If a bomb had been thrown into the midst of the savages it would not have created greater surprise. They looked at each other in amazement. Was the boy mad?
The most astounded of all was Nascanora himself. He could not believe his ears. To be bearded thus, he, Nascanora, in the presence of his braves and by a boy! His eyes glowed with fury and his face grew dark with menace.
“Such idle words will make your death still harder,” he threatened. “It is not well to mock Nascanora.”
“I do not mock,” returned Bomba quietly. “I would make a compact with Nascanora. I will fight him with knives. We can throw the knives or fight hand to hand, as Nascanora chooses. But Nascanora must swear by his gods and command his braves that, if he is killed, the captives shall go free. It is for their freedom that I will fight Nascanora. Surely he is not afraid.”
Lithe, supple, muscular, his head held high as he flung out the concluding taunt, Bomba gazed full into the glowering eyes of the chief. He hoped that Nascanora would be goaded into accepting the challenge. The boy was a master of the machete, either thrust or thrown. If he should conquer, as he felt sure he would, his victory at one stroke would free the captives. If he should lose—well, that was in the hands of fate.
Nascanora’s face was a study. It was working with rage that did not hide, however, a shade of apprehension. He had tested the boy’s courage on one previous occasion, and had learned to respect it. He towered over his captive in size, but he doubted whether he exceeded him in strength. And he doubted very much whether he equaled him in skill and agility.
The chief was in a quandary. He knew that his braves were looking on and wondering at his hesitation. On the other hand, life was dear to him.
He glared at Bomba. The lad looked unflinchingly at him. And in the duel of eyes, Nascanora’s were the first to fall.
“It is not for a great chief like Nascanora to fight with a boy,” he blustered, seeking to cover his defeat. “He shall learn what happens to them who speak boastful words to Nascanora. Bind his hands and we will go.”
The command was quickly obeyed. Sobrinini again attempted to interpose, but Bomba checked her.