, Eradicate and the circus man were soon brought to the
place where the giant brothers had made their camp, and it was
decided to remain there a few days until the aeroplane could be
taken apart for transportation, for Tom had no idea of abandoning
it. Of course it could not be packed up very well, as there were no
boxes or bales at hand. But it was made small enough so that the
parts could be slung across the backs of several mules, there being
a number of the pack animals available, some being the same ones Tom
had purchased after his native escort had deserted him.

It was the morning they had decided to begin their march for the
coast. Everything was in readiness, they had some food, and with the
shotguns and the electric rifles which they had brought along, they
could get game. All their other things, save a few necessaries, had
been left behind. Eradicate, as he had always done, rode his mule up
beside Tom, to look after his young master.

Suddenly Koku, who seemed to have become very fond of Tom, strode
forward and took his place on the other side of the mule ridden by
the young inventor.

"Me stay by you," he said with a grin on his big face. "Me like you!
Me take care of you, Tom--be your servant. Him too old," and he
motioned to Eradicate.

"Eh! What's dat yo' done said?" gasped the colored man. "Me too old?
Looky heah, giant man, I'd hab yo' know dat I's been in de Swift
fambly a good many years, an' I's jest as spry as I eber was. I kin
look after Massa Tom as good as eber. Now yo' git back where yo'
belongs, giant man, an' doan't let me heah no mo' ob dat foolishness
talk. Nobody waits on Massa Tom Swift but me. Does yo' heah dat,
giant man?"

"Me Tom's man!" exclaimed the big fellow, and in fairly good
English. Tom laughed. He had no idea the giant had picked up any
words.

"Go on away!" cried Eradicate.

Koku gave the colored man one look, then, with a good natured grin
on his face, he reached over one hand, calmly lifted Eradicate from
his mule and set him on the ground. Then, with a push, he shoved the
mule galloping ahead, and took his place at the side of the young
inventor.

"Well, what do you know about that?" gasped Ned.

"Bless my coffee cup!" cried Mr. Damon.

Eradicate stood still for a moment, gazing first at his master and
then at the big being who had so ruthlessly plucked him from the
mule's back, as easily as he would have lifted a child. Then
Eradicate, with a trace of tears