The minute Dave raised the weapon a frightful uproar arose from the four men. Their eyes seemed fixed in horror on the poised dart. Like lightning they turned. In a flash they took to the nearest covert and hid themselves.
"Well, well!" cried the amused Daley, "that's a sudden change of front. Lad, there's some meaning to that move."
"Why, yes," said Dave thoughtfully; "they acted as if they were scared to death. I wonder why?"
He paused and turned the dart over in his hand, studying it critically.
"Say, Mr. Daley," he observed, "do you suppose this is some peculiar kind of a weapon that they attach taboo or some of their queer outlandish superstitions to?"
"Drop it!" all of a sudden almost screamed Daley.
He dashed the dart from the hands of his companion in a most startling way.
"Why, Mr. Daley----" began Dave in astonishment.
"Don't you ever go to feeling the points of those darts again, boy," said Daley seriously. "Look here."
He drew Dave nearer to the little platform in the center of the roof.