Through the glasses, which they were able to use without being observed, by crouching down in the coarse grass, they could see Salloo advancing toward the two figures on the mountain side. As he went he was making the peace sign, extending his arms as if inviting the others to attack him at their will. But as far as they could see, the meeting was friendly enough. Salloo conversed with the two men of the mountain for a long time. Then he could be seen retracing his steps.
“Well?” demanded everybody as he returned to the camp.
“Ebblyting good so far,” reported Salloo. “Those two men velly old men. They left behind when tribe go to war in the north.”
“Then the country is free of danger?” cried Donald.
Salloo turned a look of contempt on him and did not answer. Addressing the others, he continued:
“They say they know of cave. But no know if white man is there,” went on the Malay.
“Would they be willing to guide us to it?” inquired Mr. Jukes.
“That me no know yet. Me go see ’em again to-night,” replied Salloo. “They say nobody but old men, women and children left behind now tribe go to war. So maybe they no afraid to show us. You pay ’em good?”
“Anything, any sum at all,” was the response of the millionaire. “No sum is too great to restore my brother to his family.”
When night fell Salloo left the camp again and did not return till midnight. He brought the news that the two old men would guide them for three pieces of gold each. They did not want the coins to spend, explained Salloo, but to pierce and wear round their necks as ornaments.