As Mr. Jukes did not wish to go forward at once after the meal they tookit easy in several grass hammocks stretched under a large, shady, tree.The fact that the natives kept coming up and peering into their facesand that babies, chickens and pigs wandered about under the hammocks didnot disturb the boys after a while, and they dropped off to sleep.
"I don't wonder the natives here are lazy," remarked Jack, when Muldoonawakened him with a yell of "All hands on deck to see it rain." "Irarely slept in the day-time, but here I just dozed off without knowingit."
"Same here," chimed in Raynor. "I didn't have to even half try."
"This climate is very enervating, boys," declared Captain Sparhawk,joining in the conversation. "That is why this part of the globe makesso little progress toward civilisation. Men who are hustlers in theirown country come here determined to make the dirt fly, but after a fewmonths their energy oozes out of them like--well, say like tar out ofthe seams of a hot ship's deck."
"That's a good comparison," laughed Jack.
Once more everything was stirring in the adventurers' camp, and soonthey were on their way again. The Frenchman, whose "hotel" they hadleft, had told them that by evening they would reach another village,the last one they would encounter before plunging into the really wildjungle, where there was another "hotel."
"As it will be our last chance for many days to sleep under a roof, Ipropose we stay there to-night," said Mr. Jukes, swallowing a pill.
This suited the rest of the party and they struck forward at a briskpace after their refreshing rest and sleep. The jungle was filled withcountless birds, but there were no feathered songsters among them. Theair was filled with nothing but discordant shrieks and cries that setthe teeth on edge. Once the boys had the thrill of seeing a bird ofparadise, with its glorious plumage and wonderful tail feathers, flashacross their path.
The village they stopped at that evening resembled in almost everyrespect the one in which the noon-day halt had been made. There were thesame huts, the same swarming pigs and chickens, and the samefuzzy-headed Papuans, many of them returning from the fields with cornand yams.
The proprietor of the "hotel," which had no more pretensions to the namethan the other hostelry, proved to be a Portuguese half-caste, lackingone eye, and sporting a pair of huge brass ear-rings. His wife was agiant negress. However, they welcomed the party warmly, as they had goodreason to do, not having had any guests for some time, and pigs andfowls were at once killed for supper, everything in such places beingordered "on the hoof," so to speak. Mr. Jukes delighted his nativefollowers by ordering an elaborate meal for them also, in celebration ofthe fact that on the morrow they would leave "civilization" behind them.
Jack, at Mr. Jukes' request, set up his wireless plant, stringing theaerials from a tall tree up which one of the natives swarmed like amonkey to make the long wires fast. As he worked, he and Billy talked.
"I guess we'll sleep with one eye open to-night," said Jack in anundertone, for they were surrounded by a curious crowd watching thewhite boy "make conjure medicine."
"Yes, those hotel people are a crafty-looking couple," rejoined Billy,"and in a country like this it's a good thing to regard everybody withsuspicion till you find them all right."
Muldoon sauntered up to them as they chatted and worked and had his wordto put in too.
"Begorrah, that Portugee don't look like no angel," he said, "and hiswife looks like the ould Nick himsilf."
"Just what we were talking about, Muldoon," said Jack. "It will be agood thing if we keep our eyes and ears open."
It was some time before Jack got a reply, but at last hereceived Thurman's answering call.]
At last Jack got everything ready, and Raynor started to turn thehand-crank of the generator, for of course a gasoline engine for thatpurpose could not be carried into the jungle. When the storage batterieswere charged, Jack began to pump out the _Sea Gypsy's_ call. At thefirst crackle and whip-snap like explosion of the spark the nativesscattered with yells. Even Salloo, who was looking on, and had to standhis ground to maintain his dignity before his men, looked uneasy andshifted about nervously.
It was some time before Jack got a reply, but at last he receivedThurman's answering call.
Everything it seemed was O. K. and there was no particular news from hisend except that another party had started up-country right on the heelsof Mr. Jukes' expedition. It was thought they were traders, Thurmansaid. Jack gave his news and then flashed "Good-night."
He told Mr. Jukes of the conversation and of the start of a secondparty.
"I heard nothing in Bomobori of a second expedition," mused Mr. Jukes,on receipt of this information. "But no doubt they are traders. It seemsodd, though, that they didn't join with us if they were coming this way,as is the general custom."
CHAPTER XXV.--A JUNGLE HOTEL.
The hostelry was divided into half a dozen rooms walled with bamboo, andall on the ground floor. Rough mats of cocoanut cloth alone interposedbetween the sleepers and the ground, and cockroaches and singing lizardsabounded. But by this time the lads had become pretty well used to thenight noises of the jungle, which are far more tumultuous after darkthan in the day-time, and as for the hard beds, they were too tired tomind much where they slept.
Jack had not slept long when he was awakened by someone calling to him.It was Muldoon. The Irishman was plainly agitated by some excitement ashe stood in the grass-curtained door-way.
"Whist!" he exclaimed, holding a finger to his lips, "is thot youMisther Riddy?"
"Yes, what's the trouble, Muldoon?"
"Shure o'ive made a discovery, sor."
"What?"
"Thot other party. Ther ones you was tiligraphing about."
"Well, what about them?"
"They're here, begob."
"Where, in the hotel?"
"No, in the woods back of the house."
"Camping there?"
"No, bejabbers. There's something looks queer to me about the wholething, that's why I called yez. They've sent for the Dago that runs thisshabeen, sor."
"Maybe they want to get accommodations?"
"Thin why wouldn't they stip up like min and ask for 'em?" was Muldoon'sunanswerable retort.
Just then Mr. Jukes, rubbing his eyes sleepily, appeared in thedoor-way. Behind him stood the giant negress. The millionaire hadevidently dressed hastily.
"I've got news, Ready," he exclaimed in a rather excited voice. "Thiswoman has just told me that her husband wants to see me outside. Igathered it's on some matter connected with my brother."
"Yassir," grinned the hideous negress, showing a double row of sharplyfiled teeth, "dat's it, sah. It's 'bout yo' brudder."
Raynor had awakened by this time and was sitting up on his mat listeningsleepily. He eyed the woman narrowly as she spoke and an uneasyconviction entered his mind that all was not well.
"You'd better be cautious, sir," warned Jack, who also felt anundeniable feeling of suspicion, "something may be wrong."
"What can be wrong," demanded Mr. Jukes, rather impatiently. "I'm goingoutside to see. If it's about my brother it's my duty to do so at once."
"Then if you're going I'll go with you," said Jack, hastily throwing onthe garments he had divested himself of, and strapping on his revolver.
"And begorrah o'i second the motion," declared Muldoon.
"Wait a moment for me," begged Billy.
"No, stay here," said Jack. "If anything goes wrong, I'll fire threeshots."
A minute later, followed by the native woman, the three left the place.As they reached the door she took the lead and conducted them through abamboo grove to a thick growth of trees under which her husband and abig man with black beard were conversing.
"You wish to see me?" asked Mr. Jukes, addressing the bearded one.
"Yes; zees gentleman say zat 'e ave good news for you," said thelandlord, spreading his hands.
"Begorrah, oi don't see no gintilmin here excipt oursilves," mutte
redMuldoon.
"Muldoon, be quiet," ordered Mr. Jukes, then turning to theblack-bearded man he went on with, "Well, sir, what is it you wish?"
"You are Mr. Jukes?" asked the other, in a deep, gruff voice.
"I am, what of it?"
"I want to see you. I have news for you."
"But--but I don't know you. Why didn't you come to the hotel if you hadanything to say to me?" asked the millionaire in a puzzled way.
"I wanted to talk to you in private about your brother," was the reply.
"My brother! Why, we are searching for him now. That is the reason ofour presence in the jungle. Do you know anything about him?"
"I do. It was he who sent me here."
"Jerushah sent you?" the millionaire was fairly amazed now. "He is thenalive?"
"Yes, but he is a prisoner and very sick. Through natives he heard ofthe arrival of your expedition and sent me even at this hour to bringyou to him."
"That is a strange story, my man," said Mr. Jukes suspiciously. "I mightsay it is almost incredible."
"I'll admit it does sound strange," said the other, "but strange thingshappen in this part of the world. I might add that the other Mr. Jukeswants to see you alone. Something about a pearl, I believe."
Jack gave a tug at Mr. Jukes' sleeve. The lad had been peering about himthrough the dark trees and had seen something the others had not. If hiseyes had not deceived him, and Jack did not believe they had, severalforms were moving about in the gloom beneath the interlaced branches.
"Mr. Jukes," he whispered, "I don't believe this man. I think we are insome sort of a trap. Why didn't he come to the house with thiscock-and-bull story?"
Mr. Jukes hesitated. It was strange that this man of great affairs,before whom board meetings quailed, and who ruled almost supreme amongthe great money kings of New York, appeared to be lost now that he wasout of his little world and among the great elemental things of theuntraveled jungle.
"I'm sure I don't know, Ready," he replied.
"Ask him," suggested Jack, with his hand on his revolver. He felt that acrisis of some sort was at hand, but it was too late to retreat now.
Mr. Jukes, with some of his old pomposity, put the question. The beardedman's reply was brief and to the point.
"That is beside the question," he snapped. "Are you coming with me?"
Before any reply could be made the bearded man's eye caught the glint ofJack's weapon. Instantly a shrill whistle sounded. From the trees leapeda dozen or more men.
"Howly saints! A trap!" yelled Muldoon.
"A trap!" echoed Jack. He raised his pistol to cover the black-beardedman. But before he had it leveled both he and Mr. Jukes were thrown fromtheir feet by a combined attack and in a twinkling both the millionaireand the boy were helpless.
"Run for the house, Muldoon. Warn the others. Come after us as quick asyou can."
"Hold your horses there," roared the black-bearded man, who, as ourreaders will have guessed, was 'Bully' Broom himself, with his band ofrenegade followers. He tried to block the boatswain's path as Muldoondarted off.
Biff, the old seaman's knotted fist shot out and caught the redoubtable'Bully' between his eyes. He staggered but did not fall.
"Take that, you murtherin' spalpeen," shouted Muldoon, as he darted offamong the trees and was speedily lost to sight. Three or four of theband pursued him, but 'Bully' Broom called them back.
"We've got the fellows we want," he said; "bind and gag them and if theyshow fight don't be too gentle with them."
CHAPTER XXVI.--PRISONERS OF 'BULLY' BROOM.
Jack fought desperately, but as he was helpless, and in return for hisstruggles received only a rain of brutal blows, he deemed it wiser toremain quiet. Soon both he and the millionaire had their hands tiedbehind their backs and gags of dirty grass were thrust, none too gently,into their mouths.
"Now march, and behave yourselves or you'll be shot," snarled 'Bully'Broom, whose temper had not been improved by the blow Muldoon's strongfist had given him.
As it would have been folly to have resisted, situated as they were, thetwo prisoners did as they were told. Jack wondered where they were beingtaken and why they had been attacked. Even his acute mind did notconnect their captors with 'Bully' Broom and his gang. The boy thoughtthey had fallen into the hands of one of those bands of free-booters,known to frequent parts of the bush, holding up helpless travelers.
He felt sorry for Mr. Jukes, though. The millionaire was stout andaccustomed to his ease. After his tiring day this night march must havebeen cruel exertion to him. But if he lagged, the man of millionsreceived a vicious jab in the back with the stock of a rifle.
Even in this trouble, Jack could not help reflecting on the strange turnof the wheel of fortune that had brought Jacob Jukes, man of millions,into the heart of a lonely jungle, a shirt-sleeved, perspiring prisoner,in the hands of a band of men of undoubtedly desperate character. Hewondered, too, if the millionaire himself was not contrasting this cruelmarch through the forest with his magnificent town and country houses,his automobiles, his lavishly furnished offices and his elaborateentertainments. If he were doing so, Jack surmised that his thoughtsmust be bitter. In thinking thus, Jack contrived largely to keep hismind off his own misfortunes.
A journey of some hours, at the close of which Mr. Jukes began to giveevery outward sign of deep physical exhaustion, brought them to aclearing, once cultivated, but now neglected, overlooking the river.Here, on a bluff about fifty feet above the water, in years gone by, atrading company had maintained a post. It had been built in the dayswhen the natives were troublesome in that section and it was a strongstructure like a fort. It was almost overgrown with rank tropical vines,but evidently the way to it was not unknown to the men conducting Mr.Jukes and Jack.
Lanterns were lit and when the two captives had been ushered in bothwere made fast to the logs that formed the walls of the place. Jackglanced at Mr. Jukes. The millionaire was assuredly a pitiable-lookingobject. His fine white shirt was torn almost to ribbons by thorny vinesencountered along the path, his carefully groomed appearance had givenway to a general disreputableness that would have gained him recognitionby any tramp as a member of the fraternity, his face was almost purple,from his enforced exertions and the gag in his mouth.
"Gracious, he looks as if he might have apoplexy at any minute," thoughtJack, who, although he was in as bad a plight, characteristically didnot spend any sympathy on himself. Perhaps the members of the band thathad captured them noticed what Jack had, and feared fatal consequences,for Mr. Jukes' gag was soon removed and so was Jack's.
When this had been done, and before Mr. Jukes could recover his breathenough to speak, the rascals withdrew to the other end of the building,which was like a long mess hall and may indeed have been used at sometime as such.
"What does this outrage mean?" demanded Jack, as the black-bearded manstrolled off last of all, after looking them over with a cynical smile.
"You would like to know, eh, Jack Ready?"
"So you know my name?" exclaimed Jack in some surprise.
"Yes, and that of your companions who will join you here before long. Wehope to have the pleasure of your company for quite a long time."
"You abominable ruffian," cried Jack, overcome by indignation, "you willpay dearly for this some time," but at the same time the boy did notbelieve that the rest had been caught napping and captured. They were astrong party and, led by Muldoon, he knew they would put up a stifffight.
"I wish you had taken my warning, Mr. Jukes," Jack could not helpsaying, as soon as they were left alone.
"You wish it no more fervently than I do, my boy," was the despondentreply. "Wall Street and New York seem like a dream to me. Only thishorror is real."
"I would like to know what it all means," said Jack. "These men can't bejust common robbers; they appear to have a regular hang-out here."
"I can't help thinking that I've seen some of these ruffians loiteringabout Bomobori," said Mr.
Jukes.
"That struck me, too. At any rate they must be the party Thurmanwirelessed to me about as leaving just behind us. They've followed ourtrail pretty closely, too. We should have been more on our guard."
Slowly the hours wore by till daylight began to show in the narrowwindows of the old barracks. The positions of both prisoners were mostuncomfortable. The strain on their arms from the tightly tied cords wasalmost unbearable.
"And to think I used to complain of discomfort if my chauffeur allowedmy car to bump over a rut," groaned Mr. Jukes, with a comical pathosthat would have made Jack smile had they been in any other situation.
All the men had left the place, but they could hear the murmur of theirvoices outside. A smell of wood smoke drifted in and then thetantalising odors of frying bacon and the aroma of coffee combined toremind both prisoners that, in spite of their sufferings, they were bothhungry and thirsty.
"I wonder if we are going to get any breakfast?" asked Jack, after asilence broken only by Mr. Jukes' pathetic groans.
"I'd risk a month of dyspepsia for a plate of beans and bacon rightnow," wailed the unhappy millionaire.
"Yes," thought Jack. "There are decidedly situations where all themillions in the world wouldn't do you much good, and this, apparently,is one of them."
At last footsteps were heard approaching from the opposite end of theramshackle building.
"Somebody at last," cried Jack.
He had hardly spoken when 'Bully' Broom stood before them, followedby--Donald Judson.