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over my camera。〃
〃It's come！〃 cried Ned a little later； as he hurried into the interior of the
airship； where Tom was busy working over a new attachment he intended
putting on his picture machine。
〃What has？〃
〃War！ That native； whom we saw running in； brought news that the
battle would take place day after to…morrow。 The enemies of his tribe are
on the march； so the African spies say； and he came to summon all the
warriors from this town。 We've got to get busy！〃
〃That's so。 What about those Englishmen？〃
〃They were talking to the missionaries when the runner came in。 They
pretended to have no interest in it； but I saw one wink to the other； and
then； very soon； they went out； and I saw them talking to their native
bearers； while they were busy over that box you said was a picture
machine。〃
〃I knew it； Ned！ I was sure of it！ Those fellows came here to trick us；
though how they ever followed our trail I don't know。 Probably they came
by a fast steamer to the West Coast； and struck inland； while we were
delayed on the desert。 I don't care if they are only straight out…and…out
rivalsand not chaps that are trying to take an unfair advantage。 I suppose
all the big picture concerns have a tip about this war； and they may have
representatives here。 I hope we get the best views。 Now come on； and give
me a hand。 We've got our work cut out for us； all right。〃
〃Bless my red cross bandage！〃 cried Mr。 Damon； when he heard the
news。 〃A native fight； eh？ That will be something I haven't seen in some
time。 Will there be any danger； Tom； do you think？〃
〃Not unless our airship tumbles down between the two African
forces；〃 replied our hero； 〃and I'll take care that it doesn't do that。 〃We'll be
well out of reach of any of their blow guns； or arrows。〃
〃But I understand that many of the tribes have powder weapons；〃 said
Mr。 Nestor。
〃They have；〃 admitted Tom； 〃but they are 'trader's' rifles； and don't
carry far。 We won't run any risk from such old…fashioned guns。〃
〃A big fight； eh？〃 asked Koku when they told him what was before
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them。 〃Me like to help。〃
〃Yes； and I guess both sides would give a premium for your services；〃
remarked Tom； as he gazed at his big servant。 〃But we'll need you with us；
Koku。〃
〃Oh； me stay with you； Mr。 Tom；〃 exclaimed the big man； with a grin。
Somewhat to Tom's surprise the two Englishmen showed no further
interest in him and his airship； after the introduction at the missionaries'
bungalow。
With the stolidity of their race the Britishers did not show any surprise；
as； some time afterward； they strolled down toward Tom's big craft； after
supper； and looked it over。 Soon they went back to their own camp； and a
little later； Koku； who walked toward it； brought word that the Englishmen
were packing up。
〃They're going to start for the seat of war the first thing in the
morning；〃 decided Tom。 〃Well； we'll get ahead of them。 Though we can
travel faster than they can； we'll start now； and be on the ground in good
season。 Besides； I don't like staying all night in the same neighborhood
with them。 Get ready for a start； Ned。〃
Tom did not stop to say good…bye to the Englishmen； though he bade
farewell to the missionaries； who had been so kind to him。 There was
much excitement in the native town； for many of the tribesmen were
getting ready to depart to help their friends or relatives in the impending
battle。
As dusk was falling； the big airship arose； and soon her powerful
propellers were sending her across the jungle； toward Stanley Falls in the
vicinity of which the battle was expected to take place。
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CHAPTER XVIII
THE NATIVE BATTLE
〃By Jove； Tom； here they come！〃
〃From over by that drinking pool？〃
〃Yes； just as the spies said they would。 Wow； what a crowd of the
black beggars there are！ And some of 'em have regular guns； too。 But most
of 'em have clubs； bows and arrows； blow guns； or spears。〃
Tom and Ned were standing on the forward part of the airship； which
was moving slowly along； over an open plateau； in the jungle where the
native battle was about to take place。 Our friends had left the town where
the missionaries lived； and had hovered over the jungle； until they saw
signs of the coming struggle。 They had seen nothing of their English rivals
since coming away； but had no doubt but that the Britishers were
somewhere in the neighborhood。
The two forces of black men； who had gone to war over a dispute
about some cattle； approached each other。 There was the beating of tom…
toms； and skin drums； and many weird shouts。 From their vantage point in
the air； Tom and his companions had an excellent view。 The Wizard
Camera was loaded with a long reel of film； and ready for action。
〃Bless my handkerchief！〃 cried Mr。 Damon； as he looked down on the
forces that were about to clash。 〃I never saw anything like this before！〃
〃I either；〃 admitted Tom。 〃But； if things go right； I'm going to get some
dandy films！〃
Nearer and nearer the rival forces advanced。 At first they had stared；
and shouted in wonder at the sight of the airship； hovering above them； but
their anger soon drew their attention to the fighting at hand； and； after
useless gestures toward the craft of the air； and after some of them had
vainly fired their guns or arrows at it； they paid no more attention； but
rushed on with their shouts and cries and amid the beating of their rude
drums。
〃I think I'll begin to take pictures now；〃 said Tom； as Ned； in charge of
the ship； sent it about in a circle； giving a general view of the rival forces。
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〃I'll show a scene of the two crowds getting ready for business； and； later
on； when they're actually giving each ot