Dave shook his head to indicate that he did not understand. A few minutes later all four men piled the various articles they had been burning upon a sort of litter.
They seemed about to carry this into the hut. Each took a corner of the litter.
Here something happened. Dave almost imagined himself in a dream, as he saw a swift form burst from some bushes near at hand.
It was Daley. He was armed with a great knotted club. Evidently he had been watching for just this opportunity to interest himself in behalf of his young friend and overpower his captors.
The four natives employed at the litter had no time or chance to defend themselves.
Whack! Whack! In turn two of them went flat with broken heads.
Whack! Whack! Their companions toppled over, and the litter fell to the ground.
"Up with you," roared the giant sailor, a cyclone of strength and resolution now.
He grabbed up Dave bodily, ran towards the hut, dropped Dave, closed the door, barred it, and stood panting and trembling with excitement as he proceeded to release his companion.
It was then that Dave Fearless made that fervid remark: