Part 31 (2/2)

What they had to eat was not only cold, but more or less water-soaked, and it was not until the next noon that they ed to cook a meal

When at last the sun did coeance” There was not a cloud left, and the direct rays of the great orb of day caused a rapid evaporation of the rain, so that the ground seemed to be covered with a sort of mist On every side could be seen the effects of the hurricane-broken trees, washed-out places along the river, and dead birds and s countless monkeys Thefe two little baby monkeys to her breast

The storm had swollen the river to such an extent that they were forced to leave the beaten track Cujo had been pursuing and take to another trail which reached out to the southward Here they passed a sroes, and Cujo learned fro Susko had passed that way but five days before He had had no cattle with hi taken another route It was thought by so Susko was bound for a mountain known as the Hakiwaupi--or Ghost-of-Gold

”The Ghost-of-Gold!” repeated dick ”Can that be thefor when he came to Africa?”

Inquiries from Cujo elicited the information that the mountain mentioned was located about one hundred miles away, in the center of an iold, but likewise haunted by the ghost of a departed warrior known to the natives as Gnu-ho-host story, was started, by somebody anted, to keep the wealth of che hosts, do you, Cujo?”

The tall African shrugged his ebony shoulders, ”Maybe no ghost--but if dare is, no want to see 'um,” he said laconically

Nevertheless he did not object to leading them in the direction of the supposedly haunted mountain

So far the natives had been more or less friendly, but now those that were met said but little to Cujo, while scowls at the whites were frequent It was learned that the college party from the East was in the vicinity

”Perhaps they did so to offend the natives,” observed Randolph Rover ”As you can see, they are simple and childlike in their ways, and as quickly offended on one hand as they are pleased on the other All of you et into serious trouble”

CHAPTER XXIII

dick MEETS AN OLD ENEMY

One afternoon dick found hie of a tiny lake situated on the southern border of the jungle through which the party had passed The others had gone up the lake shore, leaving him to see what he could catch for supper

He had just hooked aup, he espied an elderly rass a short distance away

”Richard Rover, is it--ahem--possible?” ca!”

”Josiah Crabtree!” ejaculated dick, so surprised that he let the fish fall into the water again ”How on earth did you get out here?”

”I presuht--er--ask that same question,” returned the former teacher of Putnaine I would be fool enough to do that, Mr Crabtree?

No, the Stanhopes and I were content to let you go--so long as you row saucy, boy; I will not stand it”

”I am not saucy, as you see fit to terht to be in prison thisthe abduction of Dora”

”I know nothing of the kind, and will not waste words on you But if you did not follohy are you here?”

”I am here on business, and not ashamed to own it”

”Indeed And you--did you co father?”

”I did”

”You once said he was ”