“Th—thanks. I—” Johnny did not finish. The strange short, broad man had vanished into the night.
“This,” Johnny told himself, rising stiffly, “is the strangest island I have ever known. You strike a drum on the head and get struck on the head in return. A short, broad, white man, with the skill of a surgeon, comes along and fixes you up. Who hit me? Who is this curious doctor-like man? Where’d he come from? What’s he doing down here? Guess I’d better hurry on back to camp.”
His steps were a trifle unsteady at first. His head hurt. As his blood warmed, he got the better of this and in due time walked into an illuminated circle which was the light of his own camp fire, to exclaim as he dropped down beside three shadowy figures:
“Well, here I am and I’ve had an adventure.”
“Adventure!” The voice of the speaker was shrill and high-pitched, the voice of a boy in his early teens. “Tell us about it.” This boy was Dorn Montcalm.
Dorn Montcalm was the son of a merchant who made his home in one of the hill villages of Haiti. His father, who had the good of the Island natives at heart, had taken a great liking to Johnny’s aged Professor. They had exchanged many visits. In this way Dorn had become acquainted with Johnny. When he learned of the proposed search for the “Rope of Gold” he had begged to be allowed to go along. Permission was granted by his father only on condition that Pompee, a native servant and a very giant of a man, be taken along as his bodyguard. Pompee was more than welcome for, besides being a man of great physical prowess, he was a famous cook. He knew the value of every native herb, root and fruit. When occasion demanded, he could gather and prepare a delicious repast in the heart of the jungle.
So they sat there by the camp fire waiting for Johnny’s story, Curlie Carson, Dorn and Pompee. The shadow and the spell of the Citadel was upon them. For some time Johnny did not speak. Their temporary abode, a dark man-made chasm, part of the Citadel, yawned at their back; on either side rose the massive walls.
“What’s happened to your head?” demanded Curlie, suddenly catching sight of Johnny’s white bandages.
“Come to that presently,” replied Johnny. “Had a visitor to-night, didn’t you?”
“No! Why of course not!” Curlie seemed quite startled.