warning from Chief Mobogoma to some other tribe?"

"No, Bwana Dick. Pay no attention to that drum."

"Tell me. If we are in danger I've got to know about it."

"I tell you, Master," said Mutaba. "The black fellows have drums for
war. They have drums for other things, too. This drum tells a man's
wife, 'I am on Snake Island, hunting with my friends and we killed much
meat."

"Is that all?"

"No. Listen, now it says more. It says, 'I ate so much last night
that I am too heavy to walk. I won't come back until tomorrow night.'"

Dick laughed. "That's like a 'phone call from the office. What does
the man's wife say?"

"Nothing." Mutaba grinned. "Wait until he get home. Then she say
plenty!"

"I guess it's the same the whole world over," smiled Dick. "Say, this
is fine! The fog is lifting. And look, we are getting out of the
forest."

Mutaba cautioned for silence and, dismounting, ran ahead to see what
was before them, while Dan halted the column.

He awaited anxiously until the guide returned and explained in
awe-struck tones:

"Ahead of us is a wide clearing on high ground. A great bird is there
with broken wings. It is terrible magic."

"Are the Arabs there? And did you see Jess Slythe?"

"Yes, Bwana Dick. Slythe is there, but the others are leaving. I
think they are afraid of the giant bird with broken wings."

"Well, I'm not!" cried Dick. And he shouted back to his followers.
"Forward men! Let's go!"

The warriors let out their horses and on approaching the cleared space
they scattered among the open trees and charged in from different
angles. Before Dick's eyes was what he expected, from Mutaba's
description: the _Meteorite_ crashed and helpless.

Instantly he guessed what had happened.

Slythe had landed there with his prisoners whom he had taken to
Mobogoma's camp. Then after being driven out he had tried to escape
with Professor Oakwood, his remaining captive, and had crashed on the
take-off.

As Dick neared the plane he could see Jess working about it, while his
father, tied by the wrists, sat on the ground, looking very wretched
and hopeless. No Arabs were in sight.

"Don't worry, Dad! Your troubles are over!" shouted Dick as he
galloped forward, while behind him thundered the hoofs of his rescue
party.

The professor gave a great shout of delight. Jess Slythe cursed and
drew his revolver, firing wildly, but the range was too great. He
emptied his gun withou