“This firs’ one say as how they need help,” declared the Boviander, as he ran his blunt brown forefinger along the lines. “It say how they bus’ up the apperatix an’ can’t fly an’ don’ have food.”
“By Jove!” cried Mr. Pauling. “That’s good! Machine disabled, eh? Good for you, Colcord, we’ll get them yet. Go on, what’s next?”
The Boviander grinned and peered about over his spectacles vastly pleased to find himself the center of interest and able to exhibit his superior knowledge. Then, again studying the writing, he continued:
“I can’t ’lucidate all the words, Chief. But here ’bout it say something ’bout the ship bein’ los’ and some fellow makin’ afraid for to talk.”
“Jove! then they know the Devon’s taken,” ejaculated Mr. Henderson, “and whoever was talking has got cold feet and has quit. That’s the reason we heard nothing more. Is there anything else, Colcord?”
“Plenty else,” replied the captain, “but this specie of Dutch I don’ rightly know, Chief.”
“Well, by the great horn spoon, we’ve found out all we want to know!” exclaimed Rawlins. “They’re here; they’re helpless--at least as far as getting away is concerned--and they’re short of grub. By glory! my hunch is working out O. K., I’ll say.”
Only two days’ travel now lay between them and the Maipurisi district where the plane was supposed to be and as they gathered about the camp fire that night, plans were discussed and formed as to their actions and procedure when they neared the hiding place of the two fugitive criminals.
“I think the best plan is to run up Unuko Creek,” said Mr. Thorne. “It’s scarcely ten miles across from there to Maipurisi and we can send a couple of the Bucks over to scout and report. Then, when we locate the plane, we can go overland, surround them and call upon them to surrender while we are hidden in the bush. As they can’t get off in the plane and have no boat or canoe, they’ll be helpless.”
“Yes, that sounds like a good scheme,” agreed Mr. Pauling, “but can you be sure your Indians will manage to keep out of sight? Moreover, if by chance they were seen or captured, are you sure they would not give away our presence?”