"Everything's lovely at the village. Some hunters brought in three wildebeest and an antelope this morning and the whole tribe's feasting up. That seems to be about all they do."
Burt was not long in disposing of the provisions. After emptying the canteen, he picked up the little tattered red book once more and opened it, Critch close beside him.
CHAPTER XVIII
BURT COMES TO LIFE
"Didn't know he was a V. C.," commented Burt, turning past the first page. "Say most o' this is spoiled!"
The pages were many of them torn, all were smudged and streaked with dirt, and ominous dark red stains covered a large portion of the booklet.
"Here's the first place you can read," and Critch turned over a number of unreadable pages. "Start in right here." Burt settled back and read aloud as follows:
"'June 1st. Five men down. Yusuf cut off from supplies. Will rush to-morrow.
"'June 2nd. Rushed. Lost thirteen. Finished Yusuf. Got lots of ivory, unmounted yet. Read burial service this evening. Big loot to divide.'"
"That next you can't read, most of it," broke in Critch. "There's something about Pongo, though." Burt nodded and continued:
"'—with odd bit of wood. May be some truth in it. Must investigate. If the boys will have a go at it—'