Frank felt troubled for a moment at the
idea of having let Professor Wiseman form a portion of their party
even for a short distance. But he dismissed the idea almost
instantly. The queer expression that passed over Professor
Wiseman's face at the mention of the ivory trader's name might have
simply been due to astonishment at hearing it again. Still Frank
decided to keep an eye on Professor Wiseman.
The conversation at breakfast naturally enough dealt with the little
known country the boys were to penetrate. Then it was for the first
time that they heard mention of the mysterious tribe of the Flying
Men who were reported to be equipped with rudimentary wings--like
those of an undeveloped bat with which they managed to flit from
tree top to tree top like true flyers.
"Oh, come," laughed Billy, "I've heard of tailed men and white
Africans with red top-knots like Lathrop, but a race of winged men
is coming it too strong."
"Laugh if you like," declared Professor Wiseman who had brought up
the subject, "but some time ago I articulated a skeleton brought me
by an Arab slave trader and found extending from the shoulder blade
two distinct bony frames which had in life apparently been covered
with a thin fleshy substance of leathery like tenacity stretching
thence to the wrists.
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