“I watched the natives down at La Merced,” replied Harry, “you see I figured that when you are in Rome do as the Romans do, and that as the jungle is good enough to provide us with ready-grown loaves we ought to return the compliment by knowing how to cook them.”
Naturally enough the boys’ conversation fell on the mysterious bell-ringing of the night before.
“I can hardly believe that I didn’t dream it,” remarked Frank.
“But I heard it too,” rejoined Harry, “and there is no question that it was a bell and a good, loud-toned one at that.”
“Well, what a bell-ringer, let alone a bell, can be doing round here is inexplicable,” said Frank. “I took a good look around before breakfast while I was out getting the fruit and I can see no sign of any habitation or settlement that might account for it.”
“You don’t think it possible that it could be a trick to scare us?” asked Harry.
Frank laughed.
“I considered that too,” he replied, “I hardly think that it could be that. Anyhow it will take a good deal more than that to frighten us away. Seriously though I would like to solve the mystery.”
“Maybe the monkeys hold prayer-meetings,” laughed Harry.
“What’s the matter with forming the Chester Exploration Expedition and taking a climb up the mountain after breakfast,” he broke out suddenly.