human
I mentioned to you, when we were on Earthquake Island, he said to Tom,
gpt
My wife and I are connected with a church in New York that, several years ago, raised a fund and sent two missionaries, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Illingway, to the heart of Africa. They built up a little mission there, and for a time all went well, and they did good work among the natives.
human
They are established in a tribe of friendly black men, of simple nature, and, while the natives did not become Christianized to any remarkable extent, yet they were kind to the missionaries. Mr. and Mrs. Illingway used frequently to write to members of our church, telling of their work. They also mentioned the fact that adjoining the country of the friendly blacks there was a tribe of fierce little red men,--red because of hair of that color all over their bodies.
gpt
That's right, agreed Mr. Durban, shaking his head solemnly.
human
They're red imps, too!
gpt
Mr. Illingway often mentioned in his letters, went on Mr. Anderson,
human
What became of the missionaries?
gpt
I'll tell you, said Mr. Anderson.
human
For a long time we heard nothing, beyond the mere news of the fight, which we read of in the papers. The church people were very anxious about the fate of Mr. and Mrs. Illingway, and were talking of sending a special messenger to inquire about them, when a cablegram came from the headquarters of the society in London.
gpt
It seems that one of the black natives, named Tomba, who was a sort of house servant to Mr. and Mrs. Illingway, escaped the general massacre, in which all his friends were killed. He made his way through the jungle to a white settlement, and told his story, relating how the two missionaries had been carried away captive by the pygmies.
human
A terrible fate,
gpt
Yes, they might better be dead, from all the accounts we can hear,
human
Bless my Sunday hat! Don't say that! exclaimed Mr. Damon.
gpt
Maybe we can save them, Mr. Anderson.
human
That is what I am going to try to do, though it may be too late. As soon as definite news was received, our church held a meeting, raised a fund, and decided to send me off to find Mr. and Mrs. Illingway, if alive, or give them decent burial, if I could locate their bones. The reason they selected me was because I had been in Africa, and knew the country.
gpt
I made hurried arrangements, packed up, said good-by to my wife, and here I am. But to think of meeting you, Tom Swift! And to hear that you are also going to Africa. I wish I could command an airship for the rescue. It might be more easily accomplished!
human
That's just what I was going to propose! exclaimed Tom.
gpt
We are going to the land of the red pygmies, and while I have promised to help Mr. Durban in getting ivory, and while I want to try my electric rifle on big game, still we can do both, I think. You can depend on us, Mr. Anderson, and if the Black Hawk can be of any service to you in the rescue, count us in!
human
Gosh! cried the former castaway of Earthquake Island.
gpt
This is the best piece of luck I could have! Now tell me all about your plans.