Hammer glanced hurriedly over his shoulder at the gentle voice. There, to his infinite amazement, he beheld the grinning features of Potbelly; also the submission of Dr. Krausz was explained, since Potbelly held him under the muzzle of his own shotgun, and appeared to be enjoying himself immensely.
The American remembered suddenly that he could not take to his heels and leave Sara Helmuth in the lurch, though he had forgotten all about her. And that he would be leaving her in the lurch he had no doubt whatever.
"Did Professor Helmuth send you up here?" he asked crisply. Potbelly grinned.
"No, sar. I hear bang-bang, take gun belonging to Bwana Doctor, come quick."
There seemed to be no doubt of his antagonism to the Saxon, so Hammer accepted the fact without trying to explain it.
"All right. You stay here. If the Bwana Doctor or his men try to follow me, shoot. Get that?"
"Jambo, Bwana," came the assured answer.
"Come over here, Jenson—move lively, you hound, or I'll come and kick you over!"
Hammer's grim voice fetched the cowering secretary, whose arms were fast bound behind him. Throwing away the automatic, which he did not understand, the American put the doctor's revolver into his vacant coat-pocket and grabbed Jenson by the shoulder, accelerating his progress as he turned.
Beneath, he could see Mohammed Bari and Baumgardner standing, watching, beside the tent. He was not ready for them, however, but paused outside Professor Helmuth's canvas, drawing out one of his revolvers in order to keep the boatswain safely lined up.