All this while his mind was working like a trip hammer planning what to do when he got loose. The first thing would be to take possession of Lang’s gun. With that in his pocket he might force the men to release Bob in case he wasn’t able to do it himself. His step-brother was the other side of Mills and whether that journey could be made safely was another matter. With the weapon in his pocket at last, Jim devoted the next few minutes to rubbing his sore arms, for he knew that in their present condition he could never hold the gun, much less fire it effectively. In due time his arms were relieved, then he wished that he had on soft-soled shoes, but he managed to get to his feet, take possession of the flash-light, and at last, assured that his activities were unobserved, he made his way to Bob’s side, bending over him carefully. Instantly the young fellow looked up in startled surprise, then Jim grinned, for Bob was industriously chewing his own rope and had managed to get half way through it. A moment more and it was cut and he too was free, while Jim took Mills’ gun, which he gave to the younger boy.
“This place is lighter,” Bob whispered, and Jim glanced around. He was greatly puzzled, for as far as he could see there was no explanation to the fact. No one seemed to be coming with a light and certainly no new opening had been made into the passage, but the glow was unmistakable and it filled the place. Gently Jim rubbed his step-brother’s body, and presently, Bob stood up, but just then Mills stirred uneasily, so the Sky Buddies sat down again quickly and quietly. They watched through half closed eyes, and although Mills tossed restlessly, he finally lay still and again his melodious snore broke the silence.
“Grand uproar,” Bob grinned. Then he got busy knotting his rope, and looped it on his arm. “We’ll do a bit of tying,” he announced.
“Wait,” Jim whispered, then he motioned his pal to move further from the sleepers. They stopped several feet away. “I have an idea. Suppose we lay the ropes so when they sit up we’ll have them hog-tied with a loop, and as soon as we’re ready we’ll wake them and make them get moving.”
“Good idea,” Bob agreed. “They had something to eat and some sleep, and we didn’t. Got any of those pellets Ynilea gave you—”
“You bet, I forgot all about them.” Jim fished the tiny container of food pellets they had been given at the laboratory, and the pair soon had some in their mouths.
“Look,” Bob pointed along the way they had come and to their astonishment they saw a young girl carrying a basket on her head. She came toward them as if unconscious of their presence, her sandaled feet hardly touching the floor of the passage, her body covered with a whole tiger-skin. Behind her walked a woman, then several men came forward single file. Every one of them carried boxes, some opened and others closed, while a few older men carried bags woven of grass. The band came closer and closer until the girl passed directly in front of the Buddies. She never turned her dark eyes but went on, stepping over the sleepers.
“Natives,” Jim whispered.
Both of them completely forgot to lay the lariats, which were looped in their left hands, then suddenly an exclamation made them whirl about. Lang was sitting up rubbing his eyes stupidly, while Mills too was staring wide awake.