Terry’s heart sank as she watched from the shelter of the hut. She gripped Prim nervously. They clung together in terror. Why had they been so easily fooled? There was Rosa telling Joe that she had the girls safely trapped, waiting for him. The girls shrank back in the hut afraid to come out and face the man who had them in his power. With the whole tribe on Joe’s side, there was little chance of escape. This was the end.
“I’d have sworn they were real friends,” whispered Prim in a frightened voice. “It would be lots better to be on that island with wild beasts than here with these treacherous savages.”
But just then they heard Rosa directing Joe Arnold to the cave. With the few words of English she knew she was telling him that the girls were prisoners in the big cave. “You go down!” she said.
“Sure!” replied Joe with a broad smile. “I’ll kill two birds with one stone. I’ve always wanted to see the inside of one of those big caves. And when I find those girls, I have a few things to say to them.” Joe put his leg down the opening and felt for the rock. Then his other leg found a foothold. As his head disappeared. Bud’s voice called to him.
“Watch out, Joe, they’re tricky! The girls are not here!”
But it was too late. When Joe started to scramble out of the cave, shouting his threats, he was thrust back by a huge black, who held a long knife in his hand. Down he tumbled, bruised and shaken.
At that moment Terry and Prim rushed out of the hut and saw Joe disappear. “Now is our chance to get away, Prim!” cried Terry. “Let’s get to the beach!” Terry grabbed up her flying coat and helmet.
“Hurry, hurry, Terry, he may get out!” cried Prim. Her face was white with the strain.
Terry was saying goodbye to Rosa and the other women of the village. She was trying to express her thanks. It seemed ungrateful to hurry away without a farewell. But Rosa shook her head and shoved Terry ahead of her toward the jungle path, calling back in a shrill voice to the women.
Suddenly Terry started and looked upward. “Listen Prim. It’s a plane!” She had heard the distant hum of an airplane motor and was searching the sky anxiously. Then through the trees she saw the plane driving toward them.