The Forest of Mystery

  CHAPTER XVII

  Peril Ahead

  "How long will it take us to get to this Forest of Mystery?" inquiredBob Holton, as he and his chum followed the naturalists over thegrassy plain.

  "Many, many days," answered Mr. Lewis. "It is in the very heart of thevast Belgian Congo and is inaccessible by way of roads and railways."

  "So much the better for us," laughed Joe. "We'll probably find thingsthere 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 Iwould like to discover some totally unknown animals. But," he addedsignificantly, "we'll have to watch our step. Who knows what perilsmay be hidden in that mysterious forest?"

  The afternoon was rapidly wearing on, and although the explorers werestill on the open plain, Noko announced that he desired to get beyondit before 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 disappearedunder cover of the grass. None of the large cats, however, showeditself.

  "Wish we could get a look at a lion," remarked Bob, tightening hisgrip 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. "Whatwould the lion do to you?"

  "Oh, I don't know, Dad. I'm not a bad shot. You know that. And I'vemet wild animals before."

  "True, Bob," came from his father. "But none happened to be asferocious as old _felis leo_----"

  "I thought the lion is called _simba_," interrupted Joe.

  A burst of laughter followed.

  "It's very apparent," said Mr. Lewis, "that you need to brush up onyour natural history."

  "Why?" inquired Joe, somewhat surprised. "What was funny?"

  "Still don't get the point, huh?" laughed Mr. Holton. "Well, we'dbetter tell you before you spring that one before some of ournaturalist friends. _Felis leo_, boys, is the lion's scientific name._Simba_ is the name given to him by the natives."

  The boys laughed also when Mr. Holton had finished.

  "_Simba_ fits him better," mused Joe. "Of course, it's lessdistinguished, but, just the same, it's easier to say."

  At last they found themselves nearing the jungle, after having leftthe long stretch of veldt behind. As it was almost sundown, thenaturalists greatly desired to stop for the night. Noko, however, forsome reason wanted to plunge into the jungle without delay. Perhaps hefeared the invasion of wild beasts if camp should be made on thegrassland.

  Before long they plunged into the woodland, and their rate of travelwas necessarily reduced somewhat. For with all the many sharp-pointedthorns, low bushes, tangled vines, and other obstacles, theadventurers found it difficult to maintain a rapid pace.

  "Keep a sharp lookout," cautioned Mr. Holton, glancing back for amoment. "This region shouldn't be particularly dangerous, but younever can tell."

  "Only thing I'm especially afraid of," began Joe, "is poisonoussnakes. Can't tell just when you might step on one."

  "Leopards are also dangerous," put in his father. "At any minute onemight leap down from a tree and make for us. Still, the animals arelikely to be frightened by such a large safari as ours."

  At frequent intervals Bob and Joe took turns in "shooting" the countrywith the motion-picture cameras. These latter were not the type thatrequire a tripod, but were relatively simple in design and easy tooperate, it being necessary only to press a button as the lens wasfocused.

  The jungle was becoming more tangled with every passing minute. Hugeforest trees were everywhere, many of them having parasitic vineswound tightly around their trunks. Strange, odd plants grew about inprofusion. Bright-colored flowers were everywhere and often divertedthe youths' attention from the path.

  Many varieties of butterflies, frequently beautifully marked,fluttered about. Once Joe was lucky enough to catch one with his handand at once passed it to Mr. Holton, who was nearest him.

  They had trekked for over an hour when suddenly there arose acommotion in the rear ranks of the line of carriers.

  "What's that?" burst out Bob, turning on the instant. "Sounds likesomething's the matter."

  Mr. Holton ran back down the path, followed by Bob, Joe, and thelatter's father.

  Then they saw the cause of the disturbance. A veritable army of tinyred ants was attacking the bare feet of the bearers and was doing thejob right. There must have been tens of thousands of the littlecreatures, for they were crawling about in great masses.

  Noko shouted something in the native language, motioning and frowningindignantly. What he said the Americans never knew.

  "Look at them," said Joe excitedly. "Isn't there anything they can doto beat them off?"

  The natives were becoming frantic with fear and discomfort. Theyjumped about wildly in attempts to escape from the countless menacinghordes. Despite the seriousness of the matter, Bob and Joe could nothelp laughing at the actions of the natives.

  "This ought to be a swell scene," laughed Bob, focusing the moviecamera on the dancing mob. "And it's all genuine, too. No acting aboutit."

  The filming was shortly interrupted, as the attacked bearers rushedmadly up the path, apparently intent upon running from the red ants.Bob and Joe took to their heels with the rest and at last weresufficiently far from the scene to be out of danger. All were pantingand perspiring after the short but tiring run.

  "Are we rid of them?" inquired Bob. He had not seen a red ant since hehad 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," saidJoe.

  "The natives steer clear of them," put in Mr. Lewis, as the cavalcadeagain took up the journey. "Not infrequently red ants invade villagesand drive the entire population to some place of refuge. Howard and Ihave often come upon deserted villages that had been left for thatvery reason."

  Just before nightfall the party came to a wide stream of muddy water,which wound itself through the dense jungle. From all appearances thestream was very deep.

  The chums saw that fifty feet farther along there was a log spanningthe creek, probably placed there by natives.

  "Wonder if we'll have to cross that?" mused Joe, looking with distrustat the improvised bridge.

  "Looks like it," his friend responded. "The path quits off there, youknow, and continues from the other side."

  The words were scarcely spoken when Noko stopped and turned to thenaturalists.

  "Cross here," he told them, indicating the log. "Must be care. Notslip."

  "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 whichlooked as if it were waiting for one of the adventurers to plunge intothe dark water.