CHAPTER VIII
THE WARNING
The chief of the Araos leaned toward Bomba and spoke in a voice charged with intensity:
“Hondura is a friend of Bomba. Hondura speaks wise words. If Bomba is wise, he will stay in the maloca of Hondura and not go to the island of the big cats.”
Bomba looked puzzled.
“Why does Hondura tell this to Bomba?” he queried.
“Because Hondura is friend of Bomba,” replied the chief gravely. “He would not see Bomba put his head within the jaws of death.”
“Is it because it is called Jaguar Island?” persisted the lad. “Is it the big cats Hondura fears?”
The Indian shook his head.
“The danger Hondura fears for Bomba,” he answered impressively, “is not of this world. It is of the world beyond. Be warned in time, Bomba. Hondura has spoken.”
Although Bomba had been taught by Casson to laugh at the superstitions of the natives, he had lived his life too far from civilization not to share to some extent their primitive fear of the supernatural.