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diff --git a/43269-0.txt b/43269-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1f3299b --- /dev/null +++ b/43269-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6727 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43269 *** + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 43269-h.htm or 43269-h.zip: + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/43269/43269-h/43269-h.htm) + or + (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/43269/43269-h.zip) + + + + + +[Illustration: _Not two hundred feet away was a huge elephant._] + + +THE FOREST OF MYSTERY + +by + +JAMES FOSTER + + + + + + + +A. L. Burt Company, Publishers +New York Chicago + +Copyright, 1935, by +A. L. Burt Company + +Printed in the United States of America + + + * * * * * * + + THE EXPLORATION SERIES + BY JAMES FOSTER + LOST IN THE WILDS OF BRAZIL + CAPTURED BY THE ARABS + SECRETS OF THE ANDES + THE FOREST OF MYSTERY + + * * * * * * + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + I The Chinaman 9 + II A Grim Discovery 19 + III Good News 29 + IV Seeing the Sights 36 + V A Welcome Announcement 43 + VI The Business Card 50 + VII The Thief Turns Up 59 + VIII After the Specimens 70 + IX Failure 79 + X Off for Africa 86 + XI An Amusing Acquaintance 96 + XII A Disappointing Announcement 106 + XIII The Lost Scientist 115 + XIV Disaster Ahead 125 + XV A Wonderful Sight 135 + XVI Off for the Unknown 142 + XVII Peril Ahead 151 + XVIII The Terrible Crocodile 158 + XIX A Promise of a Thrill 166 + XX The Buffalo Charges 173 + XXI Two Ferocious Specimens 183 + XXII A Pitiful Sight 190 + XXIII Moments of Horror 197 + XXIV Into the Forest of Mystery 205 + XXV The Fury of the Storm 214 + XXVI Waiting in Dread 220 + XXVII The White Pygmy Elephant 228 + XXVIII Finding One Lost 235 + XXIX Angry Natives 243 + XXX An Old Mystery Is Cleared 249 + Bibliography 254 + + + + +CHAPTER I + +The Chinaman + + +Bang! _Crash!_ + +"What was that?" Joe Lewis had turned suddenly, every nerve on edge. +His eyes tried to penetrate the darkness of the San Francisco night. + +"Sounded like an automobile accident," came from Bob Holton. "Come on. +Let's go around and see." + +The two chums dashed across the street and around the corner, hoping +that nothing tragic had taken place. They passed several people who +were hurrying to investigate the strange noise. + +Reaching the thoroughfare, the youths drew back with cries of alarm, +for the sight before them was fearful and unpleasant. + +Lying on its top, wheels in the air, was a small automobile, which had +evidently crashed into a pole near by. All about was broken glass, and +water was still oozing from the radiator. The pole was dented +severely, indicating that the car had probably been traveling rapidly. + +As Bob and Joe looked on spellbound, a smothered cry for help came +from the automobile. It was repeated several times in rapid +succession. + +With throbbing hearts, the boys ran over to the wreck, followed by +several other people. In the darkness they could not see clearly +inside the car and could only guess who was calling for help. A +near-by street lamp, although bright did not illuminate the automobile +sufficiently. + +"Let's get this door open," muttered Bob. "Hurry. There isn't any time +to lose." + +Working feverishly, the chums reached through the broken window and +tugged at the door. It had been wrenched severely and refused to open. +What made the task still more difficult was the fact that broken edges +of glass projected from the sides of the window. + +With a mighty effort, the youths managed to pull the door open, +although they almost lost their balance from the sudden impact. But +now they were greatly relieved. They had had an uneasy feeling that +perhaps the door would not yield. + +Without hesitation Bob reached into the car, caught hold of someone, +and pulled him out. Then, after making sure that no one else was in +the car, he turned to the stranger. + +The youths were a bit surprised to see that he was a Chinaman, a +short, fat man of middle age. From all appearances he had not been +injured in the accident. There was but one little scratch in the side +of his face. + +"You do velly well--get me out queek," he said to Bob gratefully. "I +was fear I have to stay in machine long tlime." + +"What was the trouble?" asked Joe, edging closer to the overturned +automobile as the crowd of spectators grew larger. "Did a wheel come +off or something?" + +The little Chinaman laughed sheepishly. + +"Nothing like that," he said. "My machine here it was velly new, and I +was not good enough dliver. It run loose and clash into this pole. +Then it turn over." + +"It was just luck that you weren't hurt," said Bob grimly. "Not many +could have been in a smash-up like that and come out unharmed." + +At this moment a policeman stepped up to obtain the man's name and +address and the details concerning the crash. While the Chinaman +talked, the officer wrote in a small notebook, on which he turned a +flashlight. + +"Don't you think you'd better see a doctor?" asked Joe, when the +officer had finished. "You might be hurt and not know it." + +The Chinaman shook his head. + +"Not hurt, no," he assured them. "I come thlough without a scratch, as +far as I know. But I velly much nervous." + +"No wonder," said Bob. "That wreck was enough to shake anybody's +nerves." + +Bob and Joe remained at the scene for several minutes. Then, as they +realized that it was nearly seven o'clock, they started to leave. But +at that moment the Chinaman called them back. + +"Before you go I want that you make me a promise," he said. + +The youths looked inquiringly. + +"I want that you promise you come to my shop tonight. Will you come?" + +The boys were not a little surprised. They wondered what the man's +object was in asking them to visit him. + +"Yes," said Bob at last, knowing that his chum would also consent. +"We'll come. But where is it? And just when do you want us?" + +Bob wrote what the man told them on a piece of paper. The latter asked +that they be there at nine o'clock, although just why they could not +guess. + +"What do you think of it?" asked Joe, as he and his friend walked +rapidly down the street. + +"I hardly know," was the reply. "Maybe he wants to reward us for +getting him out of the car." + +"But--that was nothing. Anyone would have done it. No, I'll bet he has +something up his sleeve." + +"What would it be?" demanded Bob. + +"More than I know. We'll see before long. And, say, he wants us to be +there by nine o'clock, too. That doesn't give us much time. We'll have +to get back to the hotel and see our dads first. We've been gone a +long time, you know." + +"Maybe they can tell us how to get to this Chink's shop," suggested +Bob. "Do you suppose it's in Chinatown?" + +"Where else would it be? Chinese here in San Francisco don't live +anywhere else, do they?" + +"Beyond me." + +The chums reached the corner and boarded a street car for the business +district. They knew it would not be necessary to transfer, and so +relaxed in their seat. + +"San Francisco is a swell place, all right," remarked Joe, after a +short silence. "Sure has a lot of interesting things to see. Take +Golden Gate Park, for instance. It's one of the finest in the +country." + +"You could get lost there," smiled Bob. "Why, it's as big as a small +city. And full of interesting attractions. I'd like to spend a whole +day there some time. Won't have time on this visit, though." + +When they were well into the business district, the boys moved toward +the exit of the car. At a corner directly opposite the hotel at which +they were staying, they left the street car. + +Anxious to see their fathers, they went to the building without delay. +In the elevator they were hurried to the tenth floor, where their +rooms were located. + +Mr. Holton and Mr. Lewis were waiting for them. The men had returned +earlier in the day and had remained inside to discuss business +matters. + +"How do you like San Francisco by now?" inquired Bob's father +quizzically. "Seen much of interest yet?" + +"Plenty," returned Joe. "Sure is a busy place, isn't it? We ought to +know. We've been about everywhere." + +"Took in the sights, did you?" asked Mr. Lewis. "Well, there are many +here. Howard"--referring to Bob's father--"and I, however, haven't +had much time to look around. All our time has been occupied in +talking with this Thompson, the man we came out here to see." + +Bob and Joe looked up with interest. All day they had wondered what +would come of their fathers' conversation with Thompson. The latter +was a noted naturalist, who had just recently returned from Africa. +There was a chance, the youths reasoned, that he could interest their +dads, who were themselves naturalists, in making an expedition to the +Dark Continent to collect specimens of animal life. And of that +expedition, if there should be any, Bob and Joe hoped to be a part. + +"What did you find out?" inquired Bob anxiously. "Did he come across +anything unusual in the way of animals and birds?" + +"Did he?" Mr. Holton smiled happily. "He shot several creatures that +were previously unknown to civilized man." + +"It seems that Thompson's expedition penetrated a region that has been +invaded by very few whites," explained Joe's father. "Oh, it was worth +their while, all right." + +"Sounds interesting," grinned Joe. "Go on." + +Mr. Holton looked up suddenly. + +"What do you mean, 'go on'?" he asked suspiciously. + +"Oh, nothing." Joe made an attempt to be casual. + +The naturalists chuckled. + +"Nothing, huh?" laughed Mr. Holton, who at the start had grasped the +hidden meaning in Joe's words. "You weren't by any chance thinking of +another expedition going to Africa, were you?" + +Joe started. He wondered how his chum's father had caught on so +quickly. + +"You're a mind reader, if there ever was one," the youth grinned. "But +how in the dickens did you get wise?" + +"You just told me," Mr. Holton answered whimsically. "I'm a mind +reader." + +"Come out of it, Dad." Bob was becoming impatient. "Cut out this +stalling. Is there going to be an expedition to Africa?" + +"What do you think?" + +"How are we to know?" countered Bob. "We're not the head naturalists." + +"Listen to that, Howard," teased Mr. Lewis. "Not the _head_ +naturalists! It beats all how these young squirts get ideas in their +heads that they're actually scientists. Why, they----" + +"All right, we take it back." Bob was tiring of getting nowhere. +"Once more, is there going to be an expedition to Africa?" + +"Want to know, do you?" his father persisted. "What for?" + +"Oh-h, nothing! Come on, Joe. We might as well give it up as a bad +job." + +The youths turned to leave for their room, but Mr. Lewis called them +back. + +"I'll tell you," he said seriously. "We may go to Africa. There's a +chance that we will. But there is also a very big chance that we +won't. We just wanted to come out here and see this Thompson about the +strange animals he saw. Whether we go will depend on how the museum +heads look at it. Now, are you satisfied?" + +"Sure," answered Bob with a smile. "When, if you decide to go, will we +leave?" + +"There you go with that 'we' stuff," came from Mr. Holton. "Aren't you +fellows taking a lot for granted?" + +"Oh, I don't know," returned Joe. "Judging from the past we're not. +You will take Bob and me along, won't you? That is, of course, if you +go." + +"We can't say just now," his father returned. "It might be arranged. +All that can be decided later." + +"Hurrah for Africa!" cried Bob with enthusiasm. "We'll----" + +He stopped quickly, as he happened to glance at a small clock that was +on the dresser. + +"Past eight!" he cried. "Wow! We've got to be in Chinatown by nine!" + + + + +CHAPTER II + +A Grim Discovery + + +"Chinatown!" repeated Bob's father, while Mr. Lewis looked up quickly. + +"Yes," answered Joe. "That is, I suppose we should go there. Here's +the address. I jotted it down while we were in the street car coming +to the hotel." + +"But--but what's it all about?" asked Mr. Holton, taking the slip of +paper Joe handed him. He added: "Yes, it's in Chinatown. Grant +Avenue." + +"It happened this way," explained Bob. "Joe and I got a Chinaman out +of an automobile he turned over. He asked us to come and see him +tonight at nine, and we told him we'd be there. That's all there is to +it." + +"You say he turned his car over?" queried Mr. Lewis. "Was he hurt?" + +"Luckily not," returned Bob. "But it was a pretty narrow escape. Big +wonder he wasn't killed." + +There was a short silence. Neither of the men liked the prospect of +the youths going to the Oriental settlement at that late hour. + +"Don't you think it's rather dangerous?" inquired Mr. Lewis. "'Most +anything might happen at such a late hour." + +"I don't see why it should be," returned his son. "Bob and I are old +enough to take care of ourselves. If we could come safely out of the +jungles of Brazil, the Sahara, and the Andes, we surely ought to be +able to watch ourselves here in America." + +"Well, maybe so. Chinatown, after all, isn't like it used to be," +admitted Mr. Holton. "But be on the lookout. Any idea what time you'll +be back?" + +Bob shook his head. + +"We won't stay any longer than we have to," he assured him. "And don't +worry. We'll be all right." + +The chums left the hotel without delay. They realized that they had +barely a half hour to get to the Chinaman's shop, and they knew this +would mean some hustling. + +"The trouble is," said Joe, "we're too near Grant Avenue to take a +street car and too far away to walk." + +"That is a problem," laughed Bob. "But if we hurry I think we'll get +there in time." + +The boys hastened down busy Market Street in the direction of the +Ferry Building, amid the crowd of pleasure seekers. As they walked, +they took in the sights of the great city. Lights, lights. Tall +buildings. Four rows of street cars. An ever-moving procession of +pedestrians. This was San Francisco. + +It did not take the two long to reach Grant Avenue, and up this they +turned. Then their eyes were given another treat. + +Northward for many blocks stretched a line on both sides of the street +of pagoda-like structures that were distinctly Oriental. Many of the +shops displayed colorful electric signs, often in Chinese. On the +sidewalks were more than a few people of the yellow race. + +"So this is Chinatown." Bob was taking in the scene with interest. + +"Sure is different," observed Joe. "Even New York doesn't have +anything quite like this." + +The youths walked on until they came to a little shop that exhibited +the words "Pong Lee Co." Here they stopped. + +"This must be the place," said Joe. "At any rate, it has the same +street number that I have down on this paper." + +"O. K. Let's go in." + +As the boys make their way through the curious doorway, let us have a +word about them and their experiences up to the present, as related in +the preceding volumes of _The Exploration Series_. + +Bob, usually the leader of the two, was a shade over six feet tall, +with huge, powerful shoulders that were now bronzed from his life in +the open. His bright blue eyes and regular features displayed a frank, +open disposition that won favor with everyone. + +Joe, about the same age, was of medium size, with a dark complexion +that was now still further darkened by the tropical sun. He was of +much lighter build than his friend, but was tough and wiry. He seldom +started a task without finishing it. + +The chums lived next door to each other in Washington, D.C., where +their fathers were employed as naturalists by a large museum. Much to +their delight the boys were permitted to accompany their fathers to +the jungles of Brazil, where they encountered wild animals and +treacherous natives. Their thrilling experiences on this expedition +are told in the first volume, entitled _Lost in the Wilds of Brazil_. + +A little later, when they had graduated from high school, they left +for another little-known region--the Sahara Desert. Here they endured +terrible sand storms, went for days without water, and fought hostile +Arabs. These and many more adventures are related in the volume +_Captured by the Arabs_. + +Scarcely had the chums and their elders returned from northern Africa +when they were given another opportunity to penetrate the unknown. In +the Andes Mountains of South America they had still more exciting +experiences. How they were guided by an old scientist along a narrow +secret trail and met with not a few breath-taking adventures is told +in the third volume, entitled _Secrets of the Andes_. + +Back in America, the youths were making preparations to enter college +the coming fall, when their fathers announced that they were going to +San Francisco to see a naturalist, Thompson, of whom something has +been said. Bob and Joe asked to go along, and the request was granted. + +Now, as we return to the youths, we see that they are facing a small +Chinaman, the man they had met earlier in the evening. + +"Ah, I glad to see you," he said, recognizing them at once. "Come. We +go back to room behind store." + +The chums followed their host through the shop, noting carefully the +wares for sale. + +Those wares were a motley mixture, including everything from bottled +herbs to Chinese adding machines. Never before had the boys been so +interested in a store. They found themselves lagging behind the man to +examine the many objects peculiar to the Oriental. + +At the rear of the building, separated from the shop by a queer +curtain, was a little room. Here it was apparent that the Chinaman, +Pong Lee, lived. + +"Sitee down," he directed his visitors, pointing to two crude chairs. +"I want talk with you." + +The boys did as told, wondering what was meant. + +After a short silence the little man continued. + +"You did me gleat good--gettee me out of upset machine," he began. +"For that I want give you something to bling you much good luck." + +"Good luck?" repeated Bob wonderingly, and then watched the Chinaman +walk over to a tall cabinet in the corner of the room. + +The latter opened a drawer, looked about carefully to see that no one +other than the boys was looking at him, and then took out something. + +"Here," he said, unfastening the lid of a tiny box, "are two good luck +rings. I want you wear them--all tlime. They bling you much good luck. +Wear them and you will keepee away flom all evil." + +He handed the boys each a grotesque ring, which was engraved in many +queer Oriental figures. Bob's ring was particularly odd. On it were +depicted two curious dragons, one of which was spouting fire. + +"Why--thank you very much." Joe was delighted. Of course, he had no +faith in the charm the ring was supposed to have possessed, but he +appreciated it as a rare piece of Chinese jewelry. + +"You velly welcome," Pong Lee said. "But there is a secret about those +rings. You must know." + +"A secret?" Bob leaned forward in his chair. His friend looked up +interestedly. + +"Bleeg secret," Pong Lee answered, nodding vigorously. "You must guard +those rings velly close. There are much men after them." + +"You mean someone else wants to get these?" asked Joe, intensely +interested. + +"Yes. Much men want them. I have gleat many more. I not tell how I get +them. But I say for you to watch them close. They worth much money." + +"What do these people want with them?" inquired Joe. "Are they so +valuable as all that?" + +Pong Lee nodded. + +"They worth gleat deal," he said. "Much times men come in here after +them. They know I have a velly lot in little box. But I play tlick on +them. They not find rings. I keep them hid--where no man find them. +Moy Ling--he one of dangerous people. He keel you queek if he gettee +chance, yes. You guard rings. They bling you much good luck." + +He arose and walked over to the corner of the room. + +The youths looked at each other. They had been greatly impressed with +what the little man had said. + +"What do you think of it all?" asked Joe in a low voice. + +"It's a mystery to me. Wish he'd tell us where he got the rings. I'm +curious to know." + +Suddenly Joe sat up with a start. His eyes were fixed on the curious +curtain that separated this room from the store. + +Bob's eyes followed those of his chum. + +"That curtain--it moved!" whispered Joe, a queer feeling of fear +creeping down his spine. "There's somebody hiding there. Maybe it's +one of those fellows that want these rings." + +"I'm going out there." Bob had gained his feet. "No, don't!" his +friend pleaded. "They might shoot you--or maybe do worse." + +Bob hesitated. He finally decided to remain where he was. + +"But if that guy wants these rings, he'll get fooled," the youth said +decisively. "We'll----" + +He was interrupted by Pong Lee, who had returned to his chair. The +Chinaman was not aware of what had happened. + +"Do you have anyone else working in the store?" asked Bob, his eyes +still on the curtain. + +"No one else but me, Pong Lee, no. Why you ask?" + +"Well," Bob faltered, his voice lowering to a whisper, "there--there's +someone in there, near the curtain. I don't know who it is. Looked +like they were listening to us." + +Pong Lee was panting. His eyes were wild with fury. + +"The rings!" he cried. "It is someone after the rings! They will keel +us!" + +"Not if we can help it they won't," Bob said grimly. "They----" + +He stopped suddenly as he noticed a pistol in Pong Lee's hand. How the +man had produced the weapon so quickly he never knew. + +"What are you going to do?" asked Joe. "Better not go out there. It +isn't safe." + +The Chinaman, paying no attention to the warning, slipped silently +over to the end of the curtain, near the wall. His little mouth was +rigid; his eyes glared. The gun he held in readiness. + +The curtain he pulled back so slowly that only the movement of the +cloth was not noticeable. + +Bob and Joe, annoyed by the suspense, waited breathlessly. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +Good News + + +When he had made an opening barely large enough to see into the store, +Pong Lee stepped forward and peered out, holding the pistol with a +grip of steel. + +For the first time Bob and Joe saw how dangerous this harmless-looking +Chinaman could become. They were indeed glad he was their friend and +not their enemy. + +Bob cautiously glided over beside the Chinaman, although well aware of +the grave danger. The youth looked through the opening, and then his +jaw dropped. + +There, running rapidly but quietly toward the door, was a tall, slim +Oriental, a plait of black hair reaching halfway down his back. It was +evident that he knew he had been discovered, for he ran in +desperation. + +_Bang! Bang!_ Pong Lee's pistol spoke twice in rapid succession but +without result. The intruder escaped unharmed. + +The moment he disappeared through the doorway, Pong Lee dashed out +into the room. + +"We must shoot him!" cried the little Chinaman, reaching the outside. + +Bob, hesitating to follow because of the peril, watched closely until +Pong Lee was out of sight. Joe too had parted the curtain to see what +was going on. + +They heard several pistol shots, but no other noise followed. +Apparently Pong Lee's aim was not true. + +A moment later the Chinaman returned, holding the smoking weapon. + +"Gone, yes." Pong Lee was facing the boys. "Man he leave queek. I not +gave a chance to shoot him." + +"He sure went out of the store quickly," commented Bob. "Must have +been barefooted or something." + +The remark provoked a smile from Joe, but not from the Chinaman. That +the latter was still greatly worried was clear to the youths. + +Had the invader, whoever he was, seen where the valuable jewels were +kept? Did he intend to return later? Pong Lee's mind was in a whirl. +He felt that it would be necessary to find another hiding place for +the valuables, one that could not be located by anyone. + +"I should think this fellow, or someone else, would come in and make +you tell them where you keep this stuff," remarked Joe. "Even threaten +to kill you if you didn't tell." + +The Oriental shook his head. + +"They know I not tellee, even if I get killed," he explained. "That do +them no good, no." + +"Then you ought to feel fairly safe," laughed Bob. "Your life isn't in +any great danger, anyway. Do you wear any of the jewelry?" + +"I keepee good luck ring on finger all tlime," Pong Lee returned. +"Only once I had bleeg excitement." + +"How was that?" asked Joe. + +"I was knocked down by a man that he want ring. I get run flom him. He +thlow hatchet at me. It miss my head by many few parts of inches." + +"A close shave, all right," said Bob grimly. "Here's hoping Joe and I +don't have such an experience tonight." + +The youths remained in the building for nearly an hour talking with +the amiable Chinaman. Then, as they realized that it was past ten, +they departed, after having again thanked the man for the rings. + +While still in that vicinity they remained quiet, slinking along like +wolves. They feared all too much that the sinister Moy Ling, of whom +Pong Lee spoke, might cause them trouble. But as time passed they lost +their apprehension and became their natural selves again. Thus far no +Oriental had stopped them. + +"I had a hunch that Chink wanted to give us something," remarked Bob, +breaking the silence. "But of course I had no idea what it would be." + +"Wouldn't doubt that these rings are really worth a lot," Joe said. + +"You don't mean they'll actually bring us good luck?" asked Bob, very +much amused. + +"Not that," was the answer. "I mean worth something in money. Pong Lee +said they were. Do you suppose they're gold?" + +"More than I know. I'm not going to sell mine, though. I'd rather keep +it to remember this experience with Pong Lee." + +"I'll bet you really think it will bring good luck," teased Joe. + +"Quit your kidding. I'm not unusually smart, but I've got more sense +than to believe that." + +There was a general laugh. + +"Do you know," began Joe, a little later, "I'm beginning to wonder +something." + +Bob glanced up expectantly. + +"Pong Lee said there is a big secret connected with those rings," Joe +resumed. + +"That's right. He did." + +"Then--there's a chance that they are worth more than their actual +gold value. Get my point?" + +Bob's face lightened. + +"Golly, Joe. You may be right. But what could the secret be?" + +"That's the mystery of it all. Maybe," Joe continued, struck with a +sudden thought, "there's a piece of paper or something concealed in +the rings. I'm going to find out. It's light here under this street +lamp." + +"Don't, you sap!" cried Bob, whirling his friend around. "Why, there +might be a dozen Chinks spying on us. It would about be our finish if +you'd go to examining that ring here at this late hour." + +Joe laughed sheepishly. + +"I must be crazy," he smiled. "Funny, but I never thought of that. +We'll wait till we get back to the hotel." + +Although it was late, the friends walked idly along Grant Avenue, +desiring to see everything that had previously escaped their eyes. +They wanted to "go off the beaten path," as Joe expressed it, to see a +part of Chinatown that was not spoiled by the Occidental. But as it +was late they knew this could not be done. + +The chums finally came to Market Street and turned toward the hotel, +walking along silently. + +The naturalists looked up quickly as the boys entered. They regarded +the latter quizzically. + +"We're anxious to know just what that Chinaman wanted of you," said +Mr. Lewis with a smile. "Sit down and tell us." + +Bob removed the good luck ring from his finger. He passed it to Mr. +Lewis. + +"He just wanted to reward us for getting him out of that wrecked +automobile," Bob explained. "Gave us rings. And, say, there's some +secret connected with them. He wouldn't tell us, and we haven't been +able to find out." + +"Hmm." Joe's father examined the ring eagerly while Mr. Holton looked +over Joe's. + +"No secret openings in them, are there?" inquired Bob. + +"Apparently not," his father returned. "Each has a lot of Chinese +letters and figures on it, though. Perhaps if you knew what they mean +you could solve the mystery." + +Joe yawned and stretched. + +"Whatever it is, I'm not going to stay up any longer to find out, even +if I could," he said. + +Without further discussion all retired, eager to get all the sleep the +night would afford them. + +Late the next morning, Bob and Joe were awakened by their fathers. + +"Whazzamatter?" demanded Bob drowsily. + +"We have some news for you," Mr. Holton said, his eyes twinkling. +"Thought maybe you'd like to hear it." + +All the sleep knocked out of them, the chums sat up quickly, wondering +what was meant. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +Seeing the Sights + + +"Do you remember what we said yesterday about making an expedition to +Africa?" asked Mr. Lewis as the youths sat up in bed expectantly. + +"Why--you said you might go," Bob answered. + +"Well, there isn't going to be any 'might' in it," Mr. Lewis said. +"We're going." + +The youths bounded out of bed in wild excitement. + +"You mean we're actually going to Africa?" cried Joe, falling over +himself in enthusiasm. + +The naturalists laughed significantly. + +"We're not certain how that 'we' will work out," chuckled Mr. Holton. +"But we're almost sure of one thing: Ben [Mr. Lewis] and I are going. +How many more will make up the expedition we haven't decided as yet. +In fact, it was only this morning that we came to a conclusion." + +"Oh, you've got to take Joe and me," Bob begged. "We always have +wanted to explore in the Dark Continent. We're plenty old enough to +take care of ourselves. You see how we made short work of dangerous +wild animals in the Andes and in Brazil. Well, we could do the same +with lions and elephants." + +"Don't be too sure of that," said his father gravely but with +twinkling eyes. "There's scarcely anything worse than a charging +elephant." + +"Just the same, we'd take care of the situation," said Bob boastfully. +"They wouldn't stand much chance before the Lewis-Holton expedition. +Why we'd mow 'em down right and left. But seriously, Dad, Mr. Lewis, +why can't Joe and I go with you?" + +"We'd like to have you," his father assured him. "But of course you'll +have to reckon with your mothers. Suppose," he went on, "we don't say +anything more about this matter until we get back to Washington. You +see, there's a chance that the museum heads will have something else +for us to do. In that case, we won't go." + +"I'm betting you will," smiled Joe, who felt there was a big chance of +an expedition. + +"Perhaps," smiled Mr. Holton. "Right now, though, let's think of +something else. We want to leave for Washington tomorrow morning. We'd +go today if Ben and I didn't have some more business to look after." + +"Had breakfast yet?" inquired Joe. + +"Breakfast? You mean lunch?" Mr. Lewis laughed. "Boys, in case you +don't know it, it's nearly ten o'clock." + +"Wow!" cried Bob. "If Joe and I get to see any more of old San +Francisco we'll have to do some hustling." + +"Be careful that you don't get in any danger. Don't be carried away on +some ship," Mr. Holton said, grinning. "And now," he added, "we're +leaving. Be back about three this afternoon. Take care of yourselves, +boys. And be careful." + +"We will. So long, Mr. Lewis, Dad." + +The youths had been dressing during the conversation with their +fathers, and now they were ready to get breakfast. After the meal, +they would start out to see more of San Francisco and perhaps visit +other cities across the bay. + +A half hour later they were walking down Market Street toward the +Ferry Building, having decided to see the busy waterfront. + +It was no short distance to their destination, but they moved rapidly, +dodging in and out among the crowd of shoppers. They were so +interested in the sights about them that they found themselves almost +without knowing it at the Ferry Building. + +"Now let's go around to the docks," suggested Bob. "I'd like to see +the boats coming in from the Orient." + +"Ought to see some," Joe said. "There are a lot of steamship lines +here." + +Directly in back of the building were the ferry slips. Bob and Joe +stopped a few minutes to watch passengers board a boat to Oakland. +Then they continued around to the docks, where scores of vessels were +anchored. + +Beside one dock was a huge liner almost ready to embark for Honolulu. +The gangplank was being pulled in, ropes were loosened, and a general +scene of excitement prevailed. Relatives and friends of the +leavetakers waved hearty farewells as, with long blasts of the +whistle, the ship slowly left the wharf. + +Bob and Joe watched closely as it steamed majestically out into the +blue Pacific. Not far out there was the Golden Gate. Beyond this was +the Orient, with all its lure, its beckoning. + +"I sure would give a lot to sail out on the Pacific," sighed Bob, +turning and walking on with his chum. + +Away on around Embarcadero Street the boys came to Fishermen's Wharf, +where their eyes met with a sight slightly different. At a miniature +harbor were scores of Italian fishing vessels. Their crew were busily +engaged in preparing the boats for sailing, or in unloading the huge +cargoes of fish. + +"Look over here," called Joe. "They're selling fresh crab sandwiches. +Let's get some." + +"O.K. What do they taste like?" + +The chums soon found out. A short, exceedingly fat man who always +smiled served them with tempting steaming sandwiches in return for a +meager sum. After the eventful morning they tasted delicious. + +As they ate, Bob and Joe walked back down past the docks, their eyes +always ready to single out the unusual. Although they had been in many +interesting cities, never had they been more captivated than now. + +Soon their attention was attracted by a coarse whistle, and looking +around they saw a large freighter steaming up to the dock. + +Ordinarily the boys would have paid little or no attention to the +ship, for they had often watched vessels arriving and departing. But +this time they looked up in wonder. + +The freighter was listing badly to starboard and looked as though it +were partly filled with water. How it kept from going over on its +side was a puzzle to the chums. + +When the ship had entered the dock and was moored by several men who +stood by waiting, the gangplank was lowered, and the captain walked +down, followed by others of the crew. + +One of the men paused at the foot of the gangplank, and Joe took +advantage of the opportunity. + +"What was the trouble?" the youth asked, desiring to know what +misfortune had befallen the ship. + +"Struck a derelict," was the reply. "It was an old clipper that was +about rotted through. We can't see yet how it got through the hull, +but it did." + +"But how did it happen that your ship didn't sink?" Joe inquired, his +curiosity thoroughly aroused. + +The sailor laughed. + +"Be pretty hard to sink the _Southern Cross_," he said. "She's got +watertight compartments. When she gets a leak, all we have to do is +close up the doors. It----Hullo, Red. Let's get goin'." + +With another of the crew, for whom he had been waiting, the seaman +left the youths and moved on over to the dock. + +Bob and Joe stood for some time looking at the unfortunate vessel. +Then, as nothing of further interest happened, they walked on around +the harbor, absorbed in thought. + +The last few days had indeed been eventful to the chums. What did the +future hold in store? + + + + +CHAPTER V + +A Welcome Announcement + + +"Well, boys, we're leaving San Francisco tomorrow," said Mr. Lewis as +he greeted the chums late that afternoon. + +"I'll be glad to get back to Washington," remarked Bob. "Of course, +I've had a good time here--saw a lot of interesting sights and the +like. But, after all----" + +"There's no place quite like home," chimed in his father with a smile. + +"Especially with a trip to Africa in prospect," Bob added. + +"Ah! That accounts for your ardent desire to leave, does it?" asked +Mr. Lewis. "I wondered why you made that remark about wanting to get +back to Washington." + +Bob and Joe smiled. + +"That partly accounts for it," came from Joe. "But, honestly, Dad, you +don't blame us, do you?" + +The youth hoped to corner his father, but the latter was more clever +than he had imagined. + +"Not in the least," Mr. Lewis answered quickly. "I would want to go to +Africa if I were you." + +Again the boys found themselves "stumped," and again they were forced +to drop the matter regarding the expedition to the Dark Continent. +They could only hope for the best, remarked Bob as that night he +retired. + +Early the next morning the chums and their fathers were up making +preparations for the journey across the continent. They had everything +in readiness by eight o'clock. + +In the hotel garage they were shown to Mr. Holton's sedan. A porter +had followed them with their grips, which were placed in the car's +trunk. + +The chums gazed out fondly at the last views they got of San +Francisco. Then they settled themselves down for the long ride. + +Nothing of significance happened during the journey, and at last, +after stops had been made at Denver, Kansas City, and a small city in +Kentucky, they pulled into Washington. + +At their homes, which were located next door to each other, the four +received a warm welcome from the youths' mothers, Joe's sister, and +Bob's small brother. + +"I sure enjoyed our stay in San Francisco," remarked Bob that +evening, as he sat on the porch with his father and chum. + +"Especially right at this time," put in Joe. "I'm glad to get back." + +"Why right at this time?" inquired Mr. Holton. + +"Because," explained Joe, "there's a circus in town. And as I haven't +been to a circus for quite a while, I'm going. How about you, Bob?" + +"It's a go," said Bob at once. "Let's you and I drive over tomorrow in +my new coupé. It's a pip, all right." + +"What, the circus, or the car?" grinned Mr. Holton. + +"Well, I don't know about the circus," said Bob. "But I know the car +is. Anyway, I'd like to take a look at wild animals that were brought +from Africa. Lions, leopards, and the like. Don't you and Mr. Lewis +want to go, Dad? We can put you in the rumble seat." + +"Rumble seat, huh? Hmm. I'd want better service than that." The +naturalist viewed his son critically though with twinkling eyes. "No, +we men won't go to the circus," he added with a grin. "But you boys +can." + +"Listen to that!" cried Bob, squaring his powerful shoulders. "I guess +you men enjoy it about as much as anybody does. Now, you might," he +went on, struck with a sudden thought, "take Tommy. Of course, he'd +like it. That would give you an excuse to go." + +"Maybe your little brother would rather play baseball," suggested Mr. +Holton. "He finds that interesting now, you know." + +"Nix," countered Bob. "Tommy's all for a circus. He'd rather see the +wild animals than eat. And to tell the truth, Dad," he added +mischievously, "you're about the same way. Don't deny it, now." + +Mr. Holton smiled. + +"I see you're putting me up a tree," he said. "But say!"--in a tone of +dismay--"come to think of it, Tommy is going to Baltimore with his +mother tomorrow." + +The naturalist's face was a perfect picture of disappointment. Bob and +Joe burst out in loud laughter, and Bob gave his father a shove. + +"Now who can you take?" Bob chuckled, very much amused at Mr. Holton's +plight. + +"That settles it," the naturalist said. "Ben and I won't go. We have +some work in the museum that must be attended to, anyway." + +Bob gave his father an odd glance, and then, at a call of "dinner," +the little party disbanded. + +The circus was on its second day in the city, and because of several +unusual attractions was receiving considerable attention. One thing +being featured was an immense gorilla which had just recently been +brought from western Africa. It was supposedly the largest specimen in +captivity. + +The next morning Bob and Joe left for the circus grounds. There they +found that a large crowd had already gathered to gain admittance. + +"Suppose we go to the menagerie tent first," suggested Bob. "We have +some time yet before the performance opens. I want to take a look at +that big gorilla." + +"And if what we've heard is true, he's a whopper." + +This was no exaggeration, as the chums found a little later. The big +ape seemed the very personification of power. His huge chest was +several times as big as a man's. His long large arms looked capable of +crushing an enemy into a shapeless mass. The little beady eyes were +defiant, moving from one to another of the spectators. + +"How would you like to meet that fellow in a wrestling match?" said +Bob with a laugh. + +Joe smiled unwillingly. + +"He wouldn't leave a grease spot of you," he said. "Fifteen or twenty +champion wrestlers wouldn't have the slightest chance in the world +with him." + +There was a far-away look in Bob's eyes, which Joe noticed as he +happened to turn about. + +"What's got into you?" the latter asked. "You look like a great +scientist that's just made a wonderful discovery." + +Bob roused himself and laughed. + +"I was just thinking," he said. + +"About what?" + +"Africa. Gorillas like this fellow here. Lions. Wild elephants. Tall +forest giants. Adventure." + +"Wow!" cried Joe. "You'll have me running around in circles. You +know," he went on more seriously, "it's up to us to get our dads in +the notion of going to Africa very soon now. And we'll have to make +them let us go along. They----" + +He stopped abruptly and smiled sheepishly as he caught sight of two +men standing beside him. Those men were none other than Mr. Lewis and +Mr. Holton. + +"What th----" cried Bob, who had also seen. + +"Didn't expect to find us here, did you?" asked Mr. Holton with a +grin. + +"And you said you weren't coming!" roared Bob. He looked about. + +"Tommy didn't come," his father said. "He went with his mother. But," +with a glance at Mr. Lewis, "Ben and I decided to take a look at this +whale of a gorilla here. What do you think of him, boys?" + +"Biggest I've ever seen," came from Joe. "Wonder how he was captured." + +"It wasn't an easy job," said Mr. Lewis. "I once saw natives in Africa +capture a gorilla. Was in the Mountains of the Moon. They used a +peculiar trap consisting of a circular hole in the ground. When the +animal fell into the hole, a noose was tightened around its neck." + +"You say you were there?" asked Bob. "How long ago has it been?" + +"A good many years--four, to be exact. Howard and I went together on a +big expedition. We brought back several unusual specimens of animal +life." + +"Then," began Bob with a smile, "you'll probably go again in the next +few days, won't you? Back in San Francisco you said you were going." + +Mr. Lewis and Mr. Holton exchanged amused glances. + +"Shall we tell them, Ben?" asked Bob's father. + +"Tell us what?" cried Joe, sensing that something was in the wind. + +"Simply that we're leaving for Africa Friday," was the quiet answer +from Mr. Lewis. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +The Business Card + + +At Mr. Lewis's words, Bob and Joe stood mouth agape. They stared at +the naturalist for several seconds in sheer surprise. Then they were +overcome with joy. + +"You're not kidding, are you?" cried Bob, finally managing to utter +the words. + +"Not a bit," said Mr. Lewis. "In fact, as soon as we put the proposed +expedition before the museum heads, they were captivated by the idea. +Said they greatly desired new specimens from Africa, and if we could +get them it would be perfectly all right. They're going to fix +everything up for us." + +"Man alive!" cried Joe. "It'll be a wonderful opportunity. Of course," +he went on, "there's a chance that Bob and I may go with you, isn't +there?" + +"Let's not discuss that matter just now," Mr. Holton said. "Of course, +you know there are others besides Ben and I who have a say. But we'll +give it a thought, boys." + +"And now we're off for the museum," announced Joe's father. + +"Aren't you going to stay for the circus performance?" asked Bob in +some surprise. + +"Really we haven't the time, Son," answered Mr. Holton. "With this +African mission on our hands we'll have to do some hustling. We just +came down here to take a look at this big gorilla. Well, we'll see you +later, boys. Be good." + +With this the naturalists took their leave, while their sons glanced +at each other. + +"A trip to Africa!" cried Bob joyfully. He picked his chum up and +danced around with him in happiness. + +"Better cut this stuff out," advised Joe. "As soon as you calm down a +little you'll lose some of that excess strength--and then maybe you'll +let me drop." + +Bob released his chum and stopped his dance of joy, as he noticed that +people were beginning to trickle into the tent. But his face retained +its look of exultation. + +The boys still had some time before the performance was to start and +amused themselves by looking about the grounds. + +Later, in the main tent, the chums enjoyed the show immensely. +Perhaps, however, as Bob said, they could have enjoyed it still more +had they not been so absorbed in the coming expedition to Africa. + +"We'll just have to go with you," pleaded Joe when the two had gone to +the museum to join their fathers. "Why, you know it wouldn't be +complete without us." + +"Perhaps not," came from Mr. Lewis, "although we hadn't thought of it +in that light." + +"You know we can take care of ourselves," Bob defended himself and his +friend. "And we're both good shots. Remember the time when we potted +off those gazelles on the Sahara?" + +"Sure thing," said Mr. Holton, nodding. "And you've brought us many +other valuable specimens, too. But to tell the truth, boys, we're not +anxious for you to go with us this time. You see, we have orders to +shoot some very dangerous game. Lions, rhinos, buffaloes, and the +like." + +"Better and better!" exclaimed Bob, his eyes brightening still more. +"Just where do you intend to explore?" + +"In the middle of the Congo Basin," returned his father. "Our ship +will take us to Mombasa. From there we'll take a train----" + +"Train?" interrupted Joe, greatly puzzled. "Do they have trains in the +heart of Africa?" + +"Not exactly in the heart of Africa," Mr. Holton answered. "But there +is a railroad running from Mombasa to Lake Victoria. As I was saying, +we'll board a train and go as far as it will carry us. Then we'll have +to organize a safari." + +"Exactly what is that?" inquired Bob. "I've often heard the term, but +never was quite clear about its meaning." + +"Safari means practically the same as expedition," Mr. Lewis +explained. "It is an Arabic term that is used quite frequently in +Africa. A safari is composed of the explorers, the native police, +bearers, and the like. It may vary from just a few people to several +hundred. In our case, however, we won't need a large number of +carriers. If we do need more, we can engage them in the jungle to +carry our specimens back to the coast. The money that they charge is +only a very meager amount." + +"Just what animals do you want especially to bag?" asked Bob. "Of +course, you want lions, don't you?" + +"Lions, yes," returned his father. "And other dangerous game. But we +also want to investigate reports of several strange animals that are +at present generally unknown. Whether we'll find them we have yet to +see--if nothing with sharp teeth stops us," he added with a smile. + +"Nothing will," said Bob conclusively. "But just what is the most +dangerous game of Africa?" + +The naturalists glanced at each other. + +"Better not ask that question, or you'll start a heated debate," +laughed Mr. Lewis. "Howard and I are very much in disagreement about +it." + +"Why?" persisted Bob. + +"You father is inclined to place the rhino as the most dangerous, +while I would say the buffalo comes first. But to settle the argument, +both are bad enough when they're after you." + +"But what about the lion?" demanded Joe. "Isn't he dangerous?" + +"Very much so," answered Mr. Holton. "However, he isn't considered +anything like the two animals that Ben mentioned. That doesn't mean, +though, that it's advisable to go out and pick a quarrel with the king +of beasts," he added whimsically. + +"Let me get a map of Africa, boys," said Joe's father, rising. "Then +we can see exactly where we intend to explore." + +He went over to a bookcase in a corner of the office, returning a +moment later with a large cloth map of the Dark Continent. + +But at that moment the telephone rang, and Mr. Holton stepped over to +answer it. + +A few seconds later he uttered a cry of surprise. His brow wrinkled, +and his face took on a look of dismay. + +"Why, it can't be!" he cried excitedly. "Stolen! Gone!" + +At the scientist's ominous words Mr. Lewis looked up in wonder. The +boys too listened intently. They were growing impatient when Mr. +Holton again spoke. + +"Stay where you are," he directed the person at the other end of the +line. "We'll meet you at once." + +With these words he hung up and turned to the others. + +"Those specimens that we bought from Thompson in Chicago--they've been +stolen!" he explained in a worried voice. + +"What!" cried Mr. Lewis angrily. "Do you mean that?" + +"Every word of it," was the response. "We must go at once. If we get +there in time we may be able to find the culprit." + +The naturalists grabbed their hats and dashed out of the office and +through the building to the outside. Bob and Joe followed them, +although without knowing where they were going. + +All got in Mr. Holton's car, which was parked near the museum. + +"Now we must hurry," Bob's father said, starting the engine. "The +robbery took place but a short time ago, and there is a chance that we +can overtake the thief." + +"Weren't the specimens covered by insurance?" inquired Joe. + +Mr. Lewis shook his head. + +"But even if they were," the naturalist said, "this is a case where +insurance could not replace the loss. Such rare birds and animals as +those can be procured only with great patience and labor under a hot +sun. You fellows know what a job it is to stalk wild animals. And it +isn't likely that we'll find others like them in Africa." + +With a roar and a rush the automobile shot out into the street and was +soon caught in the midst of heavy traffic. Although Mr. Holton greatly +desired to travel at a rapid pace, he found it impossible to do so. + +"Where are we going?" asked Bob. "We've been so interested in the +robbery itself that Joe and I haven't thought to inquire where the +specimens were when they were stolen." + +"In a railroad freight yard," returned his father. "The museum sent +one of its trucks after them as soon as they arrived. I don't have the +details about the happening, but the box of specimens must have been +stolen while the truck driver was not around. Apparently the robber +was familiar with the contents of the box. Perhaps he had carefully +planned the theft in advance. Heard us talking about the specimens, +maybe." + +"Well, he won't get away with it if we can help it," said Bob with +determination. "We'll catch him somehow." + +"Let's hope you're right," Mr. Holton said gravely as he pushed the +accelerator still nearer to the floorboard. + +After what seemed like hours they pulled up at their destination--a +railroad freight yard. + +Inside the main building they found the truck driver awaiting them, on +his face a look of deep anxiety. His features relaxed a little as he +caught sight of the two naturalists. + +Mr. Lewis at once demanded an account of what had happened and urged +the man to relate every detail. + +The driver explained that he had loaded the box of specimens on the +truck and, not doubting that they would be safe, had gone into the +freight office for a brief stay. When he returned to the truck, he +found, to his astonishment, that the box was gone. It was only then +that he fully realized what had happened. + +"If I'd only seen the guy that took them we might catch him," he +finished. + +The scientists were greatly vexed at the driver for not taking better +care of such valuable goods, but they managed to keep their temper. + +They walked out to the truck to discover, if possible, the thief's +means of escape. + +"He probably had another automobile waiting to take those specimens," +remarked Joe. "Maybe we can find its tracks. The ground here is soft +after the recent rain." + +A careful survey of the roadway was not in vain, for soon they saw +wide tracks of automobile tires which possessed a very odd tread. + +"Here's a clue, anyway," said Mr. Holton. "Every little thing counts, +you know." + +Bob had gone a piece toward the street. Now he came running toward the +others. + +"Look!" he cried excitedly. "I've found something. Let's see what it +is." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +The Thief Turns Up + + +As the others crowded around him, Bob held up a small business card. +It had apparently been dropped near the museum's truck, perhaps by the +thief himself. On it was printed the name Thomas Jordan. + +"Thomas Jordan!" exclaimed Mr. Lewis, reaching for the card. "Why, +he's a wealthy sportsman. Practically everybody has heard of him. Of +course it couldn't have been he that stole those specimens." + +Bob's father agreed with him. + +"Scarcely anybody is more respected," he said. + +"You say he's a sportsman, huh?" said Joe thoughtfully. "What does he +do?" + +"A lawyer by profession," Mr. Lewis returned. "But in addition he +heads a private museum, merely as a hobby, I guess. Has a very wide +collection of fauna from all parts of the world. He charges a small +admission fee. Makes a lot of money at it." + +"Where does he get his specimens?" inquired Joe. + +Mr. Lewis looked puzzled for a moment. + +"Why, from different sources," the naturalist replied. "Goes after +some occasionally, buys some--" + +"Buys some, does he?" Joe still spoke in a very thoughtful voice. +"Then might it not be possible that he will buy those that were +stolen--get them from the thief, I mean?" + +"By George!" exclaimed Mr. Holton, his eyes brightening. "You may be +right, Joe. Strange that none of the rest of us thought of that now. +Yes, it's quite possible for such a thing to happen. Perhaps the thief +has already made arrangements with this Mr. Jordan to sell him the +specimens." + +"I suggest that we hunt up Jordan immediately," came from Mr. Lewis. +"But I refuse to think that he had a part in the robbery." + +"I don't think so either," put in Bob. "From what I've heard, he's +considered one of the leading citizens. But it's possible that the +thief could disguise himself as a dealer in wild animals and easily +sell them to Jordan." + +"Chances are that is what will happen, if we do not interfere," Mr. +Lewis said. "So I believe we should look up this fellow at once." + +Bob's father, having instructed the truck driver to return to the +museum, led the way to his car. He desired to lose no time in calling +on Mr. Jordan, who must be informed of the theft in time to prevent +the sale of the stolen specimens. + +The object of their remarks lived in a very fashionable residential +section, which was at the very edge of the city. His private museum +was located but a few squares from his home. + +"If we can't find him one place, perhaps we can another," said Bob. +"That is, if he hasn't left the city." + +"In that case we'll have as good a chance to see him first as the +thief," laughed Joe. + +Some time later the four pulled up in front of a spacious home in an +exclusive residential district. They left the car and moved up to the +house. + +A butler took the card Mr. Lewis handed him, standing aside a moment +later for them to go in. Then, after taking their hats, he disappeared +into another room. + +The visitors had not long to wait. They had barely taken the chairs +offered them when a tall erect man walked up to them. + +"You are Mr. Jordan?" asked Joe's father, rising. + +"Yes." + +The naturalist introduced himself and his friends and then lost no +time in getting to the point. He told of the theft in the freight +yard, then of finding the attorney's card. + +"Naturally we resolved to hunt you up," he said. "It is entirely +possible that this thief has been to see you about buying specimens +from him. Of course, you probably did not in the least suspect him. +Or, if this is not the case, he got your card from some other source." + +Mr. Jordan was silent for several moments, as if in deep thought. +Finally he turned to the others. + +"I think I know the very man who stole them," he announced. + +"Good!" cried Joe impulsively. + +"A very well-dressed chap," the lawyer resumed, staring hard at the +floor. "He came here about a month ago and said he dealt in all +descriptions of specimens. But there was something about him that +aroused my suspicions at once. Perhaps it was the way he acted. At any +rate, I didn't trust him. Appeared to be one of these, ah, slick, +well-dressed rascals that you see so much of. I told him I desired +nothing at present but rare specimens from Africa. He wore a blank +look for a minute; then suddenly he gave a start and turned to me with +a queer smile. 'I'll find you something,' he said. 'I think I know +where I can get exactly what you want.' I gave him one of my cards." + +"Perhaps that's the very man we're looking for," said Bob. "Possible, +anyway. Has he called you yet?" + +"No. But if we think correctly, he may very soon now. Of course, +though, he might wait till after the news of the robbery gets in the +papers and has died down a bit." + +Mr. Holton shook his head. + +"I'm of the opinion that he will sell those specimens before the news +gets in the papers," the naturalist said. "Perhaps he will pick today +to do it. The sooner he gets them off his hands, the better chance +he'll have to get away without being found out." + +"Suppose you give me a description of them--the specimens, I mean," +Mr. Jordan suggested. "Then, if the thief comes, I'll know at once and +have him arrested." + +"That will be fine." Mr. Lewis tore out a sheet of paper from his +notebook and wrote down the names of each animal included in the +collection. He handed the paper to the attorney. + +"I shall be glad to do this for you," the latter said. "If the thief +comes, I'll slip away somehow to a telephone." + +"We don't know how to thank you enough," Mr. Holton said gratefully. +"In doing this you will be performing an invaluable service for the +museum----" + +He stopped abruptly as he noticed the butler entering the room. + +"Mr. Henry Overton to see you," the servant announced, as the attorney +arose. + +Mr. Jordan took the card the butler handed him. He pondered for +several minutes before speaking. Finally he turned his gaze upon the +naturalists and their sons. + +"Gentlemen," he said with a smile, "I think the time is at hand. The +thief, I believe, is here now." + +There were looks of surprise and astonishment on the faces of the +visitors. + +"Suppose we four hide in an adjoining room while you talk to this +man," suggested Bob Holton. "Then we can hear what's being said." + +"You're fairly sure the caller is the man we were talking about?" +asked Mr. Lewis, hesitating a moment before following Bob's move. + +"No, not sure," Mr. Jordan responded. "But he is a collector of wild +animals. And that seems suspicious enough, doesn't it? + +"Tell you what," he continued. "Suppose you four do as suggested--hide +in this room and listen in on us. If it happens that the man is +someone else, no harm will have been done." + +The naturalists and their sons needed no urging. They hurried into the +next room and hid near the entrance. There was a curtain separating +them from the reception room, and all crouched near to peep through. + +Their hearts were in their mouths when a minute later a stranger was +admitted. + +"Doesn't look much like a crook," whispered Joe, as he noticed that +the man was dressed handsomely. + +"Look at his eyes, though," returned Bob, also keeping his voice very +low. + +The four listeners strained every nerve to catch what was being said +in the next room. They were delighted beyond expression when they +found that they could make out every word of the conversation. + +"I was here a good while ago," the stranger was saying. "No doubt you +remember me. You told me to let you know as soon as I found some rare +specimens from Africa." + +"And you've found some?" asked Mr. Jordan rather impatiently. + +"Ah, yes. You will be delighted when I tell you what they are. The +rarest of the rare. Mounted beautifully by one of my expert +taxidermists." + +He opened a small black satchel which he had carried. After a few +seconds of nervous fumbling he removed a small leather notebook. + +"Here," he said, handing the book to Mr. Jordan. "The complete list of +specimens is here. Each is described carefully. All told, there are +five of the most unusual wild creatures imaginable." + +"Only five!" whispered Mr. Holton, appearing suddenly angered. "Why, +there were ten in the box that was stolen." + +Almost at once the attorney broached the same matter. + +"Five are all you have for sale?" he asked casually. "Why, that is +only a small handful, so to speak." + +"Well, ah--" the stranger hesitated before speaking--"I might be able +to secure more for you." + +Mr. Jordan looked up suddenly. + +"Is that so?" he asked quietly. "It's rather surprising that you can +have them so readily. Of course"--he laughed to relieve the +tension--"you don't go after them yourself, do you?" + +The alleged buyer and seller of specimens faltered for a brief period, +but at last looked up. + +"These I was able to secure from a collector friend, who went on an +expedition merely for the pleasure it afforded him, and not for the +advancement of science." + +"Oh, yeah?" whispered Bob to his friends who were hiding like himself. +"He got 'em from his 'collector friend' like I got 'em off a hot-dog +stand." + +"No wise-cracking," grinned Joe. "You might get me to laughing." + +The next few moments of conversation convinced the youths' fathers +that the man in the adjoining room was the thief. A few descriptions +of the specimens, which Mr. Jordan purposely read aloud, were +sufficient to convict the stranger in the minds of Mr. Holton and Mr. +Lewis. + +From then, the conversation appeared uninteresting, although Bob and +Joe, as well as the naturalists, were anxious to see how the attorney +would dispose of the stranger. + +"And," continued Mr. Jordan, "what are you asking for these five +specimens?" + +"The small sum of a hundred dollars," was the reply. + +Mr. Jordan gasped in astonishment. Only a hundred dollars for what +should be worth a great deal more than that! + +Meanwhile, in the next room, Joe had decided on a plan of action. + +"Now that we are convinced that this man is the thief, we are free to +do almost anything," he began, speaking in a very low whisper. + +The others looked at him inquiringly. + +"My scheme is this," Joe continued, "I'll go out----" + +"If you're doing anything, I'm in it with you," interrupted Bob. + +"All right, then. We'll go out to this man's car. It's probably parked +in front----" + +"Perhaps he came on a street car," suggested Mr. Holton. + +"In that case, my plan won't work," Joe said. "But if his car is out +there, we'll look inside it and see if we can find anything that will +tell us where he lives. Then we'll come back. What do you say?" + +"Suits me," returned Bob at once. "We'll find something if there's +anything to be found." + +"And while you fellows are gone," began Mr. Holton, "we'll find some +way to get Jordan in here to have him detain the thief as long as +possible. But you be careful. There may be someone else in the car." + +As silently as they could, Bob and Joe made their way out of the room +and in a roundabout manner found the front door. One glance across the +spacious lawn told them that a roadster was parked at the curb. A more +careful look convinced them that no one was in the car. + +"Now's our chance," said Joe, leading the way out to the street. "Of +course, this automobile might belong to someone else, but the chances +are that it is owned--or at least run--by the man in the house." + +With a cautious look over their shoulders, the chums walked up to the +parked car. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +After the Specimens + + +"There should be a certificate of title somewhere," said Joe Lewis, as +he peered inside the parked automobile. "Or if there isn't, maybe +there's a letter or something else that has his name and address on +it." + +"Here's a driver's license," announced Bob, who had reached into the +pocket of the door. "Issued to Harry Walker, and the address is rural +route. Let's see the description. Height, five feet-eight; weight, one +hundred-forty; eyes, brown; hair, black; age, fifty-one." + +"That's the thief, all right," said Joe conclusively. "It fits him to +a T." + +"But the name," argued Bob. "How do you figure _that_ out? The fellow +we think is the thief gave his name as Henry Overton, while this +driver's license has the name Harry Walker." + +"Maybe that was only an alias, or false name," suggested Joe. "He +could easily have changed that. But what do we do now, Bob?" + +"More than I know. What do you suggest?" + +"Suppose we go back in Jordan's house and see our dads. We'll have to +hurry, though, or this thief will beat us to it." + +"To what?" + +"As I was saying," resumed Joe, "we'll go back and get our dads, and +the four of us can go out to this thief's house and be there when he +gets there." + +"Then what?" + +"Easy enough. We'll arrest him and make him get the stolen specimens." + +"But can we do it?" demanded Bob. "Will we be allowed to?" + +"Sure. We've got the goods on him, haven't we? We know that the +specimens that Mr. Jordan read off are the stolen ones, don't we?" + +"All right. Lead the way." + +As quickly as they could, Bob and Joe went back in the house through a +rear entrance. Then quietly they found the room in which Mr. Holton +and Mr. Lewis were hiding. + +The boys found their fathers waiting anxiously. The frown on their +faces gave way to a smile as they caught sight of their sons. + +"What did you find?" inquired Joe's father. + +Bob told of their desire to drive to the thief's residence before the +man could himself do so. + +"I'm willing," said Mr. Lewis, who was more than anxious to recover +the stolen specimens. "While on our way we'll stop at a police station +and pick up an officer. I'd sort of hate to carry out your plan +without doing that." + +Before leaving the house, Mr. Holton instructed the butler to inform +Mr. Jordan of where they had gone. Then, with his son and friends, he +hurried out to his car. + +Mr. Lewis knew exactly where to find the residence of the thief, or at +least the address that was on the driver's license. + +"It is several miles from here, but we'll probably have a good start +ahead of the thief," Joe's father said, as the automobile was driven +out into a main traffic artery. + +Before the four left the city limits, they stopped at a police station +and secured the services of an officer. Now, with the protection of +the law, they felt safe to continue the venture. + +A half hour's ride over a narrow country road brought them to a large +house set back in a wide lawn. + +"This must be the place," observed Mr. Holton, bringing the car to a +standstill. "I wonder if anyone is at home?" + +"Better not leave the machine here," warned the policeman. "If the guy +we're after should see it, he probably would not show up for us to +catch him. Drive it farther toward the house, out of sight of the +road." + +"Glad you reminded me," Mr. Holton said, and drove still farther on. + +All stepped out and made their way over the wide lawn. As a precaution +against possible danger, the officer kept a ready hand on his +revolver. + +"You can't tell who might be there to bump us off," he said, his eyes +on the house. "There could be several more outlaws waiting there." + +They reached the dwelling safely, however, and then knocked on the +heavy door. + +But either no one was there, or else they refused to admit the +strangers, for the door did not open. + +"No use keeping this up longer," said the policeman. "We'd better hide +around the side of the house and wait for the fellow we're after. Feel +sure he'll come here?" + +"We don't know," returned Bob. "This may not even be where he lives. +He might have stolen the car he had from someone who does live here." + +They took places beside the house, at a point where they could command +a good view of the road and driveway. How long it would be before the +thief would show up, if at all, they had not the slightest idea. They +hoped, however, it would not be long, for darkness was not far off. + +Hardly five minutes had passed when Bob caught the arm of the +policeman, who was nearest him. + +"Listen!" the youth hissed. "There's a car coming. Hear it?" + +Sure enough, the faint sound of an approaching automobile was breaking +the evening silence. Whether the vehicle was that of the thief, the +hiding forms did not know. Their hopes were high, though, as the +purring became louder. + +Those hopes were not shattered, for a minute later the same car that +had been parked in front of Mr. Jordan's estate turned in the +driveway. + +"Look!" breathed Joe. "It's the man we're after, all right. He's +stopping. Sees our car and wonders why it's here, I guess." + +At word from the policeman, the four stepped out and advanced toward +the man. As they went nearer, the officer displayed his revolver. + +"You're under arrest," he said. "Throw up your hands and tell us +where you put those stolen goods." + +The man raised his arms and moved toward them. But he refused to +further comply with the command. + +"You are wrong--entirely wrong in your thinking," he said in a crafty +voice, a faint smile coming over his face. "You have made a terrible +mistake and picked out one who is innocent. I know nothing about any +stolen goods." + +"None of your monkey business," snapped the policeman, advancing +toward the man. "We've proof of your guilt and want the stuff you +stole. Now, get it and get it fast, or I'll be tempted to pass a .45 +through your ribs!" + +"But I say," persisted the alleged thief, raising his voice to a +high-pitched drawl, "I know nothing about what you are talking." + +Bob advanced toward him. + +"What about those specimens you offered to sell to Mr. Jordan?" the +youth demanded, never taking his eyes from the fellow. "Just where did +you get them? It didn't happen that you stole them out of a museum +truck, did it?" + +"Why, you----I'll knock you over that fence!" + +He moved toward Bob, but soon decided not to carry out his threat. + +The policeman became even more impatient. + +"Did you hear what I said?" he snapped, prodding the man with his +revolver. "We want that stuff you stole, and we want it right now. +You'd better talk!" + +Much to the surprise of all, the man no longer denied his guilt. +Instead, he motioned them to follow him up to the house. Whether he +had been frightened by the officer's terse command, or intended to +resort to some means of escape, they did not know. + +He produced a large bunch of keys and opened the heavy door, at the +same time beckoning for his unwelcome visitors to follow. + +"I'll take those keys!" The policeman held out a hand. + +The accused man hesitated a moment, then handed them over. + +"What you want is in the basement," he said, as he led the way through +the large room. "I will get it for you, never fear." + +When almost at the rear of the house, he stopped and opened a narrow +door. Then, switching on a light, he went down a steep flight of +stairs, the others at his heels. + +They were in the basement, threading their way between rows of boxes, +when something unexpected happened. The light suddenly went off, +leaving them in total darkness. The eyes of the pursuers, unaccustomed +to the blackness, could make out nothing around them. It had happened +so quickly that there was a short period of fumbling about. + +Bob Holton felt a form brush past him rapidly, as if in wild haste. + +The youth's fist shot out and caught the form squarely with such force +that he fell at once with a groan. + +"I got him!" Bob cried. "Now to switch on the light." + +During the next few minutes there was a wild scramble in an attempt to +find the concealed switch. At last, when it became apparent that it +could not be found, Joe bent his efforts on finding the stairway, at +the head of which Joe knew there was a switch. + +A thrill of hope passed through him as he felt his foot touch the top +step. Now there would be light, the youth thought. + +Meanwhile, the others were still vainly searching for the concealed +switch. + +"I give it up," sighed Mr. Holton, straightening out hopelessly. "Our +only chance now is to find the switch at the head of the stairs." + +The words were barely out of his mouth when suddenly the light came +on. + +Bob uttered a wild cry of surprise. + +"For the love of Pete!" he exclaimed. "I've knocked out the +policeman!" + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +Failure + + +At Bob's words of surprise, Joe burst out laughing. Mr. Holton could +not help joining him, although he tried to restrain himself. + +"That was about the craziest thing you ever did, Son," Mr. Holton +said, as soon as he could get his breath. "I'm afraid friend policeman +will never forgive you." + +Bob grinned. + +"I----Wait. He's coming to." The youth bent over the prone man. + +"W-w-what happened, boy?" he demanded, sitting up and rubbing his jaw. +"World come to an end?" + +His friends laughed still harder. + +"You--you tell--him, Dad," pleaded Bob, as soon as he could manage to +utter the words. + +Mr. Holton sobered himself as best he could. + +"There's been a mistake," he said, keeping his face straight with +difficulty, "a terrible mistake. It seems that Bob here mistook you +for the thief, He was the one that knocked you out." + +The officer stared for a moment at Mr. Holton. Then his gaze fell on +Bob, who was wondering just what would be the outcome of his misdeed. + +"I'm sorry," the youth apologized. "When I felt you rushing past me so +wildly I thought sure you were the thief running away. I should have +made sure, though." + +The policeman continued to gaze at Bob. + +"Well, all I can say, boy," he began at last, still rubbing his chin, +"is that you whip up a wallop of a punch. You're the first bird that's +ever put Pat Callahan cold, and that's something. I ain't no runt, you +know." + +"I hope you'll forgive me, sir," Bob said. "I'm terribly sorry." + +"Forget it." The officer gained his feet. "We'd better be thinking +about that thief," he went on, looking about the basement, "though I +suppose he's miles away from here by now." + +Joe ran hurriedly up the basement steps and dashed on through the +house. He reached the front door in but a few seconds, and then looked +out over the lawn. + +Then he uttered a cry of anger, as he caught sight of the thief +running madly toward his automobile. + +"Stop!" Joe commanded, running in that direction. + +Exerting himself to the utmost, the boy pursued the fleeing man. He +was but a short distance away when the latter jumped into his car and +started the engine, a moment later shooting away toward the road. + +Joe made an unsuccessful attempt to mount the running board, but +failed. Then, criticizing himself for not arriving at the scene +sooner, he watched the car turn up the road. + +Impulsively, he jumped into Mr. Holton's sedan, but found that the key +was not there. + +"We're licked," he moaned. "No use going after him. His car could run +circles around Mr. Holton's, anyway." + +He waited a little while for his father and friends to appear, but +when they did not, he again went into the house. + +"Joe! See anything of the fellow we're after?" The speaker was Bob, +who had appeared at the top of the basement stairs. + +"Yeah, but it didn't do me any good," the other youth answered, and +then told of his pursuing the escaped man. + +"So he got away, did he?" said the policeman. "Well, we'll fix him. +There's a telephone in that front room there. I'll call up +headquarters and tell them to stop him." + +"Maybe the wires have been cut," suggested Mr. Lewis. + +Somewhat to their surprise, the telephone was in working order. + +After calling the police station and giving a complete description of +the fleeing man and the car he was driving, the officer moved that +they make a thorough search of the house in the hopes of finding the +stolen specimens there. + +"We men will look in the basement," said the officer. "You younger +fellows can search the upper floor. If you find anything, let us know +right away." + +"Leave it to us," chuckled Joe, as he led the way up the stairway. "If +that stuff is up there, we'll find it." + +"Maybe he took it with him in the car when he left," said Bob. "He was +a long time in leaving, you know." + +The chums searched the upper floor thoroughly but could find no trace +of the stolen specimens. They went back over the rooms once more, but +could again find nothing. + +"I'm afraid we'll have to admit defeat," Mr. Holton said, when the +chums had made their way downstairs. "We've looked all over the place, +but it's no use. One thing seems apparent: the thief took the +specimens with him when he escaped." + +The situation was indeed most disappointing. They had come to this +isolated house confident that they could recover the box of stolen +specimens. Then, when they were about to find them and arrest the +thief, the tables were unexpectedly turned. It was most disheartening, +to the naturalists especially. + +Although they had searched every section of the house, they resolved +to look once more, even though it had become necessary to switch on +electric lights. They also looked through several outbuildings. + +An hour later, however, it became evident that nothing was to be +found. Tired and downhearted, the five left the house and got in Mr. +Holton's car, ready to admit defeat. + +The policeman took his leave at the police station, and then the +others drove on home. + +"The last we'll see of those valuable specimens, perhaps," moaned Mr. +Lewis, as he brought the automobile up in front of the houses. + +"Don't be too sure of that," spoke up Bob, assuming an air of +optimism. "Like that officer said, with radio and all the latest +inventions, police can trail anyone nowadays." + +"That's right," agreed Mr. Holton. "I certainly hope he's caught." + +"And that they do it before we leave for Africa," added Mr. Lewis. + +"Africa!" repeated Bob longingly. The coming expedition to the Dark +Continent had been absent from his mind all the afternoon and evening. +"You will take Joe and me with you, won't you? Please say that we can +go. We'll do all we can for the expedition and won't cause any +trouble." + +"There's no danger of your doing that," Mr. Holton said at once. "In +fact, there have been times when Ben and I were glad you were near. +But the hazard of it all, boys!" + +"You know, Howard," began Mr. Lewis, "I've been thinking this thing +over, and I believe the trip to Africa would do the boys a world of +good." + +"Hurrah!" cried Joe impulsively. + +"They are plenty old enough to look out for themselves," Mr. Lewis +resumed. "And we'll have to credit them with a lot of initiative. +Personally, I am in favor of letting them go with us." + +Joe looked at his father hopefully, although in some surprise. + +Bob seized upon the opportunity at once. + +"That's the way to talk, Mr. Lewis," he said. "You see how we came out +on that expedition into the Andes Mountains. Were successful in about +everything. And the moving-picture house was well pleased with the +pictures we took. There'll be another opportunity to make money taking +movies of Africa--if we can go." + +Mr. Lewis rose from his chair. + +"Suppose we talk the matter over with their mothers," he suggested. +"And it won't be easy to get their consent, either. But we can see +what they think of it." + +Mr. Holton was very much undecided about the matter of allowing Bob +and Joe to go, but he consented to do as Mr. Lewis suggested. + +"Then," he said, addressing the chums, "we can let you know later how +things stand. All right?" + +"Sure," Joe answered. He felt that there was a big chance of things +going in his favor. "But please don't talk against it to our mothers." + +Mr. Holton smiled, and then, at a call from the Lewis residence, the +little party disbanded. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +Off for Africa + + +"Hip-hip-hooray! Zowie! Rah! Rah! Rah!" + +"For crying out loud!" exclaimed Bob Holton. "What's got into you, +Joe?" + +Joe danced around in wild delight, throwing his hat high into the air +and catching it as it came down. He stood on his head, turned a +somersault on the grass, and performed other feats. + +"Wow!" cried Bob. "You'd have a circus daredevil green with envy. But +why all this jumping around? You act like a wild man." + +"Wild man! Hurrah for wild men! And wild animals!" + +"Keep it up, old boy," sang Bob. "When you come back to your senses, +maybe I can get something out of you." + +Joe continued his acrobatic stunts, which ended very abruptly as he +came up against a tree that he did not know was so close. + +"What's the big idea?" he growled. "Having a tree right in my way. +Wait till I go get an ax." + +Joe gained his feet and made a dash toward the house. But in one bound +Bob brought him to the ground with a flying tackle that he had used so +advantageously on the football field. + +"Come clean!" roared Bob. "What's the big idea, anyway? You'd better +talk." + +"Not till I finish my stunt," said Joe stoutly. "Not----Hey! Cut it +out!" + +Joe became choked with laughter as his chum's hand pressed against his +ribs. For Bob knew only too well that Joe was not a little ticklish. + +"If I can't get it out of you one way, I will another," said Bob, +never giving his chum an inch. + +"Say! What are you ginks up to?" + +On the instant Bob released his hold and wheeled about. Then a look of +combined bewilderment and delight came on his face. + +"Chubby Stevens!" he cried wildly, getting to his feet. + +"It's Chubby as sure as I'm born!" added Joe, displaying even more +surprise. "Why, when did you get here?" + +The new arrival was a short, exceedingly fat youth, with twinkling +eyes and a pug nose. Bob and Joe had made his acquaintance while in +South America on their Andes expedition and had taken a great liking +to him. + +"Just happened to be in Washington and thought I'd drop around and see +you bozos," Chubby explained. "We came by airplane. Left Houston last +night." + +"Boy! Am I glad to see you!" said Bob. "Of course, you're going to +stay awhile, aren't you?" + +"Only till tomorrow," the fat little fellow said. "Dad came here to +see the President, I guess," he said with a chuckle. "Things ain't +goin' to suit him in his business. He's awful hard to please, Dad is. +If the dough ain't rollin' in to suit him he thinks there ought to be +something done about it." + +"Same old Chubby," said Bob with a laugh. "Are you sure you're telling +the truth?" + +"Well--the fact is, he didn't make it clear just what he came for. +Anyway, he came. And I went with him." + +"Ever been to Washington before?" inquired Joe. + +"Nope. I got to within a half a mile of here once. But just as we were +about to hit the city limits, Dad turned off on another road." + +Bob and Joe laughed. + +"Well, then," began the latter, "suppose we spend the day looking +around. We can see the city and go to the museum and take a look at +the specimens we brought back from the Andes. That is, unless you'd +rather do something else." + +"I'd rather do that than anything," Chubby said at once. "But--" he +hesitated--"if you gazooks have anything else to do----" + +"We won't have anything to do for several days," spoke up Joe. + +"What are you goin' to be up to then--after those several days are +up?" demanded Chubby. + +"Plenty," returned Joe. "Ever hear of Africa?" + +"Let me think." The fat youth rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "The word +sounds familiar," he said at last. "What is it, a new kind of dog +food?" + +"Cut the comedy," said Joe, suppressing a smile. "The thing is that +Bob and I are going there." + +"To Africa? No kiddin'!" + +"Not a bit," returned Joe. "We'll be leaving in a short time now." + +"Wait a minute," snapped Bob. "How do you know you and I are going? +They haven't told us yet." + +"Oh, no? Well, just for your own benefit, Dad told me a little while +ago that our mothers have given their consent. We can go on the +expedition." + +Bob stood for several minutes as though transfixed. Then, as though +the full meaning of his chum's words had been suddenly released, he +jumped up with a shout of joy. + +"Africa!" Bob cried. "Hurrah!" + +"And still you wonder why I did all that jumping around a while ago," +grinned Joe. + +"So that was it?" asked Bob. "Well, why didn't you tell me?" + +"So you're going to Africa, are you?" came from Chubby Stevens. "Gonna +start a circus?" + +"Hardly," returned Joe. "Dead animals are bad enough to bring back, +let alone live ones. But right now, Chubby, come in the house. The +lawn isn't any place to visit." + +The remainder of that day Bob and Joe spent in entertaining their +friend from Houston. The three visited the museum and had a long talk +with Mr. Holton and Mr. Lewis, who at once took a liking to Chubby. +Then, after viewing the many specimens of animal life that had +recently been brought back from the Andes, the three drove around the +city, noting the United States Capitol, the White House, Arlington +National Cemetery, and many other notable attractions. + +Very late that afternoon Bob and Joe let their friend out in front of +the hotel in which he and his father were staying. Chubby explained +that, as they were to start back to Houston before daylight the next +morning, he could not remain longer with his friends. + +"Watch yourselves while you're in Africa," he warned, as parting +words. "Don't get on the inside of a lion." + +"We'll try not to," laughed Bob, and then, with a final farewell, he +sent the car homeward. + +That evening Bob and Joe thanked their parents warmly for allowing +them to prepare for the African expedition. They promised their +mothers that they would be unusually careful and not take chances +while in the jungle. + +"And now," began Bob the next morning, "we'll have to do some +hustling, because we leave Friday. This is Monday, you know." + +"And how I wish it were Friday now!" groaned Joe. + +The youths were far from idle during the week. They found that there +was much to be purchased in the way of outdoor equipment, for although +they had been on several previous expeditions, never had necessity +demanded so much as now. Much of the equipment, however, could be +furnished by the two naturalists, who had a large collection of +rifles, cartridges, outdoor clothing, tents, kits, and various other +articles. + +"Here's something that might interest you, boys," said Mr. Lewis one +evening, as he caught the chums on the back lawn. + +"What is it?" inquired Bob, noticing what the scientist held. "Looks +like a kind of club." + +"Hardly that," laughed Mr. Lewis, "though it might be used as a club. +But the thing is, boys, that this is a flashlight without batteries." + +"A--a what?" demanded Joe in surprise. "Flashlight without batteries? +What are you talking about, Dad?" + +"I thought that would get you," Mr. Lewis laughed. "But no joking, +this is just what I said. You see, it contains a small generator. As +you turn this crank, it makes electricity, and the bulb lights." + +"What a contraption!" said Bob. "But, say! Speaking of turning cranks, +that reminds me. Joe and I haven't notified the Neuman Motion Picture +Corporation that we're going to Africa. And they told us to let them +know when we left for a little-known land. If we're going to take +movies of Africa, we'll have to telegraph them at once and maybe go to +Philadelphia to see them." + +"I've already sent them word," said Joe. "Forgot to tell you about it. +As soon as our mothers said we could go, I went down and telegraphed. +They said they'd send the cameras and film at once by express." + +"You did?" asked Bob in astonishment. "Good old Joe. Gotta hand it to +you, all right." + +But despite what the Neuman Corporation had informed Joe, the +motion-picture cameras and film had not arrived Thursday evening, as +the youths and their fathers prepared to retire. On the +morrow--Friday--they were to leave for Baltimore, whence they would +embark on the steamer _Zanzibar_. + +"Doggone it, anyhow!" exclaimed Bob Holton, who was fairly fuming at +the mouth. "What will we do? We haven't time to go to Philadelphia +now." + +"Looks like you fellows aren't going to take movies of Africa," +remarked Mr. Holton, who also felt the youths' bitter disappointment. + +"But--but they would be better than any we've ever taken," mourned +Joe. "No," he went on, "we'll have to arrange it some way. It might be +best for you men to go on and let Bob and me take another ship. +We----" + +"I'm afraid you couldn't do that, boys," said Mr. Lewis, shaking his +head. "We've already made reservations for you, and those could not +easily be broken. A contract is a contract, you know." + +"The only thing for you to do," came from Bob's father, "is to +telegraph Neuman the first thing in the morning to send the cameras +and film on to Africa if they haven't sent them yet. Of course, if +they have, your mothers can forward them on to Africa by another +ship." + +That night Bob and Joe were far from hopeful. Since they had been +engaged on their first expedition, to Brazil, to take moving pictures +of the strange places and animals they saw, the chums had longed for a +chance to photograph wild life in African jungles. Now, to be leaving +for those mysterious jungles without taking motion pictures was +unthinkable. + +But despite these grave thoughts, the youths slept soundly and awoke +the next morning in high spirits. After all, they were going to +Africa. What if they could not go? That would really be something to +cry over. + +The four adventurers tore themselves with difficulty from the +breakfast table and arranged their belongings together. The boys' +fathers drove the family cars around in front. + +"Let's get started at once," urged Mr. Holton, looking at his watch. +"The train leaves for Baltimore in little more than half an hour. That +means we'll have to hurry." + +The words were scarcely out of his mouth when an express truck drove +up and stopped just behind the two cars. Out of it stepped the driver, +who carried a large tightly sealed box. + +"The motion-picture cameras!" cried Joe in extreme joy. "They're here +at last!" + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +An Amusing Acquaintance + + +"How was that for timing it to a dot?" laughed Bob, after the express +driver had left. + +"Couldn't have been better," said Joe. "Boy! Am I glad that stuff got +here!" + +Bob placed the big box in the Holton car, and then all made ready for +the drive to the railroad station. + +They reached their destination with fifteen minutes to spare and at +once set about having the baggage sent up to the tracks. + +The leavetaking was painful to all, for it was as hard for the four +explorers to go as it was for those staying at home to give them up. +But finally, with last warm farewells, the youths and their fathers +left for the tracks. + +"Bring me a lion cub!" called Tommy, Bob's small brother, shouting to +make himself heard. + +"I might surprise you, Tom, old man," Bob shouted back, laughing in +spite of himself at his brother's remark. + +With one last wave, the youths and their fathers headed for the +tracks, where the Baltimore express was waiting. Red-capped porters +brought their baggage up in the rear and placed it on the train. Then +the adventurers themselves boarded. + +Before long, with a clanging of bells the express puffed out of the +station and steamed in the direction of Baltimore. At last the long +journey had begun. + +For some time both Bob and Joe were silent, watching the country as it +whizzed past them. Then, almost before knowing it, they pulled into +Baltimore. + +Mr. Lewis hailed a taxi, and they were whirled through the busy +streets to the docks, where, at some point, their steamer, the +_Zanzibar_, was anchored. + +"What do you think of her, boys?" + +It was Mr. Holton's voice as a little later the four explorers found +themselves peering ahead at the ship on which they were to embark. + +"I hardly know," returned Bob, who was somewhat disappointed at sight +of the vessel. "Suppose you answer that question, Dad, Mr. Lewis." + +"I'm afraid we're a bit stung," muttered his father, gazing at the +_Zanzibar_. + +The steamer was far from modern in appearance; its sides were +beginning to look rusty, and the cabin was badly lacking in paint. +About two hundred feet long, it looked as though it had seen many +years' service. + +"Will that take us all the way to Africa?" demanded Joe, who was +almost at the point of anger. + +"We'll probably get there," returned his father. "But how!" + +"Why didn't you pick a better boat?" asked Bob. "The passage wouldn't +have cost any more, would it?" + +"This happened to be the only one sailing soon," was the answer from +Mr. Lewis. "I took for granted that it would be satisfactory." + +They went up the gangplank, having resolved to make the best of a bad +matter. + +"Anyway," said Bob, "it's far better than not going at all." + +The vessel was not to lift anchor until late that afternoon, and so +the youths had some time to walk about the docks. + +"Whatever you do, get back here in time," warned Mr. Lewis, as the +chums left down the gangplank. "It would be a terrible thing to be +left behind." + +"We'll be there," returned Bob. + +He and Joe spent some time in looking around. They saw many strange +and interesting people and things at the waterfront, and would have +liked to stay longer. But at one o'clock they decided to take no +chances and boarded the _Zanzibar_, although it was still several +hours before sailing time. + +The youths were shown to their stateroom, which went somewhat beyond +their expectations, it being large and well appointed. + +"Maybe this old boat doesn't look very well on the outside, but she's +O.K. inside," remarked Bob, as he left with his chum for the outer +deck. "Couldn't ask for much better." + +On deck the two found their fathers eagerly waiting for the ship to +move out to sea. The men were becoming more restless with every +passing minute. + +Then at last the longed-for moment came. A cry of "All ashore!" A +chugging of tugs. A mad scramble of visitors down the gangplank. Then, +with a clanging of bells and a groaning of hawsers, the _Zanzibar_ +began to move away from the dock. + +"We're off!" exclaimed Joe Lewis, waving mechanically at the crowd of +people who were there to see the steamer leave. + +Slowly the vessel threaded her way through the heavy water traffic. +It steamed out through the Patapsco River and then at last turned into +Chesapeake Bay. + +Bob and Joe remained on deck with their fathers for some time, noting +everything worthwhile that was visible about them. Finally Bob turned +to his friend. + +"Suppose we go below," he suggested. "I'd like to take a look at the +ship." + +The boys spent the remainder of the day in exploring the _Zanzibar_ +and were greatly interested in everything they saw. But they knew at +once that the ship had been in service for many years. + +The ocean voyage was not novel to them, but, nevertheless, they +enjoyed it immensely. The days passed pleasantly enough, the chums +seeking amusement by swimming in the ship's pool, playing various deck +games, and reading in the library. + +One morning they were leaning on the rail, watching the rolling of the +waves, when a high-pitched voice roused them. Looking around, they saw +a tall, very slim young man of perhaps twenty, with light wavy hair +and an unusually light complexion. His features were very delicate, +and his voice very much resembled that of a lady. + +"I say there," he greeted, extending a shapely white hand. "Really +marvelous weather we're having, don't you think?" + +"Why--yes," returned Bob, after a moment of hesitation. "Yes, the +weather's swell so far. I sure hope we don't run into a tropical +storm." + +"A what?" The slender young man turned a shade paler. "Did you say +storm?" + +"Yes," returned Bob, inwardly amused. "I heard the captain talking +this morning. He seemed to think there's a chance of striking a +hurricane." + +"Goodness gracious!" cried the strange young man. "That would simply +be horrible. Could there not be something done about it?" + +"Well--" Bob hesitated--"I don't know of anything. Just have to go +through it, I suppose. But perhaps after all there won't anything +happen. I'd like to to reach port under a clear sky." + +"And so would I, my dear chap. Are you seeking pleasure by traveling?" + +"To a certain extent we are," Bob answered him. "My chum here and +myself are with our dads to collect specimens of animal life and +photograph the country," he explained. "Holton is my name--Bob Holton. +This is Joe Lewis." + +"Most delighted to know you," said the white-faced youth. "Cecil Purl +Stone is my name. A real pleasure to know you. I'm--traveling just +for the fun of it," he said with a foolish little laugh. "I do +consider travel as one of the most gorgeous ways of enlightening +oneself. It is--so very amusing," and he laughed again, this time even +more girlishly. + +"Yes, it is," said Joe, keeping back a smile. "But the fact is, Bob +and I won't have much time for travel in the true sense of the word. +We'll be too busy hunting and photographing." + +"Hunting? Gracious sakes! Don't tell me you are permitted to carry +firearms!" + +Bob and Joe smiled instinctively. + +"Hunting is great sport," said the latter. "But we never kill anything +just for the pleasure of killing it. We have a good reason whenever we +shoot an animal." + +"Ugh!" exclaimed Cecil with a shudder. "I never could bear the thought +of a gun. Believe me, they certainly give me a creepy feeling. Once I +went with Mamma to India. We intended to travel through a part of the +country that was a little--dangerous, but when they told us we had +better carry firearms I revolted right then and there. The very +thought of such a horrible thing made the cold chills creep down my +back." + +"But there isn't anything bad about a rifle," Joe told him. "That is, +if you know how to use it. My friend and I may find our guns very +useful when we get among such animals as gorillas." + +"Gorillas! A beastly word. But don't inform me you are going to search +for such terrible things!" + +"Well, not exactly," answered Bob. "But if any come our way we'll +probably bring a few down for specimens. And we'll also be on the +lookout for other dangerous game. Lions and leopards, for instance." + +"Gracious!" Cecil Stone's mouth was wide open. "And you expect to +return from that horrible country alive?" + +"We hope to," returned Joe with a smile. "And you--what do you intend +to do in Africa?" + +Cecil Purl removed a bright blue comb from its case. He fixed his hair +very carefully before he again spoke. + +"We wish to visit the cities," he told them, "and mingle with the +socially prominent people. It will be most enlightening, believe me. +We hope to be invited very often to tea. Perhaps----" + +"Cecil! Come with Mamma now. You must dress for dinnah." + +"Fer gosh sakes" murmured Bob, under his breath. + +A very tall, smiling woman was beckoning to the young man, who obeyed +her without delay. + +"Really, I'm most charmed to have met you chaps," he said, turning to +leave. "I sincerely trust that we may meet again soon." + +With this he walked lightly down the deck with the woman. + +Bob and Joe watched the pair closely until they closed the cabin door +behind them. Then the youths burst into laughter which lasted for well +over a minute. + +"For the love of Mike!" cried Bob, as soon as he could get his breath. +"Talk about sissies. That fellow's at the very top of the list." + +"'Mamma' sure has him under her thumb, all right," grinned Joe. "It's +a wonder she doesn't put dresses on him. But come on, Bob. It's about +time for dinner to be served. Unless I miss my guess, Cecil won't last +very long at the table. Boat's been rolling lately, you know." + +The chums went to their stateroom to wash and comb. Then, accompanied +by their fathers, they went up to the dining saloon. + +The food tasted good, both youths eating heartily. Evidently they were +now seasoned sailors, for neither felt the slightest signs of +seasickness. + +But with someone else, seated near them at another table, it was +entirely a different matter. For Cecil Stone's face was beginning to +turn a sickly yellow, and with each bite of food he was visibly +becoming more affected. + +"Dear me!" the chums heard him say. "I really can't take another bite +of that beastly salad." + +"Perhaps you would feel bettah if you would go to your suite, Cecil +darling. Appahantly you aren't feeling well today." + +"There he goes," whispered Bob, his eyes following the tall, stooping +figure. "He can't take it." + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +A Disappointing Announcement + + +Much as Bob and Joe expected, Cecil Purl Stone did not put in his +appearance the remainder of that day. Nor did he appear in the cabin +the next. In fact, it was two days later that he was seen walking down +the promenade deck. Even then he was unusually pale and haggard +looking. + +At a suggestion from Joe the chums walked purposely up to the young +man. + +"How do you like the way the ship's rolling?" Joe asked him, with a +wink at Bob. + +"Oh, it's simply deplorable!" returned Cecil, rubbing his forehead. +"There certainly should be something done about it. Don't you know, +I'm terribly afraid that if this continues much longer I shall become +ill again." + +"Ill? Were you ill?" inquired Bob, with an attempt at innocence. + +"Oh, it was horrible!" moaned Cecil Purl. "I declare I never +experienced anything quite like it before. I do not see how I ever +escaped alive!" + +"But you've taken ocean voyages before, haven't you?" asked Joe. + +"I most certainly have, my dear chap. But, don't you know, I never +have escaped that dreadful seasickness. Not even as much as once." + +"That's too bad," said Bob sympathetically. "But, then, some people +aren't as lucky as others. It's a fortunate thing, though, that the +weather has remained calm." + +"Will it last, though?" queried Joe, keeping an eye on Cecil Purl +Stone. "For all we know, there may come a violent storm tonight." + +"Gracious!" the slender young man gasped. "What should I ever do if +that should happen? I believe I would surely go distracted." + +"He'd probably go to his suite," laughed Bob a little later. + +Contrary to Joe's remark, there were no signs of a storm that night. +In fact, the weather was most delightful, and many of the passengers +spent the time on deck, taking advantage of the cool night breeze. Bob +and Joe and their fathers were among those passengers. + +"There's nothing like the spell of the ocean," murmured Mr. Lewis, as +he sat staring up at the star-studded sky. + +"Wait till we get to the tropics," Bob's father reminded him. "This +won't be anything then." + +"Right you are, Mr. Holton," came from Joe. "But just where do we land +in Africa? I know it's somewhere along the east coast, but the +particular city I don't know." + +"We'll pull into Mombasa," his father explained. "It's a place of +considerable importance and is the eastern terminal of the Uganda +Railway. We won't stay there any longer than we can help. Howard and I +would, however, like to look up an old friend whom we haven't seen for +some time. But as soon as we can we'll get started into the interior." + +"I suppose from what you said that we'll take a train as far as +possible. Right?" asked Bob. + +The naturalists nodded. + +"That railroad was made to order for us," said Mr. Lewis. "If it +weren't there, it would mean a long and painful hike through a region +that is unimportant to us." + +"Unimportant? Why?" inquired Joe. + +"Simply because we are not permitted to shoot any animal in the +protectorate," Mr. Holton explained. "You see, the English have made +this a sort of park for the benefit of those who wish to view wild +creatures in their natural habitat. For that reason--and also there +are others--we intend to penetrate deep into the Congo forests." + +Several days later the _Zanzibar_ steamed through the Strait of +Gibraltar and passed into the Mediterranean, going so near the famous +huge rock that it was plainly visible in the thin morning air. + +"Isn't that a sight for your eyes, though!" remarked Bob, gazing ahead +intently. + +"If it were night they would probably play searchlights on our boat," +said Joe. + +"What? Searchlights? What are you talking about?" + +"Dad told me that there are several forts at the rock," Joe explained, +"and the authorities there have the searchlights to light up the +strait. In case of war, I suppose they would come in handy." + +As time passed, the ship steamed on through the Mediterranean, past +shores that were famous in ancient history. Although the _Zanzibar_ +had not yet entered the tropics, the heat was becoming unbearable, the +chums and their fathers seeking the cool retreat of the swimming pool. + +Then one clear morning they were able to make out the form of a +lighthouse, and a little later they pulled into Port Said, at the +Mediterranean end of the Suez Canal. + +"Look out for the heat now," laughed Mr. Lewis, when they were again +on their way. + +"Heat's no word for it," groaned Bob some time later, as he loosened +his necktie. "It's torture." + +Hemmed in on both sides by two of the hottest deserts in the world, +the Red Sea proved to be a veritable inferno. So hot was it that even +the swimming pool did not offer a haven of refuge. + +"Here's hoping the Red Sea doesn't close in on us," laughed Joe. "It +did on Pharaoh's men, you know, in Biblical times." + +"Guess there isn't any danger," came from Bob, fanning himself +vigorously. "We haven't anything but good intentions." + +Cecil Purl Stone also found the heat torturing. + +"Why don't you take off your coat?" asked Bob. "You'll smother to +death." + +"Mamma says I just must leave it on," was the reply. "There are ladies +on the boat, you know." + +"Phooey!" muttered Joe, under his breath. + +At last the _Zanzibar_ emerged into the Indian Ocean, after having +steamed through the Red Sea for six days. + +Once Bob and Joe were standing at the rail, watching the schools of +porpoises, the occasional flying fish, and the less frequent fins of +sharks, when they suddenly heard a stamping noise coming from around +the promenade deck. Wondering what was meant, they turned and waited. + +A moment later appeared Cecil Purl Stone, running awkwardly around the +corner. + +"Why, what's the matter?" questioned Joe, trying to refrain from +laughing at sight of the slender young man. + +Cecil Stone groaned. + +"Oh, it is beastly!" he said, stopping for a moment to face the chums. + +"What?" demanded Bob. "Tell us about it." + +"That horrible captain just told me there may be a storm," he +explained, wiping the perspiration from his white face. + +"Storm? You don't say!" broke out Joe. "I---- Wait. Where are you +going?" + +"I intend to go to bed without further delay," answered Cecil +promptly. "I tell you, I just can't stand that dreadful seasickness +any more. I'm going to have Mamma give me some medicine." + +The next instant he was gone. + +Bob and Joe wanted to laugh, but they had done so so often that they +restrained themselves. + +"Not wishing him any bad luck, but a guy like that ought to be +seasick," grunted Bob. "He's the worst I've ever seen." + +"But, say, Bob, he said the captain told him there might be a storm, +didn't he? Do you suppose there'll be one?" + +"I can't see any signs of it," the other youth returned. "Who knows +but that the captain was joking with Cecil? Perhaps he just wanted to +get him worried. It's natural to pick on a sissy, you know." + +Whether Bob was right in his opinion they never knew. But, at any +rate, all the remainder of that day and the next passed without any +atmospheric disturbance. + +"Well, boys, we'll reach Mombasa tomorrow about noon," remarked Mr. +Holton, moving with Joe's father up to where the chums were standing. + +"Hurray!" yelled Bob. "I've enjoyed this voyage, but I'll be glad to +get to Africa." + +"Wonder where Cecil Purl will head for?" laughed Joe. + +"Probably straight to the best hotel in the city," answered Mr. Lewis +with a smile, for he also had been amused by Cecil's feminine traits. + +The next day Bob and Joe, together with their fathers, took places at +the rail, awaiting their arrival at Mombasa. Several other passengers +were already there, and still more came soon after. + +Eleven o'clock came. Eleven-thirty. Noon. But no Mombasa. + +"Wonder what's the trouble?" mused Bob, his keen eyes searching the +horizon. "We should be there by now." + +"True," answered his father. "But don't forget that a ship isn't +exactly like a train. It is much harder to stick closely to time +tables on an ocean voyage." + +Notwithstanding this, two o'clock rolled around without any sight of +the city of their destination. Many of the passengers were beginning +to worry, for they could not conceive of straying so far from the +schedule. + +Even Mr. Holton and Mr. Lewis were starting to wonder. They remained +anxiously at the prow, straining their eyes to make out the outlines +of the city. + +Suddenly, when a heavy cloud lifted, Joe gave a cry of delight. + +"It's land!" he exclaimed, pointing far out over the water. "It won't +be long now." + +Gradually the outlines of the shore line became more distinct, and at +last the passengers could make out luxurious tropical vegetation. + +"But where's Mombasa?" demanded Bob, scanning the landscape. + +"Looks like it isn't there," answered Mr. Lewis. + +"What do you mean, Dad?" Joe inquired. + +Mr. Lewis was at the point of making a reply when the captain of the +ship strode up, on his face a scowl. + +"It seems that there has been a slight mistake in our reckoning," he +said. "We are seventy nautical miles to the north." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +The Lost Scientist + + +There was a buzz of muffled conversation among the passengers, and +before anyone could ask anything further, the captain had disappeared +into the cabin. + +"This is a fine howdy-do," snorted Joe Lewis, peering out at the +shoreline. "What do they take us for, a bunch of livestock?" + +"Jove!" exclaimed one of the passengers, looking up through his large +glasses. "The bally ship is a good half day's journey from Mombasa." + +"It's a horrible shame, that's what it is," came from Cecil Purl +Stone, who also was at the rail. "Here I am in perfect readiness to +look upon Mombasa, and this had to happen. I'm going straight to my +suite." + +"Wonder how it all happened?" inquired Bob. + +"That we don't know, Son." Mr. Holton's temper was also being tried. +"But now that it has happened, there's no way out, only to wait." + +"I took for granted the _Zanzibar's_ navigators were competent," said +Mr. Lewis. "However, such things do happen occasionally." + +Although the naturalists and their sons were disappointed, there was +nothing they could do but wait. Just how much longer it would be, +however, they did not know. + +To the vexation of all, the _Zanzibar_ steamed for the remainder of +that afternoon and evening without sighting the city of its +destination. It was not until eight o'clock that night that Mombasa +could be outlined in the distance, and then, of course, only the +lights could be seen. + +Bob and Joe, together with their fathers and many other passengers, +stood at the prow of the ship, waiting for land to come up to meet +them. + +The broad beam of the vessel's searchlight illuminated the water ahead +perfectly. At last the _Zanzibar_ was making directly for the harbor. + +"Not much to be seen at night," observed Joe. "But I guess we'll be +able to look around in the morning." + +They watched interestedly as the ship moved slowly into the harbor. +Aside from a few small ships and native dhows, there was no water +traffic in sight. Neither was the dock easily visible. + +"Suppose we turn in, boys," suggested Mr. Holton. "If we get to bed +early, we can be up early. And the sooner we put ashore and make +arrangements for our exploration venture, the sooner we can be on our +way into the heart of Africa." + +The heart of Africa! Bob and Joe thrilled at mention of this. Often +had they longed for such a venture into the Dark Continent, but not +until now had that longing been satisfied. + +The chums needed no urging to follow Mr. Holton's suggestion to +retire, for they desired to be up early the next morning. + +"I don't know whether I can sleep or not, though," laughed Bob, as he +and his friend walked to their stateroom. "I'm afraid I'll be thinking +too much about Africa. Think of it, Joe. We're here--in Africa!" + +"Not quite," Joe reminded him. "We're still on the _Zanzibar_, don't +forget." + +"Gosh! That's right. I almost forgot." + +The boys slept soundly, but because they had set their "mental alarm +clocks," as Joe called it, they awoke before six in the morning. + +But if they considered themselves "early-birds," they were to throw +away the title promptly when they caught sight of their fathers +standing on deck with their baggage. + +"How in the dickens did you manage to get up so early?" demanded Joe. +"You must have got out of bed at four to have brought all that stuff +out here." + +"We'll have a big day before us, boys," said Mr. Holton. "Let's leave +the ship at once." + +But before doing so the youths walked out to the rail to view their +surroundings. + +The sight that met their eyes made them gasp, so different was it from +anything they had previously seen. + +Before them was the new port, which contained numerous docks, +warehouses, and the like. To one side they saw the old harbor with its +numerous native ships and boats. Beyond the waterfront were the +prominent buildings of the city, while not far away was the old +Portuguese fort. Farther away was the bright green of endless tropical +vegetation. + +"So this is Africa," muttered Bob. "What do you think of it?" + +"Pleases me, all right," grinned Joe. "I'm longing to get into the +jungle." + +"Come along, boys." It was Mr. Holton's voice. "Gather up your baggage +and come back on deck. Do it as rapidly as you can." + +During the next ten minutes the youths worked furiously, attending to +such things that they had not already packed. On their way down the +hall they stopped at Cecil Stone's suite to have a parting word with +that young man. But apparently he had left, for no one answered the +knock. + +"The last we'll see of him, maybe," remarked Bob, picking up the cases +he had been carrying. + +On deck, Bob and Joe found a large number of passengers amassed ready +to move down the gangplank. There was an exchange of parting words, +and the chums left with their fathers and made their way to a hotel, +in which they had previously engaged rooms. + +"What's next?" inquired Joe, after they had had breakfast. + +"Ben and I want to look up an old friend," said Mr. Holton. "A Mr. +George Seabury. He used to be a mighty hunter." + +"Used to be?" queried Bob. "What do you mean, Dad? Is he old or +something?" + +"What I meant, Bob, is that several years ago he was charged by a +rhino and has not had full use of his legs since. He can walk, but +doesn't do it any too well. Suppose," he continued, "you and Joe come +with us. There's no question but that you'll like him at once." + +The youths were more than willing, and, led by their fathers, they +walked over to a section of the town that was inhabited only by +Europeans and Americans. + +At a rather attractive-looking house they stopped, and Mr. Lewis +knocked on the door. + +The door was opened by a large, swarthy man of anywhere between fifty +and sixty. One glance at Mr. Lewis and Mr. Holton was enough. + +"By Jupiter!" he cried, overjoyed at sight of the naturalists. "Come +in, you old rascals." + +Mr. Holton smiled and gave his friend an affectionate pat on the back. + +"But we've brought our sons with us this time," he said, indicating +Bob and Joe. "George, meet Joe Lewis and Bob Holton. Boys, this is Mr. +Seabury." + +There was a shaking of hands and general greeting, and in the end the +chums felt perfectly at home. + +"Husky fellows," observed Mr. Seabury. "Look like they could take care +of themselves, all right." + +"They certainly can," affirmed Mr. Lewis, and then outlined some of +the boys' experiences in Brazil, the Sahara, and the Andes Mountains. + +Their host listened intently. By the time Mr. Lewis had finished he +looked upon the boys with even more respect. + +But soon his brow wrinkled. + +"Africa is somewhat more dangerous than any of the places they have +been," he said slowly. "There are evidences of that everywhere. In +fact, there is evidence of it right here in this house." + +"Referring to yourself, perhaps," put in Mr. Lewis grimly. + +"Just that," Mr. Seabury returned. "Being charged by a rhino is +anything but pleasant. Fortunately, I escaped, but the terrible beast +put its mark on me for life." + +There were grim looks on the faces of everyone. Especially were Bob +and Joe touched, for they realized for the first time that Africa was +a land of tragedy. + +"Is there nothing that can be done? Will you always be lame?" inquired +Mr. Holton. + +Mr. Seabury looked even more grave. + +"Medical science cannot help me," he said at last. "I'm afraid my +hunting days are over." For several moments he retained the same +expression. Then suddenly his face lightened, as though he had +resolved to forget the matter. "Just what fauna are you after this +time?" he asked the naturalists. "But first, before anything more is +said, I have something that I want to put before you." + +"What is it, a surprise?" smiled Mr. Lewis. + +"Well--you might call it that," was the response. "Here's the whole +thing: Over six months ago my brother Thomas went into the Congo +region to study the primitive tribes there. He was to come back in +three months. As yet he hasn't returned. I fear something has happened +to him." + +"That's too bad," said Mr. Lewis. "We'll make it a point to search for +him. Just where did he intend to go?" + +"It is a very remote region," Mr. Seabury told them. "Has been called +the Forest of Mystery." + +"The Forest of Mystery!" repeated Mr. Holton. "I've heard of it. In +the central Congo country, isn't it?" + +George Seabury nodded. + +"It is said to be full of unexplainable phenomena," he said. "Has been +frequented by only a very few whites." + +Mr. Lewis brought his fist down on the arm of the chair. + +"That's the region we'll explore," he said, while Bob's father nodded. +"Have you any idea how to get there?" + +"No," their host responded. "But I know of two natives who have. They +live in Mbarara. You men left from there on your last safari in this +part of Africa." + +"Yes," came from Mr. Holton. "But who are these two natives?" + +"One is named Noko and the other is Kaika----" + +"Kaika!" interrupted Joe's father. "Why, he was our head bearer on our +last safari." + +"That so?" asked Mr. Seabury, somewhat surprised. "Well, he and Noko +have been to the Forest of Mystery and know how to get there." + +"Fine." Mr. Holton smiled happily. "That's the very place we'll set +out for. And we'll certainly keep on the lookout for your brother." + +"You don't know how much it will mean to me if Thomas is found," said +Mr. Seabury. "Of course, I am in no condition to go in search of him, +and it would be next to impossible to engage some stranger to do it. +So if you will keep on the watch for him, it will certainly ease +matters." + +"We'll be more than glad to do it," Mr. Lewis told him. "It will be +strange if we don't run across some trace of him." + +For the next hour they talked on indifferent matters. Then, with a +parting word, the explorers left Mr. Seabury's house and went to the +hotel. + +"Now what?" asked Joe. + +The answer was without hesitation. + +"We'll start into the unknown as soon as we possibly can," said Mr. +Holton. "That is, of course, if we can get a train. It may be that we +will have to wait several days before one leaves." + +"Boy!" cried Joe, deeply touched. "Into the heart of Africa! I can +hardly wait." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +Disaster Ahead + + +"What did you find out, Dad?" inquired Bob late that afternoon. Mr. +Holton had just returned from the railroad station of the Uganda +Railway. + +His father smiled happily. + +"There is a train leaving tomorrow morning," he said. "From all +accounts we'll be the only passengers on it." + +"I don't mind that," came from Joe. "But, say, Mr. Holton, what does +the train look like?" + +"You'll be surprised," smiled Mr. Lewis. + +"Perhaps you'll tell us just where it will take us," said Bob. + +"All the way to Lake Victoria," his father returned. "We'll spend a +day or so looking around there. Then we'll organize a safari and +plunge into the jungle." + +There was a little time left before darkness would close over them. +Bob and Joe used it to further explore Mombasa and see its +inhabitants. + +They found that the city was situated on an island several thousand +acres in extent. There was a channel that divided it from the +mainland, spanned by a causeway. In the old section of the city the +chums found many things of interest in the way of odd native huts, +curious carvings, and the native market. The new section contained a +number of attractive homes in which lived Europeans and Americans. + +"And there seem to be representatives of all races here," remarked +Bob, when they returned to the hotel. "Whites, blacks, browns--all +colors." + +"You're in for a surprise tonight," said Mr. Lewis, as the youths +retired. + +"What is it?" asked Joe. + +"Wait and see," smiled his father. + +The "surprise" did not make itself known the first part of the night. +In fact, Bob and Joe forgot all about what Mr. Lewis had said so +soundly did they sleep. + +But about two in the morning they were awakened by a hideous noise +which was unlike anything the youths had ever heard before. That it +was the call of some wild animal they did not doubt, but just what +creature could cry out in such tones they had not the slightest idea. + +The noise was repeated again and again, always nearer. Finally Bob +jumped out of bed and bounded to the window. + +"Of all things!" he cried, gazing out intently. "Joe, come +here--quick!" + +Joe needed no urging. Like a flash he had joined his comrade. + +"Why--it's a hyena!" he gasped. "And there's another--and another. +Gosh! They're right out in the middle of the street." + +A brilliant moon made the animals easily visible. They were unusually +large specimens, that from all appearances could tear a man limb from +limb. + +"I guess they're too cowardly to attack even a very small animal," +remarked Bob. "But they sure look mean, don't they?" + +"This must be the surprise Dad was talking about," said Joe, never +taking his eyes from the scene. "And it really is a surprise, too. +Who'd expect to see wild animals out in the main street of a town, +even in Africa?" + +The chums could hardly tear themselves away from the window. The +whining, screaming hyenas were something that they had never seen +except behind bars, and they naturally looked out with great interest. + +"Come on, Joe." Bob at last went back to bed. "We want to get a +little more sleep before morning. We'll have a lot to do tomorrow." + +Shortly after daybreak Mr. Lewis appeared at the doorway. + +"Come along, boys," he said, noting that they were awake. "The train +leaves in two hours." + +They dressed as soon as possible and secured their breakfast. Then, +with their fathers, they went to the railroad station, carrying most +of their baggage. + +As there was nearly an hour remaining, all four took a short walk +about the city, in search of anything unusual. + +Before long they found themselves at the city fish market, which was a +colorful place displaying practically all kinds of sea food. There +were sharks, swordfish, crabs, crayfish, sardines, and many other +queer denizens of the near-by waters. + +"Quite a market," mused Joe, as they moved back to the railroad +station. "Ought to be able to find anything you'd want there." + +The train arrived at last, and the explorers lost no time in boarding. +They found the coach very comfortable, although it appeared rather +old. + +"You were right, Howard. As yet we are the only passengers," observed +Mr. Lewis. + +Before long the train started moving, slowly at first, picking up +speed later. + +"We're off!" cried Joe, gazing out of the window with interest. + +After a short stop at Kilindini they crossed the channel and passed +through luxuriant tropical vegetation--coconut palms, mangoes, and +countless other trees and plants. + +"When do we see the herds of wild animals?" asked Bob, after an hour +had passed. "This is a game reserve, isn't it?" + +His father nodded. + +"We should see some before long now," he said. "But, of course, there +won't be any great numbers until we get farther along." + +Soon the train left the coastal belt and reached a region of bush. For +several hours it sped through a monotonous country, at last coming to +the town of Voi. + +From then on the journey was rather uninteresting, until the explorers +pulled into Makindu. Here they got off to spend the night. + +Late the next morning the train resumed its journey, leaving the +region of bush behind and entering a vast plain. + +Suddenly Mr. Holton sat up with a start. + +"Look over there!" he exclaimed, pointing to something several hundred +yards away. + +Bob and Joe looked. + +"Why--it's a herd of zebras!" cried Bob, struck with amazement. "There +must be fifty of them." + +"What do you know about that!" Joe was also gazing out with profound +interest. "They--over there! A herd of strange antelopes." + +"They're impalla," pronounced his father. "Sleek, beautiful animals, +aren't they?" + +As they went farther the explorers saw other kinds of game. +Bright-colored birds fluttered past; towering giraffes could often be +seen; hartebeests and other varieties of antelopes appeared +everywhere. Once a troop of impalla, upon hearing the locomotive +whistle, ran gracefully at right angles from the train. + +"The world's greatest menagerie," murmured Mr. Lewis, speaking with +decision. "The British certainly have done a great good here. There is +nothing like this protectorate anywhere." + +Half an hour later the train stopped at a small but attractive +station. Here the explorers got off to stretch their legs and look +around. + +Bob and Joe happened to be near the locomotive when a voice made them +turn about. Looking up, they saw the engineer motioning to them. + +"How would you like to see the wild beasts better?" he asked the +youths. + +"Why--what do you mean?" inquired Joe wonderingly. "See them better? +How?" + +"Easy enough," laughed the engineer. He climbed down from the +locomotive. "See that? It's a seat on the cowcatcher. If you like, you +and your dads, or whoever that was with you, can perch yourselves +there. It's every bit as safe as in the car." + +"Say!" burst out Bob, delighted at such an opportunity. "That's just +what we'll do. There's plenty of room for all four of us, and no +danger of falling off. Thanks for telling us." + +The boys found their fathers on the opposite side of the train. + +"It's time Joe and I were springing a surprise on you," said Bob, with +a wink at his chum. + +There was a quizzical look on the faces of the naturalists. + +"Very well," smiled Mr. Lewis, his eyes twinkling. "What is your +surprise?" + +"How would you like to see the wild beasts better?" asked Bob, +repeating the question asked by the engineer. + +Mr. Holton answered on the moment. + +"We'd like it so well that we intend to occupy the seat on the +cowcatcher of the engine," he said casually. + +Bob groaned hopelessly. + +"Good-bye surprise," he snorted. "Doggone it, Dad. You two are away +too wise for us. We ought to tell you something about the Amazon +jungle, I guess, instead of picking on Africa. We ought to be able to. +We were lost in it long enough." + +"I get it," laughed Mr. Lewis. "You were going to tell us about the +wonderful possibilities for sightseeing while seated at the front of +the locomotive. Why didn't you keep still, Howard, and let them have +their fun?" + +"Sorry," grinned Mr. Holton. "Next time I'll be as mum as a giraffe." + +At a word from the engineer, the four explorers climbed up on the +cowcatcher and sat down on the wide seat, their hearts light as they +eagerly anticipated what was coming. As for Bob and Joe, it was the +most unusual opportunity they had ever been offered. + +"What do you have there?" inquired Joe, trying to make out what his +friend held under his arm. + +"A motion-picture camera," returned Bob, holding it in view. "I opened +the box and brought it out. We haven't taken any movies since we +started, you know." + +"Glad you thought of it," Joe commended. "This is sure a swell chance +for rolling it off." + +The sound of the locomotive's whistle made the explorers sit up in +eager anticipation. + +It was a novel sensation to the youths--sitting on the cowcatcher of +the engine. As the latter picked up speed, they experienced a feeling +of real exhilaration. For seeing the shining rails slip by and +watching the scenery move toward them was most unusual indeed, +especially here in Africa. + +The farther they went the more plentiful wild life became. On one +occasion Joe almost caught a bright red bird with his hands as it flew +across the path of the oncoming train. At another time a cat-like +animal darted across the track, almost under the wheels. + +"That fellow had a narrow escape," breathed Bob, whose heart was +beating rapidly as he saw the near-tragedy. + +Still later the boys and their fathers saw literally thousands of +beautiful Thompson's gazelles, gnus, ostriches, giraffes, hartebeests, +water bucks, and many other creatures. + +"Such a sight!" said Bob, cranking the motion-picture camera +frequently. "Never saw----" + +He stopped abruptly, and the reason was very apparent. + +Not two hundred feet away, directly on the track, was a huge elephant, +which paid not the slightest attention to the oncoming train! + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +A Wonderful Sight + + +"We'll hit it, sure!" cried Joe, rapidly losing his nerve as he gazed +fearfully ahead. "Oh, I guess this is the end!" + +Already the shrill whistle of the locomotive was shattering the +silence. But even the loud warning was futile. The elephant remained +where it was, not as much as moving an ear. + +Bob and Joe and their fathers were gripped with fear as they saw +themselves speed closer toward the huge brute. Let them once strike +the animal, and their doom would probably be sealed! + +The explorers heard a wild shout from the engineer. Then there was a +creaking and grinding noise, and the train's speed was checked +somewhat. But even with the application of the emergency brake the +heavy engine plunged on. + +"Jump!" cried Mr. Lewis in a wild voice. "It's the only way to +escape!" + +Obeying the command at once, Bob and Joe watched their chance and +leaped far over to the left of the train, while their fathers went to +the right. The train was not traveling rapidly, and so there was no +danger of injuring themselves. + +The youths rolled over on the soft ground, not receiving as much as a +scratch. + +"Look, Joe! Look!" yelled Bob. + +The locomotive slid on and with a tremendous crash struck the massive +elephant. The impact knocked the front trucks of the engine completely +off the track, while the huge beast went to the ground with a +resounding thud. + +The force of the collision literally brought the train to a complete +stop. But the scene of the mishap was one of frenzied disorder. + +Kicking and trumpeting horribly, the elephant vainly tried to get to +its feet. But, despite its frantic efforts, it could not do so. +Apparently it had been injured severely. + +Mr. Holton ran around to the youths, followed by Joe's father. + +"Boys! Are you all right?" the latter asked anxiously. + +"Yes," Bob reassured him. "But, say, that was a whale of a smash-up, +wasn't it?" + +"The elephant appears to be mortally wounded," Mr. Lewis said, with a +shake of his head. "It seems only humane to put it out of its misery." + +He unstrapped his rifle and took aim at the animal's heart. A moment +later he pulled the trigger. + +The naturalist never fired a more accurate shot. With a horrible +groan, the great beast collapsed into a heap--dead. The high-velocity +bullet, following its previous injury, finished it instantly. + +Long before, the engineer and fireman of the locomotive had joined the +explorers and were viewing the scene with a terrible awe. + +"We're in a fine mess," groaned Bob, directing his gaze at the dead +elephant. + +"Mess is right, fellow," came from the engineer. "It's up to me now to +get word back to Mombasa to send out a relief train. We're in luck, +too. There's a station only a short distance up the track." + +He left the others and hurried ahead, intent upon telegraphing as soon +as possible. + +In less than an hour he was back, and announced that another train +would arrive from Nairobi, a city less than sixty miles away. Relief +was expected inside of three hours. + +"While we're waiting," said Bob, speaking to his chum, "suppose we +take a short jaunt into the surrounding country. We ought to see +plenty of interest." + +"Be careful, boys," warned Mr. Holton. "And remember. Don't shoot any +animal unless, of course, you have to. This is a game preserve, you +know." + +Delighted at such a chance, the youths strode off through the high +grass, keeping their eyes ready to single out anything of interest. + +Almost at every step they saw some strange and interesting creature. +Birds of brilliant plumage flew overhead, large herds of sleek, agile +antelopes coursed across the plain, and at one time the boys caught a +glimpse of a buffalo. + +"Strange that there aren't any lions," mused Joe. "Where there's so +much of everything else, looks like there ought to be at least a few." + +"I suppose they keep their distance," said Bob. "Been hunted so much, +maybe." + +In little over two hours, Bob and Joe returned to the train, to find +their fathers sitting on the cowcatcher of the engine. + +"What did you see?" Mr. Lewis inquired drowsily. + +"Plenty," answered Bob. "There's about every kind of animal imaginable +in this region. But we weren't able to stir up a lion." + +"I don't wonder," Mr. Holton said. "The king of beasts is keeping his +distance at present." + +"What do you mean, 'at present'?" inquired Joe. + +"The natives around here have been up in arms against lions," Mr. +Holton explained. "You see, the fact that this is a protectorate has +made the lions very bold, and so the natives have taken steps to kill +off a few that have been causing the most trouble. It seems----" + +He was interrupted by the sound of a distant locomotive whistle and +peered up the track expectantly. Undoubtedly this was the relief +train, and that was what the two naturalists desired above all else +just at this time. For every moment of delay was maddening to them. + +At last the train came in sight and in a short time had stopped not +far from the dead elephant. The engine was in the rear of a flat car +on which was a huge crane. + +"Now for the fun," smiled Joe, looking doubtfully at the crane. "Looks +to me like it would take more than one of those things to move that +elephant." + +But much to Joe's surprise the crane proved very effective, lifting +the elephant slowly but surely off the track. It was also used just as +effectively to place the front truck of the engine back on the rails. + +"All over," laughed Bob, placing the motion-picture camera back in his +pocket. "I took some movies of that, too. Ought to be plenty good." He +climbed back on the cowcatcher of the locomotive. + +"I don't know whether it will be safe to sit there, Bob," said his +father. "We might strike another animal." + +"Ah, gee, Dad," came from Bob pleadingly. "This is a wonderful place +to watch the scenery." + +The engineer came to his rescue. + +"You don't need to fear anything more happening," he told Mr. Holton. +"This elephant smash-up was the first to bother us this year. Go ahead +and sit on the cowcatcher." + +The naturalist took hope from the trainman's words and decided to risk +it. For, if the truth be known, he and Mr. Lewis were as anxious as +the boys to ride at the front of the locomotive. + +Ten minutes later they were speeding along toward Lake Victoria, +following the wrecking train. + +Nothing more happened until they reached Nairobi, the halfway point on +the way to the lake. Here their journey aboard this train came to an +end, and they were forced to wait for another. + +The next morning they were again on their journey, this time aboard +another train, the engine of which did not have the convenient +cowcatcher seat. But Bob and Joe didn't mind. They became so absorbed +in the unusual sights about them that they completely forgot it. + +A short distance from Nairobi they got their first glimpse of really +primitive natives. A group of blacks, led by one big fellow who was +undoubtedly the chief, waved a friendly greeting as the train passed. + +"Did you notice their teeth?" asked Joe, when the natives had been +left behind. + +"Yeah. They were filed to sharp points. And did you see their hair?" + +"Hair? That's a good one," laughed Joe. "They didn't have any. Was +every bit shaved off." + +At last the train entered a region of misty rain forests. Occasional +mountains became visible, their peaks towering into the distant skies. + +The time passed slowly but brought much of interest. Then one day the +explorers found themselves in Port Bell, at the edge of famed Lake +Victoria. + +Bob and Joe went with their fathers down to the water's edge to get a +glimpse of the lake. + +Then their eyes almost burst from their heads. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +Off for the Unknown + + +Far into the distance, as far as the eye could see, stretched the +boundless water of Lake Victoria, resembling nothing so much as a vast +ocean. Even at the far-away horizon there was no trace of land. + +"Wow!" gasped Bob, who was taken totally by surprise. "You're not +kidding us about this being a lake, are you?" + +Mr. Holton laughed. + +"We thought it would get you," he said. "Boys, you're looking at one +of the largest lakes in the entire world. Covers an area of nearly +twenty seven thousand square miles, and is over two hundred and fifty +miles long." + +"Biggest I've ever seen," remarked Joe. "And right here in the heart +of Africa." + +He had brought a motion-picture camera and now removed it to roll off +a fair amount of film. + +"What's that away over there?" inquired Bob wonderingly, pointing to a +dark cloud that hovered near the surface of the water. + +The others gazed intently for several moments. Then, when the dark +mass was slightly nearer, Mr. Lewis uttered an exclamation. + +"If I'm not mistaken, that cloud isn't a cloud," he said, removing his +binoculars from their case. + +"Then--what is it?" demanded Joe. + +A moment later his father confirmed his own opinion. + +"Just as I thought," Mr. Lewis said, peering out through his powerful +glasses. "That isn't a cloud at all. It is a big mass of insects." + +"Insects?" repeated Bob. "You mean that what looks like a cloud is +nothing but a lot of insects flying together?" + +Mr. Lewis nodded and passed the binoculars to Bob. + +It required but a second for the youth to observe that his chum's +father was right. + +"Man alive!" he murmured. "There must be millions of those little +creatures. I sure wouldn't want to get in that swarm." + +"I shouldn't imagine it would be very pleasant," said Mr. Holton +dryly. + +They spent several more minutes in walking along the banks of the +lake and then turned back into the town. + +"What will we do now?" asked Joe, as they walked along the main +street. + +"We're going to take an automobile," answered his father. + +"Oh, come, Dad," Joe broke out. "What are you talking about?" + +"Just what I said," answered Mr. Lewis. "Howard and I engaged an +automobile. We'll drive to a town called Mbarara--that's a good day's +journey to the southwest. From there we'll start into the jungle on +safari." + +"Or to use the common African term," laughed Mr. Holton, "we'll 'push +off into the blue,' which means start into the unknown." + +The automobile that the naturalists had engaged was a well-known +American make and had seen many miles of service but was still in good +condition. + +It was still early when the four placed their paraphernalia in the +automobile and climbed in themselves. Mr. Holton took the wheel, +sending the car ahead at a good pace. + +The road was little more than a clearing cut out of the dense jungle, +and in the rainy season would have been impassable. Now, however, it +was in good condition. + +"We're out of the protectorate now, aren't we?" inquired Bob, +fingering his rifle. + +"Yes. But to tell the truth," began Mr. Holton, reading his son's +thoughts, "I'd rather you wouldn't shoot anything along here. We'll +have plenty of that to do later." + +As a result of this, the chums refrained from using their rifles, +although they saw numerous wild creatures that could have been brought +down easily. + +Just before nightfall, the little party of explorers chugged into +Mbarara, which was a mere village at the edge of the primeval forest. + +Here the explorers were welcomed by a huge Negro, to whom the +automobile belonged. He was well acquainted with Mr. Holton and Mr. +Lewis, having met them on their previous visit to this town. + +"Boys," said Mr. Lewis, addressing the chums, "I want you to meet +Migo, an old friend of ours," indicating the native. "Migo, this is +Bob Holton and this, Joe Lewis." + +"Very glad know you," greeted the native. He was a man of considerable +importance in the country about Mbarara, and had picked up several +languages, all of which he spoke well. + +The chums exchanged the greeting and then made ready for anything that +would be said. + +"You gon' org'ize another safari?" Migo asked the naturalists. + +"Yes," returned Mr. Lewis. "And we want you to help us find bearers. +Will you do it?" + +The answer came at once. + +"I will," the native said. "How many will you need?" + +"We have come to the conclusion that twenty-five will satisfy our +needs, at least for a while," responded Mr. Holton. "If we need more +we can pick them up at villages along the way. By the way, Migo," he +went on, struck with a sudden thought, "is it possible to get the +guide we had last time? Kaika was his name. Knew every inch of ground +for miles around." + +Migo's face darkened. He shook his head slowly. + +"Him not here any more," he said in grave tones. + +"Why--I don't understand," came from Mr. Lewis. "Where is Kaika?" + +"Dead," was the ominous response. + +There was a short silence, during which the naturalists stared at +Migo, hardly knowing what to say. + +"I'm terribly sorry to hear that," said Mr. Holton at last. "What +caused his death?" + +"He killed by a lion," was the answer from the black. "It was a big +man-eater. Kaika, he was in a village one day. Big man-eater he slip +up on Kaika. Break Kaika's back. He die in little time." + +The news sobered the Americans somewhat, for they began to realize +anew that Africa, although a land of romance and adventure, was also a +place of tragedy. Especially were Bob and Joe stirred by Migo's words. +This was the second casualty they had heard of since landing at the +Dark Continent, the first being the case of Mr. Seabury in Mombasa. + +"I sincerely hope nothing happens to our expedition," said Mr. Holton +gravely. "Especially since the boys are with us." + +The naturalists were delighted when Migo announced that he could +secure the services of Noko, the native that Mr. Seabury had +mentioned. For he was one of the very few who knew of the Forest of +Mystery. He had recently returned from guiding another safari into a +region far to the south. Migo assured the whites that he was unusually +brave and daring and knew exactly which men to pick out for the +expedition. He lived in a little hut at the edge of Mbarara. + +"We'll go there now," said Joe's father. "Migo, will you come with us? +We may need your help." + +The native was more than willing, and together they went afoot, except +for Mr. Holton, who drove the car. The automobile was now filled to +capacity with supplies to be used by the expedition, several necessary +additions being furnished by Migo, who kept a store. + +In a small thatched hut they found an unusually tall coal-black +native, who nodded as he greeted them. + +"This Noko," Migo introduced him. "This man his name Holton, this man +name Lewis. These Bob and Joe." + +The towering native smiled broadly and bowed. Then he listened to what +Migo had to say. + +"They want you guide them into unknown land," Migo resumed. "They want +shoot, hunt. Will you do it?" + +"Yes, _bwana_ [master], I will go," Noko said to the naturalists. +"Where you want hunt?" + +"In the Forest of Mystery," said Mr. Holton. "You know where that is, +do you not?" + +Noko nodded vehemently. + +"Yes, _bwana_," he told them. "Noko been there two time. It ver' +strange place. See strange things. Strange animals. There some bad men +dere. Use long spears. They kill hunters. Noko not see them, but hear +about them. _Baya sana_ [very bad]!" + +"That is indeed unfortunate," said Mr. Lewis. "But we are willing to +take the chance, if you are." + +Noko bowed. + +"It well, then," he said. "Noko will go into strange forest. Noko not +afraid." + +"And you can furnish the bearers?" asked Mr. Holton. "We'll probably +need about twenty-five, perhaps more." + +The tall native nodded. He explained that inside of two days he could +complete preparations for the expedition and would let the whites know +when he was ready. + +After a few more words with Noko the naturalists and their sons left +his hut and with Migo drove the automobile to a large clearing just +off the roadway. Here they unloaded their supplies and pitched a tent. + +"We'll stay here until Noko has things ready for us to start into the +jungle," remarked Mr. Lewis, lifting a big box to carry it into the +tent. + +Late the next afternoon the Americans were resting under a large tree +beside their temporary camp when they heard a shouting and yelling. +Looking around they saw Noko and a large group of other natives +heading toward them. + +"Hurrah!" cried Joe. "Noko sure has acted quickly. Has everything +ready for us." + +The natives were all capable of carrying loads of sixty pounds apiece. +And Noko, as the _neapara_, or headman, assured the explorers that +they could be relied upon. + +Last-minute preparations were made. The naturalists saw that each +porter was carrying his share of the provisions. Then, picking up +their guns and handing them to their bearers, the scientists and the +youths waved a farewell to Migo and several other natives who had +gathered to see the expedition depart. + +Led by Noko, the safari made its way toward a distant jungle. + +They were off--off for the little-known Forest of Mystery! + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +Peril Ahead + + +"How long will it take us to get to this Forest of Mystery?" inquired +Bob Holton, as he and his chum followed the naturalists over the +grassy plain. + +"Many, many days," answered Mr. Lewis. "It is in the very heart of the +vast Belgian Congo and is inaccessible by way of roads and railways." + +"So much the better for us," laughed Joe. "We'll probably find things +there that no one else has seen. At least, no other white men." + +"Let's hope you're right, Son," came from his father. "Howard and I +would like to discover some totally unknown animals. But," he added +significantly, "we'll have to watch our step. Who knows what perils +may be hidden in that mysterious forest?" + +The afternoon was rapidly wearing on, and although the explorers were +still on the open plain, Noko announced that he desired to get beyond +it before nightfall. In the distance they could see a dark jungle, +through which they would soon be passing. + +The grass under their feet was tough and wiry and yielded reluctantly. +Occasionally small animals darted out before them and disappeared +under cover of the grass. None of the large cats, however, showed +itself. + +"Wish we could get a look at a lion," remarked Bob, tightening his +grip on his rifle. "What I'll do to one if I see one!" + +The naturalists looked back and smiled. + +"Maybe it would work the other way around," chuckled Mr. Holton. "What +would the lion do to you?" + +"Oh, I don't know, Dad. I'm not a bad shot. You know that. And I've +met wild animals before." + +"True, Bob," came from his father. "But none happened to be as +ferocious as old _felis leo_----" + +"I thought the lion is called _simba_," interrupted Joe. + +A burst of laughter followed. + +"It's very apparent," said Mr. Lewis, "that you need to brush up on +your natural history." + +"Why?" inquired Joe, somewhat surprised. "What was funny?" + +"Still don't get the point, huh?" laughed Mr. Holton. "Well, we'd +better tell you before you spring that one before some of our +naturalist friends. _Felis leo_, boys, is the lion's scientific name. +_Simba_ is the name given to him by the natives." + +The boys laughed also when Mr. Holton had finished. + +"_Simba_ fits him better," mused Joe. "Of course, it's less +distinguished, but, just the same, it's easier to say." + +At last they found themselves nearing the jungle, after having left +the long stretch of veldt behind. As it was almost sundown, the +naturalists greatly desired to stop for the night. Noko, however, for +some reason wanted to plunge into the jungle without delay. Perhaps he +feared the invasion of wild beasts if camp should be made on the +grassland. + +Before long they plunged into the woodland, and their rate of travel +was necessarily reduced somewhat. For with all the many sharp-pointed +thorns, low bushes, tangled vines, and other obstacles, the +adventurers found it difficult to maintain a rapid pace. + +"Keep a sharp lookout," cautioned Mr. Holton, glancing back for a +moment. "This region shouldn't be particularly dangerous, but you +never can tell." + +"Only thing I'm especially afraid of," began Joe, "is poisonous +snakes. Can't tell just when you might step on one." + +"Leopards are also dangerous," put in his father. "At any minute one +might leap down from a tree and make for us. Still, the animals are +likely to be frightened by such a large safari as ours." + +At frequent intervals Bob and Joe took turns in "shooting" the country +with the motion-picture cameras. These latter were not the type that +require a tripod, but were relatively simple in design and easy to +operate, it being necessary only to press a button as the lens was +focused. + +The jungle was becoming more tangled with every passing minute. Huge +forest trees were everywhere, many of them having parasitic vines +wound tightly around their trunks. Strange, odd plants grew about in +profusion. Bright-colored flowers were everywhere and often diverted +the youths' attention from the path. + +Many varieties of butterflies, frequently beautifully marked, +fluttered about. Once Joe was lucky enough to catch one with his hand +and at once passed it to Mr. Holton, who was nearest him. + +They had trekked for over an hour when suddenly there arose a +commotion in the rear ranks of the line of carriers. + +"What's that?" burst out Bob, turning on the instant. "Sounds like +something's the matter." + +Mr. Holton ran back down the path, followed by Bob, Joe, and the +latter's father. + +Then they saw the cause of the disturbance. A veritable army of tiny +red ants was attacking the bare feet of the bearers and was doing the +job right. There must have been tens of thousands of the little +creatures, for they were crawling about in great masses. + +Noko shouted something in the native language, motioning and frowning +indignantly. What he said the Americans never knew. + +"Look at them," said Joe excitedly. "Isn't there anything they can do +to beat them off?" + +The natives were becoming frantic with fear and discomfort. They +jumped about wildly in attempts to escape from the countless menacing +hordes. Despite the seriousness of the matter, Bob and Joe could not +help laughing at the actions of the natives. + +"This ought to be a swell scene," laughed Bob, focusing the movie +camera on the dancing mob. "And it's all genuine, too. No acting about +it." + +The filming was shortly interrupted, as the attacked bearers rushed +madly up the path, apparently intent upon running from the red ants. +Bob and Joe took to their heels with the rest and at last were +sufficiently far from the scene to be out of danger. All were panting +and perspiring after the short but tiring run. + +"Are we rid of them?" inquired Bob. He had not seen a red ant since he +had started running. + +Noko nodded. + +"They gone," he said, stopping for a moment and facing Bob. "Heap bad. +Bites hurt." + +"I shouldn't imagine it is very pleasant to be bitten by them," said +Joe. + +"The natives steer clear of them," put in Mr. Lewis, as the cavalcade +again took up the journey. "Not infrequently red ants invade villages +and drive the entire population to some place of refuge. Howard and I +have often come upon deserted villages that had been left for that +very reason." + +Just before nightfall the party came to a wide stream of muddy water, +which wound itself through the dense jungle. From all appearances the +stream was very deep. + +The chums saw that fifty feet farther along there was a log spanning +the creek, probably placed there by natives. + +"Wonder if we'll have to cross that?" mused Joe, looking with distrust +at the improvised bridge. + +"Looks like it," his friend responded. "The path quits off there, you +know, and continues from the other side." + +The words were scarcely spoken when Noko stopped and turned to the +naturalists. + +"Cross here," he told them, indicating the log. "Must be care. Not +slip." + +"Wow!" cried Bob suddenly. + +"What's the matter?" asked Joe. + +For answer, Bob pointed to the stream. + +There, lurking sluggishly on a flat shelf, was a huge crocodile which +looked as if it were waiting for one of the adventurers to plunge into +the dark water. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +The Terrible Crocodile + + +Joe stared at the stream in terrible fascination, half expecting to +see many other of the repulsive reptiles make an appearance. But if +any more were there, they failed to come in sight. + +"One's enough, though," mused Joe. + +Mr. Holton motioned for Noko to lead the way. True, it promised to be +a trying experience, crossing that slippery log, but the sooner over +the better. + +A rope was handed to each of the whites, who grasped it thankfully. +The natives, however, had little need for this aid, accustomed as they +were to jungle life. Even with the heavy packs, they went easily +across to the other side. + +Mr. Lewis and Mr. Holton also stepped across without difficulty. Bob, +the next to try it, demonstrated his skill by not making a single +misstep. Joe, who was last, gripped the rope a little more tightly +than had the others, for he had never considered himself good at +balancing. + +"Take it slowly," cautioned his father, looking on anxiously from the +other side. "Don't look at the water. It might make you dizzy." + +Joe was more than halfway across when a terrific splashing sound made +him glance around impulsively. Then his expression changed, and he +suddenly grew pale. + +His foot was slipping--slowly, to be sure, but slipping! + +Suddenly the youth gave a wild cry of fear and then went plunging into +the muddy water! + +There were anxious shouts from the opposite shore as Mr. Lewis and Mr. +Holton pulled desperately on the rope. Bob and Noko also lent their +efforts, and together the four drew Joe slowly but surely toward the +bank. + +"Hurry!" cried Joe frantically. "The crocodile!" + +The huge reptile hesitated a moment as it gazed intently at the broken +waters. Then, as though suddenly grasping what was taking place, it +swung into action and swam toward Joe. + +The latter was some fifty feet away, and, aided by the stout rope was +swimming rapidly. But the crocodile also was moving at no slow gait! + +"Quick!" shouted Mr. Lewis, pulling with all his strength. "In less +than a minute it will be too late." + +He placed his section of the rope in the hands of a bearer and grasped +his rifle. A second later he pulled the trigger. + +_Bang!_ + +The sound of the gun was followed by a terrific threshing about as the +crocodile gasped out its last breath. Then the motion ceased, and the +great saurian disappeared into the dark water. + +"Thank goodness!" breathed Bob. + +By now Joe had reached the shore and was scrambling up the steep bank. +He was a sorry-looking sight as he faced the others. + +"Thought I was a goner," he said, with a ghost of a smile. "But that +rifle shot did the trick, all right." + +"It certainly did," said Mr. Holton. "Ben never fired a more accurate +shot. Strange, but it never occurred to me to use a rifle. I was only +thinking of pulling harder on the rope." + +"I wasn't sure that I could hit the crocodile," Mr. Lewis put in. "I +imagine I wasn't any too steady after the terrific strain. But through +luck, I guess, that bullet penetrated the brain." + +Joe was watersoaked to the skin, and mud was caking on his clothes. + +"Better put on something dry," advised Mr. Holton, and Noko, +understanding, nodded. + +"Get heap sick," the native said, using the English he had picked up. +"Um fever here. Soon come night. Then be heap cold." + +"I guess you're right," Joe admitted. "Then too, it doesn't feel very +pleasant with these wet clothes on." + +It did not take him long to change, and he was soon ready to continue +the journey. + +Noko urged that they make unusually good time from now until dark so +as to get to a certain clearing before nightfall. Of course, they +could have stopped and made camp at many places, but the native did +not wish to do so. + +As the guide had hoped, they reached the place he had in mind just as +darkness was beginning to enshroud them. + +During the next few minutes all worked hurriedly, so as to complete +making camp before the blackness would handicap them. For night in the +tropics comes quickly, there being little or no twilight. + +The tents were fastened securely to the stakes, the provisions +unpacked, and a roaring fire was built. + +"Now for what's coming," grinned Bob, smacking his lips. "And am I +hungry!" + +Before long a tempting odor filled the air, one that was entirely new +to the youths. Just what food was being prepared they could not even +guess. + +The taste was excellent, however, as they found a little later. + +"Trust the natives to pick out what's good," remarked Mr. Lewis, when +the meal was over. "They know of many edible wild herbs, roots, and +berries that we whites have never tasted." + +Darkness had overtaken them, a darkness that was filled with mystery. +From afar came some terrifying scream, uttered perhaps by a wild +animal in its death struggle. Soon there came another that was even +more blood curdling. + +"Listen!" hissed Mr. Holton, straining his ears to make out the +distant cry more distinctly. + +"What is it?" inquired Joe. + +"A lion," was the answer. "He seems to be coming closer." + +"Gee. Maybe we can get a shot at his lordship," grinned Bob, picking +up his rifle. + +But if the lion was near the camp he failed to cause a disturbance. +Perhaps the brute had sensed that someone had invaded his domain, but +had also sensed that it would be dangerous to interfere. + +"What's that over there?" demanded Bob, making out something just +beyond the fire. + +"Why--it looks like two red lights," observed Joe. "And they seem to +be coming closer." + +The naturalists' eyes followed those of their sons. Then Mr. Holton +reached for his rifle. + +"Keep quiet," he whispered, taking careful aim at the red "lights." + +Then he fired, the report being followed by a terrible screeching and +wailing noise. With one last groan, the animal, whatever it was +collapsed. + +"Hurray!" yelled Joe. "Got him, Mr. Holton. But what was it?" + +The victim proved to be a huge lemur, an animal that looked like a +cross between a monkey and a cat. It was about three feet long and had +an unusually long tail. + +"But, say, Dad," came from Bob, "where did that bullet strike? It +didn't smash his face." + +"That's part of the trick of shooting," laughed Mr. Lewis. "Howard saw +its eyes in the darkness, and so aimed below at the body." + +The animal was carefully skinned and the skin placed in preservative. +Then, this task being over, they sat idly around the fire and chatted +merrily. + +At frequent intervals they could hear cries of wild animals, including +the trumpeting of elephants and the mournful groan of hyenas. Once +they heard a horrid growl that Mr. Lewis said was made by a leopard. + +Despite the clamor of the African night, Bob and Joe slept soundly and +awoke the next morning greatly refreshed. + +"Drink deeply of this cool air," said Mr. Lewis, stopping for a moment +at the boys' tent. "Along towards noon, as you already know, the sun +will be far too hot for comfort." + +The natives were astir, attending to the many tasks that went with +breaking camp. Breakfast was at once followed by pulling up the +stakes, folding the tents, and loading the provisions and other +articles in their proper places on the backs of the bearers. + +Soon the expedition was again penetrating deep into the dense jungle. +Although the traveling was necessarily slow, every hour saw them a +little nearer the unknown Forest of Mystery. + +Along towards noon Noko called a halt. It was wholly unwise to +continue in the terrific noonday heat of Africa. They stopped at a +little open space which was devoid of vegetation except for tall +grass. + +Everyone rested in the shade of a huge tree, whose branches extended +out over a wide area. + +Bob and Joe, however, soon tired of remaining so long in one position, +and finally decided to explore the country in the immediate vicinity +of the safari. + +"We won't be gone long," remarked Bob, speaking to the naturalists. +"Just want to look around a little." + +"Be careful, boys," warned his father. "Always be prepared for +dangers." + +There was a narrow trail that wound toward a little elevation not far +away. Along this the youths walked, keeping their eyes open for +anything unusual. + +"I wouldn't mind meeting something dangerous," grinned Joe, gripping +his rifle the tighter. "Somehow I want action." + +"Didn't you get enough of that yesterday when you fell in that +stream?" asked Bob. + +"It was enough for yesterday," returned Joe. "But this is today." + +Suddenly the chums caught sight of something that filled them with +wonder. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +A Promise of a Thrill + + +Not ten feet away, at the point where the trail branched, was a huge +mound of earth that must have been at least thirty feet high. It was +conical in shape, gradually tapering up to a sharp point. + +"What do you call that?" asked Joe, staring in amazement at the +formation. + +"If I'm not mistaken, it's an ant hill," Bob answered, moving closer +to the mound of earth. Often Bob had heard of this phenomenon, but +until now had not seen it. + +"A what? Ant hill? You don't mean to say that ants built that, do +you?" + +"I guess they did," returned Bob. "Dad says ants have been known to +heap up the earth to a height of forty feet or more." + +"Of all things!" Joe could hardly believe what his chum said. "How do +they do it, anyway?" + +"More than I know. They're busy little creatures, though." + +The boys examined the ant hill with a great deal of curiosity. It +seemed almost incredible that ants could construct such a huge piece +of architecture. Why, it must have required the efforts of tens of +thousands of the little creatures! + +But although greatly interested, Bob and Joe did not spend too much +time here, for they desired to explore a bit longer before returning +to the safari. + +Everywhere they went they saw brilliantly colored birds, which often +fluttered so near that the youths could almost touch them. Luxuriant +flowers were also in abundance. + +The chums trekked on for a distance of perhaps a half mile, then +turned back toward the expedition. When they reached the clearing, +they found Mr. Lewis and Mr. Holton ready to continue the journey. + +"See anything of interest, boys?" inquired the latter, signaling to +Noko to lead the way. + +"Plenty," returned Joe. "An ant hill, for one thing. And was it a +whopper! Must have been thirty feet if an inch." + +"That was only a taste," grinned Mr. Lewis, with a wink at Bob's +father. "Howard and I have often seen them forty feet or more." + +As they penetrated deeper into the jungle, the vegetation became +denser and consequently more difficult to pass through. Often the sun +was entirely hidden from view by the thick canopy of foliage above, +and the explorers found themselves in a sort of twilight. At other +times they would emerge from the leafy depths and make their way over +wide plains under the fierce tropical sun. + +But despite many difficulties of the trail, the expedition made good +time and by night had covered a good many miles. They camped beside a +narrow, winding stream, which looked as if it were several yards deep. + +"Bet there's fish in there," remarked Joe, peering into the dark water +of the stream. + +Noko overheard the remark and understood. + +"Um big fish dare," the native said, his eyes following those of Joe. +"Dey good eat." + +"That's an idea," mused Bob. "Why not try our luck at fishing?" + +"Sure." Joe was more than willing. + +The youths got out their tackle and fashioned crude poles out of tree +branches. Then, sitting a short distance apart on the bank, they +waited silently, while the naturalists looked on with interest. + +Suddenly, when it had been in the water but a few minutes, Joe's float +was drawn completely under the water with such force that the pole +was almost snatched out of the youth's hands. + +"Pull!" exclaimed Bob in a loud whisper. + +Joe obeyed, but found that to do this was harder than he had +anticipated. But with the aid of his chum the catch was drawn out +easily. + +All uttered startled exclamations at sight of it. + +"A tiger fish," pronounced Mr. Lewis. "Only a small one, though." + +"Small one?" cried Joe, wheeling about. "What are you talking about, +Dad? Bet that fish weighs ten pounds!" + +"Maybe so," Mr. Lewis returned. "But it isn't uncommon to catch tiger +fish that weigh as much as twenty pounds. In fact, Howard hooked one +in the Zambezi River that tipped the scales at forty-two." + +"No!" Bob and Joe both looked up in amazement. + +"That's right," vouched Mr. Holton. "It was the biggest I've ever +caught." + +During the next fifteen minutes Joe caught four more of the big fish, +none, however, being as large as the first one. Then, using the +knowledge gained on other exploration ventures, he dressed them and +placed them over the fire. + +"Doggone the luck!" growled Bob. "I didn't get a single bite. This +big bum here walks off with a whole river full." + +"Cheer up," consoled Mr. Holton. "You can at least share the eating of +them." + +"Yeah," put in Joe. "You can take a whiff at them." + +The tiger fish proved good eating and were a welcome addition to the +usual menu. + +"And now," began Mr. Lewis, stretching out to retire after two hours +of chatting, "we'd better get to sleep. Noko says we'll run into a +native village tomorrow. That may delay us for a while." + +Shortly before noon of the next day the explorers heard a chorus of +shouts and yells, which came from around a bend, and they soon found +themselves facing a large group of natives. + +Noko at once fell into conversation with the chief, with whom he was +well acquainted. They talked for several minutes, and in the end the +chief motioned for the safari to follow him into the village. + +That village the two youths found very interesting. It was made up of +several rows of thatched huts, about which sat natives dozing or +conversing. Apparently there was no work being done, the natives +probably resting to escape the terrible heat of the sun. + +The chief escorted the safari to his own huge hut, where he asked that +they remain for a while. The bearers were glad to do as requested, so +as to get out of the fierce heat. And as Mr. Holton and Mr. Lewis were +also reluctant to continue the journey at this time of day, they also +consented. + +Both the naturalists had picked up a good knowledge of the native +language on their frequent trips to Africa and so had no difficulty in +taking part in the conversation. They translated occasionally to Bob +and Joe. + +During the course of the talk the chief mentioned something that was +of great interest to Mr. Lewis and Mr. Holton, and also to the chums. +The section around the village was being made unsafe for hunting by a +huge, bad-tempered buffalo which would charge any of the natives on +sight. One man had been killed and two others severely wounded by the +beast, and although numerous parties had set out to kill it, they had +so far been unsuccessful in doing so. For some reason the animal never +would wander far from a certain spot near a stream. So dangerous was +the buffalo that the villagers were afraid to go to the stream to get +water and had to follow a roundabout trail. + +When the chief had finished, Mr. Lewis spoke up at once. + +"We"--indicating Mr. Holton, the youths, and himself--"will make a +special effort to kill that buffalo," he told the chief in the native +tongue. "We would like to kill the animal and take it back to our own +country to show the people. Will you help us?" + +The head native was delighted. Certainly he would help. If the bad +animal could be killed, he would be very grateful to the whites, and +would present them with several wild animal skins. + +"It is agreed, then," Mr. Holton said to the chief. "We will set out +this afternoon." + +"This is going to be good," mused Bob, giving his chum a nudge in the +ribs. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +The Buffalo Charges + + +Afternoon did not come any too soon for Bob and Joe. By one o'clock +the youths had their cameras and rifles in readiness and were eagerly +awaiting word from their fathers to begin the hunt. + +At last the word came. The chief of the tribe had organized a party of +ten natives, of which he was the head. They intended to do all they +could to aid the whites in seeking out the buffalo. + +"Stick close, boys," advised Mr. Lewis, speaking to Bob and Joe. +"There's no telling how dangerous that animal may be." + +The Americans were led by the chief, who directed them out of the +village and toward the stream near which the beast stayed. The trail +they followed was overgrown somewhat by the heavy plant growth, +indicating that it had not been in use for some time. + +Joe carried a camera, while Bob, as the best shot of the two, had a +high-powered rifle. Both youths looked ahead in eager anticipation. + +"Here's hoping I can get a good picture of him," said Joe, keeping his +camera in readiness. "Movies of a buffalo hunt! Sounds good, doesn't +it?" + +"And I'm going to try to be the gink that pots him off," came from +Bob, inspecting his rifle. "He won't live long if he gets one of these +high-velocity bullets in his hide." + +Mr. Holton looked around. + +"Don't take any chances, Son," he warned. "Better not fire till Ben or +I give the word. There's nothing quite as bad as a wounded buffalo." + +Bob looked at his chum and groaned. + +"Guess the honor won't go to me after all," he said. + +It was a distance of about a half mile to the stream. The hunting +party made good time, reaching the stream before anyone had expected. + +"Now where's that buffalo?" queried Joe, as he pushed the release on +his movie camera. + +"Shhh!" hissed Mr. Holton. "I thought I heard a grunt just then. +Listen!" + +"You're right, Howard," murmured Mr. Lewis. "There's something over in +those bushes." + +They had not long to wait. Suddenly there came a loud grunt, and a +moment later a huge buffalo appeared and faced them. Huge and +ferocious looking, it seemed a very symbol of power. + +"He's going to charge!" cried Bob, raising his rifle. "Look out, Mr. +Lewis!" + +Joe's father acted on the moment, aiming and firing with unusual +rapidity. He pumped still another shot into the tough hide. + +But the buffalo is possessed of an enormous amount of vitality and +often retain enough energy to make a fatal charge, even though +mortally wounded. So it was with this beast. It lunged toward Mr. +Lewis, who had fired the second barrel of his rifle. + +"Get him, somebody!" shouted the naturalist, preparing to run. "Hurry! +I can't reload in time." + +Just then Bob decided on a plan of action. He rushed wildly toward the +animal, shouting at the top of his voice, hoping to divert its +attention from Mr. Lewis, who, unarmed, would be in terrible plight if +the beast should charge him. + +His plan worked--to a certain extent. Instead of rushing at Mr. Lewis, +the infuriated animal singled out Joe. The latter was operating the +camera, and at first did not notice the oncoming foe. + +"Look out!" yelled Bob. "Get out of the way, Joe! Quick, or you're a +goner!" + +Joe heard just in time to step quickly to one side, his eyes wide with +an awful fear. + +_Bang! Bang!_ Two reports rent the air, and each bullet found its +mark. Mr. Holton and Bob stood with smoking rifles awaiting results. +They made ready to fire more if necessary. + +But the four cartridges proved more than the brute could stand. +Suddenly it collapsed in a heap, almost at the feet of one of the +natives. + +"Whew!" gasped Joe, wiping the perspiration from his forehead. "That +was what I'd call a close call." + +"Close is right," added Mr. Lewis. "If Bob and Howard hadn't come +across with those two shots--well, it's pretty hard to say just what +would have happened." + +"How did it happen he didn't fall when you hit him, Mr. Lewis?" asked +Bob. "Both of your bullets went to a vital spot." + +"What a buffalo can't stand is hard to mention," Joe's father +responded. "In addition to having a tough hide, they can take almost +any kind of punishment." + +The blacks looked at the hunters with intense admiration, for they had +accomplished a deed that had not been thought possible by natives in +that vicinity. + +The naturalists bent over to skin the animal. Then, observing +something, Mr. Holton uttered a word of surprise. + +"Look here," he pointed out. "There's part of a native spear in the +buffalo's side." + +The naturalist had made no mistake. From the tough hide of the brute a +native spear protruded out several inches. It was rotting with age, +having been wielded many weeks before. + +The chief fell into conversation with the scientists, telling them +that one of his warriors had thrust the weapon into the buffalo some +time before, but apparently without result. + +"That accounts for his unusually bad temper," said Mr. Lewis. "He was +probably aggravated by the wound caused by the spear and was ready for +trouble at the slightest chance." + +The skinning process was completed at last, and the skin was carried +back to the village by the natives. + +On arriving at the settlement, the Americans were given a royal +welcome by those who had not gone on the hunt. The simple blacks +danced around the explorers happily, rejoicing that the dangerous +buffalo had been killed. + +"_Mbogo okuri!_" seemed to be the prevalent words spoken by the +blacks. + +"What are they saying?" inquired Bob. + +"That means 'the buffalo is dead,'" explained his father. + +The chief did as he had promised and gave the naturalists several +valuable animal skins which he or his men had secured. Among them was +that of a leopard, an ant bear, and a serval cat. And in addition the +naturalists had the buffalo skin. + +"Fortunate for us that we arrived in the village when we did," smiled +Mr. Holton. "As a result of timing so well, we got several worth-while +trophies." + +"And had a lot of fun at it, too," put in Bob. + +"Speaking of fun," went on his father, "we'll have plenty of that +tonight." + +"How's that?" asked Joe. + +"The chief is going to prepare a feast in our honor," was the answer. + +"A feast?" repeated Bob. "What will there be to eat?" + +Mr. Holton laughed. + +"Perhaps it would be better not to know that," he chuckled. "But we'll +have to eat a little, or at least to make a big show of it. The +buffalo meat won't taste so bad, though." + +The short remainder of the afternoon passed slowly, the boys and their +elders resting in the hut furnished them. They did not care to do +anything now but take it easy until nightfall. And while they sat they +tried to fancy just what would take place at the coming feast. + +Darkness came at last, and with it the usual chill of night. The +explorers were glad indeed when some of the chief's men built huge +roaring fires, about which the celebration was to take place. + +At a call from the head native practically all of the simple villagers +assembled in the great open space beside the fires. The reflection +made bright perhaps a hundred black faces, all solemn. + +The noisy chattering ceased abruptly as the big chief took his place +before the group. Even Bob and Joe were impressed by the solemnity of +the ceremony. + +During the next five minutes the head native delivered a long speech, +to which everyone listened closely. Bob and Joe, however, could not +understand a word. They were tiring of listening when the chief +stopped and took his place in the center of the group. + +"Wonder what's coming next?" mused Joe. + +His question was answered a little later. A large number of natives +rose and moved over to the fires. Soon they engaged in a wild dance, +one that the youths had never witnessed before. + +Bob had fitted a camera with a night lens, and was "purring" away at +the yelling throng, delighted at such an unusual opportunity. + +The dancing lasted for nearly an hour. Shortly after, the food was +served, consisting of wild herbs, berries, and roasted meat. Although +Bob and Joe were ignorant of the exact contents of the various +courses, they ate of practically everything, not finding the taste as +bad as they had anticipated. + +Following the meal there was another wild dance, which ended with a +loud burst of applause. Then, after a few more short speeches, the +celebration came to an end. + +"What did you think of it?" chuckled Mr. Lewis, as he prepared to +retire. + +"It certainly wasn't tame," answered Bob with a smile. + +"Got it all over a football game," added Joe. + +Early the next morning the explorers were up making preparations to +leave the village and continue their journey. They had everything in +readiness by eight o'clock, and bidding the chief and his people +good-bye, the safari made its way up the path. + +"Now towards the Forest of Mystery," said Mr. Lewis, glad to again be +on the trail. + +They hiked steadily for several days without anything of note +happening. The jungle became denser as they penetrated deeper toward +the little-known regions. And with this luxuriance of plant life came +an abundance of wild animals and birds. The naturalists and Bob +demonstrated their skill with a rifle often by bringing down not a few +unusual specimens, while Joe usually stuck to his movie camera. + +On one occasion they had been traveling over a wide plain, one that +was several miles across, and were nearing a jungle when suddenly Joe +caught sight of something lying in the tall grass beside the jungle. + +He started to move over to the object, but Mr. Holton called him back. + +"Wait," cautioned the naturalist, raising his rifle. "Don't go over +there without a gun. It might be a lion." + +They advanced slowly for several rods. Then they became aware of an +unpleasant odor. + +"I think I know everything now," said Mr. Lewis, and Bob's father +nodded. "That's a dead animal--probably an antelope. It has been +killed by some other animal--a lion, maybe." + +As they advanced they kept their eyes open for any dangerous creature +that might return to the carcass, but saw nothing. + +Mr. Lewis had surmised correctly. The kill was a wildebeest, a member +of the antelope family. It had apparently been dead only a short time, +and only a little of the flesh was torn from the body. + +"What do you suppose killed that?" asked Bob. + +"_Simba_ [lion]," spoke up Noko at once. + +"You think so?" queried Mr. Lewis. + +Noko nodded vigorously. + +"_Simba_ he come back night. Eat all _simba_ want of _nyumbu_." + +"He may come back tonight," said Mr. Lewis, "but he won't eat all he +wants." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +Two Ferocious Specimens + + +"What do you mean by that remark, Mr. Lewis?" asked Bob wonderingly. +"Why won't the lion eat all he wants?" + +"Simply that he won't live long enough," was the answer. + +"What? You mean we're going to shoot him?" persisted Bob. + +"Exactly," Joe's father said. "We'll build a _boma_--that's a thorn +enclosure--and hide behind it. Then when the lion comes to devour this +carcass we'll pot him off. Howard and I would like especially to have +a good lion skin, and this seems to be a wonderful opportunity. Of +course, the museum wants several, but whether they get that many we'll +have to wait and see." + +Under the naturalists' directions they set about constructing the +thorn enclosure. They built this but a short distance from the kill, +so as to get a good view of the lion when and if the latter should +return. The task was completed just before dusk. + +A cold supper was served, so as to prevent the possibility of a fire +frightening the lion if it should be in that vicinity. Then, rising +from the meal, the explorers made their way to the _boma_. + +"You know," began Mr. Holton uneasily, "I feel a little ashamed to +hunt that animal this way. This sort of thing is generally considered +unsportsmanlike." + +"True," Joe's father said at once. "But still, chances like this don't +come often. And when at very infrequent intervals they do come, I'm in +favor of taking advantage of them." + +As the darkness closed in on them, Bob held his rifle tighter, Joe +focused the movie camera. Mr. Lewis and Mr. Holton, too, waited +breathlessly. + +Soon a majestic moon rose over the vast wilderness, making it almost +as light as day. The rustling of the wind gave way to a chorus of wild +animal screams. + +Suddenly Bob and Joe heard something that struck terror to their +hearts. It was the most hideous sound they had ever listened to. + +"Wh-what was that?" demanded Joe breathlessly. + +"Only a hyena," returned his father. "That's what they call the +laughing of the hyena. It isn't often that one can hear it." + +Mr. Lewis pointed to something not five feet away. + +There, making its way slowly toward the carcass, was a large jackal, +which was soon joined by three others. They were moving stealthily, as +though undecided whether to sample the dead wildebeest. + +"Look," whispered Bob. "There are two hyenas. They're going to risk +eating, I guess." + +The jackals and hyenas formed a circle about the carcass and began to +tear away at the flesh. Near as they were to the _boma_, they could +easily have been shot by the hunters. + +"If the lion doesn't hurry there won't be anything left for him," +whispered Bob. + +"Maybe he's forgotten all about coming," suggested Joe, who was +filming the scene. + +Mr. Holton shook his head. + +"He'll be here," the naturalist said. "Just taking his time, that's +all." + +As the minutes wore on, the waiting hunters were becoming more +impatient. They twisted about uneasily, hoping that before long +something would happen. Then it did. + +"Listen!" hissed Mr. Holton. "Something's coming this way. Hear it?" + +"What is it?" inquired Joe. + +Before anyone could attempt to answer, there came a terrible growl, +and the next moment a huge lion broke through the foliage of the +near-by jungle. It rushed angrily at the circle of jackals and hyenas. + +The latter saw it coming and at once took flight, all escaping but one +big hyena. + +With a tremendous blow of one of its huge claws, the lion broke the +hyena's back and sent it rolling over the ground. With a convulsive +twitch it straightened out, dead. + +The breathless hunters had watched the tragedy with a terrible +fascination, keeping on the alert for any emergency. All knew there +was a possibility that the lion might catch their scent, even though +there was little or no wind. It was this that made the naturalists and +Bob tighten their grips on their rifles. + +With a deep, vibrating roar that seemed to roll along the ground, the +lion looked around defiantly. Then, apparently satisfied that nothing +was near to disturb him, he bent his efforts toward eating the +carcass. + +"Get ready," said Mr. Holton in a very low whisper, throwing his gun +to his shoulder. "When I give the word, fire." + +Bob aimed carefully at the beast's heart; Joe cranked away at the +movie camera. + +"Fire!" said Mr. Holton in a loud voice. + +Three rifle shots rent the air. The lion turned on the instant, then +collapsed in a heap. + +"Hurrah!" yelled Joe, jumping to his feet. "Killed him dead as a door +nail. Good----" + +"Look out!" shouted Mr. Lewis suddenly. "There's another. A lioness!" + +Bob worked furiously to push the bolt on his rifle. But before he had +done so, the guns of his father and Mr. Lewis spoke. + +The bullets stopped the brute for only a second. Then, with a horrible +roar, it plunged toward the _boma_. Before the two naturalists could +again aim and fire, it would be upon them! + +Then, when things hung in the balance, Bob pulled the trigger. + +There was a convulsive leap as the lioness groaned out her last +breath. She fell to the ground with a dull thud and lay still. + +"Good work," commented Joe. "That bullet of yours came in just at the +right time." + +"It certainly did," put in Mr. Lewis. "Of course, Howard and I might +have gotten her, but then again, we might not." + +As an added precaution, the naturalists put another bullet into each +of the lions. After waiting a few moments for any more of the big +beasts to appear, they went out to examine the ones they had killed. + +"Whoppers, all right," remarked Joe. "This big one here must be at +least nine feet long from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail." + +"Both are unusually fine specimens," declared Mr. Lewis, as he removed +his long hunting knife. + +The Americans were soon joined by Noko and several of the bearers, who +were attracted to the scene by the rifle shots. + +Noko uttered a cry of surprise at the sight of the beasts. + +"Um big _simba_," he said, his eyes on the dead lions. "Dey bad +_simba_. Um very bad." + +"Bad's the right word for it," said Joe gravely. "They wouldn't have +left a grease spot of us if given the chance. But they'll not cause +any trouble now." + +It required a long while for the scientists to complete the task of +skinning the lions, but at last they finished and moved back to camp. + +The whites received much praise from the bearers, who recognized at +once that the brutes had been unusually dangerous. The blacks' respect +for the hunters appeared to be increased greatly. For anyone who could +bring down such vicious adversaries as these must be fearless and +daring. + +The youths and their fathers did not remain up much longer. After the +strenuous day they were more than ready for a good rest. + +"Sleep well," was the last Mr. Lewis said as he repaired to the tent. + +But somehow Bob did not sleep well. Try as he did he could not divert +his thoughts from the exciting lion hunt. True, he was sleepy and +somewhat tired, but notwithstanding this he could not keep his eyelids +closed. + +He thought of going out to join the _askari_, or native guard, who was +keeping watch some thirty feet away. But he changed his mind and +decided to make another attempt to fall asleep. + +Suddenly he sat up with a start, straining his eyes to make out the +jungle more easily. What was that he had heard? It sounded like +stealthily moving feet. + +"Maybe there's another lion prowling around," the youth thought, +picking up his rifle. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +A Pitiful Sight + + +With the passing moments, the padding noise grew louder. Bob raised +his rifle to fire. If any wild beast was intent upon charging camp, he +would be ready to give it a royal welcome, the youth thought. + +Then he caught sight of what resembled two luminous beads. They were +slowly moving closer to the camp. + +As Bob watched, he saw that a huge hyena was making its way toward the +two lion skins. The beast probably intended to grab the trophies in +its powerful jaws and flee. + +"Here goes," Bob murmured, and taking careful aim at the hyena he +fired. + +At once the brute stiffened out and then lay still. The bullet had +done its work well, entering the brain. + +Mr. Lewis and Mr. Holton came running out, followed by Noko and +several others. They looked inquiringly at Bob. + +"What happened?" asked Joe, who had also been aroused. + +"Nothing much," laughed Bob. "I shot a hyena, that was all. It was +going after those lion skins." + +"Hmm. Good work, Son." Mr. Holton stooped over to examine the body of +the hyena. + +"Thought you were asleep, you rascal," chuckled Mr. Lewis. + +"Somehow I couldn't keep from thinking about shooting those lions," +said Bob. "I had a notion to get up and walk around a little, but +finally decided to stay where I was. Then I heard the hyena." + +The youths and their fathers again retired, after the latter had +instructed the guard to keep a close watch for any other night +marauders. + +But nothing further disturbed the peace, and they awoke the next +morning ready for anything the day might bring. + +Breakfast over, the safari again took up its long journey. + +As the explorers penetrated deeper into the African wilds they saw new +and marvelous sights: strange rocky formations; tall, flowering trees; +unusual animals. It seemed to Bob and Joe that every minute was a bit +more exciting than the one preceding it. One day they left a long +stretch of jungle behind and found themselves on a wide level plain. + +"Look over there and tell me what you see," said Joe to his chum. + +"Why--it's a herd of elephants!" gasped Bob. "Look, Mr. Lewis, Dad!" + +"Wonderful sight, isn't it?" Mr. Holton gazed in interest. + +The naturalists decided to make camp on the plain, so as to get a +short rest before again entering the jungle. Then, when the hot +afternoon sun would become less oppressive, they would plunge on +toward the Forest of Mystery. + +"While you're resting here, suppose Joe and I explore around a +little," said Bob, picking up his rifle. + +"We-ll--all right, boys," returned Mr. Holton, with a look at Joe's +father. "But don't take any chances. And don't wander too far from +camp." + +Glad of the chance to be on their own, the chums walked over the plain +toward the herd of distant animals. + +"Maybe we can plug an elephant," grinned Joe, "purring" the movie +camera. + +"Maybe," came from the other. "But then maybe not. It would be +dangerous to tackle that herd single-handed. Suppose they'd charge +us. Then where would we be?" + +"Probably on our faces in the dirt," Joe said. "Or +perhaps"--grinning--"flying through the air." + +"Doesn't sound very nice, does it?" asked Bob. "No, we'd better be +content to watch those elephants from a safe distance." + +"Shucks!" Joe frowned. "I want pictures of them. How am I going to get +them without getting close?" + +"All right. Have it your own way. But I'm not going to take any +chances." + +Cautiously the boys stalked through the high grass toward the elephant +herd. Luckily the wind was blowing in their faces, so that the +elephants did not catch the human scent. And as these huge brutes have +comparatively short eyesight, the chums were able to move very close. + +"How's this?" asked Bob. + +"Up a little farther," urged Joe, holding the camera ready. + +They were within twenty yards of the huge lumbering beasts and were +naturally looking on with great interest. + +There was a thick growth of tall bushes a little to one side. Joe +suggested that they plunge into this so as to be able to get nearer to +the elephants. + +Then they heard a loud crashing noise, the sound of a heavy body +plunging through the brush. It was coming from around a bend in a +narrow trail. + +"What's that?" Bob stopped and listened. + +"More than I know. Maybe some wild animal. Sounds---- Look out, Bob! a +big elephant!" + +There was terror in Joe's voice. He looked to his chum to use his +rifle. + +A second later the huge head of a charging elephant appeared, its +trunk thrown into the air, its eyes glaring. It must have been over +ten feet high, for it towered far above the two youths. + +Acting on the instant, Bob and Joe darted quickly to one side, their +only thought being safety from grave danger. + +Bob threw his rifle to his shoulder and fired. + +"You got him!" cried Joe. "But it doesn't seem to stop him." + +"Hide's too tough," his chum said. + +The charging beast could not turn as quickly as did the youths. It +went plunging on through the bushes. Apparently it had no intention of +seeking out its enemies, for it continued through the heavy growth and +disappeared behind a low spreading tree. + +Bob and Joe were in a state of high excitement after their thrilling +encounter. Perspiration was dripping from their bodies; their breath +was coming in short gasps. + +"Too bad I was too scared to take movies of that charge," moaned Joe. +"They'd sure have been interesting." + +"You ought to be glad you're here," said Bob. "Let's get back to the +safari." + +The chums had not gone far on the plain when they met their fathers +and Noko, who had set out to secure a better view of the distant herd +of elephants. + +"We heard a rifle shot," said Mr. Lewis. "What was the meaning of it?" + +The youths looked at each other. They had been a bit foolish in moving +so close to the elephants, especially since neither carried a rifle +large enough to be effective against such large brutes. + +"An elephant charged us," said Bob at last. + +"He did? Tell us about it." Mr. Holton's interest was aroused at once. + +Aided by his friend, Bob related the encounter as accurately as he +could. + +When he had finished, the naturalists looked grave. + +"You shouldn't take chances like that, boys," Mr. Holton said. "Luck +can't hold out forever, you know." + +They trekked back to camp, where they remained for a few hours longer. +Then, thoroughly refreshed, they resumed the march. + +Farther on, the youths caught sight of a large group of giraffes which +towered above the small, stunted trees about them. Other, more +graceful, animals could be seen. + +The explorers emerged from a dense growth of bushes when they suddenly +saw something that moved them to pity. + +Standing unsteadily, its legs trembling, its eyes glazed, was a large +eland, which was evidently at the point of death. The poor animal +remained on its feet only with the greatest of difficulty. + +But something else caused the explorers to be still more touched. +Three vultures were circling around the stricken animal, waiting for +it to fall. + +"Look over there," murmured Bob, pointing to something at the edge of +the bushes. + +A trio of hyenas was also waiting silently for the eland to die. They +never took their eyes from the animal, although they made no move to +action. + +"There's work here," said Mr. Lewis, raising his rifle. "We must put +that poor animal out of its misery." + +"And I'm going to plug those doggone hyenas," muttered Bob. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +Moments of Horror + + +Two reports rent the air. Without an outcry the big eland collapsed. A +hyena, too, had been hit by Bob's rifle. + +"One good turn done," said Mr. Lewis, handing his rifle to his gun +bearer. + +"Wait till I shoot the rest of those hyenas," came from Bob, who was +taking aim with a high-velocity .22 rifle. + +"Um get bigger gun. No kill um with little gun." Noko was watching Bob +curiously. + +"Watch me and see," smiled Bob. + +Using his knowledge of marksmanship, the youth killed all of the +hyenas by sending bullets through the eye to the brain. The stupid +animals had not made the slightest move to flee, even though they saw +their companions go down. + +But scarcely had the cloud of smoke lifted when the explorers saw +something else making for the body of the eland. Three large black +vultures perched on the carcass. + +More carefully aimed bullets from Bob's rifle finished them instantly. + +"Ready now?" chuckled Mr. Holton. + +"Sure," Bob answered. "That job's over. Somehow I couldn't leave +without letting those hyenas and vultures have it." + +A little farther on, the adventurers came to a narrow trail that wound +through the tall grass. As it headed in their direction, they followed +it. + +For the last ten minutes Bob and Joe had fallen to the rear of the +safari. Now, when they returned to join their fathers, Mr. Lewis +turned to them. + +"Noko says there may be a native village a little farther on," he +said. "Howard and I think it might be best to make for it, because the +blacks may be able to tell us of some big game in this vicinity. We'd +like especially to have a fine leopard skin." + +"Leopard! Boy! Sounds exciting," grinned Joe. "Here's hoping we see +one--or more, for that matter." + +They trudged on for over an hour. Then, when they were beginning to +fear that no village was near, they rounded a bend in the bushes and +found themselves facing a group of thatched huts. + +"Came to it at last," mused Bob. "But--where are the people? Looks +like nobody's at home." + +"Maybe they've gone visiting," remarked Joe with a laugh. + +Mr. Holton suggested that they move on into the village to see if +there was any evidence of recent human habitation. + +Leaving the bearers at a little clearing to wait, the four Americans +and Noko walked toward the grass huts, keeping on the alert for +anything human or animal. + +"Looks like it's deserted, all right," remarked Joe. "Not a soul +anywhere." + +"What's that?" cried Bob suddenly, stopping at once. + +"What?" questioned his chum. + +"Sounded like---- Come on, Joe. Let's go around this hut and see what +we can see." + +The youths left the naturalists and Noko and made their way to the +other side of a large thatched house. + +Then, horror stricken, they saw what had caused Bob to utter his +sudden exclamation. + +Coiled but a few scant feet away was a long black mamba, the most +poisonous snake of Africa. It was eyeing the human invaders staringly, +apparently with evil purpose. + +For one awful moment the youths gazed in terrible fascination, unable +to take their eyes from the hideous reptile. Then, sensing the need +for flight, they turned to leave. But they hesitated. + +"It's going to strike!" gasped Joe. "And neither of us has a gun!" + +Bob looked about wildly for some club or other weapon with which to +defend himself and his friend, but saw none. For a second he thought +of turning to run, but he soon realized that the deadly snake could +probably move much faster than could he. + +What greatly puzzled the youths was why the mamba appeared to be +taking the aggressive. Perhaps, however, it was angered because +frightened. + +Just then the youths heard a shout from Mr. Lewis and then the report +of a rifle. + +The snake's head was shattered into a horrid pulp, which almost +sickened the boys. It writhed about feebly, then was still. + +Mr. Lewis and Mr. Holton rushed toward their sons. + +"You sure fired that shot in time," said Bob with a shudder. "I was +beginning to think it was all over with us." + +"It was a terribly narrow escape," breathed Mr. Holton, wiping the +perspiration from his brow. "We should have warned you about mambas." + +"Why?" asked Bob. "They aren't here any more than anywhere else, are +they?" + +"Yes," returned Mr. Holton emphatically. "A deserted village nearly +always contains at least one mamba. For some reason they like to pick +on such a place. But the main thing now," he added, "is that you're +still alive." + +With one last glance at the dead reptile the explorers turned toward +the safari. As they passed through the village they kept a close watch +for any more of the dreaded snakes, but saw none near. They did see +another quite a distance away, although it did not apparently catch +sight of them. + +"I've been wondering just where the villagers are and why they left +their huts," remarked Mr. Lewis, when they had rejoined the others of +the expedition. + +"Maybe those mambas drove them out," suggested Bob, but Noko shook his +head. + +"No rain now, and dey go to place where is water," was the opinion +voiced by the head native. + +"By Jupiter! Perhaps you're right, Noko," exclaimed Joe's father. +"Well, then, if that is true, there is no use waiting for them to +return. Let's go." + +Under the expert leadership of the veteran Noko, the expedition was +making good time toward the little-known Forest of Mystery. If their +luck should hold, they would reach it in but a few days. + +"According to Mr. Seabury, back in Mombasa, we should come to a very +wide, shallow stream. A little beyond this is the Forest of Mystery," +said Mr. Holton, as that night they were camped at the foot of a +little knoll. "We should be nearing that stream now." + +Mention of this out-of-the-way place revived the name of Thomas +Seabury, the missing brother of the man in Mombasa. + +"Wonder if we'll find him," mused Joe, gazing off into the dark depths +of the jungle. + +"Hard telling," returned his friend. "About all we can do is to ask +natives if they have seen or heard of him. And if they haven't--well, +it doesn't look like there'll be much chance of coming across him." + +"You're right, Bob," affirmed Mr. Lewis. "Africa is a very large +place, and he might have left that unknown forest long before. But +we'll certainly do all we can to locate him." + +For two successive days the safari plunged on steadily without coming +to the stream. + +Late in the afternoon the explorers were crossing a stretch of open +country when suddenly Mr. Lewis called a halt. He pointed to +something that was coming toward them. + +It was an impala, a species of antelope, and was evidently in the last +stage of exhaustion. Running wildly and without aim, the animal was a +pitiable sight. + +Then the adventurers saw something else. Two African hunting dogs were +pursuing the impala and were gaining rapidly. In but a short time they +would be upon it. + +"Quick!" exclaimed Mr. Holton, grasping his rifle from its bearer. "We +must shoot those dogs before they get that fine big antelope. Ben, you +take the one ahead. I'll pick the one behind. Now!" + +_Bang! Crack!_ + +The sound of the guns was mingled with a last cry from one of the +hunting dogs as it rolled over. The other had been killed instantly. + +"Two less pests in the world," murmured Mr. Lewis, and then, turning +to Bob and Joe: "All the hunters in Africa couldn't kill off as many +beautiful harmless animals as the African hunting dog." + +"Why? How do they do it?" inquired Joe. + +"They usually hunt in packs," his father replied. "And the antelope or +other animal that they go after is as good as doomed. They never give +up till they get the one they're after. Worst thing is, they kill new +animals every day and eat only a small part of the flesh. Then they +single out more." + +"The pests!" growled Bob. "From now on I'm going to plug every one I +see. They----" + +He did not finish, for just at that moment the party emerged from a +thick jungle growth to see a wide stream just ahead. Beyond it was an +endless mass of towering trees, which grew so close together as to +form a veritable jungle. + +Bob uttered a cry of delight. + +"The Forest of Mystery!" he broke out. "We've found it!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +Into the Forest of Mystery + + +"I believe you're right, Son," observed Mr. Holton, his eyes scanning +the landscape. "This is certainly the wide stream that George Seabury +said we'd see. Then too, Thompson, that naturalist we saw in San +Francisco, mentioned it." + +"That distant forest sure looks mysterious," remarked Joe, gazing +ahead at the mass of towering trees. "How large is it?" + +"A good many miles across," Mr. Lewis answered. "In fact, several +score. And all heavy, untrodden wilderness." + +"So much the better for us," smiled Bob. "But say. How are we going to +cross this wide stream? Must be nearly a quarter of a mile to the +other side." + +"Hardly that," laughed his father. "But to answer your question: if +the water isn't too deep, we'll ford it; but if this isn't possible, +we'll have to build rafts." + +Noko thought it advisable to cross before night and make camp on the +other side. + +The head native walked down to the bank and waded out into the water. +Much as the explorers had expected, it was shallow, not reaching to +the waist. + +The whites donned their hip boots and, led by Noko, waded out into the +stream. They were followed by the bearers and guards. + +Although the water was sluggish and dirty, the going was good, and the +adventurers reached the opposite bank in rapid time. There Bob and Joe +and the naturalists removed their high boots and made ready to pitch +the tents, as darkness was not far off. + +"I can hardly wait to get into that Forest of Mystery," said Joe, +stopping for a moment to glance toward the west. "Something tells me +we'll see sights, all right." + +"Perhaps," came from Bob. "But then, maybe not. It might not be much +different from what we've already passed through." + +As the darkness enshrouded them, several of the natives built huge +fires which sent their warmth far afield. The cold of the African +night was soon forgotten. + +Before long the odor of delicious food made the chums smack their lips +in anticipation. + +"Tomorrow," remarked Mr. Holton during the meal, "we may see sights +for sore eyes." + +"And tomorrow can't come any too soon for me," put in Joe. + +Nothing happened during the night. The next morning all were up early +preparing to plunge into the little-known forest. They had their +belongings packed in record time and were soon again on the march. + +They covered the distance to the forest sooner than expected. All felt +the blood tingle in their veins as they entered the dense leafy +depths. For in the fastness of this unexplored place could be almost +anything. + +"Keep your guns in readiness," warned Mr. Lewis. "There's no telling +when we may need them." + +"Wish we'd see a gorilla--like that big one in the circus," mused Joe. + +"Gorillas live only in certain places, chiefly in mountainous +regions," explained Mr. Holton. "It is very unlikely that we'll run +across any. But of course we can't be sure." + +If the jungle had been dense before, it was almost impenetrable now. +More than once the explorers received cuts and bruises from sharp +thorns. Their high shoes protected them from most snakes, the dreaded +mamba being one exception. So, although there were difficulties of the +trail, the adventurers forgot them in their eagerness to explore. + +Farther on they came to something that made them gasp in wonder. + +Before them, in an open space, was a large hill of earth that must +have been at least forty feet high. Very wide at the base, it tapered +up like a cone. + +"Don't tell us this is an ant hill," muttered Bob, as he and the +others stopped to examine it. + +"It is just that," smiled his father. "Whopper, isn't it?" + +"Biggest yet," pronounced Joe. "And just think, it was built by +countless little white ants." + +As he stood looking at the hill, Joe noticed his chum going around to +one side. + +"What are you going to do?" Joe inquired. + +Bob answered the question by climbing the side of the hill. Apparently +he found the task easy, for he was soon halfway to the top. In a short +time he had reached it and was looking down at his father and friends. + +"Fine view," he smiled, gazing off into the depths of the forest. +"That is, it would be if there weren't so many trees around. One good +thing, though: I can see over the bushes and jungle growth." + +"Anything worth while around here?" queried Joe. + +Bob did not answer for a moment. Then suddenly his gaze remained fixed +on something off in the distance. + +"I believe--yes, that's what it is." + +"What?" demanded his father impatiently. "I take it that you see +something of interest." + +"There's a big rhino away over there," the youth said, keeping his +eyes glued to the distant object. + +"A rhino? Where?" Mr. Lewis looked up suddenly. + +"Down that narrow trail over there," was the answer. "It seems to be +coming this way." + +"Climb down from there, Son, and we'll investigate," said Mr. Holton, +taking his rifle. "A rhinoceros hide is what we want above +everything." + +Led by the naturalists, the party followed the narrow trail that Bob +had pointed out. It was well beaten, being probably long used by wild +animals. + +Joe, holding a movie camera, was ready to film any encounter that they +might have. Bob, as usual, carried his rifle. + +But when, fifteen minutes later, they saw no traces of the rhino, the +explorers were ready to give up the chase. For even in that short time +they had gone farther than Bob said the animal had been. + +Just when they were at the point of retracing their footsteps, Joe +burst through a mass of foliage and at once called the others. + +"Look what I've found," he said proudly. "A water hole where wild +animals come to drink. See the tracks on the ground?" + +"Jove!" exclaimed Mr. Holton. "That's exactly what it is. Looks like +about every animal imaginable comes to this place. Here are monkeys' +footprints. And over here are leopard tracks. Wild pigs and buffaloes +have been here, too." + +Joe regarded the naturalists quizzically for a moment. + +"Are we in any special hurry to go on?" he asked. + +"Not especially," returned Mr. Holton. "Why do you ask?" + +"I'd like to take movies of the animals when they come here tonight to +drink," went on Joe. "Why can't we make camp near here?" + +"Hmm!" Mr. Holton considered for a minute. + +"Why not do it, Howard?" asked Joe's father. "After all, this is a +wonderful opportunity for the boys to take movies. And while we're +waiting here, you and I can look around for new specimens." + +"I'm willing," Mr. Lewis said. "We can pitch our tents a few hundred +yards from here so as not to be too near and frighten the animals." + +Noko found a suitable camping spot quite a distance away. After the +tents were erected he set out with Mr. Lewis to explore the +surrounding country for wild life. Bob and Joe remained behind with +Mr. Holton to "take it easy," as Joe remarked. + +Late that afternoon Mr. Lewis and the native returned with several +interesting specimens, among them being a peculiar bird that so far as +the naturalists knew was unknown to the civilized world. + +"Now's when our work comes in," remarked Bob, as he and Joe started +down the path. "We're going to construct a thorn enclosure near that +water hole. Then we can hide behind it and wait for animals to come +tonight to drink. That way we can take moving pictures of them without +their suspecting us." + +"Good idea," said his father. "Need any help?" + +Bob shook his head and with his chum walked to the water hole. There +they built a _boma_, behind which they could hide. They made it look +very natural, so that animals would not become suspicious. + +After an early supper the naturalists and their sons went to the water +hole to wait, leaving Noko behind with the safari. + +Twilight came, and with it a brilliant moon. Darkness soon fell over +the vast forest. + +Their hearts beating rapidly, the two youths waited. They held the +movie cameras ready for instant action. + +"Hark!" said Mr. Lewis suddenly. "What's that noise?" + +"I didn't hear anything," said Bob, straining his ears to listen. + +Then suddenly they heard a most unearthly sound, unlike anything they +had ever known. It was repeated again and again, always more +blood-curdling. Then at last it died away in horrible moanings. + +It was some time before anyone spoke, for all had been not a little +frightened by the uncanny cries. + +"Was that a wild animal?" demanded Joe, who had almost turned pale. + +"I've never heard any wild animal that could make that kind of a +noise," returned Mr. Holton, and Joe's father shook his head. + +"It didn't sound like people, either," came from Joe. "Ugh! Gives me +the shivers. Maybe it was a ghost." + +Mr. Lewis tried to laugh. + +"Use your reason, Son," he said. "There aren't any such things as +ghosts." + +For the time being another much different sound made the explorers +forget the mysterious cries. It was a loud trumpeting that seemed to +come from but a short distance away. + +"Elephants," pronounced Mr. Holton. "They're coming this way." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +The Fury of the Storm + + +While all waited silently, the sound of moving footsteps could be +heard. A little later two huge elephants broke through the foliage and +made for the water hole. They drank great draughts of the refreshing +liquid, and then with their long trunks sluiced themselves thoroughly. + +Bob and Joe watched interestedly. They had but one fear. What if the +purring of the movie cameras could be heard by the huge brutes? Would +they charge the little hidden group, or would they immediately take +flight into the dark recesses of the jungle? + +As the moments passed, the adventurers grew more hopeful. Thus far the +elephants had not heard. Perhaps, after all, the noise was not loud +enough. + +"Listen!" hissed Bob, catching his chum's arm. "Something else is +coming." + +He had scarcely spoken when from another direction emerged a troop of +wildebeests, followed by three zebras. Still more wild creatures +showed up soon after, including an oryx, Thompson's gazelle, +hartebeest, and numerous monkeys. + +"Isn't that a wonderful sight?" whispered Mr. Holton, never taking his +eyes from the scene. + +"Best ever," came from Joe. + +A little later they heard a series of strange grunts, and a huge wart +hog moved in a slow, awkward gait toward the water hole. + +"A drinking place is the best spot there is to see a number of +different kinds of animals side by side," remarked Mr. Lewis, also +speaking in a very low whisper. + +"They don't seem to notice each other," observed Joe. "They just keep +on drinking as though nothing else were there." + +Again footsteps were heard, and with them the sound of a heavy body +crashing through the underbrush. Then there suddenly appeared but a +short distance away a monstrous buffalo, which was also intent upon +satisfying its thirst. + +"Be trouble now," said Bob. + +"Wait and see," smiled his father. + +Much to the boys' surprise the buffalo paid not the slightest +attention to the other animals. It found a place at the pond and +began drinking. + +"That's a new one on me," whispered Bob, and Joe nodded. "Looks like +there'd be trouble, with all those different kinds of creatures there +at once." + +"You see they have a common interest: to quench their thirst," +explained Mr. Lewis. "In such a case peace reigns." + +But ten minutes later the explorers--and very obviously the +animals--heard something that was not so suggestive of peace. It was +the deep, vibrating roar of a lion, which seemed to be coming nearer. + +The effect was immediate. Uneasiness prevailed among the more harmless +animals; some of them turned about and disappeared into the jungle +depths, while others pricked up their ears and listened. + +But there was no mistaking the distant roar. A lion was abroad +stalking for prey. + +As the minutes passed, Mr. Lewis and Mr. Holton held their rifles +ready for instant action. At every second they feared that the lion +would appear. Bob and Joe, although realizing that perhaps their lives +were in danger, continuing to film the scene, delighted at the +unusualness of the occasion. + +Suddenly the explorers' eyes opened wide, for the thing that they +beheld was exceedingly large and powerful. + +A great maned lion moved slowly toward the water hole! + +Their hearts in their mouths, Bob and Joe half expected to see the +beast make toward their _boma_. But it did not. + +Long before, the horde of animals that had been drinking had vanished, +leaving the pond to take refuge from the king of beasts. The great +lion seemed to sense that this had taken place. It uttered a +tremendous roar of defiance, then bent its head to drink. + +"Good chance for a shot," murmured Bob, barely making himself heard. + +But the naturalists shook their heads. + +"One animal is enough to shoot from a _boma_," whispered Mr. Lewis. +"Somehow I feel that it doesn't give them a fair chance." + +They watched the lion silently until the latter finally turned and +left, making its way stealthily over the carpet of twigs and rotting +vines. Then Mr. Holton suggested that they get back to camp. + +"That ought to be about the most interesting scene we've filmed," +remarked Joe the next morning, as with the others he prepared to +leave. + +"No doubt you'll get others when we penetrate deeper into this +forest," said his father. + +Late the next afternoon Noko cast uneasy glances up at the distant +sky. There was a worried look on his face as he lead the safari +farther into the unknown. + +"Um big storm coming," he said with a frown. + +"A storm?" breathed Bob. "Do you think it will be here today?" + +Noko nodded, his face grave. + +"Um storm him not wait," the tall African said. "Storm come much soon. +Sky it getting dark." + +Indeed, the signs were most threatening. The distant horizon was +colored a sickly yellow, which seemed to shine ominously. Dark clouds +were forming overhead and were joining slowly but surely. + +"It certainly looks bad," murmured Mr. Lewis. "We must find shelter +somewhere. Where do you suggest going, Noko?" + +"We find um cave or um-um hollow," returned the head native. "That +only way we get out from um storm." + +A weird silence hovered about. Birds had ceased their calls; monkeys +were no longer chattering in the trees. Not the slightest suggestion +of a wind played through the leaves. + +Under the leadership of Noko they searched about desperately for some +place that would serve as a refuge from the approaching storm. But as +time passed they were still moving through the forest as before. + +Mr. Lewis suggested that they erect their tents, but the tall African +shook his head vigorously. A storm as bad as this one promised to be, +said Noko in the native language, would most certainly tear the frail +tents loose almost at once. For, he reminded them, the new rainy +season was not far off. + +With every passing minute the clouds banked tighter. An odd twilight +enveloped the adventurers, making the task of escaping even more +difficult. + +At one time Bob and Joe caught a glimpse of several monkeys huddled +closely together under a gigantic leaf. The little creatures would +under other circumstances have inspired a smile from the youths. + +"Must hurry," urged Noko, increasing his pace still more. "Must find +um cave um quick." + +Then suddenly, with the fury of a battle, the tropical hurricane was +upon them! + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +Waiting in Dread + + +"Above all, we must try to keep together," warned Mr. Holton, speaking +to the natives as well as the whites. "It might spell tragedy if any +of us should get lost from the rest." + +The rain was falling almost in torrents, soon drenching the +adventurers thoroughly. Wet and miserable, they were haggard-looking +creatures as they stalked through the fastness of the forest. + +Great flashes of uncanny lightning streaked across the sky. They were +followed by ear-splitting bursts of thunder, which resembled nothing +so much as the discharging of heavy cannon. Wind--violent, ruthless +wind--all but blew the explorers to the ground. + +Their hearts beating rapidly, their breath coming in short gasps, they +rushed as fast as possible in a wild search for some shelter from the +elements. And all knew that they must find some place quickly; they +could never withstand the full fury of the storm very long. + +As time passed, the sky grew still darker, until it was utterly +impossible to make out what was ahead. It was only when a violent +streak of eerie lightning would illuminate the sky that they could see +each other. + +"This is terrible!" moaned Joe, struggling to brace himself against +the violent gale. + +The sound of his voice was drowned out, however, in the uproar of the +elements. Nor could anyone else have been heard. + +Bob clutched his friend's arm and held on firmly. They would stick +together through it all, he thought. + +Suddenly the sky was lighted as brightly as day, and there followed a +terrific clap of ear-splitting thunder. It seemed so near that the +travelers jumped back instinctively. + +Then they heard a great forest giant groan and creak and split at the +base. It was very near them, and, not being able to see it, they +feared that perhaps it would fall on them. + +"Look out!" shouted Mr. Lewis, as lightning made the sky bright. "It's +coming down on us!" + +Obeying the command at once, all turned and ran for their lives. It +was torture unthinkable, for in the twilight it was most difficult to +avoid stumbling over vines or running into trees. Still side by side, +Bob and Joe followed their elders desperately, until they thought the +danger was over. + +Barely a few seconds later there was a terrific crash as the forest +giant fell to the ground. It literally shook the earth, so violently +did it strike. + +"A narrow escape!" breathed Bob. "Wouldn't have been much left of us +if that had struck us." + +The youths were a little to one side of the safari and were falling +behind. Realizing this, they hurried to catch up. + +But just at that moment Bob's foot caught in a creeper, and he +sprawled to the ground before he could catch himself. When he fell he +took Joe with him, and together they rolled over on the wet carpet of +leaves and twigs. + +"Hurry!" urged Joe, shouting to make himself heard. "The others are +far ahead of us." + +He helped his friend to his feet and then started off toward where he +thought the safari should be. But Bob called him back. + +"I--I can't make it, I guess," Bob said, wincing with pain. "Sprained +my ankle." + +Joe bent over anxiously and felt of the injured foot. + +"Isn't broken and doesn't seem to be dislocated," he said, +straightening up. "Can't you walk at all?" + +Bob made a heroic attempt but could not move a single step. + +"No use," he said. "Just have to wait a moment, I guess. Maybe--" he +stopped as a clap of thunder drowned out his voice--"it'll quit +hurting before long." + +Joe shouted at the top of his voice to his father and Mr. Holton, +hoping that they would hear and stop. But it was useless. In that +uproar sound would not travel any distance to speak of. + +He removed his revolver from its holster and pulled the trigger. But +no report followed. In some manner water had found its way to the +cartridges. + +Still hoping that Bob would soon be able to walk, he waited, listening +to the pattering of the rain and the bursts of the thunder. If +possible, the hurricane raged even more furiously than before. + +A little later Bob announced that he was able to walk. With his friend +he set off, slowly, of course, but surely. + +But by now the chums had lost all sense of direction. They had not the +slightest notion of where they could find the safari. Perhaps, for all +they knew, it was moving in just an opposite direction. + +Even when the surrounding forest was illuminated by streaks of +lightning the boys could not see far because of the trees. + +"Looks like they're gone," mourned Bob. + +"What'll we do?" + +"Nothing that I know of, only keep on going. It seems to me that they +were traveling this way, but I'm not sure." + +Blinded by the torrents of rain, bruised and cut by the countless +pointed thorns and brambles, the young explorers moved along +painfully, hoping against hope that they would meet up with their +elders or some of the blacks. + +But luck was not with them that day. With every step they were +unknowingly moving farther into the depths of the unknown forest, +instead of following a set course. + +"Looks like we're not going to find them," said Joe, panting for +breath. "But we won't stop now." + +All the remainder of the afternoon the hurricane continued as +violently as before. Then very slowly it began to subside, although +the rain continued to fall. But at least the terrible gale was no +longer blowing, and this was what had bothered the chums most. + +"But where are we?" asked Joe, looking about as the darkness gave way +to dim light. + +The region they were in was one of the wildest they had yet seen. +Gnarled, twisted trees grew in profusion; deep gulches broke the +ground in a number of places; strange, odd plants, including huge +ferns, were everywhere. Once they caught sight of an unusually queer +animal slinking through the underbrush. + +"Maybe we're miles and miles from the safari," said Bob in a voice of +hopelessness. + +"I'm afraid of hostile natives," his chum put in. "It wouldn't be +funny to be captured and carried off into some unknown village." + +The rain had stopped completely now, but darkness was beginning to +close over them. The friends dreaded the coming of night in that wild +country. Alone and unable to build a fire, they would be at the mercy +of savage jungle beasts. + +"Suppose we stop here for the night," suggested Joe. "I'm all in after +fighting that hurricane." + +At a little elevation the youths sat down on a rotting tree trunk, +glad of the chance to rest. They knew there was no use continuing the +search for the safari, for the night was not far off. + +Bob had a few matches in a waterproofed case, but he knew it would be +useless to attempt to light a fire. + +"Guess we'll have to stick it out without anything to eat tonight," +he told his chum. "Then maybe tomorrow we'll find our dads and the +others." + +Secretly the youths feared that for them tomorrow might not come. For +they were alone in the great African jungle and would be easy prey for +lions and other dangerous beasts. But both had their revolvers +strapped to their sides, and, although not nearly as powerful as +rifles, they might spell the difference between life and death. + +Soon the short-lived twilight came, followed shortly by darkness. Then +the moon rose, and it was possible to see fairly well. + +"I'll take the first watch," remarked Joe, an hour later. "You turn in +and sleep for three hours or so. Then you can stand guard." + +Bob asked that he be given the first watch, but Joe would not listen. +Grudgingly Bob agreed to do as suggested and was soon fast asleep. + +As the night wore on, Joe heard a distant yapping of jackals. He also +could make out the howls of hyenas and other animals. Then he heard +another sound, and he sat up with a start. + +A low growl was issuing from behind a patch of jungle growth. It was +repeated again and again, always louder and more defiant. + +Joe grasped his revolver thankfully and remained silent. If the +creature were dangerous, he could only hope that it would keep its +distance. The prospects of killing a lion or leopard with the +revolver, Joe knew, were very slight. + +As the minutes passed, he was beginning to think that the animal had +retreated, when he suddenly became aware of stealthily moving feet. +They seemed to be padding slowly toward him. + +An awful fear seized Joe. If some dangerous brute were stalking him, +intent upon prey, it might well be his end. But, the youth thought, +raising the revolver slowly, it wouldn't get him and Bob without being +at least wounded. + +The seconds went by slowly, painfully. Then, horror-stricken, Joe made +out the huge body of a powerful leopard which was advancing toward +him. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +The White Pigmy Elephant + + +Joe's mind was in a whirl. He thought of jumping up and firing +point-blank at the oncoming leopard, but then he suddenly remembered +that he had not been able to discharge the revolver. Perhaps the +cartridges were still wet. If they were and would not fire, it would +probably spell his finish. + +He thought, too, of waking Bob, but he knew that this would cause a +commotion, which might make the leopard charge without delay. No, Joe +thought, neither of these plans would work. + +Suddenly his face brightened somewhat. A wild scheme was in his mind. +Would it work? + +As undisturbing as possible, the boy reached into his pocket and +removed the little case of matches. Protected by a tightly fitting +cap, they were unaffected by the rain. His movement had been so +cautious that apparently the leopard had not noticed. + +Knowing that the heat of the atmosphere had dried out his shirt to a +considerable degree, he resorted to a desperate measure. With a quick +movement he tore the shirt from his shoulders, struck a match, and +lighted the cloth. + +Almost at once the tiny blaze of the match increased in size until it +was quite large. When satisfied that the cloth was burning +sufficiently, Joe tied it to a twig and, with all the strength he +could muster, threw it at the leopard. + +There was a howl of fear and pain, and then the sound of retreating +footsteps. The beast had vanished into the blackness of the jungle. + +Meanwhile, Bob had jumped to his feet, having been aroused by the +howl. He looked inquiringly at his friend. + +"Anything wrong?" he queried, removing his revolver. + +"Nothing now--I hope," Joe returned, gazing off into the forest. "A +leopard was stalking us. I think he's gone now." + +"Really? Is it gone? What did you do?" + +Joe told of what had happened. When he had finished, his chum regarded +him admiringly. + +"Good for you, old boy," praised Bob, patting his friend on the back. +"I'd have never thought of doing anything like that. But now suppose I +take up the watch for a while. I'll keep on the lookout for that +leopard." + +But Joe refused, saying that his watch was not yet over. + +"I'll call you later," he said, and Bob again retired. + +Toward the end of his guard Joe heard a mysterious cry, similar to +that he had heard several days before. It was most blood-curdling, +sending chills down his spine. Whether it was of animal or human +origin the youth had no idea. + +Bob too heard the unearthly sound later during his watch, and was as +frightened as his chum had been. + +"The Forest of Mystery!" he breathed, looking about rather fearfully. +"Certainly seems mysterious. Things could be happening right at this +minute that nobody knows anything about." + +At the first streak of dawn Bob awoke Joe, although the latter was +still very sleepy. + +"Let me wait a little bit longer," pleaded the latter, rubbing his +eyes. + +But Bob stoutly refused. + +"We'll just have to get going again," he said. "Have to find our dads +and the others as soon as we can." + +Joe knew that this was necessary, and so arose without saying anything +further. + +The boys were obliged to begin the day without any breakfast, although +both were ravenously hungry. They saw several small animals dart +across their path, but decided to lose no time in shooting them. +Delay, they knew, might mean tragedy to them. + +They had not the slightest notion of which way to go in search of the +safari, but they agreed to strike out to the west, as that was the +direction previously taken. + +Along toward noon Bob called his chum over to a little clearing. + +"Look at that strange track," he pointed out. "Was that made by a wild +animal?" + +"Search me," Joe said. "I never saw anything like it before. Looks +like the footprint of a person, only it's much larger, and there +aren't any toe marks." + +The youths recalled the different animals they had come in contact +with and read about. But none, they were sure, could make footprints +anything like this. + +"I'm sure that couldn't have been a monkey--even a gorilla," said Bob, +"because there would be marks of its toes." + +"Let's get out of here," murmured Joe a bit fearfully. "Who knows what +kind of a creature that might have been?" + +They left the spot and plunged on through the forest. Bob removed his +revolver and fired two shots, hoping that they could be heard by the +safari. He refrained from firing more because of the possibility of +needing the bullets in an emergency. + +All morning they hiked on, paying little or no attention to the +country they were passing through. They observed with interest, +however, the results of the hurricane. Tall trees were lying about, +having been struck by lightning; numerous small dead animals could be +seen. + +By noon their hunger had become almost unbearable. Joe managed to +shoot a large duck-like bird, which was at once roasted over a fire. +To the two starved boys, the taste was delicious. + +They stopped only long enough to eat the meal, for every minute of +delay was maddening to them. + +"We've just got to find our party today," said Bob, gritting his +teeth. "If we don't, they'll move so far away that we never will find +them." + +Joe nodded. + +"But then," he reminded his friend, "maybe they'll stick around this +vicinity. They're probably looking for us, too, don't forget. We'll +just----" + +He ceased abruptly and suddenly turned pale. + +The reason was not far to seek. A huge spear had whizzed past his +head, missing it by only a very few inches! + +For some time neither of the youths spoke. They stared fearfully into +the green depths of the forest whence the spear had been thrown. + +Then, seeing no signs of natives, Bob broke the silence. + +"What do you think?" he asked in a low voice, never taking his eyes +from the jungle. + +Joe waited a moment before replying. He had not yet recovered from the +horror that had seized him. + +"I--I don't know what to think," he said tensely. "Savages, cannibals, +maybe." + +"But why don't they attack us?" asked Bob, greatly puzzled. + +"More than I know." + +The youths remained where they were for several minutes, fearful to +move on for fear of being struck from behind. But when after quite a +while nothing more happened they concluded it was safe to go on. + +All through the afternoon they kept a close lookout for savages but +saw none. Nor did they see any traces of human habitation. With every +step they became more mystified. Who had thrown the spear? What was +the object in throwing it? Why had the chums not been attacked? + +"This doggone Forest of Mystery gets on my nerves," said Joe, as late +that afternoon they stopped beside a small spring. "Oh, if we could +only find our safari!" + +After replenishing their water bottles, which were strapped tightly +over their shoulders, the young adventurers continued their frantic +search. + +At a little open space they suddenly caught sight of something that +made them gasp in wonder. + +Moving awkwardly from behind a low hill was the strangest creature +they had ever laid eyes on. It was an unusually small elephant--all +white! + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +Finding One Lost + + +"What do you know about that?" muttered Joe Lewis, staring at the +animal. "A white pigmy elephant! Wouldn't our dads be tickled if they +could see it?" + +"That's an idea," said Bob quickly. "Why can't we shoot it for them?" + +Joe laughed. + +"Impossible," he said. "Why, these revolver cartridges wouldn't even +stop it, let alone kill it. Not much chance of doing that. Then too, +we want to find our party." + +But Bob persisted. + +"I tell you we can get that elephant some way," he went on. "As for +finding the safari, well--I don't believe a few minutes' delay would +make much difference. And I feel sure we'll find them before long. But +right now let's get that elephant." + +"But how?" demanded the other. + +The animal was about twenty yards away and seemed not to notice the +human invaders. And the wind was blowing away from it, so that it +could not get their scent. + +As silently as they could the boys crept along through the tall grass, +keeping their revolvers in readiness. Bob led the way, confident that +he could manage to get an effective shot. + +When within five yards of it, the young hunters stopped and waited. +The little elephant had its back toward them, making it impossible to +fire. + +Then it turned and faced them, perhaps sensing danger. + +"Now!" said Bob, and together the youths fired, aiming at the eyes. + +Without an outcry the elephant fell, writhed about for a second, and +then was still. + +"Yay!" cried Bob. "Killed it instantly. Both of those bullets found +their way to the brain. And," facing his chum, "you said it couldn't +be done." + +"I'm sorry," grinned Joe. "I guess there isn't anything we can't do, +eh, Bob?" + +The youths hardly knew what to do with the carcass. They could not +take the time to skin it, and yet they knew hyenas and vultures would +soon appear if it were left where it was. + +Finally they decided to do a quick job of skinning it, although +perhaps they could not perform the task as well as it should be done. + +Using their hunting knives, they hastily ripped off the white hide, +which they were finally able to move several yards from the carcass. +Then they gathered thorn bushes and surrounded it by an impenetrable +_boma_. Over the hide as well as around it they placed several +thicknesses of thorns and brambles. + +"Maybe that'll keep the vultures and hyenas away," said Joe, as he +turned to leave. "Now, if we can just find the safari." + +For a half hour the boys trudged on, their hopes slowly becoming +lessened. At frequent intervals they fired their revolvers, stopping +shortly after to listen. + +On one occasion Bob thought he heard a shout but was not sure. Again +he fired, and again he listened. + +Sure enough, a faint cry was breaking the vast stillness. It was +repeated again and again, and then came the sound of a rifle shot. + +"It's our party!" cried Joe happily. "They've heard us." + +"Come," said Bob, setting off at a rapid pace. "Let's hurry." + +Five minutes later the chums broke through the foliage and faced none +other than Mr. Lewis and Mr. Holton. + +"Boys!" cried Bob's father, his joy beyond words. "We've found you at +last!" + +Mr. Lewis was equally affected. + +"We were afraid something happened to you," he said, patting them +affectionately. "We didn't see how you could possibly go through this +forest unharmed. Especially with all the strange things here." + +"Just what do you mean by that?" demanded Bob, wondering if the +naturalists had also seen or heard unexplainable phenomena. + +"What I said," returned Mr. Lewis, his face grave. "Howard and I heard +all kinds of mysterious noises from the depths of the forest. We +haven't any idea what they were. And there's something else that we +haven't been able to explain." + +"What was that?" inquired Joe, thoroughly interested. + +"Last night we saw a strange phosphorescence very near our camp," his +father resumed. "It shone quite brilliantly, and we weren't able to +tell what caused it. We played our flashlights on it, but could make +out nothing. Some trick of nature, I suppose." + +"You weren't the only ones to see mysterious things," said Joe, and +then told of the peculiar footprint and of the long spear that had so +nearly ended his life. + +When he had finished, the naturalists looked grave. + +"You boys certainly had a thrilling experience," Mr. Holton said. "Of +course," he went on, "there's an explanation to everything that has +happened. Whether we'll be able to delve into it we have yet to see." + +"But there's something else that will interest you," put in Bob. "Joe +and I shot a white pigmy elephant." + +"What? Not fooling us, are you?" + +"Come, and we'll show you," said Bob, and led the way through the +forest. + +When they finally reached the spot, they found the _boma_ just as they +had built it. The carcass, however, had been torn to pieces by +vultures and hyenas. + +The youths removed the thorn and bramble bushes from the enclosure and +then turned to get the elephant skin. + +To their great surprise, it was gone! + +"Of all things!" exclaimed Bob, rubbing his forehead in perplexity. +"That skin has disappeared as if by magic!" + +Joe glanced at his chum, then at the _boma_. He looked around the +other side, but the white skin was nowhere in sight. Finally he +straightened up, a look of supreme bewilderment on his face. + +"Gone sure enough," he said. + +"Are you certain you put it there?" inquired Mr. Holton. + +"Certainly we did," Bob assured him. "What I can't understand is why +the _boma_ wasn't torn to pieces. If some wild animal----" + +"Maybe it wasn't a wild animal," put in Joe. + +"Then--what could it have been?" + +"Beyond me." Joe had no suggestion of an idea. + +The two naturalists took up where their sons had left off and searched +the vicinity of the _boma_. But they had to admit defeat. + +"Another mystery to add to our already long list," commented Mr. +Lewis. "It seems that there is no end to them." + +"Perhaps," suggested Mr. Holton suddenly, "natives got that skin. They +could have been watching the boys place it there. And they could have +covered up the thorn enclosure just as it was." + +"Possibly," came from Mr. Lewis. "But now let's get back to camp. +We'll have some busy days before us." + +Noko and the other natives gave Bob and Joe a royal welcome on seeing +them alive and well. For none knew better than the blacks the dangers +of a tropical hurricane. + +The two naturalists had already collected a large number of specimens. +During the days that followed they added more, many of which were +unknown. + +Bob and Joe did their share of collecting, bringing down not a few +curious wild creatures. They also spent their time in taking motion +pictures of the wild country about them. + +On one occasion they left camp on an all-day trip, taking two of the +bearers with them. They hoped to photograph unusual scenes and perhaps +solve some of the mysteries that so bewildered them. + +They were following a strictly compassed course, so as to take no +chance of becoming lost from the others. Their previous experience had +taught them to have even more respect for the great African forest. + +When the sun was overhead, they sat in the shade of a great raffia +palm, to escape the heat and partake of lunch. + +Joe gazed off rather absently through the trees. Suddenly his jaw +dropped. + +"What's the matter?" asked Bob in surprise. "What do you see?" + +"Look away over there," Joe pointed out. "See that high ant hill?" + +"Why--yes. And look. There's a hut on top of it. Who do you suppose +lives there?" + +"Let's go and see." + +Together the young explorers trekked through the forest until they +came to the ant hill. The latter was all of thirty feet in height, and +built firmly on its summit was a small thatched hut. + +"Boy, this is a mystery," murmured Bob. "Shall we go up and +investigate?" + +"I'm willing." + +There was a crude ladder running up the side of the ant hill. Up this +the chums made their way. They feared at every moment that the ladder +might collapse with their weight. + +"Keep a hand on your revolver," warned Bob. "There's no telling what +may be in that hut. Maybe some savage is asleep there, for all we +know." + +When halfway to the top, they heard a shout from below. + +Looking down they saw a man--a white man! + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +Angry Natives + + +"Thomas Seabury!" cried Bob and Joe almost in one breath, recognizing +the man from a picture his brother had shown them in Mombasa. + +They scrambled down the ladder in all haste, forgetting danger, +forgetting everything. + +"My name!" the man exclaimed in a bewildered voice. "How, may I ask, +did you young men get hold of it?" + +Mr. Seabury was rather a small man, with long gray hair and a heavy +beard. His fine face bore the look of a scholar. + +"We've been hunting for you," Joe told him. "Your brother, back in +Mombasa, asked us to be on the lookout for you." + +"Then--he is not here?" + +"No," returned Bob. He did not think it wise to add that George +Seabury had been injured by a rhino. "He couldn't come with us, but we +promised to be on watch for you." + +The man reeled as if to fall. Then he got a grip on himself. + +"At last," he murmured, breathing heavily, "I have seen a white +person." + +"Were you lost?" inquired Joe. + +"Lost, yes. And worse than lost," returned Mr. Seabury grimly. "I was +captured by hostile savages and was about to be sacrificed in their +horrid rites. But I managed to slip off in the night and escape from +their village. It was a horrible experience--wandering through this +trackless forest. I had given myself up for lost when I happened to +find this hut. Who built it I do not know. But it had food stored +away, and I ate it at once." + +"How long have you been here?" asked Joe. "In this vicinity, I mean." + +"Only two days," Seabury replied. "Though it seems more like two +years. I held not the slightest hope of seeing any white person. In +fact, I fully expected to die a slow death from hunger. But now," he +continued in a lighter tone, "I am saved." + +"It was just luck that we found you," Bob said. "My friend here---- +Wait. Pardon us for not introducing ourselves. This is Joe Lewis, and +my name is Holton--Bob Holton." + +Thomas Seabury extended a hand, which the youths clasped warmly. + +"As I was saying," resumed Bob, "Joe happened to see this ant hill. We +came over to investigate." + +"I am only too thankful that you did," the man said. "But how did you +happen to be here? What are you doing in Africa?" + +"We're with our dads," Joe told him. "Came to collect specimens of +wild animals and birds. And now, Mr. Seabury, suppose we go back to +camp. That is, if you're ready." + +"I am more than ready," was the answer. "Camp is a word that sounds +better to me than 'most any I can think of." + +They found the two natives waiting. The latter displayed unusual +surprise at seeing another white man in that vast jungle. Mr. Seabury +fell to talking with them, telling them in their own language of his +experience. + +Back at camp, which they finally reached, Mr. Lewis and Mr. Holton met +them. + +"But look who we've found," said Joe happily. "Thomas Seabury." + +"Well, what in the----" Mr. Lewis could hardly believe his eyes, while +Bob's father was no less surprised. + +Joe introduced Mr. Seabury to the naturalists and then told of how he +and his chum had found the missing man. + +"Good for you, boys," praised Mr. Holton. "If you hadn't found him, +perhaps he wouldn't have been found." + +"I wonder if I am dreaming," said Mr. Seabury. "If I am, I never want +to wake up." + +The youths' fathers spent the remainder of the day in telling of their +experiences since leaving Mombasa and in listening to Seabury's. + +But the next morning all were up early preparing for an extensive hunt +for specimens. Bob and Joe with their cameras, and the scientists with +their rifles, left camp and headed southward, with several of the +bearers following. + +They had not gone far when they became aware of a deep drumming noise, +which seemed to roll along the ground. + +"What's that?" asked Bob, becoming worried. "Savages?" + +Mr. Seabury, who was with them, nodded. + +"I have often heard the noise," he said, "and I believe it is made by +natives. But they are probably a great distance off. I don't believe +we are in any danger." + +All during the hunt the adventurers could hear the deep vibrating of +drums, but as it seemed to get no nearer they thought no more about +it. + +Back at camp they saw a group of strange natives, their faces +streaked with white paint, talking with Noko and the bearers. At first +the explorers hesitated to move on into camp for fear that trouble was +at hand. But they finally concluded that it would be safe. + +"What's up, Noko?" inquired Mr. Holton. + +The tall black seemed glad his masters had returned. + +"Him want sell you um _kidogo_ [little] white elephant skin," Noko +said. + +"A white elephant skin?" demanded Bob suddenly. "Let's see it." + +The natives seemed to regard the youths in some surprise. But they +soon did as asked, producing the white elephant skin. + +At sight of it Bob and Joe uttered startled exclamations. + +"Why, that's the one we killed!" cried Bob angrily. "See. There's +where our bullets entered the head." + +"You're right, Bob," said Mr. Lewis, after a moment of examining the +skin. + +"Ask them where they got it," said Joe. + +The naturalists put the question before the natives in their own +language. They replied that they had speared it several miles from +there, and, having heard of the safari, went to see if they could +sell it. + +"They're big liars!" stormed Bob, when this had been translated. "That +white elephant skin belongs to us. And," he added with determination, +"we're going to have it without pay! + +"Tell those savages to get out of here, Noko," he said. "Tell them +that if they don't they'll wish they had." He removed his revolver +from its holster and, as Noko talked, flashed it before the savages. + +When Noko had finished translating, the savages grew furiously angry. +They advanced threateningly toward the explorers, paying no attention +to Bob's gun. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +An Old Mystery Is Cleared + + +One big native made a grab for the white elephant skin. + +But his hand never reached it. With a powerful blow, Bob sent the man +crashing to the ground so hard that he was put in a daze. Then, +raising the revolver, the youth fired three shots into the air. + +They had the desired effect. The savages turned on their heels and +dashed off, leaving their downed companion behind. Before long he too +had disappeared. + +"Well, you certainly made quick work of them," laughed Mr. Seabury, +who had been impressed by the rapidity of Bob's action. "Couldn't see +them for the dust." + +"They were glad enough to get out of it," grinned Joe. "Old Bob would +have cleaned up on the whole bloomin' bunch." + +Everyone had to laugh, now that the danger was over. Even Noko joined +in. + +"Um strong fella," he said, feeling Bob's arms. "You make um leave +ver' quick." + +The naturalists examined the elephant skin and were delighted with it. +For they knew that it was one of the rarest of the rare. + +"Here's hoping we shoot another pigmy white elephant," said Joe, "and +a lot more new specimen's besides." + +During the weeks that followed they did shoot another of the strange +elephants, and in addition brought down a large number of other wild +creatures. The latter were carefully skinned and labeled by the +naturalists. + +Bob and Joe found themselves constantly occupied in working at some +interesting task, such as photographing the mysterious forest. They +exposed several thousand feet of motion-picture film. + +On one afternoon a heavy drizzle fell, making it impossible for the +adventurers to go on with their work. And many of the days that +followed were not without their thunderstorms. + +"Now that the rainy season is at hand," remarked Mr. Lewis one morning +as he sat in a tent, "I suggest that we start back to the coast. We've +collected more than enough specimens, and the boys have taken scores +of motion-picture scenes." + +The explorers attended to packing their belongings, assembling the +specimens, oiling their firearms, and the like. It required nearly a +week to complete preparations, but at last they were ready for the +return journey. + +Through the dark Forest of Mystery and then over the many plains and +wooded tracts they hiked, at last coming to Mbarara. From there they +went by automobile to a terminal on the railroad, and then by train +back to Mombasa. + +In this city the youths and their fathers were induced to stop for a +week at George Seabury's house. That gentleman fairly hugged his +brother at seeing him alive and well. He thanked the explorers, +particularly Bob and Joe, again and again for finding him and bringing +him back with them. + +The Americans finally succeeded in obtaining passage on an American +ship. Bob and Joe in particular found the return voyage very +interesting, even though they had made it before. + +They were sitting on deck one morning in the midst of a row of +passengers when a stranger leaned toward them. + +"Beg pardon, fellows," he said, "but I wonder if you'd mind telling me +where you got those rings you have." + +"Rings?" asked Bob. "Oh, those. A Chinaman back in San Francisco gave +them to us." + +"Let me take a good look at them," said the stranger, whose name was +Walker. + +He examined the rings carefully for several minutes. + +"Why?" asked Joe. "Is there anything wrong?" + +"Wrong? Absolutely not," Walker said, straightening up with a nod. +"You fellows are most fortunate in possessing such rare pieces of +jewelry. Those rings once belonged to an emperor of China." + +"What!" cried Bob, while Joe's eyes opened wide. "How do you know +this?" + +"By the inscriptions that are on them," Walker returned at once. + +"Inscriptions?" Bob looked baffled. "Can you read those?" + +"Most assuredly," was the answer. "I can speak and read seven +languages. Chinese is one of them." + +At once the youths were all excitement. + +"But," began Bob, when the hubbub of chattering had subsided, "I +thought China was a republic with a president. Then how do you explain +this emperor stuff?" + +"At one time China was an absolute monarchy, governed by rulers," +Walker told them. "The rings, unless they were faked--and I do not +think they were--were once the property of one of the emperors." + +"Then--that explains everything," murmured Joe. + +"How is that?" inquired Walker, very much interested. + +Joe told him how much the rings were desired by numerous Chinamen. + +"I shouldn't wonder that they are coveted, considering their worth," +the man said when Joe had finished. "Chinese especially would prize +them very highly." + +The chums sought out their fathers and told them the good news. + +"That puts a glorious climax to everything," said Mr. Holton. "With +this ring mystery cleared up, you can feel much better." + +"But there were others that we weren't able to solve," remarked Bob. + +"What do you mean?" inquired Joe. + +"Those in the Forest of Mystery," returned Bob. + + THE END + + + + +BIBLIOGRAPHY + + + _Africa Speaks_, by Hoefler. The John C. Winston Co., Chicago. + + _Big Game Hunting and Collecting in East Africa_, by + Kitterberger. Longmans, Green & Co., New York. + + _Animal Life in Africa_, by Stevenson-Hamilton. E. P. Dutton & + Co., New York. + + _African Game Trails_, by Theodore Roosevelt. Charles Scribner's + Sons, New York. + + _Camera Trails in Africa_, by Johnson. Grosset & Dunlap, New + York. + + Wood's _Natural History_. A. L. Burt Co., New York. + + _Africa View_, by Huxley. Harper & Brothers, New York. + + _Natural History Animals_, by Jennison. The Macmillan Company, + New York. + + _The New Natural History_, by Thompson. G. P. Putnam's Sons, New + York. + + + + + * * * * * * + + + + +Transcriber's note: + +The four books in this series have been transcribed in the same +manner. This means that in some books, table of contents and or/list +of series names have been added. + +Except in cases of obvious typographical errors, archaic and +inconsistent spelling has been retained. + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43269 *** |