Turning a bend in the river, a light assailed Bomba’s eyes, a fearful light, a light such as the native of the jungle dreads above all others. It was a dull glow, brightening now and then to a vivid red as the flames swept skyward.
Bomba groaned and his teeth gritted against each other as he plunged madly forward. For he knew all too well what had caused the glare. The hut of Pipina was ablaze!
This was the work of Nascanora’s bucks, their revenge upon a broken, demented old man who had never harmed any one in his life!
Was Casson in that blazing hut? Was poor Pipina, faithful friend, caught in that flaming inferno?
Scarcely daring to put these questions to himself, Bomba swam madly upstream, his one thought now of revenge. He was consumed by rage. His one desire was to feel the throat of Nascanora beneath his fingers.
The light was brighter now. The whole jungle was bathed in the fiendish glow.
Bomba turned toward the bank, but paused abruptly and trod water.
Between him and the shore, blocking his path, was a monster alligator!
CHAPTER IV
TERRIBLE JAWS
At sight of the cayman, Bomba’s heart for a moment seemed to stop beating.