A journey of several hours brought the party to a small clearing
overlooking the Congo at a point where the bank was fully fifty
feet above the surface of the stream.  Here, in years gone by, a
rough log hut had been built, which the African International
Association had once used as a fort during a war with the natives.
The log hut was in a state of decay, but still fit for use and
almost hidden from view by the dense growth of vines which covered
it.

The men who had brought Randolph Rover and Dick hither evidently
knew all about the hut, for they proceeded to make themselves at
home without delay.  Taking the Rovers into one of the apartments
of the dilapidated building they tied each to the logs of the
walls, one several yards from the other.

"Now you must wait until Captain Villaire returns," said the
leader of the party in French.  He will be here before daylight."

"But what does this mean?" demanded Randolph Rover.

"He will tell you what it means," grinned the brigand, and walked
away to another part of the hut, which was built in a long,
rambling fashion, and contained a dozen or more divisions.

"We are in a pickle," remarked Dick dismally.  "This is hunting
up father with a vengeance."

"We won't despair yet, Dick.  But I would like to know what this
means."

"It probably means robbery, for one thing, Uncle Randolph.  And it
may mean death."  And the youth, shuddered.

"If I am not mistaken I saw some of these rascals hanging around
the hotel in Boma."

"That is more than likely.  They have been watching their chance
to attack us ever since we left the town."

Slowly the hours wore away until morning dawned.  The positions of
both Dick and his uncle were most uncomfortable ones, and the
youth was ready to groan aloud at the strain put upon his
shoulders through having his arms tied behind him.

At last they heard footsteps approaching from the opposite end of
the rambling building.

"Somebody at last!" cried Dick.

He had scarcely spoken when Captain Villaire appeared, followed by
-- Dan Baxter!





CHAPTER XVIII

A DEMAND OF IMPORTANCE

Dick could scarcely believe the evidence of his own eyesight as he
gazed at the former bully of Putnam Hall and the Frenchman who
stood beside him.

"Baxter!  Is it possible!" he gasped.  "What brought you here?"

"Are you a prisoner, too?" put in Randolph Rover.

"A prisoner!" laughed Baxter.  "Well, that's a good one, I must
say.  No, I am not a prisoner."

"And what brought you here?" went on Mr. Rover.

"Can't you imagine?"

"He is in with these rascals who have captured us," came quickly
from Dick.  "This is how you repay our kindness, Baxter?"

"Your kindness?  Bah!  I want none of it.  Didn't I refuse your
offer, made just before you went away?"

"But you didn't refuse the first money we gave you, Baxter."

At this the bully bit his lip.  "We won't talk about that, Dick
Rover.  Do you realize that you are absolutely in my power?  How
do you like it?"

"It was not you who captured us, Baxter."

"Well, it amounts to the same thing, eh, Capitan Villaire?" and
the big boy turned to the French brigand, who nodded.  "We
collared you nicely."

"What of Sam and Tom?" asked Randolph Rover anxiously.

"Ve will not speak of zem udders," broke in Captain Villaire.  "Ve
vill speak apout you."

"Did Baxter put up this plot against us? queried Dick.

"To be sure I did," answered Baxter, who loved to brag just as
much as ever.

"And before I let you go I'm going to make you pay up dearly for
all that I have suffered.  Captain Villaire, have you had them
searched?" he asked, turning again to his companion.

"Yees, Baxter, but za had not mooch monish wid zem."

"How much?"

"Only about a hundred pounds."

"Then they left it behind at Binoto's place," was the quick
answer.  "Now if those others aren't captured --"

"Hush, ve vill not speak of zat," put in the brigand hastily.
"Tell zeni what I haf tole you."

"All right, I will."  Dan Baxter turned once more to the
prisoners.  "Do you know why you were brought here?"

"To be robbed, I presume," answered Randolph Rover.

"Or that and worse," said Dick significantly,

"I reckon I have a right to all of your money, Dick Rover."

"I don't see how you make that out, Baxter."

"Years ago your father robbed mine out of the rights to a rich
gold mine in the United States."

"That's your side of the story.  I claim, and so did my father,
that the mine was ours."

"It's a falsehood.  The mine was discovered by my fattier, and if
everything had gone right he would have had the income from it."

"This is ancient history, Baxter.  Come to business.  What do you
intend to do with us?"

"We intend to make money out of you," was the answer, given with a
rude laugh.

"In what manner?"

"First you will have to answer a few questions."

"Zat ees it," put in Captain Villaire.  "How mooch morlish you
bring wid you from America?"

"We didn't bring much," answered Randolph Rover, who began to
smell a mouse.

"How mooch?"

"About two hundred pounds."

"Humph, a thousand dollars!" sneered Baxter.  "That won't do at
all."

"You must haf brought more!" cried the French brigand angrily.

"Not much more."

"You leave zat in Boma, wid ze bankers, eh?"

"Yes."

"But you haf von big lettair of credit, not so?"

"Yes, we have a letter of credit," answered Randolph Rover.  "But
that won't do you any good, nor the money at the banker's
neither."

"Ve see about zat, monsieur. Proceed," and Captain Villaire waved
his hand toward Dan Baxter.

"This is the situation in a nutshell, to come right down to
business," said the former bully of Putnam Hall coolly.  "You are
our prisoners, and you can't get away, no matter how hard you try.
Captain Villaire and his men, as well as myself, are in this
affair to make money.  The question is, what is your liberty worth
to you?"

"So you intend to work such a game?" demanded Dick.

"That's the game, yes."

"Well, I shan't pay you a cent."

"Don't be a fool, Dick Rover.  We are not to be trifled with."

"Well, I haven't any money, and that ends it.  You already have
all I had."

"Then you will have to foot the bill," continued Dan Baxter,
turning to Randolph Rover.

"If you value your liberty you will pay us what we demand."

"And what do you demand?" questioned Mr. Rover.

"We demand twenty thousand dollars -- ten thousand for the liberty
of each."

This demand nearly took away Randolph Rover's breath.

"Twenty thousand dollars!" he gasped.  "It is -- is preposterous!"

"Is it?  You are worth a good deal more than that, Mr. Rover.  And
I am demanding only what is fair."

"You shall never get the money."

"Won't we?"

"Never!"

"Perhaps you'll sing a different tune in a few, days -- after your
stomachs get empty," responded Dan Baxter, with a malicious gleam
in his fishy eyes.  "So you mean to starve us into acceding to your
demands," said Dick.  "Baxter, I always did put you down as a
first-class rascal.  If you keep, on, you'll be more of a one than
your father."

In high rage the former bully of Putnam Hall strode forward and
without warning struck the defenseless Dick a heavy blow on the
cheek.

"That, for your impudence," he snarled.  "You keep a civil tongue
in your head. If you don't --"  He finished with a shake of his
fist.

"You had bettair make up your mind to pay ze monish," said Captain
Villaire, after a painful pause.  "It will be ze easiest way out
of ze situation for you."

"Don't you pay a cent, Uncle Randolph," interrupted Dick quickly.
Then Baxter hit him again, such a stinging blow that he almost
lost consciousness.

"For shame!" ejaculated Mr. Rover.  "He is tied up, otherwise you
would never have the courage to attack him.  Baxter, have you no
spirit of fairness at all in your composition?"

"Don't preach -- I won't listen to it!" fumed the bully.  "You
have got to pay that money.  If you don't -- well, I don't believe
you'll ever reach America alive, that's all."

With these words Dan Baxter withdrew, followed by Captain
Villaire.

"You think za will pay?" queried the French brigand anxiously.

"To be sure they will pay.  They value their lives too much to
refuse.  Just wait until they have suffered the pangs of hunger
and thirst, and you'll see how they change their tune."

"You are certain za have ze monish?"

"Yes; they are rich.  It will only be a question of waiting for
the money after they send for it."

"I vill not mind zat."

"Neither will I -- if we are safe here.  You don't think anybody
will follow us?"

"Not unless za find ze way up from ze rivair.  Za cannot come here
by land, because of ze swamps," answered the Frenchman.  "And ze
way from ze rivair shall be well guarded from now on," he added.





CHAPTER XIX

WHAT HAPPENED TO TOM AND SAM

Let us return to Tom and Sam, at the time they were left alone at
Binoto's hostelry.

"I wish we had gone with Dick and Uncle Randolph," said Tom, as he
slipped into his coat and shoes.  "I don't like this thing at
all."

"Oh, don't get scared before you are hurt, Tom!" laughed his
younger brother.  "These people out here may be peculiar, but --"

Sam did not finish.  A loud call from the woods had reached his
ears, and in alarm he too began to dress, at the same time
reaching for his pistol and the money belt which Randolph Rover
had left behind.

"I -- I guess something is wrong," he went on, after a pause.  "If
we -"

"Tom!  Sam!  look out fo' yourselves!" came from Aleck, and in a
second more the negro, burst on their view.  "Come, if yo' is
dressed!" he added.

"Where to?" asked Tom hurriedly.

"Anywhar, Massah Tom.  De others is took prisoners!  Come!"  And
Aleck almost dragged the boy along.

The Rover boys could readily surmise that Aleck would not act in
this highly excited manner unless there was good cause for it.
Consequently, as Sam said afterward, "They didn't stand on the
order of their going, but just flew."  Pell-mell out of the
hostelry they tumbled, and ran up the highway as rapidly as their
nimble limbs would permit.

They heard several men coming after them, and heard the command
"Halt!" yelled after them in both French and bad English.  But
they did not halt until a sudden tumble on Tom's part made the
others pause in dismay.

"Oh, great Caesar!" groaned the fun-loving Rover, and tried to
stand up.  "I guess I've twisted my ankle."

"Can't you even walk?" asked Sam.

"We ain't got no time ter lose!" panted Aleck, who was almost
winded.  "If we stay here we'll be gobbled up -- in no time, dat's
shuah!"

"Let us try to carry Tom," said Sam, and attempted to lift his
brother up.  But the load made him stagger.

"De trees -- let us dun hide in, de trees!" went on the negro,
struck by a certain idea.  "Come on, quick!"

"Yes - yes -- anything!" groaned Tom, and then shut his teeth hard
to keep himself from screaming with pain.

Together they carried the suffering youth away from the highway to
where there was a thick jungle of trees and tropical vines.  The
vines, made convenient ladders by which to get up into the trees,
and soon Sam and Aleck were up and pulling poor Tom after them.

"Now we must be still," said Aleck, when they were safe for the
time being.  "Hear dem a-conun' dis way."

The three listened and soon made out the footsteps of the
approaching party. They soon passed on up the road.

"We've fooled them," whispered Sam.

"But, oh, Aleck, what does it all mean?"

"It means dat yo' uncle an' Dick am prisoners -- took by a lot of
rascals under a tall, Frenchman."

"Yes, but I don't understand --"

"No more do I, Massah Sam, but it war best to git out, dat's as
shuah as yo' is born," added the colored man solemnly.

Poor Torn was having a wretched time of it with his ankle, which
hurt as badly as ever and had begun to swell.  As he steadied
himself on one of the limbs of the tree Sam removed his shoe,
which gave him a little relief.

From a distance came a shouting, and they made out through the
trees the gleam of a torch.  But soon the sounds died out and the
light disappeared.

What should they do next?  This was a question impossible to
answer.

"One thing is certain, I can't walk just yet," said Tom.  "When I
put my foot down it's like a thousand needles darting through my
leg."

"Let us go below and hunt up some water," said Sam; and after
waiting a while longer they descended into the small brush.  Aleck
soon found a pool not far distant, and to this they carried Tom,
and after all had had a drink, the swollen ankle was bathed, much
to the sufferer's relief.

Slowly the time dragged by until morning.  As soon as the sun was
up Aleck announced that he was going back to the hostelry to see
how the land lay.

"But don't expose yourself," said Tom.  "I am certain now that is
a regular robbers' resort, or worse."

Aleck was gone the best part of three hours.  When he returned he
was accompanied by Cujo.  The latter announced that all of the
other natives had fled for parts unknown.

"The inn is deserted," announced Aleck.  Even that colored wife of
the proprietor is gone.

"And did you find any trace of Dick and my uncle?" asked Sam.

"We found out where dat struggle took place," answered, Aleck.
"And Cujo reckons as how he can follow de trail if we don't wait
too long to do it."

"Must go soon," put in Cujo for himself.

"Maybe tomorrow come big storm -- den track all washed away."

Tom sighed and shook his head.  "You can go on, but you'll have to
leave me behind.  I couldn't walk a hundred yards for a barrel of
gold."

"Oh, we can't think of leaving you behind!" cried Sam.

"I'll tell you wot -- Ise dun carry him, at least fe a spell,"
said Aleck, and so it was arranged.

Under the new order of things Cujo insisted on making a scouting
tour first, that he might strike the trail before carrying them
off on a circuitous route, thus tiring Aleck out before the real
tracking began.

The African departed, to be gone the best Part of an hour.  When
he came back there was a broad grin of satisfaction on his homely
features.

"Cujo got a chicken," he announced, producing the fowl.  "And here
am some werry good roots, too.  Now va dinner befo' we start out."

"Right yo' am, Cujo!" cried Pop, and began to start up a fire
without delay, while Cujo cleaned the fowl and mashed up the
roots, which, when baked on a hot stone, tasted very much like
sweet potatoes.  The meal was enjoyed by all, even Tom eating his
full share in spite of his swollen ankle, which was now gradually
resuming its normal condition.

Cujo had found the trail at a distance of an eighth of a mile
above the wayside hostelry.  "Him don't lead to de ribber dare,"
he said.  "But I dun think somet'ing of him."

"And what do you think?" asked Tom, from his seat on Aleck's
back.

"I t'ink he go to de kolobo."

"And what is the kolobo?" asked Sam with interest.

"De kolobo old place on ribber-place where de white soldiers shoot
from big fort-house."

"A fort!" cried Tom.  "But would the authorities allow, them to go
there?"

"No soldiers dare now -- leave kolobo years ago.  Place most
tumble down now.  But good place fo' robbers."

"I see.  Well, follow the trail as best you can -- and we'll see
what we will see."

"And let us get along just as fast as we can," added Sam.

On they went through a forest that in spots was so thick they
could scarcely pass.  The jungle contained every kind of tropical
growth, including ferns, which were beautiful beyond description,
and tiny vines so wiry that they cut like a knife.

"This is tough," remarked Sam.  "But I suppose it doesn't hold a
candle to what is beyond."

"Werry bad further on," answered Cujo.  "See, here am de trail,"
and he pointed it out.

Several miles were covered, when they came to a halt in order to
rest and to give Aleck a let up in carrying Tom.  The youth now
declared his foot felt much better and hobbled along for some
distance by leaning on Sam's shoulder.

Presently they were startled by hearing a cry from a distance.
They listened intently, then Cujo held up his hand.

"Me go an' see about dat," he said.  "Keep out ob sight, all ob
you!"  And he glided into the bushes with the skill and silence of
a snake.

Another wait ensued, and Tom improved the time by again bathing
his foot in a pool which was discovered not far from where Cujo
had left them.  The water seemed to do much good, and the youth
declared that by the morrow he reckoned he would be able to do a
fair amount of walking if they did not progress too rapidly.

"But what a country this is!" he murmured.

I declare they could burn wood night and day for a century and
never miss a stick."

"I thought I heard some monkeys chattering a while ago," answered
Sam.  "I suppose the interior is alive with them."

"I dun see a monkey lookin' at us now, from dat tree," observed
Aleck.  "See dem shinin' eyes back ob de leaves?"  He pointed with
his long forefinger, and both, boys gazed in the direction.  Then
Tom gave a yell.

"A monkey?  That's a snake!  Look out for yourselves!"

He started back and the others did the same.  And they were none
too soon, for an instant later the leaves were thrust apart and a
serpent's form appeared, swaying slowly to and fro, as if
contemplating a drop upon their very heads!





CHAPTER XX

THE FIGHT AT THE OLD FORT

For the instant after the serpent appeared nobody spoke or moved.
The waving motion of the reptile was fascinating to the last
degree, as was also that beady stare from its glittering eyes.
The stare was fixed upon poor Tom, and having retreated but a few
feet, he now stood as though rooted to the spot.  Slowly the form
of the snake was lowered, until only the end of its tail kept it
up on the tree branch.  Then the head and neck began to swing back
and forth, in a straight line with Tom's face.

The horrible fascination held the poor, boy as by a spell, and he
could do nothing but look at those eyes, which seemed to bum
themselves upon his very brain.  Closer and closer, and still
closer, they came to his face, until at last the reptile prepared
to strike.

Crack!  It was Sam's pistol that spoke up, at just the right
instant, and those beady eyes were ruined forever, and the wounded
head twisted in every direction, while the body of the serpent,
dropping from the tree, lashed and dashed hither and thither in
its agony.  Then the spell was broken, and Tom let out such a yell
of terror as had never before issued from his lips.

Crack! came a second shot from Sam's pistol.  But the serpent was
moving around too rapidly for a good aim to be taken, and only the
tip of the tail was struck. Then, in a mad, blind fashion, the
snake coiled itself upon Aleck's foot, and began, with
lightning-like rapidity, to encircle the colored man's body.

"Help!" shrieked Aleck, trying to pull the snake off with his
hands.  "Help! or Ise a dead man, shuah!"

"Catch him by the neck, Aleck!" ejaculated Tom, and brought out
his own pistol.  Watching his chance, he pulled the trigger twice,
sending both bullets straight through the reptile's body.  Then
Sam fired again, and the mangled head fell to the ground.

But dead or alive the body still encircled Aleck, and the
contraction threatened to cave in the colored man's ribs.

"Pull him off somehow!" he gasped.  "Pull him off!"

Crack! went Tom's pistol once more, and now the snake had
evidently had enough of it, for it uncoiled slowly and fell to the
ground in a heap, where it slowly shifted from one spot to another
until life was extinct.  But neither the boys nor the colored man
waited to see if it was really dead.  Instead, they took to their
heels and kept on running until the locality was left a
considerable distance behind.

"That was a close shave," said Tom, as he dropped on the ground
and began to nurse his lame ankle once more.  "Ugh! but that snake
was enough to give one the nightmare!"

"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 accomplished when they heard Cujo calling 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.  "Him big 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 from the swamp and at
the cliff overlooking the river.

"I see white boy dare too," he added.  "Same boy wot yo' give
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, now we 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 making any demonstration against
their enemies.  The African was very angry to think that the other
natives had deserted the party, but this anger availed them
nothing.

Four o'clock in the afternoon found them on the edge of the swamp
and not far from the bank of the Congo.  Beyond was the cliff,
overgrown in every part with rank vegetation, and the ever-present
vines, which hung down like so many ropes of green.

"If we want to get up the wall we won't want any scaling ladders,"
remarked Tom grimly.  "Oh, if only we knew that Dick and Uncle
Randolph were safe!"

"I'm going to find out pretty soon," replied Sam.  "I'll tell you
what I think.  I think they are being held for ransom."

"I was thinking of that, too.  But I didn't dream of such a thing
being done down here although, I know it is done further north in
Africa among the Moors and Algerians."

Cujo now went 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 um fort, as you call um, without being seen."

Soon night was upon them, for in the tropics there is rarely any
twilight.  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 from Cujo.  "Man ahead!"

They came to a halt, and through the gloom saw a solitary figure
sitting on a rock.  The sentinel held a gun over his knees and was
smoking a cigarette.

"If he sees us he will give the alarm," whispered Tom.  "Can't we
capture him without making 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
from the grass and threw him to the earth.  Then a long knife
flashed in the air.  "No speak, or um diet" came softly; but, the
Frenchman realized that the African meant what he said.

"I will be silent!" he growled, in the language of the African.
"Don't -- don't choke me."

Cujo let out a low whistle, which the others rightly guessed was a
signal for them to come up.  Finding himself surrounded, the
Frenchman gave up his gun and other weapons without a struggle.
He could talk no English, so what followed had to be translated by
Cujo.

"Yes, de man an' boy are dare," explained Cujo, pointing to the
fort.  "Da chained up, so dis rascal say.  De captain ob de band
want heap money to let um go."

"Ask him how many of the band there are," asked Sam.

But at this question the Frenchman shook his head.  Either he did
not know or would not tell.

After a consultation the rascal was made to march back to safer
ground.  Then he was strapped to a tree and gagged. The straps
were not fastened very tightly, so that the man was sure to gain
his liberty sooner or later.  "If we didn't come back and he was
too tight he might starve to death," said Tom.

"Not but wot he deserves to starve," said Aleck, with a scowl at
the crestfallen prisoner.

At the foot of the cliff all was as dark and silent as a tomb.
"We go slow now, or maybe take a big tumble," cautioned Cujo.
"Perhaps him better if me climb up first," and he began the
dangerous ascent of the cliff by means of the numerous vines
already mentioned.

He was halfway up when the others started after him, Sam first,
Tom next, and Aleck bringing up in the rear.

Slowly they arose until the surface of the stream was a score or
more of feet below them.  Then came the sounds of footsteps from
above and suddenly a torch shone down into their upturned faces.

"Hullo, who's this?" came in English and the Rover boys recognized
Dan Baxter.

"Silence, on your life!" cried Tom.

"Tom Rover!" gasped the bully.  "How came you --"

"Silence, Baxter!  I have a pistol and you know I am a good shot.
Stand where you an and put both hands over your head."

"Will I stand?  Not much!" yelled the bully, and flung his torch
straight at Tom.  Then he turned and ran for the fort, giving the
alarm at the top of his lungs.

The torch struck Tom on the neck, and for the moment the youth was
in danger of losing his hold on the vines and tumbling to the
jagged rocks below.  But then the torch slipped away, past Sam and
Aleck, and went hissing into the dark waters of the Congo.

By this time Cujo had reached the top of the cliff and was making
after Baxter.  Both gained the end of the fort at the same time and
one mighty blow from Cujo's club laid Baxter senseless near the
doorway.

"Help!  help!"  The cry came in Dick's voice, and was plainly
heard by Sam and Tom.  Then Captain Villaire appeared, and a rough
and tumble battle ensued, which the Rovers well remember to this
day.

But Tom was equal to the occasion, and after the first onslaught
he turned, as if summoning help from the cliff.  "This way!" he
cried.  "Tell the company to come up here and the other company
can surround the swamp!"

Several pistol shots rang out, and the boys saw a Frenchman go
down with a broken arm.  Then Captain Villaire shouted: "We have
been betrayed -- we must flee!"  The cry came in French, and as if
by magic the brigands disappeared into the woods behind the old
fort; and victory was upon the side of our friends.





CHAPTER XXI

INTO THE HEART OF AFRICA

"Well, I sincerely trust we have no more such adventures."

The speaker was Randolph Rover.  He was seated on an old bench in
one of the rooms of the fort, binding up a finger which had been
bruised in the fray.  It was two hours later, and the fight had
come to an end some time previous.  Nobody was seriously hurt,
although Sam, Dick, and Aleck were suffering from several small
wounds.  Aleck had had his ear clipped by a bullet from Captain
Villaire's pistol and was thankful that he had not been killed.

Baxter, the picture of misery, was a prisoner.  The bully's face
was much swollen and one eye was in deep mourning.  He sat huddled
up in a heap in a corner and wondering what punishment would be
dealt out to him.  "I suppose they'll kill me," he groaned, and it
may be added that he thought he almost deserved that fate.

"You came just in time," said Dick.  "Captain Villaire was about
to torture us into writing letters home asking for the money he
wanted as a ransom.  Baxter put it into his head that we were very
rich."

"Oh, please don't say anything more about it!" groaned the
unfortunate bully.  "I -- that Frenchman put up this job all on
his own hook."

"I don't believe it," came promptly from Randolph Rover.  "You met
him, at Boma; you cannot deny it."

"So I did; but be didn't say he was going to capture you, and I -"

"We don't care to listen to your falsehoods, Baxter," interrupted
Dick sternly.

"You are fully as guilty as anybody. You admitted it before."

Cujo had gone off to watch Captain Villaire and his party.  He now
came back, bringing word that the brigand had taken a fallen tree
and put out on the Congo and was drifting down the stream along
with several of his companions in crime.

"Him won't come back," said the tall African.  "Him had enough of
urn fight."

Nevertheless the whole party remained on guard until morning,
their weapons ready for instant use.  But no alarm came, and when
day, dawned they soon made sure that they had the entire locality
around the old fort to themselves, the Frenchman with a broken arm
having managed to crawl off and reach his friends.

What to do with Dan Baxter was a conundrum.

"We can't take him with us, and if we leave him behind he will
only be up to more evil," said Dick.  "We ought to turn him over
to the British authorities."

"No, no, don't do that," pleaded the tall youth.  "Let me go and
I'll promise never to interfere with you again."

"Your promises are not worth the breath used in uttering them,"
replied Tom.  "Baxter, a worse rascal than you could not be
imagined.  Why don't you try to turn over a new leaf?"

"I will -- if you'll only give me one more chance," pleaded the
former bully of Putnam Hall.

The matter was discussed in private and it was at last decided to
let Baxter go, providing he would, promise to return straight to
the coast.

"And remember," said Dick, "if we catch you following us again we
will shoot you on sight."

"I won't follow -- don't be alarmed," was the low answer, and then
Baxter was released and conducted to the road running down to
Boma.  He was given the knife he had carried, but the Rovers kept
his pistol, that he might not be able to take a long-range shot at
them.  Soon he was out of their sight, not to turn up again for a
long while to come.

It was not until the heat of the day had been spent that the
expedition resumed its journey, after, an excellent meal made from
the supplies Captain Villaire's party had left behind in their
hurried flight.  Some of the remaining supplies were done up into
bundles by Cujo, to replace those which had been lost when the
natives hired by Randolph Rover had deserted.

"It's queer we didn't see anything of that man and woman from the
inn," remarked Dick, as they set off.  "I reckon they got scared
at the very start."

They journeyed until long after nightfall, "To make up for lost
time," as Mr. Rover expressed it, and so steadily did Cujo push on
that when a halt was called the boys were glad enough to rest.
They had reached a native village called Rowimu.  Here Cujo was
well known and he readily procured good accommodations for all
hands.

The next week passed without special incident, excepting that one
afternoon the whole party went hunting, bringing down a large
quantity of birds, and several small animals, including an
antelope, which to the boys looked like a Maine deer excepting for
the peculiar formation of its horns.

"I wonder how Mr. Blaze is making out?" said Tom, when they were
returning to camp from the hunt. 

"Oh, I reckon he is blasting away at game," laughed Sam, and Tom
at once groaned over the attempted joke.

"Perhaps we will meet him some day -- if he's in this territory,"
put in Dick.  "But just now I am looking for nobody but father."

"And so are all of us," said Tom and Sam promptly.

They were getting deeper and deeper into the jungle and had to
take good care that they did not become separated.  Yet Cujo said
he understood the way perfectly and often proved his words by
mentioning something which they would soon reach, a stream, a
little lake, or a series of rocks with a tiny waterfall.

"Been ober dis ground many times," said the guide.

"I suppose this is the ground Stanley covered in his famous
expedition along the Congo," remarked Dick, as they journeyed
along.  "But who really discovered the country, Uncle Randolph?"

"That is a difficult question to answer, Dick.  The Portuguese,
the Spanish, and the French all claim that honor, along with the
English.  I fancy different sections, were discovered by different
nationalities.  This Free State, you know, is controlled by half a
dozen nations."

"I wonder if the country will ever be thoroughly civilized?"

"It will take a long while, I am afraid.  Christianity will have
to come first.  Many of the tribes in Africa are, you must
remember, without any form of religion whatever, being even worse
than what we call heathens, who worship some sort of a God."

"Don't they believe in anything?" asked Sam.

"Nothing, Sam.  And their morality is of the lowest grade in
consequence.  They murder and steal whenever the chance offers,
and when they think the little children too much care for them
they pitch them into the rivers for the crocodiles to feed upon."

"The beasts!" murmured Tom.  "Well, I reckon at that rate,
civilization can't come too quick, even if it has to advance
behind bayonets and cannon."





CHAPTER XXII

A HURRICANE IN THE JUNGLE

On and on went the expedition.  In the past many small towns and
villages had been visited where there were more or less white
people; but now they reached a territory where the blacks held
full sway, with -- but this was rarely -- a Christian missionary
among them.

At all of the places which were visited Cujo inquired about King
Susko and his people, and at last learned that the African had
passed to the southeast along the Kassai River, driving before him
several hundred head of cattle which he had picked up here and
there.

"Him steal dat cattle," explained Cujo, "but him don't say dat
stealin', him say um -- um -"

"A tax on the people?" suggested Dick.

"Yes, um tax.  But him big Vief."

"He must be, unless he gives the people some benefit for the tax
they are forced to pay," said Tom.

At one of the villages they leaned that there was another
American Party in that territory, one sent out by an Eastern
college to collect specimens of the flora of central Africa.  It
was said that the party consisted of an elderly man and half a
dozen young fellows.

"I wouldn't mind meeting that crowd," said Sam.  "They might
brighten up things a bit."

"Never mind; things will pick up when once we meet King Susko,"
said Dick.  "But I would like to know where the crowd is from and
who is in it."

"It's not likely we would know them if they are from the East,"
said Sam.  "Probably they hail from Yale or Harvard."

Two days later the storm which Cujo had predicted for some time
caught them while they were in the midst of an immense forest of
teak and rosewood.  It was the middle of the afternoon, yet the
sky became as black as night, while from a distance came the low
rumble of thunder.  There was a wind rushing high up in the air,
but as yet this had not come down any further than the treetops.
The birds of the jungle took up the alarm and filled the forest
with their discordant cries, and even the monkeys, which were now
numerous, sit up a jabber which would have been highly trying to
the nerves of a nervous person.

"Yes, we catch um," said Cujo, in reply to Dick's question.  "Me
look for safe place too stay."

"You think the storm will be a heavy one?" asked Randolph Rover
anxiously.

"Werry heavy, massah; werry heavy," returned Cujo.  "Come wid me,
all ob you,"  and he set off on a run.

All followed as quickly as they could, and soon found themselves
under a high mass of rocks overlooking the Kassai River.  They had
hardly gained the shelter when the storm burst over their heads in
all of its wild fury.

"My, but this beats anything that I ever saw before!" cried Sam,
as the wind began to rush by them with ever-increasing velocity.

"Him blow big by-me-by," said Cujo with a sober face.  "Him big
storm, dis."

"The air was full of a moanin' sound," to use Aleck's way of
expressing it.  It came from a great distance and caused the
monkeys and birds to set up more of a noise than ever.  The trees
were now swaying violently, and presently from a distance came a
crack like that of a big pistol.

"Was that a tree went down?" asked Randolph Rover, and Cujo
nodded.  "It is a good thing, then, that we got out of the
forest."

"Big woods werry dangerous in heap storm like dis," answered the
African.  "Tree come down, maybe kill um. Hark! now um comin'!"

He crouched down between two of the largest rocks and instinctively
the others followed suit.  The "moanin" increased until, with a
roar and a rush, a regular tropical hurricane was upon them.
The blackness of the atmosphere was filled with flying tree
branches and scattered vines, while the birds, large and small,
swept past like chips on a swiftly flowing river, powerless to
save themselves in those fierce gusts.

"Keep down, for your lives!" shouted Randolph Rover; but the roar
of the elements drowned out his voice completely.  However, nobody
thought of rising, and the tree limbs and vines passed harmlessly
over their heads.

The first rush of wind over, the rain began, to fall, at first in
drops as big as a quarter-dollar and then in a deluge which
speedily converted the hollows among the rocks into deep pools and
soaked everybody to his very skin.  Soon the water was up to their
knees and pouring down into the river like a regular cataract.

"This is a soaker and no mistake," said Sam, during a brief lull
in the downpour.  "Why, I never saw so much water come down in my
life."

"It's a hurricane," answered Randolph Rover, "It may keep on --"

He got no further, for at that instant a blinding flash of
lightning caused everybody to jump in alarm.  Then came an
ear-splitting crack of thunder and up the river they saw a
magnificent baobab tree, which had reared its stately head over a
hundred feet high from the ground, come crashing down, split in
twain as by a Titan's ax.  The blackened stump was left standing,
and soon -- this burst into flames, to blaze away until another
downpour of rain put out the conflagration.

"My, but that dun been awful!" murmured Aleck with a shiver.  "Ise
glad we didn't take no shelter under dat tree."

"Amen," said Tom.  He had been on the point of making some joke
about the storm, but now the fun was knocked completely out of
him.

It rained for the rest of the day and all of the night, and for
once all hands felt thoroughly, miserable.  Several times they
essayed to start a fire, by which to dry themselves and make
something hot to drink, but each time the rain put out the blaze.
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 managed to
cook a meal.

When at last the sun did come out, however, it shone, so Sam put
it, "with a vengeance."  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 small animals, including countless monkeys.  The monkeys made
the boys' hearts ache, especially one big female, that was found
tightly clasping 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 small village occupied entirely by negroes, and Cujo
learned from them that King Susko had passed that way but five
days before.  He had had no cattle with him, the majority of his
followers having taken another route.  It was thought by some of
the natives that King Susko was bound for a mountain known as the
Hakiwaupi -- or Ghost-of-Gold.

"The Ghost-of-Gold!" repeated Dick.  "Can that be the mountain
father was searching for 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 immense plain.  It was said to be full of gold, but likewise
haunted by the ghost of a departed warrior known to the natives as
Gnu-ho-mumoli -- Man-of-the-Gnu-eye.

"I reckon that ghost story, was started, by somebody who wanted,
to keep the wealth of che mountain to himself," observed Tom.  "I
don't believe in ghosts, 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 something 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 must be careful in your
treatment of them, otherwise we may get into serious trouble."





CHAPTER XXIII

DICK MEETS AN OLD ENEMY

One afternoon Dick found himself alone near the edge 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 a magnificent fish of a reddish-brown color,
when, on looking up, he espied an elderly man gazing at him
intently from a knoll of water-grass a short distance away.

"Richard Rover, is it -- ahem - possible?" came slowly from the
man's thin lips.  "Surely I must be dreaming!"

"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 presume I might - er -- ask that same question," returned the
former teacher of Putnam Hall.  "Did you follow me to Africa?"

"Do you imagine 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 minded your own business in the future."

"Do not grow saucy, boy; I will not stand it."

"I am not saucy, as you see fit to term it, Josiah Crabtree.  You
know as well as I do that you ought to be in prison this minute
for plotting the abduction of Dora."

"I know nothing of the kind, and will not waste words on you.  But
if you did not follow me why are you here?"

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

"Indeed.  And you -- did you come in search of your missing
father?"

"I did."

"You once said he was missing.  It is a long journey for one so
young."

"It's a queer place for you to come to."

"I am with an exploring party from Yale College.  We are studying
the fauna and flora of central Africa -- at least, they are doing
so under my guidance."

"They must be learning a heap -- under you."

"Do you mean to say I am not capable of teaching them!" cried
Josiah Crabtree, wrathfully.

"Well, if I was in their place I would want somebody else besides
the man who was discharged by Captain Putnam and who failed to get
the appointment he wanted at Columbia College because he could not
stand the examination."

"Boy!  Boy!  You know nothing of my ability!" fumed Crabtree,
coming closer and shaking, his fist in Dick's face.

"Well, I know something of your lack of ability."

"You are doing your best to insult me!"

"Such an old fraud as you cannot be insulted, Josiah Crabtree.  I
read your real character the first time I met you, and you have
never done anything since which has caused me to alter my opinion
of you.  You have a small smattering of learning and you can put
on a very wise look when occasion requires.  But that is all there
is to it, except that behind it all you are a thorough-paced
scoundrel and only lack a certain courage to do some daring bit of
rascality."

This statement of plain truths fairly set Josiah Crabtree to
boiling with rage.  He shook his fist in Dick's face again.  "Don't
dare to talk that way, Rover; don't dare - or -- I'll -- I'll --"

"What will you do?"

"Never mind; I'll show you when the proper time comes."

"I told you once before that I was not afraid of you -- and I am
not afraid of you now."

"You did not come to Africa alone, did you?"

"To be sure I did not.  I have a large party with me."

"In this vicinity?"

"Yes, within calling distance.  I tell you that -- and it's the
truth -- so that you won't try any underhand game on me."

"You - you --"  Josiah Crabtree broke off and suddenly grew
nervous.  "See here, Rover, let us be friends," he said abruptly.
"Let us drop the past and be friends-at least, so long as we are
so far away from home and in the country of the enemy."

This sudden change in manner astonished Dick.  Was Crabtree
serious?  Certainly the man's manner would indicate as much.

"Well, I'm willing to let past matters, drop -- just for the
present," he answered, hardly knowing what to say.  "I wish to pay
all my attention to finding my father."

"Exactly, Richard - and - er - you -- who is with you?  Anybody I
know?"

"Sam and Dick and Alexander Pop."

"Is it possible!  And that black, how is it be came along?"

"He joined us by accident.  But what of your party?"

"They are a set of rich young students from Yale in their senior
year who engaged me to bring them hither for study and - er --
recreation.  And that puts me in mind. You will not -- ahem -- say
anything about the past to them, will you?"





CHAPTER XXIV

JOSIAH CRABTREE MAKES A MOVE

As quick as a flash of lightning Dick saw through Josiah Crabtree's
scheme for, letting matters Of the past drop.  The former teacher
of Putnam Hall was afraid the youth would hunt up the college
students from Yale and expose him to them.

As a matter of fact, Crabtree was already "on the outs" with two
of the students, and he was afraid that if the truth regarding his
character became known his present position would be lost to him
and he would be cast off to shift for himself.

"You don't want me to speak to the students under your charge?"
said Dick slowly.

"Oh, of course you can speak to them, if you wish.  But I - ahem -
- I would not care to -- er - er --"

"To let them know what a rascal you are," finished Dick.
"Crabtree, let me tell you once for all, that you can expect no
friendship, from me.  You are not worthy of it.  When I meet those
students I will tell them whatever I see fit."

At these words Josiah Crabtree grew as white as a sheet.  Then,
setting his teeth, he suddenly recovered.  "Are those your
friends?" he demanded, pointing up the lake shore.

As was perfectly natural, Dick turned to gaze in the direction.
As be did so, Crabtree swung a stick that be carried into the air
and brought it down with all force on the youth's head.  Dick felt
a terrific pain, saw a million or more dancing lights flash
through his brain-and then be knew no more.

"I guess I've fixed him," muttered the former teacher of Putnam
Hall grimly.  He knelt beside the fallen boy and felt of his
heart.  "Not dead, but pretty well knocked out.  Now what had I
best do with him?"

He thought for a moment, then remembered a deep hollow which he
had encountered but a short while before.  Gazing around, to make
certain that nobody was watching him, he picked up the unconscious
lad and stalked off with the form, back into the jungle and up a
small hill.

At the top there was a split between the rocks and dirt, and into
this he dropped poor Dick, a distance of twenty or more feet.
Then he threw down some loose leaves and dead tree branches.

"Now I reckon I am getting square with those Rovers," he muttered,
as he hurried away.

The others of the Rover party wondered why Dick did not join them
when they gathered around the camp-fire that night.

"He must be done fishing by this time," said Tom.  "I wonder if
anything has happened to him?"

"Let us take a walk up de lake an' see," put in Aleck, and the
pair started off without delay.

They soon found the spot where Dick had been fishing.  His rod and
line lay on the bank, just as he had dropped it upon Josiah
Crabtree's approach.

"Dick!  Dick!  Where are you?" called out Tom.

No answer came back at first.  Then, to Tom's astonishment, a
strange voice answered from the woods: "Here I am!  Where are
you?"

"Dat aint Dick," muttered Aleck.  "Dat's sumbuddy else, Massah
Tom."

"So it is," replied Tom, and presently saw a tall and well-built
young man struggling forth from the tall grass of the jungle.

"Hullo, what are you?" demanded the newcomer, as he stalked toward
them.

"I guess I can ask the same question," laughed Tom.  "Are you the
Dick who just answered me?"

"I am Dick Chester.  And who are you?"

"Tom Rover.  I am looking for my brother Dick, who was fishing
here a while ago. Are you one of that party of college students we
have heard about?"

"Yes, I'm a college student from Yale.  May I ask where you come
from?"

In a brief manner Tom told Dick Chester.  "We can't imagine what
has become of my brother Dick," he went on.

"Perhaps a lion ate him up," answered the Yale student.  "No, you
needn't smile. We saw a lion only yesterday.  It nearly scared Mr.
Crabtree into a fit."

"Mr. Crabtree!" burst Torn.  "Josiah Crabtree?"

"The same.  Do you know him?"

"Indeed I do -- to my sorrow.  He used to be a teacher at the
academy I and my brothers attend.  But he was discharged.  He's a
regular rascal."

"You are sure of that?" queried Dick Chester.  "I have thought so
all along, but the others, would hardly believe it."

"I am telling the truth, and can prove all I say.  But just now I
am anxious about my brother.  You say you saw a lion?"

"Yes.  He was across the lake; but Mr. Crabtree was scared to
death and ran away.  Frank Rand and I took shots at the beast, but
I can't say if we hit him."

"It would be too bad if Dick dunh fell into dat lion's clutches,"
put in Aleck.  "I reckon de lion would chaw him up in no time."

"Go back and call Cujo," said Tom.  "He may be able to track my
brother's footsteps."