At the foot of the cliff all was as dark and silent as a tomb.  “We go slow now, or maybe take a big tumble,” cautioned Cujo.  “Perhaps him better if me climb up first,” and he began the dangerous ascent of the cliff by means of the numerous vines already mentioned.

He was halfway up when the others started after him, Sam first, Tom next, and Aleck bringing up in the rear.

Slowly they arose until the surface of the stream was a score or more of feet below them.  Then came the sounds of footsteps from above and suddenly a torch shone down into their upturned faces.

“Hullo, who’s this?” came in English and the Rover boys recognized Dan Baxter.

“Silence, on your life!” cried Tom.

“Tom Rover!” gasped the bully.  “How came you —­”

“Silence, Baxter!  I have a pistol and you know I am a good shot.  Stand where you an and put both hands over your head.”

“Will I stand?  Not much!” yelled the bully, and flung his torch straight at Tom.  Then he turned and ran for the fort, giving the alarm at the top of his lungs.

The torch struck Tom on the neck, and for the moment the youth was in danger of losing his hold on the vines and tumbling to the jagged rocks below.  But then the torch slipped away, past Sam and Aleck, and went hissing into the dark waters of the Congo.

By this time Cujo had reached the top of the cliff and was making after Baxter.  Both gained the end of the fort at the same time and one mighty blow from Cujo’s club laid Baxter senseless near the doorway.

“Help! help!” The cry came in Dick’s voice, and was plainly heard by Sam and Tom.  Then Captain Villaire appeared, and a rough and tumble battle ensued, which the Rovers well remember to this day.

But Tom was equal to the occasion, and after the first onslaught he turned, as if summoning help from the cliff.  “This way!” he cried.  “Tell the company to come up here and the other company can surround the swamp!”

Several pistol shots rang out, and the boys saw a Frenchman go down with a broken arm.  Then Captain Villaire shouted:  “We have been betrayed —­ we must flee!” The cry came in French, and as if by magic the brigands disappeared into the woods behind the old fort; and victory was upon the side of our friends.

CHAPTER XXI

INTO THE HEART OF AFRICA

“Well, I sincerely trust we have no more such adventures.”

The speaker was Randolph Rover.  He was seated on an old bench in one of the rooms of the fort, binding up a finger which had been bruised in the fray.  It was two hours later, and the fight had come to an end some time previous.  Nobody was seriously hurt, although Sam, Dick, and Aleck were suffering from several small wounds.  Aleck had had his ear clipped by a bullet from Captain Villaire’s pistol and was thankful that he had not been killed.