“HOWlong will it take us to get to this Forest of Mystery?” inquired Bob Holton, as he and his chum followed the naturalists over the grassy plain.
“Many, many days,” answered Mr. Lewis. “It is in the very heart of the vast Belgian Congo and is inaccessible by way of roads and railways.”
“So much the better for us,” laughed Joe. “We’ll probably find things there that no one else has seen. At least, no other white men.”
“Let’s hope you’re right, Son,” came from his father. “Howard and I would like to discover some totally unknown animals. But,” he added significantly, “we’ll have to watch our step. Who knows what perils may be hidden in that mysterious forest?”
The afternoon was rapidly wearing on, and although the explorers were still on the open plain, Noko announced that he desired to get beyond itbefore nightfall. In the distance they could see a dark jungle, through which they would soon be passing.
The grass under their feet was tough and wiry and yielded reluctantly. Occasionally small animals darted out before them and disappeared under cover of the grass. None of the large cats, however, showed itself.
“Wish we could get a look at a lion,” remarked Bob, tightening his grip on his rifle. “What I’ll do to one if I see one!”
The naturalists looked back and smiled.
“Maybe it would work the other way around,” chuckled Mr. Holton. “What would the lion do to you?”
“Oh, I don’t know, Dad. I’m not a bad shot. You know that. And I’ve met wild animals before.”
“True, Bob,” came from his father. “But none happened to be as ferocious as oldfelis leo——”
“I thought the lion is calledsimba,” interrupted Joe.
A burst of laughter followed.
“It’s very apparent,” said Mr. Lewis, “that you need to brush up on your natural history.”
“Why?” inquired Joe, somewhat surprised. “What was funny?”
“Still don’t get the point, huh?” laughed Mr. Holton. “Well, we’d better tell you before you spring that one before some of our naturalist friends.Felis leo, boys, is the lion’s scientific name.Simbais the name given to him by the natives.”
The boys laughed also when Mr. Holton had finished.
“Simbafits him better,” mused Joe. “Of course, it’s less distinguished, but, just the same, it’s easier to say.”
At last they found themselves nearing the jungle, after having left the long stretch of veldt behind. As it was almost sundown, the naturalists greatly desired to stop for the night. Noko, however, for some reason wanted to plunge into the jungle without delay. Perhaps he feared the invasion of wild beasts if camp should be made on the grassland.
Before long they plunged into the woodland, and their rate of travel was necessarily reduced somewhat. For with all the many sharp-pointed thorns, low bushes, tangled vines, and other obstacles, the adventurers found it difficult to maintain a rapid pace.
“Keep a sharp lookout,” cautioned Mr. Holton, glancing back for a moment. “This region shouldn’t be particularly dangerous, but you never can tell.”
“Only thing I’m especially afraid of,” began Joe, “is poisonous snakes. Can’t tell just when you might step on one.”
“Leopards are also dangerous,” put in his father. “At any minute one might leap down from a tree and make for us. Still, the animals are likely to be frightened by such a large safari as ours.”
At frequent intervals Bob and Joe took turns in “shooting” the country with the motion-picture cameras. These latter were not the type that require a tripod, but were relatively simple in design and easy to operate, it being necessary only to press a button as the lens was focused.
The jungle was becoming more tangled with every passing minute. Huge forest trees were everywhere, many of them having parasitic vines wound tightly around their trunks. Strange, odd plants grew about in profusion. Bright-colored flowers were everywhere and often diverted the youths’ attention from the path.
Many varieties of butterflies, frequently beautifully marked, fluttered about. Once Joe was lucky enough to catch one with his hand and at once passed it to Mr. Holton, who was nearest him.
They had trekked for over an hour when suddenly there arose a commotion in the rear ranks of the line of carriers.
“What’s that?” burst out Bob, turning on the instant. “Sounds like something’s the matter.”
Mr. Holton ran back down the path, followed by Bob, Joe, and the latter’s father.
Then they saw the cause of the disturbance. A veritable army of tiny red ants was attacking the bare feet of the bearers and was doing the job right. There must have been tens of thousands of the little creatures, for they were crawling about in great masses.
Noko shouted something in the native language, motioning and frowning indignantly. What he said the Americans never knew.
“Look at them,” said Joe excitedly. “Isn’t there anything they can do to beat them off?”
The natives were becoming frantic with fear and discomfort. They jumped about wildly in attempts to escape from the countless menacing hordes. Despite the seriousness of the matter, Bob and Joe could not help laughing at the actions of the natives.
“This ought to be a swell scene,” laughed Bob, focusing the movie camera on the dancing mob. “And it’s all genuine, too. No acting about it.”
The filming was shortly interrupted, as the attacked bearers rushed madly up the path, apparently intent upon running from the red ants. Boband Joe took to their heels with the rest and at last were sufficiently far from the scene to be out of danger. All were panting and perspiring after the short but tiring run.
“Are we rid of them?” inquired Bob. He had not seen a red ant since he had started running.
Noko nodded.
“They gone,” he said, stopping for a moment and facing Bob. “Heap bad. Bites hurt.”
“I shouldn’t imagine it is very pleasant to be bitten by them,” said Joe.
“The natives steer clear of them,” put in Mr. Lewis, as the cavalcade again took up the journey. “Not infrequently red ants invade villages and drive the entire population to some place of refuge. Howard and I have often come upon deserted villages that had been left for that very reason.”
Just before nightfall the party came to a wide stream of muddy water, which wound itself through the dense jungle. From all appearances the stream was very deep.
The chums saw that fifty feet farther along there was a log spanning the creek, probably placed there by natives.
“Wonder if we’ll have to cross that?” mused Joe, looking with distrust at the improvised bridge.
“Looks like it,” his friend responded. “The path quits off there, you know, and continues from the other side.”
The words were scarcely spoken when Noko stopped and turned to the naturalists.
“Cross here,” he told them, indicating the log. “Must be care. Not slip.”
“Wow!” cried Bob suddenly.
“What’s the matter?” asked Joe.
For answer, Bob pointed to the stream.
There, lurking sluggishly on a flat shelf, was a huge crocodile which looked as if it were waiting for one of the adventurers to plunge into the dark water.
JOEstared at the stream in terrible fascination, half expecting to see many other of the repulsive reptiles make an appearance. But if any more were there, they failed to come in sight.
“One’s enough, though,” mused Joe.
Mr. Holton motioned for Noko to lead the way. True, it promised to be a trying experience, crossing that slippery log, but the sooner over the better.
A rope was handed to each of the whites, who grasped it thankfully. The natives, however, had little need for this aid, accustomed as they were to jungle life. Even with the heavy packs, they went easily across to the other side.
Mr. Lewis and Mr. Holton also stepped across without difficulty. Bob, the next to try it, demonstrated his skill by not making a single misstep. Joe, who was last, gripped the rope a little moretightly than had the others, for he had never considered himself good at balancing.
“Take it slowly,” cautioned his father, looking on anxiously from the other side. “Don’t look at the water. It might make you dizzy.”
Joe was more than halfway across when a terrific splashing sound made him glance around impulsively. Then his expression changed, and he suddenly grew pale.
His foot was slipping—slowly, to be sure, but slipping!
Suddenly the youth gave a wild cry of fear and then went plunging into the muddy water!
There were anxious shouts from the opposite shore as Mr. Lewis and Mr. Holton pulled desperately on the rope. Bob and Noko also lent their efforts, and together the four drew Joe slowly but surely toward the bank.
“Hurry!” cried Joe frantically. “The crocodile!”
The huge reptile hesitated a moment as it gazed intently at the broken waters. Then, as though suddenly grasping what was taking place, it swung into action and swam toward Joe.
The latter was some fifty feet away, and, aided by the stout rope was swimming rapidly. But the crocodile also was moving at no slow gait!
“Quick!” shouted Mr. Lewis, pulling with all his strength. “In less than a minute it will be too late.”
He placed his section of the rope in the hands of a bearer and grasped his rifle. A second later he pulled the trigger.
Bang!
The sound of the gun was followed by a terrific threshing about as the crocodile gasped out its last breath. Then the motion ceased, and the great saurian disappeared into the dark water.
“Thank goodness!” breathed Bob.
By now Joe had reached the shore and was scrambling up the steep bank. He was a sorry-looking sight as he faced the others.
“Thought I was a goner,” he said, with a ghost of a smile. “But that rifle shot did the trick, all right.”
“It certainly did,” said Mr. Holton. “Ben never fired a more accurate shot. Strange, but it never occurred to me to use a rifle. I was only thinking of pulling harder on the rope.”
“I wasn’t sure that I could hit the crocodile,” Mr. Lewis put in. “I imagine I wasn’t any too steady after the terrific strain. But through luck, I guess, that bullet penetrated the brain.”
Joe was watersoaked to the skin, and mud was caking on his clothes.
“Better put on something dry,” advised Mr. Holton, and Noko, understanding, nodded.
“Get heap sick,” the native said, using the English he had picked up. “Um fever here. Soon come night. Then be heap cold.”
“I guess you’re right,” Joe admitted. “Then too, it doesn’t feel very pleasant with these wet clothes on.”
It did not take him long to change, and he was soon ready to continue the journey.
Noko urged that they make unusually good time from now until dark so as to get to a certain clearing before nightfall. Of course, they could have stopped and made camp at many places, but the native did not wish to do so.
As the guide had hoped, they reached the place he had in mind just as darkness was beginning to enshroud them.
During the next few minutes all worked hurriedly, so as to complete making camp before the blackness would handicap them. For night in the tropics comes quickly, there being little or no twilight.
The tents were fastened securely to the stakes,the provisions unpacked, and a roaring fire was built.
“Now for what’s coming,” grinned Bob, smacking his lips. “And am I hungry!”
Before long a tempting odor filled the air, one that was entirely new to the youths. Just what food was being prepared they could not even guess.
The taste was excellent, however, as they found a little later.
“Trust the natives to pick out what’s good,” remarked Mr. Lewis, when the meal was over. “They know of many edible wild herbs, roots, and berries that we whites have never tasted.”
Darkness had overtaken them, a darkness that was filled with mystery. From afar came some terrifying scream, uttered perhaps by a wild animal in its death struggle. Soon there came another that was even more blood curdling.
“Listen!” hissed Mr. Holton, straining his ears to make out the distant cry more distinctly.
“What is it?” inquired Joe.
“A lion,” was the answer. “He seems to be coming closer.”
“Gee. Maybe we can get a shot at his lordship,” grinned Bob, picking up his rifle.
But if the lion was near the camp he failed to cause a disturbance. Perhaps the brute had sensedthat someone had invaded his domain, but had also sensed that it would be dangerous to interfere.
“What’s that over there?” demanded Bob, making out something just beyond the fire.
“Why—it looks like two red lights,” observed Joe. “And they seem to be coming closer.”
The naturalists’ eyes followed those of their sons. Then Mr. Holton reached for his rifle.
“Keep quiet,” he whispered, taking careful aim at the red “lights.”
Then he fired, the report being followed by a terrible screeching and wailing noise. With one last groan, the animal, whatever it was collapsed.
“Hurray!” yelled Joe. “Got him, Mr. Holton. But what was it?”
The victim proved to be a huge lemur, an animal that looked like a cross between a monkey and a cat. It was about three feet long and had an unusually long tail.
“But, say, Dad,” came from Bob, “where did that bullet strike? It didn’t smash his face.”
“That’s part of the trick of shooting,” laughed Mr. Lewis. “Howard saw its eyes in the darkness, and so aimed below at the body.”
The animal was carefully skinned and the skin placed in preservative. Then, this task being over, they sat idly around the fire and chatted merrily.
At frequent intervals they could hear cries of wild animals, including the trumpeting of elephants and the mournful groan of hyenas. Once they heard a horrid growl that Mr. Lewis said was made by a leopard.
Despite the clamor of the African night, Bob and Joe slept soundly and awoke the next morning greatly refreshed.
“Drink deeply of this cool air,” said Mr. Lewis, stopping for a moment at the boys’ tent. “Along towards noon, as you already know, the sun will be far too hot for comfort.”
The natives were astir, attending to the many tasks that went with breaking camp. Breakfast was at once followed by pulling up the stakes, folding the tents, and loading the provisions and other articles in their proper places on the backs of the bearers.
Soon the expedition was again penetrating deep into the dense jungle. Although the traveling was necessarily slow, every hour saw them a little nearer the unknown Forest of Mystery.
Along towards noon Noko called a halt. It was wholly unwise to continue in the terrific noonday heat of Africa. They stopped at a little open space which was devoid of vegetation except for tall grass.
Everyone rested in the shade of a huge tree, whose branches extended out over a wide area.
Bob and Joe, however, soon tired of remaining so long in one position, and finally decided to explore the country in the immediate vicinity of the safari.
“We won’t be gone long,” remarked Bob, speaking to the naturalists. “Just want to look around a little.”
“Be careful, boys,” warned his father. “Always be prepared for dangers.”
There was a narrow trail that wound toward a little elevation not far away. Along this the youths walked, keeping their eyes open for anything unusual.
“I wouldn’t mind meeting something dangerous,” grinned Joe, gripping his rifle the tighter. “Somehow I want action.”
“Didn’t you get enough of that yesterday when you fell in that stream?” asked Bob.
“It was enough for yesterday,” returned Joe. “But this is today.”
Suddenly the chums caught sight of something that filled them with wonder.
NOTten feet away, at the point where the trail branched, was a huge mound of earth that must have been at least thirty feet high. It was conical in shape, gradually tapering up to a sharp point.
“What do you call that?” asked Joe, staring in amazement at the formation.
“If I’m not mistaken, it’s an ant hill,” Bob answered, moving closer to the mound of earth. Often Bob had heard of this phenomenon, but until now had not seen it.
“A what? Ant hill? You don’t mean to say that ants built that, do you?”
“I guess they did,” returned Bob. “Dad says ants have been known to heap up the earth to a height of forty feet or more.”
“Of all things!” Joe could hardly believe what his chum said. “How do they do it, anyway?”
“More than I know. They’re busy little creatures, though.”
The boys examined the ant hill with a great deal of curiosity. It seemed almost incredible that ants could construct such a huge piece of architecture. Why, it must have required the efforts of tens of thousands of the little creatures!
But although greatly interested, Bob and Joe did not spend too much time here, for they desired to explore a bit longer before returning to the safari.
Everywhere they went they saw brilliantly colored birds, which often fluttered so near that the youths could almost touch them. Luxuriant flowers were also in abundance.
The chums trekked on for a distance of perhaps a half mile, then turned back toward the expedition. When they reached the clearing, they found Mr. Lewis and Mr. Holton ready to continue the journey.
“See anything of interest, boys?” inquired the latter, signaling to Noko to lead the way.
“Plenty,” returned Joe. “An ant hill, for one thing. And was it a whopper! Must have been thirty feet if an inch.”
“That was only a taste,” grinned Mr. Lewis, with a wink at Bob’s father. “Howard and I have often seen them forty feet or more.”
As they penetrated deeper into the jungle, thevegetation became denser and consequently more difficult to pass through. Often the sun was entirely hidden from view by the thick canopy of foliage above, and the explorers found themselves in a sort of twilight. At other times they would emerge from the leafy depths and make their way over wide plains under the fierce tropical sun.
But despite many difficulties of the trail, the expedition made good time and by night had covered a good many miles. They camped beside a narrow, winding stream, which looked as if it were several yards deep.
“Bet there’s fish in there,” remarked Joe, peering into the dark water of the stream.
Noko overheard the remark and understood.
“Um big fish dare,” the native said, his eyes following those of Joe. “Dey good eat.”
“That’s an idea,” mused Bob. “Why not try our luck at fishing?”
“Sure.” Joe was more than willing.
The youths got out their tackle and fashioned crude poles out of tree branches. Then, sitting a short distance apart on the bank, they waited silently, while the naturalists looked on with interest.
Suddenly, when it had been in the water but a few minutes, Joe’s float was drawn completelyunder the water with such force that the pole was almost snatched out of the youth’s hands.
“Pull!” exclaimed Bob in a loud whisper.
Joe obeyed, but found that to do this was harder than he had anticipated. But with the aid of his chum the catch was drawn out easily.
All uttered startled exclamations at sight of it.
“A tiger fish,” pronounced Mr. Lewis. “Only a small one, though.”
“Small one?” cried Joe, wheeling about. “What are you talking about, Dad? Bet that fish weighs ten pounds!”
“Maybe so,” Mr. Lewis returned. “But it isn’t uncommon to catch tiger fish that weigh as much as twenty pounds. In fact, Howard hooked one in the Zambezi River that tipped the scales at forty-two.”
“No!” Bob and Joe both looked up in amazement.
“That’s right,” vouched Mr. Holton. “It was the biggest I’ve ever caught.”
During the next fifteen minutes Joe caught four more of the big fish, none, however, being as large as the first one. Then, using the knowledge gained on other exploration ventures, he dressed them and placed them over the fire.
“Doggone the luck!” growled Bob. “I didn’tget a single bite. This big bum here walks off with a whole river full.”
“Cheer up,” consoled Mr. Holton. “You can at least share the eating of them.”
“Yeah,” put in Joe. “You can take a whiff at them.”
The tiger fish proved good eating and were a welcome addition to the usual menu.
“And now,” began Mr. Lewis, stretching out to retire after two hours of chatting, “we’d better get to sleep. Noko says we’ll run into a native village tomorrow. That may delay us for a while.”
Shortly before noon of the next day the explorers heard a chorus of shouts and yells, which came from around a bend, and they soon found themselves facing a large group of natives.
Noko at once fell into conversation with the chief, with whom he was well acquainted. They talked for several minutes, and in the end the chief motioned for the safari to follow him into the village.
That village the two youths found very interesting. It was made up of several rows of thatched huts, about which sat natives dozing or conversing. Apparently there was no work being done, the natives probably resting to escape the terrible heat of the sun.
The chief escorted the safari to his own huge hut, where he asked that they remain for a while. The bearers were glad to do as requested, so as to get out of the fierce heat. And as Mr. Holton and Mr. Lewis were also reluctant to continue the journey at this time of day, they also consented.
Both the naturalists had picked up a good knowledge of the native language on their frequent trips to Africa and so had no difficulty in taking part in the conversation. They translated occasionally to Bob and Joe.
During the course of the talk the chief mentioned something that was of great interest to Mr. Lewis and Mr. Holton, and also to the chums. The section around the village was being made unsafe for hunting by a huge, bad-tempered buffalo which would charge any of the natives on sight. One man had been killed and two others severely wounded by the beast, and although numerous parties had set out to kill it, they had so far been unsuccessful in doing so. For some reason the animal never would wander far from a certain spot near a stream. So dangerous was the buffalo that the villagers were afraid to go to the stream to get water and had to follow a roundabout trail.
When the chief had finished, Mr. Lewis spoke up at once.
“We”—indicating Mr. Holton, the youths, and himself—“will make a special effort to kill that buffalo,” he told the chief in the native tongue. “We would like to kill the animal and take it back to our own country to show the people. Will you help us?”
The head native was delighted. Certainly he would help. If the bad animal could be killed, he would be very grateful to the whites, and would present them with several wild animal skins.
“It is agreed, then,” Mr. Holton said to the chief. “We will set out this afternoon.”
“This is going to be good,” mused Bob, giving his chum a nudge in the ribs.
AFTERNOONdid not come any too soon for Bob and Joe. By one o’clock the youths had their cameras and rifles in readiness and were eagerly awaiting word from their fathers to begin the hunt.
At last the word came. The chief of the tribe had organized a party of ten natives, of which he was the head. They intended to do all they could to aid the whites in seeking out the buffalo.
“Stick close, boys,” advised Mr. Lewis, speaking to Bob and Joe. “There’s no telling how dangerous that animal may be.”
The Americans were led by the chief, who directed them out of the village and toward the stream near which the beast stayed. The trail they followed was overgrown somewhat by the heavy plant growth, indicating that it had not been in use for some time.
Joe carried a camera, while Bob, as the best shotof the two, had a high-powered rifle. Both youths looked ahead in eager anticipation.
“Here’s hoping I can get a good picture of him,” said Joe, keeping his camera in readiness. “Movies of a buffalo hunt! Sounds good, doesn’t it?”
“And I’m going to try to be the gink that pots him off,” came from Bob, inspecting his rifle. “He won’t live long if he gets one of these high-velocity bullets in his hide.”
Mr. Holton looked around.
“Don’t take any chances, Son,” he warned. “Better not fire till Ben or I give the word. There’s nothing quite as bad as a wounded buffalo.”
Bob looked at his chum and groaned.
“Guess the honor won’t go to me after all,” he said.
It was a distance of about a half mile to the stream. The hunting party made good time, reaching the stream before anyone had expected.
“Now where’s that buffalo?” queried Joe, as he pushed the release on his movie camera.
“Shhh!” hissed Mr. Holton. “I thought I heard a grunt just then. Listen!”
“You’re right, Howard,” murmured Mr. Lewis. “There’s something over in those bushes.”
They had not long to wait. Suddenly there came a loud grunt, and a moment later a huge buffaloappeared and faced them. Huge and ferocious looking, it seemed a very symbol of power.
“He’s going to charge!” cried Bob, raising his rifle. “Look out, Mr. Lewis!”
Joe’s father acted on the moment, aiming and firing with unusual rapidity. He pumped still another shot into the tough hide.
But the buffalo is possessed of an enormous amount of vitality and often retain enough energy to make a fatal charge, even though mortally wounded. So it was with this beast. It lunged toward Mr. Lewis, who had fired the second barrel of his rifle.
“Get him, somebody!” shouted the naturalist, preparing to run. “Hurry! I can’t reload in time.”
Just then Bob decided on a plan of action. He rushed wildly toward the animal, shouting at the top of his voice, hoping to divert its attention from Mr. Lewis, who, unarmed, would be in terrible plight if the beast should charge him.
His plan worked—to a certain extent. Instead of rushing at Mr. Lewis, the infuriated animal singled out Joe. The latter was operating the camera, and at first did not notice the oncoming foe.
“Look out!” yelled Bob. “Get out of the way, Joe! Quick, or you’re a goner!”
Joe heard just in time to step quickly to one side, his eyes wide with an awful fear.
Bang! Bang!Two reports rent the air, and each bullet found its mark. Mr. Holton and Bob stood with smoking rifles awaiting results. They made ready to fire more if necessary.
But the four cartridges proved more than the brute could stand. Suddenly it collapsed in a heap, almost at the feet of one of the natives.
“Whew!” gasped Joe, wiping the perspiration from his forehead. “That was what I’d call a close call.”
“Close is right,” added Mr. Lewis. “If Bob and Howard hadn’t come across with those two shots—well, it’s pretty hard to say just what would have happened.”
“How did it happen he didn’t fall when you hit him, Mr. Lewis?” asked Bob. “Both of your bullets went to a vital spot.”
“What a buffalo can’t stand is hard to mention,” Joe’s father responded. “In addition to having a tough hide, they can take almost any kind of punishment.”
The blacks looked at the hunters with intense admiration, for they had accomplished a deed that had not been thought possible by natives in that vicinity.
The naturalists bent over to skin the animal. Then, observing something, Mr. Holton uttered a word of surprise.
“Look here,” he pointed out. “There’s part of a native spear in the buffalo’s side.”
The naturalist had made no mistake. From the tough hide of the brute a native spear protruded out several inches. It was rotting with age, having been wielded many weeks before.
The chief fell into conversation with the scientists, telling them that one of his warriors had thrust the weapon into the buffalo some time before, but apparently without result.
“That accounts for his unusually bad temper,” said Mr. Lewis. “He was probably aggravated by the wound caused by the spear and was ready for trouble at the slightest chance.”
The skinning process was completed at last, and the skin was carried back to the village by the natives.
On arriving at the settlement, the Americans were given a royal welcome by those who had not gone on the hunt. The simple blacks danced around the explorers happily, rejoicing that the dangerous buffalo had been killed.
“Mbogo okuri!” seemed to be the prevalent words spoken by the blacks.
“What are they saying?” inquired Bob.
“That means ‘the buffalo is dead,’” explained his father.
The chief did as he had promised and gave the naturalists several valuable animal skins which he or his men had secured. Among them was that of a leopard, an ant bear, and a serval cat. And in addition the naturalists had the buffalo skin.
“Fortunate for us that we arrived in the village when we did,” smiled Mr. Holton. “As a result of timing so well, we got several worth-while trophies.”
“And had a lot of fun at it, too,” put in Bob.
“Speaking of fun,” went on his father, “we’ll have plenty of that tonight.”
“How’s that?” asked Joe.
“The chief is going to prepare a feast in our honor,” was the answer.
“A feast?” repeated Bob. “What will there be to eat?”
Mr. Holton laughed.
“Perhaps it would be better not to know that,” he chuckled. “But we’ll have to eat a little, or at least to make a big show of it. The buffalo meat won’t taste so bad, though.”
The short remainder of the afternoon passed slowly, the boys and their elders resting in the hutfurnished them. They did not care to do anything now but take it easy until nightfall. And while they sat they tried to fancy just what would take place at the coming feast.
Darkness came at last, and with it the usual chill of night. The explorers were glad indeed when some of the chief’s men built huge roaring fires, about which the celebration was to take place.
At a call from the head native practically all of the simple villagers assembled in the great open space beside the fires. The reflection made bright perhaps a hundred black faces, all solemn.
The noisy chattering ceased abruptly as the big chief took his place before the group. Even Bob and Joe were impressed by the solemnity of the ceremony.
During the next five minutes the head native delivered a long speech, to which everyone listened closely. Bob and Joe, however, could not understand a word. They were tiring of listening when the chief stopped and took his place in the center of the group.
“Wonder what’s coming next?” mused Joe.
His question was answered a little later. A large number of natives rose and moved over to the fires. Soon they engaged in a wild dance, one that the youths had never witnessed before.
Bob had fitted a camera with a night lens, and was “purring” away at the yelling throng, delighted at such an unusual opportunity.
The dancing lasted for nearly an hour. Shortly after, the food was served, consisting of wild herbs, berries, and roasted meat. Although Bob and Joe were ignorant of the exact contents of the various courses, they ate of practically everything, not finding the taste as bad as they had anticipated.
Following the meal there was another wild dance, which ended with a loud burst of applause. Then, after a few more short speeches, the celebration came to an end.
“What did you think of it?” chuckled Mr. Lewis, as he prepared to retire.
“It certainly wasn’t tame,” answered Bob with a smile.
“Got it all over a football game,” added Joe.
Early the next morning the explorers were up making preparations to leave the village and continue their journey. They had everything in readiness by eight o’clock, and bidding the chief and his people good-bye, the safari made its way up the path.
“Now towards the Forest of Mystery,” said Mr. Lewis, glad to again be on the trail.
They hiked steadily for several days withoutanything of note happening. The jungle became denser as they penetrated deeper toward the little-known regions. And with this luxuriance of plant life came an abundance of wild animals and birds. The naturalists and Bob demonstrated their skill with a rifle often by bringing down not a few unusual specimens, while Joe usually stuck to his movie camera.
On one occasion they had been traveling over a wide plain, one that was several miles across, and were nearing a jungle when suddenly Joe caught sight of something lying in the tall grass beside the jungle.
He started to move over to the object, but Mr. Holton called him back.
“Wait,” cautioned the naturalist, raising his rifle. “Don’t go over there without a gun. It might be a lion.”
They advanced slowly for several rods. Then they became aware of an unpleasant odor.
“I think I know everything now,” said Mr. Lewis, and Bob’s father nodded. “That’s a dead animal—probably an antelope. It has been killed by some other animal—a lion, maybe.”
As they advanced they kept their eyes open for any dangerous creature that might return to the carcass, but saw nothing.
Mr. Lewis had surmised correctly. The kill was a wildebeest, a member of the antelope family. It had apparently been dead only a short time, and only a little of the flesh was torn from the body.
“What do you suppose killed that?” asked Bob.
“Simba[lion],” spoke up Noko at once.
“You think so?” queried Mr. Lewis.
Noko nodded vigorously.
“Simbahe come back night. Eat allsimbawant ofnyumbu.”
“He may come back tonight,” said Mr. Lewis, “but he won’t eat all he wants.”
“WHATdo you mean by that remark, Mr. Lewis?” asked Bob wonderingly. “Why won’t the lion eat all he wants?”
“Simply that he won’t live long enough,” was the answer.
“What? You mean we’re going to shoot him?” persisted Bob.
“Exactly,” Joe’s father said. “We’ll build aboma—that’s a thorn enclosure—and hide behind it. Then when the lion comes to devour this carcass we’ll pot him off. Howard and I would like especially to have a good lion skin, and this seems to be a wonderful opportunity. Of course, the museum wants several, but whether they get that many we’ll have to wait and see.”
Under the naturalists’ directions they set about constructing the thorn enclosure. They built this but a short distance from the kill, so as to get agood view of the lion when and if the latter should return. The task was completed just before dusk.
A cold supper was served, so as to prevent the possibility of a fire frightening the lion if it should be in that vicinity. Then, rising from the meal, the explorers made their way to theboma.
“You know,” began Mr. Holton uneasily, “I feel a little ashamed to hunt that animal this way. This sort of thing is generally considered unsportsmanlike.”
“True,” Joe’s father said at once. “But still, chances like this don’t come often. And when at very infrequent intervals they do come, I’m in favor of taking advantage of them.”
As the darkness closed in on them, Bob held his rifle tighter, Joe focused the movie camera. Mr. Lewis and Mr. Holton, too, waited breathlessly.
Soon a majestic moon rose over the vast wilderness, making it almost as light as day. The rustling of the wind gave way to a chorus of wild animal screams.
Suddenly Bob and Joe heard something that struck terror to their hearts. It was the most hideous sound they had ever listened to.
“Wh-what was that?” demanded Joe breathlessly.
“Only a hyena,” returned his father. “That’s what they call the laughing of the hyena. It isn’t often that one can hear it.”
Mr. Lewis pointed to something not five feet away.
There, making its way slowly toward the carcass, was a large jackal, which was soon joined by three others. They were moving stealthily, as though undecided whether to sample the dead wildebeest.
“Look,” whispered Bob. “There are two hyenas. They’re going to risk eating, I guess.”
The jackals and hyenas formed a circle about the carcass and began to tear away at the flesh. Near as they were to theboma, they could easily have been shot by the hunters.
“If the lion doesn’t hurry there won’t be anything left for him,” whispered Bob.
“Maybe he’s forgotten all about coming,” suggested Joe, who was filming the scene.
Mr. Holton shook his head.
“He’ll be here,” the naturalist said. “Just taking his time, that’s all.”
As the minutes wore on, the waiting hunters were becoming more impatient. They twisted about uneasily, hoping that before long something would happen. Then it did.
“Listen!” hissed Mr. Holton. “Something’s coming this way. Hear it?”
“What is it?” inquired Joe.
Before anyone could attempt to answer, there came a terrible growl, and the next moment a huge lion broke through the foliage of the near-by jungle. It rushed angrily at the circle of jackals and hyenas.
The latter saw it coming and at once took flight, all escaping but one big hyena.
With a tremendous blow of one of its huge claws, the lion broke the hyena’s back and sent it rolling over the ground. With a convulsive twitch it straightened out, dead.
The breathless hunters had watched the tragedy with a terrible fascination, keeping on the alert for any emergency. All knew there was a possibility that the lion might catch their scent, even though there was little or no wind. It was this that made the naturalists and Bob tighten their grips on their rifles.
With a deep, vibrating roar that seemed to roll along the ground, the lion looked around defiantly. Then, apparently satisfied that nothing was near to disturb him, he bent his efforts toward eating the carcass.
“Get ready,” said Mr. Holton in a very lowwhisper, throwing his gun to his shoulder. “When I give the word, fire.”
Bob aimed carefully at the beast’s heart; Joe cranked away at the movie camera.
“Fire!” said Mr. Holton in a loud voice.
Three rifle shots rent the air. The lion turned on the instant, then collapsed in a heap.
“Hurrah!” yelled Joe, jumping to his feet. “Killed him dead as a door nail. Good——”
“Look out!” shouted Mr. Lewis suddenly. “There’s another. A lioness!”
Bob worked furiously to push the bolt on his rifle. But before he had done so, the guns of his father and Mr. Lewis spoke.
The bullets stopped the brute for only a second. Then, with a horrible roar, it plunged toward theboma. Before the two naturalists could again aim and fire, it would be upon them!
Then, when things hung in the balance, Bob pulled the trigger.
There was a convulsive leap as the lioness groaned out her last breath. She fell to the ground with a dull thud and lay still.
“Good work,” commented Joe. “That bullet of yours came in just at the right time.”
“It certainly did,” put in Mr. Lewis. “Of course,Howard and I might have gotten her, but then again, we might not.”
As an added precaution, the naturalists put another bullet into each of the lions. After waiting a few moments for any more of the big beasts to appear, they went out to examine the ones they had killed.
“Whoppers, all right,” remarked Joe. “This big one here must be at least nine feet long from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail.”
“Both are unusually fine specimens,” declared Mr. Lewis, as he removed his long hunting knife.
The Americans were soon joined by Noko and several of the bearers, who were attracted to the scene by the rifle shots.
Noko uttered a cry of surprise at the sight of the beasts.
“Um bigsimba,” he said, his eyes on the dead lions. “Dey badsimba. Um very bad.”
“Bad’s the right word for it,” said Joe gravely. “They wouldn’t have left a grease spot of us if given the chance. But they’ll not cause any trouble now.”
It required a long while for the scientists to complete the task of skinning the lions, but at last they finished and moved back to camp.
The whites received much praise from thebearers, who recognized at once that the brutes had been unusually dangerous. The blacks’ respect for the hunters appeared to be increased greatly. For anyone who could bring down such vicious adversaries as these must be fearless and daring.
The youths and their fathers did not remain up much longer. After the strenuous day they were more than ready for a good rest.
“Sleep well,” was the last Mr. Lewis said as he repaired to the tent.
But somehow Bob did not sleep well. Try as he did he could not divert his thoughts from the exciting lion hunt. True, he was sleepy and somewhat tired, but notwithstanding this he could not keep his eyelids closed.
He thought of going out to join theaskari, or native guard, who was keeping watch some thirty feet away. But he changed his mind and decided to make another attempt to fall asleep.
Suddenly he sat up with a start, straining his eyes to make out the jungle more easily. What was that he had heard? It sounded like stealthily moving feet.
“Maybe there’s another lion prowling around,” the youth thought, picking up his rifle.
WITHthe passing moments, the padding noise grew louder. Bob raised his rifle to fire. If any wild beast was intent upon charging camp, he would be ready to give it a royal welcome, the youth thought.
Then he caught sight of what resembled two luminous beads. They were slowly moving closer to the camp.
As Bob watched, he saw that a huge hyena was making its way toward the two lion skins. The beast probably intended to grab the trophies in its powerful jaws and flee.
“Here goes,” Bob murmured, and taking careful aim at the hyena he fired.
At once the brute stiffened out and then lay still. The bullet had done its work well, entering the brain.
Mr. Lewis and Mr. Holton came running out,followed by Noko and several others. They looked inquiringly at Bob.
“What happened?” asked Joe, who had also been aroused.
“Nothing much,” laughed Bob. “I shot a hyena, that was all. It was going after those lion skins.”
“Hmm. Good work, Son.” Mr. Holton stooped over to examine the body of the hyena.
“Thought you were asleep, you rascal,” chuckled Mr. Lewis.
“Somehow I couldn’t keep from thinking about shooting those lions,” said Bob. “I had a notion to get up and walk around a little, but finally decided to stay where I was. Then I heard the hyena.”
The youths and their fathers again retired, after the latter had instructed the guard to keep a close watch for any other night marauders.
But nothing further disturbed the peace, and they awoke the next morning ready for anything the day might bring.
Breakfast over, the safari again took up its long journey.
As the explorers penetrated deeper into the African wilds they saw new and marvelous sights: strange rocky formations; tall, flowering trees; unusual animals. It seemed to Bob and Joe that every minute was a bit more exciting than the onepreceding it. One day they left a long stretch of jungle behind and found themselves on a wide level plain.
“Look over there and tell me what you see,” said Joe to his chum.
“Why—it’s a herd of elephants!” gasped Bob. “Look, Mr. Lewis, Dad!”
“Wonderful sight, isn’t it?” Mr. Holton gazed in interest.
The naturalists decided to make camp on the plain, so as to get a short rest before again entering the jungle. Then, when the hot afternoon sun would become less oppressive, they would plunge on toward the Forest of Mystery.
“While you’re resting here, suppose Joe and I explore around a little,” said Bob, picking up his rifle.
“We-ll—all right, boys,” returned Mr. Holton, with a look at Joe’s father. “But don’t take any chances. And don’t wander too far from camp.”
Glad of the chance to be on their own, the chums walked over the plain toward the herd of distant animals.
“Maybe we can plug an elephant,” grinned Joe, “purring” the movie camera.
“Maybe,” came from the other. “But then maybe not. It would be dangerous to tackle that herdsingle-handed. Suppose they’d charge us. Then where would we be?”
“Probably on our faces in the dirt,” Joe said. “Or perhaps”—grinning—“flying through the air.”
“Doesn’t sound very nice, does it?” asked Bob. “No, we’d better be content to watch those elephants from a safe distance.”
“Shucks!” Joe frowned. “I want pictures of them. How am I going to get them without getting close?”
“All right. Have it your own way. But I’m not going to take any chances.”
Cautiously the boys stalked through the high grass toward the elephant herd. Luckily the wind was blowing in their faces, so that the elephants did not catch the human scent. And as these huge brutes have comparatively short eyesight, the chums were able to move very close.
“How’s this?” asked Bob.
“Up a little farther,” urged Joe, holding the camera ready.
They were within twenty yards of the huge lumbering beasts and were naturally looking on with great interest.
There was a thick growth of tall bushes a little to one side. Joe suggested that they plunge into this so as to be able to get nearer to the elephants.
Then they heard a loud crashing noise, the sound of a heavy body plunging through the brush. It was coming from around a bend in a narrow trail.
“What’s that?” Bob stopped and listened.
“More than I know. Maybe some wild animal.Sounds——Look out, Bob! a big elephant!”
There was terror in Joe’s voice. He looked to his chum to use his rifle.
A second later the huge head of a charging elephant appeared, its trunk thrown into the air, its eyes glaring. It must have been over ten feet high, for it towered far above the two youths.
Acting on the instant, Bob and Joe darted quickly to one side, their only thought being safety from grave danger.
Bob threw his rifle to his shoulder and fired.
“You got him!” cried Joe. “But it doesn’t seem to stop him.”
“Hide’s too tough,” his chum said.
The charging beast could not turn as quickly as did the youths. It went plunging on through the bushes. Apparently it had no intention of seeking out its enemies, for it continued through the heavy growth and disappeared behind a low spreading tree.
Bob and Joe were in a state of high excitement after their thrilling encounter. Perspiration wasdripping from their bodies; their breath was coming in short gasps.
“Too bad I was too scared to take movies of that charge,” moaned Joe. “They’d sure have been interesting.”
“You ought to be glad you’re here,” said Bob. “Let’s get back to the safari.”
The chums had not gone far on the plain when they met their fathers and Noko, who had set out to secure a better view of the distant herd of elephants.
“We heard a rifle shot,” said Mr. Lewis. “What was the meaning of it?”
The youths looked at each other. They had been a bit foolish in moving so close to the elephants, especially since neither carried a rifle large enough to be effective against such large brutes.
“An elephant charged us,” said Bob at last.
“He did? Tell us about it.” Mr. Holton’s interest was aroused at once.
Aided by his friend, Bob related the encounter as accurately as he could.
When he had finished, the naturalists looked grave.
“You shouldn’t take chances like that, boys,” Mr. Holton said. “Luck can’t hold out forever, you know.”
They trekked back to camp, where they remained for a few hours longer. Then, thoroughly refreshed, they resumed the march.
Farther on, the youths caught sight of a large group of giraffes which towered above the small, stunted trees about them. Other, more graceful, animals could be seen.
The explorers emerged from a dense growth of bushes when they suddenly saw something that moved them to pity.
Standing unsteadily, its legs trembling, its eyes glazed, was a large eland, which was evidently at the point of death. The poor animal remained on its feet only with the greatest of difficulty.
But something else caused the explorers to be still more touched. Three vultures were circling around the stricken animal, waiting for it to fall.
“Look over there,” murmured Bob, pointing to something at the edge of the bushes.
A trio of hyenas was also waiting silently for the eland to die. They never took their eyes from the animal, although they made no move to action.
“There’s work here,” said Mr. Lewis, raising his rifle. “We must put that poor animal out of its misery.”
“And I’m going to plug those doggone hyenas,” muttered Bob.