The Rover Boys Series - Stratemeyer Edward

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may take a few shots later on and see what you can bring down 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 them, temporarily, out of sight of the Congo. Cujo declared this was a short route and much better to travel than the other. The way was through a forest of African teak wood, immense trees which seemed to tower to the very skies.

      "They are as large as the immense trees of California of which you have all heard," remarked Randolph Rover. "It is a very useful wood, used extensively in ship building."

      "After all, I think a boat on the Congo would have been better to use than shoe leather," said Sam, who was beginning to grow tired.

      "No use a boat when come to falls," grinned Cujo. "Soon come to dem, too."

      Aleck had been dragging 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 come up, but it did not, and, after walking back, Cujo returned with the announcement that they were nowhere in sight.

      "Perhaps they turned off on a side road," said Tom, and there the matter was dropped, to be brought to their notice very forcibly that night.

      Evening found them at another hostelry, presided over by a Frenchman who had a giant negress for a wife. The pair were a crafty looking couple, and did not at all please the Rovers.

      "Perhaps we may as well sleep with one eye open tonight," 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 rooms, all on the ground 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 from the faithful colored man. "And if you find anything wrong let us know at once."

      "Do you suspect anyt'ing, Massah Rober?" was Pop's anxious question.

      "I do and I don't. Something in the air seems to tell me that everything is not as it should be."

      "Dat Frenchman don't look like no angel, sah," and Aleck shook his head doubtfully.

      "You're right, Aleck, and his wife is a terror, or else I miss my guess."

      "Dat's right, Massah Rober; nebber saw sech sharp eyes. Yes, I'll look out-fo' my own sake as well as fo' de sake ob Ye and de rest," concluded Aleck.

      CHAPTER XVII

       THE ATTACK AT THE HOSTELRY

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      The night was exceptionally cool for that locality; and, utterly worn out by their tiresome journey, all of the Rovers slept more soundly than they had anticipated.

      But not for long. Dick had scarcely dropped off when he heard a noise at the doorway, which was covered with a rough grass curtain.

      "Who is there?" he demanded, sitting up.

      "Dat's all right," came in a whisper from Aleck. "Is dat yo', Massah Dick?"

      "Yes, Aleck. What brings you?"

      "I dun discovered somet'ing, sah."

      "What?"

      "Dat udder party dun come up an' is in de woods back ob dis, house."

      "In camp?"

      "No; dare is a Frenchman wot is talkin' to dah chap wot runs dis shebang, sah."

      "Perhaps he wants accommodations," mused Dick.

      "Can't say about dat, sah. But de fellers who come up hab a lot ob ropes wid 'em."

      "That's certainly queer."

      "What's the row?" came sleepily from Tom, and presently Randolph Rover and Sam likewise awoke.

      In a few words the colored man explained the situation. He had just finished when the wife of the proprietor of the resort came up to the doorway.

      "The gentleman is wanted outside by my husband," she said in broken French.

      "What does he want?" asked Mr. Rover.

      "I can't say. But he says please to step out for a moment."

      Mr. Rover repeated the woman's words to the boys. "What do you make of this?" he asked.

      "I tell you something is wrong," declared Dick. "I have felt it all along."

      "But what can be wrong, my lad?"

      "If you go outside I'll go with you, Uncle Randolph."

      "Well, you can do that if you wish."

      The pair arose and speedily slipped on the few garments which they had taken off. Then Dick pulled out his pistol.

      "Do you think it is as bad as that?" asked Sam.

      "I don't know what to think. But I'm going to take uncle's advice and count every man an enemy until he proves himself a friend."

      Soon Mr. Rover and Dick were ready to go out, and they did so, followed by Aleck and preceded by the native woman. As it was dark the Rovers easily concealed their weapons in the bosoms of their coats.

      They walked past the bamboo addition and to the grove of trees Aleck had mentioned. There they found the Frenchman in conversation with Captain Villaire.

      "You wish to see me?" demanded Randolph Rover.

      "Very much," answered Villaire in French. "If You are Mr. Randolph Rover, are you not?"

      "I am."

      "And this is one of your nephews?"

      "Yes."

      "I believe you are hunting for the young man's father?" went on Villaire.

      "We are. Do you know anything of him?" demanded Randolph Rover eagerly.

      "I do. He sent me to you."

      "He sent you!" cried Randolph Rover in amazement. "He is, then, alive?"

      "Yes; but a prisoner, and very sick. He heard of your being in Boma by accident through a native of King Susko's tribe who was sent to the town for some supplies. I heard the story and I have been employed to lead you to him, and at once."

      "But — but this is marvelous," stammered Randolph Rover. "I must say I do not understand it."

      "It is a very queer turn of affairs, I admit. The other Mr. Rover must explain to you when you meet. He wishes you to come to him alone. It will not be safe for more."

      As well as he was able Randolph Rover explained matters to Dick. In the meantime, however, the youth had been looking around sharply and had noted several forms gliding back and forth in the gloom under the trees. Dick was more suspicious than ever.

      "Uncle Randolph, I don't believe this man," he said briefly. "The story he tells is too unnatural."

      "I think so myself, Dick; but still — "

      "Why didn't this man come straight to the house to tell us this?"

      "I'm sure I don't know."

      "Ask him."

      Randolph Rover put the question to Captain Villaire.

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