Part 16 (1/2)
The gigantic negro took the glasses and gazed long and earnestly at the fainttoward the river
Then he returned the
”Not know, sar”
”Tell Mvita to send over soested Critch Mr Wallace nodded and John was off instantly Athe strea cautiously, for they too had been puzzled and were taking no chances Before they had reached the opposite bank Critch gave a cry
”Look there! It's colasses they could see a dark object crossing one of the ression was peculiar, because while it was undoubtedly co, floundering in the rass-hummocks
”It's a man!” exclaimed Burt in amazement Critch uttered a scornful denial, but Mr Wallace slowly nodded
”I believe it is,” he asserted ”I thought I could s but I wasn't sure If it is a hty bad fix”
A sudden idea occurred to Burt and he glanced at his chuht When Burt raised his glasses again his face hite
Now the natives were surrounding the strange figure, and a moment later one of the the creature, whatever it was, and speedily carried hi,” and Mr Wallace rose hastily ”We'll go down andthe sic the grinning black produced the required object They all hurried down to the river, where the villagers were already crowding around in great curiosity The little band of natives splashed across the strearip his arm
”Burt!” and he had never before heard such tense horror in a ht away! Hurry, lad, hurry!”
Without pausing to ask questions Burt dashed off As he went he could hear his uncle continuing ”John, es, have hot water,morphia and anti-toxin solution That is Captain Montenay” John was off at a run instantly
The last words struck Burt like a blow With pale face he got the water heating, and met his uncle as the latter ordered the senseless fornizable He was plastered with mud from head to foot and his whole body elled and poisoned until he bore slance around, then shook his head
”We can do nothing here Boys, we'll have to work to save hi to Mvita, he ordered Montenay's body carried to the village at top speed Instantly four natives caught up the senseless figure and made off at a lope
Mr Wallace and the boys dropped everything and followed When they reached the ca the swollen body of Captain Mac, and Mr Wallace went to work at once with the medicines that lay ready With the mud and dirt removed, Montenay's horrible condition only became more evident Mr Wallace went to ith the hypodermic while the boys aided John to cleanse the explorer's body, then handed the syringe to John to clean and turned to the bandages and lint
The countless stings ashed with a weak solution of ammonia to take out the poison, and an hour later they left the Scotchave him some morphia,” explained Mr Wallace as they washed up outside ”What he needs first is sleep He ony in there”
It was after sunset before Captain Mac wakened from his sleep The boys were at his side immediately, followed by Mr Wallace
”Well,” cried the latter heartily, ”how's the sick man now? Feel a bit better?”
”Gi' me a drink,” whispered the other feebly When he had taken a long draught froh ”Where'd ye find me?”
”Down by the river,” answered Mr Wallace ”Feel able to talk?” Montenay nodded and fixed his eyes on the Aot after your men?”
”Into 'em's more like it,” returned Captain Mac ”Didn't see one of 'eht” He paused for breath ”What day's this?”
”Friday,” said Critch ”We found you this ained strength slowly ”Last six o' Tried to talk to the deevils but they wouldn't show up Started on alone an'
they shot arrows all around uess So I came back”