Part 23 (2/2)
”I don't wonder the natives are lazy,” remarked dick, when his uncle aroused him ”I rarely slept in the dayti”
”The cli, dick That is why this section of the globe etic men co, as it is termed, but soon their ambition oozes out of the on a hot dock in the sun
”A good cohed dick
”Come, Tom; coain
The highas still broad, but noas not as even as before, and here and there they had to leap over just such a treacherous swa 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 So in a fairly tuneful fashi+on, but the majority uttered only sounds which were as painful to the hearing as they were tiresoh to drive a nervous fellow crazy,” declared Torow up nervous here”
”Perhaps those outrageous cries are ested dick
”I've a good mind to shoot some of the little pests”
”Youdown 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 theo Cujo declared this was a short route and h a forest of African teak wood, immense trees which seee as the immense trees of California of which you have all heard,” remarked Randolph Rover ”It is a very useful wood, used extensively in shi+p building”
”After all, I think a boat on the Congo would have been better to use than shoe leather,” said Sarow tired
”No use a boat when corinned Cujo ”Soon co 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 co back, Cujo returned with the announceht
”Perhaps they turned off on a side road,” said Toht to their notice very forcibly that night
Evening found them at another hostelry, presided over by a Frenchress for a wife The pair were a crafty looking couple, and did not at all please the Rovers
”Perhaps we ht,” 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 rooround 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 fro let us know at once”