CHAPTER V
TERRIBLE JAWS
At the mention of Sobrinini’s name Cody Casson sprang to his feet, his weakness temporarily banished, and began to dance around the room, singing in a cracked, treble voice “la, la, la!” over and over again. Not until he was exhausted did he cease his gyrations and sink quivering into his chair.
Bomba watched the sudden transformation with consternation and alarm. What did this strange outbreak mean?
But he forebore to question until Casson ceased trembling and became once more like his customary self. Then the boy leaned toward the old man and said gently:
“I was talking about Sobrinini.” Again the old man started, but did not rise. Bomba went on:
“Jojasta told me to go to Sobrinini, she of the Pilati tribe beyond the Giant Cataract, to find out about my father and mother.”
“Yes, Nini ought to know,” muttered Casson. “She ought to know.”
“Who is Sobrinini and why should she know?” asked Bomba.
But Casson did not answer. He sat, muttering incoherently, and seemed so tired from his recent excitement that Bomba was afraid to press the matter further.
So he tried to calm the old man’s agitation and a little while later assisted him into his hammock where he almost immediately fell asleep.