"Now you must wait until Captain Villaire returns," said the leader of the party in French. "He will be here before daylight."
"But what does this mean?" demanded Randolph Rover.
"He will tell you what it means," grinned the brigand, and walked away to another part of the hut, which was built in a long, rambling fashion, and contained a dozen or more divisions.
"We are in a pickle," remarked Dick dismally. "This is hunting up father with a vengeance."
"We won't despair yet, Dick. But I would like to know what this means."
"It probably means robbery, for one thing, Uncle Randolph. And it may mean death." And the youth, shuddered.
"If I am not mistaken I saw some of these rascals hanging around the hotel in Boma."
"That is more than likely. They have been watching their chance to attack us ever since we left the town."
Slowly the hours wore away until morning dawned. The positions of both Dick and his uncle were most uncomfortable ones, and the youth was ready to groan aloud at the strain put upon his shoulders through having his arms tied behind him.
At last they heard footsteps approaching from the opposite end of the rambling building.