Page:Hugh Pendexter--Tiberius Smith.djvu/230

 "‘What is?' I cried, as the circle narrowed and no rainbow stole in view.

"‘B-r-r-r!' worked Tib, desperately, and all paused at the old familiar sound. 'Tell 'em, Wogo, the little medicine in the cage wishes to repeat, as there is a mistake.'

"In some fashion the Bug conveyed this intelligence, but Henry, fearing a trick, raised a shrill clamor and begged for some one to loan him a spear. His brother, however, ceased his pow-wow as he realized we were offering to recount, and helped hold the mob back.

"‘Sneak to the river, Wogo, and pinch a canoe,' hissed Tib. Then waving the ticker and dancing madly into their very midst he distracted their attention, and as I watched his agility in dull amaze he further cried, 'Avaunt, Billy! Fade away! Click! click! B-r-r-r! Sneak!'

"And, Lord forgive me, I sneaked. I'd never have quit him, only when he said anything in that voice I was there to jump. And forgetting how ignoble it was, I ripped up the scenery in a mile sprint to the Beni. As I panted to the water's edge there was Wogo, the Bug, and a canoe.

"‘The fat señor,' he howled in delight; and, turning, I was overjoyed to behold Tib's round form bouncing through the trees with the brunette mob at his heels. He reached us a hundred feet in the lead.