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their pockets, and as Gust had no money it was evident that they were searching
for someone else.
Presently the party he trailed came to a halt. Its members concealed themselves
in the foliage bordering the game trail along which they had come. Gust, that he
might the better observe, clambered into the branches of a tree to the rear of
them, being careful that the leafy fronds hid him from the view of his erstwhile
mates.
He had not long to wait before he saw a strange white man approach carefully
along the trail from the south.
At sight of the new-comer Momulla and Kai Shang arose from their places of
concealment and greeted him. Gust could not overhear what passed between
them. Then the man returned in the direction from which he had come.
He was Schneider. Nearing his camp he circled to the opposite side of it, and
presently came running in breathlessly. Excitedly he hastened to Mugambi.
"
Quick!" he cried. "Those apes of yours have caught Schmidt and will kill him if
we do not hasten to his aid. You alone can call them off. Take Jones and
Sullivan--you may need help--and get to him as quick as you can. Follow the
game trail south for about a mile. I will remain here. I am too spent with
running to go back with you," and the mate of the Kincaid threw himself upon the
ground, panting as though he was almost done for.
Mugambi hesitated. He had been left to guard the two women. He did not know
what to do, and then Jane Clayton, who had heard Schneider's story, added her
pleas to those of the mate.
"Do not delay," she urged. "We shall be all right here. Mr. Schneider will remain
with us. Go, Mugambi. The poor fellow must be saved."
Schmidt, who lay hidden in a bush at the edge of the camp, grinned. Mugambi,
heeding the commands of his mistress, though still doubtful of the wisdom of his
action, started off toward the south, with Jones and Sullivan at his heels.
No sooner had he disappeared than Schmidt rose and darted north into the
jungle, and a few minutes later the face of Kai Shang of Fachan appeared at the
edge of the clearing. Schneider saw the Chinaman, and motioned to him that the
coast was clear.
Jane Clayton and the Mosula woman were sitting at the opening of the former's
tent, their backs toward the approaching ruffians. The first intimation that either
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