Bob scratched his head.
“I don’t know. Seems to me the last time we had occasion to use it was when our runaway raft grounded on that island in the river. And that was before we reached Kisumu.”
“That’s my recollection, too,” said Frank, in a tone of satisfaction. “Come on, let’s find Mr. Hampton and the others.”
He started forward again, and as Bob fell into pace beside him, making for their tent before which they could observe a bobbing lantern in the grip of an unseen hand, Bob demanded:
“What made you ask that about the spare radio?”
“Oh, I just thought that if we hadn’t ever unpacked it, Mabele wouldn’t know it was there.”
“Right,” said Bob, comprehension dawning. “In that case, we won’t be hamstrung.”
They were close enough now to see the lantern was borne by Jack and that Mr. Hampton and Niellsen accompanied him.
“Did you find him?” asked Jack as they approached.
“No,” answered Frank, “nor did we find many of the bearers. Most of them have gone to the village to take part in the celebration.”