But Tom. aware of the necessity for making
inquiries of one who knew that part of the jungle,
quickly called to him.
"Hold on!" he shouted. "Wait a minute. I didn't
mean that. I thought at first you were a
tapir or a tiger. No harm intended. I say,
Professor," Tom called back to the savant,
"you'd better speak to him in his lingo, I can't
manage it. He may be useful in guiding us to
that Indian village Jacinto told us of."
This Professor Bumper did, being able to make
himself understood in the queer part-Spanish
dialect used by the native Hondurians, though
he could not, of course, speak it as fluently as
had Jacinto.
Professor Bumper had made only a few remarks
to the man who had so unexpectedly appeared
out of the jungle when the scientist gave an
exclamation of surprise at some of the answers made.
"Bless my moving picture!" cried Mr. Damon.
"What's the matter now? Is anything wrong?
Does he refuse to help us?"
"No, it isn't that," was the answer. "In fact
he came here to help us. Tom, this is the brother
of the Indian who fell overboard and who was eaten
by the alligators. He says you were very kind
to try to save his brother with your rifle,
and for that reason he has come back to help us."
"Come back?" queried Tom.
"Yes, he went off with the rest of the Indians
when Jacinto deserted us, but he could not stand
being a traitor, after you had tried to save his
brother's life. These Indians are queer people.
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