“Hi! help me out!” roared the youngest Rover, and all of the party turned, to behold him waving his hand frantically toward them.
“He dun got stuck in de mud!” exclaimed Aleck, and started to go to Sam’s assistance, when Cujo called him back.
“Must be werry careful,” said the native. “Ground bad over dare—lose life if urn don’t have a care. Wait fo’ me.” And he approached Sam by a circuitous route over the tufts of grass which grew like so many dots amid the swamp. Soon he was close enough to throw the youth the end of a rope he carried. The pull that, followed nearly took Sam’s arms out by the sockets; but the boy was saved, to return to the others of the party with an experience which was destined to be very useful to him in, the future.
“It will teach me to be careful of where I am going after this,” he declared. “Why, that bog looked almost as safe as the ground over here!”
“Tropical places are all full of just such treacherous swamps,” returned Randolph Rover. “It will be wise for all of us to remember that we are now in a strange territory and that we must have our eyes and ears wide open.”
At half-past eleven they came to a halt for dinner. The sun was now almost overhead, and they were glad enough to seek the shelter of a number of palms standing in front of a—native hostelry.
“We will rest here until two o’clock,” said Mr. Rover. “It is all out of the question to travel in the heat of the day, as we did yesterday, in such a climate as this. Even the natives cannot stand that.”
They found the hostelry presided over by a short, fat native who scarcely spoke a word of English. But he could speak French, and Mr. Rover spoke to him in that language, while Cujo carried on a talk in the native tongue. The midday repast was cooked over a fire built between several stones. The boys watched the cooking process with interest and were surprised to find, when it came to eating, that the food prepared tasted so good. They had antelope steak and a generous supply of native bread, and pure cocoa, which Tom declared as good as chocolate.
After the meal they took it easy in a number of grass hammocks stretched beneath the wide spreading palms surrounding the wayside inn, if such it might be called. Aleck and Cujo fell to smoking and telling each other stories, while the Rovers dozed away, lulled to sleep by the warm, gentle breeze which was blowing.
“I don’t wonder the natives are lazy,” remarked Dick, when his uncle aroused him. “I rarely slept in the daytime at home, and here I fell off without half trying.”
“The climate is very enervating, Dick. That is why this section of the globe makes little or no progress toward civilization. Energetic men come here, with the best intention in the world of hustling, as it is termed, but soon their ambition oozes out of them like—well, like molasses out of a barrel lying on a hot dock in the sun.
“A good comparison,” laughed Dick.
“Come, Tom; come, Sam!” he called out, and soon the party was on its way again.
The highway was still broad, but now it was not as even as before, and here and there they had to leap over just such a treacherous swamp as had caused Sam so much trouble. “It’s a good thing we didn’t bring the horses,” said Mr. Rover. “I didn’t think so before, but I do now.”
The jungle was filled with countless birds, of all sorts, sizes, and colors. Some of these sang in a fairly tuneful fashion, but the majority uttered only sounds which were as painful to the hearing as they were tiresome.
“The sound is enough to drive a nervous fellow crazy,” declared Tom. “It’s a good thing nature fixed it so that a man can’t grow up nervous here.”
“Perhaps those outrageous cries are meant to wake a chap up,” suggested Dick.
“I’ve a good mind to shoot some of the little pests.”
“You may take a few shots later on and see what you can bring down for supper,” answered his uncle. “But just now let us push on as fast as we can.”
“Yes,” put in Tom. “Remember we are out here to find father, not to hunt.”
“As if I would ever forget that,” answered Dick, with a reproachful glance.
They were now traveling a bit of a hill which took them, temporarily, out of sight of the Congo. Cujo declared this was a short route and much better to travel than the other. The way was through a forest of African teak wood, immense trees which seemed to tower to the very skies.
“They are as large as the immense trees of California of which you have all heard,” remarked Randolph Rover. “It is a very useful wood, used extensively in ship building.”
“After all, I think a boat on the Congo would have been better to use than shoe leather,” said Sam, who was beginning to grow tired.
“No use a boat when come to falls,” grinned Cujo. “Soon come to dem, too.”
Aleck had been dragging behind, carrying a heavy load, to which he was unaccustomed. Now he rejoined the others with the announcement that another party was in their rear.
“They are on foot, too,” he said. “Cujo whar you dun t’ink da be gwine?”
“To the next settlement, maybe,” was Randolph Rover’s comment, and Cujo nodded.
They waited a bit for the other party to come up, but it did not, and, after walking back, Cujo returned with the announcement that they were nowhere in sight.
“Perhaps they turned off on a side road,” said Tom, and there the matter was dropped, to be brought to their notice very forcibly that night.
Evening found them at another hostelry, presided over by a Frenchman who had a giant negress for a wife. The pair were a crafty looking couple, and did not at all please the Rovers.
“Perhaps we may as well sleep with one eye open tonight,” said Randolph Rover, upon retiring. “We are in a strange country, and it’s good advice to consider every man an enemy until he proves himself a friend.”
The hostelry was divided into half a dozen rooms, all on the ground floor. The Rovers were placed in two adjoining apartments, while the natives and Aleck were quartered in an addition of bamboo in the rear.
“Keep your eyes and ears open, Aleck,” whispered Dick, on separating from the faithful colored man. “And if you find anything wrong let us know at once.”
“Do you suspect anyt’ing, Massah Rober?” was Pop’s anxious question.
“I do and I don’t. Something in the air seems to tell me that everything is not as it should be.”
“Dat Frenchman don’t look like no angel, sah,” and Aleck shook his head doubtfully.
“You’re right, Aleck, and his wife is a terror, or else I miss my guess.”
“Dat’s right, Massah Rober; nebber saw sech sharp eyes. Yes, I’ll look out-fo’ my own sake as well as fo’ de sake ob Ye and de rest,” concluded Aleck.
CHAPTER XVII
THE ATTACK AT THE HOSTELRY
The night was exceptionally cool for that locality; and, utterly worn out by their tiresome journey, all of the Rovers slept more soundly than they had anticipated.
But not for long. Dick had scarcely dropped off when he heard a noise at the doorway, which was covered with a rough grass curtain.
“Who is there?” he demanded, sitting up.
“Dat’s all right,” came in a whisper from Aleck. “Is dat yo’, Massah Dick?”
“Yes, Aleck. What brings you?”
“I dun discovered somet’ing, sah.”
“What?”
“Dat udder party dun come up an’ is in de woods back ob dis, house.”
“In camp?”
“No; dare is a Frenchman wot is talkin’ to dah chap wot runs dis shebang, sah.”
“Perhaps he wants accommodations,” mused Dick.
“Can’t say about dat, sah. But de fellers who come up hab a lot ob ropes wid ‘em.”
“That’s certainly queer.”
“What’s the row?” came sleepily from Tom, and presen
tly Randolph Rover and Sam likewise awoke.
In a few words the colored man explained the situation. He had just finished when the wife of the proprietor of the resort came up to the doorway.
“The gentleman is wanted outside by my husband,” she said in broken French.
“What does he want?” asked Mr. Rover.
“I can’t say. But he says please to step out for a moment.”
Mr. Rover repeated the woman’s words to the boys. “What do you make of this?” he asked.
“I tell you something is wrong,” declared Dick. “I have felt it all along.”
“But what can be wrong, my lad?”
“If you go outside I’ll go with you, Uncle Randolph.”
“Well, you can do that if you wish.”
The pair arose and speedily slipped on the few garments which they had taken off. Then Dick pulled out his pistol.
“Do you think it is as bad as that?” asked Sam.
“I don’t know what to think. But I’m going to take uncle’s advice and count every man an enemy until he proves himself a friend.”
Soon Mr. Rover and Dick were ready to go out, and they did so, followed by Aleck and preceded by the native woman. As it was dark the Rovers easily concealed their weapons in the bosoms of their coats.
They walked past the bamboo addition and to the grove of trees Aleck had mentioned. There they found the Frenchman in conversation with Captain Villaire.
“You wish to see me?” demanded Randolph Rover.
“Very much,” answered Villaire in French. “If You are Mr. Randolph Rover, are you not?”
“I am.”
“And this is one of your nephews?”
“Yes.”
“I believe you are hunting for the young man’s father?” went on Villaire.
“We are. Do you know anything of him?” demanded Randolph Rover eagerly.
“I do. He sent me to you.”
“He sent you!” cried Randolph Rover in amazement. “He is, then, alive?”
“Yes; but a prisoner, and very sick. He heard of your being in Boma by accident through a native of King Susko’s tribe who was sent to the town for some supplies. I heard the story and I have been employed to lead you to him, and at once.”
“But—but this is marvelous,” stammered Randolph Rover. “I must say I do not understand it.”
“It is a very queer turn of affairs, I admit. The other Mr. Rover must explain to you when you meet. He wishes you to come to him alone. It will not be safe for more.”
As well as he was able Randolph Rover explained matters to Dick. In the meantime, however, the youth had been looking around sharply and had noted several forms gliding back and forth in the gloom under the trees. Dick was more suspicious than ever.
“Uncle Randolph, I don’t believe this man,” he said briefly. “The story he tells is too unnatural.”
“I think so myself, Dick; but still—”
“Why didn’t this man come straight to the house to tell us this?”
“I’m sure I don’t know.”
“Ask him.”
Randolph Rover put the question to Captain Villaire. The Frenchman scowled deeply and shrugged his shoulders. “I had my reason,” he said briefly. “Will you come with me?”
Before Randolph Rover could answer there came a shout from behind several trees.
“Look out fo’ yourselves!” came in Aleck’s voice. “Dis am a trap!”
“A trap!” repeated Dick, when of a sudden a half dozen men rushed at him and Randolph Rover and surrounded the pair. In a twinkle, before either could use his pistol, he was hurled flat and made a prisoner.
“Bind them, men,” ordered Villaire sternly. “And bind them well, so that escape is impossible.”
“Run for the house, Aleck!” yelled, out Dick, before those on top of him could choke him off. “Save Tom and Sam!
“I will!” came from the faithful black. And off he sped at top speed, with three or four of Captain Villaire’s party after him. Cujo also went to the house, bewildered by what was going on and hardly knowing how to turn.
Randolph Rover fought desperately and so did Dick. But the two were no match for the six men who had attacked them, and ere they knew it the Rovers were close prisoners, with their hands bound behind them and each with a dirty gag of grass stuffed in his mouth.
“Now march, or you will be shot,” came in bad English from one of the Villaire party. And as there seemed nothing better to do they marched, wondering why they had been attacked and where they were to be taken. Their arms had been confiscated, so further resistance was useless. When Dick lagged behind he received a cruel blow on the back which nearly sent him headlong.
A journey of several hours brought the party to a small clearing overlooking the Congo at a point where the bank was fully fifty feet above the surface of the stream. Here, in years gone by, a rough log hut had been built, which the African International Association had once used as a fort during a war with the natives. The log hut was in a state of decay, but still fit for use and almost hidden from view by the dense growth of vines which covered it.
The men who had brought Randolph Rover and Dick hither evidently knew all about the hut, for they proceeded to make themselves at home without delay. Taking the Rovers into one of the apartments of the dilapidated building they tied each to the logs of the walls, one several yards from the other.
“Now you must wait until Captain Villaire returns,” said the leader of the party in French. “He will be here before daylight.”
“But what does this mean?” demanded Randolph Rover.
“He will tell you what it means,” grinned the brigand, and walked away to another part of the hut, which was built in a long, rambling fashion, and contained a dozen or more divisions.
“We are in a pickle,” remarked Dick dismally. “This is hunting up father with a vengeance.”
“We won’t despair yet, Dick. But I would like to know what this means.”
“It probably means robbery, for one thing, Uncle Randolph. And it may mean death.” And the youth, shuddered.
“If I am not mistaken I saw some of these rascals hanging around the hotel in Boma.”
“That is more than likely. They have been watching their chance to attack us ever since we left the town.”
Slowly the hours wore away until morning dawned. The positions of both Dick and his uncle were most uncomfortable ones, and the youth was ready to groan aloud at the strain put upon his shoulders through having his arms tied behind him.
At last they heard footsteps approaching from the opposite end of the rambling building.
“Somebody at last!” cried Dick.
He had scarcely spoken when Captain Villaire appeared, followed by—Dan Baxter!
CHAPTER XVIII
A DEMAND OF IMPORTANCE
Dick could scarcely believe the evidence of his own eyesight as he gazed at the former bully of Putnam Hall and the Frenchman who stood beside him.
“Baxter! Is it possible!” he gasped. “What brought you here?”
“Are you a prisoner, too?” put in Randolph Rover.
“A prisoner!” laughed Baxter. “Well, that’s a good one, I must say. No, I am not a prisoner.”
“And what brought you here?” went on Mr. Rover.
“Can’t you imagine?”
“He is in with these rascals who have captured us,” came quickly from Dick. “This is how you repay our kindness, Baxter?”
“Your kindness? Bah! I want none of it. Didn’t I refuse your offer, made just before you went away?”
“But you didn’t refuse the first money we gave you, Baxter.”
At this the bully bit his lip. “We won’t talk about that, Dick Rover. Do you realize that you are absolutely in my power? How do you like it?�
�
“It was not you who captured us, Baxter.”
“Well, it amounts to the same thing, eh, Capitan Villaire?” and the big boy turned to the French brigand, who nodded. “We collared you nicely.”
“What of Sam and Tom?” asked Randolph Rover anxiously.
“Ve will not speak of zem udders,” broke in Captain Villaire. “Ve vill speak apout you.”
“Did Baxter put up this plot against us? queried Dick.
“To be sure I did,” answered Baxter, who loved to brag just as much as ever.
“And before I let you go I’m going to make you pay up dearly for all that I have suffered. Captain Villaire, have you had them searched?” he asked, turning again to his companion.
“Yees, Baxter, but za had not mooch monish wid zem.”
“How much?”
“Only about a hundred pounds.”
“Then they left it behind at Binoto’s place,” was the quick answer. “Now if those others aren’t captured—”
“Hush, ve vill not speak of zat,” put in the brigand hastily. “Tell zeni what I haf tole you.”
“All right, I will.” Dan Baxter turned once more to the prisoners. “Do you know why you were brought here?”
“To be robbed, I presume,” answered Randolph Rover.
“Or that and worse,” said Dick significantly,
“I reckon I have a right to all of your money, Dick Rover.”
“I don’t see how you make that out, Baxter.”
“Years ago your father robbed mine out of the rights to a rich gold mine in the United States.”
“That’s your side of the story. I claim, and so did my father, that the mine was ours.”
“It’s a falsehood. The mine was discovered by my father, and if everything had gone right he would have had the income from it.”
“This is ancient history, Baxter. Come to business. What do you intend to do with us?”
“We intend to make money out of you,” was the answer, given with a rude laugh.
“In what manner?”
“First you will have to answer a few questions.”
“Zat ees it,” put in Captain Villaire. “How mooch morlish you bring wid you from America?”
The Rover Boys Megapack Page 40