The Rover Boys in the Jungle Part 32

"It's a queer place for you to come to."

"I am with an exploring party from Yale College. We are studying the fauna and flora of central Africa--at least, they are doing so under my guidance."

"They must be learning a heap--under you."

"Do you mean to say I am not capable of teaching them!" cried Josiah Crabtree, wrathfully.

"Well, if I was in their place I would want somebody else besides the man who was discharged by Captain Putnam and who failed to get the appointment he wanted at Columbia College because he could not stand the examination."

"Boy! Boy! You know nothing of my ability!" fumed Crabtree, coming closer and shaking, his fist in d.i.c.k's face.

"Well, I know something of your lack of ability."

"You are doing your best to insult me!"

"Such an old fraud as you cannot be insulted, Josiah Crabtree. I read your real character the first time I met you, and you have never done anything since which has caused me to alter my opinion of you. You have a small smattering of learning and you can put on a very wise look when occasion requires. But that is all there is to it, except that behind it all you are a thorough-paced scoundrel and only lack a certain courage to do some daring bit of rascality."

This statement of plain truths fairly set Josiah Crabtree to boiling with rage. He shook his fist in d.i.c.k's face again. "Don't dare to talk that way, Rover; don't dare--or--I'll--I'll--"

"What will you do?"

"Never mind; I'll show you when the proper time comes."

"I told you once before that I was not afraid of you--and I am not afraid of you now."

"You did not come to Africa alone, did you?"

"To be sure I did not. I have a large party with me."

"In this vicinity?"

"Yes, within calling distance. I tell you that--and it's the truth--so that you won't try any underhand game on me."

"You--you--" Josiah Crabtree broke off and suddenly grew nervous. "See here, Rover, let us be friends," he said abruptly.

"Let us drop the past and be friends-at least, so long as we are so far away from home and in the country of the enemy."

This sudden change in manner astonished d.i.c.k. Was Crabtree serious? Certainly the man's manner would indicate as much.

"Well, I'm willing to let past matters, drop--just for the present," he answered, hardly knowing what to say. "I wish to pay all my attention to finding my father."

"Exactly, Richard--and--er--you--who is with you? Anybody I know?"

"Sam and d.i.c.k and Alexander Pop."

"Is it possible! And that black, how is it he came along?"

"He joined us by accident. But what of your party?"

"They are a set of rich young students from Yale in their senior year who engaged me to bring them hither for study and--er--recreation. And that puts me in mind. You will not--ahem--say anything about the past to them, will you?"

CHAPTER XXIV

JOSIAH CRABTREE MAKES A MOVE

As quick as a flash of lightning d.i.c.k saw through Josiah Crabtree's scheme for, letting matters Of the past drop. The former teacher of Putnam Hall was afraid the youth would hunt up the college students from Yale and expose him to them.

As a matter of fact, Crabtree was already "on the outs" with two of the students, and he was afraid that if the truth regarding his character became known his present position would be lost to him and he would be cast off to shift for himself.

"You don't want me to speak to the students under your charge?"

said d.i.c.k slowly.

"Oh, of course you can speak to them, if you wish. But I--ahem--I would not care to--er--er--"

"To let them know what a rascal you are," finished d.i.c.k.

"Crabtree, let me tell you once for all, that you can expect no friendship, from me. You are not worthy of it. When I meet those students I will tell them whatever I see fit."

At these words Josiah Crabtree grew as white as a sheet. Then, setting his teeth, he suddenly recovered. "Are those your friends?" he demanded, pointing up the lake sh.o.r.e.

As was perfectly natural, d.i.c.k turned to gaze in the direction.

As he did so, Crabtree swung a stick that he carried into the air and brought it down with all force on the youth's head. d.i.c.k felt a terrific pain, saw a million or more dancing lights flash through his brain--and then he knew no more.

"I guess I've fixed him," muttered the former teacher of Putnam Hall grimly. He knelt beside the fallen boy and felt of his heart. "Not dead, but pretty well knocked out. Now what had I best do with him?"

He thought for a moment, then remembered a deep hollow which he had encountered but a short while before. Gazing around, to make certain that n.o.body was watching him, he picked up the unconscious lad and stalked off with the form, back into the jungle and up a small hill.

At the top there was a split between the rocks and dirt, and into this he dropped poor d.i.c.k, a distance of twenty or more feet.

Then he threw down some loose leaves and dead tree branches.

"Now I reckon I am getting square with those Rovers," he muttered, as he hurried away.

The others of the Rover party wondered why d.i.c.k did not join them when they gathered around the camp-fire that night.

"He must be done fishing by this time," said Tom. "I wonder if anything has happened to him?"

"Let us take a walk up de lake an' see," put in Aleck, and the pair started off without delay.

They soon found the spot where d.i.c.k had been fishing. His rod and line lay on the bank, just as he had dropped it upon Josiah Crabtree's approach.

"d.i.c.k! d.i.c.k! Where are you?" called out Tom.

No answer came back at first. Then, to Tom's astonishment, a strange voice answered from the woods: "Here I am! Where are you?"

"Dat aint d.i.c.k," muttered Aleck. "Dat's sumbuddy else, Ma.s.sah Tom."