But strangely enough Sikaso made no reply to their eager
queries.
He shook his great bead and seemed to be embarrassed, if not by fear
at any rate by reticence.
"In Misoto Mountains many strange Ju-jus (fetishes)," he said in an
awed tone, "Misoto Mountains no good for white boys--white boys stay
away."
"Not much," chimed in Harry, "that's just where we are going."
"You go Misoto Mountain," said the giant black in an astonished
tone.
"That's what we are," exclaimed Lathrop.
The black gazed at the ground and drew a small circle on the dust
with his toe. In the center of it he made a cross.
"That my dukkeri (fate)," he said slowly, "you go, Sikaso he go too.
I see it in the smoke."
"Saw it in the smoke?" repeated the amazed boys.
"In smoke of Ju-ju fire I see it written. I see five go, three come
back, in smoke too. I have spoken."
He stalked off as I suddenly as he had the night before and left the
boys to gaze in a bewildered way after his huge figure as it swung
down the road.
"That fellow's the best disappearer I ever saw," said Billy Barnes
at length.
"I wish he'd stop that stuff about 'five go three come back,"' said
Lathrop, "it gets on your nerves."
"What could he have meant by seeing it in the smoke?" asked Harry
bewilderedly.
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