“It seems worth trying at any rate,” said Mr. Jukes, in the manner of one who has reached a decision.
“It seems reasonable to suppose that if Broom had taken your brother and his men anywhere on the island it would have been to some such inaccessible spot as that,” said Captain Sparhawk.
“Well thin, what’s to privint us going up among the 'balloon’ men, or whativer they call thimsilves?” asked Muldoon.
“It may be attended by some danger,” said Mr. Jukes. “From what Salloo said the Kini-Balu men are a very war-like tribe. They might attack us. How about that, Salloo?”
The Malay’s reply was not one calculated to reassure them.
“Kini-Balu men head hunters,” he said, “Maybe they no hurt us. But maybe take our heads. Salloo no 'fraid, though.”
“Then, by golly, neither are we,” declared Muldoon.
After more discussion, it was decided to advance cautiously into the Kini-Balu country and then do some scouting to see how matters lay. If the natives were hostile, and if they were convinced that Mr. Jukes was really a captive among them, guarded by their warriors at ‘Bully’ Broom’s orders, then they would return to Bomobori without risking their lives and come back with a strong force. If everything appeared to be pacific, then they would seek out the place indicated on the map and settle the question of whether or no it was actually the place of the pearl hunter’s confinement.