“Gone?” his hearers exclaimed simultaneously.
“Yes,” returned Bomba. “The headhunters burned it with fire.”
“The headhunters!” cried Neram, a shudder going through him at the mention of the dread name.
“May the curse of the gods rest upon them!” growled Ashati.
“And the good Casson? And Pipina?” asked Neram anxiously. “Are they hurt? Did the headhunters carry them away?”
“No,” replied Bomba. “Pipina got away, and Bomba has taken her to the camp of the good chief, Hondura. But Casson wandered away into the jungle. Bomba has looked hard for him, but could not find him. Now the bucks of Hondura are looking for Casson.
“Now listen well to the words of Bomba,” he continued. “Ashati and Neram will go to the maloca of Hondura. They are good hunters, and the chief will be glad to have them among his bucks. They will tell Hondura that Bomba has sent them and that they will hunt for Casson and make their home with Hondura till Bomba gets back.”
“Neram and Ashati will do what Bomba says,” returned the former. “But Bomba speaks of a long journey. Where is it that Bomba goes?”
“Bomba goes to see Japazy, the half-breed, who lives on Jaguar Island,” the lad replied.
The ex-slaves shuddered at Bomba’s words. Their features became livid with fear.