“The words are dark yet,” replied the chief. “Where is Bomba going?”
“Bomba still seeks his parents,” returned the lad. “He wants to know about his father and his mother. Even the jaguar’s cubs know their father and mother. Bomba does not know. His heart will be heavy till he does know. He has tried to learn the truth for many moons. He has gone to the land of the Giant Cataract. He has traveled to the Moving Mountain. He has gone to the snake island of Sobrinini. He has journeyed many miles and met many dangers, and he does not yet know the truth.”
“Where does Bomba go now to find the truth?” asked the chief, his eyes dwelling thoughtfully on the lad.
“I go to seek Japazy, the half-breed,” replied Bomba. “Japazy may tell Bomba what he wishes to know. Jojasta is gone. Sobrinini is gone. Casson is gone. Japazy is the one hope of Bomba. If Japazy is dead—”
He did not finish the sentence, but with a shrug of his shoulder stared gloomily before him.
There was an interval of silence, and when the chief spoke again it was in a low and solemn tone.
“Where is it,” he asked, “that Bomba would seek for Japazy, the half-breed?”
Bomba hesitated for a moment, then spoke:
“I go to a spot where it is said I may find Japazy. I go to Jaguar Island.”
The stoic calm of the Indian vanished. A look of horror sprang into his eyes.