Bride of the Serpent God | Page 9

ashore down there. There was abundant evidence you had been here." And now there was a hint of a smile in Tembu George's eyes, "for we found the carcasses of two lions lying over there."
Ki-Gor listened carefully to the big Negro's words. Instinctively, he felt this man was a friend, a good friend who could be trusted. "Tell me more," he said.
"Well, reconstructing the scene from the evidence we could find, it is certain that a group of natives, roughly about twelve, came ashore from a war canoe, talked with you and Helene for a period of time, and then there was a sudden brief struggle right over there. There were blood stains leading from that spot down to the boat."
Ki-Gor tried hard to recall this scene which was described to him but he could remember no single detail. He shook his head, indicating his complete lack of knowledge of the event.
"When we arrived the signs were still very fresh, and we thought you had been carried off by boat," Tembu George said. "We went up river two days' journey but could find no sign of a war canoe so we returned to search this place more carefully."
The Masai chieftain related the details of his four day search for Ki- Gor and Helene. He knew it was impossible that the marauders had gone down river because he would have encountered them as he approached. The two day search up river was completely fruitless, as there was no evidence to be found of any raiding party. Without any lead to aid him, Tembu George therefore returned to the clearing to search for further evidence. His men were now beating the jungle approaches to the clearing thoroughly for any clue as to the identity of the attackers or for any sign that Helene or Ki-Gor either one might have escaped into the forest.
While Ki-Gor listened, Masai warriors began to return in groups of two and three to the clearing. Any further proof needed by Ki-Gor that he was well known to Tembu George was quickly given by these men. Each native, as soon as he sighted the bronzed Jungle Lord cried out in pleased surprise and called him by name. These powerful warriors, respected the length and breadth of Africa for their grim fighting qualities, immediately showed a worried sympathy when they learned from their fellows of their great friend Ki-Gor's strange behavior.
"This Helene," Ki-Gor said, "but how could I forget my own mate?"
"The mind is a strange thing," Tembu George replied, "but even though fate has struck you such a sudden, unkind blow, we must delay no longer than absolutely necessary our search for Helene."
Ki-Gor nodded his approval. "Aye, the trail grows cold as we wait."
Tembu George was somewhat cheered by Ki-Gor's response. The Jungle Lord was undoubtedly convinced that he spoke the truth and that he was the white man's friend. "Our search proves Helene did not go into the jungle, so it is evident she was carried away upstream by boat. Come, let us follow."
Pleased at the prospect of avenging the wrong done Ki-Gor, the rangy Masai warriors swiftly gathered their war gear and hastened to the boat. The Jungle Lord was lifted from his puzzled gloom by the friendly bond which he felt ever more strongly for these stalwart fighting men. He felt kinship with them, and a hope, that through their company and aid, the dark blank in his mind would be remedied.
Ki-Gor followed the Masai down the slope. He paused as he came to the carved prow of the black war canoe. He stared hard at the prow for a long minute. Tembu George saw the rapt expression on his friend's face, and came over to him. The Masai chieftain looked at the prow, but saw nothing except the familiar panther figurehead.
"The figurehead," Ki-Gor said suddenly. "Somehow the sight of that prow brings back the memory of another war canoe. One with the figurehead of a fanged serpent."
"Fanged serpent," Tembu George repeated thoughtfully after him. "I know the tribal symbols used throughout this region, and that is not one of them. I believe this is the clue we needed to find Helene."
Tembu George consulted with his men carefully, and in great earnestness, they discussed the serpent figurehead described by Ki- Gor, concluding the war canoe must have come from far afield.
Ki-Gor listened to the discussion, then pointed out, "If the symbol is an unusual one, then certainly it will be noticed somewhere along the river, and if we try hard enough we are sure to find those who have seen the boat pass."
The Masai made their boat ready now, and skillfully they cast off and swept upstream in search of the foe. The muscled blacks bent to their work, and in fast, smooth rhythm their broad