The Secret Mountain

This was rather an alarming idea to the two girls. They did a very hasty wash indeed, but the three boys splashed vigorously. The air was cool and delicious, and every one of the children felt as if they could run for miles. But they only ran to the camp beside the plane, for they were so hungry, and breakfast smelt so good. The hot coffee sent its smell out, and the frying bacon sizzled and crackled in the pan.

“What’s the plan for today, Pilescu?” asked Jack. “Do we find someone and ask if they know anything of the White Swallow and its pilots?”

“We are in such a remote part of Africa, that the people round here might never have seen a plane before. But Ra

“But how does he know where the next village is?” asked Mike in wonder, looking round. “I can’t see a thing.”

“You haven’t used your eyes,” said Ra

The children looked in the direction to which he was pointing, where low hills lay. And they all saw at once what Ra

“A spire of smoke!” said Mike. “Yes — that means a fire — and fire means people. So that’s where you are going, Ra

“My gun and I will look after one another,” said big Ra

Ra

“I do wish we could have gone with him,” said Jack longingly. “I hope he will have some news when he comes back.”

“Come, you children can wash these dishes in water from the pool,” called Pilescu. “Soon it will be too hot to do anything. Before it is, we must also find some firewood ready for tonight.”

Pilescu kept the children busy until the sun rose higher. Then when its rays beat down like fire, he made them get into the shade of the plane. Paul did not want to, for he enjoyed the heat, but Pilescu ordered him to go with the others.

“Pilescu, it is not for you to order me,” said the little Prince, sticking his chin into the air.

“Little Paul, I am in command now,” said the big Baronian, gently but sternly. “You are my lord, but I am your captain in this adventure. Do as I say.”

“Paul, don’t be an idiot, or I’ll come and get you into the shade by the scruff of your neck,” called Mike. “If you get sunstroke, you’ll be ill and will have to be flown back to London at once.”

Paul trotted into the shade like a lamb. He lay down by the others. Soon they were so thirsty that Pilescu found himself continually getting in and out of the plane with supplies of cool lemonade from the little refrigerator there.

The children slept in the midday heat. Pilescu was sleepy too, but he kept guard on the little company, wondering how big Ra

“There is some ti

Ra

Pilescu was not worried, for he knew that, although the spire of smoke had looked fairly near, it was really far away — and he knew also that Ra

The little company sat round the fire, and above them hung the big bright stars. They all watched for Ra

“I do wonder if he will have any news,” said Nora impatiently. “Oh, Ra

But she had to wait and so did everyone else. It was late before they heard the big Baronian shouting loudly to them. They all leapt up and trained their eyes to see him.

“There he is!” shouted Jack, who had eyes like a cat’s in the dark. “Look — see that moving shadow among those rocks?”

The shadow gave a shout and everyone yelled back in delight.

“Ra

“What news, Ra

“Hurry, Ra

The big Baronian came up to the fire. He was tired and hot. He dropped down to the rugs and wiped his hot forehead. Pilescu gave him a jug of lemonade and he drank it all in one gulp.

“Have you news, Ra

“Yes — I have. And strange news it is too,” said Ra

“Perfectly,” said Pilescu. “Now speak, Ra

Big Ra

Ra

“I found a small camp,” said Ra

“But why were they so afraid?” asked Nora in wonder.

“Well, I soon found out,” said Ra

“From the Secret Mountain!” cried Mike. “What do you mean? What secret mountain?”

“Be patient and listen,” said Pilescu, who was listening closely. “Go on, Ra

“Somewhere not far from here is a strange mountain,” said Ra

“What are they like then?” asked Jack.

“As far as I can make out their skins are a queer creamy-yellow, and their beards and hair are red, like Pilescu’s and mine. They are thin and tall, and their eyes are green. No one belonging to any other tribe is allowed to mix with them, and no one has ever found out the entrance into the Secret Mountain.”

“Ra

“Don’t be an idiot, Paul,” said Mike, giving him a push. The little Prince was very excitable, and Mike and Jack often had to stop him when he wanted to rush off at once and do something. “Be quiet and listen to Ra

“All the people that live anywhere near are afraid of the Folk of the Secret Mountain,” said Ra

“Did you ask them if they knew anything about Daddy and Mummy?” asked Peggy eagerly.

“Of course,” said Ra

“We ca

“No, no, Pilescu,” cried everyone in dismay.

“We are going to look for our parents,” said Mike proudly. “Pilescu, this is the third great adventure we children have had, and I tell you we are all plucky and daring. We will not fly away and leave others to follow this adventure.”

All the children vowed and declared that they would not go with Ra