“I’ve got to know something more about this cargo before I give up hope of getting it,” Case declared, stubbornly. “I’m not going to miss a chance of getting the money we need for any little interruption like this. Who are those men? Why are you afraid to let them see you here? Do you know why they are here? Ever see them before?”
“Why, it is too dark to see their faces,” Frank explained, hesitatingly, “and we couldn’t tell friend from foe at that distance, anyway,” he added. “But the fact that they are here is enough for me to know! Come along! We’re going back to the Rambler now, we can come again in the morning.”
“That’s the trouble with you!” Case whispered, reprovingly. “You are too much of a quitter!
You were afraid to come on board the Rambler, that night on the South Branch. Now you’re afraid to go on, because you see two men standing by a campfire! Well, I don’t know where your cargo is, or what it is, and you all say I’m a kicker and a prophet of evil, but I’m going on in and find out why those men are camping in this jungle.”
“I’m sorry you’ve got such a bad opinion of me,” Frank said, slowly. “Perhaps you may change your mind, in time. As for going in there, I’ll go, if you insist upon it, but I’m telling you now that you will regret it if you do.”
The fire died down a bit, and the figures which had stood before it were no longer in sight. The boys shut off their lights, took firmer hold of their weapons, and stood considering.
But the decision was not with them, for while they pondered two forms rose up behind them and they were thrown to the ground.
CHAPTER XI.—A HUMAN GUARD WITH HORNS
Case and Frank were not permitted to lie on the ground long after being seized from behind and thrown down. Frank’s searchlight was taken from his hand and directed upon his face.
“Humph!” grunted a rumbling voice.