"Nonsense!" snorted the explorer. "What the boy needs is something +different. Complete change--ocean air--make him forget all about his +books for six months!" + +"There's a good deal in that, Tom," agreed his sister thoughtfully. +"Perhaps if I took him abroad for a month or two--" + +"Stop right there!" interrupted the explorer. "Take him abroad, indeed! +Tie him to your apron strings and lead him to bang-up hotels? Dress him +up every day, stuff him on high-class grub? Nonsense! If you want him to +go abroad, for goodness sake give him a flannel shirt and a letter of +credit, and let him go. Don't baby him! Give him a chance to develop his +own resources. Guess you didn't have any indulgent papa, Tom! All the +boy wants is a chance. Why won't you let him have it?" + +"Don't be a fool, George!" cautioned his sister, smiling at the +outburst. "You know perfectly well that I don't want my boy running +wild. He's all we have, and we intend to take care of him. And I warn +you right here not to put any of your notions into his head. It's bad +enough to have one famous man in the family!" + +The explorer laughed and winked at Mr. St. John, who was enjoying the +discussion from the shelter of his cigar smoke. At this, however, he +came to the aid of his brother-in-law. + +"Yes, George is perfectly right, Etta. Burt needs to shift for himself a +bit, and I think the Kennebec trip will be just the thing for him if we +give him a free hand and let him suit himself. I don't want to send him +off to foreign countries all alone." + +"Look here, Tom." Mr. Wallace leaned forward and spoke very earnestly. +"That kind of a vacation isn't worth much to a good, healthy boy. He +wants something he has earned, not something that's shoved at him. Make +Burt earn some money while he's having a good time. He'll enjoy it twice +as much. Make him pay his own expenses somewhere; do something that will +repay him, or get busy on some outdoor stunt that will give him +something new and interesting to absorb him. Think it over!" + +The conversation ended there for the night. Mr. Wallace was satisfied +that he had sown good seed, however, and went up to Burt's room with a +smile. + +"Hello, uncle!" cried the boy, giving up his chair and flinging himself +down on the bed. "Say anything to the folks yet?" + +"A little. We'll have to go slow, remember! Now just what do you know +about putting up skins and taking them from their rightful owners?" + +"Me? Not a whole lot. Let's see. I helped Critch skin an' mount Chuck +Evan's bulldog, some birds, a weasel--" + +"Hold on!" laughed Mr. Wallace. "That's not what I mean. Know anything +about horned animals?" + +"No," admitted Burt. "I've read up 'bout 'em though. So's Critch." + +"Suppose you had a deer's horns to take off. How'd you do it?" + +"Take his skin off by cuttin' straight down the breast to the tail," +replied Burt promptly. "Make cross-cuts down the inside o' each leg an' +turn him inside out. For the horns you make a cut between 'em, then back +down the neck a little." + +"Wouldn't you take his skull?" questioned Mr. Wallace. + +"Sure! I forgot that. You'd have to cut between the lids and eye-sockets +down to the lips an' cut these from the bone. For the skull, cut her off +and boil her." + +"Pretty good!" commented his uncle. "I guess you've got the knowledge +all right. How'd you do in Africa about the skin?" + +"Nothing," grinned Burt. "'Cording to your books you just salt 'em well +and ship 'em to the coast." + +"All right!" laughed his uncle. "Get those rabbits done up?" + +"You bet!" Burt made a wry face. "We rubbed them with arsenic. That's +about the only stuff that'll hold them in this weather. We make money +though--or Critch does. We've done lots of birds for a dollar each, and +we got five for Chuck's bulldog." + +"I wish you'd take me over to your friend's home to-morrow night if +you've nothing special on," replied Mr. Wallace. "I'd like to have a +little chat with him. Are his parents living?" + +"His father is, but not his mother. They only live about three blocks +down the line. We'll go over after supper." + +"Well, I'll go back and write another chapter before going to bed." Mr. +Wallace rose and departed. He left Burt wondering. Why did his uncle +want to see Critch? + +He wondered more than ever the next evening. When they arrived at the +small frame house in which Howard and his father lived, Mr. Wallace +chatted with the boys for a little and then turned to Mr. Critchfield, a +kindly, shrewd-eyed man of forty-five. + +"Mr. Critchfield, suppose we send the boys off for a while? I'd like to +have a little talk with you if you don't mind." + +"All right, uncle," laughed Burt. "We'll skin out. Come on up to the +house, Critch." + +When they got outside, the red-haired boy's curiosity got the better of +him and he asked Burt what his uncle wanted with his father. + +"Search me," answered Burt thoughtfully. "He put me through the third +degree yesterday about skinning deer. Next time he gives me a chance +I'll ask him about taking you along." + +"What!" exclaimed Howard. "Have your folks come around?" + +"I don't know. I'm leaving it all to Uncle George. Believe me, they've +got to come around or I'll--I'll run away!" + +"Yes, I've got a picture o' you running away!" grinned Critch. "Mebbe +dad'll tell me what's up when I get home." + +But Critch was not enlightened that night nor for many nights +thereafter. This was the last week of school and Burt was too busy with +his examinations to waste much time speculating on the African trip. +Howard was also pretty well occupied, although not trying for any +scholarship, and for the rest of the week both boys gave all their +attention to school. On Friday evening Burt arrived home jubilantly. + +"Done!" he shouted, bursting in on his mother and uncle. "Got it!" + +"What, the scholarship? How do you know?" asked his mother in surprise. + +"Prof. Garwood tipped me off. Won't get the reg'lar announcement till +commencement exercises next week but he says I needn't worry! Hurray! +One more year and then Yale for mine!" + +"Good boy!" cried Mr. Wallace. "Guess you've plugged for it though. +Burt, I'll have that book finished next week. If she goes through all +right I'll be off by the end of the month for Africa." He winked +meaningly. "Guess I'll take you along." + +"What!" exclaimed Mrs. St. John in amazement. "Take him along? Why, +George William Wallace, what do you mean?" + +"What on earth d'you suppose I mean?" chuckled her brother. "Why +shouldn't Burt take his vacation with me if he wants to? Don't you think +I am competent to take care of him?" + +Burt was quivering with eagerness and his mother hesitated as she caught +the anxious light in his eyes. He stood waiting in silence, however. + +"George," replied his mother at last, "are you serious about this? Do +you really mean--" + +"Of course I do!" laughed the explorer confidently. "If I know anything +about it, Burt'd come back twice as much a man as he is now. Besides we +ought to pull out ahead of the game, because I'm going after ivory." + +"Wait till Tom comes home," declared Burt's mother with decision. "We'll +talk it over at dinner. You'll have a hard task to convince me that +there's any sense in such a scheme, George!" + +As her brother was quite aware of that fact he forbore to press the +subject just then. A little later Mr. St. John came home from the works +and at the dinner table his wife brought up the subject herself. + +"Tom, this foolish brother of mine wants to take Burton away to Africa +with him next month! Did you ever hear of anything so silly?" + +"Don't know about that," replied Mr. St. John, to his son's intense +surprise. "It depends on what part of Africa, Etta. You must remember +that the world's not so small as it used to be. You can jump on a boat +in New York and go to Africa or China or Russia and never have to bother +your head about a thing. What's the proposition, George?" + +"I've been thinking that it would do Burt a lot of good to go with me to +the Congo," answered the explorer. "The sea voyage would set him up in +fine shape, and we would keep out of the low lands, you know." + +"The Congo!" cried his sister in dismay. "Why, that's where they torture +people! Do you--" + +"Nonsense!" interrupted Mr. Wallace impatiently. "The Congo is just as +civilized as parts of our own country. We can take a steamer at the +mouth and travel for thousands of miles by it. I have one recruit from +New Britain already, and I'd like to have Burt if you'll spare him." + +"Why, who's going from here?" asked Mr. St. John in surprise. + +"Young Critchfield," came the reply. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE DECISION + + +"Critch!" shouted Burt, unable to restrain his amazement. His parents +looked equally incredulous and Mr. Wallace explained with a smile. + +"Yes, Howard Critchfield. You see, I'd like to bring back some skins and +things but I detest the beastly work of getting them off and putting +them in shape. So when I found that Critch was no slouch at taxidermy +and only needed the chance, it occurred to me to take him along. I saw +his father about it and proposed to pay all his expenses and a small +salary. Mr. Critchfield came around after a little. He saw that it would +be a splendid education for the boy--would give him a knowledge of the +world and would develop him amazingly." + +"Why didn't Critch tell me about it?" cried Burt indignantly. + +"He didn't know!" laughed his uncle. "His father and I agreed that we'd +let him get safely through school without having other things to think +of. Now look at the thing sensibly, you folks. We wouldn't be away +longer than six months at most. Burt would be in far more danger in his +canoe on the Kennebec than in a big steamer on the Congo." + +"But after you leave the steamer? You can't shoot ivory from the boat, I +presume," protested Mr. St. John. + +"And what about snakes and savage tribes?" put in his wife. + +"My dear Etta," replied the explorer patiently, "we will be near few +savage tribes. I might almost say that there are none. As for snakes, +I've seen only three deadly ones in all the years I've spent in Africa. +After we leave the steamer, Tom, we'll get out of the jungles into the +highlands. Burt stands just as much chance of getting killed here as +there. An auto might run over him any day, a mad dog might bite him or a +chimney might fall on him!" + +For all his anxiety Burt joined heartily in the laugh that went up at +his uncle's concluding words. The laughter cleared the somewhat tense +situation, and the discussion was carried into the library. Burt saw, +much to his relief, that his father was not absolutely opposed to the +trip, although his mother seemed anxious enough. + +"Now give us your proposition, George," said his father as they settled +down around the table. "What's your definite idea about it?" + +"Good! Now we're getting down to cases!" cried the explorer with a smile +at his sister. "Burt, get us that large atlas over there." Burt had the +atlas on the table in an instant. "Let's see--Africa--here we are. Get +around here, folks!" As he spoke Mr. Wallace pulled out a pencil and +pointed to the mouth of the Congo River. + +"Here's the mouth of the Congo, you see. Here we step aboard one of the +State steamers. These are about like the steamers plying between New +York and Boston. Following the Congo up and around for twelve hundred +miles, roughly speaking, we come to the Aruwimi river. Up this--and here +we are at Yambuya, the head of navigation on the Aruwimi. From here +we'll go on up by boat or launch for three or four hundred miles +farther, then strike off after elephants." + +"But how do you get down there in the first place?" asked Mr. St. John, +who seemed keenly interested. + +"Any way you want to!" returned the explorer. "There are lines running +to Banana Point or Boma, the capital, from Antwerp, Lisbon, Bordeaux, +Hamburg, or from England. We'll probably go from England though." + +"My gracious!" said Burt's mother. "I had no idea that the Congo was so +near civilization as all that! Are there real launches away up there in +the heart of Africa?" + +"Launches? Automobiles, probably!" laughed her husband. + +"Of course," agreed Mr. Wallace. "There are motor trucks in service at +several points. We could even take the trip by railroad if we wished, +and we'll telegraph you direct when we reach there!" + +"Well that's news to me!" declared Mr. St. John. "I thought that Central +Africa was a blank wilderness filled with gorillas and savages. Seems to +me I remember something about game laws in Roosevelt's book. How about +that?" + +"There are stringent laws in Uganda and British East Africa," replied +Mr. Wallace. "But I intend to depend on trade more than on shooting for +my ivory. Now look at this Makua river that runs west, up north of the +Aruwimi. I'm not going to take any chances on being held up at Boma +after getting out. There are several trading companies who'd be tickled +to death to let me bring out a bunch of ivory and then rob me of it at +the last minute. So we're going right up to the Makua and down that +river to the French Congo. I've got a mighty strong pull with the French +people ever since they made me a Commander of the Legion of Honor for my +Sahara explorations." + +"I see." Burt's father gazed at the map reflectively then looked up with +a sudden smile. "You say 'we' as if it was all settled, George!" + +"Oh, I was talking about young Critchfield and myself," laughed the +explorer. "Come now, Etta, doesn't it sound a whole lot more reasonable +than it did at first?" + +"Yes," admitted his sister. "I must say it does. Especially if it is all +so civilized as you say." + +"Now look here." Mr. Wallace bent over the map again and traced down the +Congo to Stanley Falls. "A railroad runs from here over to the Great +Lakes, at Mahagi on the Albert Nyanza. The Great Lakes are all connected +and have steamer lines on them, so that you can get on a train or boat +at the west coast and travel right through to the east coast just like +going from New York to Duluth. Get me?" + +"Why," exclaimed Burt, "I thought you had to have porters and all that? +Can you just hop on a train and shoot?" + +"Not exactly," laughed his uncle. "When we leave the Aruwimi we'll +probably take a hundred bearers with us." + +"Well, it's not a question that we can decide on the spur of the +moment," announced Mrs. St. John. "We'll talk it over, George. If +conditions are as you say, perhaps--" + +"Hurray!" burst out her son excitedly. "You've got to give in, dad! +Mother's on our side!" And Burt darted off to find his chum. + +"The fact that you've won over Mr. Critchfield counts a good deal," +smiled Mr. St. John as the door slammed. "He's a solid, level-headed +chap and, besides, I really think it might do Burt good." + +Burt found his chum in a state of high excitement. Critch's father had +just told him about Mr. Wallace's proposal and his own qualified +consent. + +"I'll have to think it over some more," he had said. "It's too big to +rush into blindly. As it stands, however, I see no reason why you +shouldn't go and make a little money, besides getting the trip." + +Burt and Critch got an atlas and went over the route that Mr. Wallace +had traced. When Burt reported all that his uncle had said about +civilization in the Congo, Critch heaved a deep sigh. + +"Seems 'most too good to be true," he said. "To think of us away over +there! I don't see where your uncle's going to clear up much coin, +though. It must cost like smoke." + +"So does ivory," grinned Burt. He was in high spirits now that there +actually seemed to be some hope of his taking the trip. "He ain't +worried about the money. Say, I'm mighty glad I've been learning French! +It'll come in handy down there." + +"You won't have any pleasure tour," put in Mr. Critchfield quietly. "Mr. +Wallace means business. He told me he meant to leave the whole matter +of skins and heads to you two chaps." + +"Wonder what he wants them for?" speculated Burt. "Mebbe he's going to +start a museum." + +"Hardly," laughed Mr. Critchfield. "He said he wanted to give them to +some Explorers' Club in New York. That means they'll have to be well +done, Howard. I want you to be a credit to him if he takes you on this +trip." + +"I will." Howard nodded with confident air. "Just let me get a chance! +How's the scholarship? Hear anything yet?" + +"Got her cinched," replied Burt happily. "Well, guess I'll get back. See +you to-morrow!" + +For the next week the question of the African trip was left undecided. +When Burt had received his definite announcement of the scholarship, +dependent on his next year's work, Mr. Wallace urged that the matter be +brought to a decision one way or the other. On the following Saturday +evening Mr. Critchfield and Howard arrived at the St. John residence and +the "Board of Directors went into executive session," as the explorer +laughingly said. + +"There's one thing to be considered," announced Mr. Critchfield. "That's +the length of your absence. Next year is Howard's last year in high +school and I wouldn't like his course to be smashed up." Mr. St. John +nodded approval and all looked at Mr. Wallace expectantly. + +"I anticipated that," he replied quietly. "I saw Mr. Garwood, the +superintendent of schools, yesterday. I told him just what we wanted to +do and asked him about Burt's scholarship. School will not begin till +the twentieth of September. He said if you boys were back by November +and could make up a reasonable amount of work he'd make an exception in +your cases owing to your good records. I'm fairly confident that we'll +be back by November." + +"I don't see how," interposed Mr. St. John. "I've been reading up on +Stanley's journeys in that country and--" + +"Hold on!" laughed Mr. Wallace. "Please remember, Tom, that Stanley made +his trips in the eighties--nearly thirty-five years ago. Where it took +him months to penetrate we can go in hours and days. This is the end of +June. By the first of August we'll be steaming up the Congo. I don't +think it'll take us two months to cross from the Aruwimi to the Makua +and reach French territories. In any case, I intend to return direct +from Loango, a port in the French Congo. We'll come down the river under +the French flag in a French steamer, turn the corner to Loango and +there'll be a steamer there waiting to bring us and our stuff direct to +New York. I'm almost sure we'll be back by November." + +"Even if we aren't," put in Howard, "it'll only throw us out half a +semester." + +"Supposing they do miss connections, Critchfield," said Mr. St. John, "I +wouldn't worry. It is a great thing for the boys and perhaps an extra +six months in school won't do any harm. However, figure on getting +back." + +"I guess it's up to you, Etta!" laughed Mr. Wallace. "What do you say? +Yes or no?" + +As Burt said afterward, "I came so near havin' heart failure for a +minute that I could see the funeral procession." Mrs. St. John +hesitated, her head on her hand. Then looking up, her eye met Burt's and +she smiled. + +"Yes--" + +"Hurray!" Critch joined Burt in a shout of delight, while the latter +gave his mother a stout hug of gratitude. + +"I don't know what we'll do here without you," she continued when freed. +"When will you start, George?" + +"Since we have to be back by November," replied the explorer, "we'll +leave here Monday morning and catch the _Carmania_ from New York +Tuesday. I'll wire to-night for accommodations." + +"Monday!" cried Mr. St. John in amazement. "Why, there'll be no time to +get the boys outfits or pack their trunks, or--" + +"We don't want outfits or trunks, eh, Burt?" smiled Mr. Wallace. "The +comfort of traveling, Tom, is to be able to take a suit case and light +out for anywhere on earth in an hour. That's what we'll do. Wear a +decent suit of clothes, boys, and take a few changes of linen. We'll +reach Liverpool Friday night and London on Saturday. We'll get the +outfits there, and if we hustle we can pick up one of the African +Steamship Company's steamers Tuesday or Wednesday." + +"But your book?" asked Mrs. St. John. "Is that finished?" + +"Bother the book!" ejaculated her brother impatiently. "I'll write the +last chapter to-night and if the publishers don't like it they can +change it around to suit themselves. I'm going to Africa and I'm going +to leave New York Tuesday morning rain or shine!" + +"That's the way to talk!" shouted Burt, wildly excited. "Good for you, +mother! I'll bring you back a lion skin for your den, dad!" + +Had Burt been able to foresee just what lion skin he would bring back +and what he would pass through before he got it he might not have been +so enthusiastic over the prospect of his African trip. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +OUTFITTING + + +The trip was begun very much as Mr. Wallace had outlined. The news +spread rapidly that Burt and Howard were going to Africa, and when the +two boys arrived at the station early Monday morning a good-sized crowd +of friends was present to see them off. + +"Take good care of yourself," cautioned Mrs. St. John as she kissed her +son good-bye. "Don't be afraid to telegraph us!" + +The train pulled out with a last cheer from the frat fellows, and Burt +and Howard realized that they were actually off. They arrived in New +York at noon and Mr. Wallace took them direct to the Explorers' Club for +luncheon. + +Here they first began to feel in touch with the outside world. The club +was an institution composed of explorers, hunters and wanderers in +foreign lands. Its walls were decorated with game heads, arms and armor +of many savage tribes, while in glass cases were hung odd costumes and +headgear and unique relics and curios. At the dining-room tables the +boys saw bronzed and bearded men who nodded to Mr. Wallace like old +friends or spoke to him in strange tongues. + +"You fellows wait for me in the library," said the explorer as they +finished luncheon. "I guess you'll find plenty to amuse you there. We'll +stop here for to-night. I'm going down to send off some cables now and +get part of our outfit ordered ahead. When I come back we'll go out and +see the town a little." + +"Did you get rooms on the steamer?" asked Critch. + +"Wired last night. The answer will be down here at the office but +there's not much doubt about getting them. See you in the library." + +The boys made themselves at home in the library and in half an hour Mr. +Wallace returned with the stateroom slips. Then they took a taxi and +made a few purchases for the voyage. As there was nothing to be obtained +except some clean linen and a steamer rug each, they spent most of the +afternoon "seeing" New York City. + +The evening spent at the club was a wonderful one to the boys. On +talking it over later they found that they had only a confused memory +of meeting several famous men and of hearing some surprising stories. + +"Critch!" whispered Burt as they lay in bed. "'Member that thin fellow +with the scar on his chin? S'pose his yarn was true!" + +"What? About being tortured by New Guinea cannibals?" returned his chum. +"Prob'ly. That sure was a whopper though that the man with the black +beard told! The one that'd been in China, I mean." + +"Said he had photos of the Forbidden City, didn't he?" asked Burt. "Gee! +That story of his about the joss with the emerald eyes and the ropes of +pearls--" + +So it went until long past midnight when the boys finally fell asleep. +They were up early and after breakfast took a taxi again and went on +board the _Carmania_, which was to sail at ten. + +The voyage was uneventful to Mr. Wallace but proved of tremendous +novelty to the boys. By the time they reached Liverpool Burt felt like +new. His color was returning fast and the sea air had filled out his +lungs once more and put him into prime condition. The question of their +outfit was what puzzled the boys most until they put it up to Mr. +Wallace. + +"Oh, we'll get all that in London," he explained. "I cabled ahead so +that most of it will be ready. You see, boys, these outfitters put up +boxes of food in regular amounts for each day. All I have to do is to +tell 'em how long we'll be gone and how many of us there are. They pack +a box--chop-boxes, they're called--holding enough for so many days. +According to custom the blacks only expect to carry sixty pounds, so +these boxes are made up at that weight. All are of tin, hermetically +sealed. Some firms use colored bands to distinguish the boxes but ours +numbers each box and furnishes us with lists of what they contain." + +"Some system, isn't it!" exclaimed Critch admiringly. "Do we have to +carry everything with us? Must be an awful freight bill!" + +"Can't go to Africa for nothing," laughed Mr. Wallace. "Yes, we'll get +most of that stuff here. We could get it at Boma but I'd sooner depend +on the English firm." + +"Wish we could stay longer in London," sighed Burt. "I hate to rush off +without seeing anything of the city." + +"Well, our boat leaves Tuesday afternoon and this is Friday," replied +his uncle. "Our chop-boxes are already on board, I suppose. Our +trunks--tin-lined by the way--will probably go down Monday night if we +get our stuff Saturday. I'd like to spend a week in London myself but if +we're to be back home by November we haven't much time to waste." + +The Liverpool customs did not delay them long as they had only a suit +case each, and they took the night express for London. The boys were +much surprised and not a little dismayed when they entered the English +compartment cars, so different from the coaches they were used to. They +soon found that it was much nicer to travel by themselves, however, as +Mr. Wallace interviewed the guard and provided against intrusion. In the +morning they awoke to find themselves in London. + +Mr. Wallace took them to the famous Carleton House for breakfast, now +entirely rebuilt after its fire of the year before. When they had +finished, all three went to the writing room. + +"Take out your pencils now," said the explorer, "and get busy. I know +just about what I want to take and a list ready-made will save a lot of +time in the shops. Ready?" + +The two boys were not only ready but anxious. The lists that they wrote +out were identical. Here is that of their personal effects and clothes +as Burt made it out. + + Four suits underwear, Indian gauze. + + Two ditto, woolen. + + Two heavy gabardine shooting suits. + + Two flannel shirts, khaki cartridge pockets. + + Two pair high boots. One pair of soft leather. + + Extra thick leggings, two pairs. + + Camelshair poncho blanket, convertible. + + Kid-lined gloves, two pairs. + + Sleeping bag, waterproof. + + Wool socks and pajamas. + + Two khaki helmets. + + Mosquito net for head and body. + + Cholera belt, flannel. + + Zeiss field glasses. + + Large colored silk handkerchiefs, six. + + Compass. Toilet articles. + +"There," exclaimed Mr. Wallace as he ran over Burt's list, "that looks +pretty good to me. You won't need the wool underwear unless you get +prickly heat. The leggings are the most important. If you get scratched +up by spear-grass and thorns and then step into some swamp-pool it's all +off. You'd get craw-craw sure." + +"What's that?" asked Critch. "Sounds like crow!" + +"It's a skin disease," replied Mr. Wallace. "Something frightful, too. +The poncho will serve for blanket and raincoat, but this is the dry +season. Must have the mosquito net, though. When we get up the Aruwimi +we'll find little bees about as big as gnats but a whole lot worse, and +it'll need thick nets to keep 'em out. New for the armament." + +Burt's "armory" consisted of the following weapons: + + Double-barreled Holland .450 cordite rifle, for close quarters. + + Winchester .405 rifle for general use. + + Twenty-gauge Parker shotgun. + + Eight-inch skinning knife. + +"Ain't we going to take revolvers?" asked Burt disappointedly as his +uncle finished. + +"No," replied the latter. "They're of no use whatever. I'll take mine +from force of habit but you chaps will never need one. Oh, the +ammunition! Put down a hundred solid and a hundred soft-nosed cartridges +for the Hollands; for the Winchesters two hundred of each, and six boxes +of shells. That'll be enough to last us double the time." + +"How 'bout a camera?" asked Critch anxiously. "Will we be able to tote +one along?" + +"Surest thing you know!" replied Mr. Wallace. "We'll take one of those +new moving-picture machines. They're no larger than a camera and you can +take motion pictures or straight shots on the reel." + +"Gee! That'll be great!" cried Burt delightedly. "But won't the heat +spoil the reels? An' don't they cost like fury?" + +"The reels will be hermetically sealed before and after using," +explained his uncle. "Needn't worry 'bout them. The whole outfit only +costs twelve or thirteen pounds--say sixty dollars. It's well worth it, +too. Now for the tents. We're going to travel light as possible, so put +down two double-roofed ridge tents twelve by ten, with ground-sheets. +Three cots without mattresses. You'll have to do without them or +pillows--they're a beastly nuisance to pack along. Canvas bath each and +condensing outfit to supply fresh water." + +"Why's that, uncle?" asked Burt in surprise. "Lots of fresh water, ain't +there?" + +"Lots," smiled his uncle, "and lots o' guinea worms, fever germs, +poisons and other things in it. Better add a four-quart canteen, glass +stoppers, to your personal list. Can't take any cork or the roaches'll +eat it. Two blankets for each person, and six towels. I guess that's all +we need put down now, boys." + +"Hold on there!" cried practical Critch abruptly. "How 'bout eatin' +utensils and fryin' pans, medicine, can openers and all them things?" + +"All arranged for," laughed Mr. Wallace. "The cooking part of it will be +up to John Quincy Adams Washington." + +"John--who?" stammered Burt. "Say it again, please!" + +For answer Mr. Wallace pressed a button and a footman appeared. + +"Send the manager here at once, please." The man bowed and withdrew and +while the boys were still staring at the explorer in wonder a dapper +little man appeared bowing. + +"Mr. Wallace? Glad to see you looking so well, sir! What can I do for +you?" + +"I want that fellow Washington," smiled the explorer. "Can you let me +have him for say three months? I'm going down to Africa and he'll have +to go along." + +"Certainly! I'll send him right up, sir." The manager vanished with +another bow and Mr. Wallace turned to the boys. + +"Washington--or John rather--is a Liberia boy I picked up five years +ago. He's the best cook on earth! He's been in China and South America +with me and whenever I don't need him he has a steady job as fifth chef +here. Ah, here he is!" + +An immense black man appeared, wearing a grin that almost hid his face, +as Burt expressed it. He stepped up and caught the explorer's hand, not +shaking it but pressing it to his forehead as he spoke. + +"Glad to see you, sar! What for you want John now?" + +"Africa, John. This is my nephew, Mr. St. John, and my friend, Mr. +Critchfield, who will go along. We leave for the Congo Tuesday." + +"Pleased to meet you, sar!" The grinning black pressed the hands of Burt +and Howard to his forehead in turn. "What boat we leave, sar?" + +"The _Benguela_. African Steamship Company docks." + +"Hit's Liverpool boat, sar! What time hit leave London docks?" + +"Three o'clock, John. Here's a hundred pounds." Mr. Wallace peeled off +five twenty-pound bank notes and handed them to the negro; "that ought +to buy your outfit, eh?" + +"By hall means, sar! Thank you. Hi'll 'ave most helegant brass pots, +sar!" + +"Good gracious!" exclaimed Burt as the cook withdrew. "You hand out bank +notes as if you're made o' money! S'pose the coon'll ever show up with +all that wad on him?" + +"Show up?" repeated Mr. Wallace. "Why, I'd turn over my bill book to him +and never count it when he gave it back! He's a blamed sight more honest +than most white men you'll meet down there. And nerve! He carried me +five miles on his back once, in northern China, stopping occasionally +to fight off a bunch of bandits. That's the kind of man John is." + +"Funny accent he's got," said Critch. "I thought all coons talked like +they do down south." + +"You'll get over that pretty quick!" laughed the explorer heartily. +"John can use West Coast, cockney, Spanish and half a dozen other +accents accordin' to whom he's been mixing up with latest. When we +strike the Congo he'll probably fall into French. Well, let's trot along +to Piccadilly and get measured. It's gettin' on toward noon." + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE CONGO + + +The boys were now due to receive another surprise. When their taxi drew +up they jumped out, fully expecting to see a wonderful store like those +of New York. Instead they found themselves before a dingy little shop +whose aspect gave them distinct disappointment. + +"No," laughed Mr. Wallace as he dismissed the taxi, "it's all right! +Doesn't look up to much but it sends out good stuff." + +This was the gunshop and they found it very different inside. Mr. +Wallace had no time to waste in having special guns made, so the clerks +measured the boys' shoulders and arms and that was all there was to it, +for the guns would be slightly altered and sent on board. + +Now the party went to the Boma Trading Company's store. Here they found +that the chop-boxes had all gone on board their ship. Mr. Wallace +ordered three Borroughs and Wellcome medicine cases, specially made up +for the West Coast. He also procured two hypodermic syringes and a +small quantity of Pasteur serums. + +"We'll probably never need them," he explained, as they left the store, +"but in case our men strike a snake a quick hypodermic is the only thing +to save them. Then we have poisoned arrows to consider also. If we +happened to get into the pigmy country--which I hope we won't--it'll +take a powerful anti-tetanic serum to kill their poisons." + +After a lunch they returned to the Boma Company. The lists which Mr. +Wallace had given the clerks had been filled and now each of them was +measured for the clothes and personal equipment. This consumed an hour, +after which they took another taxi and went to a camera supply house. + +The boys went into extravagant delight over the small and compact +moving-picture outfit. Burt promptly took charge of this, or rather +promised to take charge, for when the whole outfit had been sealed up it +would be sent down to the steamer like the other supplies. + +"Tell you what," he cried, "we'll get some great little old pictures! +You let an elephant chase you, Uncle George, while I get a good view +and Critch shoots him!" + +"Don't want much, do you?" laughed his uncle. "Nothing like that for +mine. I'd sooner have an elephant after me, at that, than a big buffalo. +That's the most dangerous animal we'll find in Africa." + +"How 'bout rhinoceros?" challenged Critch. + +"All poppycock," snorted the explorer. "A rhino can't see ten feet away. +He goes by smell. He'll usually run away unless he's wounded. But a +buffalo doesn't wait to be wounded. You rouse him up out of a +comfortable feeding place and he'll go for you. Takes more than one +bullet to kill him unless you're lucky." + +The boys now stocked up with fresh linen for the voyage while Mr. +Wallace looked up his own guns, which he usually stored in London. They +stopped at the Carleton over Sunday and Monday. As Burt's father had +sales offices in London they secured a large touring car without cost +and spent the two days riding about the historic city. There were +various minor details of their outfits to be attended to on Monday and +on Tuesday noon they went aboard the _Benguela_, when she arrived from +Liverpool. + +She proved to be a large cargo and passenger boat and was very +comfortably fitted up. They had seen nothing of John Quincy Adams +Washington but Mr. Wallace smilingly assured them that he would show up +in time. Sure enough, when they went up the gangplank the big negro was +waiting with his all-embracing grin. + +"Good mornin', sar, good mornin'!" he cried, taking charge of their hand +baggage and assuming a lordly attitude over the stewards. "Very +hauspicious day, sar! John t'ink we 'ave very fine trip, sar!" + +And a fine trip they had. There were a dozen other passengers on board. +Most of these were clerks or traders going out to positions at Sierra +Leone or the Gold Coast, with one or two Frenchmen and officials of the +Congo State. When they crossed the Equator there were the usual +ceremonies and horseplay among the sailors, and the boys thoroughly +enjoyed themselves. By the time they left the Gold Coast behind and +headed for Banana Point Burt felt better than he had ever been in his +life and his uncle assured him that he need not worry about the fever. + +Finally the long reddish cliffs and grassy up-lands of the Congo coast +drew into sight late on the fifteenth afternoon. The _Benguela_ took a +black pilot aboard and proceeded straight up to the port of Banana. Mr. +Wallace and the boys at once disembarked and interviewed the customs +officials and took a launch up to the capital, Boma. The steamer would +follow them after discharging some cargo. + +The next morning Mr. Wallace put on his ribbon of Commander of the +Legion of Honor. The boys were amazed at the respect which this gained +for all of them when they sought an audience with the governor general. +After explaining to him the object of their trip and the length of time +they would be gone, Mr. Wallace arranged to have all the necessary +papers made out and to charter one of the State steamers to take their +outfit up the river. + +"I can give you only a small one," said the governor general. +"Unfortunately, there are few at my disposal just now. Stay! You might +arrange with Captain Montenay. He chartered _La Belgique_ two days +since for a similar trip, but surely he'll have plenty of room to +spare." + +"Montenay?" repeated Mr. Wallace. "Isn't he the Scotch explorer?" + +"Yes!" smiled the governor. "Come to think of it I believe he is at the +palace now." Clapping his hands, he dispatched a gendarme. "If you can +arrange matters with him I will see that your baggage is passed directly +to _La Belgique_ through the customs. You have no liquor, I presume?" + +"Half a dozen pint flasks of brandy," replied the explorer and the +governor nodded. It is one of the strictest laws of the Congo that no +liquors shall be brought into the country, save in small personal +amounts. A moment later the gendarme returned with a small, khaki-clad +man. He was very sallow of complexion, had dark hair and eyes, and +carried his left arm awkwardly. When the governor introduced him to the +three Americans his thin face lit up with a quick smile and he gripped +Mr. Wallace's hand impulsively. + +"So you're Wallace!" he cried, looking deep into the other's eyes. "Man, +I've been wantin' to meet ye for ten years! I ran across your trail in +China and got within fifty miles o' ye when the Cape to Cairo was +surveyin'. Man, I'm pleased to meet ye!" + +"I'm mighty glad to meet you, too," smiled Mr. Wallace. "I've heard a +lot about you, Montenay!" + +Mr. Wallace then introduced the boys and suggested that they have a talk +in another room of the palace. Thanking the governor for his assistance +and kindness they followed the gendarme to another room. + +"Now, Captain," said Mr. Wallace, "we're going up the Aruwimi after +ivory. We can't get a large boat here and the Governor suggested that +you could take us up on the _Belgique_." + +"O' course I can!" exclaimed the small but famous Scotchman. "An' that's +precisely where I'm bound for too. How'd ye guess it?" + +"Good!" cried Mr. Wallace. "When do you start up?" + +"I was meanin' to go in the mornin'," answered the other, rubbing his +stubbly chin reflectively. "We'll get your stuff out o' the _Benguela_ +to-morrow or ma name ain't McAllister Montenay!" + +"We'll split expenses on the _Belgique_, of course," declared the +American. "It's mighty good of--" + +"None o' that now, none o' that," interrupted Captain Montenay hastily. +"Why, man, I'd give a hundred pound for the benefeet o' your company up +the stream! Ivory, you say?" + +"Partly." Mr. Wallace answered the keen questioning look with a nod. +"I'm going up past the Avatiko country to the Makua and down the river +under the French flag. I've chartered a tramp to be waiting at Loanga by +November. Get the idea?" + +"Aye!" Montenay threw back his head in a noiseless laugh. "Man, ye're no +fool! I brought down ten tusks two year gone. When I got down to Stanley +Pool the Afrique Concessions jumped me an' laid claim to the lot. The +rank thieves! They had witnesses to swear that I got the ivory in their +land an' before I knew where I was they fined me twenty pound--_an'_ the +ivory! By cripes, they won't monkey twice with McAllister Montenay +though! Well, let's be movin'. It'll be vera tiresome gettin' these +blacks to work." + +As they passed a water cooler on their way out the captain paused. The +boys saw him take a bottle from his pocket and pour out a palmful of +white powder into a cigarette paper. This he rolled up and threw into +his mouth, tossing a glass of water after it. + +"Quinine," he explained, although he called it "queeneen." + +"Pretty big dose, wasn't it?" asked Mr. Wallace. + +"'Bout fifty grain," replied the other calmly, to the intense +astonishment of the boys. "Fever gets me bad down here on the coast. By +cripes, ye're a lucky beggar!" he continued as they came in sight of +John standing guard over their valises. "That's your man Washington? +I've heard o' him. They say he's a magneeficent cook." + +"Better than that," laughed Mr. Wallace. "He'll take charge of your +blacks and get real work out of 'em. Do you mean what you said about +going up the Aruwimi?" + +"Aye." Montenay nodded. "We'll talk that over later. Ye'll be wantin' +yer mosquito nets, so better bring the stuff down to the _Belgique_. +We'll sleep on board her to-night." + +As they had stayed at the hotel the night before, the boys had not been +troubled much by the insects. They were much more worried by the +quantities of quinine that Mr. Wallace insisted on their taking. When +Burt had protested at taking ten grains all at once his uncle had +laughed. + +"Nonsense! I'm running this trip! Why, it's nothing unusual for men to +take seventy and eighty grains out here. So put it down and shut up or +I'll send you back home!" + +They found the _Belgique_ to be a small but comfortable little steamer +manned by a crew of a dozen blacks and a Swiss pilot. The _Benguela_ +came up the river that afternoon and the smaller steamer was placed +alongside her. By special arrangement with the customs people the boxes +belonging to Mr. Wallace were slung right out to the deck of _La +Belgique_. Here John was in charge of the blacks and under his +heavy-handed rule the cases were rapidly stowed away. + +Mr. Wallace and the boys got out all their personal equipment at once. +The heat was intense and the boys naturally suffered from it greatly at +first, although the two older men did not seem to mind it in the least. +By the next afternoon their loading was completed and the _Belgique_ +headed upstream without further delay. + +Their five days' trip got the boys inured to the heat somewhat. They +never tired of watching the tropical forest on either bank of the river +and the strange craft that plied around them. Although there were many +other steamers and State launches as well as trading companies' boats, +there was no lack of dugouts and big thirty-foot canoes laden with +merchandise from the trading posts. The two explorers lay back in their +canvas chairs and recounted their experiences in strange lands, while +the boys listened eagerly as they watched their new surroundings. + +The water-maker, as John called it, was installed the first day out. The +boys found their cook to be all that Mr. Wallace had stated and more, +while Captain Montenay was so delighted that he laughingly offered John +exorbitant wages to desert the American, but in vain. The _Belgique_ +made stops for wood only and after four days they arrived at the +mile-wide mouth of the Aruwimi River. + +On the fifth day they arrived at Yambuya, just below the great cataracts +which stopped further navigation. Here the two experienced explorers +unloaded the chop-boxes, tents and other supplies and proceeded to make +arrangements for hiring bearers. This was accomplished through the local +chief with the aid of the government representative, who was an Italian. +Indeed, the boys found that not only were Belgians and French employed +all through the country, but men of every nationality, from "remittance +men" of England to Swiss and Cubans. + +After a two days' delay at Yambuya the caravan was formed. It consisted +of one hundred Bantu porters under the directions of a head-chief who +spoke French fairly well, as do many of the natives. Besides the porters +there were tent boys, skinners, gun-bearers and cooks to the number of +thirty. Captain Montenay spoke Bantu to some extent and all the orders +were given by him direct while the river trip was continued. + +The expedition started from the other side of the cataracts in five +immense dugout canoes paddled by the porters. For the white men had been +provided a small antiquated launch with which the canoes were easily +able to keep up. + +"Well," said Mr. Wallace as they puffed away from the shore, "the real +trip's begun, boys! We'll arrive at Makupa to-morrow and then up to the +Makua!" + +"Makupa?" exclaimed Captain Montenay. "Why, that's only a hundred and +fifty miles up! Well, we can talk it over later. John, fill a canvas +tub. I feel the need o' havin' a bath." + +And Captain McAllister Montenay's bath was the first indication that the +boys received of the Blind Lion. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE MARK OF PONGO + + +The folding tubs they all used were more like little canvas rooms, open +at the top. The crew of their launch consisted of two Bantus. One of +these helped John fill the tub by the simple method of standing on a +chair and pouring water on the head of the occupant of the tiny chamber +after his clothes had been thrown out. + +The boys were watching the proceedings and intended to follow the +captain's example. As he finished he told the Bantu boy to hand him his +clothes and stretched out an arm through the slit in the canvas walls. +As it happened, this opening faced the boys. + +The Bantu held up the bundle of clothes. As Captain Montenay took them +the boys saw the black recoil suddenly and sink to his knees with a low +groan, his face gray. Burt immediately leaped to his feet and caught the +Bantu but the latter thrust him away and staggered back to the engine. +Here he sank on a locker and buried his face in his knees. + +"Well I'll be jiggered!" exclaimed Burt half angrily. "What's the matter +with him?" He was about to call his uncle who was up under the forward +awning when Critch caught his arm. + +"Shut up!" the red-haired boy whispered excitedly. "Come over here." +When they reached the rail he turned on Burt. "Didn't you see it, you +chump? What's the matter with you, anyway?" + +"Me?" gasped Burt, bewildered by this sudden attack. "Say--" + +"Thought you saw it sure," interrupted his chum hurriedly. "Didn't you +see Cap'n Mac's arm?" + +"No," returned Burt shortly. "Like any other arm, ain't it? I was +lookin' at the sick nigger." + +"Sick nothin'," retorted Critch. "Cap'n Mac's got a shoulder on him +enough to scare a cat! When he shoved the canvas back I could see it all +twisted up an' dead white, with a big red scar on the corner o' the +shoulder. That nigger wasn't sick--he was scared!" + +"Scared!" Burt stared at Critch and then turned to look at the Bantu boy +crouched on the locker. "Golly! Mebbe he is! Say, what was the scar +like?" + +"Looked to me like a cross but I didn't see it well. Come on, we'll ask +the coon. He talks French some." + +They stopped beside the Bantu. The second black was sitting in the bow +at the wheel and had noticed nothing. Critch took the black by the +shoulder and gave him a shake, while Burt addressed him in French. + +"Wake up, boy! What scared you?" + +The Bantu gave one terrified shudder and his eyes were rolling wildly as +his head came up "Pongo! L'embleme de Pon--" he began with a frightened +gasp and then stopped. His face resumed its normally blank expression +and he glanced around quickly. + +"What's Pongo?" questioned Burt. "What do you mean by the sign of +Pongo?" + +"No savvy, m'sieu, no savvy." The Bantu shook his head and absolutely +refused to say another word in spite of threats and commands. + +"Come on," said Critch disgustedly. "He's wise to something but he +won't let on. There's Cap'n Mac. Shut up." + +They rejoined the captain and Mr. Wallace in the bow. Evidently the +Scotchman had neither seen nor heard anything unusual, for he at once +plunged into discussing plans with Mr. Wallace. + +"Look here," he said finally. "I can't give up that cook o' yours, +Wallace! Ye've got a good Scots name too. S'pose we make one party?" + +"One party!" exclaimed Mr. Wallace. "I thought you were going more to +the east?" + +"Aye, but I ain't over parteec'lar. Mind, I'm no sayin' I'll go clear to +the Makua wi' ye, but I may." + +"Here's John with the dinner," said Mr. Wallace. "We'll talk it over +while we eat. Looks mighty good to me, Montenay! I'd like you to go with +us if you will." + +"Hello, what's this stuff?" cried Burt as he leaned over his bowl and +sniffed suspiciously. John stood by with a triumphant grin. + +"Smells good," commented Critch. Captain Mac, as they had come to call +him, winked at Mr. Wallace. + +"It's vera good for fever," he said solemnly. "They make it out o' +chopped snakes an' nigger bones." + +The boys looked up in dismay but were reassured by Mr. Wallace's smile +and John's ever present grin. Burt put the question to the latter. + +"Palm-oil chop, sar! Chicken chop-chop, palm-oil, peppers, hother t'ings +halso, sar. Hit be good." + +The boys cautiously sampled the concoction and found it to be new but +not unpleasant. Before they had been in the country another week they +were vociferously demanding palm-oil chop from John every day. The +launch tied up at a plantation dock for the night and at daylight +proceeded on her way. + +"Hello!" exclaimed Critch as he emerged from the tiny cabin for +breakfast. "That's funny! Thought it was in my outside pocket." + +"What's bitin' you?" asked Burt with a rather sickly smile. He also was +fishing in his pockets. + +"My compass--it's gone!" + +"Same here," confessed Burt after a moment. "I'll be jiggered! My coin's +all right!" + +"What's the matter?" inquired Mr. Wallace. He was just coming out and +behind him was Captain Mac. The boys explained their strange loss and +Montenay frowned. + +"That's queer," he said thoughtfully. "Mine's safe. How's yours, +Wallace?" + +"Here." Mr. Wallace produced his own silver-set compass from an inner +pocket. "You've probably dropped 'em around the cabin, boys." + +The two turned and vanished hastily but reappeared shaking their heads. +The missing instruments were not to be found on board, although a +thorough search was made of the launch and men. + +"Na doot they were stolen," said Captain Mac as they sat at breakfast. +"These blacks will steal anythin' that ain't nailed down, an' they were +prowlin' all about last night. Well, we'll get new ones at Makupa from +the trader when we get there to-night." + +"It's decidedly queer, Montenay!" Mr. Wallace looked out over the river +with a perplexed frown. "Why should these two compasses vanish, when +nothing else in the cabin was touched? I don't like it." + +"Ye know what ju-ju is, o' course?" Captain Mac leaned back easily in +his chair as the American explorer nodded. "The Bantus think compasses +are ju-ju." + +"What's that?" asked Critch. + +"Anything they don't understand and that savors of witchcraft or mystery +is ju-ju," explained Mr. Wallace. "In that case, Montenay, our compasses +will be looked upon as the gods of a Bantu village, eh?" + +"Aye. Let's get our business done with, Wallace." Montenay deftly rolled +himself a quinine capsule and swallowed it. "What d'ye say? Shall we +combine or no?" + +"I don't see why we shouldn't," returned Mr. Wallace thoughtfully. +"We're both after ivory. One caravan will cut down expenses for each of +us. You're not sure about making the Makua with us?" + +"Well," replied the other slowly with a sharp glance at Mr. Wallace, +"I'm no sure yet. There's some mighty queer country north o' here that +I'd like to have a look at. Mind, I'm no promisin' anythin' whatever. +I'll be free to come an' go." + +"Of course," answered Mr. Wallace. "Then it's agreed, Captain! We'll +leave Makupa together in the morning." + +"Vera good. Now I'll be lookin' after a letter or so under the awnin' +aft where the shakin' ain't so strong." Montenay rose and strolled aft +and was immediately absorbed in his traveling writing-case. Mr. Wallace +gazed after him reflectively. + +"There's a curious man, boys! We're in luck to have him along. There +probably aren't a dozen men in Africa who haven't heard of him and there +probably aren't a dozen who know him outside of officials. He always +travels alone. If he strikes in at Zanzibar or Nairobi he's likely to +come out at Cairo or the Cape." + +"Strikes me as a good sport," agreed Burt heartily. "He don't say much +but I'd hate to monkey with him when he gets mad. Say! Ever hear o' +Pongo, Uncle George?" + +"Pongo?" repeated the explorer as he stared hard at Burt. "Pongo? No, +don't think I have. What is it?" + +The boys explained what had taken place the previous afternoon but to +their surprise Mr. Wallace frowned disapproval. "Whatever it is, boys, +it's his business. If you'll look at his arm you'll see a dozen scars. I +have a few myself. That's where a native chief cuts a gash in his arm +and ours, the cuts are rubbed together and we are then termed +'blood-brothers.' It may have been some such mark that scared the black +boy." + +"No it wasn't," asserted Critch positively. "It looked like a cross. +Wasn't cut either. Looked like a burn more than anything else." + +"Then forget it," commanded Mr. Wallace decisively. "It's none of our +business. I must say that Montenay's mighty indefinite though. He says +he's after ivory and wants to have a look at the country. But if I know +anything he's not worrying about ivory this trip." + +"Why not?" asked Burt. "D'you mean he's lying?" + +"Lying is a strong term, Burt!" smiled his uncle. "It's not a nice word +to use either. No, I think he's keeping us in the dark about his own +projects. Probably he has some new animal or some new tribe he wants to +be sure of getting all the credit for discovering. Naturally he wouldn't +want to run any risk of our cutting in on him." + +Just then the subject of their discussion rejoined them and the topic +was changed. On up the river they went all that day while the big +canoes followed closely with the paddling-chants of the men rising from +time to time. The breeze created by their motion relieved them of the +clouds of mosquitoes and other insects but the heat was so great that it +even affected John to some extent. + +Just before sunset they reached the Makupa station. This consisted of a +large native village dominated by the State trading post, a corrugated +iron building whose whitewashed walls contrasted strongly with the palm +thatched huts of the blacks all around. The trader met them at the +landing and proved to be a Belgian, pleasant and courteous in every way. + +They spent the night here. In the morning they were up before daybreak +and Mr. Wallace mentioned the compasses as they were dressing. At that +moment Burt was speaking to Captain Montenay, and he saw a peculiar +light flash into the little explorer's face when his uncle spoke. That +look puzzled Burt somewhat. He was still more puzzled when Montenay +rushed through his dressing and hurried from the room. The sudden change +in the man had evidently been caused by his uncle's words, but Burt +could not see any connection whatever. + +When they entered the lamp-lit dining room for breakfast they found the +agent and Captain Mac together. The former sprang up and greeted them +effusively, hastily stuffing something into his pocket that looked to +Burt like banknotes. Still, the boy remembered his uncle's words of the +day before and made up his mind not to bother about other people's +affairs. + +"Oh, the compasses!" ejaculated Mr. Wallace as the black boys brought in +fruit and coffee. "Lieutenant, we lost two compasses coming up the +river. It would be a great assistance if you would sell us a couple from +your stores." + +"Alas!" An expression of dismay rose to the Belgian's face and he spread +out his hands helplessly. "My friend, I am grieved deeply to have to +inform you that we have none! A trading party came down the river last +week and completely cleaned me out, even to my own instrument. I am +desolated, my heart is torn, but it is impossible!" + +A sudden suspicion flashed across Burt's mind but as he glanced sharply +at Captain Mac he dismissed it. Montenay was the picture of dismay, but +to all their suggestions and queries the Belgian only returned a +"desolated" shrug. + +"Well, never mind." Mr. Wallace smiled at Montenay in resignation. "We +still have ours. Two should be enough. Now make a good breakfast, boys! +We eat from chop-boxes after this." + +With sunrise the caravan started north from the station. The river +bottom was low but Captain Mac asserted that after a day's journey they +would find themselves on the higher plains, and this proved quite true. +On the second day they entered the great forests and left behind the +half-civilized tribes. As they drew up to the top of a hill-crest that +rose among the trees Critch caught Burt's arm and pointed ahead to where +the jungle thinned out. + +"There we are, ol' sport! Look at 'em, just look at 'em!" + +And Burt saw through his glasses a number of black groups of animals, +grazing and moving slowly about. + +"What are they, Uncle George?" he cried in high excitement to Mr. +Wallace who was also looking through his glasses. + +"Hartebeest, bushbuck and antelope," replied the explorer calmly. "If +I'm not mistaken there's a rhino in that patch of bush about two miles +to the right--see it? John, O John! Get those gun-boys on deck, will +you?" + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +CRITCH'S RHINO + + +"Are we going to have a hunt?" asked Burt as they left the hill and +plunged forward into the jungle again at the head of the caravan. + +"Not to-day," laughed Mr. Wallace. "We won't get out of this till night, +will we?" + +"Hardly," replied Montenay. "Once we get out o' this thick jungle and up +to those plains we'll have clear sailin'. I'm no meanin' that we'll find +no jungle there, mind, for we will. But by night we'll be in more decent +veldt-country I'm thinkin'." + +They camped at sunset in a grassy space clear of trees. As Captain Mac +had predicted, the low and malarial jungle was left behind them and they +were now getting into the higher lands. These were scattered with +patches of dense forest and jungle, but there were also great plains or +veldts covered with game and animal life. + +"Now we'll make those gun-boys earn their pay," said Mr. Wallace the +next morning. + +"We'll shoot half a dozen antelope every day to give the bearers meat." +"We'll be shootin' more than that," grimly added Captain Mac as he held +up his hand for silence. "Hear that?" + +All listened. It seemed to Burt and Critch that in the distance sounded +a faint mutter of far-away thunder, and they looked at the older men +expectantly. + +"Lion," laughed Mr. Wallace shortly. "If we only had ponies we'd land +him to-day!" + +The advisability of taking horses along had been discussed but the +explorer had vetoed it finally. "It would only be an experiment," he had +declared. "In other parts of the country it might work but not in the +Congo. We have too many jungles to wade through and a horse would be +stung to death in a day or two." + +Three or four of the Bantu hunters were sent ahead, and toward noon, as +they approached a little rise, one of these came running back. He said +something to Captain Mac, who translated. + +"Get your guns! They've located a herd of wildebeest an' hartebeest just +ahead." + +The boys excitedly took their second-weight guns from the bearers. The +heavy guns were not needed for the antelope. They all moved forward, +while the porters halted in charge of John, and after a half hour +reached the crest of the rise, wading through the deep grass and bush. +Here the Bantus made a gesture of caution and carefully parted the grass +ahead of them. + +The boys gave a little gasp of surprise. Before them was a plain +scattered with high ant hills and trees. Grazing without thought of +danger were hundreds of antelope-like animals, some with long curving +horns and others with straight spiral ones. As Burt watched them he +found himself trembling with feverish excitement. + +"Keep cool, lad!" whispered Captain Mac with a slight smile. "See that +group to the right? Take the bull hartebeest. Ready, Wallace?" + +Mr. Wallace and Critch had selected their animals and the former nodded. +Montenay gave the word and all fired together. Burt saw his bull give +one tremendous leap and fall. Critch, who had fired at a small bull, had +poorer luck, for his animal bounded off with the others of the herd and +was gone in an instant. Both Montenay and Mr. Wallace had dropped +hartebeest bucks, and the bearers were jubilant as all ran down the +hill. + +"Now, Critch," said Mr. Wallace, "it's up to you! You boys stay here +with the blacks and we'll go back and bring on the porters and the salt. +Keep the heads of that hartebeest of Burt's and mine. We don't want to +fill our empty chop-boxes too fast." + +As the tin-lined chop-boxes were emptied they were to be used for +packing heads and skins of game and were thus doubly useful. The Bantus +took out their knives and while Burt transmitted in French the orders of +his chum they set to work. Mr. Wallace and Montenay returned to meet and +bring up the caravan, whose advance was necessarily slow. + +The skilled blacks first removed the two heads and skinned them +carefully. Then they laid aside the skulls for boiling and cut up the +three bodies to serve as rations for the porters while the boys stood +looking around them. Although the great herds had bounded off at the +volley, they had only gone a mile or two away and in the thin clear air +seemed half that distance. Burt stood with his eyes glued to his glasses +for a few moments, then saw a jackal a hundred yards to the right, +slinking through the grass. As jackals are invariably destroyed wherever +seen he called Critch and took a gun from the pile dropped by the +bearers. Luckily for him he grabbed up one of the heavy Winchesters in +his haste. + +"Come on, Critch! Get over to that ant hill an' we'll bag him." + +Not far from the jackal was one of the tall hills made by the white +ants. As these are hard as rock and often eight or ten feet high they +make excellent shelter for hunters. Critch caught up a gun and ran after +Burt hastily. + +When they reached the ant hill they located the jackal in a patch of +brush below them. Only his head was visible, but the two boys aimed and +fired together and he dropped. + +"Bet I got him in the eye!" cried Critch as they ran toward the spot. +"Got a dandy bead on him." + +"Hello! What's that?" Burt stopped suddenly and pointed to a patch of +trees a hundred yards farther on. Above the stunted growth they saw a +number of little birds flying erratically about. + +"Look at that--golly!" whispered Critch. "What's that big black thing--" + +"Elephant!" returned Burt fumbling at his gun. + +"Elephant nothing! Look at the birds--ain't any birds on elephants--it's +a rhino! Come on!" + +An indistinct shape showed through the bush as they made their way +forward but they could not make out what it was and hesitated to fire. +They knew that the rhinoceros is guarded by numbers of tick birds and +concluded from the birds flying above the bushes that this was a rhino. +They got to within eighty yards before alarming the beast. Then came a +crashing and swishing of the bush and out stalked a big rhino, sniffing +the wind and advancing slowly toward them. + +"Get behind that ant hill!" exclaimed Critch. Separating, they took up +positions beside two of the conical mounds. "Got your big gun? Go to +it!" + +Lifting his rifle, Burt fired. He had aimed at the shoulder of the great +beast but to his dismay the shot seemed to have absolutely no effect. +Instead of dropping, the rhino threw up its tail and ears, gave a +little squeal and started for Burt. + +Burt fired again at fifty yards. His bullet struck the rhino in the head +and glanced off, serving only to increase the rage of the brute. He +broke into a lumbering gallop and Burt yelled to Critch to fire. + +The latter obeyed but in his haste missed entirely with his first bullet +and with his second only tore the rhino's left ear slightly. Burt raised +his own gun and aimed at the eye. Again his shots had no effect, for he +missed the delicate mark afforded by the eye and both bullets glanced +from the armor. + +"Duck!" yelled Critch, dancing up and down. "He can't see! Duck!" + +Burt ducked, for the rhino was within ten yards and thundering straight +at him. Dropping his gun he sprang behind the ant hill and around it. +But the animal had seemingly anticipated this or had turned its charge +at Critch, for Burt almost leaped on the tossing horn of the beast. + +With one wild spring backward he ploughed headfirst into the grass. He +heard both barrels of Critch's heavy gun. As he wriggled up he saw the +rhino, not ten feet away, stop short as the terrific charge struck him +behind the shoulder. For an instant he wavered, then sank to the ground +dead. + +A wild burst of yells sounded behind as Burt arose. The Bantus had +observed the affair and when they saw the rhino fall, ran forward with +high glee, while just over the crest of the rise appeared the caravan. + +Burt walked over to his chum with somewhat shaky steps and held out his +hand without a word, for something kept him from speaking. + +"Oh, shucks!" said Critch huskily. "You dog-goned idiot! You pretty near +scared me to death. Didn't you hear me yell?" + +"Didn't hear nothin'," Burt smiled weakly. "I was wishing I was back +home and had never seen Africa. If you hadn't shot he'd got me--" + +"Come out of it!" replied Critch. "He couldn't see you and was coming +for me. Ain't he a big fellow?" As they walked over and stood beside the +great black body that lay stretched in the grass with the Bantus around +it, Mr. Wallace and Captain Mac ran up. + +"What's this mean?" roared the former as he saw the body. "Haven't you +two got sense enough to--" + +"Leave 'em alone!" shouted Captain Mac delightedly. "They've killed him! +Hurray!" The exuberant Scotchman seized Burt and whirled him around in a +wild dance as the excited porters came up. Burt gave the honor to Critch +and when he told of his narrow escape Mr. Wallace at once directed camp +to be formed. + +"Now see here," he ordered as the skinners collected around the body, +"I've had enough of this business. After this you take Burt with you, +Montenay, and I'll take Critch. Those young villains are crazy enough to +do anything if we leave 'em alone. Understand, boys? If you chase off by +yourselves you get sent back home." + +Seeing that Mr. Wallace was thoroughly aroused and in earnest, the boys +hastily promised that his orders would be obeyed in future. Then they +examined the carcass of the rhinoceros carefully. Burt's first shot +would have killed the beast in time but it was the two from Critch's +rifle at close quarters that had proved fatal almost instantly. By that +evening the Bantus had removed the skin from the rhino and were ready +to pare it down for transportation. + +"That'll take a couple of days anyway," said Mr. Wallace that night as +they sat around the fire. "I think we might as well establish a camp +here for a week, Montenay. We are right in the game country and I can +get hold of all the specimens I want to send home while we are here, and +get them safely off. Then we can strike on after ivory and see what +we'll find." + +"Suits me," returned Captain Mac. "Ye've done vera well, lads! The horn +o' yon beast is eighteen inches." + +"I'd kind o' like to keep the head, uncle," said Burt. "Critch an' I had +a hard time gettin' him. We don't want the skin but we could set up the +head back home an'--" + +"Sure!" returned Mr. Wallace heartily. "We'll keep the skin without +paring it down, then. We can trade it to the natives for almost anything +we ask. Aren't there some villages near here, Captain?" + +Montenay called up the head Bantu and put some questions to him. They +learned that there was a village several miles off where ivory might be +found, and the Bantu was ordered to send a man over in the morning to +bring back whatever ivory the natives might have to trade. + +The next day Critch and Burt superintended the preparation of the rhino +head and the skins of a number of various antelope varieties which Mr. +Wallace and the captain shot. On the day following the Bantu messenger +returned with a score of blacks who bore two small fifty-pound tusks. +These they gladly traded for the rhino skin, which they would use for +shields, and for some tobacco, beads, and sweaters of blazing red. + +On that same day Burt evened up trophies with his chum. In the afternoon +Mr. Wallace and Critch went off together when the trading had been +finished. Barely had they left when a Bantu ran in with the news that +there was a herd of buffalo near the stream which ran a few hundred +yards past the camp. Captain Mac immediately called Burt and the +gun-bearers and on they went with all haste. + +After half an hour's walking they located the buffalo at the edge of the +creek bed in a thick jungle swamp. Holding their guns in readiness the +explorer and Burt advanced slowly. They could see two or three bulls +watching them, the rest of the herd being hidden. Not until the hunters +were within a hundred yards did the buffaloes move. Their massive white +in-curving horns shone against the black bodies, and their wicked little +eyes were fixed sullenly on the men. + +Suddenly the nearest bull shook his head and began advancing. At this +the gun-bearers scattered despite Montenay's shouted threats, and sought +the shelter of ant hills. Captain Mac and Burt held their heavy guns and +the former told Burt to take the first shot. + +By good luck the boy's bullet struck the buffalo in the eye and +penetrated the brain. Before Montenay could lift his weapon the others +had turned and vanished. + +"Well," laughed the explorer, "that's better than I expected. I was +lookin' for a charge from 'em. Fine old bull too!" + +The buffalo was a splendid trophy and the men at once began skinning +him. That evening Mr. Wallace determined to finish the buffalo hide and +then send back the specimens they had collected. + +"I've got enough to stock the club for years," he laughed. "No use +being a hog--hello, that's funny!" + +"What's the matter?" asked Montenay from across the fire. + +"Why--why--yes, sir, it's gone!" Mr. Wallace arose, searching his +pockets. Then his face hardened. "John, call up those boys who were with +me this morning! My compass has disappeared." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +CAPTAIN MAC SUSPECTED + + +Montenay and the boys gave an exclamation of surprise and Captain Mac +leaped to his feet with excited questions. Mr. Wallace, however, replied +nothing. Burt had never seen his uncle really angry before and now he +realized why this man was respected all over the world. The strong face +was more hawk-like than ever. Between the down-drawn brows were too deep +furrows, the thin mouth was set grimly, and the piercing eyes were +aflame with anger. Even Montenay quieted down suddenly when he saw Mr. +Wallace's face. + +John very respectfully brought up a group of a dozen blacks who stood in +fear and trembling as the loss of the compass was made known to them. +Falling on their faces one and all denied any share in the theft. + +"John, call the headman." When the latter appeared, fully as frightened +as his men, Mr. Wallace turned to him. "You see these men?" The explorer +spoke so rapidly that Burt could not gather more than a few scattered +words of French, but what he heard made him spring up with a cry of +protest. + +"Sit down!" His uncle whirled on him savagely and Montenay nodded +approval. The headman turned an ashy gray and bobbed his head against +Mr. Wallace's boots while a howl of fear went up from the black boys, +who returned to their companions, accompanied by John with a rifle. + +"What'd he say?" whispered Critch anxiously. Mr. Wallace heard the +words. + +"I gave 'em ten minutes to produce that compass," he said quietly. "If +they didn't do it by then I told 'em I'd bury those boys up to their +necks in the swamp down yonder and leave 'em." + +"What!" Critch was on his feet instantly. "Why--why--you--" + +"Sit down, lad!" Captain Mac laughed and pulled him back. "It's only a +bluff. Don't fash yerself over it." + +"Was that all?" demanded Burt eagerly and his uncle nodded without a +smile, to his intense relief. + +"I'll be walkin' over yonder," declared Montenay rising. "I'll chat +with 'em in their own tongue a bit, Wallace. It may do good." + +For five minutes not a word was spoken. Mr. Wallace stared into the fire +while the boys looked alternately at him and at the fires of the blacks, +fifty yards away. Then Captain Mac strode up and with a word tossed the +gleaming silver-mounted instrument into Mr. Wallace's lap. + +"She's broke," he said shortly. The American calmly examined the +compass, as did the boys. The glass was shattered as if a stone had +smashed it, while the needle no longer swung on its pivot. + +"Who had it?" asked Burt's uncle. + +"Mgoro, the hunter." Captain Mac spoke quite as a matter of course and +Mr. Wallace's anger seemed to have vanished suddenly. "He said he found +it just outside the camp and that it was already broke. I discharged him +and told him to go back in the mornin' without his wages. He's lyin', o' +course." + +"Of course," agreed Mr. Wallace musingly. With this the subject was +closed. In the morning Mgoro was sent on the back trail in disgrace, +although he still asserted his innocence. For two days more the camp +remained in the same place. Then the buffalo skin was pared down and +packed and a dozen porters were sent back to Makupa with the specimens. +Mr. Wallace had already arranged with the Belgian there to send them on +down to Boma. + +The only compass now in the party was that belonging to Montenay, who +guided them. Usually Captain Mac and Burt went ahead to the right while +Mr. Wallace and Critch went to the left, each party taking a number of +hunters and gun bearers. Owing to their lack of compasses it was not +possible to wander very far from the caravan. Every morning Captain Mac +and the headman Moboro mapped out the day's march and at noon and at +dark the two parties returned to the caravan. + +For several days they did little shooting of any importance. Each party +brought in two or three food-animals for the porters, and jackals were +of course shot on sight. On the third day after leaving their "Specimen +Camp," as Burt named their halting place, came their first adventure. + +They are getting well into the lion country by this time and each camp +was made as small as possible with plenty of fires around it. As Burt +and Captain Mac returned to camp at noon of the third day they found the +Bantus in high excitement and were greeted with the news that two lions +had been sighted in a dense thicket just ahead. Mr. Wallace and Critch +soon came in and all four went toward the thicket while a number of +Bantus armed with spears and shields went around to drive out the +animals. + +This was done by the simple means of setting fire to the dense clump of +bushes. The party took up their position near an ant hill. With them +were the gun-bearers and a dozen Bantu hunters. When the thicket was +fired a dense cloud of smoke hid the nearer edge. Almost at once a +tremendous roar was heard. The Bantus replied with a yell of defiance. + +As they did so a great tawny shape flew out of the cloud of smoke and +struck down a hunter. Mr. Wallace fired instantly and the lion whirled +about and came for the party. The Bantus flung their spears, but the +beast dashed them aside and not even the heavy, jacketed bullets stopped +him. When he was ten yards away and crouching for his last bound the +gun-bearers broke. + +"I've got him," announced Captain Mac quietly. As the lion sprang he +fired and the beast rolled over, clawing at the grass. At the same +instant the lioness bounded out of the smoke. + +Critch broke her foreleg with his first bullet and his second brought +her to the earth. She rolled over, then gave another spring. Burt +followed Montenay's example and fired just as the beast left the ground. +This time she stumbled heavily and lay still, for the bullet had found +her brain. + +The combat had been short but hot. The Bantus brought up their wounded +comrade for attention. He had been badly clawed in the arms and +shoulders but his shield had saved him from fatal wounds, and Mr. +Wallace soon had him fixed up. The Bantus were hugely delighted over the +success of the hunt. They danced about the bodies with waving spears and +shields while Burt took some good pictures. Then the skinning began. + +When the skins had been safely packed the caravan again moved forward, +and two days later they came to a native village. When he heard the name +of the place Mr. Wallace looked somewhat surprised, then consulted a map +which he had procured at Boma. He folded it up without a word, however, +and they entered the town. + +"We're in the elephant country at last," announced Montenay that night. +"These fellows say that there is a small herd off to the east two miles. +Suppose we go over to-morrow." + +"To the east?" repeated Mr. Wallace. "Aren't we rather working away from +our bearings? However, no matter. I'm after ivory and not particular +where I find it. We'll go to-morrow." + +Burt was just a little puzzled at his uncle's attitude. He said nothing +definite, but the boy in some way got the idea that he was watching +Captain Mac. At first Burt put aside the thought. Then he resented it, +for he had a strong liking for the eccentric Scotchman. Finally he +resolved to wait and see what turned up. + +That night his suspicions were confirmed. He and Critch slept together +in one of the small tents and as they arranged the mosquito nets for the +night Howard paused. + +"Say, did you notice anything funny about Cap'n Mac lately?" + +"No," replied Burt. "Uncle George is acting kind of funny, though." + +"You bet he is," nodded Critch. "He's just about got the goods on Cap'n +Mac, too!" + +"What!" Burt stared at his chum eagerly. "I knew it! Spit it out, old +sport." + +"It's that compass business. Anyway, that got your uncle going. When we +was ridin' after that hartebeest to-day he comes out with it. This here +place ain't on our line o' march at all. We're 'way east of where we +ought to be!" + +"East!" repeated Burt. "What's that got to do with Cap'n Mac?" He was +still ready to stand up for his friend, though Howard's confident air +sorely shook his faith. + +"Like this. Your uncle says Montenay's been leadin' us wrong. He don't +know what for and he's waiting to find out. B'lieve me, I'd hate to be +Cap'n Mac when he does find out! Golly, he was mad to-day!" + +"Does he think Cap'n Mac swiped our compasses?" + +"You bet! Thinks that business with Mgoro was a put-up job, too. When we +were out to-day we found a young eland lying dead. It had two o' the +blamedest arrows in it you ever seen. Here's the head o' one." + +Critch produced a little bundle of skin from his pocket and very +carefully unwrapped it. He laid a long many-barbed iron point in Burt's +hand. + +"Watch out for it. That black stuff's poison, your uncle says. It's a +pigmy arrow." + +"What's a pigmy arrow?" asked Burt. "Oh, you mean--" he stared at +Critch, who nodded. + +"That's what. We're over east near the pigmy country, 'stead of being up +in the higher country where we ought to be. We'll be in the jungle in +another day, your uncle says." + +"What's he going to do about it?" asked Burt. "Here, take this blamed +thing back." And he very gingerly deposited the arrow-point in the bit +of skin. + +"Nothing," replied Critch. "He says to lay low and keep your eye peeled. +He ain't going very far into the jungle either." + +Whether Montenay noticed anything in their attitude the next morning or +not, he was as gay as ever when they started out after their first +elephant. In fact, he had never appeared more open, frank and merry than +he did this morning and Burt found himself involuntarily siding against +his uncle. + +They were accompanied by a large force of trackers from the town. After +a stiff two-mile walk into the deep forest toward the denser jungle one +of these trackers returned with word that a herd was not far ahead. Soon +afterwards the party came upon the spoor. In low places the tracks were +big holes three feet in depth. They were always marked by shattered and +broken smaller trees and torn branches. + +Suddenly an elephant trumpeted close by and the boys jumped. Now they +stole along quietly in single file, while they could hear the great +beasts feeding and crashing among the trees not a hundred yards away. +The party moved noiselessly in the tracks of the elephants, for their +great weight had left no sticks or leaves to crack. Birds flew up in +flocks and monkeys chattered all around. Then as the trail twisted about +the boys saw their first wild elephant--a good deal closer than they +could have wished. + +Without the least warning the bushes and mass of tangled creepers at +their left parted with a tremendous crashing and a big bull surged out +twenty feet away. He was as much surprised as they and stood looking +while the blacks fled. Mr. Wallace and Captain Mac fired almost +together, one bullet taking him in the shoulder and the other just above +the eye. Neither wound was fatal but for an instant the great beast was +stunned by the shock and stood reeling. Then as he lifted his trunk, +flapped his ears forward with his great in-curving tusks half raised and +took a step toward the party, both men fired again and the immense bulk +quivered and crashed down dead. + +The blacks raised a shout of joy but only for an instant. At the sudden +firing shrill trumpeting and crashing had gone up from the herd in +front, and another bull appeared in the path in full charge. Trees, +matted creepers and bushes went down before him and for an instant the +little group stood paralyzed with the sudden danger. Then Burt raised +his rifle and fired. His bullet was wildly aimed but proved lucky, for +it struck the elephant in the eye and penetrated the brain. He staggered +forward another step and then rolled over just as the others fired. + +"Good for you!" cried Mr. Wallace. He gripped Burt's hand and shook it +heartily, as did Captain Mac. Critch pounded his chum on the back in an +ecstasy of delight. The herd had crashed away and was gone, and as one +of the bearers was carrying the camera, Burt and Critch got some views +of the dead elephants, after which the hunters took out their knives. + +The hides were disregarded as not worth the effort of preparing. The +tusks were cut out and the feet were taken off to be served up by John +as the most delicate of jungle dishes. Then the local blacks fell to +work and cut up the rest of the carcasses for home consumption. It was +about noon, so Mr. Wallace decided that they would return to their camp +and follow the herd another day. + +"This is good country," he said as they walked along. "Between hunting +and trading we ought to get a nice lot of ivory together pretty soon. I +think I'll make a permanent camp just outside the town and not go in any +farther, Montenay." + +Captain Mac merely nodded. He remained very silent, however, on the +return trip. When they got home the tusks were weighed and it was found +that the smaller bull, the first to appear, carried one hundred and ten +pounds of ivory. The larger, which Burt had killed, was a good deal +older and his tusks weighed twenty pounds more. + +"That's big ivory, lad," said Montenay as they sat down to their +postponed lunch in the afternoon. "It ain't often ye'll get beasts +carryin' more'n a hundred thirty. 'Cept, o' course, some old chap who's +wandered off by himself an' kept the blacks too scared to be huntin' +him. I mind once I dropped just such an old bull down south an' got a +hundred seventy--nigh to bein' a record." + +"It was a mighty lucky shot," laughed Burt. "I just threw her up an' let +go 'cause I was too scared to aim. Goin' out to-morrow?" + +"Since ye're goin' to camp here permanent," returned Captain Mac, +addressing Mr. Wallace, "I'm thinkin' I'll be takin' a little hike into +the woods. I'll take a score o' the boys an' be back in a week." + +"No, you won't." Without the least trace of excitement in his voice Mr. +Wallace whipped out his revolver and covered the other. "Keep your hands +on the table, Montenay! Burt, remove the captain's gun." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE WHITE PIGMIES + + +As Burt obeyed it seemed to him that the Scotchman was taking the +situation very coolly. The little thin man sat silently with his eyes on +those of Mr. Wallace and only his quivering nostrils denoted the emotion +that must have consumed him. + +"Now, Captain Montenay," resumed Mr. Wallace when Burt was again seated, +"let's have a little explanation." Burt saw that his uncle's face looked +as he had seen it on the night when his compass disappeared. "In the +first place you stole our compasses." + +"I did not!" Captain Mac gave a harsh little laugh. "Ye have yer own, or +what's left of it. I've got the other two in my pocket. I removed 'em +temporarily so to speak. Be more choice in yer use o' words, man." + +"Secondly, you've been leading us astray." + +"Aye," retorted Captain Mac, "but I didn't give ye the credit for +findin' it out so quick." + +"Now you propose to leave us here, on the edge of the jungle country," +continued Mr. Wallace. "There are three things that are open to +explanation, Captain Montenay. I am sorry to use this method of +persuasion but it seems to be necessary." The little man's face lost its +look of half-malicious mockery and for a moment he did not answer but +stared over the head of Mr. Wallace at the afternoon sun. + +"If I'm not wantin' to tell, man, I'm thinkin' ye'd have a hard job to +make me," was his answer at last. + +"If you won't tell," snapped out Mr. Wallace, "I'll tie you up here and +now and carry you back to Boma. You know what you'd get there." + +"Aye. Is that yer final deceesion?" + +"It is. Explain or go to Boma." + +"Vera good. Gi' me the gun, lad." To Burt's vast surprise his uncle +nodded and replaced his weapon. As Captain Mac quietly buckled the +restored revolver about his waist his face broke into a wrinkled smile. + +"It'll be a longish yarn, Wallace." There was no trace of animosity in +his tone. "Let's finish eatin' an' when I get the old pipe between my +teeth I'll feel like talkin'." + +Their meal was finished in silence. Before Captain Mac gave his +explanation, however, a startling event happened. It seemed that a dozen +men of the village had remained with the bodies of the elephants to +remove more of the meat. Just as Captain Mac was filling his ancient and +evil-smelling pipe a native rushed into camp shouting something that +sent the pipe to the ground and the captain to his feet. + +The native came up and fell on his face. After a hasty exchange of +question and answer Captain Mac turned to the others and Burt saw that a +strange light stood in his dark and rather sad eyes. + +"Get out the medicines, Wallace. We've got seven dying men on our hands. +We may save one or two with serum and morphia." + +"Why, what do you mean?" cried Mr. Wallace, giving a shout for John. +When the trusty cook had been dispatched for the medicine chop-box +Captain Mac explained further. + +"Those chaps we left wi' the beasts yonder drove off some Wambuti +pigmies, bein' utter fools and prob'ly ignorant o' what the dwarfs +were. They got a shower o' poisoned arrows in return. A bunch from the +village just found 'em an' are bringin' 'em in here." + +John arrived with the medicine case and Mr. Wallace got out his serums +and syringes while the boys stared at each other in amazement. + +"That's what them dirty little black arrow-points do," said Critch in a +low tone. Just then a band of men came running into the camp. On their +shoulders they bore rude litters which they set down before Mr. Wallace +with gestures of despair. + +On the litters lay seven men. All were gray with pain and sweating +profusely. As they lay there Burt could see their naked breasts rise and +fall with the increased palpitation caused by the poison. The matter of +Captain Mac was forgotten on the instant, as all four went to work in a +desperate effort to save the wounded men. The captain hastily loaded the +hypodermic syringes and handed them to the other three, who injected the +contents into the arms of the wounded as rapidly as possible. While this +was going on the camp was surrounded by the villagers, and only the +leveled guns of John and the other men held them outside. + +One of the men died just as Mr. Wallace was treating him, although +neither of the boys noticed it until they had finished. Then the wounds +were cauterized, a task which was not relished by the boys. In fact, the +smell of burning flesh was nearly too much for Burt, who retired +temporarily. + +"There," and Captain Mac straightened up with a sigh of relief, "I guess +that's all we can do, Wallace." + +"Will they recover?" asked the American quietly, washing the syringe. +The other shrugged his shoulders. + +"Mayhap. Don't let the village people have 'em, John. The witch doctor'd +kill 'em sure. They'll sleep till morning. If they wake they can be +thankin' us for it." + +Critch said nothing. He was pale and his knees felt shaky, for their +task had been no pleasant one, and he fervently trusted that they would +have no more poisoned arrows in future. A few moments later all were +once more gathered about the table in the dining-tent, where Burt +rejoined them. Montenay calmly refilled his pipe and began. + +"As I was sayin', Wallace, the yarn is a long one. I'm thinkin' it'll no +bore ye to listen, though," and the Scotchman chuckled. + +"Fire away," smiled Wallace grimly. "We have time to burn." For a moment +the other puffed away in silence, his eyes fixed on the tent-wall behind +Burt. Then he began his story, the strangest story which the two +American boys had ever listened to. + +"Two years ago, it was. I started out o' Nairobi wi' the most elegant +bunch o' fightin' men ye could find. Took me nigh a month to select 'em. +I laid it out as a scientific trip, to the British authorities, but the +men knew better. I bought 'em all trade-guns wi' lots of ammunition, for +I was after two things. + +"Trip before that, I had met up with an Arab dealer called Yusuf Ben +Salir, what misused me like a nigger. He was a slave-merchant on the +quiet, an' would ha' sold me upcountry if I hadn't got away. I was after +him first, and ivory next. We headed off for the Congo line, baggin' a +little ivory as we went. + +"One day we learned from the natives that Yusuf was twenty mile ahead of +us wi' plenty o' tusks and a big trade-caravan. Two days later we +caught up, formin' a zareba near his. He had twice as many men, but mine +were picked, ye remember. + +"Well, the details o' what happened don't matter. We were busy for three +days, and I will admit that Yusuf had his merits as a fighter. But at +the last his nerve failed him, and when we rushed his zareba, he and his +men made their getaway--leaving everything behind. While I was lookin' +over his stuff I found two things wrapped up in oilskin. + +"One was a queer shaped bit o' wood which I flung away, like a fool. The +other was a bit o' cloth with Arabic written on it. I can read the +lingo, and I made out that Yusuf had been down near the pigmy country +an' had run across some yarn about white pigmies." + +"White pigmies!" ejaculated Mr. Wallace in astonishment, while a look of +keen interest swept across his face. "Then the story was so!" + +"What story?" asked Montenay sharply. + +"Why, a tradition I heard up in the Sahara, that there was a white race +of small people somewhere down this way. The Arab who told me was +mighty reticent about it, and I gathered that there was some queer +religious feature to the tradition, if it was one." + +"It was not," asserted Montenay, betraying signs of excitement for the +first time, and leaning forward. "Wallace, it was fact! I found the +white pigmies!" + +"What!" A simultaneous cry went up from his three listeners and Mr. +Wallace's eagle-face was bent sternly upon the narrator. + +"Careful, Montenay!" he said with repressed eagerness. "Remember you are +not talking to green hands!" + +"Man, it's the truth!" There could be no doubt of Captain Mac's +sincerity as he leaned forward and met the American's gaze. There was +more than sincerity in his eyes. There was an appeal for belief, a +conviction, that won over the others instantly. "The truth! But that's +only the least of it." + +"And your proofs?" inquired Mr. Wallace crisply. + +"Proofs enough," rejoined the other, more calmly, "in their time. I +didn't take much stock in the Arabic stuff, but I thought I'd take a +shot at it. I sent half o' the boys back wi' the ivory and a plausible +story o' how we came to get so much. Then I asked the rest if they'd go +with me. + +"After the way we'd wiped up Yusuf, they were ready for anythin'. After +all was fixed up we started, fifty boys an' me. We worked down slowly +from the high country, takin' it easy an' gatherin' in spoils as we +went. Finally we got down to the jungle an' touched the edge o' the +pigmy country. Then it began. + +"We had no trouble till we started inquirin' through some o' the pigmies +that come in to trade. As soon as we asked about their white relations +the camp emptied like a flash. The last little deevil out turned an' put +an arrow through one o' my boys. + +"It was just a massacre, man. The boys were fair ragin' at the way they +were shot down, and I pushed 'em ahead fast. We went through that jungle +like a whirlwind. Finally there were only seven boys left, an' they +refused to go any farther. Didn't do 'em any good, for the next day the +pigmies rushed us. I was pretty well played out by that time, as ye can +judge. When the smoke blew away five o' my boys were laid out, and I +was tied up with the other two. If I hadn't been so obstinate about +pushin' on we might ha' pulled out. + +"However, we put a good face on it. They treated us fine, but kept us on +the jump for a week, movin' from place to place through the jungle. For +another week we were stuck in one o' them pigmy villages. Queerly +enough, they hadn't touched a thing belongin' to us except the guns an' +chop-boxes an' general camp stuff. + +"'Bout the end o' the second week they routed us out early one mornin', +highly excited. When we got outside we found the whole village squattin' +around ten new chaps, who were armed wi' trade-guns and seemed to boss +things pretty general. But what struck me was that while they were of +the same size as the rest, they were white." + +"White!" exclaimed Mr. Wallace again. His thin cheeks were dashed with +color, and his brilliant eyes showed that he no longer doubted the truth +of Montenay's story. The latter nodded quietly. + +"Not white like us," he continued, "but as white as an Arab or +thereabouts. Their faces showed more intelligence than those o' the +blacks, an' they seemed to be overlords o' the--" + +"Hold on!" Mr. Wallace broke in with a puzzled frown. "Surely you don't +mean that, Mac! There could be no feudal system of that sort here in the +very heart of Africa! The blacks haven't the brains--" + +"Aye, but the whites have!" cried Montenay triumphantly. "These white +pigmies ain't fools by any means, as ye'll see later. Now will ye quit +interruptin' me?" + +"Go ahead," laughed Mr. Wallace, and the boys saw that Captain Mac was +really so interested in his own story that he was anxious to lay it +before them without more delay. + +"I meant to tell ye this yarn," he went on, "a bit later on, as ye'll +see also. The party o' whites were in command of a young chap named +Mbopo, an' we took to each other first crack. Well, they carried us off +through the jungle for a week's trip. We must ha' been on the edge o' +the pigmy country, for we traveled hard. At every pigmy village Mbopo +seemed to get reports or somethin' o' the kind, an' also tribute in the +way o' slaves. By the end o' the week there were six others besides +oursel's. + +"Then we spent a day at the village o' the white pigmies. Man alive, ye +should ha' seen 'em! They seemed to live on the blacks, just like the +blacks live on the big tribes around, an' they lived well. Palm huts, o' +course, but there seemed to be a system o' government that beat +ever'thing I ever saw outside the Zulus. + +"We passed through two more o' the white villages, then struck a big +stream an' followed that for a day or two. Finally we got into a bit o' +higher ground an' struck the biggest surprise of all. Just before sunset +we came out o' the forest into a stretch o' yam patches along the river. +Beyond these an' right ahead of us was the biggest village we had seen +yet--three to four hundred huts, I'd say. Outside was the whole tribe +waitin' for us. Off to one side, near the forest, was a good sized palm +hut, and around it was a zareba." + +"What's queer about that?" asked Mr. Wallace, as the narrator paused for +a moment. The boys saw a smile flicker across Montenay's face. + +"The zareba was made out o' ivory," was his quiet reply. Burt at once +broke into a laugh, thinking that Captain Mac was joking. + +"Pretty good," he chuckled. "What'd they do--cut up the tusks into +square blocks to make a six-foot wall?" But his mirth died away suddenly +as his uncle made a silencing gesture. + +"An ivory zareba," went on Montenay. "Made o' tusks, clear around the +hut. They were set with points up, curvin' out. But I didn't get much +chance to see it then. We were taken into the village and I was given a +hut to myself. The young chap, Mbopo, reported to an old, wizened +witch-doctor who was the boss. I judged he was speakin' in my favor, but +the old fellow shook his head an' waved a hand at the separate hut. The +whole crowd set up a yell o' 'Pongo!' Then they threw me into the hut. + +"I stayed there for eight days, too. Ye'll mind that there were just +eight slaves an' mysel' in the party. They treated me well, fed me fine, +but every night I heard a big jamboree goin' on. On the ninth evenin' +they brought me out. The village was surrounded by the usual thorn +zareba, an' the whole tribe was gathered just inside the gates, +feastin'. Mbopo an' three others tied me up an' carried me out halfway +to the separate hut. Here they laid me on the ground beside a small +fire. + +"The old wizened chap came out after us with a long iron which he stuck +in the fire. Then he pulled off my shirt an' did--this." Captain Mac +slipped down his shirt collar and exposed the scarred shoulder that +Critch had seen on the boat. As the others gathered around with +exclamations of astonishment, Burt could see that the scar was in the +form of a cross, except that a long loop took the place of the +head-piece. Besides this, the whole shoulder seemed a mass of +cicatrices. + +"Yon's the shape o' the bit o' wood I found in Yusuf's packet," went on +Montenay, when Mr. Wallace interrupted him in wonder. + +"Mac! Do you know what that symbol is?" + +"It's the sign o' Pongo," returned the other. "From what I saw later it +had to do wi' ancient Egypt--" + +"I should say it had!" ejaculated Mr. Wallace, sinking back into his +chair and staring at Montenay, who slipped his shirt back into position. +"Why, that sign is the Egyptian cross, or ankh--the symbol of life, and +the peculiar insignia of Maat, the ancient Goddess of Truth!" + +"So I found out, if ye'd given me time to finish," replied Montenay +drily. "Mbopo an' the rest staked me out there an' left me. What wi' the +burn an' the insects that settled down, I was pretty nigh gone inside an +hour. The fire was out, an' just after moonrise I heard a 'pad-pad' o' +steps near by. Then a minute later I caught one glimpse of a monstrous +lion, just as he sprang an' grabbed me by the wounded shoulder. That +finished me for sure, and I fainted." + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE SACRED ANKH + + +"When I came to," continued Montenay, "I thought sure I was crazy. I was +lyin' in a palm-thatch hut, on a floor littered wi' bones an' refuse an' +smellin' to high heaven. To one side was a little dish full o' palm oil, +with a lighted wick floatin' in it. Leanin' up against the wall, behind +the lamp, was a big painted mummy. Layin' in front o' the mummy was an +ankh, four foot long an' made out o' solid gold." + +"What!" Mr. Wallace stared at the other, almost speechless. The two +boys, fascinated by the deadly earnestness of Montenay's recital, were +pale with excitement. "But go ahead, man. I can talk later." + +"I was still trussed up like a turkey, but I wriggled and squirmed until +I got loose. My shoulder was badly torn up," went on Captain Mac, "and I +was nigh frantic wi' the pain. A little o' the palm oil helped, but wi' +them things around me I thought sure I was crazy. I crawled to the +door, an' found I was in the hut inside the ivory zareba. + +"The whole business must ha' gone to my head, for I don't remember very +well what happened then. I know I went back to the mummy an' saw that +his neck was torn open. There was somethin' shinin', and I grabbed at +it. Just then I heard somethin' behind me, an' there was the big lion, +standin' and lashin' his tail. I remember laughing, then I caught up the +lamp an' flung it at him. The oil blazed up as the vessel smashed him +fair between the eyes, he gave a roar, and I fainted again. + +"Next I remember was Mbopo bending over me. The poor fellow had come to +the hut in the mornin' an' found me. It seemed that I had been staked +out as a sacrifice to Pongo. This Pongo was a combination o' the lion +and ankh. The ankh was the real god, but the lion had taken up livin' in +the hut, so the lion was called Pongo and worshipped as the reg'lar +deity. In short, whoever had possession o' the ankh could boss the whole +country. Pongo, which was the lion, had carried me to the hut. I was in +possession o' the hut an' was the first who had ever escaped the +sacrifice. Therefore, I was sacred and in the way o' bein' a god +mysel'. I didn't find this all out right off, mind. I stayed in that +village for six months. + +"I taught Mbopo some English an' learned some pigmy talk. No, I didn't +bother none whatever wi' the lion. He showed up later an' took +possession o' the hut again. My shoulder was a long time healin' and I +guess my nerve was gone for a while. Man, but I wanted to carry off that +gold ankh an' that ivory! But the thing was impossible. After six months +I got a chance while I was out wi' hunters, and I lit out. I worked my +way out by strikin' a bunch of Arabs who treated me white. That's the +yarn." + +There was a moment of silence. Burt and Critch stared at Montenay in +fascination. Mr. Wallace was looking down at the table. Finally he +glanced up and spoke, slowly. + +"Mac, you said something about proofs." + +"I did that." Captain Mac unbuckled his belt, and took a small +silk-wrapped package from it. "I told ye that I grabbed something from +the mummy. Here it is." + +Mr. Wallace unwrapped the package, while the boys leaned over his +shoulder in high excitement. From the oiled silk fell out three linked +scarabs, set in wrought gold. Critch gave a gasp, but Mr. Wallace turned +over the scarabs and held them closer to the light as he examined their +inscriptions. + +"Hm!" he exclaimed at length. "Montenay, your proofs are pretty good. +This seems to have formed part of a necklace belonging to one +Ta-En-User, high priest of Maat. I should say the scarabs belonged to +about the Twenty-first Dynasty." + +"Ye're no child yersel'," chuckled Captain Mac in delight. "That's just +what they told me at the British Museum. Now, here's another queer +thing. + +"Ye know more about old Egypt than I do, Wallace. From what I could +learn from Mbopo, it seemed that long ago these white pigmies migrated +from the east to where they are now. On their way they struck a +half-ruined "City of the Gods," as Mbopo called it. They brought away a +lot o' stuff from there, which they looked on as sacred. All that's left +is the mummy and the ankh. Is that possible?" + +"Possible," returned Mr. Wallace, "but hardly probable. They might have +run across one of the extreme southern Egyptian cities, and indeed that +would be the only logical explanation of the presence of these things so +far west. Yes, the tradition must be true. It's a strange bit of +prehistoric African history you've run into, Mac." + +"It is that," rejoined the other. "Well, for a year I've been tryin' to +make up a party to carry off that ivory an' that gold ankh. I got hold +o' Tom Reynolds at Cairo, an' put it up to him. He called me a plain +fool. I found McConnell in London. He laughed at the yarn. I tried to +find you, but ye'd vanished around Tripoli. So at last I came down to +tackle the job alone. + +"When I struck your party, I knew right off that wi' the laddies along +ye'd never tackle it. Man, I was fair desperate! I determined to lead ye +off to the edge o' the pigmy country, where we are now, an' then put it +up to ye. There ye are, Wallace. Will ye come in wi' me an' try it? The +pigmies won't hurt me, mind." + +Mr. Wallace stared at the scarabs. Burt stole a glance at his chum, and +the two waited in breathless interest, not daring to urge the project. +At length Mr. Wallace sighed. + +"You've tempted me, Mac, tempted me more than you know! I'd like nothing +better than to make a dash for that place with you--not only for the +treasure, but for the discoveries we could make. But with the boys here +it is impossible. I am responsible for them, and I dare not go off and +leave them in this country. If you'd told me this back up the river I'd +have left them at the trading station and made a dash in with you." + +"Oh, uncle!" burst out Burt, dismayed. "Ain't it perfectly safe? Take +us! Let's all go! Cap'n Mac says they won't hurt him; he's a kind o' +god, an' he can fix it so's we'll all--" + +"No," broke in his uncle decisively. "I refuse to take the risk, Burt. +No use, lad. That's final. You'll have to trust to my judgment in this +affair." + +"Ye're right," nodded Montenay dejectedly. "I can't blame ye, Wallace. +But do ye understand? Ye won't hold the compass business against me--" + +Mr. Wallace sprang to his feet and held out his hand. + +"Nonsense! Shake, old chap, and forget it!" And the two clasped hands +silently, while the boys gave a shout of delight. + +"I knew it!" cried Burt joyously, dancing around the two men. "I knew +Cap'n Mac was all right! Hurray!" + +"I wish you'd take us an' get after them white pigmies, though," put in +Critch disconsolately. + +"I'd certainly like to get hold of that mummy," asserted Mr. Wallace, +his eyes sparkling. "To say nothing of the ankh!" + +"An' to say nothin' o' the ivory an' gold," laughed Montenay. + +"But," cried Burt excitedly, "why didn't you get after that lion an' +kill him? I should ha' thought you'd do that right away!" + +"No," and Montenay shook his head. "As I told ye, my nerve was pretty +well gone, laddy. The pigmies had guns, but they were old trade-muskets. +None o' them except Mbopo, mebbe, would ha' stood up to the lion. That +chap Mbopo was a good sort. He stood by me right along, took care o' me +when I was sick wi' fever, cured up my wounds, an' learned to speak +passable Scots dialect. It was amusin' to hear the boy speak the +tongue." + +"That feudal business interests me," said Mr. Wallace thoughtfully. "Was +this Mbopo a chief?" + +"I don't know, rightly," returned the other. "The old witch-doctor was +the boss, but Mbopo seemed to be second in charge. The women o' the +place cultivated yams an' plantains, while the men hunted. They didn't +seem to use poison, like the black dwarfs. That's another queer thing. +They had poisoned weapons, right enough, but they got supplies o' the +stuff from the blacks. Ye mind, the Wambuti and other black dwarfs are +simply parasites on the bigger tribes. Well, these white chaps were +parasites on the black dwarfs, near's I could figure it out." + +Critch related what had happened on the launch coming upstream, when the +black boy had caught a glimpse of Montenay's shoulder. The eccentric +explorer laughed heartily. + +"They all know it," he said. "The whites couldn't draw it out o' them +wi' tortures, but every tribe hereabouts knows what Pongo is, or think +they do. It's mostly reputation. These niggers are mighty +superstitious." + +"Well, we ain't goin' to leave that white pigmy business without doin' +anything, are we?" asked Burt. Captain Mac glanced at his uncle. + +"Not if I can help it," he smiled. "How about my original proposition, +Wallace? Now that ye know the yarn, will ye wait here for me while I +take a crack at the pigmies?" + +"Why, yes," returned Mr. Wallace slowly. "But frankly, Mac, I think you +would be foolish. We are on the edge of their country, but you'd have to +get through the black fellows first. They wouldn't know you, and in any +event would probably have forgotten all about you. By the way, in which +direction is this place of Mbopo's?" + +"Northeast from here," returned Montenay, "as near as I know. I'm pretty +sure I'll be all right, Wallace. I can show the beggars my shoulder if +necessary. Once I get to Mbopo with a few bearers, we'll bring off the +ivory." + +"If they'll let you," supplemented Mr. Wallace. "You're too cocksure +about it, Mac. While I'd be perfectly willing to go along if I was +alone, my personal opinion is that it's mighty risky." + +"Nothing venture, nothing win," laughed Captain Mac gayly. "Man, but I'm +eager to be done wi' the caravan and into the pigmy country! Now let's +settle our plans. How long would ye be willin' to wait here?" + +"That depends on how long you'll be," answered Mr. Wallace, Yankee-like. +"If you meet with opposition I suppose you'll come back?" + +"That I will," responded Montenay. "Suppose ye wait here two weeks for +me. If I don't show up by then, work up towards the Makua. If I get the +stuff I'll hit the headwaters o' the Makua, get some canoes, an' come +down. How's that?" + +"Sounds all right to me," rejoined the American. "We'll give you two +weeks, then. If we hear nothing from you by that time we'll move up +slowly toward the Makua. It will be easy enough to learn whether or not +you have passed downstream. We'll wait there another two weeks, which +is all I dare give. That will make about six weeks in all." + +"Vera good," announced Montenay with a nod of satisfaction. "Now about +the boys. I'll take twenty, if that suits you. Some rockets might come +in handy, too." + +These rockets were some that Mr. Wallace had obtained at Boma, made so +they could be fired from a gun or revolver. They were intended for +signaling at night, but had not been used so far. + +"Half the caravan is yours," laughed the American. "You'll leave your +guns here, I suppose?" + +"All but my Express," returned Montenay. "I'll travel light." + +"When will you start?" asked Burt. + +"To-morrow morning," grinned the explorer, calling for John. When that +worthy appeared he was instructed to make all arrangements and select a +score of the best Bantus as porters. A bustle of excitement soon rose +from the camp, while the four discussed the final arrangements. In half +an hour John reappeared and informed them that all was ready for the +start. + +Before daybreak the boys were up and at breakfast. With the first streak +of gray in the east Captain Montenay called his men together, and all +left the camp. Mr. Wallace and the boys had decided to accompany him for +a mile or two in order to see him off safely. + +The party started toward the northeast, in which direction the forest +extended and dipped down into heavier jungle and lower ground. After +two miles they came to a small stream, and here the farewells were said. +Montenay shook hands all around, with no display of emotion. + +"If ye're no seein' me again," he said to Mr. Wallace, while the porters +were fording the stream, "ye'll deliver the letter I gave ye last +night?" + +"I will," answered Mr. Wallace soberly. "And what's more, I'll ship the +boys home and come back for you. So long, old man!" + +"So long. Good luck to ye," and Montenay was caught up between two of +his men and carried across the shallow stream. On the opposite bank he +turned and waved, the three gave him a hearty cheer, and with his little +band he was lost in the heavy foliage. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +MVITA SAVES BURT'S LIFE + + +For three days after the departure of Captain Mac there was little +hunting done. Silent and morose as he often was, the absent explorer +more than made up for this in his moments of gayety. His was a strong +personality, moreover, and his absence could not but make itself felt +keenly. + +There was plenty to occupy the boys, however. A number of heads and +skins had to be prepared and packed. Then there was the native village +to visit, and this was a source of never-ending delight. The chief, +whose name was Mvita, gave a great feast in honor of the hunters--to +which the hunters donated the greater share of the viands--and the +moving-picture outfit came into play with brilliant effect. + +Mr. Wallace took out the boys on a two-days' trip after animal pictures, +also. By utilizing the natives of Mvita's village and also the Bantu +porters as beaters, a bloodless hunt was held. In this the animals were +surrounded and forced to pass before a white-ant hill on which Burt was +posted with the camera. Excellent pictures of various antelope, zebra, +an old and toothless lion, and an infuriated rhino were obtained. In +this way a week was passed, and finally Mr. Wallace announced that on +the morrow they would hold another real elephant hunt, as Mvita reported +a herd of the giant beasts three miles to the north. + +As they were leaving camp at dawn, a number of the villagers hastened +up, headed by their chief. With anxious face Mvita implored the honor of +bearing the guns of one of the white men. John refused him, wishing to +save the usual gifts and emoluments of the office. Burt, however, +interrupted with a laugh. + +"Let him carry our guns, uncle! We've never been waited on by a real +king before, an' it's somethin' to boast of. He won't steal 'em, will +he?" + +"I guess not," laughed Mr. Wallace, nodding to Mvita. With evident +delight the chief took Burt's heavy elephant-gun. He was clad in long +flowing red cotton robes, doubtless his insignia of office, but when +John suggested that he remove them for the journey he refused +indignantly. He could speak a little French, but very little. + +"Are we going to spend all day?" inquired Critch, as the camp was left +behind and the red spears of dawn shot up in the east. + +"Can't tell," replied Mr. Wallace. "The elephants were reported as being +three miles north yesterday. By this time they may be twenty miles away, +or they may remain in the same place for a week at a time, until their +food is exhausted. However, we ought to strike something before noon." + +"Say," broke out Burt suddenly, "remember what Cap'n Mac said last night +about his scrap with that Arab trader? Do you think he was giving it to +us straight?" + +"Of course," answered his uncle decidedly. "Why?" + +"Well," responded Burt doubtfully, "it looked a whole lot like downright +piracy to me, that's all. It might ha' happened five hundred years ago, +but it's hard to realize--" + +"Look here," broke in Mr. Wallace, "you've got to remember, Burt, that +Montenay has spent practically all his life exploring. He has his bad +points, like all of us, but he has his share of good ones also. I myself +don't blame him a bit. That Arab, Yusuf ben Salir, was a slave dealer +and pirate himself. Besides, it was a matter of personal revenge with +Mac. He's just done a tremendously brave thing in setting out for the +pigmy land alone,--well, he's a strange character." + +"Think we'll meet him?" asked Critch in a low voice. "Or rather, will he +meet us?" + +"I'm afraid not," replied Mr. Wallace. "He has only one chance in a +thousand of making it. Hello! Look at that ant hill--the sunny side!" + +Following his finger, the boys saw a huge snake stretched out, warming +himself in the hot sun. All three were at the head of the beaters, and +Mvita, the only gunbearer who noticed the snake, brought up his heavy +gun rapidly. Mr. Wallace waved him back, however, drawing his revolver +and putting a bullet through the serpent's head. Upon measuring him, the +reptile was found to be exactly fifteen feet in length. + +"Say, ain't he a beaut though!" observed Critch, gazing down at the +bright green and gold body. "Is he hard to skin?" + +"Not a bit," replied Mr. Wallace. "Not worth while, though. The colors +won't last. The gold turns white and the green black." + +"I don't care," said Burt, "let's leave a couple o' men to skin him +anyhow. Even black an' white ought to make a mighty fine trophy. Snake +skin keeps better than fur, anyhow." + +As Critch was also anxious to save the python skin, two of the Bantus +were left to take it into camp while the party proceeded north. + +They had marched for over an hour without any sign of elephant when one +of Mvita's men appeared ahead. A number had been sent out from the +village to locate the herd, if possible. The man, flourishing his spear, +ran up and reported that before dawn he had heard loud trumpeting in the +forest ahead, not over a mile distant. + +"Good enough," exclaimed Mr. Wallace. "John, get these chaps spread out +in a line across country, to drive in anything toward the center. You +stick to me, though, and handle my guns." + +"Yes, sar," came the reply. A moment later the party had scattered, the +natives stretching out in a long thin line far to right and left. Once +more the advance was taken up, and all trudged steadily forward for half +a mile. It was exciting work, for at any moment the patches of small +trees, high grass and rush might yield anything from an elephant to a +lion. A very hopeful-looking thicket had just been beaten through +without any luck, and the three whites sighted an open grassy glade +which stretched away in front, when Mvita gave a low whistle and +muttered to John. The latter instantly stopped his master. Parting the +bushes cautiously and gazing out on the fairly open glade, all could see +a good sized herd of wildebeest grazing a quarter of a mile away. + +"We must have one of them," whispered Mr. Wallace, as the boys stared at +the weird, bison-like animals eagerly. "We're down-wind, so I'll stalk +'em. Come on, John." + +The two stole out cautiously, and began making a slow advance over the +open space, hiding behind the ant hills and among the tall grass. Only +the waving tops of the latter betrayed their presence, but just as the +boys were expecting to hear a shot, Mvita touched Burt on the arm. One +of his men had approached silently, and his face portended big tidings. + +"What is it--elephant?" asked Burt. Mvita grinned and shook his head, +then murmured one word. + +"_Simba!_" + +"Lion!" echoed Critch, who knew the native term. "Come on, Burt!" + +Without hesitation the two boys turned away and followed the native +guide. The latter led them to the right for some distance, and as no +sign of lion showed up Burt became impatient. + +"Where--" he began, when the native stopped, clicked his tongue, and +pointed with his spear. Ahead of them the boys caught sight of a small +lioness trotting away from a clump of thick bushes. Burt, grabbing for +his rifle, ran forward eagerly. Critch's bearer was a Bantu, who handed +over the heavy gun but refused absolutely to advance. The two boys ran +forward in order to cut off the trotting lioness from a stretch of +rushes for which she was making. + +They were barely fifty yards from the clump of bushes when they both +stopped short at a shrill yell from Mvita, who had followed them +closely, at the same instant Burt saw something appear at the edge of +the bushes. Then came a low, muttering growl, and a huge black-maned +lion appeared, his red mouth open, gazing steadily at the hunters. Burt +pulled up his rifle and fired quickly. The growl ended in a snarl, and +the lion rolled over. + +"Hurray!" shouted Burt, "I landed him--" + +"Look out!" yelled Critch, and the explosion of his rifle almost +deafened his chum. As Burt had fired, three more lionesses had appeared +among the bushes, following the first! Two disappeared, but Critch's +shot stopped the last one, not killing her. He put another bullet into +her shoulder and she lay still. While he ran forward to make sure of his +prize, Burt, followed by Mvita, turned toward the lion. The great beast +lay perfectly still. Three of the Bantus had run up, and were standing +within a few yards of him. + +They were gathered in a group near his tail, admiring and yet afraid to +touch him. Burt remembered his uncle's warnings about the remarkable +tenacity of life often shown by lions, and stopped when fifty feet away. +The lion was still breathing, but lay motionless. Concluding that if he +paid no attention to the chattering natives he would remain quiet for a +finishing shot, Burt and Mvita ran onward, the chief displaying no fear +whatever, unlike the Bantus. + +They approached from his rear, and assuming that he was unable to rise, +Burt stepped around for a good shot at the eye, which would not harm the +pelt. The instant he came into view of the wounded beast, however, the +latter revived. + +With one terrific roar he sprang to his feet as if uninjured. His green +eyes blazed with fury, and his lips were drawn back until his long, +yellow teeth were exposed in a snarl that struck Burt cold, for the boy +was barely a dozen feet away. The men had fled instantly, only Mvita +remaining beside Burt. The latter, taken by surprise, gave a step +backward, lifting his rifle. + +Just as the beast was in the act of springing, Burt fired. The heavy +bullet missed the eye and glanced off the sharply backward-sloping head +of the brute, but its terrific impact was sufficient to stop the animal +for the instant. Burt heard a yell from Critch, and was tempted to turn +and run. The lion was up immediately, however, and again Burt stepped +back and pulled the trigger. + +This time, however, his foot caught in the grass. The bullet went wild, +and the terrified boy gave himself up for lost. A tremendous thud and +crash at his side told him that the lion had sprung; then a quick flash +of red caught his eye as he rolled over and gained his feet. + +The flash of red came from the robe of Mvita, whose faith in the white +hunters had given way at the last moment. Seeming to realize all at once +the danger of his situation, he turned and ran just as Burt fell, with a +shrill scream. Beyond doubt this movement had saved Burt's life, for the +brilliant red robe caught the eye of the lion, who at once gave chase to +the yelling chief. + +Burt, pale and excited, gained his feet just as the lion was catching up +with Mvita. Lifting his rifle, he fired. To his dismay the bullet missed +completely, throwing up the dust beyond Mvita. In a desperate effort to +save the man before it was too late, Burt pumped at the magazine. At the +same instant Mvita made a quick swerve. The lion also turned, coming +broadside on to Burt. Just as Mvita was about to be brought down, the +boy fired. The lion dropped in the middle of his spring, his back +broken. A shot from Critch's rifle struck him as he lay, and Burt +finally put a bullet through the lion's brain. + +Relieved and rather weak-kneed at the imminent danger, Burt looked +around for his chum. He was astonished to see Critch, who had hastily +returned, give a gasp, then burst into a roar of laughter. Whirling +about, Burt stared over the body of the lion and then went into a spasm +of mirth. + +The sight that met his eyes turned what was nearly a tragedy into +instant comedy. There was Mvita, a dozen yards from the lion, earnestly +bent upon scrambling up a thorn-tree in the shortest possible time! He +never cast a glance below, as the roars of laughter went up from the +boys and even from the natives, but only climbed the faster. He was +nearing the top of the spiny tree; on every limb and thorn hung remnants +of his gorgeous crimson robe, and by the time he reached the top he was +fully as well clad as his humblest subject below. + +In vain did the boys yell at him to come down. Mvita was taking no +chances of a mistake again, and not until he had reached the very top +branch that would bear his weight did the terrified chieftain glance +down. Even the sight of his laughing subjects and the dead lion hardly +reassured him, but once he was certain of his safety he took a speedy +and certain method of restoring his lost dignity. Descending as quickly +as he had gone up, he brought a long thorn-branch with him, and applied +this to his subjects and the Bantus indiscriminately until their +laughter was changed to howls for mercy. Only at the intercession of the +gasping boys did the angry chief cease. + +The Bantus speedily gathered, and played like children about the dead +bodies of the two beasts, which had been placed side by side. They +proved themselves surprisingly good mimics, one taking the part of the +lion and jumping with a growl at the others. Another took Burt's part, +snapping his fingers as he stepped backward and finally fell; while a +third played Mvita, running to the thorn tree with the lion in hot +pursuit. At this instant an angry voice stopped the proceedings, and the +boys looked around in alarm to see Mr. Wallace running toward them. + +"Here, what is all this?" he shouted, waving his rifle. Before the boys +could answer he caught sight of the two carcasses, and stopped short. +"So you've been disobeying orders again!" + +"Not quite that, uncle," returned Burt quickly. He then explained why +they had left, together with all that had happened. As Mr. Wallace +glanced at the almost naked chief, and then at the decorated thorn tree, +his face relaxed and Burt knew there was no more to fear. + +"You spoiled a fine shot for me," was all Mr. Wallace said. "I guess +you've had lesson enough. Get the boys busy on the skins, John." + +"How about the elephants?" spoke up Critch. + +"They're not far off, unless your shooting frightened them. We'll leave +the Bantus to skin these beasts, while we go on with Mvita's men." + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +MONTENAY RETURNS + + +"We ought to provide Mvita with a new robe," suggested Burt with a grin. +"He saved my life all right back there, whether he meant to or not." + +"A few yards of cloth will fix him," returned his uncle, as they started +off with the chief and his men. "You'd better carry your big guns now +yourselves. No telling what will happen." + +One of the villagers led them forward at a brisk pace, straight onward +for about a mile. They were now almost in the jungle, the open spaces +and higher ground seeming to end abruptly with a small stream which they +passed. Mvita's men were spread out in a wide circle, for the elephant +herd had finally been located, and once the beaters got around them the +animals would scent them and come up-wind toward the hunters. + +Presently they came upon the elephant spoor, or trail--a wide swath +ripped through the heavy undergrowth by the passage of the big animals. +To one side of this Mr. Wallace and the boys took their stand, hiding +amid the bushes. + +"Let them pass us," cautioned the explorer, "and when you have a clear +shoulder-shot, make it fatal the first time. You take the first, +Critch--" + +He was cut short by a yell that arose ahead. This was followed by a loud +trumpeting as the frightened animals crashed away from the beaters. Burt +paled as he thought of what might happen should the elephants burst upon +them through the jungle instead of following their own trail, but he had +little time for reflection. Even as the thought came to him the first +elephant appeared with a shrill trumpet of rage, his trunk flung high +and his wide ears flapping forward. Behind him came more of the dim, +gigantic shapes, and the boys pulled up their guns. + +Not ten feet from them, the first elephant thundered past, the others +crowding close upon him. Critch waited until he was sure of his shot, +and then sent the first beast reeling into the opposite side of the +trail with the force of his bullet. Almost instantly Burt fired at the +second elephant, striking him just behind the shoulder. The others +stopped for a second, giving Mr. Wallace a chance for a fine shot, then +smashed into the jungle and were gone. + +"Hurray!" yelled Critch, leaping to his feet. "Mine's down!" + +"So's mine," shouted Burt eagerly, gazing at the motionless form of the +elephant, who had staggered and sunk into the grass at once. + +"Come on," cried his uncle as the first of the natives appeared, "I hit +mine badly, and he can't be far away." + +Mvita came up on the run as they started, and all broke into the jungle +on the trail of the wounded elephant, John carrying the spare guns. Only +a hundred yards away they came upon their quarry. The elephant, mortally +wounded, was standing beneath a large tree, half-hidden among the +foliage. They could see him swaying from side to side, and just as Mr. +Wallace was circling around for a finishing shot the huge bulk crashed +down and lay still. + +"Ain't it pretty near time to eat?" inquired Critch, after they had +inspected the body. + +"Just about," answered Mr. Wallace. "Where will we make camp, John?" + +"By de river, sar," was the reply, and John was busied at once with +orders to Mvita and the natives, who had brought along a chop-box. The +three elephants killed were all bulls, that of Mr. Wallace having only +one tusk. While the ivory was being cut out and the bodies being +dissected by the natives, who would make a grand feast that night, the +three whites returned to the small stream which had been crossed half an +hour before. + +John had found a small spring of clear, sweet water near some high +ground on the west bank. Opposite, there was a long stretch of marshy, +low ground that gave upon the jungle proper. On their camping side, +however, this fever-threatening swamp was entirely absent. + +Before an hour had passed the three were sitting around their folding +canvas table, doing full honor to the forest delicacies furnished by +John and his assistants. More of the villagers trooped up to share in +the elephant meat, until it seemed to the boys that the entire village +was present. Suddenly Burt, who was sitting facing the stream, gave a +startled exclamation and pointed to the low ground opposite. + +"What's that, Uncle George?" + +Turning in their seats, the others saw the top of the high marsh-grass +waving as if some creature were forcing its way along. John, who had +over-heard the question, brought up the rifles at once but Mr. Wallace +waved him back and took out his glasses. + +"I don't know, Burt. Doesn't show up yet. It'd hardly be any animal, for +we are up-wind and he would scent us. It might be a crocodile, although +in that case he would not make so much commotion. What do you think, +John?" + +The gigantic negro took the glasses and gazed long and earnestly at the +faint movement in the grass, which seemed to be coming toward the river. +Then he returned them with a shrug. + +"Not know, sar." + +"Tell Mvita to send over some of his boys and find out," suggested +Critch. Mr. Wallace nodded and John was off instantly. A moment later a +dozen natives started crossing the stream, advancing cautiously, for +they too had been puzzled and were taking no chances. Before they had +reached the opposite bank Critch gave a cry. + +"Look there! It's coming out!" + +Through their glasses they could see a dark object crossing one of the +more open spaces. Its method of progression was peculiar, because while +it was undoubtedly coming toward the river, it seemed to be rising and +falling, floundering in the marsh-mud, and at times lying motionless on +the grass-hummocks. + +"It's a man!" exclaimed Burt in amazement. Critch uttered a scornful +denial, but Mr. Wallace slowly nodded. + +"I believe it is," he asserted. "I thought I could make out arms and +legs but I wasn't sure. If it is a man, he must be in a mighty bad fix." + +A sudden idea occurred to Burt and he glanced at his chum. Critch met +his eye and read the unspoken thought. When Burt raised his glasses +again his face was white. + +Now the natives were surrounding the strange figure, and a moment later +one of them waved his spear. The others could be seen lifting the +creature, whatever it was, and speedily carried him to the river. + +"Come along," and Mr. Wallace rose hastily. "We'll go down and meet +them. If it's a man he'll need help. John, did you bring the small +medicine case?" + +"Here, sar," and as if by magic the grinning black produced the required +object. They all hurried down to the river, where the villagers were +already crowding around in great curiosity. The little band of natives +splashed across the stream, and suddenly Burt felt his uncle grip his +arm. + +"Burt!" and he had never before heard such tense horror in a man's +voice. "Go up and get some water boiling right away! Hurry, lad, hurry!" +Without pausing to ask questions Burt dashed off. As he went he could +hear his uncle continuing. "John, make for the camp right away. Get out +bandages, have hot water, make the hypodermics ready and mix some strong +morphia and anti-toxin solution. That is Captain Montenay." John was off +at a run instantly. + +The last words struck Burt like a blow. With pale face he got the water +heating, and met his uncle as the latter ordered the senseless form of +Captain Mac set down. The explorer was unrecognizable. He was plastered +with mud from head to foot and his whole body was swelled and poisoned +until he bore small resemblance to a man. Mr. Wallace gave a glance +around, then shook his head. + +"We can do nothing here. Boys, we'll have to work to save him. Looks to +me like black wasp stings." Turning to Mvita, he ordered Montenay's body +carried to the village at top speed. Instantly four natives caught up +the senseless figure and made off at a lope. + +Mr. Wallace and the boys dropped everything and followed. When they +reached the camp after a hard march they found John bathing the swollen +body of Captain Mac, and Mr. Wallace went to work at once with the +medicines that lay ready. With the mud and dirt removed, Montenay's +horrible condition only became more evident. Mr. Wallace went to work +with the hypodermic while the boys aided John to cleanse the explorer's +body, then handed the syringe to John to clean and turned to the +bandages and lint. + +The countless stings were washed with a weak solution of ammonia to take +out the poison, and an hour later they left the Scotchman a mass of +bandages but sleeping soundly. + +"I gave him some morphia," explained Mr. Wallace as they washed up +outside. "What he needs first is sleep. He must have been in absolute +agony in there." + +It was after sunset before Captain Mac wakened from his sleep. The boys +were at his side immediately, followed by Mr. Wallace. + +"Well," cried the latter heartily, "how's the sick man now? Feel a bit +better?" + +"Gi' me a drink," whispered the other feebly. When he had taken a long +draught from Burt's canteen he sank back with a satisfied sigh. "Where'd +ye find me?" + +"Down by the river," answered Mr. Wallace. "Feel able to talk?" Montenay +nodded and fixed his eyes on the American. "I suppose the pigmies got +after your men?" + +"Into 'em's more like it," returned Captain Mac. "Didn't see one of 'em. +Just arrows--arrows--arrows, day an' night." He paused for breath. "What +day's this?" + +"Friday," said Critch. "We found you this morning." + +"Wednesday it was," went on Montenay as he gained strength slowly. "Last +six men went in a bunch. Pulled off my shirt an' yelled 'Pongo.' Tried +to talk to the deevils but they wouldn't show up. Started on alone an' +they shot arrows all around me. Didn't dare hit me, I guess. So I came +back." + +"Two days," mused Mr. Wallace. "You certainly looked nice when we found +you!" + +"It was the black wasps," said the other. "I fell into a nest that night +an' it nigh finished me." + +"Come along, boys," returned Mr. Wallace as he arose. "You get to sleep +again, Montenay. You'll be more fit in the morning." + +They adjusted the mosquito curtains for the night and returned to find +dinner waiting for them. After dining sumptuously on eland tongue and +hartebeest tenderloin Burt pushed back his canvas chair with a sigh of +content. + +"I s'pose we'll work up toward the Makua pretty quick, won't we?" he +asked his uncle. + +"You bet we will," replied the latter fervently. "Just as soon as +Captain Mac's able to navigate. That'll be two or three days anyway. We +have a nice little bunch of ivory and we'll get more in by trading as we +go along. Mvita has four more tusks to bring in too." + +"That ivory zareba'd mean a good bunch o' money, wouldn't it?" put in +Critch. "I'd hate to go through what Cap'n Mac has, though." + +"By the way," said Mr. Wallace, "don't use all those chop-boxes. I want +a couple of zebra and giraffe skins. We'll get 'em farther north on our +way up." + +"Mvita told me this morning," said Burt, "that there was some giraffe +about five miles to the northeast of here. Why couldn't we get 'em and +have a skin fixed by the time Cap'n Mac's ready to march?" + +"We'd save time that way, but I don't want to leave him," returned his +uncle thoughtfully. "However, I might send you two out with John. I'd +trust him anywhere." + +"Go ahead!" pleaded Critch excitedly. "That'd be great, Mr. Wallace!" + +"John!" called the explorer with a smile. "If I send you out after +giraffe in the morning with these boys, will you take good care of 'em?" + +"Sure, sar!" grinned the big Liberian cheerfully. "John him be beri +careful. Bring back safe!" + +"All right. Get your stuff ready then. You can take my big rifle +yourself." As John went off with a wider grin than ever Mr. Wallace +turned to the boys. "I want you two to promise me that whatever happens +you'll obey John and do just as he tells you." + +"All right, sir," replied Critch at once. + +"So'll I," agreed Burt. "Five miles in this country won't be any joke, +though!" + +"It'll take a good day right enough," nodded Mr. Wallace. "John is +pretty safe to be with and he'll take as good care of you as I would. If +you find the giraffes don't bring down more than two. You might run +across some zebra in the same country and if you do, you can get some of +'em too. But I guess there's not much danger of that, without horses. + +"Now remember to obey John in everything. He'll be in my place for the +day. Better fill your canteens with cold coffee before you go and take +your heavy rifles. Let John have your compass, Burt. If you run across +any waterbuck bring in a couple for the men. It'll be a good change of +diet. Now get to sleep, for you'll be up before day." + +After laying out a supply of heavy cartridges and some fresh clothes for +the morning the boys tumbled into their sleeping bags on top of their +cots. Each leg of the cots was placed in a dish of water to keep off +ants and other crawling creatures which might wander in. Critch was half +asleep when he heard Burt's voice. + +"Oh, Critch! Remember what Cap'n Mac looked like coming across that +swamp?" + +"Shut up! I don't want to dream about it." + +"I was just thinkin' that we'll stick pretty close to John to-morrow, +eh?" + +"You bet your life we will! Go to sleep." + +It was their last sleep in the comfortable tent for many a night. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +IN THE PIGMY VILLAGE + + +As Mr. Wallace had predicted, they were up long before the sun. After a +hasty breakfast by candle light John discarded his role of chef and +buckled on a cartridge belt. As their gun-bearers and a dozen porters +assembled, two hunters came in from the village to guide them to the +place where the giraffes had been seen and the boys bade Mr. Wallace +farewell. + +A five-mile walk through rough and thickly wooded African country is not +a light task by any means. In the main they followed trails where heavy +animals had beaten down the thick grass and left openings through the +bush. They saw little game for the first hour, although once a big +python slid across the path and Burt missed him. + +"Won't we have a yarn when we get home?" said Burt, gleefully. "We'll +run some great little old stories in the high school paper next year, +eh?" + +"Bet your life!" replied Critch. "I'd like to bottle some o' them blamed +little red ants and use 'em for initiations. Wouldn't they make the +fellows squirm?" + +"Say, don't forget to swap some of Mvita's men out o' their stuff. We +want to take home a good bunch o' them spears, Critch. A couple o' +shields and knives'd go great too." + +"No talk-talk now, massa Burt!" John turned to them warningly. "Him +giraffe not beri far. Maybe hear." + +The hunters had slipped through the tall grass and vanished. It was now +two hours after daylight and the boys knew they must be getting near the +hunting grounds. They were no longer in the plain and were advancing by +a buffalo-trail through a low jungle-growth not far from a small river. + +One of the hunters appeared in a highly excited state and John motioned +to the boys to get out their guns. They now advanced more cautiously as +they saw the Bantus in front gesturing to them and in another moment +sighted two giraffes standing in an open glade ahead. + +As the boys raised their guns something flashed out from the farther +side of the thicket and both animals gave a leap. Without stopping to +think what it was the boys fired. Burt hit the animal on the right and +he dropped to his knees, then bounded off and the boy brought him down +with his second barrel. Critch had hit the other giraffe in the brain +and killed him instantly. + +The boys sprang forward with a shout of joy but were stopped by John's +voice. "Come back!" cried the big Liberian. "Pigmies in there." + +"What!" Critch whirled incredulously. "Where?" + +"Them shoot arrows first. Maybe mad 'cause we kill giraffes. Go back +quick--" + +The hurried order was stopped by a frenzied yell from the Bantus. Dark +objects flitted through the trees at their side and the hunters broke in +wild fear. Before the boys could stir in their tracks they saw John reel +and fall suddenly. At the same time something struck and threw them to +the ground, and despite their struggles they were bound hand and foot +while skins thrown around their heads made them gasp for light and air. + +It was all done so swiftly that Burt hardly realized what had happened +before he felt himself picked up and carried off. He could not know that +Critch was close behind him and he was in an agony of suspense. Had his +chum and big John been killed? He tried to call out but the skin around +his head stifled him. He could hear nothing save an occasional guttural +clicking word from his bearers and was forced to resign himself to his +fate. + +It seemed that he was borne along for ages. His head was protected, but +mosquitoes and gnats settled on his bound hands until his arms seemed to +be dipped in living flame. Then he heard his captors splashing through +shallow water and knew that they were crossing the river into the jungle +beyond. After this they slipped through thorn-laden bushes that ripped +his clothes to shreds, and once a black wasp's sting drew a groan of +pain from the boy, for the touch was like hot iron to his hand. + +He did not doubt for a moment that he was captured by pigmies. If only +they had grasped John's warning an instant sooner! Burt groaned again as +he remembered how the big Liberian had reeled and fallen. And what +would his uncle do? The thought gave him sudden hope. His uncle would +know he had been carried off, surely! But if Captain Mac had failed to +penetrate the jungle even with his "pull," how could he look to his +uncle for rescue? + +Suddenly Burt felt himself thrown roughly to the ground. His bonds were +cut and the skin pulled from about his head. As he sat up a strange +sight greeted his startled gaze. + +Critch sat beside him, rubbing his inflamed hands grimly. All around +them stood little men hardly four feet tall. They were armed with +knives, spears and bows and were naked save for waist-cloths. Each man +wore a square-shaped headdress and all were chattering away with their +peculiar guttural clicks. Most of them had arm rings and neck rings of +iron or brass. + +Beyond them were a number of low huts four feet high arranged in a rough +circle and in the center of this circle were the boys. When Burt glanced +at the faces of the men around him he was surprised to find them not +black but brown, with wide-set eyes and frank expressions. The village +was set in the semi-gloom of the deep jungle. + +"Well," grunted Critch, "nice mess, ain't it?" + +"What'll they do with us?" queried Burt anxiously. "Golly, my hands are +fierce! S'pose uncle'll find us?" + +"Search me," replied Critch. "What happened to John?" + +"Don't talk about it. I don't know." Burt shuddered. "Wonder if they +speak French?" + +Burt addressed the pigmies in that language. They chattered excitedly in +response but he could make nothing of their words. They seemed to be +perplexed as to what disposition to make of their prisoners, for one +after another chattered angrily while the rest shook their heads. + +"Ain't a bad looking lot at that," commented Critch coolly. "High +foreheads and good eyes, most of 'em. Look at their color, Burt! S'pose +they're the white pigmies?" + +"No," replied Burt. "Guess they're Wambuti. Cap'n Mac said they looked +like this. By golly! I got it!" + +Seizing a stick that lay beside him the boy attracted the attention of +the dwarfs. As they watched him curiously he drew a loop in the ground +with the end of the stick. From the loop he extended an arm and drew +another across. A startled silence fell on the pigmies as they watched. + +"Pongo!" shouted Critch suddenly. "Bet she works, old man!" + +At sight of the sacred emblem and at his shout something like a groan of +fear and horror went up from the pigmies. Instantly one, who had a +higher headdress and wore more ornaments than the rest, stepped forward +and spoke excitedly. When Burt shook his head and repeated the sacred +word a spasm of anger flashed across the pigmy's face and he motioned +them to rise. One of the little men darted off into the jungle as the +boys were led to a hut and made to enter. + +They crouched down in the dark cramped interior and as they did so a +pigmy thrust some roasted bananas in at the door. The boys got outside +of these without delay and as they still had their canteens of coffee +they began to feel more cheerful. + +"That was a rotten poor idea," said Critch disgustedly. "Wish we'd shut +up 'bout Pongo." + +"If we had we might be in the soup by now," laughed Burt. "Got that +camphor bottle with you? Mine's busted." + +Each of the boys carried a small bottle of camphor while away from the +camp. The camphor was a good thing for bites and assisted in keeping off +many insects. Critch found his bottle intact and they bathed their +hands. Fortunately their pith helmets had not been knocked off by the +skins thrown around them and these afforded their faces some protection, +although the nets were badly torn. + +"I'm going to try getting out of this," asserted Critch as the time +passed on without anything stirring without. "Too blamed hot in here for +me." + +He crawled to the door and stuck out his head, then withdrew it so +suddenly that he fell back over Burt. "Gosh!" he cried. "There's a +fellow out there with a spear and he pretty near stuck me. It's got that +black stuff on it, too! Guess I'll stay in here a while. You can go out +for a walk if you want." + +"No thanks," grinned Burt faintly. "It ain't exactly inviting outside, +I judge. I put my foot in it all right when I mentioned Cap'n Mac's +friend. Wonder what they'll do with us?" + +The afternoon wore away slowly and painfully and merged into night +suddenly. More of the roasted bananas were thrust in at the door, +together with some water and mashed-up beans. The little hut was barely +large enough to allow the boys to stretch out and as it became evident +that they were not to be visited that night they made themselves as +comfortable as possible and finally got to sleep. They suffered little +from insects because not only was the hut closely thatched and plastered +with mud, but there was a fire outside the door. + +Burt was awakened by a tug at his foot. Sitting up with a startled +exclamation he saw a pigmy blocking the door. It was evidently long +after daybreak, for even the darkest recesses of the pigmy village were +showing some light. Burt aroused Critch and the latter followed him +through the door. + +Outside they found apparently the whole tribe assembled. Men, women and +children stood or squatted around in a big circle and as the boys +emerged they were greeted by a rippling click. Whether it was of fear or +anger the boys could not tell. They stood and stretched their cramped +limbs. + +"Seem to be looking for some one," said Critch. In fact the pigmies were +many of them gazing expectantly toward the end of the village, where +there was an opening in the circle of huts. As the boys followed their +looks curiously Burt recognized the little warrior who had darted off +the previous afternoon. He was advancing quickly from the jungle and +behind him were a number of others. + +"By golly, they're white!" exclaimed Critch. + +"Can't be--yes, they are!" Burt cried in excitement. He saw that the six +men who followed the pigmy were no larger than he, but they were of a +distinctly lighter color. They were also better dressed and carried +larger and stronger bows. The foremost was seemingly a very young man. + +They advanced rapidly and when they reached the circle of villagers the +latter struck their heads against the ground and clicked as if in fear. +The white pigmies were first shown the two boys, then were taken to the +sign of the _ankh_ which Burt had scratched on the ground the day +before. When they saw this the six gave low exclamations and the young +one advanced to the side of the boys. + +"You know Pongo?" he said in English. The boys gave a shout of joy at +hearing the words but repressed it as a dozen spears were poised. + +"Yes!" cried Burt, sitting down again hastily. "Cap'n Mac told us. +Say--" + +"Hold on!" interrupted Critch excitedly. "Are you Mbopo?" + +"Mbopo!" the young pigmy repeated with evident delight. "Where know +that? You know Buburika Mac?" + +"Yes," replied Burt. He spoke slowly and distinctly in order to make the +pigmy understand and supplemented his words with gestures. "He's off +that way. These people killed his party a few days ago and nearly killed +him. They attacked us and brought us here yesterday." + +"Hurt Buburika?" demanded the pigmy angrily. He turned and poured out a +flood of words at the darker pigmies who howled and beat the ground with +their heads. One of his own men stepped forward and spoke a few words +and the young man turned to the boys again. + +"I friend," he said gently. "No can help much. You slave--go to Pongo." + +"To Pongo!" cried Burt in dismay. But he quickly rallied. "Where'd you +learn English?" + +"Buburika," smiled the young fellow proudly. "Buburika--Leopard, little +leopard. Him like me. Me help him. Help you maybe. Buburika Mac him +Pongo too." + +The other white pigmies chattered something and Mbopo motioned to the +boys to follow them. The black ones brought out the guns taken from the +boys, together with the cartridges and knives. These Mbopo's men took +care of and with the young pigmy at their side the boys were marched +away from the village of the brown tribe. + +"No talkee," cautioned Mbopo. In a moment they were hidden from sight or +sound of the village. All about them rose the dense jungle growth. Great +trees stretched high above them with their boughs meeting overhead, +matted with creepers and vines. Only an occasional ray of sunlight +filtered through that vast canopy of foliage under which leaped and +chattered flocks of monkeys. Tiny bees tormented them through the torn +places in their nets. + +Every few yards they had to climb half rotted tree trunks studded with +briary creepers and alive with ants. They passed stagnant swamps and +pools covered with greasy green scum and emitting vile odors. Once or +twice a black pigmy appeared silently, received a sign from Mbopo, and +vanished again without a word. That vast silence oppressed the boys +terribly and they were heartily glad when they arrived at a village +similar to that they had left, and halted for dinner. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE SACRED LION + + +"Things might be a whole lot worse," said Critch as he stretched out +after the meal. "I'd kind of like a change from roast bananas and beans, +though." + +"A little grub cheers a fellow up some, don't it?" returned Burt. "I +hate to think of what's coming to us, though. D'you s'pose they'll brand +us?" + +"Search me," yawned Critch. "I reckon Mbopo'll help us if he can. We +just got to grin and bear it, old sport. Ain't no use whining." + +"Whining yourself, you red-head!" retorted Burt indignantly. "D'you +reckon they're toting us for their health? If we could only swipe one of +those guns and lay out the big lion! Here's Mbopo." + +The pigmy approached and squatted down before them with a smile. His +face was intelligent and well-formed. He had a row of cicatrices down +each cheek like his fellows and wore a leopard skin hung across his +shoulders. + +"Mbopo help," he asserted. "How Buburika?" + +"Him good," replied Critch. "Good name for Cap'n Mac, ain't it, Burt? +What are your people going to do with us, Mbopo?" + +"White boys ju-ju," replied Mbopo. "Give Pongo." + +"Is that the lion Buburika laid out?" exclaimed Burt. The pigmy looked +blank and Burt repeated his question. + +"Him lion," nodded the other. "Maybe him scared you too. Him scared +white skin. Scared Buburika. What? Mbopo help. Aye, vera good." + +The concluding words sent a twinkle into the boys' eyes but they were +careful not to laugh. The very tone was an exact imitation of Montenay's +voice. + +"You bet that's good," replied Critch. "Can you get one o' them bang +bangs? Guns?" He made the motion of shooting but Mbopo shook his head +decisively. + +"No got. Him stay here." The pigmy pointed to the chief's hut. "Come. +We go. No fash yerself--Mbopo help!" + +Barely able to repress their laughter at the comical imitation of +Captain Mac, the boys rose and Mbopo patted their hands encouragingly. +He clicked and his men appeared from different directions. The boys saw +that their guns were left behind. + +"That don't look encouraging--" began Critch but Mbopo stopped him with +a warning "no talkee" and the march was again taken up through the +jungle. A number of black dwarfs accompanied them this time and the boys +were amazed at the agility with which the little men swung through the +trees or cleared a path through the jungle growths. They seemed +perfectly confident that their captives would not try to escape. Both +boys realized how useless it would be and had not even discussed the +idea. + +At nightfall they halted in a third Wambuti village. On the way the +party of hunters with them brought in a wart hog and a small gazelle. On +these the village feasted that night. There were no more bananas or +plantains but plenty of the ground beans and some manioc and nuts like +chestnuts which the pigmies ate voraciously but which did not appeal to +the boys. + +They were left unguarded that night and tried to sleep in the open +beside a fire. The insects proved too much for them, however, and they +were glad to seek the shelter of a hut, cramped as it was. As their +belongings had not been taken, with the exception of their weapons, +Critch still had his compass. That evening they discussed the course of +their march and agreed that it had been north by east. + +"I've been watching the needle," said Critch. "We came north yesterday +from the camp. To-day we've been traveling a little east of north. +Golly, I'm tired! Guess we can't bank on your uncle finding us now." + +"Guess not," agreed Burt hopelessly. "We only got one chance of ever +getting out of this mess, Critch. If we can do what Cap'n Mac did we may +work it." + +"We got Mbopo to help," returned Critch. "I ain't looking forward to +getting branded very eager. We got to get around that part of it, Burt." + +"Don't see how," answered Burt. "It don't look like Cap'n Mac hurt old +Pongo very much with his blazing oil. We ain't got a gun either. If we +knew any conjuring tricks we might make a bluff on Mbopo's people." + +"I can pull a coin out of handkerchiefs," grinned Critch. "But we ain't +got a coin and if we don't keep our hankies tied on our hands we'd be +eaten alive. Try again." + +"An electric battery'd be the stunt," said Burt. "Fellows in books +always have batteries handy, or eclipses, or something. Guess we ain't +lucky. What d'you s'pose Cap'n Mac would do if he was here?" + +"Prob'ly tell you to shut your head and go to sleep while you can," +grunted Critch. Burt accepted the advice. + +They set out again in the morning and still traveled north by east. +Mbopo said little to them that day. Instead of stopping at a village +they camped out at noon and made a meagre meal of nuts and wild +plantains. They were getting into higher country now although it was +still jungle. The black hunters had not accompanied them and the six +white pigmies were the sole guardians of the boys. At evening there was +no sign of a village and when one of the men brought in another small +wart hog the rest scattered and collected more wild nuts and berries. + +They camped that night in the center of a ring of fires. These smudges +protected them somewhat from the clouds of insects, but nevertheless +both boys suffered a great deal. Their mosquito nets were badly torn and +their camphor was all gone by this time. Although the pigmies did not +seem to mind the mosquitoes, they were very careful to avoid the hanging +nests of the trumpet ants and the black wasps while passing through the +jungle. + +The next morning there was still the same desolate silence all about +them as they marched on. Mbopo had said nothing the night before and the +boys had been too dead tired to ask any questions. Toward noon they both +noticed that their captors became more careless about keeping watch. The +boys were nearly worn out by the terrible journey, but Mbopo pushed +forward relentlessly. As the shadows lengthened the boys saw the reason +for this. + +They had left the lower and denser jungle behind, and seemed to be +slowly reaching higher and freer ground. There was no restriction on +their talking now, and as the sun touched the tips of the trees in the +west Critch gave an exclamation. + +"Look over there ahead, Burt! That's a river, sure's you're born!" + +"Mebbe it's the same one Cap'n Mac told about," returned his chum, +catching sight of the silver thread that was partially hidden by the +trees. At the name, Mbopo turned around with a cheerful grin and fell +back to their side. + +"Mbopo help," he asserted again. "No fash yerself, lad." + +"Thanks, old man," exclaimed Burt. "Is the village near?" + +"Pongo," nodded the dwarf, and Burt gave up trying to talk to him. + +Now two of the men darted ahead at a fast run. For another half mile +they advanced along the river bank. Then the forest ended suddenly. + +"Here we are!" cried Critch. + +Before them lay a small yam-field, and beyond that the famous village of +the white dwarfs. As Captain Montenay had said, it was a very large +one. Despite their plight, the boys looked eagerly for the hut of Pongo. + +"There she is!" exclaimed Burt, and Critch also gave a cry. Off to their +left, almost at the edge of the trees and some distance from the village +thorn-zareba, stood a large hut surrounded by something dark gray in the +sunset. Their attention was soon drawn away from this, however, for a +series of yells went up from the village and out poured the tribe to +welcome them. + +As nearly as the boys could guess, there were something like three +hundred warriors gathered about the gate of the zareba as they came up. +Mbopo saluted them with a few words, but his little party held together +and pushed through the crowd. Behind the warriors and inside the zareba +was a still larger assemblage of women and children. As they passed the +gateway, the boys found themselves in the presence of the chief, no +doubt the same whom Montenay so disliked, for he was an old and +shriveled man whose countenance boded ill for the two captive youths. + +Clad in a splendid leopard-skin robe, he was seated on a pile of skins. +Ranged behind him was a rank of picked spearmen, larger than most of +their fellows, and at one side were a dozen men with tom-toms made of +hollow logs. As the party came in sight these men began beating their +instruments, sending up a roaring clamor that amazed the two boys. + +Mbopo fell on his face before the chief, and the others of the party +after him. Only the two white boys remained erect, facing the glittering +eyes of the old chief while he listened to Mbopo's recital. At its +conclusion he motioned to the latter to rise, and said a few words. The +young dwarf replied and seemed to be expostulating, but the chief sprang +to his feet in a flame of rage. Raising his arm, he pointed toward the +separate hut, and both boys distinctly caught the one word "Pongo." At a +sharp command Mbopo and another dwarf jerked the boys and led them away +to one of the huts, leaving them inside without a word. + +"Well," said Burt throwing himself down with a sigh of relief on some +skins, "the old boy certainly has it in for us. He ain't exactly a nice +specimen, is he?" + +"Not much," ejaculated Critch. "Anyhow, I'm going to sleep, Burt. I'm +too tired to care what happens." + +Burt stretched out likewise and immediately was lost in slumber. The +day's trip had been a hard one indeed, and neither boy was able to +resist the chance to snatch a little rest. When they awoke they were in +darkness, and the voice of Mbopo was in their ears. + +"All right," grumbled Critch. "Quit shaking me. What's up?" + +"Him eat, vera good," came Mbopo's voice. Growing accustomed to the +darkness, the boys found that a faint light flickered in through the +entrance. By this they saw the form of Mbopo. He gave them some roasted +bananas and a gourd containing a sweetish drink made from the banana. +Burt got out his matches and struck a light, by which they found it was +nearly eight o'clock. They had been sleeping only three hours, but even +that small amount of rest had refreshed them wonderfully, and the food +and drink made new boys of them. + +When they had finished the last scrap, Mbopo motioned them to rise. Burt +did so with a groan, for his muscles were stiff and sore, and a moment +later they were outside. Here they could see a number of fires blazing +in a vacant space near the thorn zareba, and toward this Mbopo led them. + +"Mbopo help," was his only speech. "Him lad kill Pongo mebbe. Him do +like Buburika Mac." + +"Don't see how," grunted Burt. + +"Shut up," ordered Critch. "Our friend's got a notion in his head that +we're here to kill the lion, I'll bet a dollar. Say, going to stand for +that branding stunt?" + +"Not if I know it," came the quick response. "S'pose we can't help +ourselves, though. See what turns up." + +"No talkee," cautioned their guide. They drew near the fires, and saw +that the whole tribe was gathered around in a semicircle, enjoying a +huge feast. In the center of this semicircle, not far from the thorn +wall, the old chief reclined on his throne of rugs, the tom-tom beaters +near him. Mbopo, who plainly stood in great awe of the wizened +potentate, fell on his face in salute. Once more the boys calmly met the +evil black eyes that stared at them, and Burt could see small hope in +the malevolent glare of the chief. + +After a few murmured words from Mbopo the chief gave a sharp order. A +dozen feet distant stood a small fire, over which hung some meat on +spits. This was removed, and a warrior brought forward a long thin +object that sent a thrill through Burt. It was a rudely-fashioned +branding iron. + +The warrior thrust one end into the fire. Burt moved closer to his chum, +with fists clenched. He knew well how useless it would be to put up any +fight, but he was determined not to give in to the torture without a +struggle. The old chief smiled slightly at the action, and gave a +motion. Four of the little warriors, only reaching to the shoulder of +the boys, stepped forward with axes ready. + +"No use, old man," said Critch quietly. "We'll have to take our +medicine, I guess." + +The four warriors led the boys to the fire. One of them reached up and +deliberately tore Burt's tattered shirt from his shoulder. The +pale-faced boy made no move to resist, and next moment the white-hot +iron was taken from the fire, and the tom-toms rolled forth their +thunder. + +But at that instant even the noise of the great drums was drowned in an +appalling roar that turned the eyes of all upon the thorn wall. The +startled boys saw the latter bend, there came another terrific roar, +then the stout thorn zareba was burst apart and into the enclosure +rolled the form of an immense lion! + +Before a move could be made the cat-like animal regained his feet, gave +one quick sniff of the air, and pounced on the old chief, who was +struggling to rise. To the surprise of the boys the crowd fell +prostrate; a murmur of "Pongo! Pongo!" went up, and a moment later the +lion gave one bound and had vanished in the night, unharmed. And with +him went the chief of the white dwarfs. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE IVORY ZAREBA + + +The whole thing happened in less than a moment. As Burt recovered from +his surprise the pigmies were still prostrate in the attitude of +worship. Beside him lay the branding iron, unheeded. With a quick motion +the boy stooped and caught it up, whirled it around, and sent it flying +across the zareba. Then he turned to Mbopo. + +"Now make good!" he exclaimed, as a murmur arose from the crowd at his +action. "You're the boss, Mbopo!" + +As though he had understood the words, the young pigmy sprang to his +feet and began to speak rapidly in the clicking language of the dwarfs. +For a moment there was a surge of the warriors toward the captives, then +it was stopped. Mbopo spoke more and more rapidly, and finished his +speech by seizing a spear from the nearest man and leaping on the throne +of skins, where he stood in an attitude of defiance. For a moment the +crowd seemed stupefied by surprise. Then went up two bark-like notes +from every throat, and once more the pigmies sank prostrate in the dust, +saluting their new chief. + +"Bully for him!" cried Critch delightedly. "Now we're all right, Burt!" + +"Looks that way," replied the flushed Burt, who had feared a speedy +retribution for his rash act. Mbopo said a few more words, and again the +peculiar bark-like guttural came from the crowd. There was a movement, +and a dozen of the largest warriors, those who had formed the bodyguard +of the old chief, stepped forward and saluted the new chief with a +prostration. Mbopo had seized the throne. + +"Now I wonder what'll happen?" said Critch. "Say, did you notice that +lion's head, Burt?" + +"Sure," nodded his chum. "It was all scarred white. Funny the way he +butted through that thorn fence, wasn't it? Just like he didn't see it." + +"I'll bet the scar came from the oil Cap'n Mac threw at him!" cried +Critch excitedly. "Mebbe it--" + +"That's it!" exclaimed Burt. "He's blind! He couldn't see the zareba +but he could smell all right. That's it; he's blind!" + +"Hurray!" shouted Critch. Before he could say any more a murmur from the +crowd stopped him. The conversation of the two captives had not passed +unobserved. One of the old men came forward, saluted the chief, and +began to speak. The crowd signified their approval by repeated clicks +and Mbopo also nodded while the wondering boys watched. + +The old man finished his speech. Mbopo stood in silence for a moment and +then gave an order. To the astonishment of the boys they were surrounded +and bound hand and foot in a flash, and laid at the feet of the chief. + +"No fash yerself, lad," came the familiar voice from above them in +reassuring tones. "Mbopo help mebbe. Kill Pongo." + +The bewildered boys lay silent. Burt tried in vain to reason out what +was the reason for their seizure. He was convinced that Mbopo was their +friend, and yet it might well be that the pigmies had demanded a +sacrifice to Pongo from the new ruler and that Mbopo had yielded. + +Then came another order, and the boys were picked up by a dozen hands. +They were carried away from the fires and through rows of grass huts to +the gateway of the zareba. This was opened, and Burt felt a thrill of +fear as he realized that they were being carried outside. Were they to +be staked out for the lion as Captain Mac had been? + +The two were carried forward side by side, and at length were dropped on +the ground. Then followed a clicking conversation, then the warriors +retired and Mbopo leaned over them, knife in hand. + +"Kill Pongo," he whispered cheeringly as he cut their bonds. "Mbopo +help. Old chief vera bad mon. Mbopo him chief." + +"Well, of all things!" ejaculated Critch as he sat up and rubbed his +wrists. "What does it mean, Burt?" + +"Why," responded Burt slowly, "I guess Mbopo has a notion that we can +kill the lion by magic. We've run quite a bluff and I guess we'll have +to make good, old man. What'll we do?" + +Critch looked around. The night was oppressively silent save for the +sound of drums and chanting from the village. They were sitting halfway +between the town and the sacred hut, which could barely be made out in +the starlight. + +"If we could only get inside that hut," returned the red-haired boy, +"without finding the lion there, we might wait for him with some +poisoned arrows. We'll never see our rifles again, that's sure." + +"The lion is blind, I guess," said Burt doubtfully, "but I'd hate to +stand up to him with nothin' but a bow and arrow. Besides, d'you +remember what Cap'n Mac said? They don't use poison here." + +"That's right!" Critch turned to Mbopo. "You got poison, spears, +arrows?" He had to repeat the question several times before the dwarf +could comprehend his meaning. When he did so, Mbopo shook his head, +saying that he had none. + +"I don't b'lieve he's got you yet," said Burt disgustedly. "Well, we got +to make good somehow, Critch. If Mbopo gets the notion that we've been +running a bluff it's good night for us." + +"Are you game to tackle the hut?" asked Critch shortly. "We're taking a +chance on findin' Pongo at home, but it's all I can see to do. Anyhow, +Burt, he ain't very hungry just now." + +"I s'pose not," and Burt shuddered a trifle. "Come on then," and he rose +to his feet. "Say! Why couldn't Mbopo bring us some weapons? If we had +one o' them axes--" + +"That's the talk!" burst out Critch. "If we had a couple o' men with +axes, Burt, we could make a trap for the old lion! How's that?" + +"Fine!" replied Burt hopefully. "Have to make it out o' pretty big logs, +though. If the lion isn't inside, we can make a fire an' scare him off +for a while anyhow." + +"Lot o' good that'd do," grunted his chum. "He wouldn't know there was +any fire there unless he walked into it!" + +Burt turned to Mbopo. By dint of constant repetition and much patience +he finally made the dwarf understand that he wanted another man or two +and some weapons. Mbopo hesitated, then handed over a small axe that was +slung at his waist. + +"Me got bruder," he replied at length. "Bring him, bring plenty spear, +hey?" + +"That's it," exclaimed Burt. "Bring 'em over there, see?" and he pointed +toward the sacred hut. + +"Mebbe so, pretty quick," asserted the dwarf, rather doubtfully. "Kill +Pongo?" + +"You bet," answered Critch, a good deal more confidently than he felt, +patting the dwarf on the shoulder. "Chase along now, old scout. We'll +kill Pongo right enough!" + +"Vera good," replied Mbopo. The next instant he was lost in the +darkness, and Burt turned to his chum. + +"Well, we might as well die game," he said, with an attempt at a smile. +"Ready?" + +"I s'pose so," responded Critch, who had suddenly lost his confident +manner. "Get your matches ready." + +The two boys started toward the sacred hut. Both were extremely stiff +and sore, and in sad need of sleep. The sound of chanting and the throb +of tom-toms came from the village behind without interruption, while in +front of them was the forest, silent and black and somber. Suddenly the +black hut with its dull gray stockade loomed up before them. + +"Who's goin' first?" asked Burt, half-heartedly. + +"I will," volunteered Critch. Holding a match ready, he entered the +narrow gate of the ivory zareba. The little enclosure around the thatch +hut was empty, and before them loomed a small black doorway. Critch, +with one swift gesture, scratched the match and flung it inside, +stooping to look after it. The brief flame gave them a rapid vista of +bare walls and floor. + +"Hurray!" whispered the red-haired lad hoarsely. "She's empty!" + +Ashamed of his own timidity, Burt stepped past him without a word. As he +went, he lit a match and held it on high. Tearing a piece of the loose +thatch from the walls, he lit it and cast it on the floor and then the +two boys looked around. + +The hut was much larger than the other dwellings of the white pigmies. +The floor was littered with bones, leaves, sticks and dirt of every +description. Close inside the door stood three earthenware vessels, and +while Burt threw more leaves and sticks on the little fire, Critch +picked up one of these. + +"Palm oil!" he cried. "Here's a light, Burt! Put a strip of cloth in +each of these and we'll have elegant lamps." + +In another moment each of the three improvised lamps was burning +faintly, while the fire also flared up. As it did so Burt gave an +exclamation. + +"Say, I clear forgot about the mummy! There she is, Critch." + +He pointed to the wall opposite the entrance, holding up his "lamp." +Both walked across the rubbish-littered floor, which smelt most +frightfully. Before them, standing erect against the wall, was a large +wooden mummy-case. Most of its paint was gone long since, only a few +faint traces of gilding remaining to show what it must once have been. +Beside this lay an object that brought a whistle of amazement from +Critch. + +"That's Pongo, Burt! The golden ankh, sure's you're born!" + +The boys looked down in awe at this relic of an ancient people. About +four feet long and nearly as thick as Burt's wrist, the symbol of the +Goddess of Truth gleamed up with a ruddy yellow color from the dirt that +half covered it. Fascinated by the sight, the boys stared in silence +until at last Critch uttered a sigh. + +"Well, we're wastin' time, Burt. We got to plan out that trap." + +Burt turned away from the two relics, and threw some dry sticks on the +fire. There was an opening in the center of the roof through which the +smoke escaped fairly well. Burt's head was full of the mummy, and for +the moment he paid no attention to his chum's remark. + +"It's kind of queer," he remarked, sitting down against the wall, "to +think of Ta-En-User meeting us this way! Just think of his trip clear +over from Egypt, and our trip clear over from--" + +"Shucks," interrupted the more practical Critch. "I'm thinking of Pongo +right now. Come out of it! We've got to frame up something before Mbopo +gets back." + +"I can't see what there is to frame up," retorted Burt hopelessly. "All +we can do is to lay low. What kind of a trap you thinking of?" + +"Well," explained Critch, frowning, "I kind of thought we could make one +out of logs, like they use on bears out West." + +"Why wouldn't it be better," suggested Burt, "to dig a pit like those +Bantus do? We could dig it right out in front here, cover it over with +grass, and stick a spear up in the bottom. That'd finish Mr. Pongo +mighty sudden next time he came around." + +"Can't do that," replied the other. "It's a mighty big job to tackle, +Burt. If you'd ever dug holes for fence posts you'd know." + +"I wonder what Uncle George is doing right now?" said Burt suddenly. "Do +you think he'll start after us?" + +"He might," answered Critch doubtfully. "He'd never make it in a million +years though. You know what the black dwarfs did to Cap'n Mac. Say, this +is worse than any story book I ever read! We're right up against it +solid, Burt. If we pull out of this hole it'll mean work. We ain't got +your uncle to lean on or anyone else. Mbopo don't count for much, I'm +afraid. Gosh, I wish we had a couple guns! We could clean up on old +Pongo like a house afire." + +"He was pretty big, just the same," said Burt. "Lot's bigger'n any we've +bagged so far. Even if he is blind, which we aren't sure of, it wouldn't +be any cinch to tackle him." + +"Anyhow," retorted his chum, "we can't expect to lay around and wait for +something to happen. We got to make it happen. We're in possession of +the ankh, like Cap'n Mac was, so we're safe enough for the present. +Mbopo's the only one who's game to go after Pongo, that's sure. If his +brother is up to the mark we ought to do something." + +"That was fierce, the way the old chief got carried off," remarked Burt +as he gazed around with a little shiver. Still the dull throb of the +drums came faintly from without, but the chanting had now ceased. "It +was mighty lucky for us, just the same. Don't it seem funny, that here +we are plannin' to kill Pongo right after he's saved our lives that +way?" + +"There's a whole lot of things that strike me funny," answered Critch. +"Wouldn't it be great if we could carry off all this ivory and the gold +ankh." + +"Huh!" grunted Burt. "Fine chance of that. It stumped Cap'n Mac to do +it." + +"Come on now, get down to business," said Critch, straightening up. +"First, we got to figure on how many logs we'll need. I should think we +might rig up something right here inside the ivory zareba, but I don't +see quite how. We can't very well fix a trap out in the forest, because +Pongo ain't liable to be hungry right away. It's queer that he didn't +bring the old chief here like he brought Cap'n Mac. Mebbe he uses this +more as sleeping quarters, and prefers to take his meals out in the open +air." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +BURT LEFT ALONE + + +"Critch," said Burt suddenly, "that was a blamed good idea while it +lasted. But it hasn't lasted. We can't do it." + +"Sure we can!" returned Critch hopefully. "Why not?" + +"It'd take us a year to build a deadfall like that." + +"We don't need to! Ain't Pongo blind? All we have to do is rig up a +figure-four trap out o' logs." + +"That'd be a nice easy job, wouldn't it!" retorted Burt. "He may be +blind but he ain't foolish. No, sir, it won't work. We just got to kill +that lion though. If we don't, Mbopo'll know we've been runnin' a bluff +on him." + +"What you goin' to do?" said Critch irritably. "Sit here and let him +come?" + +"Not much. Seems to me that if the lion's blind there ought to be some +way of fixing him without any danger. We're safe enough from the +pigmies while we're here with Ta-En-User, but not from the lion. Dust +your brain off! Think!" + +"All right," responded Critch briskly. "Here goes for the first thing." +Without ceremony he got up and pulled over the mummy-case. "We got to +fix Mbopo sure, ain't we? Well, take hold o' this--don't bust it!" + +"What you doing?" exclaimed Burt as his chum began to pry open the +mummy-case with the edge of the little axe obtained from Mbopo. Critch +paused to reply. + +"It's a pipe, Burt! We'll just upwrap Ta-En-User here, see? I guess he +ain't in extra good condition but he'll do for a while. Then we'll fill +up the case with leaves and the wrappings. These pigmies have never seen +inside the case, remember. They don't know a mummy from a goat. Soon's +we get him unwrapped an' laid out in his nightie, out go the lights and +you get back in the corner. + +"When Mbopo comes I'll tell 'em you did this to the ankh." Critch raised +his axe and cut a deep gash on the cross arm in the soft gold. "Then +I'll say that Pongo dried you up for insulting him. Get the point? +That'll scare 'em stiff. We'll take the ankh, the stuffed case and the +mummy back to the village." + +"Yes you will!" cried Burt hastily. "S'pose I'm going to stay here?" + +"Sure you are!" grinned Critch. "I'd do it only I reckon the mummy won't +have red hair an' it wouldn't work. You've got to do it!" + +"But what for?" persisted Burt. "What's the use? S'pose the lion comes?" + +"If he comes you can throw some blazing oil at him just like Cap'n Mac. +That ought to scare him away. Soon's I get to the village I'll see if I +can't locate some o' that poison. The whole tribe'll be scared stiff +when they see the mummy, 'specially if he's kind of spoiled. You hide +out here till morning and then I'll come back with what weapons I can +get. I'll warn the dwarfs away from here first. That's the only way I +see of gettin' what we need. We can't make Mbopo understand very well." + +"It wouldn't be a bad idea if you was going to stay here 'stead of me," +assented Burt dubiously. "S'pose we kill the lion. How'll you account +for me coming back to life?" + +"I'll tote the mummy in here and bury him," returned Critch promptly. +"Then maybe to-morrow night I'll have them bring the ankh to the +doorway. I'll go through a Latin verb and yell and you walk out. Why, +man, I'll be no end sacred! We'll own the whole blamed tribe!" + +"It listens good enough," admitted Burt. "Tell you what you do. Send the +stuff on with Mbopo and build a fire right in front of the door before +you go. Leave me some sticks--these bones ought to burn too. Mebbe that +fire'll keep the lion out." + +"Hurray!" exclaimed Critch enthusiastically. "Now let's get the old boy +unwrapped. It's been pretty damp for him here, I guess. He ought to be +pretty well preserved in spite of that. He isn't torn up except at the +neck. Off she comes!" + +Critch set to work at the head and Burt at the foot of the case. It did +not take them long to get the gaudily-painted wooden case apart. Then a +heavy aromatic odor filled the hut. As Critch had said, the mummy was +unharmed except at the neck. Here the case had been splintered open but +when the lid was off the boys saw that only a few layers of the +wrappings had been torn away. The whole mummy was wrapped in cloths. + +Burt and Critch lifted out the mass of wrappings to the mud floor of the +hut. As they did so something tinkled and fell against the case. Their +eyes fell on the remainder of the scarab necklace of which Montenay had +obtained a part. Evidently it had been placed around the neck after the +mummy was wrapped. Burt hurriedly stuffed it into his pocket. + +"Got that anyhow," he remarked. "Hope Mbopo don't show up before we get +through. Here we go!" + +With the help of the keen-edged axe the mummy was soon unwrapped and +laid on the floor. Intertwined with the wrappings the boys found six +necklaces, each formed of gold beads of different shapes. The largest +was formed of half amber and half gold beads, and held a large pendant +in the shape of the ankh. This was left on the mummy, while Critch +stuffed the others into his pocket. As he did so he gave a cry. + +"Hello!" He picked up a tight roll of parchment, welded into a solid +mass by the wrappings. "Wonder what this is? Well, we can't waste time +on her now. Go slow--that's all right. Now we got to hustle, Burt." + +"Lay him here this way--right beside the ankh," replied Burt. "Stick +your axe in his hand. Can't do that either. Liable to bust off. Well, +lay it handy here. I'd better keep it, so don't carry it off." + +The boys then hurriedly stuffed the pile of wrappings back into the case +and put the lid on as before. It had formerly been cemented with some +kind of strong pitch and now the gaping seam at the side showed plainly. + +"That won't do," cried Burt as they inspected it. "How'll we fix that, +Critch?" + +"Search me," replied his chum, puzzled. "They'd see that in a minute, +'cause we busted up that cement considerable." + +"Cement!" exclaimed Burt. "Looks a whole lot like tar to me, Critch. +Mebbe a little heat would fix her up fine!" + +"That's the candy!" returned Critch. Each boy took a brand from the +little fire and ran this along the seam. The black pitch-like stuff +smoked, bubbled, and set them coughing, but to their delight it +coalesced and it only remained to allow the cement to harden. + +"Golly, I'm glad that's over!" sighed Burt as he wiped his streaming +face and threw his brand back into the fire. No sound had broken in on +their labor except a throbbing beat of tom-toms from the village, +mingled once more with the shrill, steady chanting of the pigmy +warriors. The boys had grown too accustomed to the night-noises of the +jungle to heed the flickering far-off howls and cries that formed a +faint background to the nearer sounds. + +"We'd better carry all the stuff near the door," said Critch. "We'll +leave one light going so's they can see things right." + +Between them they dragged the heavy ankh over the floor to the entrance. +Then the mummy was set beside it leaning against the wall, two of the +lamps were blown out and Burt lay down in the far corner. Critch threw +some dead leaves over him and then sat down to wait with his head on his +knees. + +"Say, Critch!" grunted Burt suddenly. "Wonder what Uncle George'd say if +he could see us? Do you s'pose he an' Cap'n Mac are on their way home by +now?" + +"Don't you believe it!" replied Critch grimly. "I'll bet a million +dollars that they'll be hunting for us pretty quick in the jungle. Your +uncle ain't goin' to shoot for home and leave us back here. He ain't +that kind and neither's Cap'n Mac." + +"Guess you're right," agreed Burt hopefully. "I wouldn't be s'prised if +Uncle George ducked in here all by his lonely. He wouldn't have much +chance against them poison affairs of the black dwarfs, though," he +added more gloomily. + +"You got to remember that we've only been gone a few days," replied +Critch. "Cap'n Mac had to get well, too. Tell you what, pard, we're +powerful lucky not to be in his fix just about now." + +"Well, mebbe you're enjoying yourself a whole lot," retorted Burt, "but +I ain't. Golly, don't this ol' place smell like all get out? You ought +to be over here, Critch, with the bones and things. I wish Mbopo--" + +"S-sh!" came a mutter from the other. "I hear something down the line. +Here's my box of matches." An object fell near Burt's hand. "I'll be +back just as soon--lay low!" + +Burt, lying in the shadow cast by his chum, heard a light shuffle of +feet and then Mbopo appeared in the doorway, holding another little +figure by the hand, while a third followed reluctantly. + +"Him bruder," grinned the dwarf happily. "Him scared. T'ink Pongo kill. +Kill lion--where bruder gone?" + +The three dwarfs were standing within the entrance now, gazing fearfully +at Critch and the dim surroundings. + +"My brother very bad," answered the boy slowly, pointing to the ankh. +"Him take axe, hit Pongo. Pongo hit him with fire, burn him up," and he +moved the single lamp a trifle so that the light fell full on the mummy +beside him. + +Had the situation not been so serious Burt could have laughed at the +sickly gray look which overspread the features of the pigmies as they +fell to their knees. With one frightened groan all three buried their +faces in the dirt. Critch knew it was time to act and rose to his feet. + +"Get up!" commanded the boy sternly. He took the dwarfs by the hand and +raised them up one by one. "Pongo him mad. Him say no kill lion yet. Him +say take to village." Critch pointed at the village and the pigmies +comprehended. Then he patted them on the back and smiled and little by +little their fears were overcome. Taking a spear from Mbopo he passed it +through the loop of the golden ankh and signed to the two brothers to +raise it. + +They obeyed after some hesitation, with frightened looks at the grinning +mummy. Then Critch picked up the mummy and laid him in the trembling +arms of Mbopo and made shift to get the case on his own shoulder. He led +the way out and a moment later Burt was alone. + +He could hear the four stop outside while Critch lit a small fire in +front of the entrance. Then the latter re-entered with an armful of +large sticks and flung them down. + +"So long," he muttered. "I'll put some logs up against the door inside +the fire. If the lion gets through the smoke he'll stop at the logs +mebbe. See you later." + +"So long," murmured Burt and the other vanished. He heard a few sharp +orders transmitted through Mbopo and then after five minutes three or +four small logs were piled against the door. This was a decided +improvement on his own plan of the fire, for now the opening was nearly +blocked. + +Burt waited for a few moments and then rolled over and sat up. The +single wick was still burning dimly and he picked up the box of matches +and stowed them away beside his own. As he listened he could hear the +deep throb-throb of the larger drums from the village mingled with the +sharper and more staccato notes of the tom-toms. Over all rose the +shrill monotonous chant. + +Suddenly there came a change. The tom-toms ceased abruptly with one or +two scattered notes. The chanting died away an instant later. Then arose +a low, mournful wail of absolute fear that made the listening boy +shudder. This was followed by silence for a brief space and then came +two bark-like notes such as had answered the young chief earlier in the +evening. Critch had triumphed! Otherwise, Burt well knew that he would +have heard only one shrill yell. + +Burt still had his watch in its safety-pocket and had kept it wound +pretty regularly. He now drew it out and held it close to the blue +flame. Two o'clock; the boy stared at the hands incredulously. Had all +these events only occupied five or six hours? He had been sure it was +nearly morning. As it was, there were still three hours until daylight. +Three hours before Critch would come! + +For one moment Burt felt an insane impulse to rush from the hut and seek +the village. The horror of the place rushed over him. The combined odors +of the mummy, the burning oil, and the filth on the floor sickened him +and he made a step forward. Then he paused abruptly. Critch was counting +on him to fulfill his share of the task. His chum was doing his own +share--it was no easy matter to face that village of pigmies. Was he to +endanger everything at the last moment? + +With a little sigh Burt drew back. He settled down among the dry leaves, +leaving the light for companionship's sake. As he leaned back his eyes +closed and a feeling of delicious rest stole on him, for he was very +weary and tired. In another minute he was sound asleep. + +He was awakened by something scratching and sniffing at the thatch +behind him. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE DIARY + + +Burt leaped away with a yell of pure terror as he woke. He was answered +by a deep growl that sent his hair on end with fright. The lion was +outside and had smelled him! + +There was silence for a moment and then came a scratching at the logs +before the entrance. This was succeeded by one angry roar and Burt +concluded that the fire outside was still burning. He pulled out his +watch with trembling fingers. Three thirty! And the sun did not rise +until after four! + +A low mutter of growls and a swift pad-pad of feet came to him as the +angry and baffled lion ran around the hut. Burt's first spasm of wild, +uncontrolled fear gave way to courage born of desperation. There was no +place for him to run to. If he did manage to get out he must get past +the lion and face the pigmy village. His only hope was to fight off the +blind beast until Critch should arrive. + +Burt got out his matches and lit all three of the jars of palm oil +hurriedly. At the sound of his movements the growls outside increased in +fury. Then the soft footfalls ceased and the next instant the whole hut +quivered as the paw of the great beast struck it. + +The thatch was very closely woven, however. Burt hesitated between using +the axe or the oil and finally decided to reserve the former in case the +oil failed to drive off the lion. Again and again the beast struck at +the side of the hut. The thatch shredded away with a rustle and the hut +shook beneath the strain. Then a piece of the wall a foot square came +away and into the opening swept a great yellow foot armed with immense +claws. + +Burt did not hesitate. With a match ready lit he set fire to the oil in +one of the jars. It sputtered, then broke into a burst of flame and the +boy swiftly flung it at the great paw which was clawing frantically at +the side of the opening. + +A terrific roar responded, a roar such as the boy had never heard before +in all his life. It drove the blood from his cheeks and left him +gripping the handle of his axe, but outside he could hear the lion +rolling over and crashing among the long grass between the hut and the +zareba, and he knew that he was the victor for the moment. + +Another danger caught his eye and he sprang forward. Whipping off his +coat he hastily beat out the flames that were running up the side of the +hut from the blazing oil, and scattered dust over the latter with his +foot. That frail thatch was his only protection now! + +He still had two jars of oil. One he was resolved to keep in case he had +to use the little axe. At least he would have the advantage of sight. +His hopes and courage rose somewhat as he listened to the blinded animal +thrashing about in the grass. Then came silence outside. + +Burt waited but could hear nothing. "I hope he's run off!" muttered the +boy to himself. He hardly dared hope for that, however, and his fears +were justified when he heard the swift pad-pad outside again. This time +it was faster and heavier. Burt remembered the lions he had seen running +like great cats across the plain and his heart leaped as he pictured the +look of the animal outside. + +Now came a furious attack at the corner of the hut beside him. So +sudden and unexpected was it that Burt was caught napping. Before he +could strike a match or catch up the pot of oil he was horrified to see +a double row of fangs crash through the thatch, followed by a great +tawny head. Across the face extended a broad white scar as of an old +burn. + +With one strangled cry Burt lifted the keen little axe and brought it +down in the center of the white scar. He saw a tremendous paw that +ripped across his breast and hurled him backward, heard a maddened +scream from the beast, and as he fainted his last memory was of the +rocking, reeling walls about him. + +He woke with the sting of cold water on his face and gasped. His first +thought was that the lion was over him, and he struck out blindly and +savagely. + +"Go slow, old man!" sounded the voice of Critch. Burt looked up and saw +the face of his chum. He sank back weakly, while Critch went on bathing +his face. "Take it easy, Burt. Don't try to talk yet. Want a drink?" + +Burt certainly did want a drink, and he half emptied the canteen of +water at a draught, while Critch supported him. Then he struggled to +his feet. + +"Let's get out o' here," he murmured. A shudder swept over him as he +glanced around. There were gaping holes in the thatch walls, and before +him was a pool of blood, black against the dirt. The two boys reached +the doorway and Burt sank down gratefully in the warm morning sunlight, +leaning against the wall of the hut. + +"You must have had a fierce time," said Critch sympathetically. "Are you +hurt?" + +Burt glanced down and shook his head. His shirt had been ripped to +pieces by that savage sweep of the lion's paw, but beyond one slight +scratch he had escaped damage. He paled again at the narrowness of the +escape. Then Critch thrust some roasted bananas into his hand, and the +two boys made their breakfast together. + +"I feel a heap better now," smiled Burt weakly as he set down the empty +canteen at length. "Now we can talk." + +"What happened, anyhow?" inquired Critch eagerly. "When I got here five +minutes ago you were lyin' on your back. I thought you was dead, sure, +when I saw all that blood and the wrecked hut." + +Strengthened by his sleep and the food, Burt gradually regained his +self-control as he related the story of that terrible night to his chum. +Critch listened with eager interest, then rose and dashed into the hut. +An instant later he reappeared, frowning. + +"The axe is gone," he exclaimed excitedly. "Think you killed him?" + +"How do I know?" retorted Burt. "I hit him as hard as I could, and I +guess it landed between his eyes, but that's all I can tell." + +"You must ha' landed pretty hard, then," mused Critch, "judgin' from all +that blood. Anyhow, we can follow him up--" + +"Do it yourself," broke in Burt. "I know just about how Cap'n Mac felt +now. I wouldn't monkey with that lion again for a million dollars cash. +No sir!" + +"Well, I will!" cried Critch excitedly. "I can get Mbopo--" + +"Oh, how did you come out?" interrupted Burt, with new interest. "I +judged from the sounds that it worked all right." + +"Work!" laughed Critch. "I should say it did work! Why, I've got the +whole blamed tribe eatin' out o' my hand, Burt! Even Mbopo ain't quite +sure whether he ought to kow-tow or kneel down when he speaks to me. It +was easy! + +"After we left here I had a lot of trouble trying to make the other +fellows carry that _ankh_. They were scared to death of the thing. +Before we got to the gate I fixed up the procession right. Mbopo went +first with the mummy. Then come the two brothers carryin' the _ankh_ +between 'em on the spear. I come last with the mummy-case. + +"The whole tribe was feasting and dancing and singing when we showed up. +When Mbopo went through the gate and got into the firelight the bunch +stopped all of a sudden. Then they saw the two boys with the _ankh_. The +tom-toms quit work and everybody went down on their noses. Before they +had a chance to look up I fixed things right. + +"I had Mbopo stand on that pile of skins. The _ankh_ and mummy-case were +set down right in front of him. I stood alongside him and took old +Ta-En-User, setting him on his feet natural-like. About half the crowd +was looking up by this time. They couldn't understand what was up till +I nodded to Mbopo and he began to speak. + +"Well, sir, he hadn't said more'n about ten words, pointing to the +_ankh_ and the mummy, before them dwarfs let a howl out of 'em like they +were all struck by lightning." + +"Yes," broke in Burt, "I heard that. It sure sounded awful." + +"I reckon they _felt_ kind of awful," grinned Critch contentedly. "I was +scared stiff at first, honest. It seemed so blamed foolish, Burt, to +trot out a mummy and a hunk of gold and set up as a god on the strength +of it! I soon got over being scared, though. I could be chief o' that +tribe right now if I wanted to! + +"Mbopo went on explaining how you happened to be all dried up that way. +The crowd turned several degrees whiter while he was talking. It made me +feel pretty mean for a minute to think o' them grown men an' women +knuckling down that way to me. Then I got another idea. + +"I set Ta down gentle and reached out for Mbopo's hand. It scared him, +but he was game. I led him forward a step, then picked up the _ankh_ an' +stood it on end. When I took Mbopo's hand again his knees were shaking, +but I grinned at him and placed his hand on the loop. When he found that +nothing happened he just swelled up, an' looked at me so grateful and +plumb happy that I couldn't keep from laughing. The crowd stared, but +when they saw Mbopo standing there proud and confident, they hollered +out their kind o' cheer--two sharp little barks." + +"Heard that too," nodded Burt. "Whew, I'd like to have seen all that, +Critch! But didn't you get any sleep at all?" + +"You bet I did!" was the reply. "Just as soon as I got things settled +that way Mbopo made another speech. Then I got him to understand that I +wanted some place to sleep. He had a fellow take me to an elegant big +hut. There were lots of skins and stuff in there and I went to sleep +right off. I was pretty near dead. I woke up at sunrise and got some +bananas and water and came over here. That's all, I guess." + +"Well, when are you going to resurrect me?" asked Burt. "I'm not going +to hang around here, I can tell you." + +"You got to," replied his chum earnestly. "If you showed up now it'd +spoil the whole thing, Burt! You can stay out here in the shade, can't +you? The zareba hides you from the village, as long as you keep away +from the entrance." + +"All right." Burt struggled to his feet, himself again. "Let's have a +look at that zareba, Critch." + +The two boys walked across the little open space and halted in front of +the row of tusks. Strands of thorn-bush were interwoven among the tusks, +which were planted closely in the ground, but the zareba was so low that +the lion would have had no difficulty in leaping over it. It was +evidently intended more for show than for defence. + +"Those tusks don't look as if they were worth taking away," said Burt +disgustedly. "Look at how old they are, and all cracked up!" + +Indeed, the tusks seemed very ancient. Their surface was not the smooth, +white surface of new ivory but was gray and rough and pitted with holes +worn by the weather and insects. + +"They must have been here for a long time," agreed Critch. "But I don't +know 'bout their not being worth taking off, Burt. You know when your +uncle swapped Mvita for those old tusks o' his? They looked just like +these, and your uncle isn't buying old tusks for his health. Besides, +Cap'n Mac was crazy about these. If they hadn't been worth while he +wouldn't--" + +"That's so," exclaimed Burt more hopefully. "Prob'ly they're all right +on the inside. We're liable to make some money out o' this trip yet." + +"You talk just's if we had it cinched!" laughed his chum. "Say, take +some thorns and pin your shirt together. I got to get back to the +village now. I'm going to bring out some weapons and some more grub, but +I want to make sure that everything's safe. I'll have to warn Mbopo not +to come near here, too. I guess we can fix things up to resurrect you by +to-night, anyhow." + +"You'd better," returned Burt, fastening his tattered shirt together +after Critch's suggestion. "I'm not going to stay here another night, +that's straight. Why don't you get Mbopo out after Pongo with some of +the men?" + +"Not yet," answered Critch thoughtfully. "I want to finish up your +business first. That'll tie everything down tight. Then we can get busy +with the lion. I believe we'll pull out of this yet, Burt!" + +"Sure we will," laughed Burt, his spirits fully restored by this time. +"I'm going to get some more sleep here in the shade. Better go easy with +Mbopo. If he gets a swelled head he might make trouble." + +"No chance of that," replied Critch, pausing at the gateway. "He's a +mighty good scout. Well, so long! Anything special you want?" + +"Oh, nothin but a two-inch steak, a couple o' books, and a letter from +back home," replied Burt. "So long!" And as his chum disappeared he +flung himself down in the long grass under the hut wall, whose shadow +would protect him from the sun. He had come to care little for insects +by this time, and in any case he was too weary to think about them. + +When he next opened his eyes the sun was in the west and Critch was +shaking him vigorously. Burt sat up, yawning, to find his chum highly +excited. Beside them lay a collection of axes, swords, knives and +spears. + +"Wake up, you!" cried Critch. "I got pretty near everything you asked +for." + +"You got what?" said Burt sleepily, staring at his chum. Then he +remembered his parting words and laughed as Critch displayed a thick +antelope-steak, a couple of baked yams and the refilled canteen. + +"I got more than that," exclaimed Critch. "I found a kid playing with +something a while ago. Come to find out, it was this," and he threw the +remains of a little red leather book into Burt's lap. The latter, who +had already attacked the steak with the help of one of the knives, +picked it up with interest. + +The little book drew a gasp of amazement from Burt when he opened it, +for on the inside cover was inscribed, in small and neat writing, +"McAllister Montenay, V. C. His Diary." + +"Is that straight?" asked Burt, looking up with flushed cheeks. Critch +nodded. + +"You bet it is. Get finished with the eats, while I tell you. I saw a +kid trailin' that around in the dust, so I rescued it and took a look. +You could have knocked me over with a feather when I saw what it was! +There's a whole lot of it that you can't make out, but enough's left to +do business with. + +"Everything's lovely at the village. Some hunters brought in three +wildebeest and an antelope this morning and the whole tribe's feasting +up. That seems to be about all they do." + +Burt was not long in disposing of the provisions. After emptying the +canteen, he picked up the little tattered red book once more and opened +it, Critch close beside him. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +BURT COMES TO LIFE + + +"Didn't know he was a V. C.," commented Burt, turning past the first +page. "Say most o' this is spoiled!" + +The pages were many of them torn, all were smudged and streaked with +dirt, and ominous dark red stains covered a large portion of the +booklet. + +"Here's the first place you can read," and Critch turned over a number +of unreadable pages. "Start in right here." Burt settled back and read +aloud as follows: + +"'June 1st. Five men down. Yusuf cut off from supplies. Will rush +to-morrow. + +"'June 2nd. Rushed. Lost thirteen. Finished Yusuf. Got lots of ivory, +unmounted yet. Read burial service this evening. Big loot to divide.'" + +"That next you can't read, most of it," broke in Critch. "There's +something about Pongo, though." Burt nodded and continued: + +"'--with odd bit of wood. May be some truth in it. Must investigate. +If the boys will have a go at it--' + +"That's all, there," announced Burt. "All that's about the time he +cleaned up on the Arab caravan, eh? Let's see--there's five pages where +everything's mussed up." + +"Looks like blood," laughed Critch, "but it ain't. That's the red stuff +the dwarfs use to stain their things with. See here, on this +spear-shaft. There's a lot comes next that he wrote after he set up in +Pongo's place--it was his left arm that was hurt, so he could write all +right. But you can't make out more'n a few scattered words. Turn to the +last page that's written on. There's where the big thing is." + +Burt obeyed, turning over the pages rapidly. Most of the writing had +been obliterated or stained over, but although the final page was half +torn away, the remaining words were clear and legible. + +"'Dec. 16th. Impossible to carry off the stuff. Must slip away while out +hunting if possible. Not much hope. River runs northwest. May find Arabs +or English traders to the east or north. Will find from Mbopo +whether--' + +"And that's all," announced Burt, looking puzzled. "I don't see what you +mean by sayin' there's anything big there, though." + +"Read it over again," suggested Critch with a grin. Burt did so, and +once more glanced up with a wondering look. + +"You got me, Critch. What are you getting at, anyhow?" + +"Don't you see?" cried his chum excitedly. "That part about the river +running northwest!" + +"Well, what about it?" demanded Burt. + +"Why, which way does the Makua run?" + +"If I remember the map," replied Burt slowly, "it runs due west, joins +the Loangi, and meets up with the Congo on the way south. Oh, I see!" he +added suddenly. "You mean that this river out here runs up to the +Makua?" + +"Brilliant!" exclaimed Critch sarcastically. "Why, it's got to, Burt! +That is, unless it switches off an' goes south. I don't believe it does, +though." + +"That won't do us much good either," responded Burt. "These dwarfs don't +use boats, or Cap'n Mac would have gotten off that way." + +"What do we want of boats?" demanded Critch. "After you're resurrected +I'll be the boss of this tribe for fair. I'll set them to work on a +raft, and away we go! If we hit the Makua we're bound to strike your +uncle and Cap'n Mac sooner or latter." + +"Good for you!" cried Burt, staring at the other in wide-eyed +comprehension. "And we can carry off this whole blamed zareba that way, +with the _ankh_ too!" + +"Not much we can't," and Critch shook his head. "We could get off with +the ivory, I s'pose, if Mbopo helps us. But not the _ankh_. That's their +real god, you know. I don't believe we'd dare try that." + +"Well, it's getting on toward sunset," and Burt glanced at the sun, just +above the western tree tops. "You'd better chase back and get ready to +resurrect me. I ain't anxious to be around here after dark. What's the +program?" + +"Why," replied Critch thoughtfully, "you keep hid till dark. As soon's +it gets good and dark, say eight o'clock, I'll lead out the mob. I don't +know just yet what I'll do, but I'll bring the mummy in here. You get a +hole dug to bury him in. Then I'll lead you out and can shake hands +with Pongo." + +"With which?" exclaimed Burt. + +"With the _ankh_--just lay your hand on him like Mbopo did," explained +Critch, laughing. "Stick that book of Cap'n Mac's in your pocket. If we +get out o' here he'd like to see it again, I reckon. So long." + +"So long," answered Burt. "Don't keep me waitin' all night, now." + +So Critch departed on his mission, while Burt lay back to think things +over. If it was true that the river near the village ran northwest, then +it almost certainly ran into the Makua, or a tributary of the Makua. In +that case they would be perfectly safe in floating down. There would be +dangers on the way, but by taking a few of the white dwarfs along Burt +realized that these would be greatly lessened. On the other hand, should +the river prove to turn and flow back toward the Aruwimi country, they +would probably miss the caravan altogether. In any case, their whole +future depended upon the issue of that night's "performance," as Burt +mentally styled his bringing to life. + +The disappearance of the sun roused him to the fact that he had work to +do. Taking a spear and a broad-bladed sword from the weapons Critch had +left, Burt went inside the hut. Here he set to work energetically +digging the hole for the final resting place of Ta-En-User, the High +Priest of Maat. The tramped earthen floor was easily broken up by means +of the spear, and as the dusk settled down over the forest Burt finished +a shallow hole sufficient to hold the mummy. + +"It's kind o' hard lines," he thought, wiping his dripping face as he +returned outside. "Here old Ta was wrapped up carefully three thousand +years back, meaning to lie quiet forever. He don't more than get +comfortably settled down when along come the white dwarfs to rouse him +up, and they carry him clear over here. Then he settles down once more, +and we come along and finish him. If he'd been buried right in the first +place--why, if they'd done things different three thousand years back +there wouldn't be any Pongo!" + +Burt was roused from his rather intricate calculations by a particularly +savage mosquito settling on his ear. Having disposed of the insect, +Burt daubed his face and hands with what remained of the palm oil. Then +he beat down the grass at a spot where he could see between two of the +tusks and settled down to wait. He was uneasy at the idea that the lion +might return at any moment, and felt not the slightest temptation to +drop off to sleep. + +The swift tropical night settled down over the forest, and soon Burt +could make out the glow of the village fires. After what seemed an age +he heard the sound of chanting mingled with the throb of the tom-toms. +This continued for half an hour, then ceased. A few moments later a +moving light appeared at the zareba gate, followed by others. Burt +guessed that these were torches, and knew that the time was at hand. + +More and more torches poured out of the gate, until by their light Burt +could make out fairly well all that took place. It seemed that the +entire tribe was leaving the village. At the head of the procession +stalked Mbopo, with Critch beside him. Burt could see his chum carrying +something wrapped in a skin, and knew this was the mummy. Then came the +two brothers of Mbopo, carrying the golden _ankh_ between them on a +spear, while a third man bore the mummy-case. Behind marched the +bodyguard of the chief, the rest of the tribe following in a mob. + +At the point where the boys had been left for the lion, halfway between +village and hut, the tribe was halted. Mbopo arranged the men and women +in a wide semicircle, evidently following the orders of Critch. The +"drum corps" was then brought to the front, the greater part of the +torches were extinguished, and Critch, Mbopo and the bearers of the +relics moved forward. Burt saw his chum stop at a point distant about a +hundred feet from the hut and directly in front of the gateway. + +After a slight delay, a fire was lit here. This presently blazed up, +Critch wishing to wait until plenty of light was cast upon the sacred +objects and the gateway of the ivory zareba. At a signal from Mbopo the +tom-toms began a steady, regular beat and the pigmies broke into a low +chant that swelled at intervals until the echoes came back faintly from +the forest. Burt watched the scene through his loophole in silent +fascination. He had no fears as to its outcome, for the dwarfs were +plainly under the dominance of Critch. + +Now the fire blazed up higher and higher. Burt saw his chum, whose +flaming hair glowed out in the ruddy light, suddenly raise his hand. The +drums and chanting stopped abruptly, and the dead silence that ensued +sent a quiver through the boy behind the ivory stockade. Critch bent +over, opened the skin bundle, and exposed the mummy to view. At this, +one prolonged groan went up from the audience and the crowd went down on +their faces, even Mbopo falling prostrate. + +Moving a step forward, Critch faced the sacred hut and began to speak. +His voice came faintly at first, but as he gained confidence it rang +louder. The words came plainly to Burt. Critch first delivered all the +French he could think of, then broke into Antony's oration, which he had +learned at school the year before. Perhaps fearing that Mbopo might +comprehend too much of this, Critch switched off abruptly and delivered +a complete conjugation of the Latin verb "habeo," speaking slowly and +distinctly in as deep a voice as he could assume. + +Burt was doubled up in silent laughter, and he saw his chum pause at +times as though struggling to repress his feelings also. But his face +was away from the pigmies, and his voice remained firm enough. Burt +could well imagine the effect produced by all this mummery upon the +ignorant and highly superstitious pigmies, ridiculous as it might appear +to him. + +Finally Critch ran out of words, it seemed, for he stopped suddenly. The +firelight gleamed on hundreds of eyes behind his figure, and Burt +wondered vaguely what would happen if the waiting tribe should by any +chance see through their trickery. The thought made him collect all his +forces, and at this moment Critch stooped again. Picking up the mummy, +he touched it to the golden _ankh_. + +At the action a ripple of sound rose from the pigmies, followed by what +was almost a wail of fear as Critch straightened up, the mummy in his +arms, and began walking slowly toward the sacred hut. Burt knew it was +time to get inside, so he slipped in through the hole made by the lion, +the doorway being in view of the crowd. A moment later the form of +Critch darkened the entrance. + +"Fine work!" whispered Burt. He was answered by a sigh of relief. + +"Take Ta, will you? I'm all in." Critch sank weakly down, and with some +repugnance Burt caught the mummy. Placing it in the hole, he filled in +the earth, tramped it down, and sprinkled leaves and bones over the +place. "Say," went on his chum, "that may have sounded funny to you, but +it was something fierce!" + +"Never mind," murmured Burt. "You did it mighty fine, old man." + +"It was awful to think what'd happen if I made a slip," confessed +Critch. "Honest, Burt, I was so weak-kneed I could hardly walk over +here! How you coming?" + +"He's buried," responded Burt as he finished his task. "Do we go out +now?" + +"No use keeping them waitin'," said Critch. "I'm goin' to leave the +_ankh_ and the mummy-case in here for good. Are you ready? Give me a +hand." + +Burt helped his chum to his feet. Critch stepped into the doorway, +holding Burt's hand. Then began a slow and solemn advance across the +firelit space before the hut. As the figures of the two boys came into +sight of the pigmies, an indescribable murmur of awe swept from the +crowd. Then came a prolonged groan of unutterable horror as Burt's face +stood out more clearly, and Burt, whose gaze was fixed on Mbopo, saw the +pigmy chief go down in the dust, his extended hands trembling in the +firelight. A moment more and the boys stood beside the _ankh_. + +Releasing Burt's hand, Critch caught the loop of the symbol of Maat and +stood it on end. Then Burt placed his hand on it beside that of Critch. +At this a click, seemingly of joy, arose from the crowd. Mbopo looked +up, his face ashen gray, and wild amazement in his eyes. + +Critch now beckoned the two brothers forward, and at his repeated +gestures they trembling took up the _ankh_ on the spear and awaited his +further commands. + +"Take one end o' the case," directed Critch. Burt obeyed, and the two +boys led the way back to the hut. No sooner had they deposited the +_ankh_ than Burt chanced to touch one of the pigmies in the dark. The +man gave a terrific shriek and dashed through the doorway, followed by +his brother. For a moment a wild fear clutched Burt. What if the mob +imagined that they were hurting the two men? The boys hurried out, and +found the men prostrate beside Mbopo. Critch raised them up and Burt, +needing no instruction, smilingly touched each of the shrinking men in +turn. Finding that they suffered nothing, their fear gradually lessened, +and as Mbopo grasped the hand of Burt there was a look of joy in the +honest eyes of the young dwarf that told far more than any words could +have done. + +Then Critch led the way to the village. The crowd, still prostrate, +separated to let them through. Ten minutes later the boys lay side by +side on a heap of skins in a hut, too much overcome by the strain to +even speak. But as Burt fell asleep, he knew that they had won the +fight. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE RAFT + + +When he wakened, it was hard for Burt to realize where he was. He stared +up at the thatched roof above him and gradually collected his thoughts. +A shiver swept over him as he recollected what had occurred the +preceding night. He sat up, and saw Critch still asleep beside him. It +appeared to be broad daylight outside, and he roused his chum at once. +Critch rolled over and sprang to his feet, then stood blinking around +with so puzzled an expression that Burt went into a shout of laughter. + +"What's the matter?" he gasped. + +"I was dreaming that old Ta was having a scrap with me," confessed his +chum sheepishly. "He threw the _ankh_ at me and just then Pongo come +along and jumped him. Both of 'em rolled over on me and I woke up." + +"Say, was last night all a dream?" asked Burt, soberly, as he stared at +his chum. "Or did we really put it over--" + +"You bet we did!" cried Critch with a grin of recollection. "No dream +about that, old man. We've only been here two days, but we've done a +heap of things. Now we got to finish the lion. Then we can see about +getting off." + +"I'm not anxious to monkey with Pongo," stated Burt. "However, we might +send out Mbopo to trail him. I'll take him over to the hut if you'll get +some breakfast fixed up." + +"I'm on," exclaimed Critch. Upon leaving the hut, the two boys found +themselves objects of awed veneration from the pigmies. They met Mbopo, +and Burt took him out to the sacred hut. Here he described the fight +with Pongo in detail, not mentioning when it occurred and purposely +leaving the dwarf rather confused. There could be no such doubt about +the struggle itself, however, and Mbopo nodded understandingly. + +They then left the ivory zareba while Mbopo made a cast around the place +for the lion's trail. Burt accompanied him, and Mbopo soon uttered a +shout of excitement. Running to his side, Burt saw the beaten spot in +the tall grass where the lion must have alighted from his last leap over +the ivory zareba after having been wounded. There was a speck or two +of dried blood in evidence, and Mbopo found more blood farther on, as +well as a clearly defined trail. The excited pigmy was for following it +up at once, but Burt held him back. By dint of much patience he made +Mbopo understand that Critch, whom the pigmies called "Mwanzi," or +"Red-head," must accompany them, as well as some warriors. Burt had had +one experience with a wounded lion and he intended to take no chances +this time. + +The two returned to the village where Mbopo shouted forth his news, and +Burt was instantly the center of an excited mob. He pushed through them, +however, and found Critch with breakfast ready. Over the meal they +discussed the matter of the lion, and decided to start out at once. + +"Mebbe they'll go without waitin' for us," suggested Burt, glancing at +the chattering crowd of warriors around the young chief. Critch shook +his head. + +"Not much. They ain't got the nerve. They'll do whatever we tell 'em, +but they won't leave us out o' the game, take it from me." + +As soon as they had finished, the boys joined Mbopo. Their first object +was a search for weapons. Critch suggested taking two of the spears, +whose blades were over a foot long and keen as a razor, but Burt +objected. + +"We don't know how to use them," he said. "Let's see; didn't Cap'n Mac +say something about trade-guns?" + +"Mebbe he did," assented Critch, "but I haven't seen any sign of guns +around here. Let's ask Mbopo." + +They tried to make the young chief understand, but without success. +Thereupon the boys took matters into their own hands, and began a search +among the largest huts. This was presently rewarded by the finding of an +old Snider, wrapped in tarpaulin. There were three cartridges in the +magazine, but no more. These were displayed to Mbopo, but he stated that +there were no more weapons of the kind in the village. + +"Well, she seems to be in pretty fair shape," remarked Burt, squinting +down the barrel of the rifle. "Get some palm oil, Critch. Three bullets +ought to do." + +"Don't catch me around when you fire that thing," sniffed his chum +disgustedly. "She's liable to bust. I'll bet she's twenty years old." + +"Better'n a spear at that," chuckled Burt, oiling the rifle until it +worked perfectly. "We ain't so badly off, Critch. There, I guess that'll +do. Ready?" + +Critch armed himself with one of the spears, and at the head of twenty +picked warriors they left the village. Mbopo led the way to the spoor +already found, and Critch at once ordered the pigmy warriors to follow +it up. + +"Let 'em take the chances," he grinned. "They ain't scared now I'm +along. If they find Pongo you can finish him with the gun--unless the +gun finishes you." + +"You're sore because you didn't find the gun yourself," retorted Burt. +"Come on, they're quite a ways ahead." + +The pigmies had started at once along the spoor of the lion, spreading +out on either side and calling to one another continually. The boys +followed more carefully with Mbopo. The spoor led them through the long +rank grass into the forest, and was easy for the boys to read. + +The lion had made only one leap after leaving the zareba. This had taken +him almost across the grassy space. Upon reaching the first thicket he +had crawled along and left a plain blood-marked trail for the hunters to +follow. A hundred yards farther on they heard a shrill yell from ahead, +and hurried on. + +Emerging from the thicket, they found the pigmies clustered about a +clump of thorn-bushes. These were almost impenetrable save by the trail +left by the lion. The pigmies reported to Mbopo, who turned to Critch. + +"Him Pongo in there," he stated, pointing to the bushes with a grin. +"Mwanzi kill? Vera good!" + +Critch hesitated. He glanced at the waiting pigmies, who evidently had +not the slightest intention of robbing him of the honor of going first. + +"Come on," he muttered to Burt. "We got to pull the bluff through right +here. Have your gun ready." + +Burt nodded. The two boys, their hearts beating fast, advanced to the +edge of the thicket. No sound came from the bushes, and Burt thrust the +first branches aside as he entered. The thorns made sad havoc with their +clothes, but the boys were too anxious to heed this. A moment later Burt +gave a startled exclamation. Critch came to his side, and the boys saw +a tawny shape lying ahead of them. + +"Is he dead?" whispered Critch. + +"Can't see him plain enough," responded Burt. "If he jumps and I don't +stop him, try to catch him on the spear." + +A few steps farther on and the lion came into full view. He was lying on +his side, stretched out, and something black hid his head. Burt levelled +the gun, but as he did so the black object resolved itself into a swarm +of flies, who buzzed up at the noise made by the boys. + +"Hurray!" shouted Burt, flinging down the gun, "he's dead!" + +"Look at the axe!" yelled his chum, pointing to the weapon that was +almost buried in the skull of the beast. "Golly, you must have hit like +fury! Hey, Mbopo!" + +The pigmies were not far behind the boys, and at the shout they came +dashing forward. A shrill yell went up as they saw the dead lion, then +all remained silent and motionless, gazing down at the form of the beast +which they had worshipped for so long. That he was blind could be easily +made out, for the white scar ran across his eyes, which were not +pleasant to see. Burt turned away with a shudder. + +"Leave Mbopo to skin him, Critch. I'm goin' back where it's cool." + +His chum nodded, directed Mbopo to skin the lion and followed Burt back +to the shade of the hut. There the two boys settled down for a talk. + +"We got nothing to worry over now," remarked Critch, "except the getting +away. How'll we keep the skin of Pongo?" + +"Let Mbopo do that," replied Burt. "They can fix it so it'll keep long +enough to get down the river with anyhow." He suddenly sat up. "Say, +building that raft is going to be some job! Let's have a look at the +river." + +"Come on," and Critch sprang to his feet. "If we do get off, Burt, let's +take a collection o' these pigmy weapons. Wouldn't they be swell in our +rooms at home?" + +"Right now I'd take the rooms without anything at all in 'em," grinned +Burt, who was fast recovering his spirits in the fresh morning air. A +few moments later they reached the village, which stood on the river +bank, and descended by a well-worn path to the edge of the stream. + +"There's some big trees growin' handy," announced Critch. "How'll we +make it?" Burt thought a moment. + +"Why," he replied slowly, "take four big logs an' lash 'em in a square. +Then put four on top o' them, with a platform. That ought to float +pretty high even with a good load. Guess we'll have to make two rafts, +though. We couldn't carry any men an' that ivory on one, 'less we made +it almighty big." + +"The river wouldn't stand for a very big one," suggested Critch. "Go an' +get a bunch o' the men, Burt. We might as well pitch in right now." + +Burt nodded and returned up the path, leaving Critch to inspect the +trees growing at the edge of the river. He returned with a score of men, +all of whom brought their little axes. They looked wonderingly at the +two boys. + +"Here's a good tree," declared Critch, pointing to one about two feet +through. "We'll take an axe an' show 'em how to do it." + +Shedding their upper garments, for the place was by no means cool, the +boys fell to work on the tree. The pigmies comprehended at once, and +also went to work on three other trees picked out by the boys. The +latter, having started things satisfactorily, flung themselves down in +the shade and directed operations. + +When the first tree was about to fall, they showed the dwarfs how to +make it fall toward the stream, so that it lay half in the water. There +seemed to be no crocodiles in the river, the men splashing about without +fear. Then Burt took a spear and measured a straight section of the +trunk for three spear-lengths, or fifteen feet. While Critch saw that +this was lopped and cut rightly, Burt visited the other workers. + +All this, however, was not done in a few moments. The axes of the +pigmies were keen, but they were also very small. No sooner had the work +begun than the whole tribe came down from the village to look on with +wondering interest, and Mbopo shortly after arrived also. + +It was well into the afternoon before the four trees were down, and not +until noon of the next day were they cut into the proper lengths and +trimmed. Finally, however, the logs lay end to end in the shape of a +square, in the shallow water. Burt now explained to Mbopo that these +were to be fastened together. The young chief comprehended at once, and +with strips of tough hides had the first part of the raft completed by +nightfall. + +The abundance of help lightened the work wonderfully, as the other +warriors learned the work. They went at it like children, laughing and +playing continually, until the two white boys wondered how they could +ever have stood in fear of these pranking dwarfs who were so full of fun +and laughter. + +At the end of five days the first raft was finished to the satisfaction +of the boys. Even when the platform was crowded with men it floated +clear of the water, and with an ordinary load the platform would be at +least a foot above the surface. The whole fabric was very strong, for +the platform itself was formed of saplings which were lashed carefully, +and no ordinary shock would break up the raft. A small bulwark was then +run around the edges. + +At the end of a week the second raft also lay completed, and now the +boys had to face the somewhat difficult task of explaining their purpose +to Mbopo. They took him over to the sacred hut, and Burt pointed to the +ivory tusks, with gestures of uprooting them. + +"Take him to Buburika Mac," he explained over and over. "You go along. +Come back afterwards." + +Mbopo looked doubtful as he grasped the idea that the tusks were to be +loaded on the rafts. Finally, however, he nodded and the boys drew a +breath of relief. That they would be obeyed now they had no fear at all, +for the pigmies were their devoted slaves in every way, and stood in +evident awe of the two boys and especially of "Mwanzi." + +This belief was confirmed when Mbopo addressed the tribe in a great +council that night. The pigmies made not the slightest opposition, and +the boys could see by his gestures that he was describing their desires. + +"All right," murmured Burt as the two short guttural barks ascended from +the audience, "it's all over but the shouting, Critch. S'pose we can get +the stuff loaded up to-morrow?" + +"We ought to," replied his chum. "We'll have to see first. Those thorns +are tangled up with the tusks somethin' fierce." + +Next morning the entire tribe left the village and approached the +sacred hut of Pongo. Under the direction of Mbopo, who took matters into +his own hands now, the work of uprooting the ivory was begun. This was +difficult, but by evening the last of the great tusks lay in the pile by +the river edge. All that remained was to load them aboard the rafts. +This, however, would be no easy matter, for the tusks were heavy and the +balance of the rafts must be preserved. + +Critch took charge of the loading, while Burt attended to getting +provisions together for the journey. There was dried meat in abundance, +and plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits. The boys had a long +consultation over loading the ivory, for even with the protection of the +dwarfs a raftload of tusks would be too much of an inducement for the +tribes they were sure to meet. + +At length it was settled by making a layer of tusks, of which there were +thirty-nine in all, on the platforms. Fifteen of the tusks had been +discarded by the boys as worthless. Over the layer of ivory was placed +enough dirt to fill in the spaces and hold the tusks steady. A top layer +of skins completed the whole. + +The young chief made no objection to taking the journey on the rafts, +for the boys held out "Buburika Mac" at the end of the trip as a bribe, +and Mbopo could not resist. He selected six warriors for each raft; he +and Burt took charge of one and Critch of the other. Poles were cut for +the "deckhands," as Burt named the crews, and at length all was ready. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +DOWN THE MAKUA + + +The start was made in the early dawn of a perfect day. The whole tribe +assembled to see the party off, and it was plain that the pigmies, while +not opposing the departure, did not like to lose "Mwanzi," for many +gifts were brought to the boys, with gestures of good will. In their +turn, Burt and Critch gave away all the small articles they possessed +except those which they would absolutely need. Their collection of +weapons was completed, and Burt carefully wrapped up the rifle with its +three precious cartridges in the tarpaulin. As the sequel proved, it was +well indeed for the boys that they had found the old rifle. + +Finally all was ready. The warriors took their places on board, standing +amid the piles of provisions and skins of water, for the boys dared not +drink the river water. + +"Cast off!" shouted Critch, throwing off the vine that bound his raft to +the bank. Burt followed suit. A roll of tom-toms and a loud shout rose +from the tribe, which was answered by a shout from the crews. Slowly the +poles sent the rafts out into mid-stream, where the current caught them +and swept them down. For half a mile they remained in sight of the +village, then a bend swept all away. The perilous voyage was begun. + +Burt's raft followed that of Critch at a distance of fifty feet. Neither +boy made any effort to increase the speed of the craft, confining their +efforts to keeping the rafts from turning around and around in the +current. Both floated well above the water, and the pigmies were highly +delighted with their novel situation. + +The river was of good size and to the joy of the two boys it continued +to flow steadily toward the northwest. They floated down between banks +of heavy vegetation, but saw no signs of life. That night they camped on +an island and the party seemed in high spirits. + +The next day they received their first sign of the hidden life that +filled the great jungles. There came a high shrill yell from one bank, +to which Mbopo replied, and the boys knew that once more they were among +the black dwarfs. This was repeated in the afternoon, but even by the +aid of their glasses they could not make out who had hailed them. + +Only once did they meet with trouble. This occurred when Critch ran +aground on a hidden shoal. The solid raft ran deeply into the mud of the +river bottom and it took the efforts of both crews to get her off. + +For three days more they floated down the river, but on the third +evening both boys noticed signs of uneasiness among the pigmies. In the +morning, before the start, Mbopo approached Critch. + +"Where Buburika Mac?" he inquired, glancing around as if he expected to +find Captain Montenay in their vicinity. Critch glanced at Burt. + +"Him down there," and he waved his hand downstream. Mbopo looked +doubtfully around. + +"Mbopo no like vera good," was his reply. "Him Zwengi pretty quick." + +"Zwengi?" repeated Critch, puzzled. + +"Him vera bad," declared Mbopo. "Him big, much fight. Mbopo no like." + +"Must be a tribe they're at war with," said Burt. He took up the rifle +and turned to the chief. "Him kill Zwengi." + +"Mwanzi kill Zwengi?" asked Mbopo of Critch, plainly putting all his +faith in the latter's prowess. Critch laughed and nodded. Mbopo turned +and spoke joyfully to his men, who instantly lost their uneasy +appearance and sprang aboard with a shout of delight. + +"It's up to you," grinned Burt, and Critch nodded soberly. + +"Plain bluff again," he said. "If we are held up, those bows o' the +dwarfs ought to get in good work, an' your three cartridges'll help a +whole lot unless the Zwengi have guns. If they have, it's all up, I +guess." + +"The Makua can't be so very far off now," replied Burt. "The river's +getting bigger and bigger, and the current's swifter. S'pose we could +rig up any kind of breastwork on the rafts?" + +"Better not waste time trying," dissented Critch. "I'm afraid of making +them top-heavy. Well, let's be off. We ought to hit the Makua pretty +quick now. If we don't meet Cap'n Mac I expect Mbopo'll be sore. That's +what's worrying me right now." + +It was worrying Burt too, but he jumped aboard his raft and cast loose +without giving vent to his fears. He realized only too well that the +Zwengi might have canoes, and if they were discovered and pursued their +only hope was to beat off the enemy. + +For several hours they swept along the rapidly widening river without +any sign of a foe. Toward noon the stream swept around in a great bend, +and as Burt stared ahead he caught a wild shout from Critch. + +"There she is!" and the red-haired boy danced around and waved his arms +back at the other raft. "The Makua, Burt!" + +Sweeping around with the current, Burt saw ahead of them two or three +scattered islands. Beyond these was the sheen of water, and he could +plainly see that their river formed a juncture with another and much +larger stream. As he was staring down the river there came a sudden yell +from his men. + +"Zwengi!" + +Whirling around, Burt saw them pointing to the right bank. At the same +instant a yell of alarm went up from Critch's raft. It was answered by +another shout from the right bank, and Burt saw three long canoes +putting out, with a crowd of savage warriors pouring into others. He +saw instantly that they had only one chance. + +"Make for the island!" he shouted to Critch. "Land and hold them off!" + +Critch waved his hand, and both boys set the men to work frantically, +trying to guide the unwieldy craft toward an island that rose straight +ahead of them. Burt unwrapped the rifle, but did not wish to use it +until he had to. + +With a dozen paddlers in each, the big war canoes shot out across the +river to head off the first raft. Now, the bows used by the white +pigmies were larger than those of any other tribe the boys had seen. +They were fully as long as the men themselves and of great strength. +Burt saw Critch say something to Mbopo and take the pole from one of his +men. Instantly he followed suit, directing the man he relieved to shoot +at two of the following canoes which were heading toward them. As he did +so a flight of arrows came over the water, all but one falling short, +the one rebounding from the wet logs without sticking. + +As Burt's man caught up his bow, the boy saw Mbopo and another warrior +loose their shafts from the first raft. The arrows, driven by the full +force of those tremendous bows, easily reached to the canoes. The bowman +in the first canoe gave a yell and dropped his paddle; as he did so, the +man behind him threw up his arms and fell back, overturning the canoe. +At this instant Burt's man shot, and although his arrow missed, the +pursuing canoes instantly ceased their approach and sheered off, +paddling down ahead of the rafts. + +Their plan was evident. By reaching the islands ahead of the two rafts, +which were still two hundred yards away, they could command the passages +that led into the Makua. Realizing the danger as he saw one of the +canoes turn and head for the island in front of them, Burt took up his +rifle. He did not wish to shoot to kill and therefore took careful aim +at the bow of the canoe, ahead of the bowman and just at the waterline. +As the canoes were hollowed-out logs, a bullet there would shatter the +whole bow. + +Trusting to luck that the old rifle would hold together, Burt pulled the +trigger. The sharp crack awoke a thousand echoes from the forest on +either hand. At the same instant the bow of the canoe seemed to fly into +splinters, a shrill yell of fear went up from the foe, and as the canoe +filled, the others instantly turned back but still continued +downstream. A moment later Critch's raft swept down toward the island, +four of the pigmies sprang out, and drew her safely to shore. + +The other islands, however, were well within range of the Zwengi bows +and to them the canoes dashed. Mbopo's men sent one whirling downstream +by a flight of arrows that completely cleared the craft, but the others +gained the shelter of the islands just as Burt's raft was landed beside +that of Critch. Then the dwarfs made fast and sprang out. + +"We're in for it," cried Critch, pointing upstream. "Look there!" + +Pulling out his glasses, Burt saw at least a dozen other canoes slinking +down close to the banks. Catching up his rifle, he aimed full at the bow +of the first. It was a long shot, but as the echoes rose the boys saw +the paddlers spring overboard, and the canoe filled and sank a moment +later. + +"Dandy shot," shouted Critch, "but they got us, Burt! Mebbe we can hold +'em off while our arrows last, but--" + +At that instant something happened that caused the boys to whirl and +stare at each other with pale faces. Clear and sharp above the yells of +the warriors, and coming from the left bank, the south bank, they had +heard the report of a heavy rifle! + +"Hear that!" yelled Burt. "There's a hunter there!" + +"Hurray!" shouted his chum, turning and hitting Mbopo a clap on the back +that sent the dwarf staggering. "Mwanzi'll fix them, old scout. Hurray! +Try another shot, Burt!" + +And as a flight of Zwengi arrows poured into the island, Burt fired +again, this time in the air. As if in answer there came another shot +from the left bank, and a yell went up from the dwarfs as one of their +foes on the neighboring island threw up his arms and fell back. A shriek +of terror went up from the Zwengi, while the pigmy arrows played havoc +among them as they fled back to their canoes. Next instant a canoe put +out from the south bank. + +"Look there!" shouted Burt, peering through his glasses. "White helmets! +We're saved, Critch!" + +"Yes," and Critch began to dance up and down, waving his arms like mad, +"an' it's your uncle and Cap'n Mac! Hurray! Hurray!" + +A week later a small German Company steamer was making her way down the +broad Makua River. In the shade of her awning reclined Mr. Wallace, +Captain Montenay, Burt and Critch. John was busying himself forward, and +the decks of the little craft were littered with long, curved packages +that looked strangely like elephant tusks. + +"Well, it was mighty lucky for us that you started after us that way," +Burt was saying. "If you'd tried to strike right through the black dwarf +country we'd have missed you. Ain't it queer how things worked out?" + +"Not a bit," asserted Captain Mac quietly. "It looks to me, Burt, as if +the hand o' Providence was in it." + +The boys stared at the Scotchman for a moment in wonder. Suddenly Burt +sprang to his feet. + +"Oh, I forgot!" he cried. "I ain't showed you that roll yet!" Dashing +off to the cabin, he returned with the tightly rolled packet he had +taken from the mummy as he and Critch had unwrapped it. Mr. Wallace took +it with an exclamation of pleasure. + +"This is really something worth having, boys!" he declared, carefully +unfolding the papyrus. "Hello! Let's see what it says." + +In spite of its age, the first part that unrolled showed clear and +strong picture writing, in bright colors. The others gave a simultaneous +exclamation, while Mr. Wallace bent his brows in the endeavor to read +it. + +"Well, it's nothing special," he announced, "merely being scenes from +the life of Ta-En-User, with the story of his achievements. I think we'd +better roll it up and keep it from the damp now; we can read it later. +It'll make something great for your room, Burt! It's mighty few boys +that can boast of having a relic like that hanging on their walls!" + +"Well, I'm kind o' sorry we're going home," sighed Critch. "Won't this +be a great yarn to write up for the school paper, eh, Burt?" + +"Nonsense!" said Mr. Wallace sharply. "It's too big a story for that, +Critch. Why don't you two chaps get busy and make a book out of it? I'll +help you in the stiff places." + +"Hurray!" cried Burt. + +"Bully!" uttered Critch, delighted. "That's just what we'll do, Mr. +Wallace! Say, won't it make a great yarn?" + +"An' if you do," put in Captain Mac with a quiet grin, "be sure an' send +me a copy o' the thing, laddies! I'd like powerful well to see my name +in a story book!" + +"You bet we will!" said Burt, and Critch grinned happily. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Blind Lion of the Congo, by Elliott Whitney + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLIND LION OF THE CONGO *** + +***** This file should be named 32508.txt or 32508.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/2/5/0/32508/ + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, David K. 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