One was dead, but the other was still conscious and had just sufficient vitality left after the coming of his fellows to whisper that they had been treacherously shot by the younger white man who had been at the long-house where they had found Muda Saffir--then the fellow expired without having an opportunity to divulge the secret hiding place of the treasure, over the top of which his body lay.
Now Bulan had been an interested witness of all that transpired.At first he had been inclined to come out of his hiding place and follow von Horn, but so much had already occurred beneath the branches of the great tree where the chest lay hidden that he decided to wait until morning at least, for he was sure that he had by no means seen the last of the drama which surrounded the heavy box.This belief was strengthened by the haste displayed by both Ninaka and von Horn to escape the neighborhood as quickly as possible, as though they feared that they might be apprehended should they delay even for a moment.
Number Three and Number Twelve still slept, not having been aroused even by the shots fired by von Horn.
Bulan himself had dozed after the departure of the doctor, but the advent of Barunda's uncle with his followers had awakened him, and now he lay wide eyed and alert as the second party, under Muda Saffir, came into view when they left the jungle trail and entered the clearing.
His interest in either party was but passive until he saw the khaki blouse, short skirt and trim leggins of the captive walking between two of the Dyaks of Muda Saffir's company.At the same instant he recognized the evil features of the rajah as those of the man who had directed the abduction of Virginia Maxon from the wrecked Ithaca.
Like a great cat Bulan drew himself cautiously to all fours--every nerve and muscle taut with the excitement of the moment.
Before him he saw a hundred and fifty ferocious Borneo head hunters, armed with parangs, spears and sumpitans.At his back slept two almost brainless creatures--his sole support against the awful odds he must face before he could hope to succor the divinity whose image was enshrined in his brave and simple heart.
The muscles stood out upon his giant forearm as he gripped the stock of his bull whip.He believed that he was going to his death, for mighty as were his thews he knew that in the face of the horde they would avail him little, yet he saw no other way than to sit supinely by while the girl went to her doom, and that he could not do.
He nudged Number Twelve."Silence!" he whispered, and "Come!
The girl is here.We must save her.Kill the men,"and the same to the hairy and terrible Number Three.
Both the creatures awoke and rose to their hands and knees without noise that could be heard above the chattering of the natives, who had crowded forward to view the dead bodies of von Horn's victims.
Silently Bulan came to his feet, the two monsters at his back rising and pressing close behind him.
Along the denser shadows the three crept to a position in the rear of the natives.The girl's guards had stepped forward with the others to join in the discussion that followed the dying statement of the murdered warrior, leaving her upon the outer fringe of the crowd.
For an instant a sudden hope of escape sprang to Virginia Maxon's mind--there was none between her and the jungle through which they had just passed.
Though unknown dangers lurked in the black and uncanny depths of the dismal forest, would not death in any form be far preferable to the hideous fate which awaited her in the person of the bestial Malay pirate?
She had turned to take the first step toward freedom when three figures emerged from the wall of darkness behind her.She saw the war-caps, shields, and war-coats, and her heart sank.Here were others of the rajah's party--stragglers who had come just in time to thwart her plans.How large these men were--she never had seen a native of such giant proportions; and now they had come quite close to her, and as the foremost stooped to speak to her she shrank back in fear.
Then, to her surprise, she heard in whispered English;"Come quietly, while they are not looking."She thought the voice familiar, but could not place it, though her heart whispered that it might belong to the young stranger of her dreams.He reached out and took her hand and together they turned and walked quickly toward the jungle, followed by the two who had accompanied him.
Scarcely had they covered half the distance before one of the Dyaks whose duty it had been to guard the girl discovered that she was gone.With a cry he alarmed his fellows, and in another instant a sharp pair of eyes caught the movement of the four who had now broken into a run.
With savage shouts the entire force of head hunters sprang in pursuit.Bulan lifted Virginia in his arms and dashed on ahead of Number Twelve and Number Three.
A shower of poisoned darts blown from half a hundred sumpitans fell about them, and then Muda Saffir called to his warriors to cease using their deadly blow-pipes lest they kill the girl.
Into the jungle dashed the four while close behind them came the howling pack of enraged savages.Now one closed upon Number Three only to fall back dead with a broken neck as the giant fingers released their hold upon him.A parang swung close to Number Twelve, but his own, which he had now learned to wield with fearful effect, clove through the pursuing warrior's skull splitting him wide to the breast bone.
Thus they fought the while they forced their way deeper and deeper into the dark mazes of the entangled vegetation.
The brunt of the running battle was borne by the two monsters, for Bulan was carrying Virginia, and keeping a little ahead of his companions to insure the girl's greater safety.