CHAPTER XVII
THE ATTACK AT THE HOSTELRY
The night was exceptionally cool for that locality; and, utterlyworn out by their tiresome journey, all of the Rovers slept moresoundly than they had anticipated.
But not for long. Dick had scarcely dropped off when he heard anoise at the doorway, which was covered with a rough grasscurtain.
"Who is there?" he demanded, sitting up.
"Dat's all right," came in a whisper from Aleck. "Is dat yo',Massah Dick?"
"Yes, Aleck. What brings you?"
"I dun discovered somet'ing, sah."
"What?"
"Dat udder party dun come up an' is in de woods back ob dis,house."
"In camp?"
"No; dare is a Frenchman wot is talkin' to dah chap wot runs disshebang, sah."
"Perhaps he wants accommodations," mused Dick.
"Can't say about dat, sah. But de fellers who come up hab a lotob ropes wid 'em."
"That's certainly queer."
"What's the row?" came sleepily from Tom, and presently RandolphRover and Sam likewise awoke.
In a few words the colored man explained the situation. He hadjust finished when the wife of the proprietor of the resort cameup to the doorway.
"The gentleman is wanted outside by my husband," she said inbroken French.
"What does he want?" asked Mr. Rover.
"I can't say. But he says please to step out for a moment."
Mr. Rover repeated the woman's words to the boys. "What do youmake of this?" he asked.
"I tell you something is wrong," declared Dick. "I have felt itall along."
"But what can be wrong, my lad?"
"If you go outside I'll go with you, Uncle Randolph."
"Well, you can do that if you wish."
The pair arose and speedily slipped on the few garments which theyhad taken off. Then Dick pulled out his pistol.
"Do you think it is as bad as that?" asked Sam.
"I don't know what to think. But I'm going to take uncle's adviceand count every man an enemy until he proves himself a friend."
Soon Mr. Rover and Dick were ready to go out, and they did so,followed by Aleck and preceded by the native woman. As it wasdark the Rovers easily concealed their weapons in the bosoms oftheir coats.
They walked past the bamboo addition and to the grove of treesAleck had mentioned. There they found the Frenchman inconversation with Captain Villaire.
"You wish to see me?" demanded Randolph Rover.
"Very much," answered Villaire in French. "If You are Mr.Randolph Rover, are you not?"
"I am."
"And this is one of your nephews?"
"Yes."
"I believe you are hunting for the young man's father?" went onVillaire.
"We are. Do you know anything of him?" demanded Randolph Rovereagerly.
"I do. He sent me to you."
"He sent you!" cried Randolph Rover in amazement. "He is, then,alive?"
"Yes; but a prisoner, and very sick. He heard of your being inBoma by accident through a native of King Susko's tribe who wassent to the town for some supplies. I heard the story and I havebeen employed to lead you to him, and at once."
"But--but this is marvelous," stammered Randolph Rover. "I mustsay I do not understand it."
"It is a very queer turn of affairs, I admit. The other Mr. Rovermust explain to you when you meet. He wishes you to come to himalone. It will not be safe for more."
As well as he was able Randolph Rover explained matters to Dick.In the meantime, however, the youth had been looking aroundsharply and had noted several forms gliding back and forth in thegloom under the trees. Dick was more suspicious than ever.
"Uncle Randolph, I don't believe this man," he said briefly. "Thestory he tells is too unnatural."
"I think so myself, Dick; but still--"
"Why didn't this man come straight to the house to tell us this?"
"I'm sure I don't know."
"Ask him."
Randolph Rover put the question to Captain Villaire. TheFrenchman scowled deeply and shrugged his shoulders. "I had myreason," he said briefly. "Will you come with me?"
Before Randolph Rover could answer there came a shout from behindseveral trees.
"Look out fo' yourselves!" came in Aleck's voice. "Dis am atrap!"
"A trap!" repeated Dick, when of a sudden a half dozen men rushedat him and Randolph Rover and surrounded the pair. In a twinkle,before either could use his pistol, he was hurled flat and made aprisoner.
"Bind them, men," ordered Villaire sternly. "And bind them well,so that escape is impossible."
"Run for the house, Aleck!" yelled, out Dick, before those on topof him could choke him off. "Save Tom and Sam!
"I will!" came from the faithful black. And off he sped at topspeed, with three or four of Captain Villaire's party after him.Cujo also went to the house, bewildered by what was going on andhardly knowing how to turn.
Randolph Rover fought desperately and so did Dick. But the twowere no match for the six men who had attacked them, and ere theyknew it the Rovers were close prisoners, with their hands boundbehind them and each with a dirty gag of grass stuffed in hismouth.
"Now march, or you will be shot," came in bad English from one ofthe Villaire party. And as there seemed nothing better to do theymarched, wondering why they had been attacked and where they wereto be taken. Their arms had been confiscated, so furtherresistance was useless. When Dick lagged behind he received acruel blow on the back which nearly sent him headlong.
A journey of several hours brought the party to a small clearingoverlooking the Congo at a point where the bank was fully fiftyfeet above the surface of the stream. Here, in years gone by, arough log hut had been built, which the African InternationalAssociation 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 andalmost hidden from view by the dense growth of vines which coveredit.
The men who had brought Randolph Rover and Dick hither evidentlyknew all about the hut, for they proceeded to make themselves athome without delay. Taking the Rovers into one of the apartmentsof the dilapidated building they tied each to the logs of thewalls, one several yards from the other.
"Now you must wait until Captain Villaire returns," said theleader 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 walkedaway 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 huntingup father with a vengeance."
"We won't despair yet, Dick. But I would like to know what thismeans."
"It probably means robbery, for one thing, Uncle Randolph. And itmay mean death." And the youth, shuddered.
"If I am not mistaken I saw some of these rascals hanging aroundthe hotel in Boma."
"That is more than likely. They have been watching their chanceto attack us ever since we left the town."
Slowly the hours wore away until morning dawned. The positions ofboth Dick and his uncle were most uncomfortable ones, and theyouth was ready to groan aloud at the strain put upon hisshoulders through having his arms tied behind him.
At last they heard footsteps approaching from the opposite end ofthe rambling building.
"Somebody at last!" cried Dick.
He had scarcely spoken when Captain Villaire appeared, followedby--Dan Baxter!