From the depths of the forest echoed the weird call of a bird with a human note that sounded like lunatic laughter. Otherwise all was still and the shadows of the jungle seemed to grow blacker and more mysterious at every moment.
"It's spooky," whispered Dan. "Like passing a haunted house at midnight."
"Cheer up," said Dick. "It's going to be worse when we have to cut a path through it."
"Just the same, I'd go through worse than this to save your father and my sister."
"I don't suppose my Dad worries as much as we do. Being a scientist, he is seeing so many new plants, animals and birds, that he has no time to get scared. But Ray, poor girl, she must be terrified. If only we can get to her before it is too late!"
"The Mahatma said we would save her."
"But you didn't believe a word he said. You were always kidding him."
"I believe in him now," said Dan. "Boy, how I believe in him!"
"I would like him better if he would let us have some of his warriors," said Dick. "He's doing us a good turn by lending the canoes and showing us how to reach the Muta-Gunga camp but what worries me is that the Taharans and Gorols are not used to this country and won't know much about fighting in the jungle."
"That's so, they will be at a disadvantage in a battle with these jungle savages who know every inch of the ground," said Dan thoughtfully. "They're brave enough but it would help if they had a few of the natives of the section to show them the way around."