They found themselves isolated upon the main branch, growing right in the middle of the miniature forest, which a "baobab" tree makes. The obscurity, increased by the thickness of the foliage, was profound; nevertheless Joe, stooping to Kennedy's ear, and pointing to the lower portion of the tree, said: "Niggers!"
Some words in a low voice then, reached even to the ears of the travelers. Joe shouldered his rifle.
"Wait a bit," said Kennedy.
The savages had actually scaled the "baobab." They rushed along it on every side, creeping along the branches like snakes—approaching slowly but surely; but they betrayed their presence by the smell of the horrible grease with which their bodies were smeared.
Soon two heads presented themselves to our travelers' gaze on a level with the very branch which they occupied.
"Attention!" cried Dick. "Fire!"
The double discharge echoed like thunder, and arose amid cries of distress. In a moment all the crowd had disappeared.
But in the midst of the shoutings a most extraordinary cry arose. It was incredible—impossible! A human voice, and speaking French!
"Help, help!" it cried.
Kennedy and Joe were stupefied. They regained the car with all speed.
"You heard it?" asked the doctor.
"Most decidedly a supernatural cry—Help! help!"
"'Tis a Frenchman in the hands of the savages!" said the doctor.
"A traveler!"
"A missionary, very likely!"
"The unhappy man!" cried Kennedy. They are about to kill him to make him suffer martyrdom!" The doctor endeavored in vain to hide his emotion.
"There can be no doubt," said he, "some unhappy Frenchman has fallen into the hands of the savages. But we will not leave this spot till we have made every effort to rescue him. The sound of our guns he looked upon as inspired succor—a providential intervention. We will not render this last hope false. Is this your opinion?"
"It is, Samuel, and we are ready to obey you."
