In the Depths of the Dark Continent: or, The Vengeance of Van Vincent. Shea Cornelius
they were eating dinner one of the blacks came rushing up with the intelligence that the bad white men had just gone up the river in their boat.
The river was nearly straight at this point, and, rushing down to the water's edge, Van and Jack Howard saw Doc Clancy and his allies proceeding rapidly up the stream.
Already they were over half a mile away, and our friends did not deem it worth while to shoot at them.
But the camp was quickly broken up and all its belongings packed in the boat owned by the Englishmen, which was strong and commodious, and large enough for all hands.
Being aware of this fact, our hero concluded to leave their boat where it was.
When everything was in readiness all hands got into the boat, and the blacks started to row up the river in the wake of Doc Clancy.
CHAPTER VI.
A SLIGHT ADVENTURE
The boat owned by the explorers was much heavier than that in which Doc Clancy and his villainous crowd had gone up the river.
Thus the latter could be rowed faster, and it did not take our friends long to see that they were gradually being left behind.
"Our intention was to follow this river until we reached the branch that flows northward," said Jack Howard. "We then would go up that as far as we could, and then make the rest of our travels on foot. The man you call Doc Clancy is leading us over the very course we want to take, so far."
"But he might change his course," spoke up Van.
"It doesn't matter whether he does or not," returned the young Englishman. "We will follow him wherever he goes. The professor, doctor and myself came to Africa principally for adventure, and I am sure we will get enough of it if we keep on the trail of a murderer and a number of scoundrels who are as bad as he is."
They continued on their way up the river, keeping a sharp lookout on either bank so as not to run in an ambush.
When night came they went ashore at a pleasant-looking spot and pitched their camp.
As soon as darkness set in the wild beasts of the forest began to make themselves heard.
The blacks promptly built a number of fires to keep them away.
The two tents were utilized by the six who constituted the party of whites.
The air was very warm and close, and the ceaseless hum of the insects made it almost impossible for Van to sleep during the first part of the night.
As he was to stand watch with Jack Howard the last four hours of the night, it behooved him to catch as much sleep as he could.
It was past midnight when he fell into a doze.
He was just dropping off into a sound slumber when he was awakened by the shrill cry of a female in the near vicinity.
Quick as a flash, he sprang to his feet and listened.
"Help – help! Oh, save me!"
Again the cry was repeated.
In the twinkling of an eye the whole camp was aroused.
Seizing their rifles, Van and Jack Howard sprang through the dense undergrowth in the direction the cries came from.
It was tedious work forcing their way through the thorns and dank weeds, but they accomplished it in short order.
As they emerged into an opening about two hundred yards from their camp they beheld a truly startling scene.
A young and beautiful girl was struggling in the midst of four men, who had seized her and were making efforts to stifle her cries.
Both Van and Jack were astonished beyond measure when they beheld the fair creature, who was as white and as civilized in appearance as they were, in those wild parts.
But neither lacked in coolness, and the next instant their rifles were leveled at the men, while the voice of Jack Howard rang out:
"Hands up, you cowards! Unhand that lady at once, or you die!"
Had a bombshell exploded in their midst the four villains could not have been more astonished.
With one accord they let go their hold upon their captive and turned their startled gaze upon the intruders.
As they did so, Van gave a low cry of astonishment.
One of the men was no other than Doc Clancy!
As his eyes rested upon the villain our hero forgot everything else, and, with a single bound, sprang forward and seized Clancy by the throat.
"I have got you at last, you murderous scoundrel!" he cried. "Down on your knees, or I will choke the life from you."
Again was Van Vincent too rash.
With a muttered oath Doc Clancy tore himself from the infuriated boy's clutch and struck him a fearful blow between the eyes.
Jack Howard was unable, at that moment, to render Van any assistance, as he had caught the girl in his arms to keep her from falling to the ground.
By the time he had gently deposited her upon the ground the four scoundrels were lost in the mazes of the forest, and Van was struggling to his feet in a dazed manner.
The whole thing took place in less than a minute, and by the time the mate and the rest of those belonging to the camp reached the scene, it was all over.
The mate and Prof. Drearland conducted Van back to camp, followed by Jack, who carried the unconscious girl in his arms.
They had scarcely reached it when they heard the hurried splashing of oars, which told them that Doc Clancy and his crowd had taken to their boat and were proceeding up the river.
By the aid of a little brandy Jack Howard managed to bring his fair charge out of her faint, and when her eyes rested upon the kindly faces about her a sigh of relief left the girl's lips.
She explained how she came to be in the clutches of the rascally men in a very few words.
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