CHAPTER XXIV. 



THE WHIZZ OF A BOOMERANG. 



| ACK HARVEY and his young friends having selected their field of operations, 

 Mr. Godkin did the same for himself and Pongo, the Bushman. 



Fully a mile southwest of the elevation where they had parted company, 

 stretched a jungle several miles in extent. Most of it appeared to be on higher 

 ground than the rest of the plain, and within its gloomy depths were sure to be 

 found birds, beasts and reptiles without number. 



" We'll go there," was the decision of the director, who struck his horse into a 

 brisk gallop, closely followed by his assistant. A short distance passed, and they 

 came abreast, continuing thus until close to the jungle, where they meant to make 

 their investigations. 



" Now," said Mr. Godkin, when they drew up their ponies, for a moment, on the 

 margin, " the trees are too close together, and there are too many vines for us to 

 ride in there. We will dismount and look around on foot. Do you think your horse 

 will stand ? " 



"Yes he stand," replied the Bushman, who had learned enough of the saga- 

 cious animal to feel full confidence in him. 



" Provided he isn't disturbed by some wild beast or reptile, when we would ex- 

 pect him to take care of himself." 



Numbers of birds, with brilliant plumage, were seen hopping among the branches 

 overhead. It was noticeable that those with the most gorgeous dress possessed 

 voices of hideous harshness. To have sat within the hearing of their discordant 

 screeching would have driven a person almost wild. 



But the hunters had no special interest in them, though they expected to obtain 

 some valuable specimens before their return. 



The horses, being left free, began cropping the grass, which was green and suc- 

 culent, close to the margin of the jungle, where it was partly screened from the 

 sun's scorching rays. Possibly they incurred some risk in doing this, but, since it 

 may be said they were always in danger when traversing the Dark Continent, they 

 had to take care of themselves, at times, as best they could. 



The men stepped as guardedly as a couple of Indian scouts in an enemy's 

 country, peering into the dismal depths of the jungle, on the watch for anything 

 that promised game or plunder. 



" St ! " hissed Pongo, stopping short, directly behind his employer, " me see 

 somethin' then." 



"What did it seem to be?" asked Mr. Godkin, who had detected a suspicious 

 rustling. " Snake dere he be 1 " said Pongo. 



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