"Have you seen or heard of him since?" questioned Dick eagerly.
Simon Hook shook his head. "No, sonny. 'Twasn't to be expected."
"And why not?" put in Tom.
"Because them as goes up the Congo never, comes back. It's a fool's trip among those wild people of the interior. Stanley went up, but look at the big party he took with him and the many fights he had to get back alive."
At this announcement the hearts of the Rover boys fell.
"You never heard one word of him?" persisted Sam.
"Nary a word, sonny. I reckon he's either lost in the jungle or among the mountains, or else the natives have taken care of him."
"Did he say anything about the trail he was going to take?" asked
Randolph Rover. "I understand there are several."
"He was going to take the Rumbobo trail, most all of 'em do." Simon Hook drew a long breath. "Say, can I sell you any of these old things of mine cheap?"
"Perhaps you can," said Randolph Rover.