Part 29 (1/2)

”Don't say a word,” groaned Aleck, who had actually turned pale

”I vought shuah I was a goner, I did fo' a fac'! I don't want to meet no mo' snakes!”

The two boys reloaded their pistols with all rapidity, and this was scarcely acco to them

Soon the native put in an appearance When told of what had happened he would not believe the tale until he had gone back to look at the dead snake

”You werry lucky,” he said ”Hi wonder um snake didn't kill all of yo'!”

Cujo had made an important discovery He had located Captain Villaire's party at the old fort, and said that several French brigands were on guard, by the trail leading fro the river

”I see white boy dare too,” he added ”Saive money to in Boma”

”Dan Baxter!” ejaculated Sam ”Can it be possible that he is mixed up in this affair?”

”I can't understand it at all,” returned Tom ”But the question is, noe have tracked the rascals, what is to be done next?”

After a long talk it was resolved to get as close to the old fort as possible Cujo said they need not hurry, for it would be best to wait until nightfall before ainst their enery to think that the other natives had deserted the party, but this anger availed the

Four o'clock in the afternoon found thee of the swao Beyond was the cliff, overgrown in every part with rank vegetation, and the ever-present vines, which hung down like so et up the on't want any scaling ladders,”

rerimly ”Oh, if only we knew that dick and Uncle Randolph were safe!”

”I' to find out pretty soon,” replied Sa held for ranso of that, too But I didn't dreah, I know it is done further north in Africa aerians”

Cujo noent off on another scout and did not return until the sun was setting Again he was full of smiles

”I can show you a way up de rocks,” he said ”We can get to the walls of uht was upon theht Tom now declared himself able to walk once more, and they moved off silently, like so many shadows, beside the swamp and then over a fallen palm to where a series of rocks, led up to the cliff proper

”Sh-ah!” came presently froh the gloo on a rock The sentinel held a gun over his knees and was sive the alar a noise?”

”Dat's de talk,” returned Aleck ”Cujo, let us dun try dat trick”

Cujo nodded ”Urn boys stay here,” he said ”Cujo fix dat feller!”

And off he crawled through the wet grass, taking a circuitous route which brought him up on the sentinel's left

Presently the sentinel started to rise As he did so Cujo leaped fro knife flashed in the air ”No speak, or um diet” came softly; but, the Frenchman realized that the African rowled, in the language of the African

”Don't--don't choke htly guessed was a signal for theave up his gun and other weapons without a struggle