Could the latter be trusted in a matter of life and death? Fred made up his mind to try them.
So they were now brought on deck and questioned by Quambo, questions and answers being very much as follows:
Why did they—the white men—see nothing of their brothers who were held as slaves by King Ota? King Ota was too clever. He kept them in the forest prison. Did they know the road from the beach to this prison? They knew many roads to it.
Could they and would they be willing to guide a party to this bamboo prison through the forest at the darkest hour of midnight? Yes, they could and would gladly, the white men had been very good to them; but if they guided them to their white brothers they must promise to take them—the guides—away with them, else King Ota would put them to death with much terrible torture.
So far then everything seemed satisfactory, and Fred and Frank resolved to risk all in one bold effort to set the white men free.
"To dare is to do, Frank," said Fred.
"Yes," replied Frank, "and I should never forgive myself if we went away and left these poor fellows prisoners and slaves among these terrible cannibals. I cannot forget, Fred, that the Yankee skipper was kind to me when I was sick, and that he was my captain, you know."
"Well, then, Frank, when does the moon rise, to-night?"
"What, will you venture so soon?"
"Oh, you know what a nervous coward of a chap I am! If I've got to face anything I like to go at it at once. Besides, it is best to strike the iron when it is hot."