So it was arranged. The night passed slowly--all too slowly for the anxiously waiting ones. Then the sergeant gave the order to advance. There was a late moon, which gave enough light for them to see their way, as silently they approached to the attack. It was no easy task, marching through the jungle to make the attack. Hard enough it would have been in daylight, but with blackness all around them, hardly able to see where they were going, it was difficult in the extreme. “I do hope we make out all right,” murmured Blake, who was marching near Joe. “So do I, old chum. It’s a slim chance, but we’ve got to take it. If only we can surprise the beggars before they rouse up enough to know what hit ’em, we’ll have it easier.” “Yes, I suppose so. That’s the worst of it, though. They are so used to awakening at the slightest sound that they may rouse up before we get ready to attack ’em.” “We’ll have to take our chance, that’s all.” “Silence back there!” suddenly called Mr. Hotchkiss, as the murmur of the boys’ voices reached him. “Don’t talk any more than you have to.” For a time they marched on silently, the only sound being the crackle of dried reeds as they broke under foot, or the occasional swish of the branches of trees under which they passed. “And to think that your sister is off here in this wilderness,” whispered Blake, when they had gone on a little farther. “This is a small world, after all.” “It is,” agreed Joe. “To think that, only a comparatively short time ago, you and I were farm-boys. Now we’re in the African jungle and we don’t know what will happen.” “That’s right,” remarked Blake. “But if your sister is safe so far, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t rescue her. I think the idea of the fireworks is a dandy one.” “Yes, if they only go off,” spoke Joe. “Why shouldn’t they go off?” “Oh, it’s so wet here. Land! when you get up in the morning your shoes are so damp you can hardly get them on. And as for your clothes, you might just as well sleep in a Turkish bath.” “It is damp,” agreed Blake. “And if the fuses don’t light easily we’ll be out of it,” went on his chum. “You see the plan is to surprise them, and the fireworks will do that, if they shoot off quick enough.” The march continued, until suddenly, from the van, there came a cry of alarm. It seemed to come from one of the natives. “What’s that?” exclaimed Blake. “Quiet up there!” commanded Mr. Hotchkiss. A low, gurgling cry succeeded the scream of alarm, and Mr. Hotchkiss ran up ahead. Joe and Blake could hear him questioning. “What is it? What has happened? Is anyone hurt?” There was a jangle of sounds as the Africans rapidly explained something. The marching column halted, and those in the rear fretted over the delay. Presently Mr. Hotchkiss came back. “What is it?” asked Mr. Duncan. “One of the porters bitten by a snake,” was the answer. “A snake!” cried Blake.