But
they did not halt until a sudden tumble on Tom's part made the
others pause in dismay.
"Oh, great Caesar!" groaned the fun-loving Rover, and tried to
stand up. "I guess I've twisted my ankle."
"Can't you even walk?" asked Sam.
"We ain't got no time ter lose!" panted Aleck, who was almost
winded. "If we stay here we'll be gobbled up -- in no time, dat's
shuah!"
"Let us try to carry Tom," said Sam, and attempted to lift his
brother up. But the load made him stagger.
"De trees -- let us dun hide in, de trees!" went on the negro,
struck by a certain idea. "Come on, quick!"
"Yes - yes -- anything!" groaned Tom, and then shut his teeth hard
to keep himself from screaming with pain.
Together they carried the suffering youth away from the highway to
where there was a thick jungle of trees and tropical vines. The
vines, made convenient ladders by which to get up into the trees,
and soon Sam and Aleck were up and pulling poor Tom after them.
"Now we must be still," said Aleck, when they were safe for the
time being. "Hear dem a-conun' dis way."
The three listened and soon made out the footsteps of the
approaching party. They soon passed on up the road.
"We've fooled them," whispered Sam.
"But, oh, Aleck, what does it all mean?"
"It means dat yo' uncle an' Dick am prisoners -- took by a lot of
rascals under a tall, Frenchman."
"Yes, but I don't understand --"
"No more do I, Massah Sam, but it war best to git out, dat's as
shuah as yo' is born," added the colored man solemnly.
Pages:
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122