For three days after the departure of Captain Mac there was little hunting done. Silent and morose1 as he often was, the absent explorer more than made up for this in his moments of gayety. His was a strong personality, moreover, and his absence could not but make itself felt keenly.
There was plenty to occupy the boys, however. A number of heads and skins had to be prepared and packed. Then there was the native village to visit, and this was a source of never-ending delight. The chief, whose name was Mvita, gave a great feast in honor of the hunters—to which the hunters donated the greater share of the viands—and the moving-picture outfit2 came into play with brilliant effect.
Mr. Wallace took out the boys on a two-days' trip after animal pictures, also. By utilizing3 the natives of Mvita's village and also the Bantu porters as beaters, a bloodless hunt was held. In this the animals were surrounded and forced to pass before a white-ant hill on which Burt was[Pg 138] posted with the camera. Excellent pictures of various antelope4, zebra, an old and toothless lion, and an infuriated rhino5 were obtained. In this way a week was passed, and finally Mr. Wallace announced that on the morrow they would hold another real elephant hunt, as Mvita reported a herd6 of the giant beasts three miles to the north.
As they were leaving camp at dawn, a number of the villagers hastened up, headed by their chief. With anxious face Mvita implored7 the honor of bearing the guns of one of the white men. John refused him, wishing to save the usual gifts and emoluments8 of the office. Burt, however, interrupted with a laugh.
"Let him carry our guns, uncle! We've never been waited on by a real king before, an' it's somethin' to boast of. He won't steal 'em, will he?"
"I guess not," laughed Mr. Wallace, nodding to Mvita. With evident delight the chief took Burt's heavy elephant-gun. He was clad in long flowing red cotton robes, doubtless his insignia of office, but when John suggested that he remove them for the journey he refused indignantly. He could speak a little French, but very little.
"Are we going to spend all day?" inquired Critch, as the camp was left[Pg 139] behind and the red spears of dawn shot up in the east.
"Can't tell," replied Mr. Wallace. "The elephants were reported as being three miles north yesterday. By this time they may be twenty miles away, or they may remain in the same place for a week at a time, until their food is exhausted9. However, we ought to strike something before noon."
"Say," broke out Burt suddenly, "remember what Cap'n Mac said last night about his scrap10 with that Arab trader? Do you think he was giving it to us straight?"
"Of course," answered his uncle decidedly. "Why?"
"Well," responded Burt doubtfully, "it looked a whole lot like downright piracy12 to me, that's all. It might ha' happened five hundred years ago, but it's hard to realize—"
"Look here," broke in Mr. Wallace, "you've got to remember, Burt, that Montenay has spent practically all his life exploring. He has his bad points, like all of us, but he has his share of good ones also. I myself don't blame him a bit. That Arab, Yusuf ben Salir, was a slave dealer[Pg 140] and pirate himself. Besides, it was a matter of personal revenge with Mac. He's just done a tremendously brave thing in setting out for the pigmy land alone,—well, he's a strange character."
"Think we'll meet him?" asked Critch in a low voice. "Or rather, will he meet us?"
"I'm afraid not," replied Mr. Wallace. "He has only one chance in a thousand of making it. Hello! Look at that ant hill—the sunny side!"
Following his finger, the boys saw a huge snake stretched out, warming himself in the hot sun. All three were at the head of the beaters, and Mvita, the only gunbearer who noticed the snake, brought up his heavy gun rapidly. Mr. Wallace waved him back, however, drawing his revolver and putting a bullet through the serpent's head. Upon measuring him, the reptile13 was found to be exactly fifteen feet in length.
"Say, ain't he a beaut though!" observed Critch, gazing down at the bright green and gold body. "Is he hard to skin?"
"Not a bit," replied Mr. Wallace. "Not worth while, though. The colors won't last. The gold turns white and the green black."[Pg 141]
"I don't care," said Burt, "let's leave a couple o' men to skin him anyhow. Even black an' white ought to make a mighty14 fine trophy15. Snake skin keeps better than fur, anyhow."
As Critch was also anxious to save the python skin, two of the Bantus were left to take it into camp while the party proceeded north.
They had marched for over an hour without any sign of elephant when one of Mvita's men appeared ahead. A number had been sent out from the village to locate the herd, if possible. The man, flourishing his spear, ran up and reported that before dawn he had heard loud trumpeting16 in the forest ahead, not over a mile distant.
"Good enough," exclaimed Mr. Wallace. "John, get these chaps spread out in a line across country, to drive in anything toward the center. You stick to me, though, and handle my guns."
"Yes, sar," came the reply. A moment later the party had scattered17, the natives stretching out in a long thin line far to right and left. Once more the advance was taken up, and all trudged18 steadily19 forward for half a mile. It was exciting work, for at any moment the patches of small trees, high grass and rush might yield anything from an elephant to a[Pg 142] lion. A very hopeful-looking thicket20 had just been beaten through without any luck, and the three whites sighted an open grassy21 glade22 which stretched away in front, when Mvita gave a low whistle and muttered to John. The latter instantly stopped his master. Parting the bushes cautiously and gazing out on the fairly open glade, all could see a good sized herd of wildebeest grazing a quarter of a mile away.
"We must have one of them," whispered Mr. Wallace, as the boys stared at the weird23, bison-like animals eagerly. "We're down-wind, so I'll stalk 'em. Come on, John."
The two stole out cautiously, and began making a slow advance over the open space, hiding behind the ant hills and among the tall grass. Only the waving tops of the latter betrayed their presence, but just as the boys were expecting to hear a shot, Mvita touched Burt on the arm. One of his men had approached silently, and his face portended24 big tidings.
"What is it—elephant?" asked Burt. Mvita grinned and shook his head, then murmured one word.
"Simba!"
[Pg 143]
"Lion!" echoed Critch, who knew the native term. "Come on, Burt!"
Without hesitation25 the two boys turned away and followed the native guide. The latter led them to the right for some distance, and as no sign of lion showed up Burt became impatient.
"Where—" he began, when the native stopped, clicked his tongue, and pointed26 with his spear. Ahead of them the boys caught sight of a small lioness trotting27 away from a clump28 of thick bushes. Burt, grabbing for his rifle, ran forward eagerly. Critch's bearer was a Bantu, who handed over the heavy gun but refused absolutely to advance. The two boys ran forward in order to cut off the trotting lioness from a stretch of rushes for which she was making.
They were barely fifty yards from the clump of bushes when they both stopped short at a shrill29 yell from Mvita, who had followed them closely, at the same instant Burt saw something appear at the edge of the bushes. Then came a low, muttering growl30, and a huge black-maned lion appeared, his red mouth open, gazing steadily at the hunters. Burt pulled up his rifle and fired quickly. The growl ended in a[Pg 144] snarl31, and the lion rolled over.
"Hurray!" shouted Burt, "I landed him—"
"Look out!" yelled Critch, and the explosion of his rifle almost deafened32 his chum. As Burt had fired, three more lionesses had appeared among the bushes, following the first! Two disappeared, but Critch's shot stopped the last one, not killing33 her. He put another bullet into her shoulder and she lay still. While he ran forward to make sure of his prize, Burt, followed by Mvita, turned toward the lion. The great beast lay perfectly34 still. Three of the Bantus had run up, and were standing35 within a few yards of him.
They were gathered in a group near his tail, admiring and yet afraid to touch him. Burt remembered his uncle's warnings about the remarkable36 tenacity37 of life often shown by lions, and stopped when fifty feet away. The lion was still breathing, but lay motionless. Concluding that if he paid no attention to the chattering38 natives he would remain quiet for a finishing shot, Burt and Mvita ran onward39, the chief displaying no fear whatever, unlike the Bantus.
They approached from his rear, and assuming that he was unable to rise,[Pg 145] Burt stepped around for a good shot at the eye, which would not harm the pelt40. The instant he came into view of the wounded beast, however, the latter revived.
With one terrific roar he sprang to his feet as if uninjured. His green eyes blazed with fury, and his lips were drawn41 back until his long, yellow teeth were exposed in a snarl that struck Burt cold, for the boy was barely a dozen feet away. The men had fled instantly, only Mvita remaining beside Burt. The latter, taken by surprise, gave a step backward, lifting his rifle.
Just as the beast was in the act of springing, Burt fired. The heavy bullet missed the eye and glanced off the sharply backward-sloping head of the brute42, but its terrific impact was sufficient to stop the animal for the instant. Burt heard a yell from Critch, and was tempted43 to turn and run. The lion was up immediately, however, and again Burt stepped back and pulled the trigger.
This time, however, his foot caught in the grass. The bullet went wild, and the terrified boy gave himself up for lost. A tremendous thud and[Pg 146] crash at his side told him that the lion had sprung; then a quick flash of red caught his eye as he rolled over and gained his feet.
The flash of red came from the robe of Mvita, whose faith in the white hunters had given way at the last moment. Seeming to realize all at once the danger of his situation, he turned and ran just as Burt fell, with a shrill scream. Beyond doubt this movement had saved Burt's life, for the brilliant red robe caught the eye of the lion, who at once gave chase to the yelling chief.
Burt, pale and excited, gained his feet just as the lion was catching44 up with Mvita. Lifting his rifle, he fired. To his dismay the bullet missed completely, throwing up the dust beyond Mvita. In a desperate effort to save the man before it was too late, Burt pumped at the magazine. At the same instant Mvita made a quick swerve45. The lion also turned, coming broadside on to Burt. Just as Mvita was about to be brought down, the boy fired. The lion dropped in the middle of his spring, his back broken. A shot from Critch's rifle struck him as he lay, and Burt finally put a bullet through the lion's brain.
He was astonished to see Critch, who had hastily returned, give a gasp47, then burst into a roar of laughter. Whirling about, Burt stared over the body of the lion and then went into a spasm48 of mirth.
The sight that met his eyes turned what was nearly a tragedy into instant comedy. There was Mvita, a dozen yards from the lion, earnestly bent49 upon scrambling50 up a thorn-tree in the shortest possible time! He never cast a glance below, as the roars of laughter went up from the boys and even from the natives, but only climbed the faster. He was nearing the top of the spiny51 tree; on every limb and thorn hung remnants of his gorgeous crimson52 robe, and by the time he reached the top he was fully11 as well clad as his humblest subject below.
In vain did the boys yell at him to come down. Mvita was taking no chances of a mistake again, and not until he had reached the very top branch that would bear his weight did the terrified chieftain glance down. Even the sight of his laughing subjects and the dead lion hardly reassured53 him, but once he was certain of his safety he took a speedy and certain method of restoring his lost dignity. Descending54 as quickly[Pg 148] as he had gone up, he brought a long thorn-branch with him, and applied55 this to his subjects and the Bantus indiscriminately until their laughter was changed to howls for mercy. Only at the intercession of the gasping56 boys did the angry chief cease.
The Bantus speedily gathered, and played like children about the dead bodies of the two beasts, which had been placed side by side. They proved themselves surprisingly good mimics57, one taking the part of the lion and jumping with a growl at the others. Another took Burt's part, snapping his fingers as he stepped backward and finally fell; while a third played Mvita, running to the thorn tree with the lion in hot pursuit. At this instant an angry voice stopped the proceedings58, and the boys looked around in alarm to see Mr. Wallace running toward them.
"Here, what is all this?" he shouted, waving his rifle. Before the boys could answer he caught sight of the two carcasses, and stopped short. "So you've been disobeying orders again!"
"Not quite that, uncle," returned Burt quickly. He then explained why they had left, together with all that had happened. As Mr. Wallace[Pg 149] glanced at the almost naked chief, and then at the decorated thorn tree, his face relaxed and Burt knew there was no more to fear.
"You spoiled a fine shot for me," was all Mr. Wallace said. "I guess you've had lesson enough. Get the boys busy on the skins, John."
"They're not far off, unless your shooting frightened them. We'll leave the Bantus to skin these beasts, while we go on with Mvita's men."
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1
morose
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| adj.脾气坏的，不高兴的 | |
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2
outfit
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| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
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3
utilizing
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| v.利用，使用( utilize的现在分词 ) | |
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antelope
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| n.羚羊；羚羊皮 | |
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rhino
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| n.犀牛，钱, 现金 | |
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herd
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| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
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7
implored
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| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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8
emoluments
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| n.报酬，薪水( emolument的名词复数 ) | |
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9
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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10
scrap
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| n.碎片；废料；v.废弃，报废 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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12
piracy
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| n.海盗行为，剽窃，著作权侵害 | |
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13
reptile
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| n.爬行动物；两栖动物 | |
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14
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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15
trophy
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| n.优胜旗，奖品，奖杯，战胜品，纪念品 | |
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16
trumpeting
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| 大声说出或宣告（trumpet的现在分词形式） | |
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17
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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18
trudged
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| vt.& vi.跋涉，吃力地走（trudge的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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19
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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20
thicket
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| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
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21
grassy
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| adj.盖满草的；长满草的 | |
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glade
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| n.林间空地，一片表面有草的沼泽低地 | |
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23
weird
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| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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24
portended
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| v.预示( portend的过去式和过去分词 )；预兆；给…以警告；预告 | |
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25
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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26
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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27
trotting
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| 小跑，急走( trot的现在分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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28
clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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29
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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30
growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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31
snarl
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| v.吼叫，怒骂，纠缠，混乱；n.混乱，缠结，咆哮 | |
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32
deafened
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| 使聋( deafen的过去式和过去分词 )； 使隔音 | |
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33
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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34
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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35
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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36
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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37
tenacity
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| n.坚韧 | |
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38
chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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39
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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40
pelt
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| v.投掷，剥皮，抨击，开火 | |
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41
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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42
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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43
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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44
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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45
swerve
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| v.突然转向，背离；n．转向，弯曲，背离 | |
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46
imminent
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| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
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47
gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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48
spasm
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| n.痉挛，抽搐；一阵发作 | |
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49
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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50
scrambling
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的现在分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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51
spiny
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| adj.多刺的，刺状的；n.多刺的东西 | |
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52
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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53
reassured
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| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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54
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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55
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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56
gasping
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| adj. 气喘的, 痉挛的 动词gasp的现在分词 | |
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57
mimics
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| n.模仿名人言行的娱乐演员，滑稽剧演员( mimic的名词复数 )；善于模仿的人或物v.（尤指为了逗乐而）模仿( mimic的第三人称单数 )；酷似 | |
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58
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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59
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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