| 108 | 109 | 110 | 111 | 112 |
| 1 | 35 | 70 | 104 | 139 |
|
www.freeclassicebooks.com
The two natives consulted together in low tones. At last they drew nearer the
shore.
"
Will you give us each a bracelet of brass as well as the rifles?" asked the
spokesman.
Von Horn hesitated. He knew the native nature well. To have acquiesced too
readily would have been to have invited still further demands from them.
"
Only the rifles and ammunition," he said at last, "unless you succeed in keeping
the knowledge of my presence from both Barunda's uncle and Muda Saffir. If you
do that you shall have the bracelets also."
The prow of the sampan touched the bank.
"Come!" said one of the warriors.
Von Horn stepped aboard. He was armed only with a brace of Colts, and he was
going into the heart of the wild country of the head hunters, to pit his wits
against those of the wily Muda Saffir. His guides were two savage head hunting
warriors of a pirate crew from whom he hoped to steal what they considered a
fabulously rich treasure. Whatever sins might be laid to the door of the doctor,
there could be no question but that he was a very brave man!
Von Horn's rash adventure had been suggested by the hope that he might, by
bribing some of the natives with Barunda's uncle, make way with the treasure
before Muda Saffir arrived to claim it, or, failing that, learn its exact whereabouts
that he might return for it with an adequate force later. That he was taking his
life in his hands he well knew, but so great was the man's cupidity that he
reckoned no risk too great for the acquirement of a fortune.
The two Dyaks, paddling in silence up the dark river, proceeded for nearly three
hours before they drew in to the bank and dragged the sampan up into the
bushes. Then they set out upon a narrow trail into the jungle. It so happened
that after travelling for several miles they inadvertently took another path than
that followed by the party under Barunda's uncle, so that they passed the latter
without being aware of it, going nearly half a mile to the right of where the trailers
camped a short distance from the bivouac of Ninaka.
In the dead of night Ninaka and his party had crawled away under the very noses
of the avengers, taking the chest with them, and by chance von Horn and the two
Dyaks cut back into the main trail along the river almost at the very point that
Ninaka halted to bury the treasure.
110
Page
Quick Jump
|