Part 28 (1/2)

”Have you got the mules?” asked Tom, for he knew that much depended on the animals. ”Is everything all right?”

”All right,” answered Koku, the talk being conducted in the language of the giants of which Tom was now fairly a master when it was spoken slowly. Then the brothers explained that they had gotten safely away, had gathered up the mules, and with a supply of food, had hidden the beasts in a nearby valley. The giant twins were waiting for Tom to arrive, but, though they had seen the aeroplanes in the hut they had no idea that it could fly so nearly like a bird, and when they saw it hovering over them they had become frightened, and hidden, until Tom's voice had rea.s.sured them.

”Well, get the animals,” advised Tom, after he had told of the fight of the night before, and the escape. ”I'll go find the others and we'll start from here. Then we'll hike for the United States as fast as we can.”

Mr. Damon, Eradicate and the circus man were soon brought to the place where the giant brothers had made their camp, and it was decided to remain there a few days until the aeroplane could be taken apart for transportation, for Tom had no idea of abandoning it. Of course it could not be packed up very well, as there were no boxes or bales at hand. But it was made small enough so that the parts could be slung across the backs of several mules, there being a number of the pack animals available, some being the same ones Tom had purchased after his native escort had deserted him.

It was the morning they had decided to begin their march for the coast. Everything was in readiness, they had some food, and with the shotguns and the electric rifles which they had brought along, they could get game. All their other things, save a few necessaries, had been left behind. Eradicate, as he had always done, rode his mule up beside Tom, to look after his young master.

Suddenly Koku, who seemed to have become very fond of Tom, strode forward and took his place on the other side of the mule ridden by the young inventor.

”Me stay by you,” he said with a grin on his big face. ”Me like you!

Me take care of you, Tom--be your servant. Him too old,” and he motioned to Eradicate.

”Eh! What's dat yo' done said?” gasped the colored man. ”Me too old?

Looky heah, giant man, I'd hab yo' know dat I's been in de Swift fambly a good many years, an' I's jest as spry as I eber was. I kin look after Ma.s.sa Tom as good as eber. Now yo' git back where yo'

belongs, giant man, an' doan't let me heah no mo' ob dat foolishness talk. n.o.body waits on Ma.s.sa Tom Swift but me. Does yo' heah dat, giant man?”

”Me Tom's man!” exclaimed the big fellow, and in fairly good English. Tom laughed. He had no idea the giant had picked up any words.

”Go on away!” cried Eradicate.

Koku gave the colored man one look, then, with a good natured grin on his face, he reached over one hand, calmly lifted Eradicate from his mule and set him on the ground. Then, with a push, he shoved the mule galloping ahead, and took his place at the side of the young inventor.

”Well, what do you know about that?” gasped Ned.

”Bless my coffee cup!” cried Mr. Damon.

Eradicate stood still for a moment, gazing first at his master and then at the big being who had so ruthlessly plucked him from the mule's back, as easily as he would have lifted a child. Then Eradicate, with a trace of tears in his eyes, stretched forth his hands toward Tom, and turned aside. That was too much for our hero.

With one leap he was off his animal, and the next minute he had his arms around the faithful old colored man.

”By Jove, Rad!” cried Tom, and his own eyes were not dry. ”I'm not going to be deserted by you in that way. You're just the same as ever to me, giant or no giant, and don't you forget it!” and he patted the old man on the back affectionately.

”Praise de Lord fo' heahin' yo' say dat, Ma.s.sa Tom,” gasped Eradicate. ”Praise de dear Lord!”

And then, knowing that he still held a place in his young master's heart, the colored man was content. And from then on he rode on one side of Tom, while the giant, Koku, strode along on the other. He had established himself as Tom's bodyguard and even though Eradicate insisted on remaining, Koku would not go away.

”I guess I'll have to keep 'em both,” said Tom, with a grin, ”but I'm going to change Koku's name.”

”What are you going to call him?” asked Ned.

”Let's see, what month is this?”