The actuality of their fate had never seemed more than a bad dream to the boys, but now, at last, it was borne in to them as something very real, and very terrible, and very close.
They could see the hideous, painted faces of the new comers and the grinning mouths that exposed the yellow teeth, filed to sharp points. They saw some of the villagers point them out and scores of greedy eyes directed upon them.
"I remember," said Dick, "how I used to stand outside the confectioner's shop looking at the goodies in the window. Those bounders reminded me of it."
"I suppose we look like the original candy kids," sighed Doc.
Presently four or five warriors came and seized Bulala. They dragged him to a small hut near the chief's and there they bound him hand and foot and threw him inside.
"Poor Bulala," whispered Doc.
"He was a good friend," said Dick. "Oh, isn't there anything we can do?"
Doc shook his head and looked inquiringly at Ukundo, but Ukundo only sat staring at the ground.
"Ukundo!" snapped Dick. The pygmy looked up.