Captain Arnold looked round and shook his head. “No — there’s nothing wrong,” he said. “But we can’t take Mafumu to England with us! He would be miserable away from his own people. His own folk live near here — look, you can see the village over there — and I am taking him home.
“The children will want to say good-bye to him,” said Ranni at once. “Little Mafumu has been a good friend to us. We couldn’t have rescued you without his help. Hie, Jack — bring Paul and the girls to say good-bye to Mafumu. We’re leaving him here.”
Everyone climbed from the two aeroplanes. The children were sad to say good-bye to their small friend. They had grown very fond of cheeky Mafumu, and they did not want to leave him behind at all.
“Can’t we possibly take Mafumu home with us?” asked Paul. “Do let’s. He could live with us — and he could come to school with Mike and Jack and me!”
“Mafumu wouldn’t be happy,” said Ranni. “One day we will all pay a visit to him again, and see how he is getting on. I shouldn’t be surprised if some day he is made chief of his tribe — he is brave and intelligent, and has all the makings of a fine leader.”
“I hope that uncle of his won’t hit him too much,” said Jack. “Golly, look — all the people are running out from the village. Have they seen Mafumu, do you think?”
Sure enough, from the little native village nearby came many men, women and children. They had seen Mafumu, and although they had been unsure about the aeroplanes, they felt that the “big roaring birds” as they called them could not be very dangerous if Mafumu was in one of them!
Mafumu’s uncle was with the people. Jack wondered if he would take hold of the little boy and give him a shaking for having run away from him back to his friends. He glanced at Mafumu to see if he was afraid. But the boy held himself proudly. Was he not friends with these people? Had he not helped them? He felt a real king that day.
“Mafumu, take this for a parting present,” said Prince Paul, and he gave Mafumu his best pocket-knife, a marvellous thing with a bright gold handle. Mafumu was overjoyed. He had often seen Paul using it, and had not even dared to ask if he might borrow it. Now it was his own! Mafumu could hardly believe his good luck.
And then, of course, everyone wanted to give little Mafumu something. Nora gave him a bead necklace, and Peggy gave him her little silver brooch with P on. Mafumu pinned it onto his shorts!
“P doesn’t stand for Mafumu, but as he doesn’t know his letters it doesn’t matter,” said Peggy. “What are you giving Mafumu, Mike?”
Mike had three fine glass marbles which he always carried about with him in his pocket. He gave them to Mafumu, whose eyes grew wider and wider as these presents were given to him! His teeth flashed white as he grinned round at everyone.
Jack gave him a pencil. It was a silver one, whose point went up or down when the bottom end was screwed round. Mafumu thought this was very clever and he was overjoyed to have the wonderful pencil for his own. He threw his arms round Jack and gave him a big hug.
“Shut up, Mafumu,” said Jack uncomfortably, for the others were giggling. But Mafumu hadn’t finished he hugged Jack again and again, so tightly that Jack nearly fell over.
“Shut up, Mafumu,” said Jack again. Mafumu at last let go. His eyes swimming in tears, for it nearly broke his little heart to part from Jack. He had nothing of his own to give Jack — except his very precious necklace of crocodile teeth! He took it off, muttered a few words over it, and then pressed it into Jack’s hand.
“No, Mafumu,” said Jack. “No. I know quite well that you think these crocodile teeth are your special good luck charm and keep you from danger. I don’t want them.”
But Mafumu would not take no for an answer, and in the end Jack put the crocodile necklace into his pocket, feeling a funny lump in his throat. Dear old Mafumu — it wasn’t easy to part from him.
Ranni gave the boy a little mirror for himself. Pilescu gave him a notebook to scribble in with his new pencil. Captain Arnold gave him an odd pair of sunglasses, which were in a locker at the back of the White Swallow. These nearly sent Mafumu mad with joy. He at once put them on, and looked so peculiar that everyone shrieked with laughter.
And then Mrs. Arnold gave the boy a photograph of all the children. It was one that she always took about with her, and was in a brown leather folding frame. Mafumu was so pleased that he did a kind of war-dance, holding all his gifts above his head, and wearing his sunglasses over his eyes. Everyone laughed till their sides ached.
The folk from the village had come nearer and nearer, full of amazement to see Mafumu receiving gifts from his friends. Mafumu took off his sunglasses and beamed round at the children.
“Goodbye,” he said, in English. “Goodbye. Come again. Mafumu is your friend.”
Everyone hugged Mafumu and then they got back into the planes. The villagers came right up to Mafumu when they saw that the others were safely in the “big roaring birds.” Mafumu’s uncle was jealous. He wanted the necklace that Nora had given to little Mafumu. The boy glared at his uncle. Then, with a quick movement, he put on his sunglasses and shouted in a most warlike manner.
With shrieks the whole of the villagers ran away, Mafumu’s uncle running the fastest. Then Mafumu, with slow and stately steps, stalked after them, feeling himself a very chief of chiefs! That was the last sight the children had of their small friend, for the two planes took off. Mafumu turned for a moment and waved. Then, too proud to feel sad just then, he went on his way to his village, feeling quite certain that his cruel uncle would not try many more tricks on him!
“I do hate leaving Mafumu behind,” sighed Peggy. “I really do hate it. He’s quite one of us.”
“Jack’s lucky to have those crocodile teeth,” said Paul.
“And you’re lucky to have that glorious, shimmering robe and sun-ray head-dress,” said Peggy. “I wish I had it!”
“I’ll lend it to you whenever you want it,” said Paul generously. “I truly will,”
The aeroplanes were flying well and fast. Nora looked down to see if they were still over mountains and she gave a cry.
“We’re over the Secret Mountain again! Look, everybody! We must have gone out of our way to take Mafumu back — and now we’re flying the opposite way home.”
Everyone looked down. Yes — there was the Secret Mountain, with its curious yellow colouring. And there was the flat top, with the vast smooth courtyard on which had happened their most exciting adventures.
“Wasn’t the eclipse fun?” said Nora.
“And didn’t Paul look marvellous when he came up that stairway dressed in those wonderful robes?” said Peggy.
“And wasn’t it glorious when we stood on the top of the mountain and suddenly heard the roar of the White Swallow’s engines?” said Jack.
“I wish we could have this adventure all over again,” said Paul. “It was a bit too exciting at times, but I like exciting things.”
“Well, let’s hope the adventure is finished as far as excitement and danger are concerned,” said Ranni. “I’ve had quite enough, I can tell you! All I want now is to get back to England safely, and see you all safe and sound at school again!”
“School! Fancy going back to school after all this!” cried Paul. “I don’t want to. I want to go off flying in my plane again, Ranni.”
“You can want all you like, but school is the best and safest place for you,” said Ranni. “And, anyway, you have plenty to tell the boys. My word, they’ll think you a hero, you may be sure!”
“Will they really?” asked the little prince, his eyes shining. “I’m not really a hero — but I wouldn’t a bit mind people thinking me one.”
The planes flew on steadily. At last they came to a big airport, where they landed. They took in fuel and the children had a good meal. Captain Arnold sent a message to England to say that they were all safe and sound. Then off they set again.
The children slept the night through peacefully. Adventures were lovely — but it was nice to feel safe again. They began to look forward to seeing England and Dimmy, and to telling their tremendous story.
And at last they were home! They landed at the big airport, and what a crowd was there to welcome them! Photographers ran up to take their picture, people crowded up to clap them on the backs and to shake hands, and Captain Arnold had to speak a few words into a microphone to say they were safely back at last!
Then they all squeezed into two cars and off they went to London and to Dimmy. They chattered and laughed, excited and proud. It was grand to be back home again, and to be welcomed in such a lovely way.
Dimmy was standing on the steps to welcome them herself. The children tumbled out of the cars and rushed to her, shouting their news.
“We’ve been to Africa!”
“We found a Secret Mountain!”
“Paul was nearly made a sacrifice to the sun!”
“An eclipse came, and the people thought we had killed the sun!”
“Well, you’ll certainly kill me if you hug me like this!” said Dimmy, her eyes full of happy tears, because she was so thankful to see them again. She had been terribly worried and anxious when all the children had left her so suddenly — but now everything was all right!
That evening Captain Arnold had to go off to broadcast his story. It was to be at a quarter past nine, after the news. The children switched on the radio and listened in. It was fun to hear Captain Arnold’s deep voice booming into the room as he began the tale of their adventures.
Dimmy listened in amazement. She had already heard bits and pieces from the children, but here was the tale told in full, just as it might be written in a book. It was marvellous!
For half an hour the tale went on — and then it was over. Dimmy switched off the radio.
“Well, well,” she said, “we’ve been through some adventures together, children — but this one is the most exciting of all. Did it really happen? Could such things happen to ordinary children like you?”
“Well, they did!” said Jack, and he showed Dimmy his necklace of crocodile teeth. “Look here — these are teeth from a crocodile that nearly ate Mafumu one day. His father and uncles killed it, and gave Mafumu some of the teeth. And he gave them to me.”
“I wonder what Mafumu is doing now,” said Mike. “Wasn’t he a fine friend? We wouldn’t be here now if it wasn’t for old Mafumu.”
“And you’re not going to be here much longer,” said Dimmy, getting up. “It’s long past your bedtime!”
“Bedtime! Is there such a thing as bedtime?” said Peggy. “I’d forgotten all about it! We haven’t been properly to bed for weeks. I don’t think I shall really bother about bedtime any more.”
“Well, you may not — but I shall!” said Dimmy. “Come along, all of you. Bedtime! There are biscuits and lemonade for those who come now — and none for those who dawdle!”
So biscuits and lemonade it was, and a long, long talk in the bedrooms! And then Dimmy firmly switched off the lights, tucked everybody up, said, “No more talking,” in a very stern voice — and left them.
We must leave them, too, dreaming of their adventures — dreaming of the strange, far-away Secret Mountain!