Page:Barbour--Joan of the ilsand.djvu/190

178 "Nigger he just come in um hut. What name him, eh?" Keith asked breathlessly.

"No nigger he come in here," Taleile replied confidently. "Me hear one plenty big damn row and come out, allee same stop here."

"Then we've got him," Keith snapped triumphantly, "or at least we can find out who it was. This chap has been here like a sentry ever since I yelled. Here you, Taleile. One nigger maybe two not in hut. What name, eh? Call 'em out."

"Oya, oya," shouted Taleile, putting his head inside the doorway; and out tumbled the black crew, some blinking and rubbing their eyes, others craning their necks in every direction, seeking the cause of this unusual proceeding. Taleile soon had them assembled in a line, and in the light of the lantern he inspected their faces one by one.

"Isa, he no here. Baloo he no here," the "boss boy" declared at last.

Chester meanwhile had been counting the dark figures and he found that only two were missing.

"I half suspected that vicious looking brute Baloo had a hand in it," Keith declared. "Well, Trent, what d'you suggest?"

"Can't do a thing till it's light, Keith. The pair of 'em may be a mile away by now, but I give you my word, there won't be a stroke of work done on this place until we've roped those beggars in. Ta-