Dick and Dan could see farther into the shadowy depths after their eyes became accustomed to the twilight, and now and then they saw a fleeting shape, so distant that it could not be recognized as man or beast.
"This is ghostly," whispered Dan. "A magic forest, if there ever was one!"
"Cheer up! We have strong magic on our side," smiled Dick. "The Mahatma is with us. We would be lost without him."
"Old Whiskers—I mean, Mahatma Sikandar, is right there with the goods!" Dan was enthusiastic. "Say, I hope he won't hold it against me that I was so fresh."
"Don't worry. His mind is full of important things. I'm sure he thinks of your wise-cracks as less than the dust."
"It's up to me to do something brave and prove to the Mahatma that I am more than a smart aleck."
"That's the right spirit! I have the feeling that a big scrap is about to break. You'll have plenty of chances to show what you can do."
"Watch me! If I can lay hands on Jess Slythe, I'll pay him out for what he did to my sister."
Dick interrupted him.
"Quiet. Mahatma Sikandar looks worried. Maybe there is danger near by."