"
"Well, yo' put in a good word fo' me. Yo know I always stood by
yo' in de school," pleaded the colored man. "I don't want to be
driftin' around jess nowhar, wid nuffin to do, an' no money comin'
in -- not but what I'll work cheap, as I dun said I would," he
added hastily.
A little later Randolph Rover joined the group and Aleck's
proposition was laid before him. Strange to say he accepted the
colored man's offer immediately, greatly to the wonder of the
boys, and from that minute on Pop be came a member of the
searching party.
"I will tell you why I did it," explained Randolph Rover to the
boys in private. "When we get into the jungle we will need a man
we can trust and one who is used to American ways. Moreover, if
there is any spying to be done among the natives the chances are
that a black man can do it better than a white man."
"Uncle Randolph, you've got a long head," remarked Tom. "No doubt
Aleck will prove just the fellow desired." And Tom was right, as
later events proved.
CHAPTER XIV
A STRANGE MEETING IN BOMA
The storm delayed the passage of the Republique nearly a week, in
a manner that was totally unexpected by the captain. The fierce
waves, running mountain high, wrenched the screw and it was found
next to impossible to repair the accident. Consequently the
steamer had to proceed under a decreased rate of speed.
This was tantalizing to the boys, and also to Randolph Rover, for
everyone wished to get ashore, to start up the Congo as early as
possible.
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