Part 33 (1/2)
”So it is,” replied Tom, and presently saw a tall and well-built young man struggling forth from the tall gra.s.s of the jungle.
”Hullo, what are you?” demanded the newcomer, as he stalked toward them.
”I guess I can ask the same question,” laughed Tom. ”Are you the d.i.c.k who just answered me?”
”I am d.i.c.k Chester. And who are you?”
”Tom Rover. I am looking for my brother d.i.c.k, who was fis.h.i.+ng here a while ago. Are you one of that party of college students we have heard about?”
”Yes, I'm a college student from Yale. May I ask where you come from?”
In a brief manner Tom told d.i.c.k Chester. ”We can't imagine what has become of my brother d.i.c.k,” he went on.
”Perhaps a lion ate him up,” answered the Yale student. ”No, you needn't smile. We saw a lion only yesterday. It nearly scared Mr.
Crabtree into a fit.”
”Mr. Crabtree!” burst Torn. ”Josiah Crabtree?”
”The same. Do you know him?”
”Indeed I do--to my sorrow. He used to be a teacher at the academy I and my brothers attend. But he was discharged. He's a regular rascal.”
”You are sure of that?” queried d.i.c.k Chester. ”I have thought so all along, but the others, would hardly believe it.”
”I am telling the truth, and can prove all I say. But just now I am anxious about my brother. You say you saw a lion?”
”Yes. He was across the lake; but Mr. Crabtree was scared to death and ran away. Frank Rand and I took shots at the beast, but I can't say if we hit him.”
”It would be too bad if d.i.c.k dunh fell into dat lion's clutches,”
put in Aleck. ”I reckon de lion would chaw him up in no time.”
”Go back and call Cujo,” said Tom. ”He may be able to track my brother's footsteps.”
At once Aleck loped off. While he was gone Tom told d.i.c.k Chester much concerning himself, and the college student related several facts in connection with the party to which he belonged.
”There are six of us students,” he said. ”We were going to have a professor from Yale with us, but he got sick at the last moment and we hired Josiah Crabtree. I wish we hadn't done it now, for he has proved more of a hindrance than a help, and his real knowledge of fauna and flora could be put in a peanut sh.e.l.l, with room to spare.”
”He's a big brag,” answered Tom. ”Take my advice and never trust him too far--or you may be sorry for it.”
Presently Aleck came back, with Cujo following. The brawny African began at once to examine the footprints along the lake sh.o.r.e.
”Him been here,” he said. ”Him came up dis way. But him no walk away.”
”Didn't walk away!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Tom.
”No. Udder footprints walk away, but not um Ma.s.sah d.i.c.k.”