King looked tired. After a wakeful night, the heat irritated
him. And the thought that Cimbula and Slythe had their heads together
in a plan to overthrow his rule, did not make him look forward with any
assurance of success in the venture to rescue Veena.

Right now his brain was dulled by lack of sleep. The raid with his
warriors seemed hopeless and a foolish undertaking. Dick slumped in
his saddle for a moment and looked the picture of woe and
discouragement.

"How's this for a steam bath!" exclaimed Dan. "Good for your health.
Doctor's orders. Oh boy, what a treat!"

Dick smiled at his chum, whose happy-go-lucky nature always brought fun
and a laugh into every situation, no matter how tight a jam it might be.

At last Dick sat erect with a jerk. Every moment he was coming nearer
to the dreaded spot where his enemies were in wait for his arrival.
This was not the time to weaken. Brushing his hand across his damp
forehead, the boy took the lead bravely, his head held high. He knew
that the odds were all against him, as they had been before, but in his
heart he felt sure that he would win.

It was late that afternoon when Dick suddenly drew rein and gave a
signal to halt. Some danger menaced them; he felt it without knowing
what it was. The jungle trail was just the same as when they entered
it that morning. Then why this nameless fear?

He listened intently, but there was only the scolding of monkeys and
the answering screech of birds. No human sound was distinguishable.

Giving the order to proceed cautiously, every man ready with bow and
arrow, Dick emerged without warning into a clearing. Suddenly his
horse reared back with a frightened snort.

Blocking the path ahead of him was a score or more of black warriors,
their faces painted in streaks of red and yellow, making them grotesque
and frightful. Their bows were drawn and their fiendish grins sent
terror to the hearts of the boys. With hideous yells, a band of the
savages behind the bowmen started a war-dance.

"I see our finish!" exclaimed Dan. "Give them a taste of your gun,
Dick!"

"That wouldn't help. Look at the black horde coming from every
direction. They are two against one! We'll try to show them that we
are friendly."

"I guess you're right, Dick. But we are certainly in a tight jam this
time."

"Keep quiet, Dan!" said Dick, really vexed at the boy.

The apparent lack of fear in Dick evidently gained the respect of t