even Doctor Wiseman who had been fussing about as Billy said "like a
hen with one chicken--and that a lame duck," over his tin cases and
poisonous looking bottles, announced that he was ready to start.
The twelve chattering Kroomen who were to go as far as the Bambara
country with the expedition were seated two in each canoe. They
were along simply as camp attendants and packers and would by no
means go any further than the borders of the Bambara country which
they said was the dwelling-place of "bery bad man sah."

Just as the little launch, flying the stars and stripes out of
compliment to the boys, was drawing out into the stream with a long
blast of her whistle, a tall, black form came racing along the bank
and with one bound cleared the five feet or so between the launch
and the shore. It was Sikaso.

"So you came after all," said Frank, turning to him, after a bend in
the, river had hidden the waving Mr. Desplaines from sight and they
were settling down in the launch.

"Sikaso see in the smoke I come--I come. If I see in smoke I no
come--I no come," remarked the Krooman.

"He's traveling light anyhow," remarked Billy.

Indeed the giant negro's only bit of baggage was a huge axe, the
handle of which was dented and scarred as if by many combats. Billy
was about to run his thumb along its edge when with a gesture the
mighty negro waved him aside. Instead he took Billy's handkerchief
from the young reporter's pocket and drew it gently along the axe
blade.