It was not necessary for them to go far. Beyond, in some large trees, were three immense orang-outans, intently gazing on the newcomer. George ran back, crying out: "See the orang-outans in the trees! Isn't this the place we captured Angel?"
Harry threw down the load and was by the side of George without a moment's delay. "Where is Angel? I am afraid this is the last of the little fellow." And Harry showed his grief. They saw Angel on his way to the trees, and without waiting for an invitation, was up among the branches, visiting his friends, and, probably, his parents.
All stood there awaiting the results breathlessly. Not a word was spoken. Without hesitation he swung himself to the last limb, on which the patriarch perched. Not a hand was lifted against him, but they looked too astonished to speak, even if they could.
Angel went from one to the other. He petted them, as George had often petted him. He knew what a caress meant, but his kin did not. It was too much for George. "Come down, Angel; good boy; come down." And he said it pathetically, too.
Not a hand was held out to him, nor did he get any sort of welcome, and yet he had expected so much, from what he tried to tell George, while on the way to his old home. It was too much for him. He heard that familiar voice, and the call that was always a welcome one, and he slowly descended the tree, not with that springy motion which characterized his ascent, but hesitatingly and in measured swings.
He went up to George and leaned against him, and then they knew that Angel intended to go home with them again. But they could not help watching the effect of Angel's actions on the animals in the trees. Ordinarily, they will quickly spring away from any intruders, as they do not generally consider the trees high enough to give protection. Their remarkable agility enables them to travel faster by the tree line than man can follow on foot.
But now that Angel was again with the boys, all sense of fear seemed to leave the three creatures in the trees. They looked down at the proceedings, and as the boys passed by they sat in their specially prepared seats, as though they knew the care which had been bestowed on their offspring.
This little incident affected all more than it is possible to tell. The animal was really a marvelous character. True, George had spent hours and days in his education. He knew many of the words, and could execute missions, and did many things to aid George in the work at home, and it would have been a trial and a sorrow to miss him.
The next day would see them home again, and they could hardly restrain themselves at the thought of it. What if some one should have visited them while absent? Why might not the savages have found their abode? These were questions ever uppermost in the minds of all.
Before noon they reached the Cataract River to the west of the forest. This seemed like an old friend. And what was more: before they had gone many miles, the Professor pointed to a clearing, and remarked: "Do you remember this place?"