his dark eyes full on Frank, "much danger to the white boys, who fly
like birds."

"Why, how do you know that?" exclaimed Frank, amazed that the
Krooman should not only know their destination--which might have
been a guess--but have divined the fact that they had an aeroplane.

"Krooman know much that white man not know!" replied the giant
black.

Then, rising his finger, he counted the amazed group of adventurers
who stood transfixed at the scene.

"One--two--three--four--five go to Bambara," he intoned. "Come back
one--two--three. Two die. Sikaso, know."

Before any of the astounded party could frame a question or open
their lips, the huge figure had stalked to the doorway and vanished.

"He'd make a nice, comfortable house-pet that fellow," said Billy,
who was the first to speak. "One, two, three, four, five go to
Bambara," he mimicked. "Come back one, two, three. Two die.
Sikaso know. Br-r-r-r-r, he gives me the creeps."

They all laughed at Billy's absurd aping of the stately negro, but
nevertheless none of them felt inclined for more talk that night.
Somehow, the Krooman had cast a gloom on the party. Had they known
how nearly his prophecy was to come to fulfillment they might even
have been tempted to abandon the expedition.