Appleton, Victor – Tom Swift Jr 22 – And His Repelatron Skyway

Afterward, the witch doctor embraced Tom. “I, Nkoru!” he said, pointing to himself.

“And I’m Tom Swift,” the young inventor responded with a smile.

76 REPELATRON SKYWAY

“We brothers!” Nkoru announced. “Now I call on Uoshu and Sho-sho-go ask them not to hurt you.”

The witch doctor donned his ceremonial garb again and made another incantation.

By the time he had finished, Tom realized it would soon be sunset. The young inventor hoped that he and Chow and Akomo would be allowed to return to their camp. Instead, Nkoru informed them that a feast would be held in their honor.

Huge campfires were lighted, then the women busied themselves preparing the meal. This consisted of a tasty stew of meat, rice, and pimentos cooked in palm oil and served in heaping bowls. The main course was topped off with sweet-tasting balls of yam and cassava paste.

Chow groaned and loosened his belt. “Brand my bakin’ sody, I ain’t ever et so much!”

“Thank goodness the Wangurus don’t seem to be head-hunters after all,” Tom remarked with a grin.

Nkoru explained that the skulls belonged to dead members of the tribe. Months after burial, their bones were dug up and the witch doctor examined the skulls for certain signs indicating good luck or bad luck. If the auguries were good, the skulls were kept and displayed as charms against evil spirits.

When the feast was over, Tom explained to Nkoru how four members of his party had become lost. The witch doctor promised to send out search parties at once.

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Meanwhile, Tom, Chow, and Akomo were escorted back to their camp. Tom’s feelings were mixed when he discovered that Creel and one of the native porters had already returned.