He told them of the previous visits of the headhunters to Casson’s cabin, how he had beaten off their attacks, how he had wounded Nascanora himself, how he had captured Ruspak, their medicine man, and how in the jungle he had overcome the braves of Tocarora.
“I think there are two bands of headhunters,” he said, when asked for his opinion. “Nascanora is at the head of one, and Tocarora, his half-brother, leads the other. They will join each other somewhere in the jungle. Then Nascanora will be strong enough to fight the Araos if they come looking for their chief.”
“But they did not think of Grico!” said he of the split nose, his one eye gleaming balefully. “Grico will get other braves who will fight with the Araos to get back Hondura. Hondura has been good to Grico. Grico will show that he is grateful.”
Bomba knew that this was no idle boast. Grico’s courage was so well established that he would have no trouble in rallying many bucks of other tribes under his leadership. If he could do this, the Araos and their auxiliaries would prove formidable enemies, even to the redoubtable headhunters.
But Bomba knew that this would take time and be the subject of innumerable powwows before the avengers would get fairly started. And with the knowledge he had of Casson’s danger he was in no mood for delay. He must go on. They could follow later.
He knew the risks he ran in going alone. He would be only one against the hordes of Nascanora. But his wit had served him so often where mere force would have failed that he was willing and eager to trust to it again.
So when a favorable opportunity presented, he broached his plan to his new-found allies.
“Bomba will go first and try to find the trail while Lodo and Grico are getting their braves together,” he said. “If Bomba finds them near by, he will come back and tell you, so that you may come and fight them. If he finds they are far off, he will leave a trail of his own so that you may move fast through the jungle. Does Bomba speak well?”
Lodo and Grico consulted.
“Bomba speaks well—” Lodo was beginning when there was a sudden commotion in the surrounding jungle. A moment later a strange company broke into the clearing.