When at last the sun did come out, however, it shone, so Sam put it, “with a vengeance.”  There was not a cloud left, and the direct rays of the great orb of day caused a rapid evaporation of the rain, so that the ground seemed to be covered with a sort of mist.  On every side could be seen the effects of the hurricane-broken trees, washed-out places along the river, and dead birds and small animals, including countless monkeys.  The monkeys made the boys’ hearts ache, especially one big female, that was found tightly clasping two little baby monkeys to her breast.

The storm had swollen the river to such an extent that they were forced to leave the beaten track Cujo had been pursuing and take to another trail which reached out to the southward.  Here they passed a small village occupied entirely by negroes, and Cujo learned from them that King Susko had passed that way but five days before.  He had had no cattle with him, the majority of his followers having taken another route.  It was thought by some of the natives that King Susko was bound for a mountain known as the Hakiwaupi —­ or Ghost-of-Gold.

“The Ghost-of-Gold!” repeated Dick.  “Can that be the mountain father was searching for when he came to Africa?”

Inquiries from Cujo elicited the information that the mountain mentioned was located about one hundred miles away, in the center of an immense plain.  It was said to be full of gold, but likewise haunted by the ghost of a departed warrior known to the natives as Gnu-ho-mumoli —­ Man-of-the-Gnu-eye.

“I reckon that ghost story, was started, by somebody who wanted, to keep the wealth of che mountain to himself,” observed Tom.  “I don’t believe in ghosts, do you, Cujo?”

The tall African shrugged his ebony shoulders, “Maybe no ghost —­ but if dare is, no want to see ’um,” he said laconically.  Nevertheless he did not object to leading them in the direction of the supposedly haunted mountain.

So far the natives had been more or less friendly, but now those that were met said but little to Cujo, while scowls at the whites were frequent.  It was learned that the college party from the East was in the vicinity.

“Perhaps they did something to offend the natives,” observed Randolph Rover.  “As you can see, they are simple and childlike in their ways, and as quickly offended on one hand as they are pleased on the other.  All of you must be careful in your treatment of them, otherwise we may get into serious trouble.”

CHAPTER XXIII

DICK MEETS AN OLD ENEMY

One afternoon Dick found himself alone near the edge of a tiny lake situated on the southern border of the jungle through which the party had passed.  The others had gone up the lake shore, leaving him to see what he could catch for supper.

He had just hooked a magnificent fish of a reddish-brown color, when, on looking up, he espied an elderly man gazing at him intently from a knoll of water-grass a short distance away.