"I guess it's the same the whole world over," smiled Dick. "Say, this is fine! The fog is lifting. And look, we are getting out of the forest."
Mutaba cautioned for silence and, dismounting, ran ahead to see what was before them, while Dan halted the column.
He awaited anxiously until the guide returned and explained in awe-struck tones:
"Ahead of us is a wide clearing on high ground. A great bird is there with broken wings. It is terrible magic."
"Are the Arabs there? And did you see Jess Slythe?"
"Yes, Bwana Dick. Slythe is there, but the others are leaving. I think they are afraid of the giant bird with broken wings."
"Well, I'm not!" cried Dick. And he shouted back to his followers. "Forward men! Let's go!"
The warriors let out their horses and on approaching the cleared space they scattered among the open trees and charged in from different angles. Before Dick's eyes was what he expected, from Mutaba's description: the Meteorite crashed and helpless.
Instantly he guessed what had happened.
Slythe had landed there with his prisoners whom he had taken to Mobogoma's camp. Then after being driven out he had tried to escape with Professor Oakwood, his remaining captive, and had crashed on the take-off.