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diff --git a/39161-0.txt b/39161-0.txt index aca4bae..2634875 100644 --- a/39161-0.txt +++ b/39161-0.txt @@ -1,27 +1,4 @@ - SETTLERS AND SCOUTS - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost -no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it -under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this -eBook or online at http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - - -Title: Settlers and Scouts - -Author: Herbert Strang - -Release Date: March 15, 2012 [EBook #39161] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SETTLERS AND SCOUTS *** - - - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 39161 *** Produced by Al Haines. @@ -9483,375 +9460,4 @@ WINNING HIS NAME WITH DRAKE ON THE SPANISH MAIN WITH HAIG ON THE SOMME - - - - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SETTLERS AND SCOUTS *** - - - - -A Word from Project Gutenberg - - -We will update this book if we find any errors. - -This book can be found under: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/39161 - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission -and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it -under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this -eBook or online at http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - - -Title: Settlers and Scouts - -Author: Herbert Strang - -Release Date: March 15, 2012 [EBook #39161] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SETTLERS AND SCOUTS *** - - - - -Produced by Al Haines. - -[Illustration: Cover art] - -[Illustration: "The Bengali hurled the canful at his head." _See page -253_.] - - - - SETTLERS AND SCOUTS - - - - - _A TALE OF THE AFRICAN HIGHLANDS_ - - - - - BY - - HERBERT STRANG - - - - - _NEW EDITION_ - - - - - HUMPHREY MILFORD - OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS - LONDON, EDINBURGH, GLASGOW - TORONTO, MELBOURNE, CAPE TOWN, BOMBAY - - - - - REPRINTED 1922 IN GREAT BRITAIN BY R. CLAY AND SONS, LTD., - BUNGAY, SUFFOLK. - - - - - PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION - -The present story completes a series of three books in which I have -endeavoured to give impressions of life in the immense region known as -Equatorial Africa. The scene of _Tom Burnaby_ was laid in the centre, -around the great lakes; _Samba_ was concerned with the western or Congo -districts; _Settlers and Scouts_ is a story of the east, more especially -the magnificent highland region which seems destined to become one of -the greatest provinces of the British African Empire. - -The steady stream of emigration already flowing to British East Africa -is bound to swell when it is more generally recognized that in the hill -districts of Kenya, Naivasha, and Kisumu there are vast areas of -agricultural land constituting an ideal "white man's country." In the -following pages I have attempted to show some of the conditions under -which the pioneers of emigration must work. The development of -communications and the settlement of the remoter regions will soon -relegate such alarums and excursions as are here described to the -romantic possibilities of the past. But it will be long before the -lion, the rhinoceros, the hippopotamus and other more or less formidable -neighbours cease to be factors with which the emigrant has to reckon. - -For many facts, stranger by far than fiction, concerning the wild -inhabitants, human and other, of this most interesting region, I am -indebted to Mr. Arkell-Hardwick's _An Ivory Trader in North Kenya_ and -Colonel Patterson's _Man-Eaters of Tsavo_, among several important works -that have appeared during recent years. - -It may be added that in the spelling of native names I have sometimes -rather consulted the reader's convenience than conformed strictly to -rule. The name _Wanderobbo_, for instance, applied to an individual, is -a solecism, the prefix _Wa_ being a sign of the plural. But it seemed -better to err than to afflict the reader with so uncouth a form as -_N'derobbo_. - -HERBERT STRANG. - - - - - ---- - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER THE FIRST--The Emigrants - CHAPTER THE SECOND--Said Mohammed, failed B.A. - CHAPTER THE THIRD--In a Game-Pit - CHAPTER THE FOURTH--White Man's Magic - CHAPTER THE FIFTH--Juma takes to the Bush - CHAPTER THE SIXTH--Raided by Lions - CHAPTER THE SEVENTH--John runs the Farm - CHAPTER THE EIGHTH--Hard Pressed - CHAPTER THE NINTH--A Rearguard Fight - CHAPTER THE TENTH--Driving Sheep to Market - CHAPTER THE ELEVENTH--Rhinoceros and Lions - CHAPTER THE TWELFTH--The Sack of the Farm - CHAPTER THE THIRTEENTH--Tracking the Raiders - CHAPTER THE FOURTEENTH--Ferrier Insists - CHAPTER THE FIFTEENTH--A Coup de Main - CHAPTER THE SIXTEENTH--Juma is Reinforced - CHAPTER THE SEVENTEENTH--John's Letter - CHAPTER THE EIGHTEENTH--An Attack in Force - CHAPTER THE NINETEENTH--Trapped - CHAPTER THE TWENTIETH--Shooting the Rapids - CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FIRST--A Combined Assault - CHAPTER THE TWENTY-SECOND--A Counter Stroke - CHAPTER THE TWENTY-THIRD--The Ivory - CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FOURTH--Ferrier takes the Lead - CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FIFTH--The Fight in the Swamp - CHAPTER THE TWENTY-SIXTH--Back to the Farm - - ---- - - LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS - -THE BENGALI HURLED THE CANFUL AT HIS HEAD. - -ONE OF THE WAKAMBA SLIPPED OFF WHEN HE WAS IN MID STREAM - -THE BENGALI HURLED THE CANFUL AT HIS HEAD. - -FERRIER RAISED HIS RIFLE, AND ... BROUGHT HIM DOWN WITH A BULLET THROUGH -THE HEART - -THE HIPPO GAVE A SNORT, AND THE WATER AROUND HIM WAS AGITATED AS BY AN -IMMENSE CHURN - -JOHN ORDERED HIS ASKARIS TO FIRE AMONG THE NEGROES ON THE LEFT BANK. - - - - MAPS - -PART OF BRITISH EAST AFRICA - -ENVIRONS OF JUMA'S FORT - - - - - - - - -CHAPTER THE FIRST--The Emigrants - - -The train was steaming over Mombasa Island, and Mr. David Halliday, -ejaculating "Now we're off!" settled himself in his corner and -comfortably fell asleep. Age has its weaknesses--or its privileges, -according as you look at it. Not that Mr. Halliday was aged, or even -old. He was nearly fifty, and might have passed for younger. His son, -at any rate, was neither old nor sleepy. He was, in fact, but a few -months past his seventeenth year; and being possessed of an average -curiosity and a healthy interest in novel scenes, he looked with delight -on the groves of lofty cocoa-nut palms, the wide-spreading mangoes and -baobabs filled with chattering monkeys, and the long stretches of -park-like glades, brilliant with flowers, through which runs the Uganda -railway in the first stage of its long course to the shores of Victoria -Nyanza. - -Mr. Halliday, son of a Scots farmer who had emigrated from Ayrshire -thirty years before, had been for many years agent--or "factor," as he, -being a Scotsman, preferred to call himself--on the estates of Lord -Sussex, who, as everybody knows, owns half the county from which his -title is derived. He had managed to save some money during his -stewardship, but having entrusted the greater part of it for investment -to a bland London solicitor of his acquaintance, he had the misfortune -to learn one day from the newspaper that the lawyer had absconded, -leaving defalcations to the tune of some 50,000. A few weeks -afterwards another calamity befell Mr. Halliday. His employer, a -bachelor, died; the estates passed into the hands of a distant relative; -and the new peer, taking alarm at the large sums demanded of him in the -shape of death duties, announced his intention of cutting down expenses, -and employing a younger man to steward his estates, at a lower salary. -Luckily Mr. Halliday had a thousand or two safely invested, apart from -what he had lost through the lawyer's rascality; and being disinclined, -at his time of life, to seek similar employment, he cast about, during -his six months' notice of the termination of his engagement, to find -some new outlet for his energies and some secure channel for the use of -his little capital. - -The problem was complicated by the necessity of starting his son in -life. He had intended David for one of the professions, and put him to -a good school; but the boy had not shown any particular aptitude for -book work, except in the one subject that interested him--natural -history. He was never so happy as when he was with dogs and horses; he -read with avidity every book about animals on which he could lay hands; -and once, when his career was being talked about, he said bluntly that -he knew he couldn't stand work at a desk in stuffy London, and implored -his father to let him go out to Canada or Australia. Mr. Halliday -merely grunted at the time; he was a man of few words; but he thought -the matter out very carefully, and his attention having been called to -the opening up of East Africa consequent upon the completion of the -Uganda railway, he quietly made inquiries, obtained information about -the country, its climate, soil, and prospects in regard to -stock-raising, and one day startled his son with the news that he was -going out in a few months to settle. Having once made up his mind he -let no grass grow under his feet. One May day father and son left -London in a Peninsular and Oriental Liner, transhipped at Aden into a -vessel of the British India Steam Navigation Company, landed at Mombasa, -and after spending a fortnight there in preliminary preparations, took -tickets for Nairobi, three hundred and thirty miles down the line, -whence they proposed to strike up country and select the ground for -their settlement. - -They travelled by the intermediate class--the third of the four classes -into which passengers on the Uganda railway are divided. Mr. Halliday, -as he said, had not come out to Africa for the fun of it and having -spent considerably over 100 already in travelling expenses, he was not -inclined to spend more was absolutely necessary now. By travelling -intermediate, unusual though it was, they saved nearly a hundred rupees -(the currency of British East Africa) on the first-class fare, and -twenty-five on the second, and every rupee they could save would be of -importance when they came to stock their ranch. "And I haven't taken -return tickets, John," said Mr. Halliday. - -Since the boy had been named David after his father, and had no other -name, it is necessary to explain how he came to be called John. At -school, his name being David, on the principle of association of ideas -he was immediately dubbed Jonathan, though he might just as reasonably -have been called Saul. Jonathan being too long was cut down to Johnny, -and finally to John; and when one of his school-fellows, on a visit in -the holidays, addressed him by this simple monosyllable, the name was -laughingly accepted by his parents as an excellent means of -distinguishing between the two Davids. People who knew him only as John -were puzzled when he signed himself "D. Halliday," and one -matter-of-fact lady was not quite pleased when he said gravely that, -Prince Edward being known in the family circle as David, it was only -right that David Halliday should be known as John. "I am glad I am not -your godmother," she replied grimly. - -John, then, as we, like all his intimates, will call him, smiled -affectionately when he saw his father settle himself to slumber, and -devoted his own very wide-awake eyes to the scenery. It was a feast for -the senses and the imagination. The train, leaving Mombasa island for -the mainland, runs through a tract of undulating richly-wooded country, -with, here, groves of cocoa-nut palms and papaws; there, orchards of -mangoes and cashew apples; anon, vast plantations of maize and millet -and other grain crops. There is plenty of time to take in the details -of this luxuriant panorama, for the train is climbing, climbing always, -and the traveller is not whirled along at the bewildering speed of an -English express. Leaning out of the window, and looking back over the -route, John catches a last glimpse of the sea at Port Reitz, guarded by -the Shimba hills, and realizes that a new chapter in his life is -opening, full of romantic possibilities. - -"A verree fine country, sir," says a thin staccato voice behind, and -turning, he is smiled upon by a swarthy face, with black moustache and -beard that have never known a razor, and surmounted by a spotless white -turban. - -"Magnificent," replies John, eyeing his fellow-passenger curiously. - -"But this is not the best," says the man again. "We shall see, in due -time, scenes of still more prepossessing appearance, together with -myriads of four-footed beasts, et cetera." - -"Indeed," says John, a trifle amused. - -"Yes, sir. When we come to Tsavo we may behold lions, truly denominated -the king of beasts, but no longer monarchs of all they survey, as -William Cowper beautifully and poetically says. Man, sir, plays the -very dickens with Nature; the surveyor molests the ancient solitary -reign of Mr. Lion; he has to take a back seat." - -John was quite unaccustomed to conversation interlarded with quotations -from what he had at school irreverently called "rep.," and wondering -what manner of man he had to do with he hazarded an indirect question. - -"You seem to have read some of our poets," he said. - -"Yes, sir, I am familiar with the masterpieces of English literature, -edited with notes. My name, sir, is Said Mohammed, failed B.A. of -Calcutta University." - -"Failed B.A.?" said John, puzzled. He had met B.A.'s of several -universities, and even junior masters who called themselves Inter. B.A. -Lond. (honours); but a failed B.A. was a new species. - -"Yes, sir; the honourable examiners formed a less elevated estimate of -my intellectual attainments than was reasonably anticipated, and when -the list was published, lo! my name was conspicuous by its absence. But -that is a bagatelle. The honorific distinction--what is it but the -guinea stamp? It is work, sir, that ennobles. I have accumulated a -priceless store of knowledge; I am all there, I assure you." - -John thought it only polite to murmur an assent to this, but he felt -himself ill equipped to sustain a conversation on the dizzy heights to -which Said Mohammed appeared inclined to ascend, and turning once more -to the window, he viewed in silence the ever-changing scenery. The -luxuriant vegetation of the coastal region had given place to a vast -plateau covered with a dense scrub of umbrella-shaped acacias, with -patches of dry grass, and here and there a massive baobab rearing its -antic form from out the undergrowth. He was interested in the little -stations, with their trim flower-beds and home-like appointments, at -which the train stopped at intervals of several miles; and gave but -perfunctory answers to the Bengali, who kept up, with every appearance -of pleasure, a continual flow of talk, informing him that this tree was -an aristolochia and that an aloe, and calling his attention at one spot -to a herd of sable antelopes which were startled by the train as they -drank at a stream, and dashed off into the jungle. "Their scientific -name, sir, is _Hippotragus niger_," said Said Mohammed, and Mr. Halliday -waking at this point, the Bengali favoured him with a smile, and said, -"A verree fine country, sir; good-morning." - -They took their lunch at Mackinnon Road station, at the foot of the Taru -hills. Refreshed by his sleep and the meal, Mr. Halliday began to take -more interest in things in general, and John having introduced Said -Mohammed (mentioning impressively that he was a failed B.A. of Calcutta -University), a three-cornered conversation was begun, in which the -Bengali fluently expounded his views on many subjects. - -"Yes, sir," said he, when the question of the treatment of native races -cropped up, "that is a subject to which I have devoted considerable -acumen. Is it just, I ask you, is it worthy of this immense and -glorious empire on which the sun never sits, that the natives, the -primordial owners of the soil, should be laid under such restrictions as -are now in force? Are we Indians not subjects of the same gracious and -glorious majesty, F.D., et cetera? Have we not shed our blood in -defence of the Union Jack? Are we not ready to fight and conquer again -and again like your jolly tars and all? And yet my countrymen, to wit, -are not allowed in South Africa the full rights of citizens; and in this -country, where this verree railway was built by the labour of Indians, -it is becoming the rule to refuse them grants of land. Is this sauce -for the gander, I ask you, gentlemen?" - -"It's a very ticklish subject," said Mr. Halliday, "and I don't profess -to understand it. I dare say those zebras yonder--look at them, John, -hundreds of 'em--think it great impudence on the part of this engine to -run snorting through their grounds. But the engine runs all the same." - -At Tsavo the line crossed the river Athi. John looked out eagerly for a -glimpse of the lions which were said to infest this region, but to his -disappointment saw none. Indeed, as the train passed through mile after -mile of uninteresting scrub, he began to feel that his first enthusiasm -for the country was premature. But at Kibwezi the line enters another -belt of forest, the trees looped together with festooning creepers, and -filled with chattering monkeys and barking baboons; the undergrowth -brilliant with colour, both of the flowers and of birds and butterflies -innumerable. Some miles farther on, at Makindu, the forest yields to -rich pasture land, the undulating plain stretching on both sides of the -line, broken by streams whose beds are lined with date-palms and firs. -All the vegetation was fresh and vivid through recent rains, and Mr. -Halliday, viewing the country with a stock-breeder's eye, now for the -first time allowed a remark on the scenery to pass his lips. "That's -grand!" he said; and when the rumbling of the train set startled herds -of antelope and gazelle, red congoni and black wildebeeste, scampering -over the plain, he stood up in the carriage and gazed at them with -kindling admiration. - -The oppressive heat of the morning had now given place to a pleasant -coolness, with a crisp exhilarating breeze. When John expressed his -surprise at this, within a degree or two of the Equator, Said Mohammed -explained that they were now four or five thousand feet above sea-level, -among the Highlands of East Africa, where Europeans may live in health -and comfort. By the time they reached Nairobi, indeed, the evening air -was so chill that both Englishmen were glad to don their overcoats. -Said Mohammed deferentially took leave of them on the platform of the -station, and disappeared among a crowd of Orientals gathered there; -while Mr. Halliday inquired for the coffee-planter to whom he had an -introduction, and who had offered him the hospitality of his bungalow so -long as he remained in Nairobi. - - - - -CHAPTER THE SECOND--Said Mohammed, failed B.A. - - -Nairobi was disappointing. At a distance it looked like a cluster of -tin cottages, and though these appeared larger and more substantial on a -nearer view, they retained the dreary aspect of makeshift which -corrugated iron always gives. Mr. Gillespie, however, the -coffee-planter with whom the Hallidays were to stay, was hospitality -itself; he and his good wife received their visitors with real Scottish -heartiness of welcome. They gave them a capital dinner, and made them -feel thoroughly at home. - -Mr. Gillespie was much amused when, in answering his question about -their journey from Mombasa, John told him of Said Mohammed, failed B.A. - -"I'm that myself," he said, with a comical smile--"failed M.A. of -Glasgow, though I don't call myself so. Professor Ramsay's Latin -Composition fair stuck me, that's a fact. Man, these Indians are a -problem. We've some thousands of them here, industrious, quick, and -able to live on next to nothing, which we Scotsmen have got out of the -way of. I believe in free trade, when it is free; but I don't believe -in free competition with people who can beat us hollow, and these -Indians will do that if we let 'em. We're bound to put restrictions on -them." - -"But they're British subjects, sir," John was beginning. - -"Aye," interrupted Mr. Gillespie, "and so are the lions and rhinoceros -of these parts, and we have to fight 'em. A country can't belong to -both wild beasts and men; nor can it belong to black men and white; one -or other must go to the wall. Not that the Indians are wild beasts, or -even black; on the contrary, they're very decent folk in the main, and -that's the worst of it. The only solution I see is to let them develop -the Lowlands where we can't live, and to keep the Highlands for -ourselves. Man, it's a grand country." - -After dinner Mr. Gillespie led his guests to the verandah, and providing -them with deck-chairs and cigars, discussed with them their immediate -future. - -"We've a decent club here; I'll introduce you to-morrow, Halliday. You -can get a round of golf; and there are several young lassies who'll play -lawn tennis all day with your son if he wishes." - -"Don't speak of it, man," said Mr. Halliday hastily. "We're out on -business--strictly on business, and we've no time for playing till we've -fixed on our land. Where is this Mount Kenya, anyway? John -Gilmour--d'ye know him?--was out hunting a while ago, and he wrote me -he'd found the very place for me, somewhere south-east of Mount Kenya; -he stuck a post in the ground to mark the spot, and I've the directions -written down somewhere." - -"Mount Kenya's a bit north-east of us, a hundred miles or so. Fine -country, too." - -"And how do you get there?" - -"Well, the ground's not exactly fit for motor-cars yet, and horses don't -thrive. You can get mules, but they're apt to be a trouble, so I guess -you'd better tramp it. You'll have to carry food with you, and a load -of 'trade' for the natives; we'll have to see about getting carriers for -you; you pay 'em about four rupees a month, and feed 'em. Their food -don't cost much; you can get a hundredweight of native grain and red -beans for three or four rupees, and if you're good shots you can provide -yourselves with plenty of meat on the way." - -"There's no fear of trouble with the natives, I suppose?" - -"Not if you don't go too far north. South of Kenya they're friendly -enough as a rule, but there are wild tribes on the east and north. You -must have two porters who can shoot; Sniders they're used to; but don't -let 'em use them except in case of necessity. Do all the game shooting -yourselves, and keep a firm hand on the men; they'll play you all manner -of tricks if you don't. They're the queerest people God ever made, -that's a fact. They'll desert at any moment and forfeit their pay, for -no reason at all that we can understand. I could tell you of men who'll -carry a load of ninety pounds or more every day for a month on end, and -then all at once decamp, hundreds of miles away from their home, and -with no earthly chance of getting there. But you'll find 'em out for -yourselves." - -The talk lasted far into the night, Mr. Gillespie giving advice and -retailing reminiscences of his own early days as a settler, which John -drank in eagerly. Next day they set about collecting porters for the -journey. The news that a white man was going up country had already -spread through the native quarter of the town, and Mr. Gillespie's -office was besieged by a great crowd of black men, representing a score -of different races, all eager to join the stranger's "safari." The -experience of the coffee-planter was very useful at this juncture, and -the Hallidays were quietly amused as he dismissed man after man with -little ceremony and a curtness of speech which, had they understood it -(he spoke in Swahili, the common vehicle of intercourse between European -and native), would have amused them still more. A little M'kamba would -come forward with a smile. "You're a thief; be off," said Mr. -Gillespie, and the man went away, still smiling. A hulking Swahili -appears, a sullen look on his face. "You're always quarrelling; be -off," says Mr. Gillespie, and the Swahili retires, to join the crowd of -rejected. At length half-a-dozen men were selected, three Swahilis, of -whom Coja ben Selim, a big, good-tempered-looking fellow, was to be -headman; and three Wakamba. Mr. Gillespie was doubtful whether so small -a safari would suffice; but Mr. Halliday was bent on economy; he argued -that he could not in any case afford an escort large enough to cope with -a serious native attack, and further, that a party of modest dimensions -was not so likely to provoke hostility as a large one. Moreover, he -intended to pay only a flying visit to the site of his proposed -settlement, for the purpose of a preliminary survey. If he was pleased -with the country, he intended to mark out the ground and put in an -application to the Land Commissioner for a lease of a thousand acres or -so. With luck, a month would suffice for this prospecting journey, -which incidentally, as Mr. Gillespie informed him, would absolve him -from paying registration fees on his porters, such fees only being -necessary when they were engaged for two months or more. - -It remained to hire a cook for the expedition. - -"We don't need a cook," said Mr. Halliday. "I've roughed it often -enough; we can do our own cooking." - -"Man, you're a tenderfoot," said Mr. Gillespie, laughing. "You must -have a cook. Your men would all mutiny if you didn't. I don't mean -that he would cook for them; they'll have their own cooking-pots; but -they wouldn't obey you for a day if they saw you cooking for yourself. -The first maxim for a white man in this country is: 'Never do a black -man's work.' Order your men about as much as you please, but _don't do -anything_." - -"But that's a doctrine of the dark ages. Confound it, man, that's the -kind of thing we shook off centuries ago. I'm not a duke." - -"That's just exactly what you are here. The natives will regard you as -their lord and master, and if you don't act up to the part--why, man, I -think the Governor will expel you as an undesirable alien. In short, -you must have a cook." - -Here Mr. Gillespie's native servant came in to say that an Indian -gentleman desired to see him. - -"Send him in," said Mr. Gillespie, and there entered, suave and smiling, -Said Mohammed, failed B.A. He bowed respectfully--a little too -respectfully, thought John--to his acquaintances of the day before; -then, addressing himself to Mr. Gillespie, he said-- - -"Having learnt in the bazaar, sir, that the esteemed gentleman in whose -company I had the honour to travel yesterday is engaging a safari, I -embrace the opportunity of submitting tender of my services in -unremitting attention to the interior economy--soups, joints, sweets, et -cetera, or, as one might say, _hoc genus omne_, as it were." - -John opened his eyes. Apparently the failed B.A. was offering himself -as cook; but John thought he must be mistaken. Mr. Gillespie, however, -after a stare at his visitor, said in a severely practical tone-- - -"You have experience?" - -"Yes, sir, I am _experientia docet_ with several years' standing, and -testimonials galore. Videlicet, the Central Restaurant, sir, in London, -continuously chock-a-block on curry day when my dishes, prepared Indian -fashion, were the delight of city gents and ladies of prepossessing -appearance who feed there regular as clock-work. In soup, joint, entre -I am a don; in sauce I am a wily adept." - -"Come up to my bungalow and cook my dinner to-night," said Mr. -Gillespie. - -"Verree good, sir. The proof of the pudding is in the mastication -thereof. Good-morning, sir, and assuring you of my best services at all -times." - -There was a laugh when Said Mohammed had gone. - -"He'll never do," said Mr. Halliday. - -"Man, if he's any good at all he'll be a perfect treasure," said Mr. -Gillespie. "And you'll have to pay him fifty rupees a month." - -"Near 3 a month for cooking?" cried Mr. Halliday. "Can't afford it." - -"But, my dear sir, you can't get any sort of a cook here for less than -thirty rupees; and our failed B.A., if he's worth his salt, will be -worth fifty. He will at least be clean; it's a part of his religion." - -"Well, perhaps he's a failure all round. Anyway, we don't want -kickshaws, and a cheaper man will do all we need." - -But the dinner at Mr. Gillespie's that night turned out excellent--well -cooked, well served, and varied though simple dishes. - -"Faith, Halliday," said the host, "if you don't engage the man I'll take -him myself. That'll bring you up to the scratch if you've any Scotch -blood left in you." - -Whether it was due to this provocation or not, Mr. Halliday engaged Said -Mohammed next day, for a month. Then, having been advised of the -inexpediency of delay, which might be taken advantage of by his porters -to desert, he decided to set off the same day, as soon as the hottest -hours were past. He sent Said Mohammed into the bazaar to buy the -necessary amount of food-stuff for the natives; Mr. Gillespie undertook -the purchase of small quantities of "trade"--sheeting, coloured cloths, -and beads for the most part; Mr. Halliday himself bought a small tent, -provisions, blankets, rifles and ammunition, and a few cheap utensils. -All these articles were sent up to the bungalow. At three o'clock Said -Mohammed and the six porters arrived and set about packing up, under Mr. -Gillespie's directions. Within an hour the loads were packed and placed -in a line on the ground. - -"Now, Halliday," said Mr. Gillespie, "it's up to you. You must give -each man his proper load, and don't be jockeyed." - -There was a twinkle in his eye which Mr. Halliday detected. - -"Are you setting a trap for me?" he asked. - -"No, no, man; but as you're to be master, the sooner you feel your feet -the better." - -Whereupon Mr. Halliday, who was not without courage as well as shrewd -common-sense, instantly confided the tent and personal baggage to two of -the three Swahilis, and distributed the remaining loads among the three -Wakamba by a rough and ready estimate of their muscular capabilities. -Then began what John called the "fun." The Swahilis accepted their -loads without a murmur; were they not the best fitted to carry the -_bwana's_ belongings? But one of the Wakamba, a stout little fellow -with one eye, uttered a terrible wail when he lifted his bundle to his -back, and, letting it down again, began to expostulate in a torrent of -gibberish, of which the _bwana_, of course, understood not a word. The -others instantly followed his example, and all three began to wrangle -and gesticulate and abuse one another with a deafening clamour. It was -plain that every man wanted the load of somebody else. Mr. Halliday -looked on calmly for a few moments, Mr. Gillespie curiously watching to -see what he would do, and placidly smoking a cigar without offering any -suggestion. Suddenly Mr. Halliday called to Coja ben Selim, the -Swahili, and the only man whose name he knew. - -"You're headman; settle it," he said calmly, turning on his heel. "I -give you five minutes." - -The big Swahili instantly went among the Wakamba, cuffing them right and -left. In less than five minutes peace was restored, the Wakamba slung -their loads to their backs, passing the long loop of raw hide around -their foreheads; the Swahilis set theirs upon their heads; and the cry -of "Safari! safari!" indicated that they were ready to be off. - -"A capital start, Halliday," said Mr. Gillespie. "Good luck to ye." - -Mr. Halliday and John shook hands heartily with their host and hostess, -and taking their rifles under their arm, set off after the little -caravan, the leader of which had already started a marching song. Said -Mohammed, carrying a little bundle of his own, brought up the rear, with -Coja ben Selim. - - - - -CHAPTER THE THIRD--In a Game-Pit - - -John felt all the thrilling excitement of a new experience. There was -nothing romantic, it is true, in trudging along at two miles an hour -over a decent road, which led at first through the spacious estates of -colonists who had already settled in the neighbourhood of the town. But -he knew that before long the caravan would enter a wild, unsettled -region, swarming with game large and small, holding innumerable -possibilities of encounters with strange beasts and men. And though -there was nothing novel in the mere exercise of walking, it was both new -and amusing to find himself in company with African natives, marching -stolidly along under heavy loads, to a monotonous chant kept up by their -leader, who repeated the same words endlessly. Curious to know what the -man was singing, he asked Coja ben Selim, the only man of them that knew -English. The Swahili gave him a wide grin and said it was all nonsense, -and when John pressed him for the exact meaning he prevaricated and -looked uncomfortable. The song was, in fact, an impromptu one, and the -words, literally translated, meant nothing more than "Two more white -men; oh, what noses! Oh, what legs!" and if John had known he would -only have wondered what amusement the porters could have derived from -the constant repetition of such an uninspired and uninspiring refrain. -He made up his mind to learn the native tongue as soon as possible. - -After they had walked for three or four miles it became suddenly dark, -but there was no pause, Mr. Gillespie having advised that they should -take advantage of the cool hours, and do a good ten miles before camping -for the night. A new moon shed a little light upon the path, which, as -the scattered cultivated districts were left behind, entered a region of -long grass and belts of forest land. Presently they heard the rushing -noise of water, and came to the brink of a deep ravine, whose bottom -they could not see for the trees and dense undergrowth with which it was -clothed. Coja ben Selim was for crossing the ravine; he said he knew of -a fine place for camping a little beyond it; but Mr. Halliday was not -inclined to risk a broken leg, and decided to camp in a glade on the -nearer bank, and to attempt the crossing by daylight. The loads were set -down, the tent was pitched, and a fire lighted; soon the men were -cooking their simple supper, chattering cheerfully; and Said Mohammed, -opening up the stores, produced some cocoa, tinned milk and biscuits, -and in a few minutes provided his employers with a simple meal. Mr. -Halliday discussed the advisability of setting a watch during the night, -but Coja said that there were no black men in the neighbourhood, and the -fires would keep off wild animals; so the two Englishmen wrapped their -blankets around them, and slept soundly till the dawn. - -Mr. Gillespie had given his guests some instruction in the general -conduct of a safari, so that when Mr. Halliday put his head out of the -tent and called to the headman to take up the loads, there was a brisk -movement among the porters to the pile in which their bundles had been -stacked during the night. They laid them in a row for inspection, first -lashing to them their mats and cooking-pots. When this was done, they -squatted down to eat a few roasted grains of muhindi (maize), and while -the Swahilis struck the tent and tied up the bedding, the two Englishmen -having rapidly dressed, Said Mohammed prepared breakfast of tinned meat, -biscuits, and tea. Then, to the customary cry of "Safari!" the porters -lifted their loads, the utensils were quickly packed, and while the dawn -was still grey the little party left the camp and began the descent of -the ravine. Looking back as he came to the brink, John saw a hyena -slink out of the undergrowth and steal past the smouldering embers of -the fires, and birds like kites swoop down with rushing wings, soaring -up again with some remnant of food in their talons. He felt now that -his new strange life was beginning indeed. - -[Illustration: PART OF BRITISH EAST AFRICA] - -The descent was safely made, the river waded, and climbing up the -further side, the travellers found themselves entering a region of bush -and thorns and tall rank grass, in the midst of which they heard at -times a swishing sound as some animal, invisible, darted away from -before them. They had left the road leading to Fort Hall, the nearest -Government station, and struck off in a direction north by east. The -leader picked his way steadily, following the track of an animal, the -others close behind him, though after a time some of the porters, weaker -or less willing than the rest, began to lag behind. Though it was still -early morning, John found it already uncomfortably hot, and, taking off -his coat, gave it to Coja. Once or twice he removed his sun-helmet -also, but Said Mohammed, at this, came to his side, and said, very -respectfully-- - -"Ten thousand pardons, sir, but a word to the wise: never expose your -manly brow to the solar luminary. In a brace of shakes you will have -sunstroke." - -"But there is no sun; I shan't hurt with this mist over the ground," -John protested. - -"It is human to err, sir. You cannot see the sun, but he sees you, and -lo! in a moment he smites you, and it is no go. The head, sir, is the -weaker vessel." - -"Put on your hat, John," said Mr. Halliday. "We don't want to run any -risks." - -By and by the mist cleared, and having reached a ridge bare of trees, -the travellers suddenly caught sight of Mount Kenya in the distance, -rearing itself from the plain by such gentle slopes that it was hard to -believe that its summit was 14,000 feet above sea-level and covered with -snow. Its peaks were swathed in cloud; indeed, only once or twice -during many months did the travellers catch a glimpse of them. Then the -view was magnificent, and for the first time in his life John felt a -longing to climb a mountain. - -Every day's programme was the same. They started early. After a march -of two hours a halt was called, to allow the laggards to come up with -the party. Then the march was resumed, and continued until the sun's -heat became unendurable, and the men clamoured for a long rest. One day -at this time Mr. Halliday, selecting a glade shaded by immense trees, -bade the men set down their loads, and take a siesta. The resting-place -was not so well chosen as it had appeared to be; a stream ran close by, -and the travellers had hardly settled themselves when they were beset by -innumerable red ticks, which clung to the white men's clothing and bit -their skin savagely, sparing the natives. The Hallidays, finding their -attacks intolerable, sprang up and went on, instructing Coja to follow -them when the porters were sufficiently rested. They had not gone far -when they saw a herd of congoni, an animal of the antelope kind, dashing -across the plain, and John fingered his rifle longingly. But Mr. -Halliday would not permit him to go in chase of them. - -"We shall have plenty of sport by and by," he said, "and we don't want -to heat ourselves or lose touch with the men." - -He had scarcely spoken when John caught sight of another safari coming -across a ridge in the distance. Mr. Halliday thought it prudent to halt -until they were rejoined by the rest of their party, and they threw -themselves down under a baobab to wait for them. It was two hours -before they came up, and the march had just been resumed when they heard -shots, and saw a number of black men rushing towards them at full speed. -Mr. Halliday was a little alarmed, thinking that an attack was imminent; -but in a few moments Coja told him that the approaching men were plainly -porters, for they were unarmed, but they bore no loads, and he suggested -that something had frightened them. - -In a few minutes the first of the runaways came up, and began to talk -excitedly to Coja, who informed Mr. Halliday that the men were indeed -porters belonging to a safari returning to Nairobi, and that a -rhinoceros had just charged them, whereupon they had flung down their -loads and bolted. - -"Where is their master?" asked Mr. Halliday. - -The man, who had been joined by several of his comrades, pointed back in -the direction whence he had come. No white man, however, was in sight, -and Mr. Halliday decided to hurry on and see what had become of him, -ordering the men to follow, which they were plainly reluctant to do. He -came within half-a-mile to the scene of the stampede, the loads of the -porters strewing the grass; but there was no sign either of the -rhinoceros or of the young white man who, as the scared natives said, -was the master of the safari. Coja declared that the _bwana_ must have -been gored or trampled by the rhinoceros, and suggested that they should -hurry on and get out of danger as quickly as possible; but Mr. Halliday -would not hear of leaving the spot until he had made an effort to find -the unfortunate traveller. He ordered the men to set down their loads -and remain with them while he made a search, and asked whether any of -them could follow a rhinoceros trail. One and all first denied that -they had ever seen a rhinoceros; but Mr. Halliday sternly told Coja that -they would have no supper unless they recovered their memory, and then -Coja himself reluctantly admitted that if the trail was very clear, and -if the white men would go one on each side of him with their guns, he -would try to lead them after the animal. - -As a matter of fact, the trail was easily found, the ground being soft -and the grass heavily trampled. It led them into a dense mass of bush. -Mr. Halliday, holding his rifle ready for the least sign of danger, -plunged into the jungle with John and Coja, the latter soon declaring -that he saw, together with the great hoof-marks of the animal, forming -paths on both sides of a ridge of grass, the smaller and fainter tracks -made by a white man's boots. - -"Him killed dead, sure 'nuff," said Coja solemnly. "No good look no -more." - -"We'll make sure of it. Go on," said Mr. Halliday, and the three -continued to follow the trail. - -"What's that?" cried John suddenly, a few minutes later. - -"White man call; him no dead yet," said Coja. - -"Hallo!" shouted Mr. Halliday, and a faint "Hallo!" came in answer. - -Coja turned a little to the right, in the direction of the sound. Mr. -Halliday called again, and again the answer came, louder, but still -curiously muffled. Led by the sound, they now left the trail of the -rhinoceros, and had proceeded but a few steps farther when Coja suddenly -came to a halt, and bursting into laughter, cried, "Him down there!" - -"Where?" said Mr. Halliday in amazement, looking about him. And then he -saw, in the midst of the grass, a deep hole, and at the bottom, nine or -ten feet below the surface, a young white man sitting cross-legged. - -"Hallo!" he said, looking up with a smile. "I thought it was my -brother, though it wasn't like his shout. Can you help me out? I'm -afraid I've sprained my ankle." - -"Of course we can," said Mr. Halliday, "but I'd like to know what on -earth you are doing there." - -"Thanking my stars I'm not skewered," said the other. "Let down your -rifle, will you? Perhaps I can manage to scramble out; but don't let me -drag you down." - -Mr. Halliday lowered his rifle, holding it by the barrel, having first -taken the precaution of emptying the breech; and the prisoner took it by -the stock, and tried to clamber up the side of the hole. But he winced -as his right foot touched the earth, and after a few moments said-- - -"I'm afraid I can't manage it. My ankle has got a twist. If you'll -shout for my men I'll get one of them to make a sling of rope and haul -me out." - -"We needn't wait for that," said John. "I'll jump down and give you a -lift." - -"Look out, then. There's a pointed stake in the ground here which I -only escaped by a hair's breadth. Jump to the left. It's uncommon good -of you." - -John leapt down, and making a pick-a-back, got the stranger to mount and -then to stand erect on one foot. His head was now just below the level -of the pit. - -"I'm afraid we're not much for'arder," he said, with a smile. - -"Can't you get your elbows on the edge and hoist yourself up?" suggested -John. - -"Can't reach. You'd better let me down." - -"I'll tell you what," said John: "cut a notch in the wall for your foot. -Then you can hoist yourself up by the rifle until you are high enough to -get your elbows on; then it'll be easy. The earth is pretty soft." - -Sitting with his legs over John's shoulders, the stranger soon cut a -notch with his knife; and in a few minutes he was hauled to the surface. - -"I'm much obliged to you. I might have stayed there till I starved for -all my men would have troubled." - -"How did you manage to fall in?" asked Mr. Halliday. - -"A rhinoceros charged us as we were crossing the foot of the kopje -yonder. He sprang out from behind a small mountain of an ant-hill. My -men instantly flung down their loads and bolted--idiots! and as we're -rather short of meat I thought I'd try to get within shot of the beast. -I was following him up when the earth gave way under me, and I found -myself in this old game-pit, and don't know how I managed to escape the -skewer sticking up at the bottom, as long as my arm. I say, you haven't -happened to see anything of my brother, I suppose?" - -"We met nobody but your men," said Mr. Halliday. "Has your brother lost -himself?" - -"Old Joe lost! Not a bit of it," cried the young man. "He'll turn up -all right. He left me a couple of hours ago to shoot something for -to-night's pot, and I thought you might have come across him. I'm -rather a nuisance, I'm afraid; I can't put my left foot to the ground, -and our last donkey died four days ago, so that I can't ride. We've had -uncommon bad luck with our donkeys. As a rule they're hardy in this -climate, we were told; but every one of the six we started with has -died. Really, I am a nuisance, keeping you here." - -"Nonsense," said Mr. Halliday. "Coja, shout for some of our men." - -"No come, master," said Coja. "Berry much 'fraid." - -"If he goes and calls our headman a coward I think it will answer," said -the stranger. "Headmen are very jealous of each other." - -Coja entered into the spirit of the suggestion, and ran back over the -tracks. In a few minutes the sounds of angry altercation came through -the bush, and Coja reappeared, in company with a white-clad Somali, each -man abusing the other at the top of his voice. Mr. Halliday silenced -them sternly, and ordered them to construct a litter, promising a few -cents to the man who did the larger share of the work. They set to work -at once, weaving strands of creeping plants and stalks of grass with -amazing rapidity. In less than twenty minutes a sheet of matting was -finished and firmly bound to two rifles, and on this extemporized litter -the stranger was carried between the headmen back to the open ground. - -On the way he explained that his name was Oliver Browne, "commonly -called Poll," and that he came from Cape Colony. With his elder brother -he had been shooting and prospecting in North Kenya and Gallaland, and -they had thoughts of settling in British East Africa, which seemed to -offer better prospects than they could see in South Africa. - -"I suppose you're on the same job," he concluded. - -"Well, we're going to have a look round," replied Mr. Halliday -cautiously. "We're on a flying visit, you see." - -"And I'm a nuisance, hindering you like this. Here are my wretched men; -I shall be all right now; and I can't thank you enough. We may meet -again, if we decide to come north. Good-bye. And I say, if you meet -that brother of mine, please tell him to hurry up, for if another -rhinoceros takes a fancy to charge us, and I can't bring him down, I -shall be a mangled corpse in no time." - -"Hadn't we better stay with you till your brother turns up?" said John. - -"Not at all. The plain is pretty open here, and a rhinoceros could not -take us unawares. I shall go on slowly, and camp when I come to a -suitable place, and my men will rig up a boma in no time. Good-bye -again." - -The matting had been transferred to two of the Brownes' rifles, and the -men of each party having collected and shouldered their loads, they set -off in opposite directions, the two headmen hurling abuse at each other -as long as they remained in sight. Coja was particularly indignant -because his rival had received the reward for completing the greater -portion of the litter; but after a little Mr. Halliday consoled him by -saying, casually, that his portion had been the more closely knit, so -that he should receive a reward also. - -"Dat oder fella no good, what I say," remarked Coja. - -Half-an-hour after they had parted with Oliver Browne, they met a white -man whom at the first glance they knew to be his brother, so striking -was the resemblance. He was attended by four porters, each carrying a -large portion of some newly-killed animal. Mr. Halliday halted as they -came up, saying-- - -"You're Mr. Joe Browne?" - -"That I am, but----" He paused, looking puzzled. - -"You don't know me," said Mr. Halliday, "so you needn't rack your -memory. We've just met your brother. He was after a rhinoceros and -tumbled into a game-pit." - -"Clumsy ass!" cried Mr. Browne, in the manner of an affectionate -brother. "No bones broke, I hope?" - -Mr. Halliday reassured him on that point, and the two stood for a few -minutes exchanging notes. The South African said that he had been much -attracted by what he had seen of the country, and if Mr. Halliday became -a settler, he would in all probability have him for a neighbour. - -"But it won't be yet," he added. "We must settle up our affairs at the -Cape first. Three or four months, perhaps; you'll have grown your first -crops by then. Don't shoot all the game before I come." - -"You have left us some, I hope," said John, eyeing the porters' burdens. - -"Oh, that's a couple of water-buck for the pot. You'll find bigger game -than that. Hippo meat's uncommonly good, but don't try elephant's foot; -it's a fraud. Don't believe any one who tells you to the contrary. -Good-bye; pleased to have met you; bar rhinoceros or game-pits we'll -meet again." - - - - -CHAPTER THE FOURTH--White Man's Magic - - -When John found opportunity to put pen to paper, he wrote, as he said, -"loads" to a school chum about the incidents of the next few days, every -one furnishing a new excitement. Mr. Halliday was so anxious to -accomplish the aim of his journey that he pushed on resolutely each day, -striking camp at earliest dawn, marching with intervals until ten, -resting until three or four, and then going on again until nightfall. -The ground was varied, now a stretch of grass land, now a belt of -forest; here a rapidly flowing stream rushing between high banks covered -with dense vegetation, there a tract of hard volcanic soil so rugged and -hot under the sun's rays that walking was painful. It was only during -the intervals for rest that John was able to indulge his sporting -tastes, and at the same time do service to the commissariat. He caught -some fine fish in the rivers, and wished there had been time to follow -up the hippopotamus tracks he discovered on the banks. He brought down -several water-buck and red congoni with his .303 rifle, and one day was -vastly excited to see a black-maned lion with his lioness cross from one -patch of reeds to another. The sight of other game in wonderful -variety--zebras, leopards, antelopes--became so common that after a time -it ceased to be impressive, and opportunities for shooting them came but -rarely, the country they frequented being flat and open, and their scent -being so keen that it was almost impossible to come within range. - -One incident that gave a little excitement was the crossing of the Thika -river. The water was so deep and the current so swift that to ford it -was impossible, and after vainly searching for a shallow part, Mr. -Halliday confessed himself at a loss to know how to proceed. John -suggested that they should fell a tree and throw it across the river as -a bridge, but this would be a somewhat lengthy operation; and Said -Mohammed said it would take less time to construct a raft. This was -accordingly done, by lashing together three dead logs found on the bank; -but Mr. Halliday asked how it was to be prevented from being swept away -by the stream. Coja showed himself to be a man of resource. Taking a -rope between his teeth, he plunged into the river, first looking warily -round to make sure that no crocodiles were in the neighbourhood, and -swam across, the force of the current giving his course an inclination -of sixty degrees. Having reached the other side, he fastened the rope -to a tree, and by aid of this line the raft was ferried over, conveying -now the loads and now the men. One of the Wakamba slipped off when he -was in midstream, and instantly howled that a crocodile was after him; -but Coja called him a liar, sprang after him, and catching him by the -hair, towed him safely to the farther bank. - -[Illustration: "One of the Wakamba slipped off when he was in -midstream."] - -Hitherto the party had met no natives; but Coja now informed his master -that the people of these parts were very bad, and advised that they -should go slowly, so that no stragglers should be left to be set on and -robbed--if not maltreated or killed. Mr. Halliday was somewhat troubled -at the thought of unfriendly natives between his prospective estate and -the outposts of civilization; but consoled himself with the reflection -that the area of settlements was rapidly enlarging, and the country in -the settled parts being brought thoroughly under control. - -The country beyond the Thika river proved to be more difficult than any -that had hitherto been traversed. Bare rocky hills, cut by deep and -dangerous ravines, alternated with stretches of long coarse grass and -dense thorny scrub, impenetrable save by low tunnels made by roaming -hippopotami. As they burrowed painfully through these tunnels, they -were oppressed by the suffocating heat, their clothes were torn by the -thorns, and their skin irritated by the multitudinous insects. It was -like wandering through a complex maze, the hippo paths twisting this way -and that in apparently aimless fashion, though Coja said they were a -clear sign of the neighbourhood of water. After a whole day spent in -this fatiguing march the party came abruptly upon a broad river, flowing -with swift but almost noiseless current between banks clad with noble -palms and every species of tropical vegetation, amid which countless -throngs of monkeys desported themselves, and birds of many colours -darted this way and that like fragments of a rainbow. Mr. Halliday -pitched his camp for the night above the river, and for the first time -the porters surrounded it with a boma--a close fence of thorn bushes, -which they constructed with wonderful celerity. For the first time, -too, a watch was kept, the porters being told off to take turns at -sentry-go. It occurred to Mr. Halliday, waking in the middle of the -night, to see whether the sentry was alert at his post, and he was not -greatly surprised to find him fast asleep. He shook him up and rated -him very soundly, his reprimand being, perhaps, the more impressive -because delivered in a tongue which the man did not understand. Mr. -Halliday slept no more that night, coming to the conclusion that if it -was necessary to keep watch, the porters were not to be entrusted with -the task. - -It was next day that the party first encountered the native inhabitants. -They came upon a luxuriant plantation of manioc, and shortly afterwards -saw a number of fierce-looking men, armed with spears, lurking in the -long grass. Mr. Halliday ordered Coja to go forward and explain that he -was a friend, bent on a peaceful errand, and that he would give good -prices for any food the people cared to bring him. One of the natives -ran back to the village, and soon returned with the chief, who presented -a singular appearance in a ragged and stained khaki jacket, and a -dilapidated sun-helmet with an ostrich feather stuck in it at a rakish -angle. It turned out that this was not his usual attire, but had been -hastily donned in honour of the white man. - -"He seems a very respectable old guy," said Mr. Halliday to John as the -chief came up with a broad smile. With Coja's aid as interpreter, Mr. -Halliday repeated what had already been said to the men, and as an -earnest of what was to come, presented the chief with a number of -coloured beads, feeling somewhat doubtful whether such trifles were -worth the acceptance of one who, as his dress showed, had already had -some intercourse with Europeans. But the chief showed unmistakable -pleasure, and immediately sent two of his young men to bring wild honey -and gourds of milk for the wasungu. Presently a number of women came, -bearing loads of water-melons and other vegetables, which were very -welcome after the dry fare of the past few days, the vendors being -thoroughly satisfied with a handful of red beads or a short strip of -cloth. - -Mr. Halliday had directed the course of his march, under Coja's -guidance, according to instructions and a rough map given him by his -friend Gilmour. The district recommended to him as an excellent site -for his farm lay on high ground to the east of Mount Kenya, and Mr. -Gilmour had marked the exact spot by erecting a post, the top of which -was carved to the shape of a man's head. When Mr. Halliday expressed a -doubt whether the post would still be found after the lapse of several -years, his friend reassured him on the point, declaring that the natives -would not touch it, and unless it had been thrown down by a sportive -rhinoceros, or "collected" as an object of interest by some wandering -European sportsman, it would remain precisely as he had left it. Mr. -Halliday, judging by his sketch-map that he must have nearly reached his -destination, got Coja to ask the natives whether they knew of this post, -and was disappointed with their negative answer. There was nothing for -it but to continue the march. Accordingly he took leave of the friendly -natives, after purchasing considerable quantities of food, and set off. - -There was every indication that his goal could not be far distant. The -country was open, the soil a rich red loam, covered with rank rough -pasturage and wild clover, with occasional clumps of woodland. The air -was so cool, except at mid-day, that it was hard to believe they were -within a degree or two of the Equator; but by testing the boiling-point -of water John discovered that the height was five thousand feet above -sea-level, and the temperate climate was explained. - -Two days after leaving the native village Mr. Halliday decided to pitch -his camp, and taking that for a centre, to explore the surrounding -country. - -"If this isn't the place, it ought to be," he said to John. "I never -saw a finer country for grazing; it's good for three or four sheep an -acre, or I'm a Dutchman, and fruit ought to grow here as well as in -Kent." - -"It's rather strange, though," said John, "that there's no game to be -seen. There ought to be plenty." - -"That's true. Perhaps they've been killed off by some disease, though I -hope that's not the explanation. We'll maybe find out by and by." - -The camp was pitched near a shallow stream, a boma was erected round it, -and next day the travellers set off with Coja and one of the porters, -leaving the rest in charge of the second Swahili. - -They waded several small streams, and in the afternoon came to a broad -river which, on consulting his map, Mr. Halliday felt sure was the one -marked as forming the northern boundary of his suggested settlement. But -though they searched its banks for some hours, they failed to discover -the post, and had to return unsuccessful, reaching camp after nightfall. -Next day they set off again in a different direction, so as to strike -the river at a point higher up its course. When they came to it, Coja -pointed to a native village on high ground some distance on the other -side, and suggested that inquiry should be made there. The river could -only be crossed by swimming, and there being no sign of crocodiles, they -plunged in, finding the water deliciously cold. Their approach was -descried from the village, and they were soon met by a group of young -warriors armed with bows and arrows, who, standing at a distance, -demanded who they were and what was their business. Coja shouted in -reply that they had come to make friends with the chief, and had brought -some valuable presents for him. One of the men ran back to the village, -the others remaining on guard, and forbidding the strangers to advance -until the chief arrived. - -Some little time elapsed before the chief made his appearance amid a -group of elders. At first he stood suspiciously aloof while Coja -explained the purpose of the white men's visit, but when Mr. Halliday -displayed a strip of coloured cloth, and Coja announced that it was a -gift for the chief, the natives drew a little nearer, and said that they -were willing to be friends if the strangers would not rob them. Coja's -reply to this was that the white men were very good, and would never -dream of robbing their friends, adding that the cloth would be handed to -the chief if he would come and answer a few questions. - -"Give it him at once," said Mr. Halliday, "and say there's more if -they'll tell us what we want to know." - -The gift of the cloth finally disarmed the chief's suspicions. Looking -very much pleased, he came forward with his men, and said that he was -ready to give what help he could. Mr. Gillespie had warned Mr. Halliday -not to believe too implicitly any statements made by natives, who would -always say what they thought would please; so when, in answer to his -question about a post with a man's head, the chief said that he -certainly knew it, and asked for another piece of cloth, Mr. Halliday -shook his head, promising to give more presents if the chief would lead -him to the landmark. At this the chief looked much troubled, and his -men began to talk eagerly, it being evident from their manner that they -were trying to dissuade him from complying with the white man's request. -Mr. Halliday was at a loss to understand their reluctance until Coja, -after a long colloquy with the chief, announced that they were afraid to -go near the post, which was a terrible devil, for their medicine man had -seen its eyes move, and its mouth grin at him. It had come there -suddenly one day, no one knew how, but they thought it must have sprung -out of the ground, and some of their cattle that grazed around it had -soon afterwards died, so that they were sure it was a devil, and they -had never since allowed their herds to roam in that direction. - -"Where is it?" asked Mr. Halliday. - -The chief pointed up the river, and said that if the white man had -medicine strong enough to destroy the devil the people would be very -grateful. Mr. Halliday thought he might turn this superstition to good -account. He explained that he had come from the end of the world to -make a home in this country, and the devil had no doubt established -himself on the ground in order to show that it was to be a white man's -property. But now that he had come, the devil's work of guarding the -land was over, and if the chief would promise to be a friendly -neighbour, the devil should be at once destroyed, and a good price -should be paid for the land, since it was clearly a part of the chief's -grazing grounds. The chief gave the promise with alacrity, adding that -he would become the blood brother of any man who should rid the country -of so terrible a creature. Thereupon Mr. Halliday asked him to lead the -way as far as he dared, and he should see for himself that the devil had -no power against the white man's magic. - -The chief sent a messenger back to the village with this good news, and -soon a great throng of people came flocking down, men, women, and -children, some blowing rude horns, others beating drums, all in great -excitement. The devil was on the bank of the river from which the white -men had crossed. Having swum back in company with the chief and -half-a-dozen of his men, the travellers marched up the river, the -populace flocking along the other bank, being only occasionally visible -among the trees. - -After walking for about half-a-mile, the chief struck away from the -river, and led the way to a saucer-like depression between two ranges of -low hills. It was open grass country for the most part, but at the -further end of the hollow, about three miles away, there was a thick -mass of forest. All at once the chief came to a halt, and, pointing -ahead, declared that the devil was there, and he would go no farther. -Neither Mr. Halliday nor John could distinguish the post among the long -grass, but asking the chief to remain where he stood, they went forward -to search for it. After a few steps they missed Coja, and turning to -look for him, found that he had halted a hundred yards or so from the -chief, being evidently unwilling to face the devil, and at the same time -wishing to appear braver than the natives. - -Walking some distance apart, so that they should not miss the post, Mr. -Halliday and his son in a minute or two caught sight simultaneously of -what they sought. A thick knobby post stood among the grass, its top -about a foot above the level of the stalks. The knob had been carved -with some skill to the shape of a face with the mouth wide open. - -"We may as well do the job with becoming solemnity," said Mr. Halliday. -"We'll have a shot or two at it before we go near. Range about a -hundred, isn't it?" - -"I should think so. Bet you I get most shots in his mouth." - -"Considering that our rifles and cartridges are alike, I don't see how -you're going to judge. Anyway, you take first shot." - -John fired. A flock of birds rose with a great clatter of wings into -the air, and the group of natives yelled and flung themselves face -downward into the grass, whereupon Coja began to taunt them with -cowardice. A shot from Mr. Halliday followed; then each fired again, -and Mr. Halliday, turning round, declared that the devil was killed, and -walked towards the post. Coja, now thoroughly reassured, ran after him, -the natives following at a distance. - -"All four shots in the mouth; the honours are easy," said Mr. Halliday. -"You're a better shot than I thought you, John. We'd better pull the -thing up, hadn't we?" - -But they found the post so firmly fixed that they could neither pull it -up nor push it over. It was evidently a case for digging. Having no -implements with them they were obliged to leave it standing; but Mr. -Halliday showed the admiring natives the bullet marks in the mouth, and, -slapping the top of the head, assured them that the devil would do no -more harm. He then gave the chief another strip of cloth and a handful -of beads in reward for his services, and the party returned to the -river, where the happy result of the expedition was announced to the -main body of the villagers, from whom the proceedings had been hidden by -the contour of the ground. The chief wished Mr. Halliday to feast with -him, and afterwards witness a war-dance, and when the invitation was -declined, he insisted on his white friend accepting a small pied goat. - -"The pioneer of our stock, John," said Mr. Halliday. "But the chief -must take charge of it until we come up to settle. I don't suppose we -shall see it again." - -But in this he was mistaken, for when he came some weeks later to enter -into occupation of his estate, the goat was brought to him with every -mark of respect by a deputation of the villagers. - - - - -CHAPTER THE FIFTH--Juma takes to the Bush - - -Mr. Halliday spent the next two days in surveying the neighbourhood of -Mr. Gilmour's stake. The country was all that his friend had described. -The soil was rich; the river, as the natives informed him, never ran -dry, though its waters were sometimes very low; and the valley was -intersected by several smaller watercourses, which, though now dry, were -full streams in the rainy season, so that the estate would never lack -irrigation except after long-continued drought. Being well satisfied -with the locality, Mr. Halliday got his men to erect a number of -boundary posts about a rectangular area of some 1,500 acres, and then -set off on the return journey to Nairobi to lodge a claim for a -Government grant in the office of the District Commissioner. He paid -his preliminary survey fee of seventy-five rupees; then, knowing that it -would be months before the official survey was made, he decided to -purchase stores, stock, and material for building a bungalow and -out-houses, and to engage porters to convey these to the spot, and a -certain number of servants to staff the farm. Formal possession of the -land would be granted as soon as it was certified to be actually -occupied and the balance of the survey fee, some two hundred rupees, was -paid; but the lease for ninety-nine years would not be made out until -the Commissioner received proof that development had taken place, which -practically meant the expenditure of forty times the rent, this being -twelve cents an acre. Thus it would be about three years before Mr. -Halliday was definitely accepted as a settler and leaseholder, and he -impressed upon John that they must both put their backs into the work if -they intended to be successful. - -It was a month before the second safari was ready to start--a far more -important caravan than the first. To begin with, there was a large -quantity of stores for the use of the white men, together with seeds, -root plants, and a few apple-tree slips, which by all accounts would -thrive. Then there was a considerable amount of thin corrugated iron -for roofing, some glass, and some ready-made window-frames, which if -made on the spot would have involved too great an expenditure of time -and labour. There were a few simple agricultural implements which Mr. -Halliday had brought from home, guessing, and rightly as it proved, that -even allowing for the cost of freight they were cheaper than they could -have been bought in Nairobi. These included the "small holdings plough" -of Ipswich, which had to be taken to pieces for convenience of transit. -Mr. Halliday deplored the lack of roads and of bridges over the streams, -which made it impossible to employ vehicles for the carriage of his -goods, and prevented him from taking several pieces of machinery he -would have liked to have with him. But he purchased a few donkeys, each -of which could carry twice as much as a man. - -In addition to these articles, a large number of live-stock was included -in the caravan. It might be possible, Mr. Halliday was told, to -purchase cattle and sheep from the natives in the neighbourhood of his -farm, but he was advised to buy a good number of half-bred animals in -Nairobi, the native sheep and goats being woolless, and of no value -except for their flesh and hides. Later on, when he was fairly settled, -he hoped to introduce some English stock to cross with the native. -Accordingly he bought 750 sheep at an average price of six shillings a -head, a few goats, and a score of cattle, for which he paid 140. - -To carry his goods he found it necessary to engage, in addition to the -donkeys, forty porters, a few of whom he intended to keep as labourers -on the farm or servants in the house, if they proved satisfactory. Of -these forty only one, Coja the headman, had been a member of the first -expedition, the rest of that party being unwilling to do any more work -until they had spent their wages. Twelve of the new company were -Swahilis, the remainder Wakamba or Wakikuyu. Four of the Swahilis were -askaris, or armed porters. Said Mohammed had done so well on the first -journey that he was engaged permanently as cook. John declared that his -conversation was well worth his wages, but Mr. Halliday took severely -practical views of everything, and said that he didn't pay for -conversation. He hired two Indian mistris for three months, at two -rupees a day, to build his bungalow and do what other carpenter's work -was necessary. And since his farm was to be mainly a stock-farm, he -engaged a stalwart Masai and his son, a lad of sixteen or seventeen, to -assist in the herding, the Masai being a pastoral race _par excellence_. - -Mr. Halliday had not intended to increase his men's burdens on this -occasion by "trade" goods, thinking that the friendship he had already -sealed with the chief of the neighbouring village would obviate any -further dealings with the natives. But he changed his mind on the -advice of Mr. Gillespie, who represented that he might come in contact -with other tribes not so well disposed, that he might find it necessary -to purchase more sheep and cattle, especially if tick fever or some -other disease broke out among his stock, and that it would be well to -have the means of purchasing ivory, if he found an opportunity, the -tribes to the north of Kenya being reputed great elephant hunters. - -All being at last ready, Mr. Halliday set out on his second journey, -which took him nearly four times as long as the first, owing partly to a -certain turbulence among the Swahili porters, and partly to the -difficulty of driving the animals. Apart from their natural tendency to -lag and to stray, it was a difficult and sometimes a perilous operation -to get them across the many streams; fortunately it was the height of -the dry season, and the depth of water insignificant. Several sheep were -drowned, some strayed and could not be recovered; one or two died of -over-marching. The donkeys also gave a good deal of trouble, having to -be unloaded at every stream, lugged across, and then loaded up again. -It was a long and tiresome business each night to construct a boma of -sufficient circuit to enclose the whole of the safari, and in spite of -this thorny fence, and watchfires kept constantly alight, a lion on one -occasion broke in at dead of night, snapped up a sheep, and made off -with it before the alarm could be given. - -Mr. Halliday found the porters even more troublesome than the animals. -It turned out that one of the Swahilis was an old rival of Coja ben -Selim. He was a big man named Juma, with a stronger strain of Arab -blood than the rest, and he constantly disputed Coja's authority, and -incited the other men to complain of their loads and their food. Mr. -Halliday had to be continually on the watch, and only by dint of great -firmness and by keeping Juma on one occasion without food for a day did -he succeed in preventing a mutiny. Juma had brought his wife with him, -a very stout negress of some Bantu race; or rather, she had attached -herself to the expedition when it had marched some ten miles out of -Nairobi, and resolutely refused to leave. Her presence proved to be -rather an advantage than otherwise, for once when Mr. Halliday had found -it necessary to give Juma a stern reprimand, the woman volubly assisted -him, demanding of her husband why he was such a fool as to endanger his -pay. Juma was evidently in some awe of his spouse, and Coja told John -privately that she had a terrible tongue. - -At length the safari arrived at the site of the farm, and though Mr. -Halliday did not flatter himself that his troubles were over, he felt a -great relief that the anxieties of the journey were a thing of the past. -The first proceeding was to construct a substantial boma. Then he -selected a site for his bungalow, fixing on a pleasant knoll above the -river and at a distance of about two hundred yards from it. John -pleaded for a position nearer the river, but Mr. Halliday pointed out -that the stream was at present shrunk, and would no doubt swell to a -much greater width in the rainy season, when exhalations from it might -be dangerous to health. He had brought a couple of tents to live in -while the bungalow was building; his natives ran up grass huts for -themselves; and within twenty-four hours of their arrival, with the -tents pitched, the huts erected, the sheep and cattle grazing, and a -boma enclosing them all, the place had already begun to assume the -aspect of a settlement. - -During the first night the sleep of the camp was disturbed by the -distant roaring of lions, and Mr. Halliday took turns with John to -watch. They had learnt from Mr. Gillespie that the lion stalks his prey -in absolute silence, so that they did not fear an actual visitation -while the roars continued; and though the sounds came nearer towards the -morning, the dread beasts made no attempt to break in. Examining the -ground on the following day, Mr. Halliday found pug marks about -half-a-mile from the enclosure, and a little further away the scanty -remains of a zebra. The proximity of lions was somewhat perturbing. -Sometimes, as Mr. Halliday had learnt, the mere presence of man was -enough to drive them away; but if they had once tasted human flesh they -showed extraordinary audacity and cunning in obtaining further victims. -As a precaution, he caused an inner boma to be erected around the tents -and the grass huts of the men, so that if lions should break into the -outer enclosure they would find another barrier between them and human -prey. - -During the daytime the building of the bungalow and the cattle-sheds -proceeded apace. There was plenty of wood in the neighbourhood, and the -people of the village beyond the river assisted in cutting and -transporting the timber in exchange for a small quantity of cloth, -beads, or wire. No work could be got out of the porters, except a few -of the Wakamba, who began to prepare the ground around the bungalow for -cultivation. Mr. Halliday would willingly have seen the backs of the -whole company, but Juma declared that they must rest a few days after -their long march before returning to Nairobi; and having no means of -expelling them Mr. Halliday must needs submit, though he hoped their -stay would be short. Apart from other reasons why their presence was -undesirable, they consumed a prodigious amount of food, which had to be -purchased from the chief; and while the Wakamba were satisfied with -grain and fruits, the Swahili demanded meat, which meant that either -some of the cattle must be killed, or the Hallidays must go hunting for -their unwelcome guests. - -One day Wasama, the Masai herdsman, reported that a number of the sheep -had strayed. Not willing to lose them, Mr. Halliday and John set off -with Wasama and two or three of the Wakamba to find them, taking their -rifles in the hope of bringing down some game for the men. They tracked -the wanderers through the long grass to the west of the encampment, and -found that the trail led them into the woods on the rising ground in -that direction. There they lost the trail, and scattered, the -Englishmen arranging to fire a shot as a signal to the others if either -of them came upon the track of the missing animals. - -John was making his way through the wood, bending close to the ground, -when he suddenly came upon a small hut standing by itself in a little -glade. It consisted of four upright logs, the interspaces filled with -brushwood, and covered with a roof of twisted boughs. He halted, -wondering whose dwelling it might be, and then, a movement among the -undergrowth at the rear of the hut attracting his attention, he walked -slowly towards the spot, holding his rifle in readiness to encounter -danger. To his amazement he saw a quaint little figure emerge from the -thicket. It was the form of an elderly man, not more than four feet -high, dark brown in colour, with strangely bent shins, longish hair -streaked with grey, and protruding jaws. He wore nothing but a loose -cloak of undressed skin hung from the shoulders, and he carried a small -bow. Still more to John's surprise, the little man came forward, and -held out his hand with a frank gesture of friendliness, uttering a word -or two in a low, quiet voice. John shook his hand, feeling a little -confused in his inability to speak to the man; then, thinking that he -might be able to assist in the search for the sheep, he fired off his -rifle, upon which the man sprang back into his hut with every mark of -terror. - -The shot soon brought up the rest of the party, and on John explaining -why he had fired, Wasama went to the entrance of the hut and shouted -into the interior. After a little hesitation the owner came out, and a -brief conversation ensued between the two men, at the close of which -Wasama, who knew enough English to make himself understood, explained -that the man was one of the Wanderobbo tribe and was living quite alone. -This fact was rather surprising, for the African natives always live in -communities, large or small. But after further speech with the hermit, -Wasama said that he had no tribe or village, all his people having been -killed a long while ago. He had since lived in this little hut, -occupying himself, after the manner of his people, in collecting wild -honey and hunting, selling the skins of the animals he killed to the -neighbouring villagers. - -Mr. Halliday asked whether the man had seen anything of his sheep, and -the Wanderobbo at once offered to help in the search in return for a few -beads. The party set off again, and, emerging from the wood at its -southern extremity, the little man soon discovered the trail, and the -wanderers were seen placidly grazing half-a-mile away. The Wanderobbo -seemed much more delighted with the few beads given him than the value -of the gift appeared to justify, and at parting shook hands warmly with -the Englishmen, promising, when Wasama had told him of their settlement, -to bring them some honey shortly. Wasama collected the sheep and began -to herd them back towards the farm, Mr. Halliday and the others going a -little farther in pursuance of his intention of shooting something for -the larder. But an hour's search revealing no trace of game, he started -to return. He had just overtaken Wasama, about a mile from camp, when -he saw Said Mohammed hastening towards him at a run. - -"I hope there's nothing wrong," he said, but as the Bengali drew nearer -it was plain from his perturbed countenance that he bore bad news. - -"Master and esteemed sir," he said, panting as he came up, "I regret to -inform you that a calamity has transpired." - -"What is it?" asked Mr. Halliday, as the cook, who was of substantial -physique, paused to recover breath. - -"Larceny, sir. Juma, that badmash, awful scoundrel, sir, has lifted, or -shall I say pinched, four donkeys, a dozen rifles, and a regular heap of -trade goods, and has decamped, bunked, sir, with the Swahilis, who knows -where?" - -"What was Coja about?" demanded Mr. Halliday, at the same time -quickening his pace. - -"That, sir, deponent knoweth not. In fact, I have not seen Coja for -some time, and suspect that he winked the other eye." - -"How long ago was this?" - -"I do not know the exact moment, since I was engaged in washing crockery -after our matutinal repast, and did not discover the crime until I had -made a hole in it; but on a modest computation I should say, not less -than five hours ago." - -"Soon after we left, John. Which way did the men go?" - -"Of that also I am in blissful ignorance, sir." - -"We'll soon track them, anyway. John, we must go after them." - -They hurried on towards the camp, taking Wasama with them, and leaving -the sheep in charge of the Wakamba. When they reached the settlement, -it was apparently deserted, except by the Indian carpenters and Juma's -negro wife, who, as soon as she saw them, began excitedly to harangue -some person out of sight, and then ran behind the bungalow, the walls of -which were already up, and dragged forth Coja, whom she brought, a -sheepish and crestfallen object, before his master. - -Mr. Halliday did not delay either to reprimand or to receive -explanations, but ordered Coja and the four Wakamba who had followed him -from his hiding-place to sling on their cooking-pots and a little food -and prepare to accompany him in chase of the fugitives. - -"We don't know how long it will take us," he said to John. "Said -Mohammed, you must come with us; we may be a day or two and shall want -you to cook. Juma's wife seems a capable body; we'll leave her in -charge. Coja, look for their tracks, and go on; we'll follow you." - -Within a quarter of an hour of reaching camp the party set off, -numbering eight in all. The track was very clear. For three miles it -followed the route by which the safari had come several days before; -then, to Mr. Halliday's surprise, it made a sudden turn westward. - -"I made sure they would strike for the coast," he said. "They won't -dare show themselves in any of our settled parts, and I don't understand -their going off into the interior. They've had a good start of us, but -we travel lighter and ought to catch them if we don't lose the trail." - -The party hurried on, not pausing, though the day was now at its -hottest. The trail led through open country, and across several -streams, some of them of fair size. Here there were signs that the -donkeys had given trouble, the soft earth at the brink being so trampled -and cut up as to suggest that the animals had had to be pushed and -hauled into the water. The trail was for the most part easily followed, -for the fugitives had clearly been in too great a hurry to attempt to -cover it. Once or twice, when it crossed stony ground, Coja was -temporarily at fault, and he then declared he wished they had the -Wanderobbo with them, for there were no people like the Wanderobbo for -following a trail. Were they not matchless elephant hunters? But a -little skirmishing beyond such stony tracts sufficed to pick up the -trail again, and pushing on without respite, rest, or food, until -sundown, Coja said that the newness of the footprints showed that the -quarry was not far ahead. Darkness fell, however, without their having -sighted the fugitives, and since they were all thoroughly tired and -hungry, Mr. Halliday decided to halt for rest and a meal, and to resume -the pursuit in the night if the moon rose, or at dawn. - -"I say, father," said John, as they came to a halt, "we mustn't light a -fire, or we'll give ourselves away." - -"Quite right. We shall have to do without our cocoa to-night, and keep -an extra sharp look-out for lions." - -The white men had to satisfy themselves with biscuit and water from a -brook; the natives ate some of the roasted beans without which they -never travel. With the first glimmer of dawn the party were up and on -the trail. Two hours' hard marching, at a pace which the natives had -never known before, brought them up with the thieves. Coja was the -first to catch sight of them, and he held up his hand as a sign to the -rest to halt, informing Mr. Halliday in a whisper that the fugitives -were only a little distance ahead, in the act of crossing a stream. Half -of them had, indeed, already crossed; the remainder were trying to -induce the donkeys to face the water. - -"Can we catch them?" Mr. Halliday asked. - -"Yes, sah, go round about," answered the man. - -He led them in a direction at right angles to the path, so as to make a -circuit and come upon the runaways from among the thick vegetation at -the brink of the river. But Coja's advice turned out to be bad. They -had reached the bank and were wheeling to burst upon the Swahilis, when -they were suddenly descried by those who had crossed. A shout warned -the men struggling with the donkeys; without a moment's hesitation they -let go of the animals and took to their heels. When Mr. Halliday came -upon the scene nothing was in sight but the donkeys, which on being -released had scrambled up the bank out of the river and begun to bray -with pleasure at the riddance of their loads. - -"We ought to have come straight instead of round about," cried Mr. -Halliday, vexed at his failure to punish the men. It was obviously -hopeless to pursue them further. The scrub was dense; the Swahilis had -good rifles and ammunition; and being relieved of impedimenta, the loads -of goods having been left on the farther bank when they fled, they could -travel much faster than Mr. Halliday and his party, fatigued after their -forced march. - -"We must be satisfied with having got back our donkeys and their loads," -said Mr. Halliday. "The men are a good riddance; but I grudge those -rifles of ours. However, it can't be helped. We must keep a sharp eye -on our people, and fire out at once any we can't trust." - -The loads abandoned by the runaways were brought across the river -without interference, and after they had been strapped on the donkeys' -backs the little caravan started to return to the farm. - - - - -CHAPTER THE SIXTH--Raided by Lions - - -The return march was not so hurried as the pursuit, and it was the -afternoon of the fifth day after their departure when the little party -arrived at the farm. Mr. Halliday was surprised that none of the -Wakamba had come to meet him, thinking that they must have descried him -from afar; and still more surprised when, on entering the enclosure, he -could not see any of his people. Surely they had not all deserted! -Passing through the second boma, however, he heard a howl, and -immediately afterwards the natives came rushing pell-mell towards him -out of their grass huts, Wasama and Lulu, Juma's wife, leading the way. -They crowded about him, all shouting together, and making such a din -that Coja himself could not at once distinguish what they were saying. -But when Mr. Halliday had sternly called for order, Coja made out that -the people were in a terrible state of fright, because a cow had been -carried away during the night without a sound. - -They declared that the robber must be the devil whom Mr. Halliday had -professed to slay. - -"Nonsense!" said Mr. Halliday. "It must have been a lion." - -But no--Wasama declared it could not have been a lion, for he had not -heard a lion's roar, and there was no breach in the outer boma: only a -devil could have passed through it without forcing a gap. - -When Mr. Halliday set Coja to question the man, however, he learnt that -neither he nor any other of the natives had stirred outside the inner -enclosure that day, so that they were hardly in a position to know -whether the boma had been broken or not. An examination of it soon -revealed a gap in the western side, and bits of tawny hide were sticking -to the thorns. Mr. Halliday insisted on Wasama following up the tracks -which even his inexperienced eye discovered, and within a quarter of a -mile he came upon some bones and a few remnants of a carcase, from which -a couple of vultures flew away. Wasama, however, persisted in his -assertion that the track was not that of a lion, and the others backing -him up, Mr. Halliday sent John and Coja to the wood to fetch the -Wanderobbo, determined to clear up the point before dark. - -The Wanderobbo came bringing a small gourd of wild honey which he -offered to Mr. Halliday. The little man threw one glance on the -blood-bespattered ground, and then said that the tracks were undoubtedly -those of two lions, which would probably return to the spot during the -coming night. - -"Then we'll stay and wait for them, John," said Mr. Halliday. "We -mustn't be molested in this way, and the sooner we teach the beasts a -lesson, the better." - -But the Wanderobbo, when this was explained to him, earnestly advised -the white men not to do anything of the sort. There was no tree at -hand, he pointed out, in which the hunters could rest and watch for the -lions, and they, having far keener sight than men, would merely stalk -them. In the darkness they could not even see to shoot. He said that -they had better return to the settlement and watch inside the boma; and -since darkness would soon fall, he begged to be taken in for the night, -to which Mr. Halliday readily agreed. - -Neither of the Englishmen slept that night. They sat at their tent -door, with their rifles within reach, listening to the distant roaring, -and awaiting with a nervous impatience the onset of the terrible beasts. -The roars drew nearer, then ceased. The men clutched their rifles, and -stole into the outer enclosure, where the sheep were huddled together in -terror. They waited for several hours, peering into the darkness, but -neither saw nor heard any more of the marauders, though when they went -out with the Wanderobbo in the morning, they traced the spoor of lions -within a few yards of the boma. - -This experience was repeated for several nights following. To lessen -their fatigue, Mr. Halliday and John took turns to watch, but though -each night they heard the roars, there was no attempt to break in. -Thinking that the fires, which were kept burning all night, were proving -effectual in scaring the beasts, both father and son decided one day to -go to sleep as usual. But in the middle of the night they were startled -by a yell. Springing up, they seized their rifles, and rushed out of -the tent in their pyjamas. There was a great commotion among the -animals in the outer enclosure, and dashing through them, Mr. Halliday -saw that a gap had been broken in the boma no more than three yards from -one of the fires. The man whose turn it was to replenish it with fuel, -and whose yell had awakened the white men, said that a lion had sprung -through without warning and carried off a sheep. It was useless to -attempt to pursue the robber in the dark, and Mr. Halliday could only -swallow his vexation and return to his interrupted sleep. - -Nothing disturbed the work of the settlement during the daytime. The -Indian carpenters were making good progress with the bungalow and the -other sheds which Mr. Halliday had decided to erect on the north side, -nearest the river. The soil outside the boma was being slowly prepared -for crops, and finding after a few days that his Wakamba porters were -but indifferent labourers, Mr. Halliday dismissed them, resolving to -rely upon the people of the neighbouring villages for such farm labour -as he required. He intended to bring only a small area under -cultivation at first, for the purpose of growing enough grain and -vegetables for his own consumption. Difficulties of transit would -prevent him from dealing in farm produce; the work of driving his cattle -by and by over a hundred miles to market would no doubt prove arduous -enough. - -But though the days were thus placid, the nights became a horror. If a -watch was kept, the peace of the encampment was undisturbed except by -the remote and harmless roars; but as soon as the weary Englishmen -determined to enjoy a full night's rest, the thorn fence would be broken -at some new spot, and when the sheep and cattle were numbered in the -morning it was found that one or more was missing. The natives became -scared, and as for Mr. Halliday, he declared it was positively uncanny. - -"One would think the beasts have the gift of second sight," he said. "I -don't wonder our village friends kept their cattle off these grounds and -believed in Gilmour's devil." - -The only incident that relieved the tension and afforded a little -amusement was the discovery one morning that the lion in his haste had -snatched up a bag of rice, which was found at some little distance, the -grains scattered about as though the thief had lost his temper when he -became aware of the mistake. - -It was fortunate indeed for the little community that the lions were -apparently not man-eaters. A lion that has once tasted man thenceforth -scorns lesser fare, and Coja told his employers harrowing stories of the -reign of terror under which the coolies who had been engaged in laying -the Uganda railway had lived. Night after night the terrible beasts had -crept into the native encampments and stolen forth in dead silence with -their hapless prey, ceasing their depredations for months at a time, but -returning when the men were lulled to security, and beginning their -havoc over again. Mr. Halliday had heard of this from Mr. Gillespie in -Nairobi; but the story told now by one who had actually lived in the -camps thus visited at night, and punctuated by the roaring of lions at a -distance, made a much more powerful and harrowing impression. At any -moment the lions might become man-eaters. They had only to stumble upon -a native in their nocturnal raids and then the life of no man would be -safe. - -More than once Mr. Halliday set off in the daytime with John and the -Wanderobbo, who was now a frequent visitor to the farm, to track the -lions and if possible hunt them down. They found that the spoor led -into the dense scrub higher up the river, a region ten or twelve miles -in length and nearly as much in breadth. So thick was the scrub that it -was impossible to trace the beasts for more than a few yards into its -recesses. After what he had heard of the Wanderobbo's skill and prowess -as a hunter, Mr. Halliday was surprised to find how reluctant the little -man was to accompany them in their expeditions. But he had a wholesome -dread of lions. Elephants he was prepared to tackle, and indeed any -other creature of the wilds; though even them he would rather snare than -stalk; but the lion was a much more cunning and dangerous enemy. He -would talk very bravely sometimes, avowing that if he met a lion and -stared at him the beast would slink away; but he showed no readiness to -enter the probable haunts of the creatures, and admitted that they -sometimes took it into their heads to fight instead of running away, and -then they were quite as clever hunters as he was. Mr. Halliday somewhat -impatiently reminded him that rifles were very deadly weapons; but the -Wanderobbo shook his head and said that he had never hunted lions with -rifles. He had seen the Arabs do so, and pay for their temerity with -their lives. On the whole his advice was to leave the lions alone, and -he once confessed very navely that if he, bold hunter as he was, saw a -lion approaching, he would certainly go the other way. - -With such half-hearted assistance it was not surprising that many days -passed before the Englishmen so much as caught a glimpse of their -tormentors. However, one morning when they had gone out with the -Wanderobbo and Coja to track the smaller game for food, they descried -two lions stalking slowly across a glade some miles up the river. In -spite of the little man's reluctance Mr. Halliday determined to go in -chase, and then the Wanderobbo, forgetting his fears when his hunting -instincts were aroused, suggested that they should tempt the lions to -come within range. He proposed that they should carry a water-buck -which John had just brought down, to a spot where the scent of it would -be wafted by the wind towards the beasts. This having been done, the -party retreated to the rear of the lions and lurked behind some trees to -watch them. The lions soon scented the game, and came slowly towards -it, moving with a majestic and yet graceful gait that extorted murmurs -of admiration from the Englishmen. But when they had come within two -hundred yards, and John was quivering with excitement at the prospect of -his first encounter with the king of beasts, one of them became -suspicious and halted, lifting his head and sniffing the air, and then -uttering a low growl as if to warn his companion. After a minute or two -they seemed to decide that they were being led into a trap, and, turning -about, stalked slowly away. - -"Let's go after them, father," said John, unwilling to let this chance -slip. - -The four set off stealthily to stalk the beasts, and after an hour's -fatiguing march over rough ground, saw them standing together at the -edge of a patch of bush just beyond range. Bending low, and taking -advantage of every tree and tussock of grass, and a tall ant-hill, for -cover, the two Englishmen drew nearer and nearer, and were on the point -of lifting their rifles to fire, when the animals disappeared into the -bush. There was nothing for it but to begin the stalking again. They -cautiously made the circuit of the bush, and presently saw the lions -emerge from the further end and continue their promenade. Again the -hunters followed them, at one moment flattering themselves that a few -yards further would bring them within range, the next chagrined to -perceive that the lions had quickened their pace and outdistanced them. -At length, when a thin patch of woodland enabled them to hurry their -steps and gave hope of overtaking their quarry, the lions broke into a -trot and soon disappeared from view. - -"Well, if that isn't disgusting!" exclaimed John, - -"How long have we been at this game, do you think?" asked his father. - -"Two or three hours, perhaps." - -"Five hours and a half, my boy, and I rather think we might have been -better employed." - -John was too much disgusted at the failure of his first lion-hunt to say -any more; and when next morning it was found that one of the best cows -had been stolen he was still more angry. - -"We must put a stop to this, father," he said. "Can't we set a trap?" - -"We'll see what our friend Bill says," replied Mr. Halliday. The -Wanderobbo's name had proved so unpronounceable that he had been called -Bill for short. Bill, however, said that lions were too clever to be -caught in traps, which did not seem improbable when he explained what he -meant by a trap--a simple pit with a sharpened stick at the bottom, like -that in which Oliver Browne had been found, or a spear suspended from -the branch of a tree and brought down by the animal treading on a rope. -Mr. Halliday set to work to devise a more effective machine. - -He got the mistris to cut several stout logs, out of which they -constructed a sort of gigantic rat-trap. The door was arranged so that -it was held in position by a light pole attached to a length of stout -wire, which was connected with a spring hidden under leaves on the floor -of the trap. If a lion should enter and tread on the spring, the wire -would be released and the door fall behind him down two grooves of -corrugated iron. To entice him to enter, a live goat was placed in a -compartment adjoining the trap, so strongly fenced that the bait was in -no danger. - -This trap was rigged up, with the expenditure of a day's work, at one -corner of the outer boma. - -"It's rather poor sport to treat the lion like a rat," said John, "but -that can't be helped. If we catch one we shan't be able to get a good -shot at him in the dark, though." - -"Well, we can either keep him there till daylight, or, better still, -burn a bit of magnesium wire--I've plenty; that will not only give us a -good light, but possibly help to scare other beasts away." - -The trap was set. For two nights nothing happened. On the third, just -as the two Englishmen were thinking of turning in, they heard the door -of the trap fall with a clatter, followed by a low growl of rage. They -caught up their rifles and hurried to the spot. - -"Now for the wire, father," said John. "You give me a light and I'll -pot the beast." - -Mr. Halliday struck a match and ignited the wire, but just as John was -taking aim it fell to the ground. - -"What's the matter?" he asked. - -"I'm as nervous as a cat," said his father, with a rueful laugh. "And I -haven't brought a second piece, confound it!" - -"Well, we'll take a shot in the dark. We can't both miss." - -They fired together. The next moment there was a terrific roar, a crash -as of shattered match-wood, and they knew that the infuriated captive -had burst through the walls of the trap, stout as they were. They fired -another shot in the direction they supposed him to have taken, and then, -vexed and disappointed, returned to their tent. They found next day -that the lion had been wounded. Bill traced it by the stains of blood -upon the ground. But its injuries were plainly not very serious, for -the track failed at a patch of reeds a mile up the river, and the -Englishmen had to digest their chagrin that the troublesome beast was -still at large. Their efforts, however, had not been wholly -unsuccessful. The nocturnal visitations ceased, and since no roaring -was heard it appeared that the lions had been scared from the -neighbourhood. - - - - -CHAPTER THE SEVENTH--John runs the Farm - - -Within three months of Mr. Halliday's arrival at his farm, which he -named Alloway after the village of his father's birth, the place had -assumed the orderly appearance of a prosperous settlement. The knoll -was crowned by a neat bungalow; two hundred yards below it stood two -wooden huts appropriated to Said Mohammed and the mistris; at some -distance from this a row of cattle-sheds had been erected; and beyond -these stood the grass huts of Wasama and his son and Lulu the negress, -these being all who remained of the original party. Pens had been made -for the sheep and goats; about twenty acres of land had been prepared -for planting when the rains began; and a dairy had been started, being -cut out of the side of the knoll on which the bungalow stood, for the -sake of coolness and protection from the sun and dust. - -The work of the Indians being finished for the present, Mr. Halliday -thought of paying them off; but reflecting that more fencing would be -needed by and by, as well as lambing-pens and cattle-sheds as the stock -increased, he decided to retain the men, even though he could not make -full use of them. - -It chanced one day that a Swahili came to the farm with a letter from -Mr. Gillespie, enclosing one addressed to Mr. Halliday, and bearing the -Glasgow postmark and a date nine weeks back. The flap of the envelope -bore the name and address of a firm of lawyers unknown to Mr. Halliday, -and he opened the letter with some curiosity mixed with apprehension. - -"Well now," he exclaimed, as he hastily read it, "this is a pretty fix." - -"What is it, father?" asked John. - -"You've heard me speak of my uncle Alec--the old curmudgeon who lived by -himself and hasn't spoken to any of his family for twenty years. Well, -the poor old man is dead, and these people, Wright and MacKellar, tell -me that he left no will, and understanding that I am the next of kin, -they urge me to come to Glasgow and make good my title. The letter was -written nearly three months ago, and seems by the look of the envelope -to have had an adventurous career." - -"But hadn't your uncle any children?" - -"One daughter. She married without his consent: I forget the man's -name, and I haven't heard about her for five-and-twenty years." - -"What will you do?" - -"I'm just thinking. My uncle was a shipowner, and pretty well-to-do: -indeed, your poor mother's friends used to advise me to keep in with -him, but I couldn't toady to the old bear. I suppose I ought to go -back, and yet!---- It's rather upsetting, my boy, just as we are -getting settled. He must have died before we left England, and if I had -known then, and really inherit his property, we needn't have come out at -all, perhaps." - -"I'm jolly glad you didn't, then, for I wouldn't have been out of this -for anything." - -"That's all very well, but there's the property: it would be a pity to -lose that: shouldn't like it to go out of the family. At the same time, -I'm not inclined to give up the farm; we've made a good start, and I'm -uncommonly interested in it. Besides, I may not be the heir after all; -my cousin may be alive: and I should look a pretty fool after going to -this expense if I cleared out and got nothing--like the dog in the -fable. I think I'd better take a trip back to Nairobi and see -Gillespie. And I'll tell you what I'll do, John. If I decide to go -home, as most likely I shall, I'll find an experienced man in Nairobi -and send him up to take charge while I'm away." - -"That's rather rotten," said John with a crestfallen look. "I don't -want anybody here bossing me, father. Why not leave me in charge?" - -"You're over young, John," replied Mr. Halliday dubiously. - -"I'm just on eighteen, and I've got a bit used to things. I learnt a -lot in that six months at the agricultural college before we started. -I'm not exactly a fool, either. Plenty of fellows have gone to the -Colonies on their own at my age, and done jolly well too. Look at Ned -Cooper; he's got his own ranch in British Columbia, and he's not more -than a year older than I am. Besides, look at the expense. You won't -get a decent Englishman who'll be any good under 300 a year, I should -think, and if this business in Glasgow turns out a frost, you'll be -precious sorry you spent the money." - -"There's something in that," said Mr. Halliday, stroking his beard. -"Well, I'll think of it." - -The upshot of his meditations was that he decided to do as John -suggested. The lad was unfeignedly delighted; the responsibility did -not daunt him; though he said little he felt capable of carrying on the -work of the farm, and inwardly resolved to have a good budget to show -his father when he returned. Mr. Halliday spent a good many anxious -hours in instilling principles of caution and carefulness into his mind: -he gave directions about the steps to be taken to bring the cattle and -sheep and dairy produce to market when the proper time came; and then -one day he set off with Coja and a couple of villagers as porters, -determined to ask Mr. Gillespie to keep an eye on the boy as far as he -could. - -Before leaving he had a little conversation with Said Mohammed, upon -whom he impressed the necessity of paying implicit obedience to his -young master, and of helping him in every possible way. - -"Verb. sap., sir," said the Bengali. "Mr. John is a chip of the old -block, a second edition of you, sir, and I esteem myself most fortunate -and in clover to do this trivial round for such a superior person." - -Things went on very peacefully and on the whole prosperously at the farm -after Mr. Halliday's departure. He sent Coja back from Nairobi with a -letter in which he wrote that Mr. Gillespie had advised him to return to -England, and had promised to pay John a visit if he found time. The -rains began soon after Mr. Halliday had gone, and John was mortified -when a few of the sheep died through catching a chill; but apart from -this misfortune nothing happened to trouble him. He had no difficulties -with the people under his authority. Coja proved to be a handy man; -Wasama and his son were excellent herdsmen; and Lulu not only did a fair -share of labour in the fields with the villagers, but excelled in -laundry work, and looked after John's simple wardrobe with a neatness -and care which would have put many a London landlady to the blush. As -for Said Mohammed, he was a compendium of utilities. He was cook, -khansaman, and table-servant rolled into one. He was careful to explain -that in India he would scorn to serve in more than one capacity, but -"Tempora mutantur," he quoted impressively, "et nos mutamur in illis." - -"Rest, sir, is change of occupation," he said, "and when I have -accomplished the culinary part of my functions, I make a lightning -change and become a dumb waiter, remembering the beautiful words of the -blind epic poet, 'They also serve who only stand and wait.'" - -With the beginning of the rains came the season for planting. Mr. -Halliday had brought a variety of seeds with him, for though he hoped to -make money out of stock-raising rather than agriculture, and reckoned on -getting cereals from the neighbouring village for his native and Indian -workers, he was not sure that the villagers would always grow enough to -supply their needs, and he wished also to grow English vegetables and -fruits for his own consumption. John made a start towards the end of -November with oats and wheat; next month he sowed cabbages, peas, -tomatoes, potatoes and vegetable marrows, and planted a few apple-tree -slips. In January he put in cabbages and onions, and finished off with -cauliflowers in February. The great dread of the African cultivator is -drought, but the rains fell almost continuously for three months, so -that there was every prospect of good crops. - -The sheep and cattle throve apace. There was no sign of scab or -heartwater in the former, but they were troubled for a time by the -nostril-fly, a pest that lays its eggs in the nasal passages, causing -intense irritation and sometimes a dangerous fever. Two or three of the -animals died, but there happening to be a syringe among the things -brought from Nairobi, John made a point every night of thoroughly -washing out the nostrils of the sheep affected, and had the satisfaction -of preventing any more deaths from this cause, though he never succeeded -in banishing the pests. He felt not a little gratified at pulling one -of the bulls through an attack of pneumonia. After a little trouble in -inducing the two Masai and Lulu to be scrupulous in washing their hands, -he managed to get the dairy into working order. Each cow yielded about -four pounds of milk a day, some of which he turned into butter, which -his people consumed in enormous quantities. All the spare milk over and -above what was used for food was utilized for making cheese, which was -stored in a deep pit until it could be transported to market at Nairobi. - -Being dissatisfied with the grass huts which had originally been erected -by the natives, he set the mistris to build substantial houses of logs -and thatch, and found them both cleaner and healthier. They cost no -more than 1 apiece. He also got them to put up a plant-house with -wickerwork sides and thatched roof at a cost of 5. Finding that the -villagers possessed fowls, he bought a number, and this provided more -work for the carpenters. They built a large hen-house of wood with an -iron roof, and fenced in a run of about 1000 square feet in area. With -the prospect of good crops a barn was necessary, and they erected a -wooden building with a floor of about 300 square feet. Having no iron -left, he had to roof this with thatch, resolving to buy more galvanized -roofing on his first visit to Nairobi. - -Before all this work was finished some of the vegetables and cereals he -had planted grew to maturity. Said Mohammed gave him turnips for dinner -in February; next month he had some fine tomatoes and potatoes, and by -the beginning of April the most delicious peas and vegetable marrows he -had ever tasted. The grain fields, however, suffered a good deal from -the depredations of weaver birds, and after ineffectual attempts to get -rid of these with his rifle and by setting up scarecrows, John resorted -to a poison supplied by his native neighbours--a decoction of a certain -root. This proved effective. The wheat was ready for reaping in April, -and he was amused to see the natives cut it with knives, they being -quite unable to handle the scythes Mr. Halliday had brought. They -threshed it with sticks and winnowed it with hand-sieves. There was a -small hand-mill among the farm utensils, and by the end of April John -enjoyed the unaccustomed luxury of eating bread baked by Said Mohammed -in an earthen oven. Only half an acre had been sown with wheat, and as -the yield was 400 lbs. of grain John was thoroughly satisfied. The oats -were not ripe until July, and the yield was much less than that of the -wheat; but they made good porridge, and John was able to write to his -father that when he returned he could have the national breakfast. - -John had heard from Mr. Halliday several times since his departure. The -first letter arrived early in December, and caused him mingled amusement -and vexation. - - ---- - -"Here I am, in Glasgow, flourishing as ever. Tennant's stack is -behaving even worse than usual, and the atmosphere makes me fair sick -after the air of Kenya. I had a horrible passage: we were terribly -knocked about in the Bay, and I got a black eye one night through being -pitched out of my bunk and coming into collision with the ledge of the -one below. There was a teetotal commercial on board (rare bird), who -looked at me very suspiciously at breakfast, and asked me at lunch -whether I drank pot-still or patent. I asked him which was his line, -and he got so red that I was uncharitable enough to conjecture he drinks -on the sly. - -"But here I am, and I think I've made a fool of myself in coming; for -when I called at Wright and MacKellar's they showed me a cable they had -just received from the Cape. 'Halliday's daughter inherits; letter this -mail.' The death of poor old uncle had of course been announced in the -_Herald_, and that goes everywhere, and sure enough when the mail came -in there was a letter from some lawyer fellows at Cape Town to say that -their client, Mrs. Burtenshaw, ne Sylvia Halliday, having seen the -announcement of her father's death, had made arrangements to return to -Scotland to claim the estate I asked them why the ballachulish they -hadn't waited before they sent for me, and Wright said that if he had -been aware that I had changed my domicile (law for left the country, I -suppose) he would certainly have hesitated before putting me to the -inconvenience (and expense, I put in) of making so long a voyage. I -asked whether my expenses would come out of the estate, and he said that -he was inclined to believe the trustees would not homologate any claim -for my outgoings. I'm glad you were not a lawyer, after all. I was for -starting back at once, but he wouldn't hear of it: said I must wait to -see whether Mrs. Burtenshaw could substantiate her claim; she might be -an impostor, and since the estate is valued at over 100,000 it would be -a pity to be out of the way if I turned out to be the heir after all. -My cousin's name is Sylvia right enough, and I'm convinced the claimant -will prove her bona-fides, but I suppose I must kick my heels until she -turns up. It's twenty-five years or more since I saw her, and I -shouldn't know her from Lulu, so I can't help to identify her. -Altogether I'm very unhappy. Tell me how you're getting on. I am -wearying until I get back, and on thorns in case anything goes wrong. -God bless you! - -"P.S.--Don't forget that cabbages and cauliflowers must be transplanted -_about five weeks_ after they are sown." - - ---- - -This was vexing enough, but when the next letter came, saying that Mrs. -Burtenshaw was laid up with bronchitis and would be unable to travel for -some time, John was thoroughly distressed. He knew how his father would -hate hanging on indefinitely, with nothing to do, and no interests to -keep him in St. Mungo's city. Mr. Halliday, however, did not remain in -Glasgow. He went to his old home in the south of England, instructing -Wright and MacKellar to summon him by telegraph when the lady arrived. - -As time went on, the stock on the farm was considerably increased by the -arrival of healthy lambs and calves. John had expected his father to -return before it became necessary to drive the animals to Nairobi for -sale, and he became seriously concerned as to how that was to be done. -Being the only white man on the farm he could not leave it; yet the -animals must be taken to market somehow, for his father was relying on -the proceeds of their sale to replenish his small balance at the bank, -which he had had to draw upon to meet the expenses of his prolonged stay -in England. John himself was running short of "trade" for the payment -of his native workers from the village, and of ready money for his -immediate dependants, who required hard cash or notes of the East -African currency. He did not wish to draw on the bank, as his father -had authorized him to do; and he knew that the sums realized by the sale -of the stock would enable him to carry on for a considerable time, and -also to add to the bank surplus, upon which Mr. Halliday might have to -draw at any moment. - -There was no one among the hands to whom he could entrust the driving of -the cattle. Wasama and his boy, no doubt, could do the actual driving, -if they were not plundered on the way; but the presence of a white man -would be almost a _sine qua non_ to prevent molestation on the journey. -Even in the unlikely chance of Wasama getting the beasts safely to -Nairobi he could not be expected to sell them to advantage, and Said -Mohammed, when John spoke of it to him one day, very frankly -acknowledged that the Masai would come off second best in any attempt to -barter with the traders of Nairobi, whether Indian or European. - -"You have to be up to snuff, sir," said the Bengali, "in dealing with -gentlemen of business capacity. Wasama is a very good chap: I have high -opinion of his honesty, et cetera; but honesty is no go in markets -without the possession of considerable acumen, and Wasama has not had -the advantage of gaining that familiarity with the methods of -civilization, which, as the proverb says, breeds contempt," an -unconsciously double-edged remark which did not amuse John. - -Of course he might ask the help of Mr. Gillespie, which would no doubt -be very willingly given; but John was very reluctant to let things out -of his own hands, having a full share of Anglo-Saxon independence. The -matter, at any rate, was not immediately urgent. Two or three more -months must pass before the young animals were weaned and fit to -undertake the long journey; and John still hoped that by the time the -sale of them became imperative his father would have returned. - -It was about six months after Mr. Halliday left that John received the -following letter from him-- - -"The lady has arrived. She's a very decent, respectable widow body. She -has brought all her family, two boys and a girl--a pretty creature, the -image of her mother when I first knew her. The widow produced her birth -certificate and a series of photographs, the first showing her in her -father's arms at about a week old, for all the world as if he were a -royalty displaying the infant to a crowd of grandees. Wright and -MacKellar are satisfied, which is more than I am, coming all this way on -such a fool's errand. The widow wanted to repay me the 100 or so I've -wasted, but of course I couldn't hear of that. I expect to sail next -week. Glad to hear you're getting on well. - -"P.S.--I suppose you haven't seen anything of those young Brownes? I'd -be a deal happier if I knew you had neighbours." - -A week later came a brief note. - -"Fate's got a downer on me. I was fool enough to go for a ride in the -widow's new 40 h.-p. Panhard. The chauffeur ran us into a dyke; the -rest got bruises, but I survive with a broken leg. Tony Weller was -right: beware of widders." - -Since then no news had come, and John grew anxious, though he reflected -that he would have heard if his father was seriously ill. - - - - -CHAPTER THE EIGHTH--Hard Pressed - - -John spent a good deal of time with Bill the Wanderobbo. He found it at -first difficult to communicate with him, for the little man knew no -English, nor even Swahili, which John was rapidly picking up, partly -from Coja, and partly from a Swahili grammar and Bible which he had -brought from Mombasa. He had to employ Wasama as the medium of -intercourse with Bill, the two men speaking in the Masai tongue, and -Wasama translating either into his imperfect English, or into Swahili, -as John became more proficient in it. Coja told him that the Wanderobbo -have a language of their own, and he tried to get Bill to teach him -that; but the man became reserved and shy whenever the suggestion was -made, and Wasama explained that the Wanderobbo never allowed any -foreigner to hear them speak in their own tongue. After a time John -managed to converse with Bill about simple matters in a kind of sign -language, in which the Wanderobbo was very quick. He learnt long -afterwards that the mysterious language of the tribe largely consists of -signs, to such an extent that the people cannot understand one another -in the dark. - -One day Bill darkly hinted that though John was very rich, yet he, the -Wanderobbo, was richer. This was surprising, seeing that to all -appearance he possessed nothing but his hut and weapons. On being -questioned he at first shyly refused to say more, but by and by said -that he owned a very large store of ivory. - -"Where?" asked John. - -"In his old home away in the hills," said Wasama, who was interpreting. - -"Then why doesn't he sell it and buy himself a good hut and good arms -and make himself comfortable?" - -"Because the store is now in the bad man's country, beyond the -mountain." - -John had by this time learnt something of the native African's genius -for invention, and treated the Wanderobbo's assertions as sheer romance; -but the old man repeated them again and again, and indeed seemed -sometimes to be brooding over his wrongs, so that John began to believe -that there was some little foundation for his story. Once Bill said -that if the young master cared to go with him a long journey he would -show him how to hunt elephants, so that he might get ivory for himself. -But it happened that Mr. Halliday had only taken out an ordinary game -licence, costing 150 rupees, not caring to pay an additional 600 rupees -for the full licence which would entitle him to shoot elephants and -rhinoceros and other large game. Bill was totally unable to understand -the reason of John's refusal, and John felt that the old man in his -secret thoughts set him down as afraid. - -But though elephant hunting had to be declined, John was never loth to -go in quest of smaller game when the larder required it. He never -killed any of his own sheep or cattle for food, but depended on the game -that fell to his rifle--waterbuck, grantei, congoni, and other animals -which were to be found at first within short distances of the farm. -Bill was his constant companion on these expeditions, and proved very -useful, having an instinct for the right localities. Two or three of -the villagers were usually hired to carry back the game that was shot. - -One day the party had gone some five miles to the northward, and the -bearers were cutting up two grantei which John had shot, when a solitary -figure appeared in the far distance. It was unusual to see a native -travelling alone, but he was approaching so slowly that John did not -think it worth while to await his arrival, and when the cutting up was -finished, he ordered the men to shoulder their burdens. But taking a -look at the stranger before setting off after his men, John felt sure -that he was making straight towards him across the broken country; and -since he was in the middle of a wide plain, trackless and bare, he -wondered whether the stranger had some definite purpose in so directing -his course. Letting the bearers go on in advance, he decided to wait -with Bill for the man. - -As he came more clearly into view, John perceived that he was moving -very slowly and with manifest difficulty. When he came up, and John, -who had by this time more than a smattering of Swahili, questioned him, -the man explained that he was a Baganda, and had been sent to seek help -for a safari nearly a day's march to the north-east. The master of the -safari was a young msungu (white man), and John was able to make out -from what the messenger said that the party was in extreme danger from -"bad men." The msungu had sent him out at night on the chance of -finding help, but he had not been able to move fast because he was very -weak and hungry. - -John was in a quandary. On the one hand his inclination prompted him to -set off at once to the aid of a fellow white man: on the other hand he -had no force at command which could hope to intervene effectually if the -"bad men" were in considerable numbers. He was some miles from the -farm, and even if he hurried back he could not raise a strong party. -Coja was the only man on the farm besides himself who could use a rifle, -and John was very doubtful whether he could induce any of the villagers -to leave their own ground on a fighting expedition. Still, he felt that -something must be done. He asked the Baganda whether he could use a -rifle, and on being answered in the affirmative, he first gave the man -some food from the little stock he had brought for his own use, and then -bade him wait with the Wanderobbo while he returned to the farm. - -On arriving he dispatched Wasama with the news to the nearest government -station, Fort Hall, forty miles to the south-west. Then he ordered Said -Mohammed to make ready a supply of food, and Coja to saddle three -donkeys, and within a quarter of an hour he was hurrying back over his -tracks, Coja beside him leading the third donkey. Each had his rifle, -and Coja carried a third for the Baganda. - -They found the man where he had been left with Bill, looking much the -better for his meal. John sent Bill back to the farm, and then, the -Baganda having mounted, the party of three set off to the relief of the -safari. The route lay first north and then north-west round a steep -hill, which John concluded was one of the foothills of Mount Kenya. It -was very rough going at times, the messenger having made his way in a -direct line, up hill and down dale, and he had to return over the same -ground lest he should lose the track and go astray. Fortunately the -donkeys were sure-footed, and only a few stumbles on the sides of -precipitous descents reminded John subsequently that he had taken risks -in his excitement and haste which he would scarcely have faced in cold -blood. He felt that he could have travelled faster on foot, and the -Baganda was plainly ill at ease on the donkey's back; but not knowing -what might be demanded of him, he had thought it wise to ride so as to -husband his strength. They saw no signs of habitation: indeed, the -whole of the region through which they passed was a wilderness, owing, -as was learnt afterwards, to Masai raids in a not remote past. - -It was close upon nightfall when, on topping a rise, they came in sight -of the spot where, as the Baganda said, his master was beset by the bad -men. It appeared to be about three miles off. The actual place could -not be seen, owing to intervening patches of woodland, but on proceeding -a little farther, the guide pointed out a dark shape on the plain which -he said was a camp of bad men, and some distance beyond it John was able -to descry the boma within which the white man had entrenched himself. - -On the way he had succeeded in getting a few more details from the -Baganda, by the interpreting aid of Coja. It appeared that two wasungu -had been making a sporting expedition from northern Uganda by way of -Lake Rudolf to the Kenya district. The elder msungu had been seized -with swamp fever in the neighbourhood of the lake, but had pushed on -southward instead of resting, with the result that he became worse and -worse and at last died near Mount Sil, eighty miles north of Mount -Kenya. The safari had already found the tribes through which it had -passed somewhat troublesome, and as after the bwana's death it travelled -southward, it came into a region where the people were openly hostile, -and hung on its skirts, watching for any opportunity of taking it at a -disadvantage. The party had, however, got safely to the Waso Nyiro -river, which they had crossed a week ago; but then they had been -attacked one night by a tribe of Embe, one of the fiercest and most -quarrelsome of East African peoples. Some of the porters were killed, -others deserted, and the young msungu himself was wounded. The attack -had been beaten off, and the boma round the camp had been strengthened, -and when the messenger left they were holding out against a much larger -body of natives and in dire straits because their food was running -short. - -The safari consisted of forty men, with only ten rifles among them. John -tried to ascertain how many the assailants numbered, but the Baganda -could only speak vaguely of a very great host. Moving forward -cautiously so as not to be seen by the enemy, John soon perceived a -second camp on the further side of the boma: it was plain that the -savages were subjecting the camp to a strict investment, knowing that, -even if they could not break in, want of food would soon compel the -beleaguered to surrender. But while it was clearly impossible for the -white man's party to make any movement as a body without discovery, it -did not appear to John that the blockade was so close as to prevent -individuals from entering or leaving the camp under cover of night; -indeed, the Baganda had slipped out in the darkness and escaped -detection. John therefore asked him whether he was willing to make an -attempt to get in during the coming night, and tell his master that help -was coming. The man said that he thought he could pass the enemy -safely, but he would certainly be shot at from the msungu's camp if his -approach was heard, and that was a risk he did not care to run. With -some persuasion and the promise of a handsome present John induced the -messenger to try his luck, instructing him to make a big fire if he got -in safely, or if that was impossible through lack of fuel, to ask his -master to fire two shots in rapid succession. John would then endeavour -to enter the camp. He did not suppose, of course, that a reinforcement -of two would enable the besieged party to turn the tables on the -besiegers, but he hoped that his presence would be taken as an earnest -of help to come from Fort Hall, and would at least encourage the men to -hold out. - -The three waited until darkness covered the ground, having meanwhile -tethered the animals. Then the Baganda set off on foot just after seven -o'clock with a small bundle of food strapped to his back so as not to -encumber his movements. The minutes passed slowly; there was no sign -from the encampment; and after what seemed hours John ventured to strike -a match under cover of the bush and look at his watch. It was only -eight. But there had been time enough for the Baganda to have reached -the encampment, and John wondered what had happened to him. He did not -think he had been captured, for that would have been announced by a -shout or a shot. Only a few minutes after he had looked at his watch -there was a sudden bright glare in the direction of the encampment: one -flash and then darkness. This was followed by a confused murmur of -voices, and then by several irregular shots. At the same time two fires -were lighted, one on the north and the other on the south of the -encampment--a clear sign that the besiegers meant to hold their ground -during the night, the fires having been kindled to keep off wild beasts. -John guessed that the white man within the boma had adopted the flare as -a better signal than the one he had suggested; undoubtedly the Baganda -had reached the camp in safety. - -The problem now was to follow him without being detected. The flare had -shown John the exact direction in which he should go; but it had also -put the besiegers on the alert, though it was unlikely that they had any -suspicion at present of the meaning of the light. Luckily no fire had -been kindled on the west side of the camp, on which there was no gate, -and as the night was pitch dark, John hoped with care to escape the -notice of the savages. Leaving the animals tethered, he crept forward -with Coja, a little nervous lest he should stumble upon some obstruction -or go astray in the darkness. The plain was covered with grass up to -his knees, and here and there clumps of mimosa. As the two crept -forward the sky in front of them was momentarily lit up by another -flare. "He's got his wits about him, whoever he is," thought John. -Again he heard shots, but he could not tell whether they were fired -within or without the boma. The Baganda had not reported that the -besiegers had rifles: one or two of them, he said, had very old guns; -but the shots were evidently those of rifles, and John wondered whether -the besiegers had been reinforced during the day. - -The two men, making slow progress, and guided by the flares which were -shown at intervals, drew gradually nearer to the camp. Suddenly a flash -showed them a clump of bush between them and the boma, which John -guessed to be now about a hundred and fifty yards distant. They lay -flat in the grass until the flare had died down, then crept to the edge -of the bush, John hoping to find a speedy opportunity of making a dash -for the camp. Just as they reached the clump Coja stumbled over his -rifle, making a slight rustle among the grass. Instantly there was a -low call, apparently from the other side of the bush. A man was on the -watch there. "Speak to him," John whispered to Coja, who whispered back -that he did not know what tribe the man belonged to, and to speak might -be dangerous. John felt that the critical moment was come. He dared -not retreat: that would arouse suspicion: nor durst he stay inertly -where he was, for the man might come towards them. Yet to attempt to -dash past him across the open would be to risk a shot or a spear at such -close range that the chance of escape would be small, for though the -night was dark, there was enough glimmer from the stars to enable an -alert enemy to take aim, besides a reflected glow from the camp fires. -He made up his mind instantly to venture on a bold course. Whispering to -Coja to follow him closely, he wriggled as quietly as possible through -the bush, and came upon a man sitting on his haunches with a rifle or -musket across his knees, watching the boma. He half turned his head as -he heard the slight rustle of John's approach, but did not rise. -Dropping his rifle, John gathered himself together and sprang full upon -the man, throwing his left arm round his neck in a strangling embrace. -Before the captive could utter more than a gurgle, John's handkerchief -was stuffed into his mouth. Then in a swift whisper, while he still -held the savage firmly, John ordered Coja to take the man's weapon and -creep towards the boma. Giving him a minute's start, John suddenly -flung the man from him, seized his own rifle, and sprinted across the -open, overtaking Coja just as he reached the fence. At the same moment -a shout was raised from the rear: the sentry had apparently been too -much dazed to give the alarm before. Calling in Swahili and English to -warn the garrison of their presence, John and Coja stood at the boma, -looking vainly for a place to enter. There was an answering shout of -"This way!" They ran towards it, and after stumbling for a few seconds, -came to a narrow gap. John felt his hand grasped and was lugged into -the enclosure: Coja followed him; and they were barely inside when a -spattering volley of bullets tore through the thorn defences. - -"You did that jolly well," said a pleasant voice, and John was shaking -hands with a young man of about his own height. "Come and have a talk -in my blockhouse." - - - - -CHAPTER THE NINTH--A Rearguard Fight - - -The stranger led the way to the centre of the enclosure. - -"Here's my blockhouse," he said. "We've piled up the baggage, you see. -I say, you're a trump, you know. Are any more coming up?" - -"I sent word to Fort Hall, but that's seventy miles from here, and we -can't expect help for two or three days." - -"That's bad. We've been on short rations for a week and haven't got a -single full meal left. My men are as weak as rats, and I've had a knock -myself, as you see"--his right arm was in a sling--"so that if those -fellows outside pluck up their courage to make a rush I'm afraid we -shall be done for." - -"Not a bit of it," said John cheerfully. "How did you get hurt?" - -"An arrow made a gash in my forearm. I was in a bit of a funk at first; -my men said it was sure to be poisoned. But I'm all right so far: had -some antiseptic lotion, and the wound seems to be healing. My man told -you how we got into this mess, didn't he? We've had an awful time of -it; for six weeks on end had to fight and dodge these ruffians; and my -poor father----" - -"Yes, I'm very sorry," said John, as the other stopped. - -"What I can't make out," went on the young man presently, "is why these -fellows haven't rushed our boma. They were reinforced yesterday by six -or eight men with rifles, Swahilis, too, to judge by their dress, and as -I've only sixteen men left out of the forty we started with, and only -five have rifles (four deserted with rifles yesterday), we couldn't have -held out for an hour. There's a couple of hundred of them, I guess, and -a dozen or more have got rifles or else smooth-bore muskets, and those -at close quarters are just as dangerous as rifles, as we know to our -cost." - -He did not say, but John learnt afterwards, that it was probably his own -fearlessness and activity which had daunted the besiegers. He had had -to get assistance in loading his rifle, and could only fire from the -left shoulder; but as sure as one of the enemy showed himself within -range he became a target, and several had been accounted for during the -past few days. Having no doubt been informed by the deserters from his -safari, however, that provisions had run short, the besiegers were quite -content to play a waiting game. - -"What do you think we can do?" asked the stranger. - -John said nothing for a few moments: he was thinking hard. - -"I wish I could see your face," went on the other. "It's rather odd, -this--two fellows who don't know each other talking in the dark. I -don't even know your name." - -"Halliday," said John, adding with a laugh, as he struck a match; "take -a good look while the light lasts." - -By the feeble light each saw a clean-shaven face burnt almost the colour -of copper by the sun. - -"You aren't a bad-looking chap, and my name's Ferrier," said the -stranger. "Can we do anything, do you think?" - -A listener might have smiled at the quick transition from banter to -serious business. During the brief illumination, John had observed, how -thin and worn Ferrier looked, and it seemed to help him to make up his -mind. - -"Well," he said, "it's risky, but I vote we make a bolt for it." - -"Now?" asked Ferrier quietly. - -"No, but you'll do it, I can see. You don't say, 'How can we?' You -see, we can't expect help for two days at the least, and it may be much -more. You look worn out as it is, and another day without proper food -might do for you. But we can save time by fighting our way southward, -though it'll be a pretty risky business, as I said. The best time to -clear out will be just about dawn; the fellows outside will be dead -tired with watching and won't expect any movement then. With luck we -may get a mile or two away before they find out we've gone." - -"Why not start in the dark?" - -"Safer not, I think. We could easily be rushed in the darkness, and any -damage we might do among them wouldn't have half the moral effect it -would have in the light, because they couldn't see it. Now give me an -idea how the land lies round this place: I only saw it from the side I -came in at." - -"Well, there's bush pretty well all round, but the ground's clearest on -the east side. There's a gap in the bush there which would be the best -road." - -"We'll make for that, then. But look here, you're dead tired, and -you'll want all your strength to-morrow. Get a sleep: I'll see to -everything and wake you when the times comes. What are your men, by the -way? Swahilis?" - -"No, most of them are Bantus of one sort or another. I've got one -Swahili; he's headman; and two or three Wakikuyu, strapping fellows who -can shoot." - -"That's all right, then. Now go to sleep like a good chap, and don't -worry." - -It was so long since Ferrier had enjoyed a good night's rest that he -thankfully availed himself of the presence of a white man capable of -taking command. John immediately set about his preparations for the -sortie. He ordered the porters to make their loads ready as quickly as -possible, discarding everything that was heavy or cumbersome and likely -to impede rapidity of movement. Thinking over the position, he decided -that the best plan would be to issue from the boma on the east side as -if to pass through the gap. This movement, if detected, would probably -draw the enemy to both sides of the gap, where they would wait in the -bush, thinking they had the safari ambushed. But before reaching the -gap he proposed to turn sharp off to the right, seizing a tongue of -woodland jutting southward which he had noticed from his post of -observation in the wood. Beyond that he could not make any plans, but -must trust to the inspiration of the moment and the nature of the -ground. - -All preparations being made, John told the men to sleep. He would keep -watch until the moment for departure came. He walked round the -enclosure to make sure that no ammunition or anything else of value had -been left, inspected the spot where the boma had been cut to allow the -egress of the party, and then sat down on the tent, which it had been -decided to leave behind. - -Shortly before six o'clock he woke Ferrier, and Coja woke the men, who -shouldered their loads, and the whole party moved silently across the -enclosure. Some of the men removed the piece of the boma which had been -previously loosened, and John led the way out. There was a slight mist -over the ground, which favoured the escape. They had covered about two -hundred yards in safety when there was a loud shout from both the camps -of the enemy, proving that a determined watch had been kept, and that -their departure had been discovered. A few shots were fired, and John -caught sight of two or three black figures darting among the trees of -the wooded tongue towards which he intended to march; but the absence of -a general rush seemed to show that his anticipation was being justified, -and that the enemy were swarming from their camps to the two sides of -the gap. John threw himself down on a knoll and sent two or three shots -into the woodland to check any movement of the enemy to station -themselves there, which would be fatal to his plan. The result of his -firing was that the men who had been scouting there rushed away to join -their comrades in the bush skirting the gap. - -Now that the party was fairly out, John asked Ferrier to take the lead, -while he brought up the rear with Coja. Ferrier at first demurred to -this arrangement, protesting that the greatest danger would lie in the -rear, and he didn't see why he should not share in it. - -"You shut up," said John, with friendly brusqueness. "We haven't time -to argue. We can settle that afterwards. Don't go above a walking -pace: if they think we are bunking they will make a rush for us, and we -must avoid that at all costs. On you go: wheel to the right when you -come opposite the end of the wood." - -Ferrier obediently went on with the unarmed porters and his six men who -had rifles, including the one captured from the sentry, John and Coja -marching behind with the man who acted as messenger, turning every now -and then to guard against a rush, and not hurrying their pace though -shots were dropping at unpleasantly close quarters. There were loud -shouts from the enemy lining both sides of the gap when they saw the -safari suddenly sweep round to the right towards the spur of woodland. -Several men on the northern side at once broke cover and began to rush -across the gap. John saw that the best service he could do was to hold -this portion of the enemy's force in check until the woodland was -reached, and so reduce their striking strength. The question was, could -he and Coja and the one other man with him make things so hot for any of -the enemy who tried to cross the gap that they would hesitate until it -was too late? Another question which he dared not think about was -whether the men with Ferrier would be steady enough to meet the attack -from the southern portion of the enemy, which they could hardly escape. -Telling Coja and the Baganda to shoot steadily, he took aim from behind -a bush at the first man who crossed the gap, and dropped him. Coja -aimed at the man immediately behind, but missed. A second shot from -John, however, brought him down, and his companions, firing into the -midst of a group of half-a-dozen who were following their leaders, gave -a shout of delight when they saw two other men fall, and the rest -immediately turn tail and scamper at full speed back to cover. - -"Come on," cried John. - -Leaving the bush from behind which he had fired, he ran towards another -which would give still better cover and was at the same time slightly -nearer the enemy. The distance was about thirty yards, and several -shots were fired at them as they sprinted across. John felt a bullet -slap through his helmet, but no other hit was made, and they reached the -second bush safely. It afforded excellent cover against the enemy on -the north side of the gap, but would have been useless against any that -remained on the south side. These, however, had left their positions in -order to deal with the safari making for the woodland, since it was -plain to them that they would be at an immense disadvantage in the more -open bush if the copse were once gained. Indeed, if they had had the -courage and the quickness of perception to seize and hold this spur of -woodland, the fate of the safari would almost certainly have been -sealed. - -John, for the moment left unmolested, had time to look round, and saw -with delight that Ferrier and his men had disappeared among the trees. -But at the same time he realized that the enemy who had tried -ineffectually to head them off from the woodland were now free to attack -him, and there was a danger that he might be surrounded. The northern -end of the woodland was about a hundred yards from the bush at which he -had stationed himself, and there was no time to be lost if he was to get -out of harm's way. It was a straight run across the open. From his -experience of negroes' shooting he did not fear that a flying shot would -hit him except by accident; the only question was whether all three -could rush across the open space before they were intercepted by the -other section of the enemy. - -Since delay was dangerous he ordered the men to follow him at full -speed, and made a dash for the woodland. A few shots were fired at -them, but luckily the movement had not been seen by the men he had most -reason to fear, and by the time they were warned of it by the shouts of -their comrades beyond the gap the three runners were safe among the -trees. John felt that in the shelter of the wood the party might hold -out all day against an enemy who was so reluctant to come to close -quarters; but to be beleaguered in the wood would be no better than -their situation within the boma, and it was necessary to press on to the -south, both with the idea of lessening the distance between the safari -and the force of East African rifles or Protectorate Police which he -hoped was on the way from Fort Hall, and also of obtaining food. It was -not easy to see how the party could cross in safety the open country -south of the wood, and John felt the necessity of consulting with -Ferrier. Accordingly he hastened on towards him. - -Soon he came upon Ferrier's askaris, who informed him that their master, -having reached the extremity of the wood, had sent them back to assist -him. Ordering them to remain with Coja where they were and keep the -enemy in check if they showed any sign of advancing, he hurried on until -he reached Ferrier. After explaining how matters stood, he suggested -that Ferrier with the porters should hasten with all speed across the -open country until they reached the clump of trees in which he had left -his donkeys, about two miles away. The enemy would scarcely suspect -that the party would emerge from the wood into the open, and he felt -pretty sure that, reinforced by the rifles, he could keep them in play -until the safari had reached its goal. The course proposed was favoured -by the fact that the safari, by striking off in a south-westerly -direction, would soon be out of sight owing to the undulating ground. -Ferrier agreed to this plan, and John hurried back to the men. - -Nothing had happened during his absence. The enemy on the north side of -the gap had not yet plucked up courage to cross, and the rest were -apparently still lurking in the bush to the east of the stretch of -woodland. John led his men back to the southern end of this, where he -halted to watch the progress of the safari, and to assure himself that -its escape had not been noticed. - -From this position he saw, a quarter of a mile to the right, a mound -which would form an excellent defensive position in case he was -seriously attacked, and he determined to betake himself thither as soon -as the safari was out of sight. After waiting for a few minutes he saw -the enemy, who had no doubt become suspicious, at last swarm from the -further side of the gap and join their comrades. The combined force, -emboldened by numbers, emerged from the bush, and appeared to be -intending to make a dash upon the wood. John waited until they had come -within two hundred yards, and then gave the word to his men to fire a -volley. The effect was instantaneous. Several of the enemy fell; the -rest made all speed back under cover. Taking advantage of the repulse, -John ordered three of the men to rush to the mound, and as soon as they -had reached it, he followed them with the rest. The movement was seen -by the enemy, who, knowing now that the safari must have escaped them, -and probably suspecting that it had already taken refuge on the other -side of the mound, were at last impelled by their rage to make a -determined rush to the spot. John and his men were, however, so well -ensconced that their fire checked the advance, and the assailants, once -more baffled, fled back either into the wood or to their former position -in the bush. Twice they repeated the assault: each time they were -driven back; and though they came closer each time, and sent a shower of -arrows and bullets on to the mound, they were utterly unable to make an -impression, the little party of riflemen lying flat on their faces at -the top of the reverse slope, so that only their heads were exposed. -During the last rush, however, Coja, who was vastly excited at this -fight against odds, incautiously raised himself, and received a bullet -in the shoulder. John was a good deal concerned: the mere shock of such -an injury would have rendered a European helpless; but the African is -not so highly strung, and Coja went on all day with admirable fortitude. - -John chose the moment when an assault had just been repelled to evacuate -the mound, and keeping it between him and the enemy, to strike off to -the south-west, intending to make a circuit and rejoin Ferrier at the -clump of trees. He had marched for more than half a mile before the -meaning of the movement became plain to the enemy. Seeing the little -party now in the open, with no cover of any kind, the men set off with -loud cries to intercept them before they reached the clump of trees -which was the only shelter for miles. It was a race between the two -parties. John was north-west of the clump, the enemy due north, and -equidistant from it. Ferrier, who had reached the spot some time -before, and was watching eagerly his new friend's manoeuvres, fired an -occasional shot at the savages as soon as they came within range, but -his single rifle was unable to check the advance. It was fortunate that -John had somewhat easier ground than the enemy, sloping gently down to -the clump of trees. He ran as he had never run since he won the -quarter-mile in his school sports, and the negroes kept pace with him, -in the fierce heat of the sun. Ferrier saw that he was gaining on the -enemy, and shouted to encourage him. Another two hundred yards and he -would be safe. On he came: now he was several yards ahead of his men, -then they spurted and came up with him: and in another fifteen seconds -the whole party gained the wood, the enemy being no more than a hundred -yards away. - -Ferrier sent a shot among them which brought them to a halt. Even now -they might have overwhelmed the little party, for John and the men were -hot and breathless, and their limbs trembled so violently that for some -seconds they were unable to hold their rifles steadily. But Ferrier's -shot gave them the breathing-space they needed. Then all the rifles -spoke together. A gap was made in the halted throng of negroes; there -was a moment's hesitation; then with furious yells of rage and -disappointment they turned their backs upon the clump of trees, and ran -swiftly towards the distant bush. - -That was the last that was seen of them. John and the riflemen held the -wooded clump while the safari, taking the donkeys, pressed on to the -south. Then, when all danger of pursuit seemed at an end, he followed -in its track and overtook it within two hours. No pursuers being in -sight, he thought it safe to make a long halt for rest and food, both -badly needed by the whole party, and especially by Ferrier and his men. -Ferrier blessed John's forethought in bringing a quantity of food on the -donkeys. It was only sufficient for one meal, and that not a very good -one; but a little is a feast to men who are famishing, and there was -great contentment among the negroes as they baked little millet cakes at -their fires. When the march was resumed, John shot a wart-hog during -the afternoon, which he allowed the men to cook and eat there and then. -They camped for the rest of the day, building a thorn zariba and keeping -a careful watch all night. Early in the morning they went on again, and -passing through the friendly village and across the river, they came at -midday to the farm. John at once sent Ferrier's headman towards Fort -Hall to say that there was no longer any need of help. Then he -committed the negroes to the care of Lulu, doctored Coja's wounded -shoulder as well as he could, and asked Said Mohammed to use all his -skill in preparing dinner for his guest. - -"Your esteemed order shall be punctually attended to," said the Bengali. -"The honourable gentleman shall smack his lips and feel jolly well -bucked up. I will do him tiptop." - - - - -CHAPTER THE TENTH--Driving Sheep to Market - - -"I say, Halliday, you're in clover here," said Ferrier, as the two sat -smoking in the bungalow after Said Mohammed had made their hearts glad -with a capital dinner. "My grandfather made his pile ranching in -Manitoba, and you'll do the same here." - -John laughed. "We're not paying our way at present," he said, "and I -know my father grudged the money for his passage home again so soon. -He'll grudge it still more now that his journey has turned out useless, -and there are doctors' bills to pay in the bargain." - -The two young men had exchanged confidences during the latter part of -their march to the farm. Charles Ferrier's father had been called to -the Canadian bar, but he had never practised, his fortune being -sufficient to keep him and his family in something more than comfort, -and to pay for the sporting expeditions which were his real interest in -life. Charles, who was twenty years old, had just come down from the -McGill university, and his father had brought him to East Africa to -"give him a run," as he put it, before he settled down to work. - -"And his ambition for me was that I should enter the Canadian -legislature," said he, with a wry face. "It's not work much after my -mind; I'd prefer ranching like my grandfather. Poor father! D'you -think I ought to stick to his notion now that he's gone?" - -"I think every man should follow his own bent," said John. "The -mischief is we mayn't know till it's too late what our bent is. For -instance, I like this life out here, but I don't know I'll succeed at -it, and some day I may eat my heart out because I didn't take up law, as -my father wished. He's a good sort, and didn't urge it. Well, -khansaman, what is it?" he asked, as Said Mohammed entered. - -"Entreating your pardon, sir, Coja has made a discovery and is in an -excessive state of amazement, jolly well flabbergasted, as it were. He -declares that when you went on donkeys to visit the honourable gent you -took three rifles marked with initials D.H., but lo! when he examines -the weapons brought back, he finds four. Q.E.D." - -"That's rum, certainly," said John. "How did one of our rifles get into -the hands of your men, Ferrier? We took three, as Coja says. Your -messenger had one." - -"I don't know. Wait a bit, though: didn't you bring three rifles into -camp? Of course: you took one from the man you half throttled outside -our boma. But how could that be marked with your initials?" - -"Tell Coja to bring it here, khansaman," said John. "I've a suspicion, -Ferrier; we'll soon prove it." - -When Coja brought the rifle, John examined it carefully. It was a -Snider. - -"It's as I thought, Ferrier," he said. "This is one of the rifles run -off with by those porters of ours--the sweeps! I don't like the look of -it. Looks as though they've started an organized band of freebooters. -We shall have to report this at Fort Hall or Nairobi; perhaps you'll do -that. I suppose you'll be off to-morrow to get that arm of yours -properly attended to." - -"That's all right. It's beginning to heal, rather slowly though, and if -you can put up with me for a few days I'd like to stay here. Food and -rest is what I want more than doctors. Besides, if your deserters have -joined that pack of savages they may make a raid on you, and I'll be of -some use, even left-handed." - -"No, sah," said Coja, "bad man no come all dis way. Juma and dem -debbils, oh yes! but not de Embe, oh no! dey never live for come long -way." - -"Coja's right, Ferrier," said John. "By all accounts no natives will go -raiding more than twenty miles from their village, except the Masai, and -we haven't to deal with them. Juma and his Swahilis might come if they -dared, but they won't venture without support. That'll do, Coja. How's -your shoulder, by the way?" - -"Jolly fine, sah. Bill him give me stuff to put on, berry good magic." - -"There you are, Ferrier," cried John, laughing. "We've got a doctor on -the spot. Bill is a Wanderobbo we've made friends with, a little old -man who lives by himself and tells fairy-tales about a wonderful store -of ivory belonging to him in an enemy's country. He's by way of being a -herbalist, too, it appears. We'll have a look at his 'berry good magic' -by and by." - -The magic turned out to be a decoction of herbs which Bill had smeared -on Coja's wound, binding it up with leaves. He begged the new msungu to -make a trial of it, and Ferrier after some hesitation consented. His -wound healed more rapidly after the application, and Bill was delighted -with the present of a few cents--without doubt the first doctor's fee he -had ever earned. - -Ferrier remained for the present at the farm, his healthy constitution -soon reasserting itself after the strain of his recent experiences. His -father's death had left him his own master. He had an only sister -living with an aunt at Toronto, and he wrote to her and to the family -lawyers, relating what had happened, but saying nothing of his -intentions. The letters were entrusted to his porters, whom he -dismissed with the exception of three. On reaching Nairobi, the men -would take the train to Kisumu, and reach their homes in Uganda by -steamer across the Victoria Nyanza. - -It was more than a month since John had heard from his father. A few -days after Ferrier's arrival he received a note which made him very -angry. - -"I'm on the mend. Doctor says my leg couldn't have healed better if I -were ten years younger. Cousin Sylvia has been very good. Insists on -making reparation for the damage (financial and physical) she has done -me. 'Twas _her_ chauffeur, and _her_ motor-car, and so on. Upshot is -that as you're getting on so well I'm inclined to accept her invitation -of a run through the Continent. Will let you know when I sail. Cousin -Sylvia sends her love. - -"P.S. Glad to hear you got the lambing over well. Be sure and _don't -wean them too soon_." - -This apparently innocent note made John furious. - -"You see what it is!" he cried, striding up and down the room. "That -woman's got hold of him, and she'll marry him, and all our plans will be -spoilt by an old--old--I don't know what to call her. Sends her love, -indeed!" - -Seeing that John was in a passion, Ferrier wisely said nothing, and the -storm presently blew over. - -The presence of Ferrier at the farm solved John's difficulty about the -sheep and calves. He had rather more than 800 lambs altogether, of -which 450 rams were for sale, and might be expected to fetch about 90. -He had also fifteen calves, which might realize 1 each, and the 105 -thus gained would relieve his present anxieties and go far towards -defraying the second year's expenses. In addition to these, there was a -considerable weight of cheese to be taken to market. He had become so -chummy with Ferrier that he did not hesitate to mention to him the -difficulty about transporting the animals. - -"There's no difficulty at all," said the Canadian at once. "Take them -yourself. I'll stay here while you are gone. A rest will do me all the -good in the world. You must certainly leave a white man in charge, and -I've come in the nick of time." - -"It's jolly of you," said John. "I'd accept your offer in a moment if -it weren't for those blackguards who stole our rifles. It would be hard -lines on you if they came and attacked you while I was away." - -"They won't do it. You told me yourself that you'd sent Bill out to see -if he could discover their whereabouts, and he didn't hear anything of -them. Besides, if they do come we can defend ourselves. They didn't -show any eagerness to come to very close quarters with us, and I don't -doubt for a moment that with my men and yours--I suppose the Indians can -handle a rifle on occasion?--we could beat them off." - -"Very well, then: I'll chance it. I'll take Wasama and three men from -the village: his boy can look after the cattle here. I shall have to -hire another Masai to help when I get back: there's too much work for -two now. You'll find Bill a great help; I wish he would come and live -here, but he's an independent old boy and won't leave his little hut in -the wood." - -"Hadn't you better take him with you? Four men won't be enough for the -job. You must carry food and a tent, you know." - -"I didn't mean to take a tent. Why not camp in the open?" - -"You'd be rather sorry if it happened to rain." - -"But the rains aren't due for another month," objected John, looking at -his almanac. - -"I dare say not, but they may start a bit earlier, and if you think -you're going to get all those beasts to Nairobi in a week, or even two, -you're mistaken. Remember the streams to cross and the thorn bush to -get through. And you'll have to put a boma round the whole lot every -night, and that will be a long job with so few men. You'll need twenty -at the very least, my boy, so make up your mind for it. Ask Wasama." - -John had in fact felt some misgiving lest the party he proposed to take -should not be strong enough to guard the animals against wild beasts, or -natives who chanced to be hostile or predatory; but he was so anxious to -economize that he had stilled his doubts. When Wasama backed up -Ferrier's point, he yielded to the inevitable, and engaged fifteen more -men in the village. Ferrier insisted on his taking the three Uganda men -he had retained out of his safari, because they were not only trained -porters, but very fair shots. John wished he had a horse to ride, or at -least a mule, not caring about donkey-rides: but Ferrier chaffed him on -his singular regard for appearances, and he decided at last to mount the -best of the donkeys. - -One fine September day the safari set off, numbering twenty in all. Coja -was very much depressed at not being able to accompany his master, but -his wound was not yet sufficiently healed. The start was watched by the -whole community, and as John rode off in the rear of the caravan he felt -sure he heard Said Mohammed's high-pitched voice quote, "The lowing herd -winds slowly o'er the lea," and proceed to a recitation of the Elegy. - -John had had an inkling of the difficulties of droving, but the reality -turned out to be immeasurably worse than the anticipation. The animals, -being young, could not be driven hard; their pace at the best was two -miles an hour, and often less than one, and as frequent halts were -necessary, the longest day's march did not exceed eight miles. The -obstacles which had given only amusement or excitement on the journey -from Nairobi caused exasperation now. There were many streams to cross, -and it was often difficult to induce the sheep to face them. Sometimes -they were almost invisible in the long grass, and when they came among -thorny bush, the men had to use their knives freely in hacking a path -for the beasts, causing hours of delay. For the first week all went -fairly well. The bleating of the sheep attracted hyenas, but by dint of -great vigilance and activity they were kept off, and only two sheep were -seized. In crossing one stream Wasama had a narrow escape from the jaws -of a crocodile; but the water in most ran so low after the dry season -that it was easy to examine the beds and avoid danger of this kind. - -On the eighth night, however, John was awakened by the pattering of rain -on his tent. It poured in torrents, and when he got up in the morning -he found half-a-dozen sheep stretched lifeless on the sodden earth. It -was still raining at the usual time for starting, and the animals could -not be induced to move, but turned their backs to the wind and huddled -together in a compact mass. The weather cleared about ten o'clock, and -then a start was made; but the safari had only been an hour on the road -when another downpour checked them. So it continued all day--drenching -rain, with brief intervals of sunshine. John persevered, taking -advantage of every bright period to move on a little farther; but when -the rain finally ceased in the evening he found that during the whole -laborious day he had not covered more than about three miles. Some of -the sheep had lagged terribly, and it was quite dark when the last of -them came into camp, and before they could all be got within the boma a -couple of hyenas sprang among them out of the surrounding bush and -killed several. - -This was only the beginning of trouble. It rained nearly every night, -and every night some of the sheep died. The streams were much swollen -and flowed so swiftly that it was only with the utmost difficulty that -the men prevented the animals from being washed away. One river took -two hours to cross, each individual animal having to be passed over from -hand to hand. At another the current was so rapid that it seemed -hopeless to attempt to cross it at all, until John, with a good deal of -risk, managed to swim over slantwise with a rope, which he fastened to a -tree on the further bank. With the help of this, every man and beast -was got across safely, but with such an expenditure of labour that all -were thoroughly exhausted. That night, to add to John's misfortunes, -his donkey was killed by a hyena, and he was in a state of miserable -depression when he started to resume his journey. - -The one satisfactory feature of the march was that the natives met _en -route_ had been friendly. The food was exhausted when the safari had -been ten days on the road, but they had no difficulty in purchasing -muhindi or cassava at the villages. John's rifle provided all necessary -meat, and at one stream he shot a crocodile, the flesh of which was -highly prized by his men. But the very friendliness of the people -became a source of anxiety. They offered their services in helping to -drive the animals, and at the end of a day when they had apparently been -very useful, John found that six sheep had mysteriously disappeared. He -blamed Wasama for not warning him of the thievish propensities of the -volunteer drovers, much to the surprise of the Masai, who said he -thought everybody knew that a man would take what he could get if he had -the chance. After that, John refused all assistance, however generously -it was pressed upon him, and kept a sharp eye on the natives who hung -about the flanks of the safari. With all his vigilance he lost a dozen -more sheep and a fine bull calf by theft, and he began despairingly to -wonder whether he would have any animals left by the time he arrived in -Nairobi. - -But everything comes to an end. One day, nearly four weeks after -leaving the farm, he caught sight of the chimney-stack of the Nairobi -locomotive works in the distance. Five hours later he trudged wearily -into the town, conscious that he presented a deplorable and disreputable -appearance. His clothes were torn and dirty; the sole of his right boot -had parted from the upper and flapped as he walked, while that of the -left boot had gone altogether, and he trod on his sock. He felt -thoroughly knocked up, and after he had seen his animals safely penned, -he could hardly drag himself to Mr. Gillespie's house. To his surprise -nobody in the streets seemed to pay the least attention to his -appearance; he supposed that such sights were not uncommon; and Mr. -Gillespie did not start back with the look of horror which in his -self-consciousness John had expected. The coffee-planter greeted him -warmly, but had no sooner taken him to his room than he whipped out a -clinical thermometer and stuck it into John's mouth. - -"Thought so," he said, when he examined it. "You've a touch of fever, -and no wonder. You'll go straight to bed, my boy. We'll have a talk in -the morning." - -After a hot bath, John was tucked up between the blankets and dosed with -quinine by Mrs. Gillespie, and he fell asleep with a happiness and a -sense of security to which he seemed to have been a stranger for years. - -He was better in the morning, but Mr. Gillespie would not allow him to -quit his bed. - -"You just leave it to me," he said when John protested that he must see -about selling his animals. "I'll go and take a look at them. You won't -sell them for a day or two: they'll be all the better for a rest. I've -just heard from your father, by the way. He's a gay old dog, upon my -word, gadding about on the Continent. You must have written glowing -accounts of the farm, or he'd have been back before this. I dare say -there's a letter for you by the same mail: you'll find it when you get -back. And how do you like ranching, eh?" - -They had a long talk, and Mr. Gillespie said he thought he had done very -well for the first year. He laughed when John related the incidents of -his march. - -"You'll get used to it," he said. "It's rather disheartening at first, -but you may think yourself lucky the natives didn't bother you. When I -first came out here ten years ago I had a running fight with one of the -tribes for a week, and lost practically everything I possessed. Things -are safer now." - -John told him about the desertion of Juma with the rifles, and the -plight from which he had rescued Ferrier. - -"That's unpleasant," said Mr. Gillespie. "If you take my advice you'll -go back by way of Fort Hall and report to the District Commissioner. He -may be disposed to send a company of the Protectorate police to deal -with the ruffians. I'm afraid it's not a big enough job for the King's -African Rifles. Probably they won't trouble you again, however. Their -ammunition will soon be exhausted, and they can't get any more." - -John remained in Nairobi for a week. He found that he had lost -fifty-two sheep and one calf, besides his donkey; but Mr. Gillespie said -that the animals were a healthy lot, and handed over 1500 rupees as the -proceeds of the sale. The cheese fetched 100 rupees. John banked the -greater part of the money, keeping a little to buy new clothes for -himself, a few articles for the farm, and a fresh stock of "trade" for -the payment of his native workers. Then, feeling that Ferrier might be -growing uneasy at his long absence, he set off one day with his safari -on the return journey, feeling pretty well satisfied with the tangible -result of his first year's labours. - -He went by way of Fort Hall, as Mr. Gillespie had suggested. He found -it to be only a fort in the sense in which that word was used to -describe the stations of the Hudson's Bay Company in the Far North. A -substantial house perched on a hill, with a solid stone wall and a ditch -around it, the flag of the Protectorate flying from a staff in the -compound, a few huts and houses, a jail, and an Indian bazaar: that was -Fort Hall. The Commissioner received him hospitably, and listened -attentively to his story. - -"Well, Mr. Halliday," he said, "the tribesmen certainly ought to be -taught a lesson: in fact, they clearly have been taught a lesson. I -don't know that I can do anything. I got your message, of course, but -had no men available. You see, we don't care to start police -expeditions if we can avoid it. It means great expense, and we want all -our funds for peaceful development. Of course if you hadn't already -given them a dressing we should have had to do something; but I fancy -you've given them a fright, and they won't bother you again. You're -rather far away, and a few years ago you would have had a very hot time -there; but there are signs all over the country that the natives are -settling down peaceably under our government, and the moral effect of -the crushing of the Masai rebellion has been enormous. Let me know at -once if you have any further trouble." - -The interview left John with the impression that he could expect little -assistance from the officials. In this he probably did them an -injustice. It is not altogether harmful that the settler should be -self-reliant. - - - - -CHAPTER THE ELEVENTH--Rhinoceros and Lions - - -"I'm jolly glad you're back, old man," said Ferrier, as John marched in -one day at the head of his safari. "Began to think you were lost. How -did you get on?" - -"Splendidly," said John, cheerful after his quick journey home. "That -is, pretty well; in fact" (as his memory and his sense of veracity -awoke) "I had the rottenest time I ever had in my life. That sounds a -bit of a muddle, I know, but I'll tell you all about it presently. How -have things been going here?" - -"Splendidly: that is, pretty well; and I'm glad you're back in time to -prevent me from having the rottenest time I've ever had in my life. It's -just short of that at present." - -"What! Have those blackguards been bothering you?" - -"Worse! Lions!" - -"Oh! Is that it? I don't know that they're worse than the natives, -though." - -"Yes, they are, because it doesn't come to a fair stand-up fight. -They're cowardly, skulking brutes, and so disgustingly clever." - -John laughed at Ferrier's aggrieved tone and look. - -"Well, I'll get a bath and a feed, and then we'll talk it over," he -said. "I hope our people have behaved well?" - -"Oh yes! Lulu has been a mother to me--at a distance, of course; and -Said Mohammed has been a delight three times a day. But go and get your -bath; you'll stand here talking for ever." - -Half-an-hour later John, having changed into a suit of white drill, was -sitting at table with Ferrier in the little dining-room of the bungalow. -It struck him as rather bare and cold-looking after Mr. Gillespie's -comfortable rooms, and he resolved, if things went well the second year, -to buy a few bits of furniture. - -"It wants a woman, you know," said Ferrier. "She'd rig up some curtains -and make things look cheerful in no time. But you'll never get a woman -to live among lions." - -"Verree true, sir--excuse the liberty," remarked Said Mohammed, as he -handed the fish. "A lion among ladies is a most dreadful thing; for -there is not a more fearful wild-fowl than your lion living." - -"That's how he goes on," said Ferrier, exploding when the Bengali had -gone for the joint. "That's Shakespeare; next time it'll be Milton." - -"Did Shakespeare write that rubbish about the wild-fowl?" - -"Why, that's the excellent Nick Bottom in _Midsummer Night's Dream_!" - -"Never read it: we only did _Julius Csar_ and _Henry V_. But tell me -what's happened." - -"Nothing, for three weeks, except rain. My word, didn't it come down! -I'm sorry to say some of the sheep died until we thought of covering -them up at night. But a week ago I heard a lion roaring in the night, -and in the morning a calf was gone. Last night it was two sheep. The -boma's not a bit of good to keep them out. Why don't you put up some -wire fencing?" - -"It's expensive, but I will by and by." - -"The lion got clear away the first time, but last night I was roused by -the commotion among the animals, and managed to get a shot as he was -slinking off: it was bright moonlight. I'm afraid I missed: my right -arm isn't fit for much even yet. I wanted Bill to go and hunt him with -me; but he wouldn't. I suppose he won't visit us again now you've come -back: Coja said he's sure the lion's an afreet, which is devil, I -suppose, and knows when the coast is clear." - -"I rather fancy he finds other game scarce in this rainy weather. It's -much easier to break into the boma than to hunt game in the open, and I -expect now that he's tasted blood again and got back his confidence we -shall have some more trouble. We shall have to tackle him." - -"If you excuse me, sir," put in Said Mohammed, so respectfully that John -could not resent the indiscretion, "I will tell you of the machinations -of my prophetic soul my uncle. He has a small property in the -Sunderbunds; choice site, excellent amenities, et cetera. There lurks -the tiger, tiger burning bright. In my childhood innocence I resided -with my avuncular relative, and he being a great shikari I saw some A1 -sport. I should esteem it a privilege to be allowed to give you a leg -up in hunting the abominable creature. The sahibs in general have -derogatory opinion of us Bengalis; but I am a Socialist, gentlemen, in -so far as believing in equality of chances, and I am cocksure that if -only I get a look in I shall prove to demonstration that I am full of -both grit and beans." - -"All right, khansaman, I'll give you a rifle and you shall come with us -when we go after the beast. It may be rather exciting." - -"A regular beano," said Ferrier, sotto voce. "But I want to hear all -about your droving, Halliday." - -John gave him a running account of his experiences, which were more -amusing in retrospect than in actuality. They spent the rest of the day -in going over the farm together. John was very well pleased with the -signs of progress he saw everywhere. The sheep and cattle looked -healthy; the second crops were in good condition; and the only failures -among all the vegetables he had planted were the onions and artichokes, -which had produced too much stalk and gave no indication of fruiting. - -That night a lion broke in and carried off a ram. John was too late to -get a shot at the beast, and next day was too much occupied about the -farm to go in search of it. But when Wasama came in with the sheep, -somewhat earlier than usual, and reported that he had seen a black-maned -lion with his mate on the edge of the bush, John determined to go out -after them at once. It was the first time lions had been seen by day, -and this sign of growing boldness convinced him that it was high time to -attempt reprisals. He was accompanied by Ferrier and Said Mohammed with -two of the Baganda, but by the time they reached the bush the lions had -disappeared, leaving, however, a trace of their depredations in the -freshly-picked bones of the stolen sheep. Roars were again heard at -night, and John kept watch with Ferrier in anticipation of another -visit; but as had happened before, no lions appeared, and they turned in -towards morning very much disgusted. - -Next day John sent for Bill and asked him to lead them over the track of -the lions. Meat was required for the larder, and he had determined to -combine game-shooting with a lion hunt. News of his arrangements was -carried to the village by one of the women working on the farm, and just -as he was setting off, a dozen men arrived and begged to be allowed to -join the party, their motive being probably a desire for excitement -mingled with the hope of sharing the spoils. John's policy being to -keep on good terms with them, he made no objection, and shortly after -ten the party set off, consisting of the two white men with Bill, Said -Mohammed (very proud in the possession of a rifle), and the three -Baganda, the villagers following at a distance. - -Business coming before sport, Bill led the party along the river-bank -where he expected to find the tracks of animals which had come down to -drink. The proximity of the farm had had the effect of scaring -antelopes and gazelles and the timider animals away from the -neighbourhood. Already John had had to go farther afield for game than -in the early days of the farm a year before. The Wanderobbo found his -way among the dense vegetation by following old hippo paths, which -crossed and recrossed in what seemed to the wasungu hopeless confusion. -But he came after some miles to a region where there was an abrupt gap -in the larger trees: a fairly wide and recent hippo path led through the -tall grass on the crest of the river-bank; and the party began to be on -the alert for game. - -Suddenly Bill halted and took a backward leap which nearly landed him in -the arms of John. - -"Faro! faro!" he cried excitedly, and on John asking where the -rhinoceros was, he pointed a few yards ahead, where, almost hidden by -the grass, lay a huge bull animal right across the path, and apparently -asleep. The white men had brought only their double-barrelled rifles, -which were not the best of weapons for shooting rhinoceros, and John, -having no licence for such big game, though Ferrier had, ordered the -natives to shout, hoping that this would scare the beast away. When it -remained unmoved he went to the river-bank on the right, and breaking -off some clods of earth, flung them at the slumberous creature, which -completely blocked the way. But this proving ineffectual ("It's like -shooting peas at a Dreadnought" said John) there was nothing for it but -to try a rifle shot. - -Ferrier went forward, cocked his rifle and fired, aiming at the brain; -but though he was ordinarily a dead shot, his right arm had not yet -fully recovered, and he missed. The rhinoceros was now thoroughly -awake; snorting angrily, he sprang to his feet with extraordinary -nimbleness for so unwieldy a brute, and after a glance round came -charging full at Ferrier. He fired his second barrel, and this time -hit; but the shot had no effect except to make the beast more furious, -and Ferrier turned and bolted for his life. All the other members of -the party except John had turned tail and fled away shrieking at the -first moment of the animal's rising. John, licence or no licence, let -fly with both barrels in rapid succession; whether he hit or not he -could not tell; certainly he failed to check the charging beast, which -made with lowered head straight for Ferrier. - -All this had happened in a few seconds. Ferrier was running hard, but -it was clear that the rhinoceros must soon overtake him, and John knew -that one blow from those terrible horns would inflict a fatal gash. His -hand shaking with nervous anxiety, he reloaded, but when he lifted the -rifle to his shoulder he saw that he could not strike a fatal spot, the -animal being directly between him and his friend. He ran after them, -hoping for some chance to give him a shot. At this moment Ferrier -became aware that the rhinoceros was almost within tossing distance, and -leaving the path made a sudden swerve to the right, plunging into the -long grass. The animal immediately turned to pursue him, for the first -time presenting his flank to John. It was a ticklish moment. John knew -that his friend's life probably depended on his coolness. He steadied -himself, took aim at a spot behind the beast's shoulder, and fired. He -heard the thud of the bullet, but for a moment feared it had not -penetrated the tough hide. The rhinoceros made a half-turn as if to -charge his new assailant, and John, glad that he had at least diverted -the pursuit from Ferrier, was preparing to fire his second barrel when -the great form staggered, recovered itself, made two tottering strides, -and then fell over on its side. - -The air was rent with jubilant shouts as the natives emerged from their -hiding-places in the grass and ran towards the prostrate beast. They -started back in affright when it made a last convulsive effort to rise. -John put it out of pain with another shot, and the natives surrounded it -and immediately set about cutting it up. - -"Thanks, old man," said Ferrier, coming up. "That's the second time." - -"I say, what's the penalty for shooting a rhino without a licence?" -cried John, to cover his embarrassment. - -"The same as if you shot an armed burglar breaking into your house: the -thanks of every honest man for ridding the world of a villain." - -Said Mohammed, who had watched the incident from a safe distance, -wondered that two young men should talk so strangely at a time when they -ought to have been overcome with emotion. That is the English way. -John had once seen M. Perrichon in the play fling his arms round his -preserver's neck and weep with gratitude. "What sickening rot!" he had -said. "Come and have an ice." - -While the natives were cutting up the rhinoceros, the others marched on. -They had no need to shoot more for the larder; there was at least a ton -of meat on the huge carcase, which would last for several days. It was -now a question of finding the track of lions. John went ahead with -Bill, Ferrier walking with Said Mohammed a few yards behind. The -Bengali was talking, and his high-pitched voice carried well in the -crisp, clear air. John heard him say-- - -"In my humble opinion, sir, backed by inestimable experience in the -Sunderbunds, it was deplorable error of judgment to bunk. My uncle, -sir, on that never-to-be-forgotten occasion when I shed the light of my -countenance on his tiger-hunt, he put the tiger to dumbfounder and -flight--how, sir? By standing firm as a rock, 'without or life or -motion,' as the poet Coleridge beautifully says, and staring with -unflinching gaze into the opposing optics. Moreover and in addition, he -recited with unfaltering lips the words of a charm he had learnt from -some old cock of a jogi--you have no word for that in your lovely lingo, -sir, but, without disrespect, I might say parson. Tableau! Exit tiger. -Triumph of mind over matter. 'He held him with his glittering eye,' et -cetera." - - "'The man recovered from the bite, - The dog it was that died,'" - -quoted Ferrier. - -"Oliver Goldsmith, sir," cried the Bengali delightedly, "who wrote like -an angel but talked like poor Poll. I esteem it a glorious privilege to -hold communion, even in humble capacity of cook and bottle-washer, with -gentleman of literary taste and elegant extracts." - -The river-bank had descended until the path was almost level with the -surface of the water, and passed several patches of reeds which Bill -negotiated warily, saying that any one of them might harbour a lion. The -white men followed him with growing excitement, and John confessed he -felt rather nervous, not knowing but that a lion might at any moment -spring up at their feet. He stole a glance at Said Mohammed, and -exchanged a smile with Ferrier as he saw that the cook looked decidedly -jumpy. Far in the rear came the villagers, eager not to miss the sport, -and yet fearful to approach too near. - -All at once Bill halted and bent towards the ground. There were the -unmistakable pug marks. Following the track with his eyes, but without -moving from the spot, after a few moments he stretched out his spear -towards a clump of trees about a hundred yards ahead, whispering, -"Simba!" Neither John nor Ferrier could at first distinguish the lion, -but presently two lionesses sprang out of the undergrowth, and made off -with long low bounds across the plain. For a moment the white men -watched their graceful movements with admiration, forgetting that these -were the pests they had come out to slay. Then they set off in pursuit. -But they had not advanced three paces when a huge black-maned lion -showed his head among the bushes, snarling angrily. He stared at the -strangers for a moment or two, then turned with another growl and -trotted after his mates. - -"Come along," said John excitedly. "We can't get a fair shot at him -yet." - -They set off at a run, not troubling about Bill or Said Mohammed, who -followed at a discreet distance. They gained on the beast, but after -running some three hundred yards found themselves rather short of wind, -owing to the fact that they were in rarefied air at least 6000 feet -above sea-level. - -"We shall spoil our aim if we get puffed," said Ferrier. "Better go -slow." - -At this moment, however, the lion halted behind a tree, as if to check -the pursuit of the lionesses, and stood watching the huntsmen, growling -in a very threatening way. He seemed disinclined to budge, so John lay -down on the path, and bringing his rifle to his shoulder, covered the -huge head. - -"Confound it, look how my hand wobbles," he whispered to Ferrier. "I -can't fix the sight on him. Be ready to shoot if I miss or just sting -him, for he'll fly at us like the wind." - -He steadied his arm and pulled the trigger. The fierce head instantly -dropped out of sight, and the air was filled with such appalling roars -that John hastily fired the second barrel, in the hope of finishing the -beast before he could charge. He had to aim by guess-work, and fired -half-a-dozen shots before the roaring ceased. - -"Now the others," cried John, shouting to the Wanderobbo to keep his eye -on the spot. - -He ran forward with Ferrier towards the lionesses, which had halted a -quarter of a mile away, and could just be seen above the grass. At the -men's approach they cantered off, and though the chase was kept up for -nearly a mile, they always got to cover before the pursuers came within -effective range, and finally disappeared among a large patch of reeds by -the river, whence it was hopeless to attempt to dislodge them. - -"Better luck next time," said John, as they retraced their steps. "You -shall have first shot, Charley." - -Returning towards the spot where the lion had been shot, they found that -Bill had deserted his post. He was standing in the middle of the path -with Said Mohammed, a good hundred yards away from any bushes or trees. -The natives were chattering at a little distance. - -"Why didn't you do as I told you?" cried John, vexed at the possibility -of having lost his quarry. - -"Conscience made a coward of him, I fear, sir," said Said Mohammed. - -"Well, go and see if you can find the lion. Get the natives to help. I -don't know which tree it was we shot him at," he added to Ferrier, "but -I'm not going back without his head." - -The party split up and made a systematic search, the natives beating the -bush and long grass thoroughly with their spears. At last one of them -shouted that he had found the simba, instantly running away from the -spot at the top of his speed. There was no growling to be heard, -however, so plucking up his courage he returned to the place with his -comrades. When John reached them, he found the men grouped a yard or -two from the lion's tail, jabbering in much excitement. The beast was -stretched on his side, but John was surprised to see by the heaving of -his flanks that he was not yet dead. Judging that the chatter of the -men would have roused him if he had been able to rise, John went towards -his head, but the moment the lion caught sight of him he uttered a -terrible roar and to John's amazement sprang to his feet. Stepping -hastily backward, John stumbled against Said Mohammed, who, believing -like every one else that the beast was helpless, had become bold. The -Bengali went down like a ninepin. John recovered his footing with an -effort, and raising his rifle, fired at the lion at a range of four -yards; but he was too hurried and agitated to take a careful aim, and -the shot merely had the effect of throwing the infuriated animal on his -haunches as he prepared to spring. - -All this had happened so quickly that Ferrier, who had been beating the -bush in the opposite direction from John, had not yet come up. The -sudden flight of the villagers apprised him that something was wrong, -and as he hurried to the spot he was horrified at the sight that met his -gaze. Man and beast seemed only a yard apart. He dared not shoot for -fear of hitting John, and seeing that the shot had but momentarily -checked the animal, he had given up his friend for lost when, as by a -miracle, a sudden diversion occurred. The lion was leaping on John, who -fired his second barrel with shaking hand and missed, when Said Mohammed -scrambled to his feet and flew down the path, shrieking at the top of -his voice. As if supposing that this white-clad yelling creature was -his worst enemy, the lion changed the direction of his spring, almost -grazing John as he fell, and bounded off after the Bengali, with such -enormous leaps that escape seemed impossible. John hastily reloaded and -fired, but he was trembling from head to foot; a mist seemed to rise -before his eyes; and his shot went very wide of the mark. By the time -Ferrier reached his side the chase seemed over; they thought that -nothing could save the unlucky Indian. But when almost within the -brute's clutches, Said Mohammed with the desperation of terror made a -sudden jump to the right towards the river, as if intending to fling -himself into it. The lion swerved after him, presenting his flank to -the anxious spectators. Quick as thought Ferrier raised his rifle and, -just as the beast was midway in his final spring, brought him down with -a bullet through the heart. - -[Illustration: "Ferrier raised his rifle, and brought him down with a -bullet through the heart."] - -John heaved a deep sigh of relief. - -"Good man!" he said. "But what on earth is the fellow up to?" - -Next moment both he and Ferrier were shaking their sides with laughter, -almost hysterical now that the tension was relaxed. The Bengali, too -much overcome with terror to be aware of his safety, was scrambling up a -thorn tree with an agility that would have done credit to a slimmer man. -Up he went, frantically swinging himself from bough to bough. Half way -up he lost his puggaree, snatched from his head by a long spike, and -every stage of his ascent was marked by little bits of his white cotton -dhoti left clinging to the branches. For some moments John was helpless -with laughter, but at last he managed to shout to Said Mohammed to come -down, for the beast was dead. The shout only made him climb the faster, -nor did he stop until he was perched on the topmost branch, his white -robe flapping in tatters about him. Nothing would induce him to budge -until the lion's head had been cut off, to be carried back to the farm -as a trophy. Then he descended, much more slowly than he had mounted, -and with a piteous effort to regain his dignity that was too much for -John and Ferrier, who turned their backs so that he should not see their -amusement. - -These excitements were considered enough for one day, and the party set -off for home, the natives carrying the lion's head and shouting a song -of triumph. John said nothing to Said Mohammed until he thought his -composure was restored. Then he said-- - -"I owe you my life, khansaman. It was very plucky of you to draw the -lion after you, and I shan't forget it.--Shut up!" he whispered to -Ferrier, who emitted a sort of gurgle. - -A gratified smile stole across the Bengali's face. - -"I am quite bucked, sir," he said. "Your words are sweeter than honey. -When your honoured parent returns to this vale of woe, my heart will be -in my mouth when I say to him: 'Lo! here is your progeny, whom I, Said -Mohammed, failed B.A. of Calcutta University, saved from the jaws of the -lion. If I had not been on the spot he would have been absolutely up a -gum-tree.'" - -Ferrier guffawed. - -"Why didn't you do as your uncle did in the Sunderbunds?" he asked -presently, unable to resist the temptation of a sly dig at the failed -B.A. - -"The absence of one ingredient, sir, spoils the sauce. It was rotten -nuisance, but I forgot _in toto_ the words of the charm." - - - - -CHAPTER THE TWELFTH--The Sack of the Farm - - -At breakfast on the day after the lion-hunt Ferrier, who was silent and -seemed embarrassed, said suddenly-- - -"I say, old boy, d'you know I've been here nearly two months?" - -"What! Getting tired of it?" said John, with a smile. - -"Not a bit; only--well, to put it straight, I've been here so long that -I ought to pay for my keep." - -"Rot!" - -"I mean it. It's all very well to be your guest for a week or two, and -I'm jolly comfortable, but to hang on like this--no, really, I ought to -pay something to help keep the pot boiling." - -"Now look here, Charles Ferrier, you're a very good sort, but I'm hanged -if I stand that. If there's any talk of pay, I ought to pay you for -your services. Five weeks in charge while I was droving--name your -figure. Rounding up strayed cattle; looking after the natives--how much -that lot? You do far more in a day than any hired man, as I believe you -call 'em in your part of the world." - -"Well, I like it, and I've nothing else to do; in fact, I've a great -mind to settle about here myself, and I would, like a shot, if it -weren't for Hilda. I'm afraid it wouldn't do to bring her among the -lions, as your khansaman said. But here I am, learning all about it on -the cheap, and with no responsibility." - -"Look here, we'll leave it at that. I'm very glad of your company, to -say nothing of your help, and as by the look of it that misguided father -of mine has been hooked, and the widow must be rolling in money, I don't -suppose we shall see him back here. He'll settle down in Park Lane, and -die before his time of overfeeding. You stay on as long as you like, -and if you're getting experience, I'm getting your services, so we'll -cry quits." - -So it was left. The two young fellows shared in the management of the -farm. They found their time pretty fully occupied, and a portion of a -letter which John wrote to his father a week or two later may be quoted -as showing how affairs at the farm were progressing. - -The rains have stopped, and I've got all the planting done. I'm trying -some radish and rhubarb this season; also carrots, which Mr. Gillespie -told me are good for the cattle. By the way, that bull we called Moses -because he's fierce, is off his feed; I don't know what's wrong with -him, and you might send me Barton's book on common ailments. I don't -suppose you'll find a copy in Geneva, or wherever you are now, but if -you're not too busy to send a card in London, I dare say I'll get it -when Moses is dead. - -"That'll touch him up, Charley; he'll think Moses would be all right if -he were here." - -I bought a few fat-tailed sheep from old Sobersides (the chief of the -neighbouring village) the other day. He got them, he says, from a party -of Rendili who were driven south of the Waso Nyiro by the drought in -their own country. I don't suppose it's true, for Coja tells me the -Rendili live a big long way beyond the mountain, and we've seen nothing -of them. - -Sobersides tells us, too, that a gang of Swahilis have established -themselves somewhere north of Kenya, and are raiding the surrounding -tribes. As they've got guns, I bet they're that sweep Juma and his -crew. That's all we've heard of them since we licked them. - -Ferrier is still here; says he's in loco parentis, and won't leave me -till you return to your duties. I wonder if you tell the widow's -children that you're in loco parentis? - -The lions have been quiet lately, since Said Mohammed saved my life; but -as the mistris had next to nothing to do and were getting too fat, I -have set them to build a stronger boma, of stout poles fastened together -with transverse logs. That ought to keep the beasts out; at any rate it -will give the place more the look of a respectable stockyard. - -I wish you'd ship a few merinos for cross-breeding. Our half-breeds -aren't much good for wool. The May lambs were born with long coarse -hair, though they grew a poor sort of wool at three months. Wasama -doesn't like the woolled sheep; he says they're not like the sheep of -his country, and persists in believing that the first woolled beasts -were the offspring of lions and hyenas. What ignorance! as old Martha -used to say. - -Out shooting the other day we saw a herd of zebras, and Ferrier has got -a mad idea of catching some of the foals and taming them. We may try it -if we come across them again, so don't be surprised if you see us riding -to meet you on striped chargers. You, I expect, will be wearing striped -trousers, light gloves, and a new silk topper. - -The failed B.A. is a perpetual joy. His latest. Ferrier found a hair -in his soup the other night. "Accept humble apologies, sir," says Said -Mohammed, as he took it away. "In such circs. I can best cheer you up -by reminding you of a verse of the little but divine Alexander Pope: -'And beauty draws us with a single hair.'" That may appeal to you, dad. - -I hope your leg is all right, and you're enjoying yourself. _I've_ got -to work for my living. - -One day the younger Masai, who had taken a flock of sheep out to graze -at the extreme west of the estate, came rushing in breathless and -reported with intense excitement that the sheep had been driven off by -some men who had pounced suddenly out of the bush. One was a Swahili, -the rest negroes. They had carried him along with them for some -distance and then let him go. - -"How many were they?" asked John. - -"Eight," replied the boy. "One had a gun." - -"Which way did they go?" - -The boy pointed to the west. - -"We can tackle eight, Charley. Coja, saddle up the two best donkeys and -bring us our rifles. This is something new, Charley. I wonder if it's -our friend Juma again?" - -"Rum thing, their letting the boy go, don't you think?" said Ferrier. -"They must know we'll be after them, especially if the Swahili is Juma; -it's not the first time you've chased him." - -"He reckons on getting away, or on our not finding the trail, I suppose. -We'll take Bill with us." - -But when, riding their donkeys hard, they came to the little hut in the -wood, they found that the Wanderobbo was not there. - -"He's gone for honey, I suppose," said John. "Never mind; we oughtn't -to find it difficult to track sheep." - -They set off at full speed, and easily picked up the trail at the place -where the marauders had rushed from their hiding-place in the bush. They -followed it without difficulty so long as it led across grass country, -but lost it for a time soon after they entered the bush, because there -were evident signs that a herd of animals larger that sheep had recently -forced a way. However, they recovered it again after ten minutes' -search, and found from that point that it led in almost a straight -line--so straight that John was puzzled. - -"I can't make out why they haven't tried to blind their trail and lead -us astray," he said. "They must be very cocksure, or else they're -trying to ambuscade us. We'd better keep a sharp look-out." - -They rode more slowly now, yet at a brisk pace, narrowly examining every -specially thick bush as they approached it, and avoiding any clump of -woodland that might give cover to the marauders. - -Suddenly, when they were a good five miles, as John estimated, from the -farm, on ascending a gradual slope they saw from its crest the flock of -sheep placidly grazing on a little patch of grass about half-a-mile -below. There was no sign of the raiders, and the surrounding bush being -very thin, they must have been visible had they remained in the -immediate vicinity. Cantering down towards the sheep, which scattered -as they approached, the riders dismounted, rounded them up, and -proceeded to count them. - -"They're the Welsh crosses," said John. "Forty-nine--one missing. I -can't make this out at all. Look, here's the trail of the men, let's -follow it up. We'll tether the donkeys. The sheep won't leave this -grass." - -The trail led them straight towards a wood a mile further on. At the -edge of this they saw clear signs of a sheep having been slaughtered and -cut up. Entering the wood cautiously, they followed the trail for some -distance, finding that it wound towards the north. Both were itching to -punish the raiders, but the trail became more and more difficult to -distinguish as the wood grew denser, and at length, hot and tired, and -as much mystified as angry, they turned back and came out once more into -the open. - -"It's something to have got the sheep," said John. "But what was the -beggars' game? They couldn't have seen us after them, and they wouldn't -drive the whole flock so far for the sake of cutting up one." - -"Sheer devilry, perhaps," suggested Ferrier. "They knew we'd overtake -'em before they had got very far, and I dare say are chuckling at having -given us all the trouble for nothing. Rather a poor game, one would -think." - -"Well, we'd better drive the sheep home. It's a long march, and they'll -be pretty well done up by the time we get there." - -They remounted, and headed the flock towards the farm. Sheep, as every -one knows, and as John had experienced on the road to Nairobi, are very -slow travellers. - -"By Jove!" said Ferrier, when they had marched for an hour and covered -perhaps two miles, "I begin to understand what your droving job was -like. I should never have had the patience." - -"I'd give anything for a good sheep-dog. I must ask my father to bring -one with him--or send one, if he doesn't intend to come himself." - -It was on the verge of nightfall when, tired and hungry, they came to -the outskirts of the farm. They heard the bleating of the animals that -had been already penned, and the flock, weary as they were, moved a -little faster to rejoin their kind. Coming to the gate of the boma, -John was surprised to find it open, having given strict orders that it -should always be closed immediately after the animals were brought in -for the night. There was not a man to be seen. Having driven the sheep -into their pens, they hurried on towards the farm buildings. - -"What a smell of wood smoke!" said Ferrier, sniffing. - -"Yes; I hope they haven't set fire to anything. Ah! here's Wasama." - -The Masai came running towards them, followed by his son, the Indians, -Coja and Lulu, all in great haste. - -"The bad men, _bwana_!" cried Coja, and began to pour out a story so -rapidly that John, familiar as he now was with Swahili, could make -little of it, especially as Lulu and the Masai joined in with great -excitement. John silenced them, and asked Said Mohammed to explain what -had happened. His story, told in more direct and natural language than -John had ever heard from him before, was as follows. About half-an-hour -after John had started in pursuit of the raiders Bill had rushed in, -dripping wet, and reported that a large party of armed men, having -raided the village north of the river, were marching rapidly down with -the evident intention of swimming across and making an attack on the -farm. The Bengali, according to his own account, wished to close the -gate and bar the doors of the bungalow, and defend it to the last; but -John afterwards had reason to believe that this was Coja's proposal, and -he had found nobody to support him. Only a few minutes after Bill's -arrival the strangers were seen rushing into the farmstead. The -mistris, the Masai, Lulu, and the few women of the village who had been -working in the fields instantly fled and hid themselves, who knows -where. Said Mohammed went into his own house, and there awaited the -coming of the enemy, resolved to die for the sahib whose salt he had -eaten. The men seized him and dragged him forth, demanding that he -should tell them where the rifles and ammunition were kept. - -"That made me very ratty, sir," said the Bengali. "What! should I tell -tales out of school? But when those fearful bounders threatened to -roast me at my own fire I reflected that it could not be your wish, nor -the wish of your excellent progenitor, that a failed B.A. of Calcutta -University should be roast joint for the sake of a quantity of -villainous saltpetre, et cetera, and therefore I owned up. But while -the banditti were gloating and slapping their backs I took French leave -by the back door, and lo! ensconced behind the barn was Coja, who like -me had saved his bacon." - -From their hiding-place they watched the proceedings of the enemy. They -first of all carried all the rifles out of the bungalow; then from the -little outhouse adjoining it they brought all the ammunition and all the -"trade." The place had been stripped bare, as the Bengali found when he -examined it after the men had gone. The negroes had then shouldered the -loot under the direction of three Swahilis who had guns, and when they -had marched off, the Swahilis had kindled a fire in the little space -between the floor of the bungalow and the ground. Then they had hurried -off after the rest. As soon as they had disappeared, Coja and the -Bengali emerged from their hiding-places, and extinguished the fire with -water from the rain-water tank near the dairy. Very little damage had -been done, the incendiaries having been in such haste to overtake the -rest of their party that they had not waited to ensure a good blaze. - -In the first shock of hearing this bad news both John and Ferrier used -such language as might have been expected of them. It was only too -clear now that the sheep-stealing had been a mere blind, cunningly -devised to decoy them from the farm while the real raid was effected. To -John it was a disaster. When he hurried into the outhouses and bungalow -and found that rifles, ammunition, and every bundle of "trade" were -gone, he felt that ruin stared him in the face. It is not surprising -that, tired out after his long day's work, he saw things even blacker -than they were. There was still a balance at the bank, Cousin Sylvia -having insisted on paying all the expenses of Mr. Halliday's tour; -though if John drew upon that there would be little or no reserve in -case the second year's working turned out unprofitable. Meanwhile the -actual loss was heavy, and the inconvenience perhaps greater, for -without the "trade" he could not pay the labourers from the village, and -what with the lack of wages and the damage to their employer's prestige, -John foresaw a refusal to work any more. - -An examination of the bungalow showed that the floor was little more -than scorched. Nothing had been taken from it except the rifles, so far -as John could see. He kept very little cash, but that was intact. His -rupee notes were always stowed for security in the pockets of his belt. -It was clear that the raiders had come for arms and "trade" only, and -having got what they wanted had wasted no time in merely looting. - -"We can't sit down under this," said John, when he had realized the -extent of his loss. "Yet I don't know what on earth we can do. We've -two rifles and twenty rounds apiece, against--how many did these -ruffians number, khansaman?" - -"In mental arithmetic, sir, I am mere greenhorn, rank duffer; but from -cursory squint I figure them at five hundred." - -"Oh, come now, that won't do. If they had been so many they wouldn't -have been in such a hurry, Where's Bill?" - -"He has not come within my sphere of influence since he ran in like -drowned rat to give us the straight tip, sir." - -"Well, get us something to eat. We're famished. By the way, did any -one recognize Juma among them?" - -"No, sah; no Juma to-day, sah," said Coja. "Him berry much 'fraid to -come heah, 'cause of Lulu, sah. Him show him face, ha! ha! she give him -what for, sah." - -"Go and get your supper." - -John spoke irritably. Normally good-tempered, he was now unlike -himself. - -"And I might have guessed it if I had any gumption," he said to Ferrier. -"Juma took advantage of the sheep straying to run off with our rifles -before, and it didn't require much ingenuity to invent the ruse." - -"Cheer up, old chap. You'll feel better when you've had some grub. It's -very sickening, but as you say, I don't see what we can do." - -It was now quite dark, and they ate their supper in silence. Even Said -Mohammed's excellent cookery could not overcome John's furious disgust -at having been tricked. When the Bengali brought in an omelet he said-- - -"A thousand and one pardons, sir. The wanderer, videlicet Wanderobbo, -has returned, and asks for honour of confab." - -"Bring him in, and fetch Coja; it takes too long to understand Bill -without him." - -Bill had come to report that he had followed up the raiders for several -miles to the north. They had robbed the villagers of all their -foodstuffs, and all the "trade" which they had received as wages for -their work on the farm, and then marched directly northward, coming -after a few miles to an encampment where they were presently joined by a -smaller party from the west. When he came to this part of his story -Bill grew much excited. In the leader of the smaller party he -recognized one of the safari which years before had attacked his -village, killed his people, and plundered their store of ivory--the -ivory which by rights belonged to him, and which he would yet recover. - -"But that's nonsense," said John. "If these people seized his ivory -years ago, it has all been sold long before this." - -When this was interpreted to Bill he was like a man demented, and poured -out a torrent of incoherent speech which even Coja was unable to -understand. John dismissed them both, thinking that the Wanderobbo must -have brooded over some old grievance until it had turned his brain. - -"Bill's report has given me a notion," he said to Ferrier presently. "If -they looted the village they'll be pretty heavily loaded and will go -slowly. They won't march during the night, and if this business -happened about five hours ago we ought to be able to overtake them if we -start early in the morning." - -"But, my dear fellow----" began Ferrier. - -"Oh, I know it's a risk, and we're outnumbered, and we ought to be -prudent, and all the other things that people say who sit in easy-chairs -and wear goloshes. But it's the only thing to be done, and I'm going to -do it." - -"But do you think it's right to leave the farm? Wouldn't your -father----" - -"Hang--no, I don't mean that; I'm afraid I'm rather a bad-tempered brute -to-night, old fellow; but look at it clearly, and you'll agree with me. -If we sit down under this they'll try it on again. The farm will never -be safe. We might as well cut our sticks at once." - -"Why not apply to the Government?" - -"Absolutely useless. To begin with, it would take time, and the raiders -would be who knows how far away? If they belong to that gang we heard -of who've got some sort of a fort up north, they're in a country where -precious few white men have ever been, if any. It would be sheer folly -to send a police column into the hills after a roving band of this sort. -No, it's a settlers' job; it's one of the risks we run, like the lions, -and we've got to deal with it." - -"Well, but how are you going to set about it?" - -"How are _we_ going to, you mean." - -"A slip of the tongue, old chap. Of course I'm with you, all along the -line. How are we going to set about it, then?" - -"Don't know yet. That's what we've got to decide before we go to bed -to-night. One thing's certain, we must make up our minds quickly, start -soon, and hurry like the very dickens, for if there's any truth in this -tale of a fort, we must collar our rifles and ammunition before they get -to it, or we're done. That's the first thing: to get our rifles back." - -"That's a large order. How many did they take?" - -"Four and a shot-gun. If they're the same lot we dealt with before -they'll have about a dozen now. I know we don't stand the ghost of a -chance of recovering them in a fight; that's absurd; but I rather think -if we put our heads together we can find some way of diddling them." - -"If it's a matter of brains I'm conceited enough to believe we have the -odds, but there's a lot to consider besides. We shall have to take a -safari to carry provisions, and a pretty big one if we're going to bluff -them. They won't bolt as they did before. Well, where will you get -your safari from?" - -"The village. What are you smiling at? Snakes, I forgot they've run -off with all my "trade." I've nothing to pay porters with. That's bad. -Still, the chief has known us some time, and perhaps he'll trust us. -I'll see, first thing in the morning." - -"Who will you leave in charge of the farm? Not the Bengali?" - -"Rather not. He may be a very Nimrod in the Sunderbunds, but he's a -funk-stick here. No; Coja's a better man." - -"But you'll want him to interpret." - -"'M. Afraid I shall. I can rub along pretty well with Swahili by this -time, but we may come across a tribe who don't know it, and that would -certainly be awkward. Well, Coja must come with us, then." - -"What I suggest is that you should send a note to Mr. Gillespie and ask -him to send up a respectable European to take charge. He might come -himself; he hasn't paid you the visit he promised, and if you tell him -what you're after I'm sure he'll do what he can. Besides, if we get -bowled over, you know, it would be just as well he should have heard -about the business beforehand, for your father's sake. And I'd send a -note to the Commissioner at Fort Hall too; he may be inclined to stretch -a point." - -"I'll do both. A good idea to get Gillespie up here, or some one he can -trust. Of course if we're lucky we shall get our rifles and things and -be back here long before he could arrive. But then we mayn't. I'll -write before we turn in. That's settled." - -"Don't you think we ought to have some sort of a plan before we start?" - -"Our plan is to go straight after the raiders, and march two miles or -more to their one." - -"That's all right; but what if they reckon on being pursued and lay a -trap for us? You see, they were pursued last time, and they hadn't done -nearly so much damage then." - -"That's true," said John; "but on the other hand there's such a lot of -them this time--we can divide Mohammed's five hundred by five--there's -such a lot that they may think we'll not attempt to bring them to book. -Still, we ought to be on our guard. The worst of it is that if we have -to go carefully we shall have to go slowly, and time's everything in -this job. Hand me a cigarette and let's think it over." - -"Any good asking Bill?" - -"Not a bit. He can do tracking, follow his nose, but that's about all. -Besides, he's so cranky just now that he's fit for nothing. I wonder -how much truth there is in this ivory yarn of his? We may get to the -bottom of it by and by. But this plan of ours--any ideas, Charley?" - -"Not a ghost of one. We _must_ follow the track, and that may lead us -into an ambush." - -"Wait a bit, though. If we could march on a line parallel to it we -might go as fast as we liked without much danger." - -"How could we do that--far enough away from it not to be spotted, and -yet near enough not to lose it?" - -"Of course we couldn't all go together; some one must keep on the track, -and that must be Bill for one." - -"That wouldn't be much good. How could we keep in touch with him? I've -got a field-glass, but that will be useless if we have to go through -much wood. We can't rig Bill up with wireless!" - -"No, but I'll tell you what we can do. You take the safari on the -parallel line; I'll go with Bill and take my pocket-mirror with me. It -will make a fine heliograph. You know the code, of course?" - -"I do, as it happens. I could signal back with my watch-case. But that -won't help us if there's a wood or a hill between us." - -"Well, we must chance that; and as Bill and I shall be able to go much -faster than you with the safari, we can come over to you if necessary; -you see what I mean: come and go between the two tracks and yet keep up -with you." - -"I think that's got it. I suppose it's no use thinking what we'll do -when we come up with the raiders?" - -"No; all will depend on when we find them, and where. I'm not going to -think of that, and as we shall have to be up early to interview the -chief and get our things together, I vote we go to bed." - -"Don't forget your letters." - -"Right. Off you go. Goodness knows when we'll sleep next." - -John wrote the two letters he had spoken of, and a third, a brief note -to his father explaining what had happened. Then he went to bed -thoroughly tired out, and slept like a top. - -Next morning one of the most serious of his difficulties was -unexpectedly removed. As soon as it was light, the chief came over from -the village with some of his people to beg the msungu to follow up the -bad men and recover the stores they had stolen. John jumped at the -opportunity. He agreed to do so if the chief would allow forty of his -strongest young men to act as porters. He pointed out that the -villagers had as great a cause of quarrel with the raiders as he had -himself, so that the bargain he proposed was reasonable. The chief -agreed to it at once. John's recent exploits in slaying the rhinoceros -and the lion, his former successes against the raiders, and above all -his fairness and punctuality in paying the villagers for their labour, -had won him the respect of his neighbours, and they joined him with full -confidence that the expedition would be successful. Preparations were -quickly made, a considerable quantity of food was packed up, two runners -were sent off with the letters, and by seven o'clock the safari was -ready to start. - -At the last moment Said Mohammed came up to John. - -"With submission, sir," he said, "I offer myself as unit in this -expeditionary force. I undertake to be no cipher, but integer, sir, and -not a minus quantity. Need I remind you of the saying of some great and -glorious general whose name I have forgotten, that an army marches upon -its tummy? _Verb. sap_. Grub, sir, is the sinews of war, and -astounding military gumption is no go without a cook. Furthermore, was -I not honoured to interpose unworthy corpus between raging lion and your -honour's nobility? If so, what is a life saved if not also preserved? -Permit me, therefore, to be the life-preserver." - -"All right. Hurry up! No time to waste," said John, remarking to -Ferrier, as the Bengali went off to fetch his bundle: "I suppose he's -afraid the place will be attacked again in our absence." - -"A bad look-out if it is." - -"Well, we shall soon find out whether the whole gang of the raiders are -on the march. If they are, I don't think they'll come back, and as -nobody else has molested us for more than a year I think we may be -pretty easy. Now, khansaman, buck up; we're off." - -John had already decided that every member of the party should go on -foot. Donkeys might prove a great nuisance if the country was -difficult; moreover, mounted men would form conspicuous objects in the -plains. Accordingly Ferrier and he had donned stout-soled boots, and -set off to tramp after Bill and Coja, who had gone ahead with the chief -to select the men for the safari. Said Mohammed brought up the rear. - - - - -CHAPTER THE THIRTEENTH--Tracking the Raiders - - -The two white men had just forded the river when they met the porters -marching to the farm to fetch the loads laid there in readiness for -them. It was plain that the chief was in earnest, for the forty young -men were the most stalwart in his community. Each carried his bow and -arrows, and as John turned and watched them striding lithely along he -thought they would prove no mean antagonists in a fight. He went on -with Ferrier to the village, had a short conversation with the chief, -and then set off with Bill on the trail of the raiders, leaving Coja and -Said Mohammed to bring the safari. He wished to go a few miles ahead in -order to examine the trail and get some guidance of his course before -the others came up. - -At the outset the spoor was very easy to follow. The ground in the -immediate neighbourhood of the village was soft red soil, on which the -print of feet could be clearly seen. But it was impossible at first to -distinguish the marks of the raiders from those of the villagers. -Presently, however, they came to a stretch of grass-land, the grass -cropped short by the villagers' cattle. Here again the trail was so -crossed and mingled with the hoof-marks of the animals that had grazed -there since daybreak that it was impossible to learn anything from it. -But by and by the grass grew longer, and the passage of a numerous body -of men through it was plainly indicated. There were two distinct -tracks, one a narrow path, the other, a few yards to the left, broader. -Both the white men were sufficiently experienced in African travel to -know that the former was the track of the bearers among the party, -proceeding in single file; the latter that of the Swahilis, who, -insolent in their strain of Arab blood, domineer over the native tribes. - -"They're going pretty fast," said John, as they marched on; "fast, that -is, for men carrying loads." - -"How do you know?" asked Ferrier. - -"By the look of the spoor. Stop a minute and bend down. Here are the -footprints of the niggers, you see, about thirty inches apart. Every -man trod in the steps of the man in front, so that the prints are -particularly clear. I know they went fast because their feet turned in -a lot; look at the marks; you can't carry a load at any pace with your -feet splayed. Now look at the other trail. The footsteps are farther -apart--three feet, I should think; and one or two of the men had -sandals; there's a flatter impression than bare feet make. I rather -guess that the Swahilis set the pace and made the natives keep up: they -could do that because if there's a lot of them they needn't all carry -loads at the same time." - -"I say, we could have done without Bill," said Ferrier, with a laugh, as -they went on. "Did he teach you that?" - -"No. I did some scouting at school. Bill can't make any inferences -from what he sees, but he's got sharper eyes than I have, and can often -spot the trail when I've lost it, especially on hard ground. The worst -of this habit of marching in Indian file is that one can't tell how many -the party consists of; at least, I can't; perhaps a more experienced -scout could judge from the depth of the impression of the footprints. -Look here; just as I thought. They stopped here to change loads. The -Swahilis made a group here; the carriers put their loads on the grass at -the side of the path; see how it's pressed down. Here's the mark of one -of my ammunition boxes, I'll swear; and the next man had a cargo of -maize; here are some of the grains." - -"How far do you reckon they went before camping?" - -"Well, judging by what Said Mohammed said, they made their attack -between one and two--the hottest part of the day, when everybody would -be sleepy. Allowing a couple of hours to sack the village and get the -loads together, they might start at four and march till seven, so that -in about an hour's time we ought to get to their last night's camp. The -trail runs fairly straight, so it looks as if they're making direct for -their refuge in the hills, and I hope to goodness it's pretty far away: -the farther it is the better our chance of coming up with them before -they get there. It runs west-nor'-west, you see" (he had taken out his -pocket compass), "which leads to the foothills of Kenya. We ought to -find ourselves on rocky ground presently, and may lose the trail." - -"Hadn't we better wait for our men now?" - -"We'll come to the raiders' camp first. Coja won't lose us; and I want -to see what sort of camp they made: it may help us." - -They hastened on. At one point the track swerved to the east to avoid a -steep incline, but returned to its former direction immediately that had -been passed. At another it led due west, skirting a swamp, at the edges -of which the footprints were still deeper in the soft mud, which was, -however, beginning to dry in the sun's rays. Then it crossed a shallow -stream, and John wondered at first why the raiders had marched for some -little distance up the bank before crossing, since the stream was -fordable anywhere. He understood when Bill pointed to a long depression -in the soft earth at the brink: a crocodile had lain there, and the men -had given it a wide berth, for if it had heard or seen them it would -have slipped noiselessly into the water and seized some hapless fellow -as they crossed. - -At length, after a rapid march of two hours, during which they had -covered, as John estimated, about eight miles, they came suddenly to an -open glade in the midst of scrub, where there were clear signs of the -previous night's encampment. A thorn boma was left partly standing. -Within it there were the black marks of fires, and a circular patch of -discoloured grass where the loads had been stacked. Here John decided -to halt and await the arrival of the safari. The smell of burnt wood -was still so strong that he guessed the raiders had not made a very -early start, giving him the hope of coming up with them before nightfall -if his men would be content with a short rest. - -It was an hour and a half before they came up, very hot and tired, Coja -having not allowed a halt until they reached the stream, where they had -delayed for a little while to drink and cool their feet. Judging that -the raiders were quite out of sight, a belt of forest stretching across -the country about a mile ahead, John did not think any harm would come -of lighting fires; accordingly the men set about cooking their -breakfast, and Said Mohammed made some coffee, which the white men drank -out of tin mugs, with condensed milk. John took the opportunity to -explain to the men that he wished to set off without delay, promising -that with good luck they should recover their stolen goods before next -morning. After an hour's rest, therefore, he gave the order to march. - -They now adopted the plan he had arranged with Ferrier over night. They -had come into country favourable to an ambuscade, and it was advisable -to take all precautions. On starting, Ferrier and the safari struck off -to the right, leaving John to follow the trail with Bill. The latter -kept close to the track so long as it led over open country, where no -trap was possible; but as soon as they reached the wood, John -heliographed with his pocket mirror to Ferrier, now nearly a mile to the -east, to halt until he had scouted among the trees. For some time there -was no answering flash to his signals, and he feared the safari was out -of touch, but after repeated trials the answer came, and he knew that -all was well. John then entered the wood with Bill very cautiously, and -found it so thick, and the ground so densely covered with undergrowth, -that it was impossible to see the trail. There was nothing for it but -to penetrate to the other side, and they did this as rapidly as -possible, John thinking it scarcely probable that the raiders would have -attempted to lay a trap for them in the wood, where there was no path. -John found this the most trying experience he had yet encountered. Here -he had to climb over a dead tree-trunk: there to cut his way through a -jungle of bamboos, every stroke of his knife shaking a shower of dew -from the canopy overhead until his shirt was soaked. He was unable to -see a yard in front of him. His progress was all the more difficult -because the wood covered a steep slope. It took nearly half-an-hour to -get right through, though the distance in a straight line was less than -half-a-mile: then they came out upon a sort of rocky plateau, and John -got one of his rare glimpses of Mount Kenya, far to the west, its -snow-clad peaks, for once clear of mist, gleaming dazzlingly in the -sunlight. Leaving Bill to recover the trail, he hastened back to -heliograph that the safari might advance, and by the time he had once -more penetrated the wood and rejoined the Wanderobbo, Ferrier had come -within sight in a hollow a mile and a half to the east. Bill having not -yet found the trail on the hard ground, John signalled to Ferrier to -halt again; the delay was vexatious, but it was important that the -advance should not be continued until he had made quite sure of the -direction. - -Finding Bill at fault, John cast about for the lost trail in a -systematic way. He laid down his rifle to mark the spot where he had -emerged from the wood, and sent Bill to the left, himself going to the -right, to examine the ground in ever-widening circles. The difficulty -was greatly enhanced by the fact that almost all the raiders were -barefooted, so that there was nothing to mark their passage over the -hard soil. After searching for half-an-hour in the sweltering heat, and -almost despairing, John suddenly observed, about two hundred yards from -the spot where he had left his rifle, a tribe of black ants very busily -engaged. Looking more closely, he was delighted to see that they were -running over and over a grain or maize. Bill came up at his call, and -instantly flinging himself upon his face, and peering along the surface -of the soil northwards, he declared he saw marks of the scraping of -sandals. John hastened in that direction, and within a few yards came -upon a small round depression whence a pebble lying near by had -evidently been kicked. He had no doubt that the trail was at last -recovered, so he sent Bill back for his rifle, and then, finding from -his compass that the line between the grain and the hole led in a -north-westerly direction, towards a low hill, he ventured to set his -course thither, finding, as he progressed, slight traces on the soil -that proved his judgment to be correct. - -The hill was about two miles away, and by the time he reached it he was -so fatigued with trudging over the shelterless plain under the fierce -sun that he was glad to throw himself under a thorn-bush at the foot of -the slope and rest, first signalling his intention to Ferrier. An hour -after, he rose and scouted to the top of the hill, being careful not to -expose himself on the skyline, and lying down to take a good look round -before proceeding. The plain stretched as far as the eye could reach, -slightly undulating, with patches of grass and scrub. There was no sign -of the raiders, but a herd of wildebeeste were quietly grazing -half-a-mile ahead, from which John concluded that no men had recently -passed that way. The march therefore was resumed. Half-an-hour -afterwards he caught sight of a party of natives on a hill to the right, -and at once signalled to Ferrier to examine them through his -field-glass. In a few minutes he saw flashes, and made out from the -message that there were no Swahilis among the natives, nor did they -carry loads, but appeared to be a hunting party. From Ferrier's report -it did not seem that any danger would attend an advance. Accordingly -the march was continued, and shortly afterwards the natives caught sight -of the safari and bolted into the bush. John wondered whether they -would carry news of his approach to the raiders, but soon made up his -mind to the contrary, for if what had come to his ears was true, the -Swahilis had established a reign of terror in the district, and the -neighbouring tribes would rather avoid them. It struck him, however, -that it was very necessary to be even more carefully on his guard -against premature discovery by the raiders, for these would force any -natives they came in contact with to join their safari and fight for -them. As it was now drawing towards nightfall, and there seemed no -chance of coming up with the raiders, he decided to call a halt, and, -striking to the right, joined Ferrier. The men, who had marched without -a murmur through the hottest hours of the day, were very glad to drop -their burdens and camp. Tired though they were, they at once set about -surrounding the encampment with a boma. While they were doing this, -John and Ferrier, accompanied by Bill, scouted for about two miles ahead -to make sure that the raiders had not encamped in the vicinity, in which -case an accidental noise might betray the safari. Discovering no sign of -their presence, they returned to the men. They deliberated whether it -was safe to light fires, and decided not to do so, though it meant a -cold and dry supper. - -Before they went to sleep, Bill, who was not usually communicative, told -John more completely, with Coja's aid, the story of which he had -hitherto given only scattered hints. He said that they were now drawing -near to his own country, which lay only four marches distant beyond the -mountain. Between it and their present camp was the country of the bad -men. A long time ago he had been one of a considerable tribe, who for -many years had enjoyed good hunting. Large herds of elephants had -infested their country, and they had slain some with their spears in -open hunting, but more by snaring them in pits. The flesh they ate, the -tusks they buried for fear of the Masai and the Rendili, who plundered -the weaker tribes. They were waiting for the coming of a safari to -which they might sell their store of ivory. - -The waiting was long, but the safari came at last--a large safari, -commanded by brown men, not white men like the _bwana_, nor black like -the people of those parts. Coja explained that Bill referred to Arabs. -One member of the safari was the very man whom he had seen among the -raiders. The Wanderobbo began to bargain with the Arabs, but these, as -soon as they learnt where the ivory was buried, had treacherously fallen -upon the tribe, and massacred all except a few women whom they spared to -make slaves of, for the transport of the treasure. Bill had escaped by -shamming dead when the slaughter was going on, and, lurking in the -woods, he saw his wife among the slaves whom the Arabs loaded with the -ivory. He followed the safari when it marched off with the spoils, and -came in its track into the country of the bad men, who secretly gathered -around it, and early one morning fell upon it in a fierce assault. From -the shelter of a thick tree Bill watched the fighting. The Arabs had -fire-sticks, and slew many of the bad men; but after a time they ceased -to make the big noises; the fire-sticks had lost their magic. Seeing -this, the bad men attacked still more fiercely, and in greater numbers. -A whole day the fight lasted, and did not cease until night fell. -Creeping up to the Arabs' camp and climbing a tree, Bill saw them bury -the ivory by the light of their fires, working hard all night, and -before morning came they broke out of their camp and forced a way -through the enemy. These, following their custom, waited until daylight -before they pursued the Arabs; then they set off, having no fear of them -now that the firesticks were silent. Bill was too frightened to follow -them up, but he learnt afterwards that the bad men caught the party up -in two days and slew every one, and also the Wanderobbo whom they had -enslaved. It was clear, however, that one at least had escaped. Bill -remained in the tree until the bad men had gone, and then slipped away -and took refuge with a Masai tribe south of his old home. But a time -came when disaster overtook the Masai. Disease seized upon their -cattle: they roamed about and suffered heavy defeats in war: and at -length Bill left them, when almost starving, and built himself the -little hut in the wood where John had found him. - -Now he was happy. The msungu had been his friend. He had brought him -into the very country of the bad men: and when he had punished the -people who had robbed him, surely he would go farther, a little farther, -and recover the ivory which lay in the earth awaiting its rightful -master. - -"But did not the bad men take it when they had killed the Arabs?" asked -John. - -No: they might have sought for it, but they would never find it. They -could not tell where it had been concealed, and if they had returned to -the camp they would not have discovered it, for the Arabs had strewed -ashes from their fires over the spot, to hide the disturbance of the -earth. Bill knew where it was; he could lead the msungu straight to the -spot; and the msungu who had been his friend would show his friendliness -still, and would perhaps buy the treasure when it was laid bare. - -"What do you think of it?" John asked Ferrier, as they talked it over -together. - -"It sounds like a fairy tale. You may be sure that the 'bad men' did -find it. They would naturally suppose it had been buried in the camp -and search for it there." - -"I'm not so sure. They're not a very intelligent lot, to begin with. -Imagine a crowd of chawbacons----" - -"What are they?" - -"Oh, I suppose you haven't got 'em in Canada--raw country yokels who -haven't any ideas beyond beans and bacon. Imagine them in the same -case, chasing a party for twenty miles or more and then finding that -they hadn't got what they supposed they had. They wouldn't know but -what the treasure had been hidden anywhere along the twenty miles run, -and they'd adjourn to the nearest 'pub.'" - -"You may be right, though I guess no Canadian would give it up so soon. -Anyway, we can't help the old fellow, can we?" - -"We've got our own job to see through first, and that will be tough -enough, I expect. The beggars must have marched at a tremendous pace, -and we shall be short of food soon. If we don't catch them to-morrow we -shall be in a pretty bad way, for the country seems practically a -wilderness. But we won't croak yet. I'll take first watch while you -sleep: I'll wake you at midnight; and we'll make an early start." - -The camp was astir while it was still dark, and at dawn was on its way, -observing the same precautions as before; indeed, John was even more -careful, for being ignorant how far ahead the raiders were, it was -necessary to run no risk of approaching them too rapidly. Again the -course took a north-westerly direction, but after skirting one of the -larger foothills of Mount Kenya, it bore a little more to the west. Bill -said that they were now marching almost straight towards his old home. -After two hours they came upon the site of the raiders' last camp, and -John, finding the ashes of the fires warm, though the sun had not yet -broken through the morning mist, concluded that they had been raked over -not more than two hours before. This caused him some little uneasiness. -Though no attempt had been made hitherto to trap the pursuers, he was -still alive to the possibility of such an ambush being laid: it was -possible also that the raiders had left a rearguard to advance behind -the main body, after they had assured themselves that there was no -pursuit. These considerations led him to swerve from the direct track, -and proceed through a belt of scrub half-a-mile to the right of it, -Ferrier with the safari marching at the same distance still farther to -the east, and only at intervals being in sight. He intended to return -to the track from time to time, when a favourable opportunity occurred, -to make sure that he was still proceeding in the right direction. - -It was fortunate that he adopted this precaution, for the first time he -struck off to the left to revisit the trail he was astonished to find, -distinctly imprinted on the dewy grass, the footsteps of men going in -the reverse direction. The sun being now up, he at once signalled to -Ferrier to halt, and then carefully examined the new trail. It was -quite fresh; the trodden grass had not had time to erect itself; and -after a careful scrutiny he came to the conclusion that the marks had -been made by four or five men, all wearing sandals. He suspected from -this that they were some of the Swahilis of the party, and suspicion -became certainty when Bill discovered a tiny strip of white cotton on a -spike of a wait-a-bit thorn-bush. The conclusion was irresistible that -some of the raiders had doubled on their tracks in order to watch for -and perhaps ambush any pursuers. - -Feeling that he must find out exactly what had happened, he began with -Bill cautiously to follow up the new track, looking warily ahead, and -observing with especial care the few large trees that were to be seen -here and there in the distance, for any flight of birds would at once -indicate the presence of men. As they walked, they found that the trail -curved slightly westward, which seemed to show that it would presently -join the main track which they had quitted. John moved now more -cautiously than ever, for if his supposition was correct, the men would -halt before they actually reached the direct course, at some spot where -they could overlook it. - -As they proceeded, the ground rose and the scrub became thicker. But -suddenly the bushes thinned away and they saw, at the top of a long -incline, a clump of trees. And then they stopped short and dropped -hurriedly to the ground. Before them, on the knoll, at the foot of a -tree, they had caught sight of three white-clad men looking upwards -among the branches. They had rifles. Without doubt this was the spot -chosen for keeping watch on the trail. Wriggling under cover, at the -cost of some scratches, John and the Wanderobbo saw a fourth man perched -high up in the tree below which the others stood. Had he not been -intently gazing towards the main track, and his companions looking up at -him, it would scarcely have been possible for John to escape discovery. - -The men were speaking. At the distance John could not distinguish what -they said; foreign words are always difficult to pick up when the -speakers are at all remote; but from a certain impatient intonation he -gathered that the men had been for some time on the watch, and were -weary or disappointed at the apparent fruitlessness of it. As he lay -there, his heart jumped as he thought how easy it would be to shoot the -men. He could take aim at his leisure, and pick off two of them with -certainty. Taken by surprise, the others would probably bolt. But it -would not be playing the game; he could not bring himself to stalk them -as he would stalk a wild animal, though he knew that if they spied him -and got first shot they would have no compunction about shooting him. -For a moment he thought of dispatching Bill to fetch Ferrier; with his -aid, backed by the natives with their bows and arrows, he might capture -all four, or, if they showed fight, dispose of them. But he soon gave -up the idea. The men might decamp before Ferrier could arrive; they -might indeed see the Wanderobbo creeping through the bush, and, the most -important consideration of all, a shot would certainly give the alarm to -the main body of the raiders, and that would defeat his purpose. If -they took to flight he would lose his only chance of recovering his -rifles and ammunition, which was his immediate object. If they hastened -back at the sound of the firing, he would find himself matched against -overwhelming numbers, and the result would be disaster. His only hope of -success lay in a sudden unexpected blow at the main body, when his -numerical inferiority would be compensated by the paralyzing effect of -surprise. How this blow was to be delivered he had at present no -notion; it must be left to the guidance of circumstances; but certainly -its prospects would be hopelessly jeopardized if the raiders' vigilance -was aroused. Patience must be his watchword. - -He lay and watched the Swahilis for half-an-hour by his watch. Then, -evidently tired of their fruitless errand, they started to rejoin the -main body. They came down the slope, passing within a few yards of -where John and the Wanderobbo were concealed; but fortunately they did -not retrace their steps along the path by which they had come, but -struck off towards the direct course of the main column, which they -would probably intersect, as John guessed, at the distance of about a -quarter of a mile. If they had returned by the same way the marks of -John's boots might possibly have escaped them unless they were -accustomed to tracking; but if they had caught sight of them he felt -that he would have been in a dangerous predicament. At that moment John -wished that he could march barefoot like the natives, but he knew that -it was a vain wish. - -John told Bill to creep through the scrub and follow the men up for a -little way, until he was sure that they had finally left the spot. For -himself, he had suddenly resolved to climb the tree as the Swahili had -done, and discover what outlook could be had from it. He found that the -place had been admirably chosen. From a branch thirty feet above the -ground the country was visible for miles around. On the west rose the -giant mist-clad form of Mount Kenya; eastward the plain extended as far -as the eye could reach. South and north he could scan the country -through which the raiders had passed, and westward, from the appearance -of the vegetation, he inferred that a considerable stream flowed. As he -watched, he saw the four Swahilis emerge from the scrub, strike the -track, and hasten towards the north. There was no doubt that they had -dismissed the idea of being pursued. - -When Bill came back, the two set off to rejoin the safari, which they -found halted by a shallow stream about two miles away. John told -Ferrier what he had discovered. - -"I don't think they can be more than five or six miles ahead of us," he -said. "We can easily come up with them by the time they camp, or soon -after, and I think we ought to strike to-night." - -"Have you any idea how?" - -"None whatever. All will depend on the lie of the land and the kind of -camp they make. I'll send Bill on ahead to make sure they don't alter -their direction, and then we'll follow up and get to them by nightfall." - -"It's to be hoped they won't get warning. I've seen two or three small -parties of natives to-day, and they must have seen us. I suppose they -won't give any information." - -"I hope not. The chief danger is that the news of our safari will -spread, and the raiders learn of it by accident. I don't think the -natives will rush purposely to inform them, if they're the kind of -tyrants we've heard they are." - -"I shall be jolly glad when we come to grips with them. This marching -is rather trying, and the men are getting the dumps. They seem to have -thought we should overtake the fellows in a winking, and wipe them out -with magic. Coja tells me they haven't been so far away from their -village before." - -"How's our failed B.A.?" - -"Decidedly jumpy. He said just now that he feels O.K., excluding organs -of ambulation, which are quite below par, owing to filamentous condition -and conspicuous absence of beefiness. He has got rather spindly calves, -to be sure. By the way, an hour ago we saw two black fellows looking at -us through the scrub. We gave chase, but couldn't catch them. I hope -they won't bring a horde of the 'bad men' upon us." - -"No, indeed. We've got our hands pretty full as it is." - -Bill returned by and by with the news that the whole party of raiders -had rested in the scrub some distance to the north, but had now resumed -their march. John set off at once on a parallel course, and at four -o'clock halted again, judging that the raiders would now have chosen the -spot for their encampment. Once more he sent Bill forward to -reconnoitre, and learnt from him on his return that the raiders had -stopped, evidently with no intention of going farther, near a small -stream. Knowing that the African native is incapable of estimating -distance, John, though he was tired, determined to press on with the -Wanderobbo and discover how far off the camp was. It was an hour before -he came in sight of it. Some of the men were engaged in erecting a -boma; a few were fishing in the stream that flowed within about a -hundred yards of the camp; others were cooking a meal. The ground about -the camp was for the most part open, but there were patches of scrub -here and there, and one or two clumps of woodland. The camp was placed -on a hillock, the base of which was washed on one side by the stream. -This wound away in a north-easterly direction, and at one point was a -tract of tall elephant grass, lining the banks due north of the camp and -stretching for about half-a-mile to the west, where it merged in dense -scrub. - -Being unable to learn as much as he desired from his post of observation -south of the camp, John, still accompanied by the Wanderobbo, struck off -to the west, crossed the stream, which was only knee-deep but fairly -swift, and making a long circuit came down upon it again through the -elephant grass, at a point directly opposite the camp, and only about a -hundred yards from it. The ground rose gradually from the river to the -boma. From his position at the edge of the grass John could not see the -gate, but guessed from the coming and going of the men that it was on -the south-west side. The boma was constructed of material cut from the -surrounding scrub, and was of no great strength, though sufficiently -formidable to stop a rush. The fact that the men had kindled fires -showed that they were not seriously apprehensive of being followed up, -and this sign of security was welcome to John, as favouring his design -of surprising them. - -It was nearly dark when he rejoined the safari, so fatigued that Ferrier -questioned the possibility of his leading an attack that night. - -"Oh, I'm all right," said John. "I can rest for an hour or two. Have -you got a pencil? I'll draw a sketch of the camp. Here's the stream: -here's the elephant grass: what I propose is that we make our way to -that and suddenly spring on them. Even disciplined troops are pretty -well scarified by a night attack, and if we can only fairly surprise -these beggars we ought at least to be able to get our ammunition, if not -our rifles, in the confusion." - -"But if they stand we shall be in a bad way." - -"That's true. We can't match them in mere fighting strength. Everything -depends on the completeness of the surprise, and we shall have to be -very strict with our men. The slightest sound will give the alarm, and -as they're not used to marching at night they are likely to be scared by -anything. That's all I'm afraid of. I don't know whether we hadn't -better gag them all." - -Ferrier laughed. - -"I don't think that would help matters," he said. "You had better -explain to them what's at stake, and then take your chance." - -"Well, we'll try it to-night. D'you know I begin to get a notion of -what their game is. Bill says that one of them belonged to the Arabs -who stole his ivory. If that's so, the fellow will know where the ivory -is buried, and I fancy this is a pretty scheme to get hold of it. Ten to -one it's Juma. That would explain his bagging rifles and ammunition. -He wanted to get together a strong party, so that he could keep off the -'bad men' in whose country the ivory is. It will be rather a feather in -our cap if we can get back our property and dish his little game too." - -"Don't fly too high, old chap. We may thank our stars if we get through -at all, and if you take my advice, as soon as we have secured the -ammunition if we ever do, you'll make tracks for home and not go -treasure-hunting. There's nobody on the farm, remember." - -"Well, we'll see. First things first; I'll go and harangue the men." - - - - -CHAPTER THE FOURTEENTH--Ferrier Insists - - -There were long faces among the men when they heard what was expected of -them. Night was terrible to them. They were low-spirited, and John had -to refrain from stimulating them with a full meal; there would be danger -in lighting fires. But he promised them a feast when the work was done. -To march silently, to keep together, to do exactly what they were told: -that was the sum of his exhortation. When he left them to consider it, -some grumbled, others talked of slinking away. But one reminded them -that these wasungu had slain lions and rhinoceros, why should they not -slay bad men too? And they kept their promises: if they said there -should be a feast, a feast there would certainly be. So they took -comfort, and began to talk bravely of the deeds they would do. - -Before they set forth, John set Bill to gather some bundles of dry grass -and press them tight. Then he asked Said Mohammed to spare him a -quantity of the methylated spirit he had brought for cooking. He poured -some of this into his pocket-flask from the Bengali's tin can. - -"You will remain here, Said Mohammed," he said. "I shall leave five or -six men who have most felt the strain of marching." - -"Respectfully, sir, that is against the grain. I go where honour calls. -Never say die. I gird up my loins and follow into thick of the fray." - -"All right. Just as you please. Keep close to us, that's all." - -"I will stick closer than a brother, sir." - -Some few minutes past ten o'clock, under a sky whose blackness was -scarce broken by the stars, John and the Wanderobbo led the way out of -the camp, each carrying a bundle of dried grass. Immediately behind -them marched Said Mohammed, then Coja and the rest of the men in single -file, Ferrier bringing up the rear. They moved silently, and the -half-dozen men left behind in the camp, peering out through the boma, -neither saw nor heard them when the last man was a dozen yards away. - -John did not try to find the track of his former journey. It was too -dark to see it. Bill might have discovered it by his wonderfully keen -sense of touch, but there was no need. All they had to do was to march -due west until they struck the stream; then to hug its bank until they -arrived at the elephant grass. - -It was slow work, and not without its anxieties for the white men. Every -now and then John heard a gulping sound behind, and knew that some one -was afraid. Once or twice he halted. The men's hard breathing spoke of -terror rather than effort. At such times he passed down the line, -speaking quietly to reassure them; then, returning to the head, he bent -to the ground and struck a match under his hat, to check the course by -his pocket-compass, and went on again. Once there was a rustling sound -upon the left hand, and the scared negroes made clicks with their -mouths, and some would have run had not John, in a fierce whisper, -called to them to stand, and asked whether they feared an antelope. - -They came at length to the stream, the gurgle of its waters making a -pleasant music in John's ears. Half the journey was done. So that he -might not come to the stream near the enemy's camp he had directed his -course somewhat south of his former line; and it was a long march -up-stream before they came to the elephant grass. John avoided the -brink, for fear of lurking crocodiles. Once he almost stumbled upon a -hippopotamus asleep in the sedge, and thought it lucky he was at the -head of his men, whom the snort of the beast, as it rose and shambled -away into the darkness, might have infected with panic. He heaved a -sigh of relief as he came at last to the tall, thick grass standing high -above his head. Halting, he passed word down the line to tread even -more cautiously and in even deeper silence, trusting that the rustling -which could scarcely be avoided would, if heard in the camp, seem to the -enemy only the sound of animals moving in the grass. Then he went on -again. - -Peering out through the screen, he presently saw a dull glow some -distance to the right. There lay the camp; within the boma fires were -burning. Once more the party halted, and John, moving stealthily, -sought Ferrier to consult with him. - -"I'm going to set fire to the boma," he said in a whisper. "When you -see the flames, fire off all your rifles and lead the men at a rush for -the camp. They can shout then like the army of Gideon. We're -north-west of it; they'll be startled out of their sleep, and rush for -the gate on the south-west; at least I hope so." - -"You'd better let me fire the boma, John. You'll lead the men better -than I should; they know you best. Besides, it's my turn." - -"Rubbish!" said John. "I've been here before." - -"But I can't miss the boma if I go straight ahead. I insist on it, old -chap; I'm sure it will be best. Hand over your grass and the spirit; -I've got matches." - -"Your arm's not thoroughly sound yet." - -"All the more reason. It doesn't require much muscle to strike a match. -Come on; it must be past midnight; there's no time to lose." - -John gave him the materials somewhat reluctantly. Ferrier pressed his -hand and slid away into the darkness. Time passed very slowly. The men -grew fidgety; John heard the strange gulping in their throats, and the -little noises they made as they moved worried him, lest they were heard -in the camp. True, there were other sounds: the hum of insects, a -lion's roar in the distance, the laughing bark of a hyena; but these -were momentary, not continuous like the rustling of the grass, which -there was no breeze to account for. As minute after minute passed, and -there was still no sign, John grew more and more anxious. The boma was -less than two hundred yards distant. He durst not strike a light to -look at his watch, but surely there had been time to go and come and go -again. What was happening? - -Ferrier, stealing across the ground with no more sound than a snake -might have made, guided always by the faint glow from the fires, had -covered, as he guessed, two-thirds of the distance when he thought it -prudent to drop upon hands and knees, lest, upright, his form should be -descried by some keen-sighted sentry. He had crawled thus some twenty -yards further when suddenly he saw dimly before him a something, like an -irregular hedge, no more than four feet high, stretching athwart his -path. Was this the boma? Surely it bespoke unusual security in the -enemy if they had contented themselves with so low a defence. Their -bomas were commonly six feet high or more. He crept on more stealthily -until he touched the obstruction: it was a thorny hedge. He tried to -peer through it, expecting to see the camp-fires; but he looked into -blackness, save for the dull red glow in the sky. Was it possible that -the enemy were not so confident after all, but had erected a double -barrier? Or was the hedge natural? - -He crawled to the left. The hedge had a regular curve. It must have -been placed by men. Raising himself gradually to his feet until his -eyes were just level with the top, he looked over. Yes; there was the -true boma, a dark mass thirty feet away. Through its interstices he saw -streaks of dim light from the fires burning within. To set fire to the -outer hedge would be useless; within the boma the enemy would be still -secure, and the conflagration would but give them light to take aim at -their assailants. He must cross the hedge. - -But how? By a flying leap? This would expose him to the view of any -one on watch, for though the night was dark, it was not so black but -that a moving object could be seen. By clambering over? This would be -attended by the same risk and by others. He might indeed scramble over -at the expense of torn hands and clothing, though there was the danger -of being held fast by the tenacious wait-a-bit thorns of which the -obstacle was made. But his movements must cause such a crackling and -creaking of the interlaced branches as could not fail to alarm any one -who chanced to be awake in the camp, no matter at what part of it. -Leaping and climbing being equally out of the question, what course -remained? - -Ferrier was not for nothing the grandson of a man who had roughed it in -the backwoods of Canada. If acquired qualities are not inherited, the -stock of which he came must have been sturdy and dogged in grain. At -any rate, Charles was not the man to be baulked. Dropping on his knees -again, he dug his fingers into the soil beneath the hedge. It was -gravel, like the ground he had crossed in coming from the river. Very -carefully he began to scrape out a hole, intending to persevere until it -was large enough for him to squeeze his body through. He soon found -that the task was not to be easy. The soil was so light and mobile -that, as he scraped, it tended to slip at the sides and fill up the hole -he was so laboriously excavating. Further, he felt the hedge, at the -point where he was undermining it, subside, with a rustling and creaking -which, faint as it was, might easily catch the ear of a wary guard. -Fortunately the subsidence was soon checked. The base of the hedge was -composed of stout branches which yielded but slightly, and in a few -minutes the settling down ceased. - -Relieved on this score, Ferrier scraped away at the hole, thinking of -John, who was no doubt wondering at the long delay. He worked until his -fingers were sore. At last the hole was large enough for him to wriggle -under the hedge. He groped with his hands for any thorns that might be -sticking out downwards from the tangle above, and finding several, cut -them off with his knife. Then, shoving his bundles of grass before him, -he crawled into the hole and began to worm his way through. It was a -tight fit, and the difficulty was all the greater because of the need -for silence. More than once as his body, pressed close against the -lower part of the hedge, put some strain upon it, there was a sharp -creak when his passage freed the branch. At last he was through, -scratched, hot, and breathless, and with a feeling that the various -parts of his clothing were in very unnatural relation to one another. -But he was through: that was the main thing; and pausing only to take -breath, he ran in a stooping posture across the space between the outer -and the inner defences. - -All was quiet within the boma. Ferrier maintains to this day that -snoring is an infirmity of civilization, for the sleepers emitted no -sound. He lost no time in completing his task. First he soaked the -bundles of grass thoroughly with methylated spirit, having postponed -this until he reached the boma, lest evaporation should diminish the -effect. Then he thrust them beneath the boma, choosing a place where it -was thick and the light from the fires shone through less freely than -elsewhere. Then he struck a match and applied it. Instantly there was -a great flame; the dry thornbushes of the boma took fire readily. -Ferrier slipped away to be out of the glare, but had gone only a few -steps when he heard a soft patter of feet behind him. A moment after, -the air was rent with rifle cracks and a din of shouting, from within -the boma and from a distance. He turned to meet the man approaching, -and saw the form of a big negro silhouetted against the glare. Ferrier -was unarmed save for his clasp-knife, and he had not made up his mind -what to do when a shot whistled past him: the negro had fired at him -while still running. Before the man could draw a knife or turn in his -tracks Ferrier threw himself upon him, trying to wrest the rifle from -his hand. The two fell together; the rifle dropped to the ground; and -black man and white were locked in a desperate wrestle. Ferrier felt -the negro's arms about him, straining to crush him or to break his back. -Oblivious of the tumult around him--the yells and shots within the boma, -the shouts of the assailants, the crackle and roar of the -flames--Ferrier strove to free himself from the strangling embrace, -conscious that he was no match in muscle for his powerful opponent. He -had almost given himself up for lost when the man's grip relaxed, and -with a heavy groan he lay still. Ferrier sprang up. By the light of -the blazing boma he saw the men of his party at two points of the outer -hedge, some leaping over it, some slashing at it with their knives and -tearing it down. None of them were firing; after the first discharge of -their rifles John had ordered them to rush for the camp. Evidently the -big negro had been struck down by a shot from his own friends. - -Ferrier stood for a moment, marvelling at the din. Then he saw that -John's men had crossed the outer hedge and were swarming towards the -boma. Shouting at the top of his voice lest he should be butchered by -his own party, he left the wounded man on the ground and joined them. -With John at their head they were sweeping round towards the gate. The -firing from within the boma had now ceased; the shouts were those of the -assailants alone; and when the excited throng reached the gate, they saw -in the ruddy glare the enemy streaming in frantic haste towards the -river. Many an arrow was sped after them; a few of the rearmost -narrowly escaped capture. Seeing that they were hopelessly routed, John -shouted to his men to refrain from pursuit and retire within the boma. -Then, telling off a dozen men to stand at the gate and watch against any -rally of the enemy, he called to the rest to help him to check the fire. -He left the part that was fiercely burning, and ordered the men to tear -down a portion on each side of it, so as to make two large gaps across -which the flames could not spring. The work was assisted by the absence -of wind. The portion around the spot where Ferrier had kindled the fire -soon burnt itself out; the remainder was saved. Within ten minutes -after the first blaze the enemy were scattered in confusion, and the -camp was in John's hands. - - - - -CHAPTER THE FIFTEENTH--A Coup de Main - - -John's first proceeding when the conflagration had been stayed was to -look for the property he had been at such pains to recover. The -camp-fires gave too little light, so he got Coja to make a couple of -torches. Taking one himself and giving the other to Ferrier, he -hastened to the centre of the camp, where the baggage was piled. On the -way he passed a confused medley of things--sleeping mats, cooking pots, -bows and arrows, spears--things left or flung down by the fugitives in -their hurried flight. And there, packed in the middle space, out of -reach of the fires, were his boxes of ammunition and his rifles. - -"We've got the lot, by Jove!" he exclaimed joyfully. "They haven't even -opened one of the boxes. What extraordinary luck!" - -"Couldn't be better," cried Ferrier heartily. "And you've got more than -your own, too; there's a good many bows and arrows and a few spears, -besides no end of baskets containing food, I suppose." - -"Yes, they belong to the villagers. We'll make them a present of the -bows and arrows and spears, and anything else they can find, bar the -rifles. There aren't many spears; I suppose the rascals slept with them -at their side, and snatched them up when they ran. Hallo! Here are two -of the Sniders that Juma ran off with in his first little scheme. That -makes three we've recovered." - -"And proves that Juma is at the bottom of it." - -"I should like to lay that fellow by the heels. But we'd better get -something to eat. I'm famishing. Where's our failed B.A.?" - -"Here, sir," said a voice at John's elbow. "I obeyed in all points your -esteemed injunctions at closest possible proximity, and tender hearty -congratulations on the success, not in mortals to command, but more, -deserved, which has attended this tour de force." - -"Well now, make up the fire and see what you can do to get us a meal. -I'll go and talk to the young chief, Charley, and butter him up. He and -his men did jolly well. The shouts they let out when I gave the word -made amends for their silence during the march, which must have been a -trial to them." - -Said Mohammed made up the fire and hunted about for the best cooking-pot -and the articles of fare he thought would be most pleasing to the white -men. The villagers had already set to work to prepare their own food, -chattering and laughing in high elation. Within a quarter of an hour -Said Mohammed had made a stew of some partly cooked waterbuck he had -discovered. He washed out two rough mugs of clay, and pouring the stew -into them, handed one to each of the young men. - -"A thousand regrets, gentlemen," he said, "that circs. do not admit of -more dainty dishes and service to match." - -"That's all right," said John. "I could eat anything, and this stew is -first-rate." - -"Permit me to remark, sir, on national characteristics as displayed by -gastronomic ways of going on, utensils, et cetera. The nation, sir, -that invented gas-stoves produced Shakespeare, bard of Avon; what -achievements in science or literature could be expected from a race that -never devilled kidney nor poached egg? Shakespeare himself, sir, was a -poacher in giddy youth; though poaching egg and poaching stag are in -some respects different, yet each is fine art. The fate of empires -lurks in the saucepan; indeed, the mightiest monarch would be negligible -quantity without quantum suff. Wherefore----" - -"A little more stew, please," said John, interrupting. "You'd better -get your own supper, khansaman; you must be pretty peckish after your -exertions." - -"I am indeed, sir, an abhorred vacuum, and retire with permission to get -jolly good tuck-in." - -"Thank goodness!" ejaculated John when he had gone. "I say, Charley, I -was getting very nervous when we didn't see the light for so long. You -were pulled up by that hedge, of course; how did you get through?" - -"Burrowed like a mole. I've a greater respect for that animal now. I -suppose we'll make tracks for home in the morning, by the bye?" - -"Well, d'you know, I'd rather like to finish this job now we've started. -Juma's still at large: his men are a rabble, of course, but they're not -licked, and if he gets them back to this fort of his he may still worry -us, to say nothing of harrying the people about him. What do you say? -Are you game?" - -"What about the farm?" - -"Gillespie will have sent somebody up by the time we could get back." - -"But don't you think we've done for Juma? To-night's work will damage -his prestige, and I shouldn't wonder if the 'bad men,' as Bill calls -them, round on him now." - -"I don't know. It will take him some time to recover from the blow, of -course, but you see he still has some of our rifles and a certain amount -of ammunition, I should think, and they'll go a long way in this country -of bows and arrows. No: I confess I'd like to follow him up. The chief -difficulty is our natives. They've recovered their property, which is -what they came for, and I rather doubt whether they'll be willing to go -any farther from home. If they won't there's no more to be said." - -"In any case we aren't strong enough to storm the fort, if it is a -fort." - -"I shouldn't propose to do that. My idea is to start at sunrise or -before, and get to the fort in advance of Juma. His men are quite -demoralized: they'll take some time to rally. They'll probably hide in -trees during the night, and they'll have to find one another in the -morning, so that if we start early we can easily outstrip them." - -"We don't know the way." - -"But we've got some prisoners, my boy. No, we haven't though; I called -our men off before they caught them. That's awkward." - -"I wonder if the fellow who tried to pot me is still alive." - -"You didn't tell me of that. When was it?" - -Ferrier related the incident that happened outside the boma. John at -once accompanied him to the spot, which they reached just in time to see -the wounded man limping towards the outer hedge. They ran after him and -caught him, taking him back to the camp, where John examined his leg, -and did what he could by bathing and bandaging. Meanwhile he questioned -the man, and learnt from him that the fort lay a long day's march to the -north. It was held by about forty men, of whom several were Swahilis -and had rifles. The fort was built on an island in the river--not the -stream flowing past the camp, but a broader river into which that -emptied itself a day's march to the south. To find it would be easy. -They had only to follow the stream for a short distance, and then strike -across country directly to the north. They would soon come upon the -river, and the surrounding country being hilly, the easiest way to the -fort was to follow its course. - -"Now we'll tackle our natives," said John. - -He found, as he had expected, that they were at first loath to engage -themselves for a further expedition. They had recovered their property: -the chief would be expecting them; they wanted to return and celebrate -their success by a feast. John pointed out that, though they had done -much, they would greatly enhance their glory if they carried back a -great quantity of spoil from the enemy. They had been wantonly -attacked: why not repay their attackers in their own coin? The fort -would certainly contain things worth having. This argument appealed to -the men, and when the chief's son reminded them that the wasungu had -kept their promise and led them to a bloodless victory, they began to -waver. "The wasungu are great hunters of lions," said the young chief; -"they are also great hunters of men." John said that any who wished to -go home might do so; but none were disposed to pass through the country -without the whole body, and ultimately they agreed to follow the msungu -wherever he chose to lead them. "You've a most persuasive tongue," said -Ferrier to John, as they went away to talk things over. "I'm inclined -to think you ought to have gone to the bar after all." - -"Bosh! The judges aren't savages. We shall have to arrange a flying -column--that's the name for it, isn't it? It's quite clear from what -the prisoner said that we must get to the fort well in advance of Juma. -If they get back we shan't be able to dislodge them: they won't be -caught napping again, you may be sure. As it is, we may find it a hard -nut to crack if there are forty men in the fort. We shall have to -divide forces, too. We must leave enough men to guard this loot, and -I'm afraid we can't both go, old chap: one of us must remain in charge." - -"Well, you've done the hardest work so far: you take a rest and let me -try my luck." - -"But you fired the boma; it's my turn. Tell you what, we'll toss for -it. Heads I go, tails you do as you please." - -The spin of the coin decided for John. - -"Just my luck," said Ferrier. "I always lost the toss when I captained -the lacrosse team at McGill's. How many men will you take?" - -"I can't do with fewer than twenty. I'll take Bill; Coja and Said -Mohammed had better remain with you. By the way, you'll send over to -our old camp in the morning and fetch the half-dozen we left there. -They'll jump out of their skins if they're left too long. I wonder if -our wounded prisoner could manage to come with me. I might find him -useful. In fact, I'll take him--on a litter if he can't walk." - -"Well, you'd better get a sleep now, or you won't be fit for much in the -morning. The men too. It looks as though they meant to jabber all -night." - -"I'll stop that. I'll go and pick my men and make 'em go to sleep. Wake -me at five, there's a good chap. By Jove! Wouldn't my old dad be in a -stew if he knew what was up! We're risking a lot when you come to think -of it; but we've been lucky so far, and with rifles and plenty of -ammunition I fancy we'll win through. If I'm not back within two or -three days you had better make tracks for the farm. Don't forget to -wake me at five." - -"All right. Pleasant dreams!" - -Precisely at five o'clock John was roused, to find ready for him a -breakfast of steaming stew and baked millet cakes. Ferrier had also -prepared a litter for the prisoner, whose wound forbade him to walk. At -half-past five the little company set off, consisting of John and the -Wanderobbo, and twenty of the villagers. John had his rifle, a spare -one being carried by a man at his side. Only two of the other men had -ever handled firearms; these were given rifles, and carried the -ammunition in little bundles slung to their backs. John had filled his -bandolier and his pockets with cartridges. Ferrier said good-bye to him -at the gate of the boma, and started the men left behind in a rousing -cheer. - -The party marched very rapidly, John at the head with Bill and the -litter-bearers, so that the prisoner might keep them in the right way. -They followed the course of the stream for about a mile; then forded it, -and made across a stretch of grassland, in which, as the morning -advanced, they started large numbers of game. Just before noon they -reached the river of which the prisoner had spoken, a slow, gurgling -current of red water. Here they halted for a meal of beans and millet; -then after an hour's rest set forth again. They had gone but a short -distance up-stream when, as they ascended a slight acclivity, Bill was -seized with intense excitement. Pointing to a flat-topped hill many -miles away, he cried that it was there the Arab safari was attacked, and -near by the ivory was hidden. A projecting spur to the right was the -site of the shambas whence the people had pounced out to the assault. -His own old home lay half a day's journey beyond the hill. - -John pressed on now even more rapidly. Though he had met with no -natives on the way, he could not be sure that some of the fugitives had -not outstripped him along another route. For the most part he kept to -the river, striking off here and there to avoid wide sweeping curves, as -the prisoner indicated. Presently he saw in the distance a bold bluff -rising to a hundred feet above the plain, and stretching across the line -of march. The fort, said the prisoner, lay a short distance beyond the -bluff, which was cut in two by the river. Up the side of the bluff -wound a steep pathway, and at the top a look-out was constantly -stationed, except at night, when he was withdrawn into the fort. From -this high post the plain could be seen for miles. Knowing how keen is -the negro's sight, John called a halt before it was likely that his -party had come within the range of vision. The rest of the journey must -be performed in the dark. He led the men into the bush at some distance -from the river, so that they should not be seen by any one who might -pass either to or from the fort. Again he impressed upon them the -necessity for silence. - -At nightfall, refreshed by the rest, they started once more, confident -of being able to approach the bluff unobserved. An hour's march under -the pale light of the stars brought them to its foot, and John heard the -noise of water rushing swiftly through the gorge. The pathway, said the -prisoner, started from a spot very near the river-bank. Even with his -directions it proved by no means easy to find in the darkness, and when -at last they lit upon it, and John began the ascent, it was scarcely -less difficult to keep to the track. Bill fell on his knees and groped -along it with his hand, saying when he arose that it had not been made -originally by men, but trodden by game descending from the hills to the -plain. - -Coming at length, after a tortuous and toilsome climb, to the summit, -John paused to take breath and to look about him. Below on his left he -could now see the foaming river racing through the gorge. Beyond, the -ground sloped gradually to the plain. There was no sound save that of -the swirling water, no sign of the presence of men. He went on, until -he came once more to the brink of the river, and a mile further on saw -gleaming in the starlight a broad pool, in the midst of which rose a -dark mass. This, said the prisoner, was the island and fort, and at the -upper end of the pool the river ran down swiftly, but not so swiftly as -below. - -Striking off to the right towards a belt of woodland, John led his party -until they came opposite the island. It was dark and silent: no one -would have supposed that the fort held men. John could see an irregular -path leading from the shore to the island. This, said the prisoner, was -a line of rocks flung down into the water, and so narrow that only one -man could walk along it at a time. There was a gap between the island -and the end of the causeway. The prisoner explained that a bridge was -thrown over the gap to enable men to enter and leave the fort, the wall -of which came to within a few feet of the shore of the island. At night -the bridge was drawn up. - -John stood to consider his next move. His purpose in bringing the -prisoner was to use him as a decoy to draw the garrison from the fort. -He was confronted with a difficulty. The man could not walk. He would -be useless as a decoy unless he could advance along the causeway so far -as to bring him within hearing of his fellows. The bullet was still in -the man's leg; John wished he had thought of probing the wound before; -it was impossible to do it now. The negro is a hardy animal, stolid -under pain. John promised to give the man a handsome present if he -would leave the litter and go with a message to the fort. The man -agreed with such alacrity as to suggest an intention of treachery, but -John provided against that. He had the prisoner bound to him by a cord -about his ankle, and showing him his revolver, he explained what the -result would be if he did anything but what he was told to do. He -carefully instructed the prisoner in the part he was required to play, -repeating his words so that he could not mistake. Then, having placed -the remainder of his party under cover of the wood, he set forth with -the negro. - -There was now a light in the fort, and the glow of a fire. Clearly -somebody was awake. The two men walked down to the edge of the pool, -and on to the causeway, the guide limping painfully, but uttering no -murmur. John walked close behind him, so that he might not be descried -from the fort. They had gone about half-way along the causeway when a -voice rang out from some point ahead. The prisoner gave an answering -shout. John's nerves were at too high a tension to permit of his -feeling amusement at the greetings that were exchanged. - -"Is it well?" - -"It is well." - -"Ah!" - -"Ah!" - -"Um!" - -"Um!" - -"Have you eaten well?" - -"We have eaten well. - -"Ma!" - -"Ma!" - -"Mum!" - -"Mum!" - -Civilities being thus completed, they got to business. The prisoner -recited the story with which he had been prompted, so glibly that a -white man might have doubted its veracity. He said that he brought good -news. The brave warriors (meaning Juma's party), under their brave -leader, had sacked the msungu's farm and the neighbouring village, and -made much plunder, so vast a quantity, indeed, that they were exhausted -in carrying it. He had been sent in advance to order thirty men to -issue forth and help the weary warriors in conveying their spoils up the -bluff. - -"It is dark," said the sentry. - -"It is the leader's command," was the reply. "He will be like a raging -lion if you delay." - -Another voice was heard within the fort. In a few moments the sentry -cried-- - -"We come." - -"Ah!" said the prisoner. - -"Ah!" echoed the sentry. - -Then, before the garrison could issue from the gate and lay the bridge -across the gap, the prisoner cried that he would hasten back and inform -Juma that the men were coming. He turned, and followed John along the -causeway until they reached the shore. Then the two hurried across the -open to rejoin the ambushed party. The prisoner, who had borne up -stoically hitherto, collapsed with pain before they reached the wood; -and John, alarmed lest his stratagem should be defeated at a moment when -success seemed assured, set the man upon his back and ran into shelter. -A few minutes afterwards he saw a line of men, headed by a Swahili in a -white garment, come across the causeway from the fort, and turn to the -right along the path leading to the bluff. John was tingling with -excitement. All was going well: would his luck hold? The men's voices -faded away in the distance. He gave them ten minutes; then bidding his -men follow him closely, he ran down to the shore, and on to the -causeway. As he expected, the bridge had been left spanning the gap in -readiness for the laden safari. Waiting only to see that the men were -close at his heels, John dashed over the last few feet, straight into -the fort. A dozen men were squatting in a group about a small fire in -the middle of the compound. They looked up as they heard the tread of -men, but before they could spring to their feet, before, indeed, their -slow minds suspected that anything was amiss, they were bowled over by -the rush of twenty sturdy savages with a white man at their head, and -lay in shaking terror on the ground, howling for mercy. - -John had ordered his men to do no killing. They were surprised, but -obeyed. Shouting for silence, he called to the panic-stricken garrison -to march out of the fort. They sprang up and fled like a flock of -terrified sheep, out of the gate and along the causeway, yelling as they -ran. When the last was gone, and none but his own men were left in the -place, John caught up the bridge and drew it in. The capture of the -stronghold had taken three minutes. - - - - -CHAPTER THE SIXTEENTH--Juma is Reinforced - - -Flushed with his bloodless victory, John ordered his men to make up the -fire, and set two to watch at the gate; then, carrying a roughly-formed -torch, he proceeded to an examination of the stronghold which was so -imposing to the native imagination. It was a poor enough place -estimated from a European point of view. It consisted simply of a -circular space on a low mound about thirty yards in diameter, enclosed -by a rude stone wall rather less than the height of a man. The island -itself was an irregular oval. At the eastern end the wall came to -within a foot or two of its shore; north and south the interval was -little greater, the ground sloping steeply down to the edge of the pool. -Westward it fell away less rapidly, though even here the angle was -considerable. The island was no more than sixty yards at its greatest -length, and from forty to fifty in breadth. The bridge sloped up from -the end of the causeway to the gate, which was itself some feet lower -than the ground within the fort. Just within it, on each side, a canoe -was laid against the wall. Within the enclosure were a number of grass -huts, set at intervals of a few yards apart. - -[Illustration: The Pool] - -Having surveyed the place as well as he could by the uncertain light of -his torch, John searched the huts. He found in the largest of them, -which he guessed to be Juma's, two of his rifles, a number of old -muskets, a miscellaneous collection of cartridges, most of which would -not fit the rifles, shot of all shapes and sizes, one or two old swords, -and a curious assortment of articles, mostly useless, which Juma and his -men had no doubt purloined when on safari. Among them were broken -boots, a fancy waistcoat in tatters, several condensed milk tins, some -pewter spoons, a field-glass case, and an empty whisky bottle. These -things, valueless to a European, would be treasure untold to the -natives, and John was glad that his promise of loot would not be -nullified. There was also a fair quantity of grain food, but no meat. - -"I think I'm a bit of a fool," said John to himself, when he had seen -all there was to be seen. "What have I come for after all? I've got -back our property, to be sure; but what then? I can't demolish the fort -before Juma arrives. I can't go back at once, because the men couldn't -stand it. It looks as if I shall have to hold the place, for a day at -least; and if those beggars come up in any numbers and manage to cross -the pool I shall be pretty hard put to it to defend a hundred yards of -wall. Ah well! I'm in for it now. The best thing I can do is to get -out as soon as possible." - -He arranged for a watch to be kept up during the remainder of the night, -and then threw himself down on the ground near the fire, not to sleep, -for the negro is an untrustworthy sentry, but to turn things over in his -mind. He remembered the store of ivory which Bill wished to recover, -and would have been willing to help the old man; but when he considered -the matter he concluded that it would be sheer lunacy to venture with -his handful of men into the country of a tribe that had been strong -enough to annihilate a large and well-armed Arab safari. There was no -reason to suppose that the "bad men" were any less powerful now than -they had been then. - -"And suppose I got the ivory," he thought, "how the dickens could I -carry it? The men have got quite enough to carry, what with the loot -here and the things left with Charley. Judging by the weight of -billiard balls a single tusk of ivory would be a pretty heavy load for -two or three men, and we might be two or three weeks getting back. Bill -will be upset, without a doubt, but I can't help that. A good rest, and -then start for home: that's my ticket." - -Pondering further, he came to the conclusion that there might after all -not be the need for haste that he had at first imagined. Juma's men -were thoroughly disheartened, no doubt; the garrison at the fort had -been turned adrift; they had lost the greater part of their firearms and -ammunition and all their stores of food, and it was probable that for -the present they would have enough to do to find subsistence without -wasting their energies in attacking either him or Ferrier. His own men -had been marching or fighting, with only a few hours' sleep, for two -days; a long rest was necessary for them; so he decided, before he fell -into a half-doze from which the least sound would have roused him, that -he might look forward to spending a day or two in the fort before he -need set off to rejoin Ferrier. - -At dawn he was up, and went to the gate to look round. None of the -enemy were in sight, except his wounded prisoner, whom he saw hobbling -across the causeway. In the excitement of the attack he had clean -forgotten the man, who, he remembered with compunction, must have been -all night in the wood, hungry, a prey to terror and pain. He let down -the bridge and admitted him at once. - -"Let me look at your leg," he said. - -Removing the bandages, he saw that it was a case for desperate remedies. - -"You must let me cut the bullet out," he said. - -The man made no objection. John opened his knife and carefully washed -the sharpest blade; then ordered two of the men to hold the patient, and -began to probe the wound as gently as he could. The bullet was imbedded -in the flesh where there was no danger of his severing an artery. He -soon found the bullet, and setting his teeth, started the first surgical -operation of his life. He had a steady hand: the man lay inert as a -log, without wincing or even groaning; and in a few minutes he had -extracted the bullet, feeling a vast admiration for the big fellow's -fortitude. Having bathed and bound up the leg, he gave the man some -food, and saw him in a few minutes fall asleep. John drew a good augury -from this little incident. The man had sought him, and not his own -master; John took it, perhaps superstitiously, as an indication that he, -and not Juma, would, as he put it, "come out on top." - -He sent out Bill, with one of the men, to look for the enemy. They -returned early in the afternoon, reporting that they had failed to see -either the men who had been ejected from the fort, or the larger party -under Juma's command. Bill judged from the tracks that the former had -scattered, some to the south to meet their friends, others to the east. - -In the daylight John confirmed his overnight examination of the fort. He -saw now that there were rapids at both ends of the pool, and sighed for -leisure to do a little fishing, guessing that such a river would provide -good sport. But he had something more serious to think about. After -their night's rest the men were less fatigued than he had expected, so -he saw no reason to defer the destruction of the fort. His purpose was -to rase the wall, and hurl into the pool the stones of which it was -built. They were piled loosely one upon another without cement or -mortar, and he thought that it would be a light job to remove them; but -it turned out to be a much more troublesome business than he had -supposed, and when, after two hours' work, he saw how little had been -accomplished he felt rather troubled. At the same rate it would take -two or three days to complete the work. He had no gunpowder to spare -for blowing up the wall; and he wished neither to remain so long absent -from Ferrier, nor to be found on the spot when Juma returned, as he -assuredly would do. - -A little while after Bill had returned from his reconnoitring expedition -he suddenly cocked his ear towards the south-east and in a moment -declared that he heard the sound of fire-sticks. The men were -chattering, and John fancied that the Wanderobbo must be mistaken. He -called for silence, and all listened intently, but could hear nothing -except the slow gurgle of the water in the pool and the far-away -rumbling of the rapids below. - -"Do you hear it now?" he asked. - -"No," Bill replied; "but I did hear it." - -John had by this time so much respect for the Wanderobbo's acuteness of -hearing that he felt it unwise to neglect this statement. Bidding the -men to sort out all the provisions the fort contained, with the idea of -carrying a portion with him when he left, and burning the rest, he left -the place with Bill, after giving strict orders that the bridge should -be taken up behind him, and not replaced over the gap until his return, -unless he should send back a message by Bill. The two crossed the pool -and set off at a rapid pace towards the bluff. They were half-way to -the summit when Bill declared that he again heard shots. They quickened -their pace, and on reaching the top, where a wide expanse of the plain -was outstretched before them, they looked carefully all round the -southern horizon, keeping under cover. They could see the river winding -along between its verdurous banks, and when they lost sight of the -shining water they could still trace its course by the fresher green of -the vegetation. The plain was covered for the most part with grass, -with patches of scrub and clumps of woodland here and there. In the far -distance they descried a herd of antelope feeding, but for some time saw -no other living creature, beast or man. - -All at once both started. In the still air, above the sound of the -swirling water beneath them, they heard distinctly six shots. One of -them, Bill declared, was that of the msungu's rifle, though John was -utterly unable to understand how he could distinguish it from the -others. Some seconds afterwards Bill lifted his hand and pointed in a -south-easterly direction, saying that he saw smoke among the trees. John -looked eagerly in the same direction, but could see nothing. Unluckily -he had left his field-glass with Ferrier. Presently he heard more -shots, in rapid succession. Clearly there was fighting going on; the -natural inference was that Ferrier's party was engaged, and since only -he, Coja, and Said Mohammed could use rifles, the number of the shots -showed that his opponents must possess firearms. It was equally clear -that Ferrier, if it was indeed he, had left the spot where it had been -arranged that he should await John's return, and he must be either -pursuing or pursued. The conclusion was irresistible that for some -unforeseen reason he had found himself compelled to advance towards -John. - -Anxious on his friend's behalf, John decided instantly that he must set -out at once to join hands with him. He sent Bill back to call the men -from the fort, telling him that they must bring the ammunition and -rifles for those who could use them. He himself would start towards the -firing, pointing out to Bill the general direction in which he would go. -He knew that the men, being rapid marchers when not carrying loads, -would not be long in overtaking him. The fort must be left unguarded, -but there was no help for it; the matter of immediate urgency was to -reinforce Ferrier. - -While Bill sped back to the fort, John scrambled down the bluff and -hurried over the plain. As he proceeded the sounds of firing became -ever clearer, and when he had covered about two miles at a swinging pace -he could also hear shouts. - -He had come almost to a thin belt of forest when he saw figures -approaching among the trees. Dropping down behind a bush, he eagerly -watched them. At the edge of the forest they came clearly into view, -and he saw that they were black men, marching in single file, rapidly, -in spite of heavy loads. From behind them came at short intervals the -still louder crack of rifles, and the more voluminous shouts of men. In -a few moments he recognized them as men of his safari, and rose to meet -them. His figure suddenly appearing above the bush startled them, and -they instantly dropped their loads with yells, and began to run away. -But a shout from him dispelled their fright; they turned, and hastened -towards him, leaving their loads, however, where they had thrown them. - -When they met him they told him in accents of terror that the msungu was -fighting with a great host of bad men. Two or three showed wounds they -had received. John ordered them to return to their loads and take them -up, and then to look out for the party following him. He hurried -forward into the wood, and half-a-mile further on came upon Ferrier with -the rest of the safari, slowly retiring before a horde of savages. He -had supposed that the "great host" of which the porters had spoken was -an exaggeration born of their panic, but he saw that Ferrier and his men -were, in fact, holding at bay a crowd of natives, among whom he -perceived the white garments of Swahilis. Ferrier had Coja on his right -and Said Mohammed on his left, each at a few yards' interval, the -remainder of the party, armed only with bows and arrows, being spread -out on each side over a considerable space to avoid the risk of being -outflanked. They were retiring slowly, taking cover behind trees, -picking off any of the enemy who showed themselves. Ferrier himself was -a dead shot now that he had recovered the full use of his arm. Several -men had fallen to his unerring aim. What execution Coja and Said -Mohammed did John never knew; but their shots had been effective in -daunting the enemy, who had not dared to come too near, or to make a -rush. With a little more courage and generalship the savages, vastly -outnumbering the safari, could have swept round them and had them at -their mercy; but the young Canadian had hitherto managed to hold off the -bolder spirits who pressed him in front, and the others followed on -without as yet attempting a flanking movement. - -"Good man!" cried John, as he hastened to Ferrier's side. "My lot are -coming up. We had better get out of this wood, or they'll be all round -us." - -They retired more quickly. It was time, for when they reached the -plain, they saw that parties of the enemy, who had at last realized that -they were losing opportunities, had crept round to right and left. John -instantly sent a shot among the nearer crowd, causing them to scatter. -Then, perceiving that another party had slipped by and was hastening in -pursuit of the porters, he called some of the bowmen, who were mightily -encouraged by his arrival, and set off in chase. Another shot sent this -party flying. John saw that the river would form an excellent defence -to the left flank of his little force, and running back to Ferrier, he -asked him to edge nearer to it. - -"If we can only manage to keep them off until our men have had time to -climb the bluff, we can make a bolt for it," he said. "Up there among -the boulders we can hold our own against any number." - -They retired slowly towards the belt of trees fringing the river. By -the time they reached it Bill came up with the party from the fort. This -reinforcement, together with the more advantageous position of the -retiring force, served to check the pursuit. The enemy were not -courageous enough to dash past them within range, though their numbers -were so great that they could easily have afforded the loss of a few -men. The only means they had of slipping past safely and overtaking the -safari was either to make a wide detour across the plain, which would -have given John's party time to reach the bluff before them, or to cross -the river and make their way through the trees on the other bank; but -the current here was swift enough to make fording dangerous. So they -adopted neither course, but followed sullenly in the track of the party, -firing at times, but never diminishing the distance between them. - -Every now and then John crept out from cover to watch the progress of -the porters. To his impatience they seemed to move extraordinarily -slowly, and indeed their speed was much less than when he had first seen -them, for they had reached the beginning of the ascent, and were tired -with carrying their heavy loads. He could see them toiling up the -bluff, not in a close line, but far apart, the rearmost being nearly -half-a-mile behind the leader. At length he saw with relief that the -last man was within a few yards of the summit. - -"Now we'll give them a volley," said he, "and slip away." - -All who had rifles accompanied him to the edge of the belt of trees, and -at his word fired together at the enemy, who had halted as if undecided -what to do. Another volley flashed from the second barrels; then, -withdrawing among the trees, the party ran along in the direction of the -bluff, reloading as they went. Within a few hundred yards they came -without warning upon a band of twenty or thirty natives with two -Swahilis among them. They must have found a means of crossing the -river, hastened along the opposite bank, and then recrossed ahead of -John's party. There was no time for hesitation. - -"All together!" shouted Ferrier. - -They poured in a volley, emptying both barrels; then, with John and -Ferrier at the head, charged straight at the enemy. The savages, -themselves taken aback by this sudden and vigorous onslaught, were too -much flurried to discharge their weapons. While they still hesitated, -the two white men were upon them, smiting right and left with the stocks -of their rifles, their native followers close at their heels, making the -air ring with their shouts. The savages immediately in the path of John -and Ferrier went over like ninepins; a way was cleft through the group; -several fell to the spears of the natives; the rest turned and fled -right and left with wild yells, some plunging into the river, the others -dashing towards their comrades in the plain. - -"Now for a sprint," cried John. "We're not far from the bluff." - -They ran as fast as they could through the clinging undergrowth, emerged -from cover when the rising ground told them that the end of their march -was near at hand, and began to climb the steep ascent. The enemy, whose -main body had hurried forward at the sound of firing in the expectation -of finding their quarry engaged with the ambush, were driven frantic at -the sight of their prey escaping them. Plucking up courage at last, -they rushed forward in a yelling swarm, hoping to overcome the little -party which had baffled them while it was still on the lower slope of -the bluff, the path being so narrow that the climbers must go in single -file. In a few brief sentences John ordered the bowmen to climb as -quickly as possible, while with the rest he remained at the foot to -check the rush. The enemy had come within two hundred yards before John -and his companions had time to reload their rifles, which they had been -unable to do during their dash through the undergrowth. But they came -no nearer. A volley brought down several men in the front line of the -mass, if the van of such a wild horde could be called a line. The rest -wavered; while they hesitated the terrible bullets were again singing -among them. It was enough: they broke and fled in disorder, sped by a -flight of arrows from the men who had climbed the bluff and were able to -shoot without the risk of injuring their friends below. - -"I think that's the end," said John, panting as much with excitement as -with his exertions. "Up you go, Coja!" - -They hastened up the path, Ferrier and John the last two of the line. -When they reached the top, where their men were awaiting them, they -halted to look back over the plain. - -"My word! you've done jolly well," cried John, as he saw the dusky -throng halted below. "I had no idea there were so many of them. What -happened, Charley?" - -"Yesterday afternoon, just after I had brought in those fellows we left -at our little camp, the beggars made a sudden rush on us, springing up -from nowhere, as it appeared. It was the same lot that we stampeded, -but largely reinforced, and from what my men said, there's no doubt the -newcomers belong to the same tribe I had trouble with when you rescued -me. It was lucky we weren't completely taken by surprise. I had a sort -of notion they might try on something of the sort. I don't believe they -knew at first that you had gone, and their idea was to have their -revenge for the slap we gave them. Juma was among them, Coja told me." - -"The blackguard!" - -"I had got the boma repaired where we burnt it, so that they couldn't -get in, but they came all round us, keeping under cover, and thinking, I -suppose, that they would starve us out. I felt I was in a bit of a fix. -We might hold our own in the camp for three or four days; but I was -afraid they'd stay there until you came back, and there was such a crowd -of them, as you see, that I didn't see how you could possibly get -through them. It struck me that the best thing I could do was to come -after you and join forces while there was time; so I left the fires -burning and slipped away in the middle of the night, making a detour -round their camp, which they had pitched about a quarter of a mile -up-stream. We couldn't march very fast with our loads, but the men were -very plucky, and it wasn't till this afternoon that the beggars caught -us. We had been fighting for about an hour when you came up, and I was -jolly glad to see you, I can tell you, for they were beginning to press -us very closely, and we couldn't have kept it up much longer. What luck -have you had?" - -"I've got the fort: I'll tell you all about it when we get there. By -Jove! there is a lot of them. What are they up to?" - -The enemy, numbering, as nearly as John could estimate, more than four -hundred, had given up direct pursuit, evidently recognizing that to -scale the bluff under the rifles of its defenders would be a hopeless -task. They were marching rapidly to the right. In addition to the -fighting men, there was also a large number of men and women carrying -loads, no doubt provisions: these had only just come up with the main -body. - -"Is there any other way up the escarpment?" asked Ferrier, anxiously. - -"Not that I know of. It looks as if they're going to make a round to -the fort. We had better hurry on." - -They turned about and marched rapidly after the men, who were already -some distance away. - -"I had begun to demolish the fort," said John, "which is a pity if -they're going to besiege us. Perhaps they've had enough of it, though." - -"Can't we repair it?" - -"Unluckily we've pitched the stones of the wall into the pool -surrounding it, and I'm afraid we can't fish them up again. It's a good -job we hadn't done much. We were in the middle of the work when Bill -heard your shots. He spotted your rifle; his hearing is amazingly -acute." - -"Well, it seems to me that we are in for a nice little campaign. It is -to be hoped your friend Gillespie has started for the farm. I don't -like to think of it being left." - -"Let's see. He must just about have got my letter, I should think. I -don't feel very anxious. We had no troubles except from lions and Juma, -and the chief will lend a hand if any wandering tribe turns up, which -isn't likely. No, Charley; the difficulty's here: and upon my word it -looks as if we've got a campaign on our hands, as you say. However, here -we are! There's the fort, and we've got to hold it, my boy." - -"Right ho! I only hope it won't be another Ladysmith." - -"Can't possibly. Our food won't last a week." - -"Oh!" said Ferrier. - - - - -CHAPTER THE SEVENTEENTH--John's Letter - - -In the comfortable dining-room of Mr. Gillespie's bungalow a merry party -was assembled. At the right hand of Mr. Gillespie sat a handsome, -well-preserved lady, who was fifty and looked forty-five. At the other -end of the table, beside the hostess, was our friend Mr. Halliday, fresh -and florid, evidently in the best of health. His neighbour on the right -was a slim young girl in black; hers was a tall, well-set-up young man -of twenty-five. Opposite these two, in due sequence, were a girl who -might have been seventeen, and a youth a year or two older, so much like -her that no one could have doubted they were brother and sister. - -Laughter rang round the table; everybody seemed at the top of -cheerfulness, except the girl in black. Even she smiled at a remark -addressed to her by Mr. Halliday. There was a pause in the conversation -as they devoted themselves to the sweets, which included a wonderful -confection of native pine-apples. Then the lady next to Mr. Gillespie, -in slow level tones, and with the clear enunciation and scarcely -perceptible burr of an educated Scotswoman, said-- - -"He's a dear boy, I'm sure. We could read so well between the lines of -his letters that he thought me a very designing woman----" - -"A Delilah, Cousin Sylvia," said Mr. Halliday. - -"You'd be the better for having your hair cut, Cousin David. I -shouldn't allude to such a personal matter if I didn't hope that Mrs. -Gillespie would back me up. _I've_ done my best to improve you, and -failed; perhaps public opinion will do some good." - -"Don't worry, Mrs. Burtenshaw," said Mr. Gillespie. "He'll get a -thorough crop before he goes up country, where barbers are unknown." - -"But it won't matter then, where there's no one to see him.... It was -plain John thought his father would marry me----" - -"The other way about, cousin," Mr. Halliday interposed. "He wouldn't -suspect me of all men of fortune hunting." - -"Listen to him!" exclaimed Mrs. Burtenshaw, drawing herself up with an -affectation of injured dignity. "If any man wanted to marry me it could -only be for my money, you see. As I was saying, John quite expects to -be presented with a step-mother, and resents it, like all young things. -Joe there wouldn't speak to me for a week when I married poor -Burtenshaw. It's a nice kind of jealousy, don't you think so, Mrs. -Gillespie?" - -"Just like a dog's," said Mrs. Gillespie, in a tone that made every one -laugh. "When we first came out we had a collie that couldn't see my -husband put his arm round me without whining to be petted." - -"John will be flabbergasted when he sees us," said the older of the two -young men, referred to by his mother as Joe. - -"Yes, wasn't it funny that he should come across them in the wilds of -Africa, and rescue Poll from a game-pit without either of them knowing -they were cousins?" said Helen, his sister. "It's quite a romance." - -"Doesn't he know the relationship now?" asked Mrs. Gillespie. - -"No," said Mr. Halliday, with a chuckle. "I asked him in one of my -letters whether he had seen anything of the Brownes. You see, they -talked of settling here, before they came into this fortune." - -"That's all over now, of course," said Mr. Gillespie. - -"I'm not so sure," said Joe Browne. "The people at home were very nice, -and all that, but they're too stiff and starched after what we've been -used to; wear high collars and kid gloves. I don't fancy Poll and I -could settle down to that sort of thing." - -"And I don't want you to," said Mrs. Burtenshaw. "I don't believe in -healthy young men loafing about, and I tell my boys they'll have to work -for their living just as if I were a poor woman." - -"Capital!" said Mr. Gillespie. "And when they see what John has been -doing I warrant they'll settle down as neighbours. There'll be quite a -little colony of Scotsmen about Alloway soon, for I've no doubt you've -Scotch blood in you, Miss Ferrier?" - -"Diluted, Mr. Gillespie," said the girl in black. "My grandfather was a -Scotsman, but he married a Frenchwoman--Canadian French, of course. Do -you really think my brother will settle here?" - -"Well, I can't exactly say," was Mr. Gillespie's cautious reply. "It -seems very probable from what John says in his letters. Don't you like -the prospect?" - -"Oh, I shall live with Charley, of course; and if it's really as nice as -he says--there isn't any real danger, is there?" - -"A lion among the ladies!" cried Mr. Halliday, and they all laughed, -Said Mohammed's quotation being common property among them. "I think -you'll find it all right, my dear," he added in his fatherly way. "I -dare say John and your brother between them have exterminated the lions -in our neighbourhood by this time." - -"I think Hilda was very plucky to come all this way alone," said Helen. -"_I_ shouldn't have had the courage." - -"But I wasn't really alone," said Hilda Ferrier. "The people on the -_Mauretania_ were very kind, and I met you on the _Palawan_, you see. I -was thinking more of the natives than of lions: of course, you can shoot -lions." - -"And you can shoot men, my dear," said Mr. Halliday. - -"There, now you've frightened her," said Mrs. Burtenshaw, as a startled -look crossed the girl's face. "What an absurd man you are, David! -You've told us over and over again that the natives are perfectly -friendly." - -"So we found them, Cousin Sylvia. We had no trouble except with the -thieves of our own safari. I grudge them the rifles they stole, that's -a fact. I suppose that villain Juma has never dared to show his face in -Nairobi again, Gillespie?" - -"Not to my knowledge. He wouldn't bring your rifles if he did." - -"Why did he steal them, then?" asked Helen. - -"To shoot with, of course," said Oliver Browne. "What a question!" - -"I thought he might want to sell them, or pawn them, or something." - -"We've no pawn-shops in Nairobi," said Mr. Gillespie, laughing, "though -I'm sorry to say we've some Indian money-lenders who've got their clutch -on some of our poorer settlers. Juma won't try to sell the rifles here -at any rate. I suppose he stole them to shoot with, as your brother -says, though I confess it's a little odd. He has been a porter for -several years past, and it isn't like porters to give up their trade. -Perhaps he has taken a fancy for being independent, and has settled down -somewhere with others of his kidney. The rifles would be very useful to -him in getting food. He's a scamp, though; for he has unquestionably -deserted his wife, who has turned out a capital laundress, John says." - -"He hasn't been back to the farm?" asked Mr. Halliday. - -"John hasn't said so. I think my notion must be correct, because the -man has led an adventurous life, and the only surprising thing is that -he should go back to it after years of portering. I believe he once -belonged to a party of Arab ivory-dealers--I can't call them hunters, -for all they did was to buy, or steal, ivory from the Wanderobbo north -of Kenya. They were smashed up a few years ago by a tribe of Embe or -Rendili, and Juma was said to be the only one who escaped. He has -always been a good porter, except for his temper, and people have put up -with that because of his strength and ingenuity.... This is cheese from -John's dairy, Mrs. Burtenshaw; I can recommend it." - -At this point a black servant entered, carrying a letter on a salver. - -"A letter from John himself," said Mr. Gillespie, glancing at the -envelope. "Now we shall hear all the news." - -He broke the envelope and cast his eye over the contents, the others -waiting in silence to hear what he had to say. He looked up in a moment -and gave a quick glance at Mr. Halliday. Then, still holding the -letter, he smiled and said-- - -"Shall we go into the other room, Mother, and digest this letter with -some coffee?" - -"Very well, my dear," said Mrs. Gillespie, rising. No one could have -detected from her placid face and natural movements that she was aware -that something was wrong. Oliver, who was nearest to the door, held it -while the ladies passed out, and stood back for the elder men to follow. - -"Go on, my boy," said Mr. Gillespie. "I'll look out some cigars I want -you to try; be with you in a moment." - -He took Mr. Halliday by the arm as he was passing, shut the door, and -putting the letter into his hand, said-- - -"Read that!" - -This is what Mr. Halliday read-- - -DEAR MR. GILLESPIE, - -The farm has been raided while we were away--got away by a trick. I -suspect Juma and his gang. They collared all our rifles and ammunition. -Ferrier and I are starting at once to follow them up. I want you to -send up somebody at once--a white man--to give an eye to things. I dare -say we shall be back by the time he gets here, but it'll be just as well -to have somebody on the spot in case we're longer than I expect. Sorry -to trouble you, but I've got to teach Juma a lesson. - -Yours in haste, - D. HALLIDAY. - -"That's the explanation!" exclaimed Mr. Halliday. "Can I start -to-night?" - -"No. This may be a serious business--the young madcap! I hope he'll -turn back if he doesn't catch them at once----" - -"That wouldn't be John. He'll go on till he has thrashed them." - -"Then heaven help him! Man, he may find himself among a whole tribe of -blood-thirsty savages. And the worst of it is we may not reach him in -time. It's not merely a question of looking after the farm. We'll -start as soon as it's light: I'll get a party together." - -"The police?" - -"No: can't wait for them. I'll go down to the club and get some fellows -I can rely on. We'll go on horses and mules. We had better not alarm -the women." - -"We must tell them something. Better out with it, I think. They'll -only think it worse than it is if they see we're keeping something -back." - -"Couldn't be worse. Well, perhaps you are right; but don't let 'em see -we're put about." - -"All right. Give me a cigar." - -They strolled into the other room smoking, showing no trace of their -anxiety. Mrs. Gillespie looked up quickly as her husband entered, but -only said-- - -"Come, your coffee is poured out and getting cold." - -"My own growing, ma'am," said Mr. Gillespie to Mrs. Burtenshaw, as he -took his cup, "and I hope you like it." - -"Mother couldn't say she doesn't, could she?" said Helen archly. "_I_ -like it very much." - -"Helen speaks for us all," said Mrs. Burtenshaw. "Well, what does John -say?" - -"Any news of the failed B.A.?" asked Joe. - -"He doesn't mention him this time. In fact, it's just a note: you can't -call it a letter. He has had to leave the farm for a day or two, and -wants me to send up a man to look after things in his absence." - -"Has Charley gone too?" asked Hilda Ferrier. - -"Yes, they've both gone, or it wouldn't be necessary to ask for a man. -It's lucky Mr. Halliday is on the spot, so we shan't have to hire -anybody." - -"Gone shooting, I suppose," said Joe. - -"Or after strayed sheep," said Oliver. "They're always a trouble." - -"But I don't understand," said Hilda. "You say they have gone: why -didn't John get somebody before he went?" - -"That shows it's sheep," replied Oliver quickly. "He'd have to start at -once or he wouldn't stand much chance of getting 'em all. That's it, -isn't it, Mr. Gillespie?" - -"Well, no, not exactly." - -"In fact," said Mr. Halliday quietly, "the farm has been robbed, and as -there are no policemen in the neighbourhood, John has had to go after -the robbers himself." - -"Gone shooting: I said so," remarked Joe. - -"Don't be absurd, Joe," said Helen. - -"I'm going to take Halliday down to the club, if you'll excuse us," said -Mr. Gillespie. "He'll start for the farm to-morrow----" - -"So soon!" interrupted Joe quickly. "I thought we should all go -together at the end of the week." - -"I must go to-morrow," said Mr. Halliday, "and as I shall be off before -you're up in the morning I'll say good-bye now. I'll be back in a few -days, and then you can all come and view our estate. It's just as well -that I am going first, for we shall have to get some rooms ready for -you, you know." - -He shook hands all round, and left with Mr. Gillespie, who had been -speaking in an undertone to his wife. Joe Browne followed them from the -room. - -"I say, Cousin David," he said, "what's up?" - -Hesitating a moment, Mr. Halliday put John's note into his hand. Joe -whistled softly. - -"I'm coming," he said. "So will Poll. What time do you start?" - -"My dear boy, your mother----" - -"Mother's an old trump. I shall tell her the exact state of the case -quietly, of course; I won't scare the girls; and she won't turn a hair. -We'll ride, I suppose? You can get us mounts, Mr. Gillespie?" - -"Yes. We'll start at sunrise. You've got khaki and sun helmets?" - -"Of course. We'll be ready, sir, Poll and I." - -At six o'clock next morning a party of ten rode out of Nairobi. It -consisted of the four men we know, with five friends of Mr. Gillespie -and a Somali guide. Six were mounted on horses, the rest on mules. Two -members of Mr. Gillespie's household watched them leave. One was his -wife, who bid them Godspeed at the door; the other was Hilda Ferrier, -who had passed a sleepless night, and looked forth from the window of -her room with tired and anxious eyes. - - - - -CHAPTER THE EIGHTEENTH--An Attack in Force - - -It was within an hour of sunset when John and Ferrier reached the fort. -They looked first of all to see whether it was possible to raise the -stones which had been cast into the pool, for the purpose of repairing -the wall, and found, as John had suspected, that they were too deep -below the surface. - -"We must make the best of it," said John. "It's lucky we hadn't got -more of the wall down. They won't bother us to-night, that's one -comfort. They'll think twice before crossing the causeway in the dark." - -It proved as he had said. A careful watch was kept all through the -night, but nothing happened to disturb them. As soon as there was a -glimmer of light John went to the gate with Ferrier to survey the -surroundings. Except for the clump of woodland half-a-mile away on the -east there was nothing that afforded good cover, and it struck Ferrier -that it would be a good plan to seize the wood with the fighting men -before the enemy could occupy it. But when he passed over the causeway -with John and a dozen of the natives they discovered to their vexation -that they were too late. They had advanced but a short distance when -they were met by a volley from among the trees, and though none of the -party was hit, John considered it prudent to retire into the fort and -await developments there. - -During the rest of the day the enemy made no serious attack. The smoke -from their camp-fires was seen rising above the trees, and now and then -a shot was fired if any of the garrison showed themselves at the gate or -in the gap of the wall; but the enemy were indifferent marksmen, and the -day passed without casualties. - -"Things don't look very rosy, do they?" said Ferrier, as he lay on the -ground discussing the situation with John. They had found when they -came to look into matters that some of the porters during their hurried -flight had abandoned their loads. Two boxes of ammunition were missing, -and several baskets of provisions. Said Mohammed was in great distress -at the loss of the package containing cocoa, condensed milk, and -marmalade. This, however, was not so serious as the loss of grain. The -total food supply, including the provisions found in the fort, would not -last more than three or four days; and John, though he did not say so, -thought that Ferrier would have done better to retreat towards the farm -than to advance chivalrously to rejoin him. He considered that it would -have been possible for himself and his fighting men, unencumbered with -baggage of any great weight, to have made a rapid march after -demolishing the fort, and joined hands with Ferrier probably twenty -miles nearer home. But fate had ordained otherwise; the situation must -be faced as it existed. - -"Things certainly do not look rosy," John replied to Ferrier's remark, -"but they might be worse--which is a pretty rotten platitude when you -come to think of it. It looks as if they mean to keep us boxed up here. -We shall have to get out when our food's exhausted, or starve, and I'm -inclined to think we had better make a dash for it at once, before the -men get weak. These natives who live mostly on grain food soon crock -up: they haven't anything like our reserve strength, whatever the -vegetarians may say." - -"I don't know. My poor father and I passed through a village where the -people hadn't had any food for a week, and it was wonderful to see how -energetic they were when they saw us coming. They were all skin and -bone, dreadful-looking objects; but they weren't anything like so -crocked as we should be." - -"Well, I suppose it all depends on what you are used to. We'll discuss -the pros and cons of vegetarianism when we're out of this and have got a -full choice of either food. At present we are likely to become -air-eaters before long." - -"Aerophags, eh? or chameleons: they're supposed to live on air, aren't -they?" - -"You seem very chirpy." - -"Well, old chap, the fact is I'm so uncommonly glad we're both alive -that I am perhaps inclined to be a little----" - -"Light-headed," suggested John. - -"If you must be serious, I don't think your notion of an immediate dash -is a good one. The men have had a lot of hard marching, and we ought to -give them a good rest--a full day, at any rate." - -"I dare say that would be wise, but the worst of it is that it will give -time for that crowd outside to grow still bigger, and the chances of our -getting through them safely will be slighter than ever." - -"But remember they've got to eat, as well as we, and the more there are -of them the worse their position. The country we came through was -practically barren, and when they have used up the food they have with -them they'll have to range about for more. That'll be our chance. I -vote we sit tight for a while." - -"All right. Here's Said with our supper: what is it to-night, -khansaman?" - -"I suffer pangs, sir, in serving gents with such slops, et cetera, but -cupboard is bare, sir, to quote classic of Mother Hubbard; all I can -provide for sustenance is cassava bread, beans, and bovril. Incredulity -of native mind, sir, is as colossal as credulity. Carved wooden stick -is a devil right enough: but when I tell them my little brown bottle -contains concentrated essence of stall-fed ox, lo! they grin all over -their mug and ask where are its four legs." - -"That's rather a good thing, for they won't envy us our supper. We -shall do very well, as long as it lasts." - -"Ah, sir, I remember the beautiful words of Dr. Johnson, great -lexicographer: 'And every moment makes my little less.' Hunger is the -best sauce, sir, but it does not fill the saucepan." - -This night, like the last, was undisturbed. On the afternoon of the -next day, when John had ceased to look for any offensive movement on the -part of the enemy, he saw a great crowd of them issue from the wood, and -come yelling across the ground towards the causeway. - -"Hallo! They're getting desperate," he said to Ferrier. He immediately -brought up all the men who had firearms and placed them at the gap in -the wall, bidding them keep under cover and fire when he gave the word. -The yelling horde were met by a volley just as they reached the landward -end of the causeway; but though several men dropped it did not check the -rush, and John concluded from their intense excitement that they had -been stimulating their courage with fermented liquor. Some sprang on to -the causeway, and began to run across it; others took to the water, -which soon swarmed with black heads moving towards the fort. The -garrison fired as fast as they could reload, but the men rushing in -single file along the causeway did not present a good target, and the -swimmers were far too numerous to be dealt with by a dropping fire from -the wall. The defenders in their turn were how the mark for a fusillade -from the further shore of the pool, where several Swahilis had taken up -their position, finding a little shelter in the reeds, and doing their -best to cover the attack of the natives. John looked eagerly among them -for the big form of Juma, resolving if he saw him to pick him off; the -fall of their leader might demoralize or dishearten the rest. But Juma -never came in sight; apparently he was directing the movement from a -place of safety in the rear. - -The men running across the causeway sprang into the water when they came -to the gap from which the bridge had been removed, and, swimming under -water, sought to scramble on to the narrow shelf of land which ran -beneath the wall at this part. At the same time those who had swum -round on either side were swarming on hands and knees up the steep bank. -The attack began to look more serious than John had anticipated. There -were several hundreds of the assailants, and to meet these he had but -forty-three, of whom only ten had rifles. The difficulty was increased -by the fact that when the enemy succeeded, as some of them did, in -effecting a lodgment, it was necessary that his men should show -themselves above the wall in order to shoot down upon them, thus -becoming exposed to the fire from the Swahilis. Leaving his riflemen at -the gap to deal with the men who came over the causeway and to keep down -as much as possible the fire from the shore, John ran with Ferrier to -whatever part of the wall was at the moment the most seriously -threatened. He had already proved the poor marksmanship of the -Swahilis, and, seeing that the enemy must be prevented at all costs from -entering the fort, he no longer troubled to seek cover, but ordered the -men to mount the wall and make the most of their advantage in being -several feet above their attackers. Ferrier and he, fully exposed to -the enemy's fire, ran from place to place encouraging the men, grasping -their rifles by the barrel so as to use them as clubs if any of the -storming party came near the top of the wall. - -The extent of rampart to be defended was so great and the enemy so -numerous that in spite of all efforts many of them succeeded in -scrambling up the mound. Then, having reached the top, they set their -feet in crevices between the stones and clambered up with great agility, -with spears in their mouths. But no sooner did they show their heads -above the wall than John, or Ferrier, or some of the men were upon them, -and with clubbed rifles, spears, or fists, hurled them down the slope -and into the water. A few managed to mount on the wall before the -defenders could reach them, and held their position for a minute or two, -thrusting viciously with their spears and wounding several of the -garrison. John noticed these, and, hastily loading, called to his men -to drop down and then fired, following up the shot with a rush. This -group waited for no more, but sprang from the wall, fell headlong on the -slope, and rolled into the pool, whither one of their comrades, shot by -John's rifle, had already preceded them. - -In spite of these checks, the enemy still came on. Those who had been -thrown down returned again to the assault, and were constantly -reinforced by others. More parties gained a temporary footing on the -wall; there was hand-to-hand fighting at several points at once; and -John began to fear that his men would lose heart and give way before -sheer weight of numbers. Neither he nor Ferrier could be everywhere, -and it was noticeable that the enemy held their ground longest where the -defenders had not the presence of the white men to give them confidence. -The tide was turned at last by Said Mohammed, who had a brilliant -inspiration. There was always a fire burning in the middle of the -enclosure. It suddenly occurred to him, when he saw his party beginning -to be hard pressed, to boil some water, and observing that John and -Ferrier were occupied at two different points far apart, he ran towards -the wall between them, where a group of the enemy were on the point of -springing down into the enclosure. He carried a can full of boiling -water. Aiming it at the biggest man of the group, just as he was -bending forward to spring, the Bengali hurled the canful at his head. -The scalding water fell not only on him, but on the man next him, and -there rose two frightful yells which drowned all other sounds of combat. -The injured men and their immediate comrades leapt frantically into the -pool; their cries caused a weakening of the attack elsewhere; and the -two white men, seizing the moment, though unaware at the time to what it -was due, laid about them still more lustily with their rifles. - -The savages on the side where Said Mohammed had so opportunely -intervened were now seen swimming to the shore. Their panic was -speedily communicated to their fellows, and in a few moments at least -half of the attacking force were in retreat. The defenders being thus -free to devote all their attention to the enemy in the other quarter, -soon made short work of them, and after twenty minutes of exhausting -effort they saw the whole force making shorewards, and scurrying back -under cover. John's riflemen fired a few shots at them as they fled, -but he put a stop to this, thinking that the punishment they had already -received might have taught them a lesson and would break up the siege. - -As he turned from the wall to see what casualties the garrison had -suffered, Said Mohammed came up to him with his usually solemn face -spread abroad with a smile. An empty can was swinging in his hand. - -"I did that jolly well, sir: _Hoc solus feci_." - -"By and by," said John impatiently, thinking that the Bengali had some -trifling act to relate at epic length. Said Mohammed's smile vanished -like an April sun behind a cloud. He looked sorrowfully after John's -retreating form, then brightened a little as he caught sight of Ferrier. - -"Esteemed sir," he said, advancing towards him, "this humble billy was -the _Deus ex machina_." - -"Eh! What! You aren't hurt, are you?" said Ferrier, hurrying by. - -"Only in my soul," muttered Said Mohammed, gloom descending upon him. -"'Slow rises worth by poverty depressed.'" - -John and Ferrier spent the next half-hour in attending to the wounded. -Not a man had been killed; but several were suffering from spear wounds, -and still more from rifle shots. The white men were again struck by the -uncomplaining patience of the injured men. - -"You may call it a lack of sensibility if you like," said Ferrier, "but -I guess it's a fine thing from a military point of view." - -"One can understand how Wellington's army in the Peninsula, the scum of -the earth, as he called them, did what they did. I wish we could do -something for these poor chaps. One of them is done for, I'm afraid; I -don't feel fit to-day to dig out the bullets from the others. All we -can do is to bathe 'em and bandage them up; they've astonishing -vitality. Did you read some time ago about a fellow who got a bullet in -him in the Franco-Prussian war, and didn't have it removed till thirty -years afterwards? Hallo! You've had a knock yourself." - -"So have you." - -"I didn't know it," said John, looking himself up and down. - -"I'm sorry to say it's behind," said Ferrier, with a smile: "just under -your shoulder. You'd better take your shirt off and let me see to it." - -"After you. You've got a pretty gash in your neck. My face must have -scared 'em, and they didn't recover till I had turned, and then jabbed -me in the back." - -"If we were only outside, Bill might find some of his herbs and plaster -us. However, we're lucky to have got off so well, and I hope we shan't -have anything worse to go through before we get back." - -Said Mohammed was unwontedly silent when he brought their supper. He -handed them their bovril and cassava cakes without a word. John -suddenly remembered that he had brushed hastily past the Bengali just as -the fight was over. - -"By the way, khansaman," he said, "you began to tell me something. Sorry -I was too busy to attend to you. What was it?" - -"Trifling matter, sir, not worthy of august attention," murmured the -man. - -"You made some remark about your billy, didn't you?" said Ferrier. "I -didn't quite catch it." - -"Foreign lingo, sir: in short, Latin, reformed pronunciation." - -"Ah! that accounts for it. I was taught by an old Westminster man. You -should take pity on my ignorance, khansaman." - -"Accepting your invite, sir, I take you back to critical moment when all -seemed U P. The hour brings forth the man. There came into my mind the -lovely words of Alfred Lord Tennyson, poet laureate-- - - Fill the can, and fill the cup: - All the windy ways of men - Are but dust that rises up, - And is lightly laid again. - -There was the enemy, rising up like dust; here was the can, ready to be -filled. Whereupon I filled it in a jiffy, boiled it in the time -ordained by nature, and with this right hand hurled it in teeth of the -foe. The dust was laid, sir. Q.E.F." - -"By Jove!" cried John, "I wondered why they slackened off all of a -sudden. You did jolly well, khansaman." - -"Shows the usefulness of English literature," said Ferrier gravely. "You -never know what inspiration it may give at times of difficulty and -danger." - -"Verree true, sir; and it makes me feel jolly bucked to know I have such -spanking good memory." - - - - -CHAPTER THE NINETEENTH--Trapped - - -The failure of their determined assault had evidently discouraged the -enemy, for during the following day they scarcely showed themselves. -John was disappointed, however, to find that it had not caused them to -break up their camp. The stock of food in the fort was seriously -deplenished; but after the spirit the enemy had displayed he felt that -the chances of surviving a running fight with them would be small. The -notion of slipping away in the darkness again occurred to him, and as he -talked it over with Ferrier it suddenly came into his head to make a -preliminary night sortie himself, to see how the land lay on the side of -the fort remote from the enemy. - -"We can carry one of the canoes to that end, lift it over the wall, and -launch it without being seen." - -"If there are none of the enemy about," said Ferrier. "You remember we -saw a party of them cross the river to-day and march in that direction, -foraging, I suppose." - -"Yes, but we've never seen or heard a sign of them at night." - -"That's true." - -"And I say, I've another idea. We want food badly: why shouldn't I go -out at night with Bill and a few others and shoot something?" - -"Are you quite mad, my dear chap? Your shots would bring them on you in -no time." - -"Of course I shouldn't attempt to shoot anything until we were miles -away from the camp. We could cover five or six miles before it was -light, and if we take care not to go to windward they won't hear a -single rifle-shot. A volley would be a different thing, I grant you." - -"I doubt whether the reeds on that side of the pool are thick enough to -hide the canoe, and if they discover it----" - -"There's no need to hide it," John interrupted. "One of the men can -paddle it back, and come for us again when we give you a hail. We shall -have to return by night, of course." - -"Well, you bowl over my objections one after another, so I suppose you -must go. Can't I come too?" - -"We can't both leave the place." - -"Well, why shouldn't I go and you stay?" - -"You see, I understand Bill better than you do, and he'll be the one to -find the game. I really think, Charley, this time----" - -"Oh, all right!" said Ferrier, interrupting. "This time, and that time, -and all the other times!" - -"But you fired the boma!" - -"Is that to last me for ever?" - -"And came to find me, fighting: what about that? Still, if you want to -go----" - -"Not a bit of it, old man. It's your idea; you go; I'll run over in my -mind all the poetry I know and see if I can get a happy thought like -Said Mohammed." - -Two hours before dawn the canoe was gently lowered by ropes over the -wall at the end of the fort opposite the gate. Here, it will be -remembered, the slope of the ground immediately beneath the wall was -steep, but the island jutted out, in a fairly level spit, for some -distance into the pool. John, the Wanderobbo, and five other men were -let down in the same way, four of them to accompany John as carriers of -any game he might obtain, the fifth to paddle the canoe back when they -had landed. The night was very dark; they moved with scarcely a sound; -and having gained the further shore John and his companions struck off -across country. - -John's intention had been to go directly north, but when Bill told him -that the banks of the river would be the most likely quarter in which to -find game at sunrise, when the animals came down to drink, he resolved -to strike off in a north-westerly direction, from which quarter the wind -blew, and gain the river somewhere north of the rapids. They marched -very quickly, the plain on this side of the river being open, came to -the river-bank in about half-an-hour, and then tramped along up-stream, -careful not to approach the water too closely for fear of crocodiles. -At dawn they were, John thought, at least five miles from the fort, but -he decided to go a mile or two farther before beginning operations, to -lessen any risk of shots being heard in the camp. - -The river wound this way and that, now between level banks, now bordered -by steep bluffs thick with overhanging trees. The current was always -swift, and John had been conscious ever since the start that the ground -was gradually rising. Bill did not stick closely to the river: indeed, -that would have been impossible; he sought the easiest way, which led -sometimes through scrub, sometimes over stretches of bare rock which -tried John's boots sorely, sometimes through patches of woodland: -always, however, coming to the river at last. From one elevated -position to which they came John looked back and, now that the morning -haze had lifted, saw the river serpentining behind him, and in the far -distance the pool gleaming in the sunlight, the island and fort a dark -spot in the midst. - -At last he considered that he had come far enough to be out of earshot -from the enemy's camp, and since the nearest village, the abode of the -"bad men," was about a day's march to the north-west, he felt that no -danger was to be anticipated from that quarter. Accordingly the party -of six descended to the level of the river, and Bill began his search -for game-tracks. The river here flowed through narrow channels between -great boulders of a pinkish rock, the brink being lined with reeds. -Before long Bill came upon the spoor of a hippopotamus, and since -necessity knows no law, John thought himself justified in following it -up, in spite of the technical transgression of the terms of his licence. -He was not shooting for sport, he reflected, but for food. - -They came at length to a rocky pool. Bill halted, and pointing to an -overhanging rock on the other side, drew John's attention to a gentle -rippling disturbance of the water. In a moment appeared two red -nostrils covered with coarse black hair. John lifted his rifle, but -Bill signed to him to wait, and after a few seconds the nostrils sank -below the surface: the animal had merely risen to breathe. They all sat -down on the bank to await his reappearance. Several times during -half-an-hour he showed just as much of himself, and no more. This was -tantalizing. Would he never emerge? John's patience at length gave -out. He thought that if he could cross to the other side he might get a -fair shot at the beast, or at least stir him to movement. Looking -down-stream, he saw that some little distance away the surface of the -river was broken, which indicated shallow water. He hastened to the -spot, and stripping to his shirt, waded across waist deep, climbed the -bank, and stealthily crept up until he came directly over the place -where the hippo had last appeared. - -Scarcely had he arrived there when the beast heaved its great back, with -a convulsion of the water, above the surface a little farther up the -pool. In an instant the rifle was at his shoulder: he fired; the hippo -gave a snort, and the water around him was agitated as by an immense -churn. Quick as thought John fired the second barrel: and the beast -rolled over on its side, with a bullet through the brain. - -[Illustration: "The hippo gave a snort, and the water around him was -agitated as by an immense churn."] - -The four porters shouted with delight, and plunged into the water to -drag the carcase to the bank with the cords they had brought with them. -The current, however, carried it downwards, and wedged it between two -rocks so tightly that, when they had tied the cords to the feet, all -their hauling failed for a time to dislodge it. John was determined to -secure the prey, which would provide two days' food for his whole party, -so he stripped off his sole remaining garment and, first spying for -crocodiles, swam to the assistance of the men. After ten minutes' -hauling the unwieldy body was freed from the detaining rocks and drawn -slowly to the bank. - -The men immediately set to work to cut it up with their knives. While -they were engaged in this task, John resolved to go a little farther in -search of more delicate fare for Ferrier and himself. Rolling on the -grass to dry himself, he put on his clothes and set off up-stream with -the Wanderobbo, instructing the others to retrace their steps slowly so -soon as they had tied up their loads. They had proceeded but a short -distance when Bill discovered the track of congoni which had recently -come down to the river to drink. Following it up, they by and by came -in sight of a small herd moving leisurely across the plain to the left. -Being to windward of them, it would be impossible to stalk them -directly. The only chance of getting a shot was to make a long detour -and come upon them from the further side. John's sporting instincts -were roused. There was no fear of losing the track of his men, so he -struck off with Bill at right angles to the river, and after walking -rapidly for half-an-hour in a wide curve, Bill never losing sight of the -game, they got ahead of them, and took cover in a clump of trees which -the animals must pass if they did not change their direction. They came -very slowly, and before reaching the trees swerved somewhat to the -right. It was now or never. John took aim at the nearest of the herd, -which presented its flank to him. His first shot brought it down: the -rest, raising their heads and looking round for a moment, galloped off; -and Bill hurried forward with John to cut from the dead beast as much as -he could carry. - -It was by this time more than an hour since they had left the men; and -since it would be at least another hour before they could overtake them, -John decided to hurry back as soon as Bill had prepared his load. He was -sitting at the edge of the clump of trees, clasping his knees, and -watching Bill's deft movements a few yards away, when he heard a slight -rustling behind him. Thinking it might be a lion or hyena attracted by -the scent of the game, he sprang up, grasping his rifle, only to be -thrown on to his back by the onset of near a score of yelling savages. -He had no opportunity of defending himself. His rifle had been knocked -from his hand and was now in the possession of a tall Swahili, who -grinned at him with malicious triumph as he lay on the ground, and -ordered the savages to turn him over and tie his hands behind his back. -Meanwhile some of the party had dashed after the Wanderobbo, who had -fled towards the river at the first alarm. The old man was soon caught; -John was hoisted to his feet; and in a few minutes he had the -mortification of knowing that he was being marched, a prisoner, in a -direction the exact opposite of the fort. - -The men were in an ecstasy of delight over their capture. They laughed -and jabbered among themselves, but John was unable to recognize the -dialect. He could not ask Bill who they were, for the crestfallen old -man was kept at a distance from him. His hands also had been tied -behind his back. John ventured once to speak to the Swahili, but the -only answer was a grunt. - -They marched on, with intervals for rest, but without food, for the rest -of the day. The country became more and more hilly as they proceeded, -but the Swahili, who led the way, was evidently familiar with it. Just -before sunset they came in sight of a stockaded village, perched up on a -hill, and surrounded by wide well-cultivated fields. The Swahili called -a halt while they were still some distance from the stockade, and, -leaving his prisoners in the charge of a dozen of the men, went forward -with the rest to the gate. There he held a long parley with the -villagers, whom John could see thronging the stockade. The Swahili -turned several times and pointed towards him, and then the talk began -again, with much excited gesturing. John could not guess the meaning of -the pantomime; the only thing that was clear was that it had some -reference to him. At length, when it was almost dark, the Swahili -turned away from the gate and came back to the remainder of his party. -Whatever the subject of the discussion had been, the result was -evidently satisfactory, for a contented smile overspread the man's -swarthy face. He gave a curt order to the men: the prisoners were -lifted from the ground where they had been laid, and urged towards the -village with ungentle proddings from their captors' spears. They -entered the gate and passed through a vast throng of excited people. -John was now able to exchange a few words with Bill, who told him -miserably that this was the village of the "bad men" who had destroyed -the ivory caravan. There was no time for more; the two prisoners were -again separated; amid yells from the men and shrieks of laughter from -the women John was hustled into a noisome hut, and there left, tired and -famished, to chew the cud of bitter reflection, amid the pressing -attentions of innumerable pestilent insects. - -"Here's a pretty go!" he thought. "I suppose they won't eat me, but -what will they do? This Swahili is surely one of Juma's gang, but what -is he doing here? If what Bill says is true, there'll be no love lost -between Juma and these people. What a precious fool I've been! I -wonder if those poor wretches with the hippo meat are collared too? Good -heavens! if they get back safe to the fort, I hope Ferrier won't be mad -enough to come to the rescue. If he does it's good-bye for us all. Oh! -_what_ a fool I am!" - -To know one's folly is a stage towards wisdom: many men never get so -far. - -John groaned, and shook his head and body in a vain attempt to get rid -of his persistent visitors. He tried to release his arms, but failed. -At last, exhausted by fatigue and want of food, and resigned to the -stings he could not avoid, he fell into an uneasy sleep. - -Next morning, as soon as it was light, he was taken out of the hut, his -arms were unbound, and he was given a bunch of bananas, which he ate -ravenously, surrounded by a chattering, grinning crowd of villagers, -men, women, and children, who watched him curiously, making what he felt -to be very personal remarks. He looked around for his companion in -misfortune, but could not see him. He made signs that he was thirsty, -and a girl brought him a gourd of a sweetish-bitter liquor, which he -drained at a draught, and felt so silly that he wondered if he was -drunk. Then there was a great shouting, and the men went away. On -their departure the women drew nearer, touched his clothes and his -bandolier and ran back giggling, pointed to his fair skin where his -shirt was open at the neck, whereat he blushed and they shrieked. One -sportive damsel tugged at the leather watch-chain attached to his belt, -and screamed when his silver watch came out of its fob. He thought with -a kind of fuddled amusement that he might impress them by letting them -hear it tick, and when one came and tried to pull his hair, he held the -watch to her ear, and she fled away screeching. - -What was going on? he wondered. There was a great stirring in the -village. A man passed, and John saw that his face was hideously daubed -with white, and his head surrounded with the skin of some animal. He -carried a spear. Others similarly attired and armed came by. He got up -to watch them more closely, and the spectators fell back and made a wide -circle about him. Beyond them, in the centre of the village, men were -thronging together. It flashed upon him in a moment: they were forming -a war-party. The Swahili had come to enlist their aid. What -inducements he had held out could only be guessed. Probably he had told -them that a white man with great treasure was at their mercy. "Poor old -Charley!" thought John: "it'll be a miracle if he isn't overwhelmed." -For one mad moment he thought of making a dash to the gate, only to -realize that he would never reach it alive. He groaned aloud, and the -wretched little urchins around mocked him, booing with vast enjoyment. - -Then he saw the Swahili approaching with the chief in all his war-paint. -They stood opposite him, talking loud and fast, with many -gesticulations. They were growing angry: what were they disputing -about? The Swahili pointed in the direction of the fort: the chief -shook his head and shouted. Could they be discussing whether to take -him with them or leave him behind? With all his heart he hoped they -would decide for the former course: he might perhaps escape from them -when they approached the fort. But no: presently the Swahili sullenly -gave way: John guessed that he felt that numbers were against him. What -was his fate to be? Was he to be held as a hostage for the due -fulfilment of promises held out? He could not tell. It was clear that -he was to be left in the village. - -The muster was complete. Amid a tremendous clamour the war-party moved -towards the gate. With a sinking of the heart John guessed at their -number: there must be three or four hundred. They marched out, the -Swahili among them, leaving two of his party evidently to keep a watch -on the prisoners--or the prisoner, for where was Bill? They had of -course recognized him as a Wanderobbo: had they butchered him at once? -No: there he was, at the entrance of a small hut thirty yards away. John -took courage at the sight of him. If he was spared, it must be because, -being employed by white men, he might have some commercial value. It -occurred to John now that Juma, the prime mover in these machinations, -would probably stop short of the actual murder of a white man, and might -hold him to ransom. But this did not relieve his anxiety about Ferrier. -The young Canadian would certainly not yield without a struggle, and in -that struggle he might well lose his life. - -The two men left on guard tied his hands again and took him back to his -hut. John made them understand by signs that he did not wish to be -cooped up in its foetid atmosphere, and they let him sit at the -entrance, standing close by with their spears. He saw now that he was -at the highest part of the village, overlooking a vast expanse of the -lower country. There was the war-party, already a dark blot amid the -green. He could see the river winding its way for miles and miles over -the plain, until it became little more than a silver streak in the -sunlight. Was it his fancy, or did he descry in the far distance the -island like a black spot on a silver plate? - -Suddenly he remembered that he had in his pocket the little mirror with -which he had signalled to Ferrier on the march from the farm. Perhaps -he could signal to him now--tell him of his plight, and warn him of the -reinforcement of the enemy. The warning would be of little use to him, -for he could not materially strengthen his defences; but it would at -least show him the folly and the impossibility of attempting a rescue. -Neither his guards nor the villagers would understand what he was about. -He took the mirror from his pocket. The group of onlookers who had -never left him came nearer: what was this piece of solid water that the -msungu held? - -A woman approached him shyly: he held the mirror up to her; she caught -sight of a black smiling face with sharp-filed teeth, and ran away in -consternation, screaming that it was a devil. As she stood explaining -the marvel to her friends, John threw a flash among them: they covered -their eyes, and flew like the wind. Then he turned the glass towards -the fort, and began to make tentative flashes. The guards watched him, -curiously, stolidly; what was the msungu doing? Again and again he -caught the sunbeam, and turned the mirror this way and that. For a long -time there was no answer: he feared the signal had not been seen. Still -he persevered. The guards had ceased to pay any attention to him. At -last he thought he saw a twinkling point of light. Yes: there it was -again: Ferrier was flashing back. Then he began to spell out his -message-- - -"Prisoner: large war-party coming towards you. Good luck!" - -And presently, with much difficulty, for Ferrier's watchcase was a poor -instrument, he read the answer. He could not be sure of it, but it -seemed to be-- - -"Poor old chap! Never say die." - - - - -CHAPTER THE TWENTIETH--Shooting the Rapids - - -The curiosity of the villagers was lulled after a time, and they went -about their usual occupations. The few men left lolled and loafed and -played at knuckle-bones: the women went into the fields and returned -loaded with vegetables. John found that he was not to be ill-treated; -he was given food when the villagers had their meals, and nobody -molested him. The guards dozed near by. But when night came it was -clear that the men had had orders to watch him strictly. He was bound -both hand and foot and taken into the hut, the two men remaining with -the evident intention of keeping him company through the night. Before -he entered he saw that Bill was not held of so much account. He too was -bound, but to all appearance he was left to himself: indeed, the hut -assigned to him, half in ruins, was so small that there would scarcely -have been room in it for another occupant. - -John's discomfort this night sprang less from the insects, to which he -had become inured, than from the proximity of his guards. Armed with -spears, they did not trouble to keep awake, and he soon had proof that -snoring is not, as Ferrier had suggested, an accomplishment only of -civilized races. They might have been trumpeters! He lay oppressed in -the hot stifling air. Deep silence reigned in the village. - -Escape! Why not try? The gate would be unguarded: the negro never -keeps watch unless he is on the war-path, and even then very slackly. If -he once gained the outside, he would have at least some hours in which -to make good his flight. His guards might wake; they might or might not -discover that he had gone; if they did miss him, it would be contrary to -their instinct and their custom if they pursued him in the dark. There -was Bill to be considered: he must not be left behind. But the first -thing was to rid himself of his bonds, and that would be no easy matter. - -Lying still to think out his plan, he saw a chance. All was hushed, but -for the tempestuous snores. It was pitch dark. The guards lay together -near the entrance. With careful movements he rolled and edged and -wriggled across the floor until he knew that he was within a few inches -of the men. Then, groping with his bound wrists, he sought for a spear. -He touched it, grasped it, drew it gently towards him. It resisted: the -guard was lying half upon it. He pulled it again: the snoring ceased -with a sudden snap, and John thought it was all over. But there was a -grunt; the man turned heavily on his side; and the music began again. -The spear was now freed. By careful manoeuvring John got the head -between his knees, and holding it fast, began to saw the thongs that -bound his wrists. The weapon was sharp: the strands parted; he rubbed -the skin to relieve the smarting pain, and then, with two sharp cuts, -released his ankles. - -He stood erect and listened. Only those horn-blasts at his feet. He -peered through the entrance. The darkness without was scarcely less -than within. Carefully, and with a shiver of apprehension, John stepped -over the two stretched forms, in nervous terror lest he should plant a -foot on one of them. He gained the entrance, glancing warily to right -and left, and stepped into the open, snuffing greedily at the cool air. -The village was asleep, calm as the stars twinkling overhead. - -The tumble-down hut in which Bill lay was thirty yards nearer to the -gate. Four huts intervened. John crept round to the back of them and -stole along on tip-toe. He came to the fifth hut, which was separated -from the fourth by a passage a yard wide. Groping down this, he reached -the entrance, and after another look round, put his head within. All -was silent. Perhaps the Wanderobbo tribe did not snore! He called the -man's name softly. - -"Bwana!" whispered Bill. - -In a trice John was beside him. In ten seconds he had cut the ropes. In -twenty both were at the back of the hut. Now Bill took the lead. He -plunged into a banana plantation behind the line of huts, and made his -way swiftly towards the stockade. They came to the gate: it was -unguarded. Being merely a sort of strong hurdle of thorn, held in -position by a few logs, its removal was easy. They passed out, and -lifted the gate back to its former position, though, of course, they -were unable to fasten it. They then ran across the stretch of trodden -grass outside the village, down the hill towards the river. - -Far to the left a lion roared, and John heard his companion utter the -strange gulping sound which in the negro indicates fright. A night -journey in these wilds was a perilous undertaking. They had one spear -between them, a paltry weapon if they should be pounced upon by some -beast of prey. There was just enough light from the stars to enable -them to choose the opener ground, avoiding bush and trees in which wild -beasts might lurk. They moved fast, for John had set his heart on -reaching the neighbourhood of the fort before dawn. There were few -able-bodied men left in the village, but these would turn out in the -morning as soon as the escape was discovered, and scour the surrounding -country. This was reason enough for haste, but there was another. If -they did not succeed in entering the fort before daylight, it would -probably be impossible until the following night. The attack in all -likelihood had not yet been made; the villagers would scarcely attempt -it after their long march; John's whole mind was set on standing by -Ferrier's side when the assault came. - -On they went, running when the ground permitted. Every now and then -John had to stop for Bill's sake, the poor old man, weakened by terror -and hunger (John discovered afterwards that he had had no food all day), -being unequal to the pace. Presently, in descending too rapidly a sharp -declivity, John slipped and sprained himself. When he started again -every movement was painful. To go at any great speed was now -impossible. Still he pushed on, grudging every lost minute of the -night. - -He could not tell what the time was; it was too dark to see his watch. -His pain grew worse at every step, and though he limped along gamely, he -had at length to confess himself done, and sank to the ground. His -distress of mind was as great as that of his body. Was he doomed to -fail? As he crouched miserably in the grass he heard the swirling of -the river close at his right hand. He would go to it and bathe his -aching legs. Bill expostulated: there were sure to be crocodiles; but -John would not be gainsaid. He dragged himself towards the river, and -sat down to rest on a small tree-trunk which had apparently been washed -ashore. In the faint light he saw others dotted about. An idea flashed -upon him. Could they make a raft? Bill had never heard of such a -thing: John did not know if there was a word for it. But he made him -understand that he was to collect some of the smaller logs, and then to -lash them together with strands of the creeping plants which grew in -abundance around. It was hard work and slow in the darkness, John -himself being unable to move freely; but at length something in the -semblance of a raft lay beside him. Rising with difficulty, he helped -Bill to carry it the few yards to the water; then, peering around for -crocodiles, which they would hardly have seen if any had lain there, -they launched the raft and managed to scramble on board, each carrying a -branch to steer with. The current was swift; there was no need for -paddling; and thus, perched precariously on their crazy craft, they -floated down the stream. - -At times they heard movements on one bank or the other. Once they heard -the horrid snap of a crocodile's jaws. A little farther on the raft -bumped against something; there was a swirl of water, and John went hot -and cold at the suspicion that they had collided with a hippopotamus. -The current bore them past in safety, to his inexpressible relief; one -heave of the monster's body would have turned them over. - -So they went on, how long John could not tell. The darkness seemed to -be lifting: from the banks came sounds of awakening life: where were -they? The river was flowing more swiftly; it was racing; and John -suddenly realized with a gasp that he had entered the rapids at the head -of the pool. With frantic movements of the paddles they tried to steer -into the bank; but the current was too much for them; the lumbering -craft was swept along at ever quickening speed; they were helpless. -Dropping their paddles--the spear was already gone--they held on for -dear life to the lashings. Some of them snapped: one of the outer logs -was wrenched away; the raft whirled round, and every moment John -expected it to break apart and hurl them into the race. Still he clung -on with convulsive grip. Bill was flat on his face with his hands over -the edge. On they went, jerked and jarred, until with startling -suddenness they were shot over a rock, and found themselves floating on -the pool. - -The raft was almost in pieces, but it floated more slowly towards the -island. John's relief at finding himself and his companion yet alive -was dashed by a new anxiety. Dawn was glimmering in the sky. If they -were not rescued they would float through the pool to the longer and -even more dangerous series of rapids at the further end. They might be -seen by the enemy on the bank. He could not swim to the fort; his whole -body was stiff and racked with pain; his limbs would fail him. The raft -was drifting past the fort; very slowly, for it was no longer in the -middle of the current; but being without anything to serve as a paddle, -the two could do nothing to check its steady progress towards the lower -rapids. There was only one chance. He called to Bill to shout at the -top of his voice, and putting two fingers to his lips, he blew a shrill -whistle which no white man would fail to recognize. In a moment there -came an answering whistle from the fort. Dimly he saw figures at the -wall. He shouted: a cheery cry answered him: and in a few moments he -saw Ferrier and four men lug a canoe to the gate and put off to the -rescue. - -But the whistle and the shouts had been heard by the enemy, who were -already astir. John could not yet see them, but he heard their yells, -and knew that they were swarming towards the pool. - -"All right, old man, we've got the start of them," cried Ferrier, as the -canoe rapidly approached. - -It was a race between the canoe and the current, between the rescuers -and the enemy. A shot rang out: a flight of arrows hissed into the -water. The raft was drifting within range of the enemy; but in the -half-darkness and against the background of wood on the shore the small -floating object offered but an indifferent mark. Had the day been even -a few minutes older the occupants of the raft would have stood a poor -chance against the arrows, to say nothing of the rifles, of the crowd -that could now be seen flitting like shadows round the margin of the -pool. The greatest source of alarm, however, was not the imperfect -shooting of the enemy, but the rapids to which the raft was drawing ever -nearer. Weakened as it was by its passage of the upper rapids, it was -inconceivable that it could survive the second and far more formidable -strain. The rush of the water could already be heard; the movement of -the raft was perceptibly quickening. Would Ferrier arrive in time? And -if he did overtake the raft, would he too not run a fearful risk of -being drawn into the stream and hurled along in utter helplessness? The -shouts from the shore redoubled in volume; arrows flew more and more -thickly; and John had almost yielded to despair when the canoe shot up -alongside at an amazing pace. Some one grasped the raft; the crew -backed water with all their might. Bill plunged into the water and -scrambled on board the canoe. - -"I can't move; I've ricked myself," cried John. "You must lug me in." - -Ferrier leant over, grasped him, and hauled him by main force into the -canoe. Then the four sturdy natives dug their paddles into the water. -The enemy had reached the brink; some were already on the causeway; but -at this moment four rifles flashed from the fort, and a man toppled off -the causeway into the pool. The others halted. The canoe sped on; a -bullet splashed in its wake; more arrows fell perilously near; but just -as the enemy had gained courage to rush over the causeway again, Ferrier -steered the canoe away from that side and guided it round to the lower -end of the island where landing was easier. The canoe scraped the -shore: its occupants sprang to land: and with Ferrier's aid the negroes -carried John up to the wall, where willing hands hoisted him over. - -"A near shave, old chap," said Ferrier. "You look awfully done up." - -"Pretty nearly crocked," said John, with a feeble smile. "Are those -beggars attacking?" - -"No," replied Ferrier, looking over the wall. "They've gone back. It's -not light enough yet." - -"Thank goodness! I'm no good at present; I'm----" - -"Don't you worry," interrupted Ferrier, seeing his lips quivering. "Just -lie easy for a bit: I'll bring you something to eat." - -John closed his eyes and shivered in his drenched clothes. Ferrier got -two of the men to carry him to the fire, and in a few moments gave him a -mug of soup. - -"You'll feel better after that: hippo soup, my boy." - -"They got back safely then?" - -"Of course they did, an hour after sundown. They hid in the woods -yonder until the coast was clear. I gave them a good ragging for -leaving you." - -"That wasn't fair; we left them." - -"So they said. You may imagine what a funk I was in when they came back -without you. I didn't sleep a wink all night." - -"Poor old chap! We went after congoni when they were cutting up the -hippo, and were rushed as neatly as possible, and carried off to the -village of Bill's 'bad men' in the hills. Our captors were evidently an -embassy from Juma to enlist the chief's assistance. Three or four -hundred warriors in full fig left yesterday morning: have you seen -anything of them?" - -"Not yet. We heard a great hullabaloo in Juma's camp last night, and I -guessed the lot you signalled about had come in. I was glad you -signalled; it was a relief to know you were alive. I wished I could -come up and rescue you, and I'd have had a shot at it if you hadn't told -me the war-party were coming. Of course that dished it. I couldn't -have got through, and I'm afraid our fellows wouldn't have held out long -if I'd left them." - -"Of course not. It would have been simply mad to try it." - -"All the same, it was pretty rotten having to stop here able to do -nothing. I chafed a good deal, I can tell you. When I got your -message, as the enemy were very quiet I sent Coja and one of my askaris -out to see if they could spy out where you were; and what do you -think--Said Mohammed insisted on going too." - -"Well, I'm hanged!" - -"He said it was quite impossible for him to pursue the even tenor of his -way while you, his boss and patron, were in parlous circs. and durance -vile. I'm beginning to think the Bengali has been libelled; go deep -enough and you'll find a man. Anyway, he insisted on going, and I'm -sorry to say none of the three has come back." - -John groaned from utter weariness and disappointment. - -"What a mess I've made of everything!" he said. "If ever we get safely -out of this I'll not go rampaging after stolen rifles again. Look what -I've brought on everybody!" - -"Utter rot! Nobody came against his will, and who could foresee all -this? We've had amazing luck really, and as for getting safely out of -it--but look here, old man, you mustn't shiver like that. I'm a -fat-headed chump. Off with your clothes; they're sopping. We haven't -got a change, but you won't shock any one's modesty. I'll rub you dry -with some of Said's cloths; your things will dry in no time, and I'll -try massage for your sprain. You'll take a good stiff dose of quinine, -too; we can't have an invalid on our hands." - -John winced as he rose to strip. Ferrier got his clothes off, rubbed -him vigorously with cloths ("Shout when I hurt," he said), then rolled -him in a blanket and laid him down by the fire, "To sweat it out, you -know." - -"Just go and look after Bill," said John, feeling comfortably lazy. - -"Bill's all right, bless your heart! He's got no clothes to dry, and -he's tucking into roast hippo like one o'clock. It's the last of it, by -the way. It bucked the men up wonderfully. I wish we had some more." - -"How do we stand for food?" asked John anxiously. - -"Never you mind about food. You shall have your dinner when the time -comes. The best thing you can do is to go to sleep, and when you wake -you can tell me how you managed to escape from the 'bad men.' Are they -very bad, like the little girl who was horrid? No, you needn't answer; -just shut your eyes while I count ten, and you'll sleep like a top." - -Two hours later, the man on guard at the gate, one of Ferrier's askaris, -reported that a number of men were marching across the plain towards the -causeway. Ferrier went to the gate, and saw that the group consisted of -two Swahilis and four of their followers. A great throng of black men -stood at the edge of the wood, giving no sign of an intention to move. - -"A deputation, I presume," thought Ferrier. "Coming to offer us terms!" - -The men advanced along the causeway, the Swahilis first. When they had -come half-way Ferrier told the askari at his side to order them to stop. -They came to a halt immediately. - -"Ask 'em if one of them is Juma," said Ferrier. - -No: one was Sadi ben Asmani, the other Jumbi ben Abdullah. - -"Then you may tell Sadi ben Asmani and Jumbi ben Abdullah that I have -nothing to say to them, and they had better be off, sharp." - -When this was interpreted the Swahilis glowered. One of them began to -speak, but Ferrier signed to him to be silent. - -"Tell them I'll listen to the others, but won't hear a word from them." - -The causeway being too narrow for two men to pass securely, the file -faced about and retreated to the shore. Then they came on again, the -negroes this time leading, and the Swahilis remaining at the end of the -causeway. The first negro, a finely proportioned fellow whom it was a -pleasure to look upon, began to address the white man, using his hands -freely. - -"What does he say?" asked Ferrier. - -The askari did not know his dialect. From the crowd of men who had -gathered at the wall one stepped forward saying that he knew it. - -"Well, tell me what he says." - -"Him say msungu come out: no lib for no more fight. Great big lot o' -black men: msungu no can run away." - -"You can tell him that the msungu won't come out, and the black men had -better run away. They have come to fight us, who never did them any -harm. They have come to help a lot of thieves and murderers, who have -stolen the goods of the black men round about. This fort is where they -lived, and where they kept the goods they stole. The fort now belongs -to the msungu. A great many wasungu are now coming from their fort far -away to punish them, and when they come they will scatter them as the -lion scatters sheep. Tell them we are quite happy; we aren't a bit -afraid of them; we have beaten them twice, and we'll beat them again. -They had better take up their cook-pots and go home." - -This little speech Ferrier delivered sentence by sentence, wondering how -much of it was fairly translated. The deputation clearly gathered the -gist of it, for with every sentence they became manifestly more -incensed. At the close they shouted and waved their arms, and then the -leader, with the air of one playing his trump card, cried out that the -msungu's talk was fool's talk, for they held a sheep-faced msungu a -prisoner in their village far away, and if their demand was not -instantly complied with, the sheep-faced msungu would be killed. - -"By Jove!" thought Ferrier, "they didn't recognize old John then. What -a tremendous lark! I'll give them a shocker." - -To the evident amazement of the natives he laughed heartily. Then, -bidding them stand where they were until he came back to them, he -returned into the fort. - -"I say, John," he said, with a chuckle, shaking the sleeping form; "wake -up, old chap. There's a deputation outside summoning us to surrender, -and threatening if we don't to slaughter a sheep-faced -msungu--sheep-faced, old chap!--whom they've got penned up in their -village. Come and show yourself; I bet they'll look sheepish. It was -evidently too dark to see you when you came down on your raft. Slip -your things on: you don't look the same man in that blanket." - -John laughed and slipped on his shirt and breeches, now thoroughly dry. -His sun-helmet, which had been fastened on by a strap, was rather pulpy, -but Ferrier clapped it on his head, saying that it didn't matter. In a -few seconds he had limped to the gate, and stood at Ferrier's side, -smiling very amiably. - -The natives were struck dumb with astonishment. The Swahilis could not -have been more confounded if they had seen a ghost. After gazing for a -full minute at the msungu whom they imagined to be in safe custody -fifteen miles away, they turned round and marched back in silence, only -breaking into excited talk when they reached the shore. The two white -men stood watching them until they rejoined the vast throng gathered at -the edge of the wood. - -"They've got something to digest," said Ferrier, with a laugh. "Now -we'll go and get some dinner." - - - - -CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FIRST--A Combined Assault - - -"Think they'll give it up?" said Ferrier, as they sat over their dinner. - -"Not they! Those fellows haven't come all the way from their village -for nothing. They wouldn't have come at all but for some strong -inducement, for Juma isn't an old friend of theirs, remember." - -"Well, there's very little inducement so far as I can see. There's next -to no loot bar the rifles and ammunition, and Juma would bag those if he -licked us. The others would have a very poor look-in." - -"You forget the sort of old curiosity shop collection that the men were -so delighted with. The 'bad men' would get those, of course." - -"It's very little among so many; you said there were about four hundred -of them." - -"Yes, but Juma wouldn't be over particular as to what he promised. All -he wanted was to get their help. If he were to lick us, he could safely -defy the 'bad men,' for with the rifles and practically unlimited -ammunition he could do what he liked with 'em. He's sure to attack us, -maybe to-day, maybe to-morrow; and the best thing we can do is to -strengthen our defences. We shall have all our work cut out to keep 'em -off this time: we're three rifles short; I suppose Coja and the others -took theirs with them?" - -"Yes, unfortunately. But I've already begun to strengthen the -defences--started when I got your message." - -"Good man! What did you do?" - -"First thing, I cut down some of the young trees at the further end of -the island. I thought they might give cover to the enemy if they tried -an attack in that quarter. Then it occurred to me that if we could -raise a sort of bastion to jut over the wall by the gate yonder, we -could fire at them without exposing ourselves, and--what do they call -it?--enfilade them." - -"Capital! I wondered what that rummy erection meant. Didn't like to -say so, but it looks like a funeral pyre." - -"Well, it's not finished, you know. It took us a good time to cut down -the trees and strip off the branches. The enemy didn't see what we were -about until we had got a pretty good pile of logs, and then they began -shooting at us--with arrows; they didn't want to waste ammunition, I -suppose. I had to draw the men off then, and we haven't gone at it -again: your arrival has put everything else in the shade." - -"We may as well finish that bastion now, at any rate, and put up another -on the other side of the gate, if there's wood enough. Sorry I can't -help you; I'm too stiff. You'll have to perch me up on one of the -bastions when the attack comes, and leave me there." - -"Oh, you'll soon be all right. I'll give you a good rubbing by and by -with hippo grease; it'll be as good as goose fat, and that's what the -old wives use, isn't it?" - -Ferrier set the men to work on the bastions, instructing them how to -pile the logs and to interlace the branches they had lopped off, so as -to form a kind of parapet, the interstices between the branches making -natural loopholes. - -They were still engaged on this task, about four o'clock in the -afternoon, when Ferrier's attention was attracted by movements among the -enemy, who formed a dense black mass, with a few white spots, against -the background of trees. He thought that the signs of activity -portended an attack, and called to some of the men to occupy the one -bastion that was finished. They obeyed quickly, carrying John with them -at his own order. But it was soon apparent that the enemy were not -contemplating an immediate assault. They suddenly threw themselves on -the ground in a large circle, three ranks deep, the Swahilis, eight in -number, standing at the centre. - -"A council of war: what they call a shauri," said John. - -It was soon seen that there was a difference of opinion among the -assembly. At first the discussion proceeded in a quiet and orderly -manner, the sound of voices reaching the fort very faintly. But -presently there were clear signs of excitement. Some of the warriors -sprang up, and harangued the Swahilis fiercely, brandishing their spears -in the direction of the fort. Their voices were raised; the tumult -increased moment by moment; and the sound became a continuous roar, like -the noise of surf at a distance. - -"The allies are at loggerheads," said Ferrier. "They may raise the -siege." - -The chief of the "bad men" was in fact demanding to know why the -Swahilis had brought him and his men on a fool's errand. Where was the -promised spoil? In a fort, defended by a wall, a pool of water, and an -army led by wasungu. How had the msungu whom they had left in the -village, bound and under guard, come into the fort? Surely by magic; -and if the wasungu had such wonderful medicine it was useless to attack -them. - -To this Juma--for it was he--replied that the spoil was indeed within -the fort, but the defences were not so formidable as they appeared. The -wall had been partly demolished; the pool could be swum, it contained no -crocodiles; and as for the men within, it was clear they must be very -weak, for they had taken no food into the fort for many days. Nor could -they get any; no doubt an attempt had been made that morning, and found -to be impossible because of the current. (Such was his explanation of -the incident of the raft.) And as for the msungu who had reappeared so -mysteriously, it was no magic, but the carelessness of the guards that -accounted for that: the msungu must have escaped, and not being afraid -of the dark had marched during the night. - -This aspersion on the trustworthiness of the guards roused the chief to -fury. Springing up, he demanded the instant fulfilment of the promise -made to him. He worked himself up to an ecstasy of indignation; his men -caught fire from him; and when the tumult was at its height they -suddenly wheeled round and, following their chief, began to march off -towards their village. - -"This looks promising, certainly," said John, who had watched the -proceedings closely. "If we could only get out we might even enlist -those fellows on our side." - -But in a few moments a change came over the scene. Six painted warriors -came running from the north-west to meet the marching force, which -halted, swallowing up the runners into its own mass. A few minutes -passed; then the whole body wheeled about and returned to the spot where -the Swahilis and their negroes were still grouped in a circle. - -"Men from the village come to report our escape," said John. - -"But why should that make the chief turn back?" rejoined Ferrier. "It -ought to have the opposite effect." - -"I take it that the chief is so mad at being done that he has decided -not to go until he has caught me again." - -"But your escape is no news to him. They've seen you already." - -"That's true. Well, I can't account for it; but it's clear that those -six fellows have caused a change in the tide, and I wish them at -Halifax." - -The conference was resumed, and continued until dark. There was no -further outburst. Ferrier utilized the time to finish the second -bastion: it was impossible to doubt that the enemy was planning an -attack. It would not be made in the night, but must be looked for as -soon as morning broke. Ferrier's expression was very grave as he helped -John to reach his little grass hut in the centre of the fort. He had -made an inspection of the stock of provisions during the morning, and -knew that it would not last beyond another day. - -"I won't worry John to-night," he thought, "but he'll have to know in -the morning." - -Though convinced that no attack would be made during the dark hours, -Ferrier took the precaution of putting four men on sentry-go. He -insisted on John's going to bed as soon as he had had his massaging, and -sat down by the fire himself, in no cheerful frame of mind. He knew he -would get little sleep that night, for the negro, though willing enough, -is ever an untrustworthy sentinel. And when he reflected on the horde -of savage enemies without, he could not look forward with confidence to -the issue of the coming fight. He canvassed the possibility of help -coming from Nairobi or Fort Hall, reckoning how long it would take for -the messenger to reach Mr. Gillespie, and how long for a rescue party to -gain the fort. But he found the very elements of the calculation -uncertain; try as he might, he could not recollect clearly how many days -had passed since they left the farm. Never before had he understood the -savage man's indifference to time; it was now clear; time is an -invention of civilization. - -While he was sitting thus brooding over the fire, one of the sentries, -an askari of his original safari, came running to him. - -"Bwana," he said, "man ober dere." - -He pointed towards the western end of the island. Ferrier sprang up, -seizing rifle and revolver: surely the enemy had not crossed the river -in the darkness and crept round to attack the fort from this side? -Hastening to the wall, he mounted upon it and peered into the night. -Nothing could be seen. But in a moment he thought he heard a faint -sound. He listened intently: yes, he heard it again; it was a kind of -whinny--the signal he had arranged with Coja in case he should return -after sunset. The men were safe, then; he rejoiced for their own sake, -and because it meant the addition of three good rifles to the morrow's -defence. Calling up two of the men, he had the canoe lowered and -carried down to the water, himself accompanying them, since he could -never be sure that unreasoning panic might not seize them. The canoe -was launched and paddled quietly to the farther shore of the pool. Two -men stepped down to meet it: they were Coja and the askari. - -"Where is Said Mohammed?" asked Ferrier. - -"Him gone, sah," replied Coja: "dunno where he are." - -"You lost him?" - -"Long long way ober dere." - -"Before it was dark?" - -"Long time, sah," - -"Did you look for him?" - -"Oh yes, sah, look for him long time, sure nuff." - -"Well, get in. You're a couple of muffs, to say the least. What were -you doing?" - -Coja explained that about midday, as they were fording the river, a -number of leeches fastened on their legs. They jumped about to rid -themselves of the creatures, and suddenly a huge brown crocodile, waked -by the disturbance, slid off a mud bank into the stream, within a foot -or two of Said Mohammed. The Bengali heard the flop of the loathsome -reptile just in time to spring out of its reach. The others dashed -across the river at full speed: Said Mohammed ran back to the bank they -had left, scrambled up, and sped away as fast as his legs would carry -him into the bush. Coja did not venture to recross the stream at that -spot: he sought a ford higher up, but was long in finding one. Both he -and the askari waded over and searched along the bank; they did not dare -to shout, for fear of bringing an enemy upon them; and failing after a -long time to discover any trace of the Bengali, they had thought it best -to return to the fort. - -"And did you find the place where the _bwana_ and Bill are kept?" asked -Ferrier. - -"No, sah: them's dead, sure miff." - -"They're here, and alive," he said. "I was a fool to let the men go," -was his unspoken thought. - -The men were amazed and delighted that the master had returned. As for -Said Mohammed, it was doubtful whether his fate gave them any concern. - -The night passed in peace. Ferrier felt very weary in the morning, but -John, after a long sleep, rose much refreshed, though he still found -moving difficult. About eight o'clock there was a cry from the gate -that the enemy were rushing down towards the causeway. The bastions -were instantly manned, John taking post in one and Ferrier in the other, -dividing the askaris equally between them. Twenty men with spears and -bows and arrows were told off to hold the broken portion of the wall on -either side of the gate, where the attack was most to be feared. The -remainder of the force were stationed at various points, to be ready to -run wherever they were called, and to keep watch on the opposite side of -the island. - -John was surprised to see that the enemy did not take to the water, as -they had done on the former occasion, but came in a yelling line along -the causeway. They were Juma's newest allies, and being without -personal experience of the reception their friends had formerly met -with, they came rushing across with a reckless courage. When the first -man had reached the middle of the causeway, a volley was fired -simultaneously from each of the bastions, and half the line fell into -the water, uttering dreadful yells. There was a momentary pause; but -the leader had escaped; he bounded forward, followed by the survivors -and others who had not come within the line of fire. The shore behind -was thick with black warriors, hideous in their war-paint, and shouting -furiously. Only Ferrier's rifle was double-barrelled; John's had been -taken from him when he was captured; and before the men could reload, -several of the enemy had reached the end of the causeway, and, springing -into the water at the gap, gained the shelf of land beneath the wall. -Ferrier's rifle disposed of one of them; the rest rushed up to the gate -and the ruined rampart, and were in a moment fighting hand-to-hand with -the men within. - -"Keep your fire on the causeway," shouted John, who then called to some -of the men in reserve to mount the wall and fling stones on the men -trying to clamber up. A second volley from either side crashed into the -negroes racing towards the fort. Only two of them got across. Those -behind who had not been struck down came to a sudden halt, only to be -pushed on by those surging in the rear. The result was that a score of -unhurt negroes were hustled into the water. John forbore to fire at -these, but as soon as his men had reloaded, sent another volley among -those who were still running along. Meanwhile the defenders of the wall -had beaten off the assault of the men below, who were at a hopeless -disadvantage. Two or three fell groaning to the ground, transfixed with -spears; the rest leapt into the pool, and struck out frantically for the -shore. The sight of this retreat, and a fourth volley from their unseen -enemy, shattered the confidence of the bravest negroes. There was wild -confusion on the causeway. Those upon it could not retreat because of -the pressure of their comrades behind. They jumped into the water on -both sides. The others, seeing that all was lost, fled back towards the -wood. In ten minutes after the first attack they were in full flight. - -But at this moment a shout was raised that the enemy were attacking from -the other side of the island. Ferrier instantly sprang down from his -perch, and calling on his men to follow him, rushed across the enclosure -to repel this new assault. John, perforce confined to his post, ordered -his company to join the others, while he alone kept watch on the -causeway. Being undisturbed, he had leisure to consider what the -enemy's plan had been. He could not doubt that they had arranged in -their council of war that the Swahilis with their party should cross the -river and creep under cover of the trees and scrub to the western shore -of the pool. The intention had certainly been that the attack should be -made on both sides of the fort simultaneously. If it had been perfectly -timed, and begun at a concerted signal, the plight of the garrison might -have been very serious. But careful co-operation is impossible to the -negro. The men on the eastern side had rushed blindly to the assault, -heedless of what the other party was doing. These, led by Juma himself, -had made their way unobserved to the place arranged, and swum the pool -under cover of the fringe of trees which were still left standing. But -only one or two had landed when they heard the din of fighting on the -other side. Juma, more intelligent than the negroes, had seen at once -the necessity of striking while the garrison was engaged in that -quarter. But he was compelled to wait until he had sufficient support, -and by the time he had gathered a score of men about him the eastern -attack was beaten off, and the defenders were hurrying to meet him. - -When Ferrier reached the wall, he saw the Swahilis and their followers -coming up the slope in a straggling body. The moment they perceived -him, they halted; those who had rifles fired them off, too hurriedly to -take effective aim; the others let fly a shower of arrows. Then they -all rushed forward, a disorderly shouting mob. Ferrier fired his rifle, -but his men had not had time to reload, having hastened from the bastion -immediately after the final volley upon the causeway. The enemy had -come within about twenty yards of the wall when Ferrier, whipping out -his revolver, snapped a shot at Juma and winged him. The big man fell -to the ground with a howl of pain; his men halted in consternation. -This was not the easy victory they had been promised. Their hesitation -was fatal. It had given time to the men on the wall to load their -pieces. A general fusillade spattered bullets among the waverers; it -quickened them into action, but instead of continuing their advance they -turned tail and bolted down the slope, pursued by a shower of arrows. -Juma had risen, and struggled along with the help of two of his kind. -They fled with all speed among the trees, and the garrison, yelling with -delight, saw them no more that day. - - - - -CHAPTER THE TWENTY-SECOND--A Counter Stroke - - -John had every reason to be satisfied when he took stock of the results -of the action. The enemy had been thoroughly routed, with considerable -loss: he had no men killed, and only a few with superficial flesh -wounds. But he looked grave enough when, at dinner-time, Ferrier -confessed that he had already had to put the men on half rations. - -"Our only hope is that the enemy have had enough of it and will clear -off," he said. "The 'bad men,' at any rate, won't think much of their -job." - -"And Juma himself has had a reminder that won't leave him for a few -days. But if they _don't_ clear off----" - -"We must wait and see. There ought to be plenty of fish in this pool; -couldn't we try a little angling?" - -"What about hooks?" - -"Well, there are some empty condensed milk-tins; we can make some sort -of hooks out of them. And as for bait--I say, look there!" - -Two vultures were swooping down upon the western end of the island. - -"Sickening!" said Ferrier, with a shudder. "I'll go and pot them and -get the men to attend to things there. The birds will give us bait, and -the men may like to eat them--I couldn't." - -Several large hooks were made out of milk-tins. A piece of rope was -unravelled to form lines, and several of the men were soon sitting on -the causeway, angling with portions of the vultures which Ferrier shot. -In the course of an hour or two they caught several fish, large and -small; but the total quantity was insignificant in comparison with what -was needed to give all a full meal. They were all rather hungry when -they settled down for the night, and the white men devoutly hoped that -when morning dawned they would see that the enemy's force had broken up. - -In this they were disappointed. Daylight showed them parties of negroes -hovering on the outskirts of the wood. That their intention was to -resume their old tactics of watching the fort was proved before the day -was over. A long line of women was observed coming from the north, -bending under heavy loads. - -"Grub for them," said Ferrier. "They're short, like us: but they can -draw on the village while we starve." - -"I wonder if we could intercept a convoy," suggested John. - -"Very risky: practically impossible. We couldn't tell when it's coming. -We might have to wait a day or two, and miss it after all. Besides, we -might be cut off; they're strong enough to keep us out if they get -between us and the fort; and the garrison would be so much weakened that -they couldn't hold out against a general attack. No: we mustn't think -of it." - -"Well, it looks as if we must either break out or starve. We may starve -in any case. We didn't pass a single cultivated field on the way up, -and if we made a dash for home we should have to depend on game and what -wild fruits we could pick up. I don't know what on earth we can do, -that's a fact." - -Next day saw them no nearer a solution of the problem. The enemy were -still in force, and the punishment they had received had not sufficed to -detach the "bad men," who were easily distinguishable from the other -negroes by their characteristic equipment. Juma had in fact persuaded -them that the surrender of the white men was only a matter of time: they -could not live without food, and while they remained in the fort to -obtain food was impossible. - -"Look here, Charley," said John that afternoon, "we can't stand this any -longer. It's neck or nothing, and I'm for a bold course. That village -up yonder is crammed with food-stuff of all kinds. They've just been -harvesting. I vote we make a dash for it and seize enough to last us -best part of the way home. All the fighting men are away, or nearly -all. If we can only get there it'll be easy enough to capture the place -and hold it as long as we like: there's a good stockade. But I don't -want to hold it. We might stay there a day or two until our men are fed -up, and then make tracks. Perhaps we'd have the luck to escape them; -it's not likely, I admit. They would be between us and the farm: we -should have to be uncommonly clever to dodge them; and as we couldn't -move fast, with our men loaded, they're bound to come up with us some -time or other. That would mean a fight in the open; perhaps a running -fight for miles, with the odds of numbers against us. But I prefer -fighting to starving; and it's Hobson's choice." - -"It means a night march." - -"Yes, but the men won't mind that. We haven't failed in anything so -far, and success goes a long way with them." - -"Your escape has bucked them more than anything. Bill has told them -some wonderful story about your voyage on the raft, and if you talked -about taking a trip to the moon I believe they'd think it feasible." - -"Things couldn't be better, then. Suppose we start about eight -o'clock--the enemy will all be asleep by then--we should have ten hours' -grace before sunrise, more than long enough to get to the village, -barring accidents." - -"That is, if they don't find out that we've gone." - -"Of course. I don't see why they should do that. They've never shown -any inclination to attack us in the darkness, and if any of them keep a -watch on the causeway side, they certainly don't at the other end, or -Coja couldn't have got in. That's our way out. We shall have to keep -the men quiet, but we've done that before, and when we've explained to -them what's at stake they'll be on their mettle. We'll cross the pool -in the canoes, and the paddles won't make any sound that they can hear, -if we're careful." - -"I've an idea. While we're ferrying our things over, and most of the -men, why not start the others on a sing-song? That would drown any -noise we might make." - -"And wake the enemy! They'd wonder what was up. Why should we disturb -their rest? Better not make any difference in our usual ways, I think: -keep our fires burning, and give 'em no reason to think we're doing -anything out of the ordinary." - -"You're right. There's a risk that in spite of all our care they'll -hear something, but it will take 'em some time to make sure that we've -gone, and it's ten to one they won't pursue us in the darkness." - -"And when they do find out, in the daylight, they'll probably waste some -time in picking up the trail, unless they are good trackers, which we've -no evidence of. I fancy we shall get, as I said, a good ten hours' -start of them, and I defy 'em to catch us then--again barring -accidents." - -"D'you think you can stand the march?" - -"I'm going to chance it, anyway. Your rubbings have done me a deal of -good, and we can't go very fast at night, so I think I'll manage to keep -up. If I can't, you must just sling me on to a litter. I'm eleven -stone two--or was; I suspect I've lost a few pounds lately; but four men -could toddle along with me, and a dozen will have loads in any case. -There's the ammunition, and all that flummery I gave to them; they won't -want to leave that." - -"Suppose we find that some of the war-party have gone back?" - -"It's not likely. They're here with the idea of getting loot, and not a -man Jack of them will be willing to lose the chance of his share. -Anyway, we must risk it. If we have luck we shall get to the village -before it's light, and a sudden rush will have the effect it always has -on them." - -"Well, it sounds rather promising, and, upon my word, I'm itching to be -off." - -"All in good time, old man. I wish we could all have a good feed before -we start, but perhaps the men will march the better with the promise of -a meal before them." - -The preparation of the men's loads was set about betimes. The absence -of large quantities of food was an advantage; the other goods could -easily be carried by twelve of the men, and the labour would be -lightened by transferring the loads to the others in turn. - -There was much excitement among the negroes when John explained his plan -to them. The past successes had given them entire confidence in their -leaders; and the prospect of actually capturing the village of the -notorious "bad men" had a spice of daring about it which lent it a -certain charm. - -At nightfall the canoes were let down over the wall and carried to the -shore. Then the men conveyed the stores to them, moving so silently -that only a very alert enemy could have detected the activity. The -canoes had to make several journeys across the pool before all the goods -and the men were ferried over. There was not a sound from the enemy's -encampment. When all were safely landed, John called the men about him, -and repeated his instructions to march quietly and above all to beware -of straggling; then he set off with Bill to lead the way. Behind him -came in order four askaris carrying rifles: then the twelve men with the -ammunition and the assortment of oddments found in the fort; then six -men bearing in litters three others whose wounds prevented them from -marching. After these came the rest of the negroes, among whom the -prisoner taken at the camp was enrolled, Ferrier and Coja bringing up -the rear to ensure that there was no straggling at the end of the line. - -It was a dark night, but the sky was clear and the air cold. To make a -direct course was impossible. Bill knew the way in the daytime, but at -night he was completely at a loss. John, however, was aware of the -general direction, and by keeping within touch of the river, as he could -easily do by his sense of hearing, he knew that he could not go very far -wrong, though the journey would necessarily be longer than if he had -been able to avoid the windings. Fortunately in this hilly country the -ground was much less obstructed by tangles of thorn than it was in the -less elevated districts to the south, and the safari was not hindered by -the annoying necessity of having to cut a way through pathless jungle. - -Nevertheless, the march was not devoid of trials and discomforts. The -ground was very irregular, and at one point, where the bank of the river -rose to a considerable height above the water-level, they found that -they had come to a stretch of hard gravel interspersed with large -fragments of a whitish rock, making progress very slow and difficult. -Looking back, John saw the glow of the fires left burning in the fort--a -little patch of red amid deep black. When they descended to grassy land -again he stumbled over an obstruction about three feet high, which Bill -told him was an ant-hill. A little further on he heard a strange -whistling that seemed to come from a line of trees on his left hand. -Hearing the men behind gulping, he halted, and got them to exchange -loads, listening meanwhile to the weird and mournful sound, which now -increased in volume, now died away in a doleful wail. He asked Bill if -he recognized the sound as that of an animal, but he replied that he had -never heard it before. After a few moments John observed that the sound -rose and fell with the gusts of wind, and concluded that it was caused -by the breeze sweeping through the trees. He reassured the men; but it -was not till long afterwards he discovered the origin of the sound. The -trees were a species of thorn about eight feet high, with leafless -branches on which hung a number of hollow seed-pods. In these an insect -bores a hole, and the wind, passing through the innumerable tiny -apertures, produces the musical notes which so much disturbed the -negroes. - -After about two hours, John felt much fatigued. The continued exertion -had revived the dull aching pain in his back and limbs, and he thought -it prudent to rest awhile. The progress had been so good that he could -afford to waste an hour: there would still be time to reach the village -before the dawn. The whole party lay down on a grassy knoll, speaking -only in whispers. Occasionally the cry of some night-bird broke the -stillness, and once there came, from far away, the sharp bark of a -hyena. At the end of an hour the safari was again on foot. Twice more -John found himself compelled to halt, and after the second time Ferrier -persuaded him to let four of the men carry him, in a litter which they -quickly made by slinging one of the blankets between two rifles. Always -taking the river as guide, they pressed on again. At last, when the -sounds of re-awakening life in the trees proclaimed that dawn was at -hand, they came to the foot of a long grassy acclivity which John felt -sure led up to the village. After a consultation with Ferrier, he -decided to wait a little until there was light enough to show them the -way clearly. The air was misty, but the blackness of night was passing, -and at length they were able to see the goal of their long march--the -"bad men's" village, lying in perfect stillness on the hill-top. - -John led the men among some trees, and waited until he saw the gate -opened, and a number of women come out and wend their way into the -plantations to the left. When they were out of sight, he ordered the -men to leave their loads and follow him closely without a sound. Then, -regardless of his pain, he led the way at a steady run up the hill. -Ferrier came to his side. - -"We do this together, old boy," he said. - -On they went. They had almost reached the stockade when a woman in the -fields to the left saw them, and uttered a loud shriek. John quickened -his pace; the men, unable to restrain themselves any longer, raised -their voices in a tremendous shout. A few seconds later the whole -party, the white men still leading, dashed through the gate, and along -the single street, causing a wild stampede among the children playing -there, and the women who were moving about. The uproar drew several men -from their huts, where they were no doubt indulging themselves in a -final nap while their womenkind prepared breakfast. Almost all were old -men. At the sight of the invading horde they yelled and fled. John -hurried on towards the compound where he had seen the war-party -assemble. As the scared negroes left the street vacant, he was struck -with amazement at the sight that met his eyes. At the entrance of a hut -at one side of the central space stood a figure in white. He had risen -from bending over a cooking-pot. Next moment Said Mohammed came towards -his master, walking leisurely, his face beaming with smiles. - -"Good morning, sir," he said blithely. "You have come in nick of time. -Banana fritters, new dish to savage with untutored mind, are done to a -turn. On point of tickling unappreciative palates, they now serve -nobler end, delectating connoisseur who knows what's what. With -respect, sir, I'm jolly glad to see you." - -Thus the village of the "bad men" was carried without a blow. - -John sent Coja back with a few men to bring in the loads and secure the -gate. Then he lost no time in hunting through the village, and learnt, -as he had hoped, that there were very few men left in it; and these for -the most part old and negligible as a fighting force. He had given -strict orders to his party not to injure any one wantonly. The women, -seeing that there was no burning or slaughtering, recovered from their -first fright. They recognized the prisoner in whom they had been so -much interested, and their curiosity overcoming every other feeling, -they drew slowly nearer to the strangers, uttering little shrieks of -excitement. John made them understand that the men were hungry, and -they ran with alacrity into their huts, not at all averse from preparing -a meal for such inoffensive visitors. Meanwhile Said Mohammed had -instantly seized his own cooking-pot and other utensils from the men who -carried them, and set to work to cook more banana fritters and other -dainties to which the white men had been strangers for many a day. -Before long the whole party were seated, enjoying a capital breakfast, -the men laughing and chattering like light-hearted children. In the -midst of the repast they broke into song, one of them chanting a line of -solo, the rest chiming in with a boisterous chorus. - - (Solo) Where did the white men go in the night? - (Chorus) They went to the place of the bad men. - (Solo) Why did they go to the place of the bad men? - (Chorus) To get very much food - For themselves and the good men. - The white men must eat, - The black men must eat, - In the place of the bad men is very much food, - O, eat all the food of the bad men. - -John smiled rather wistfully as he translated the song to Ferrier. - -"Poor devils!" he said. "They don't think of what they may have to go -through before they get home. Just like children.... We thought we'd -never see you again, khansaman. What became of you?" - -"Sir, I will round unvarnished tale deliver. Crossing stream, a -thousand horse-leeches take fancy to my nether extremities, and cling -like grim death. I make saltatory gyrations to shunt obnoxious -hangers-on, when lo! enter crocodile, without introduction, his room -better than his company. I was in blue funk, sir, and scooted, with -celerity and splash. In agitation of moment I forgot my pals, and when -I look round, behold! they are no more. I call: no answer; I call -again: silence that can be felt. You could hear a pin drop. In the -charming words of the handsome but afflicted Lord Byron-- - - 'What next befell me then and there - I know not well--I never knew:' - -but when I came to myself, to quote from same sublime poem-- - - 'I had not strength to stir, nor strive, - But felt that I was still alive,' - -for, below, leeches suck my vital fluid; above, black men have me in -grip as firm as metropolitan bobby. They propel me, sir, with indignity -to reverse of the medal, to this identical spot. - - 'First came the loss of light, and air, - And then of darkness too:' - -in other words, I, Said Mohammed, failed B.A. of Calcutta University, am -consigned to ignominious horizontal extension on floor of beastly hovel. -I suffer in silence, - - 'Nor call the gods with vulgar spite - To vindicate my hapless right.' - ---Allow me to offer you another fritter, sir." - -"Thanks. What next? Fire away!" - -"After horrid night, sir, over which I draw veil of decency, I am -transported into light of day. Hail, smiling morn! I purchase freedom -by generous offer to teach fair sex a thing or two. Casting pearls -before swine, sir; pains thrown away. But I earn my salt, and the rest -is blank page, clean slate, until I hear the tramp of armed men, and -behold, the grand finale!" - -"I am glad things have ended so well," said John. "And I must say, -khansaman, it was very handsome and plucky of you to undertake a search -for me." - -The Bengali bowed deprecatingly; then he said-- - -"But alas! sir, the web of our life is mingled yarn, both good and evil -together, as says sweet swan of Avon. There is fly in ointment; gilt is -off ginger-bread. Coja, very good chap, has left sublunary sphere. 'He -will awake no more, oh, never more!' to quote the words of Percy Bysshe -Shelley, also failed B.A. We ne'er shall look upon his like again. Who -would not weep for---- By gum! This knocks me silly all of a heap! -There he is!" - -"Yes," said John, laughing, "and you can exchange notes while I take a -look round." - - - - -CHAPTER THE TWENTY-THIRD--The Ivory - - -John reckoned that his escape from the fort would probably have been -discovered about the same time as he was entering the village. The -enemy would almost certainly suppose that his flight had been southward, -towards the farm. Several hours might be wasted in pursuing in that -direction; even if they hit upon his trail at once, it would be four or -five hours before they could reach him. His course, then, must be to -take advantage of this respite to prepare the safari for the struggle -that could scarcely be avoided when they came to close quarters. - -Issuing from the village with Ferrier, he made his way to the cultivated -fields, which, lying on the sheltered slopes of the hill, were more -fertile than might have been expected at such a height above sea-level. -Much of the harvesting had been done: he had already noticed that the -shambas were filled to overflowing with muhindi and pumpkins. But the -banana-trees were weighed down with huge clusters of ripening fruit, and -acres of the soil were covered with beans and sweet potatoes. He could -provision the safari for the whole of the homeward journey, and yet make -a scarcely sensible inroad upon the resources of the people. He had no -scruples in taking as much as he needed, or rather as much as the men -could carry; by all the rules of war it would be letting the village off -lightly. Accordingly he lost no time in setting the men to get as much -of the native produce together as would furnish full loads for the men -who were not already burdened. This would inevitably diminish their -marching power; but on the other hand they must carry plenty of food -with them if they meant to reach home. - -While the men were engaged in this task, an idea occurred to Ferrier. - -"I say, John, why not go down the river on rafts?" he said. "We should -get along much faster, and be less likely to meet Juma, who is sure to -know a short cut, and won't stick to the river as we did." - -"A jolly good notion! Wait a bit, though. What about the rapids? They -nearly did for me, and loaded rafts would stand a worse chance than I -did, wouldn't they?" - -"That's where I come in, old chap. I've shot the rapids on the St. -Lawrence; these rapids aren't a patch on the Roches Fendues. I didn't -do it by myself, of course; an old fellow named Baptiste Le Sueur -managed the pole; but I saw it all, and I bet I could navigate those -little affairs by the fort." - -"I'll be hanged if we don't try it, then. We can make a better job of -it than Bill and I did. By the way, where is the old fellow? I haven't -seen him since we came into the village." - -"Nor have I. He won't be far off. Let us set about it at once. Two -large rafts, I think: it'll take some time to cut enough timber." - -"We needn't wait for that. We'll dismantle some of the huts. The -natives can easily build new ones when we are gone, and I'd like to give -them a little trouble after all they have given us." - -"Capital! Come on then. The sooner we get them done the better." - -Returning to the village, they set all the men to work who were not -engaged in the fields. In a short time a large number of poles from the -huts lay on the ground ready to be lashed together, and a quantity of -bast being found, there was no lack of material for the lashings. Those -of the men who had been porters and were expert in manipulating ropes -were entrusted with this work, the two white men superintending them and -making sure that the knots were firm. - -The first raft, capable of supporting half the party in addition to half -the stores, had just been completed when Bill ran into the village in a -state of great excitement. In such a condition he seemed to lose almost -all power of expression, and it was some time before John, even with -Coja's assistance, could make out what was the matter with him. -Presently, however, he gathered that Bill had gone alone to the spot, a -few miles away, where the ivory had been buried by the Arabs when -fleeing from the "bad men." It was situated on a wooded knoll washed by -the river. Scarcely had he reached the place when his extraordinarily -keen sense of hearing apprised him that a number of men were fording the -river, though he was not able at first to see them, owing to the trees. -Immediately on hearing their approach, he swarmed up a tree--the same in -which he had taken shelter years before--and from this coign of vantage -he spied a large body of negroes gathered on the further bank. In a -little while he saw, moving up the knoll, the party who had previously -crossed: they were Swahilis, and their leader was the man whom he had -already recognized as a member of the Arab safari. All carried spades -or other implements. - -And then, helpless in the tree, the old man had had the agony to see the -Swahilis dig up the ivory which had lain so long concealed: his ivory, -the recovery of which had been his dream for years, a dream for whose -realization he had counted on the assistance of the white men. The tusks -had been laid only a foot or two below the surface, so that it was no -great labour to unearth them. When they were all dug up, the men began -to carry them down to the river, each tusk requiring four men. The -intention was, Bill supposed, to transport them to the evacuated fort. -He seized the opportunity when their backs were turned to slip down from -his perch and run to the village: would not the wasungu even now strike -a blow for him? - -This was a staggering piece of news. The knoll was up-stream; there was -not much doubt that downstream the warriors whose village had been -captured were marching up in pursuit of the safari. Probably they had -already been met by fugitives from the village and informed of what had -happened. It struck John that Juma and the chief might have fallen out, -and that the Swahili had made a rapid dash northward to possess himself -of the treasure while the "bad men" were absent from the neighbourhood. -However that might be, there was no question but that both the Swahilis -and the villagers were dangerous enemies, and would join forces to crush -the little band who had defied and routed them. - -"We're in the tightest place we have ever been in yet," said John. -"They've got us between them. What on earth are we to do?" - -"Slip away, west or east?" suggested Ferrier. - -"Hopeless! Loaded as we should be, we couldn't escape them. It's too -late to get on to the river now. This one raft won't hold us all. We -are done at last!" - -They looked at each other in speechless anxiety. The men had ceased -work on the second raft; they all knew what had occurred, and gazed at -their white leaders with troubled countenances. - -"There's one desperate chance," said Ferrier at length. "Juma is -nearest. Deal with him before the others come up." - -John stared at him for a moment with brightening eyes. Then he sprang -up. - -"Right!" he cried. "It's the one chance. But we can't risk it without -knowing a little of the ground. I'll go out with Bill and have a look -at it, if you'll stay and keep a look-out for the down-stream lot." - -The two set off at once. Bill led the way rapidly round the village and -further up the hill until they reached the summit. From this point the -ground fell away to the plain, and rather less than a mile away John -descried the knoll of which Bill had spoken, the peninsula from which it -rose jutting out into the river. It was densely covered with -vegetation, and on the other side of the stream there was a similar -screen. Only a short reach of the river was visible, but here he saw -negroes wading waist-deep. They were crossing, however, not to the far -side, but from it. Juma had thought it better to bring his porters to -the ivory than the reverse. Apparently none of it had yet been -transported from bank to bank; but it was all laid in readiness. - -Bill gazed at the scene with an expression of mingled grief and rage. -Suddenly he stretched forth his hand, pointing towards the trees on the -near side of the river. At first John could not see anything but the -dense mass of foliage; but presently he discerned two negroes standing -motionless at the foot of the knoll. Clearly Juma had posted them as -scouts to give warning of any movement from the village. So many years -had passed since the defeat of his safari that the likelihood of the -people suspecting his search for the treasure was small, especially -since they were obviously unaware of its location. But with the -remembrance of their hostility in his mind he was evidently uneasy. - -John's guess at the course of events was very near the mark. Ever since -the defeat of the Arabs, Juma, the sole survivor of their hapless -safari, had lived for nothing else than the recovery of the ivory, which -would make him a millionaire according to the native standard of wealth. -But the store lay in the enemy's country; he had the best of reasons for -knowing how formidable they were, and what his fate would be if he was -discovered by them when removing the ivory. He had recognized that -there was little chance of obtaining possession of it unless he came -with sufficient force to repel attack. Its transport would demand a -large number of porters, and a still larger number of armed men to -protect them. It had therefore been the work of his life to organize -such a party. For this he had become a porter himself, to avail himself -of opportunities of stealthy pilfering. For this he had established -himself in the island fort, hoping to seize an occasion when the -villagers were absent on a raid or a hunting expedition to make a dash -up the river and achieve the aim of his ambition. - -The unexpected series of events that culminated in the capture of the -fort had interposed a check at the very moment when he saw success -within his grasp. But his cunning mind conceived the scheme which he -had carried out: to form an alliance with the very tribe with whom he -had expected to come into conflict. He seized upon the presence of the -white men as a rational basis for their alliance, intending, when the -white men and their safari had been annihilated, to turn his arms -against his allies, and having overthrown them, to secure the prize he -had so long coveted. - -Again he was baulked by the prolonged resistance of the white men. But -it happened that the combined force of natives which he had gathered -about him ran short of food. In this circumstance he saw his -opportunity. On the morning after John had left the fort, Juma set off -with his own contingent before the escape had been discovered, -ostensibly to go hunting for game. He took with him almost all the men -who had rifles, and a large party to carry the game he promised to -shoot. Striking at first to the west, he turned sharply northward, and -pushed on with all speed towards the knoll where the hoard of ivory lay -concealed. Had he secured it, his whilom enemies, his present allies, -would have seen him no more. He would have taken the shortest route to -the coast, to dispose of the ivory at one of the ports. His approach -was hidden from the people in the village by the hill rising behind it, -and being quite unaware that the village was now held by the white men, -he felt that he had nothing to fear except chance discovery by some one -who might happen to stray up the hill. To provide against this he had -posted the two scouts whom John saw at the base of the knoll. - -John perceived in a moment that the work of transporting the ivory -across the river gave him an opportunity of taking the enemy at a -disadvantage. Running back to the top of the hill, careful not to come -within sight of the scouts, he reached a point whence he could overlook -the village and where he was himself in full view from it. The moment -he arrived there he knew that he had been seen, for Ferrier waved his -hand above his head. John immediately semaphored with his arms, asking -Ferrier to bring out all the men except a few left to guard the village, -and to join him on the hill-top. In ten minutes they were with him. -Then, descending the western slope of the hill, invisible to the enemy, -they worked their way through the belt of trees on the river-bank until -they arrived within a furlong of the ford. Juma's porters were -staggering down the knoll under their loads--great tusks from six to -nine feet long. To advance further without being discovered was -impossible: the two scouts were full in the path. - -John gathered his party just within the belt of trees, and in a whisper -told them what to do. Then, at his word, they dashed after him from -cover, yelling at the top of their voices, the askaris firing their -rifles as they ran, and reloading. There was little chance of the shots -taking effect, but John reckoned on them to demoralize the enemy. The -result surpassed his anticipations. The scouts stood for a moment as if -rooted to the ground with amazement; then they flung down their rifles -and fled like hares to the spot where Juma was indicating the ford. At -the same instant the porters dropped their loads with a yell of fright, -and made for the river, into which they cast themselves, careless of its -depth, and of the crocodiles that might be lurking expectant of a -victim. Juma had his arm in a sling: the other Swahilis raised their -rifles, and fired, each one wild ineffectual shot, at the advancing -company. Then, utterly confounded by this amazing attack from an enemy -whom they supposed to be far away, they rushed in a body to the river, -sped by a volley of bullets and arrows. Half wading, half swimming, -they gained the further bank, and by the time John and his men came to -the ford, they had disappeared with all their men into the undergrowth. - -Bill ran from one tusk to another, frantic with joy. But John was too -much concerned with the serious work that lay before him to trouble -himself for the present with the ivory, however valuable it might be. He -saw at once that he must remove all his men from the village to the -knoll if the plan of floating down the river was to be successfully -initiated. After their fright, Juma and his men might for a time be -disregarded; but the war-party of villagers could not now be far away, -and the interval before their arrival might be all too short. The knoll -not only formed a good defensible position, but it was the most -convenient spot for the launching of the rafts, and the timber upon it -offered material for the second raft yet to be constructed. Keeping -part of his men to hack branches from the trees with their knives, he -asked Ferrier to return with the rest to the village and bring over the -hill the first raft and all the stores. - -"Get the women to help," he said. "Promise that we'll do no more harm -to the village if they'll work for us. They'll be glad enough to get -rid of us, no doubt. I'd go myself, Charley, only my back is bothering -me again, confound it." - -Ferrier hurried off. In little more than half-an-hour he reappeared on -the shoulder of the hill, followed by a long line of the men of the -safari and the women of the village, carrying the loads of provisions, -the impedimenta of the camp, and the raft, a cumbersome object which -required twenty men to carry it. As they descended the slope, shots -were fired at them from the trees bordering the river, but manifestly at -so long a range that they were little likely to do any harm. They -reached the knoll in safety; the baggage was piled up a short distance -from the bank to form a sort of rampart: and then the whole party, -including a crowd of women who were impressed to fetch and carry, worked -rapidly at the construction of the raft. - -"There'll be mighty little protection if they fire at us on the way -down," said John gloomily. - -"Yes," replied Ferrier, "we haven't got enough baggage to screen us. But -look here! Why not make a sort of fence to go all round?" - -"The very thing! The men are so used to making bomas that it won't give -them any trouble." - -While the second raft was being finished, the men who were not engaged -upon it were set to weave a light framework of canes, rushes, and -slender branches, about three feet high, and strong enough to be -impenetrable by spears or arrows. As portions of this were completed, -they were lashed to the edges of the first raft. Fore and aft the -framework was raised to the height of six feet, and a hole was cut in it -through which a pole might be thrust, to ward off rocks or other -obstructions as the raft floated downstream, and to steer the unwieldy -craft. - -At midday a good deal of the work still remained to be done. The sun -beat down mercilessly upon the workers, and John, eager as he was to -finish, ordered a rest and a meal. The negroes threw themselves on the -grass, and appeared to feel no discomfort from the heat; but the white -men were glad to seek the shade of the trees crowning the knoll, where -Said Mohammed served their dinner. - -The order had just been given to resume work when they saw a vast crowd -of dusky warriors pouring over the brow of the hill. - -"Here they come!" said John, starting up; "and by the look of them, and -their yells, we're in for a tight little scrimmage." - -Ferrier laughed. - -"Not unless they're prepared to attack us over the bodies of their -wives," he said. "They can't shoot at us without hitting them." - -"Of course not. I hadn't thought of that. But they're so mad that they -may be ready to sacrifice their nearest and dearest. We must prevent -the women from running away. It's shameful coercion, but we can't help -it." - -The furious villagers halted within a short distance of the knoll, and -one or two let fly arrows at the busy workers behind their rampart of -baggage. A wild shriek arose from the terrified women, though none had -been hit; and John, running among them, told them sternly that their -only safety lay in remaining at their work. To give point to his -warning, and at the same time to daunt the warriors, he lifted his rifle -and fired towards the dense mob, taking care to aim above their heads. -The result was a general stampede. The men had already learnt the power -of the wasungu's weapons, and being exposed on the bare hillside they -recognized their disadvantage. They retreated up the hill to a position -of security, and stood there in impotent wrath, watching their womenkind -toiling for the hated enemy. - -The work went on without pause until the rafts were finished. The next -thing was to launch them. The river swept round the knoll in a -half-circle, and John decided to have the rafts carried to the water on -the side remote from the village and out of sight of the warriors, any -interference being guarded against by leaving his askaris with loaded -rifles at the baggage. When the rafts were launched and moored to -prevent their being carried down by the current, the ivory was conveyed -to them. One side of each had been left undefended by the framework -until the loading was finished. The tusks having been stowed on one -raft, half-a-dozen men were set to lash on the framework while the -stores and the rest of the baggage were carried to the second raft. It -was clear that Bill had by no means exaggerated the value of the ivory. -There were twenty-three tusks, varying in weight and size, but scaling -in all at least half a ton. John did not know the market value of -ivory, but so large a quantity would probably fetch several hundreds of -pounds. - -By the time the loads were stacked round the rafts, close against the -framework, it was drawing towards evening. - -"I'm afraid we shall have to wait until morning before we start," said -John. "It will be very risky to navigate these clumsy things in the -darkness. They lie very heavy in the water, and I shouldn't be -surprised if they founder before we've gone far." - -"We must chance that," said Ferrier. "I think we had better start at -once. There are no rapids in this part of the river; our real trouble -will begin when we come above the pool. If we stay here till the -morning, we may be set upon before we are well away, whereas by starting -now we shall be past the village by the time it is dark, and when they -see us fairly off they may chuck up the sponge." - -"All right. Is there anything else to be done?" - -"We'll rope the rafts together, but we must be ready to cut the hawser -if there's any need. I'll go in the first raft, of course. Perhaps -Coja had better come with me to try his hand at steering, if you don't -mind taking Said Mohammed. Your raft ought to come along in the wake of -mine without any difficulty; but have your pole ready to push off if we -strike a shoal." - -"What's the rate of the current, do you think?" - -"Three to four miles an hour, at a guess. Better let the women go now." - -John withdrew the askaris who had been keeping guard, and the women, on -being told that they might go, fled away up the hill like a flock of -sheep. All the men of the safari then took their places on the rafts; -these were roped together; the framework was lashed on the unprotected -sides; the mooring ropes were released, and the strange overladen craft, -sinking so low that the logs were covered with water, took the current -and began to float down. Luckily the bales of provisions had been -placed above the ammunition boxes and other baggage, which would not -suffer from a wetting. - -The actual start was hidden from the enemy by the projecting knoll; but -as the rafts swept round the curve their appearance was hailed with loud -shouts from the hill-top, where the women had now joined the warriors. -The left bank was here too precipitous and too densely wooded to permit -the enemy to approach near enough to do any damage; and as the voyagers -came into the straight reach that ran by the foot of the hill on which -the village was perched, they saw the yelling horde rush over the brow. - -"Going to meet us on the level," shouted Ferrier from his place behind -the breastwork of the foremost raft. "Keep the men crouching behind the -palisade." - - - - -CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FOURTH--Ferrier takes the Lead - - -The river varied in breadth at this part of its course from sixty to -eighty yards. The steersmen, Coja in the first, Said Mohammed in the -second, kept the rafts in midstream, and they glided on the full current -with a steadiness that augured well for the voyage. In less than -half-an-hour they were level with the village. Then a shot rang out -from the right bank. Clearly Juma had been on the watch. The shot fell -short, and the sound of it caused great consternation among the -villagers, who had taken up a position a few hundred yards down-stream -on a stretch of treeless land on the left bank, raised a few feet above -the level of the river. They had evidently been as yet unaware of the -proximity of their allies. But their apprehension was immediately -changed to wild excitement as they saw Juma, accompanied by his band, -appear on a similar eminence on the opposite bank. They shouted with -delight, leaping, brandishing spears, little suspecting the trick which -the Swahilis had played on them. - -As the rafts approached, they were assailed with showers of arrows from -both sides, mingled with rifle shots from the right bank. Ferrier and -John ordered their men to lie flat on their faces, for those on the -starboard side were exposed to the fire from the right bank, those on -the port side to that from the left. The two white men themselves, and -their two steersmen, could not find shelter in the same way, being bound -to stand erect in order to keep the rafts in midstream. As the missiles -flew around him, John felt that this was a vastly unpleasant way of -running the gauntlet. He instinctively pressed his body close to the -framework; and whether it was due to the growing darkness, or to the -inability of the enemy to hit a moving target, he escaped unhurt. The -immediate danger was past when the banks of the river fell away to the -level of the stream. Both parties of the enemy still fired, running -along in time with the rafts; but their missiles now flew over the top -of the breastwork. Ferrier thought it worth risking a volley from his -own men. He ordered them to kneel, rest their rifles on the palisade, -and take good aim at the Swahilis. Their skill or luck was superior, -for when the volley flashed forth, a yell told that one at least of the -bullets had got home. Immediately afterwards John ordered his askaris -to fire among the negroes on the left bank; but these were somewhat -remoter from the river, and he could not learn that any of the shots -took effect. - -[Illustration: "John ordered his askaris to fire among the negroes on -the left bank."] - -Night had now sunk upon the land. The moon would rise late, and for -several hours the voyage must be continued in darkness. John called to -Ferrier to ask whether he had not better run into the bank and wait -until there was a little light upon the course. - -"I can see well enough at present," was the reply. "Besides, those -beggars are keeping it up." - -His expectation that the pursuit would be abandoned as soon as it became -dark was not borne out. It was obvious from the shouts that were heard -on either side from time to time that the enemy had screwed their -resolution to an uncommon pitch. Their dread of the darkness was no -less, but their savage resentment and vindictive desire for revenge was -more. John was able to account for their pertinacity when he remembered -what lay before him. The rapids! If he, on his light raft, had barely -escaped with his life, how much less was the chance that two heavy-laden -rafts would survive the battering they must receive! If they were not -wrecked and broken up before they reached the pool, they would then -become exposed to a terrific attack. He dared not think of what the -fate of the safari would be if they were cast into the river and thrown -upon the mercy of the enemy. Did they come safe through the first -series of rapids and cross the pool, there was the second series beyond, -sweeping through the gorge, from the heights of which the enemy could -pour down upon them not merely a hail of bullets and arrows, but an -avalanche of rocks which could not fail to send the rafts to the bottom. -Great as were the perils which had beset him since he quitted the farm, -he recognized with a momentary sinking of heart that they were trifles -compared with those that were to come. He felt that his confidence -would be greater if he could be beside Ferrier on the first raft. Their -comradeship during the past few months had brought them very close -together. He wished that they could talk things over quietly; whereas -now they were separated by forty feet of rope, and anything either had -to say must be uttered in a bawl. - -As the darkness thickened the navigation became increasingly difficult. -Sometimes, when long stretches of the river were banked by woods, it was -pitch dark, and whatever obstacles might have occurred in the course, it -would have been impossible to avoid them. Ferrier did his best to keep -his raft in midstream, for he knew that crocodiles lurked on the banks; -hippos might be sleeping in the shallows; and heavy as the raft was, he -had little doubt that a heave of a hippo's huge body, a swish from a -crocodile's terrible tail, would cause it to capsize, or at least break -a gap in the breastwork. - -At one such gloomy patch the raft ran ashore upon a mud-bank projecting -into the stream. Before Ferrier could pole it off, the second raft, -borne on by the current, collided with it; there was a shock, John's -raft spun round, and rocked so violently that the men yelled with -fright. The attaching rope, however, pulled it up with a jerk, which -had the effect of hauling the first raft off the bank. Their positions -were now reversed; Said Mohammed was foremost down-stream, Ferrier last. -It was obviously impossible that the voyage could be continued thus. -John and Ferrier ran each to the forward end of his own raft. - -"Run her ashore again," shouted Ferrier, "and let me swing clear." - -John obeyed. He would not have shirked the task of leading, but -Ferrier's experience might make all the difference between success and -failure, and it was certainly not a time to run any avoidable risks. -Some minutes passed before he managed to strike the bank, and then the -raft crashed against the projecting stem of a tree with a violence that -threw John on to his back. Up in an instant, he clutched a branch just -in time to prevent the raft from drifting away, and held on until -Ferrier had passed in mid-stream, and the vessels had regained their -former order. During this interlude nothing was heard of the enemy. The -banks of the river were fortunately too steep and too densely wooded to -allow their access. - -For a little while all went well. Where the banks were low and free -from tall trees the level rays of the rising moon threw a faint light -upon the water, enabling Ferrier to use his pole with more confidence. -But on entering a narrower reach where the trees came down to the -water's edge, the sudden passage from comparative light to absolute -darkness prevented him from seeing a rocky ledge jutting out from the -right bank. The raft scraped it for a few feet, then stuck fast. The -second raft, coming directly in its wake, did not this time sweep by, -but bumped the first, and both were now end to end on the rock. The -most energetic work with the poles failing to dislodge them, John said-- - -"Let's have a rest. There's no sign of the enemy, and I'm desperately -hungry." - -"That's all very well," replied Ferrier, "but the longer we delay the -worse off we shall be presently. It gives the enemy time to get ahead -of us, and they'll be waiting for us at the pool. I rather fancy -they've already outstripped us by cutting across country; the river -winds a good deal." - -"All the same, we shan't be any the better off for being famished when -we meet them. Besides, I want to talk to you; we haven't settled what -we're going to do." - -"Very well; we'll have a tuck-in. What's the time? My match-box is -empty." - -John struck a match. His watch had stopped. - -"The spring must have broken when I toppled over," he said. "Isn't -yours going?" - -"It hasn't been going for a couple of days. We can't tell how far we've -come. How is our direction?" - -"We're pointing north-west," replied John, after a glance at his -compass. "There must be a big curve here. I fancy we must have just -about got to the place where Bill and I launched our raft. If so, it -will be getting light by the time we reach the pool. What do you think -of doing then?" - -"That depends on the look of things when we get there. How long are the -rapids?" - -"About half-a-mile, I should think." - -"Any rocks?" - -"Upon my word I don't know. I was too anxious about holding on to -notice. But judging from the battering we got I should say plenty." - -"Then the safest course would be to unload the rafts when we get to the -head of the rapids and make a portage--carry the things along the bank -until we come to the pool. We can't do that if the enemy are in force. -We shall simply have to shoot the rapids and take our chance." - -"I'm sorry for us. If my little raft was nearly smashed, what condition -will these clumsy things be in when we get through!" - -"Well, I can only do my best. Left to themselves they'd be smashed up -in no time, but if I can manage to steer clear of the rocks we may get -through. It won't be safe to go roped together, though. You had better -moor yours while I take down the first; then I'll go ashore and come -back for you." - -"Rather dangerous, that, if the enemy are about." - -"Perhaps. But I'm inclined to think they'll wait for us lower down. In -that case I should be back before they could catch me. But really it's -not much good settling on anything until we see how the land lies. The -most important thing will be to take care we are not caught in the -rapids before we know it. If we are, we can only let ourselves go and -trust to luck." - -After a delay of nearly an hour, during which the whole party made a -meal of the fruits they had brought with them, they strove again to pole -the rafts off the rock. The task was an impossible one while the -vessels were so heavily laden. Accordingly the breastwork was removed -from the shoreward side of each, and a portion of the goods was conveyed -to the bank. Thus lightened, the rafts were got off by vigorous poling, -and allowed to drift a few yards down-stream until they came once more -into the moonlight. Then they were run into the bank and moored while -the stores were fetched and the breastwork replaced. This took up a -considerable time, and it could no longer be doubted that the enemy, -unless they had halted, must arrive at the pool long before the rafts. - -As the moon rose higher in the sky the voyage became easier, and it was -continued without incident until there were signs that day was breaking. -Feeling sure that the rapids could not be far ahead, Ferrier steered -into the right bank, followed by John. - -"I must take a look round before we go any farther," said Ferrier. "I -don't hear anything of the enemy; perhaps they are behind us after all." - -He set off alone, making his way cautiously among the trees. It seemed -hours before he returned, in almost broad daylight. - -"We're in for it," he said as he came up. "We're within six hundred -yards of the rapids. I went on round the curve until I got a view of -the pool. The fort is manned. Juma must have got well ahead of us and -crossed the river somewhere. But I don't think the others have arrived -on the scene yet." - -"Have they left nobody on the right bank?" - -"Nobody at all. They're very poor tacticians. I suppose they rely on -our being smashed up in the rapids, and think they'll have us at their -mercy. They ought to have held both banks. It gives us a chance. We -may have time for a portage, but only to the pool. We can't hope to get -past the second rapids on land; but as we shall be hidden from the enemy -until we actually come to the pool, there ought to be time to load up -again there before they can get round to us." - -"What then?" - -"We shall have to shoot the second rapids in the rafts just as we are. -Can't stop for another portage. From my recollection as we came up past -the gorge, they're much longer and swifter than the first, besides being -straighter and less rocky. I had a good look at the first as I went -down the bank. There's a nasty bit about half-way through: a narrow -channel between two irregular lines of sunken rocks. But it's no worse -than the Long Saut on the St. Lawrence; not so bad, indeed; and I'm -going to run through all right. The only doubt I have is whether we can -get to the second rapids before the enemy occupy the bluff above the -gorge." - -"If we can't----!" - -"We shall have the pleasure of being targets for at least ten minutes -for bullets and arrows and stones. But we must just go through with it -now; there's no retreat for us. Now we'll unload my raft and send the -men along with the ivory. When we've given them time to get half-way to -the pool, I'll go down with the raft." - -"Alone?" - -"Yes. It won't do for you to come, and leave the men, in case they're -attacked; and I don't think any of them would be much help to me. Coja -and two or three of the askaris can escort the convoy. We must make 'em -understand they are to wait for me when they get to the pool; unless, -indeed, I'm there first: the current is pretty swift." - -"There's bush enough to hide them, but you're bound to be spotted from -the fort as soon as you get to the end of the rapids." - -"It will take Juma a long time to get round with his men." - -"But they can swim it!" - -"They won't! They can't attack us when swimming, and they'll be afraid -of getting their heads broken against the raft." - -During this conversation the men had already begun the work of unloading -the first raft. The breastwork on the right-hand side was removed, and -the ivory conveyed tusk by tusk to the bank. Enough was left at the -rear to balance Ferrier's weight at the forward end. When all was -ready, the men set off with their loads, Coja and two askaris with -rifles going ahead. - -"Get your raft unloaded while I'm gone, old chap," said Ferrier. "In -fact, the men had better start with it straight away; if Juma has the -sense to come round at once to meet us it'll be a very near thing to get -loaded up again." - -"All right. I'll go with them myself and leave a couple of men to guard -the raft." - -"On second thoughts I think you had better go after the first lot at -once. Everything depends on their keeping under cover until I arrive -with the raft, and you know how rash they are. Go and keep an eye on -them. I'll see to the unloading here and send the men after you." - -Accordingly John hurried in the track of the ivory-carriers, whom he -overtook by the time they reached the head of the rapids. Leading them -carefully through the wood, where they would be invisible to any of the -enemy who might be moving along on the other side of the river, he came -opposite to the point where the rapids entered the pool. There he -ordered them to set down their loads, and sent Bill back to guide the -second party over the same course. - -Ferrier had resolved not to begin his adventurous voyage until all the -men were gathered under John at the head of the pool. The actual -passage of the rapids would take but a minute or two, and the time -necessary for reloading the first raft would be halved if the whole -party were employed in the work. The second convoy having arrived, John -left them safely under cover while he retraced his steps for a short -distance to a spot where he could witness his friend's performance. He -held his breath and felt his skin creep as the raft came into view, -shooting down at a furious rate to what appeared certain destruction. -Ferrier had removed the upper part of the framework, and stood with pole -in hand, bending low, his whole attention fixed on his task. Now he -prodded to the right, now to the left: at one moment the raft swerved, -having evidently scraped a rock, and he almost lost his balance; but -recovering himself instantly, he dexterously slipped his pole over in -the direction to which the raft had been driven, and came again into -mid-current. John feared lest he should be carried far into the pool, -beyond the spot where the loads were laid; but when the raft came into -smooth water, and its momentum was checked, Ferrier flung a rope to the -shore, and the craft, uninjured except for some chips at the edges, was -hauled in. - -"Splendid!" said John. "It would be a stunning sport if----" - -But before he could complete the sentence Ferrier was running hard -up-stream. There was a shout from the fort; the raft had been -discovered; the second raft was still to be brought down. John -instantly set the men to load up the first raft. Every movement was -visible to the men in the fort. There were loud shouts; a few shots -were fired; but the range was too long for inefficient marksmen. To -John's consternation and alarm there came an echo to these shouts from -up-stream. The warriors from the village were evidently within striking -distance. Had they discovered Ferrier? Urging the men to hasten with -the work of loading, he ran along the bank to see whether the second -raft was on the way. Yes; it was sweeping down like the first, and on -the opposite bank a crowd of yelling negroes rushed along, dodging the -trees, and trying to keep pace. Ferrier paid no attention to them, his -whole energy absorbed in his task. John sent a warning shot among the -enemy, and they darted out of sight. The raft leapt and dashed and -jolted down, and in little more than a minute after it passed John it -lay moored beside the other at the shore of the pool. - -The men having not yet finished the loading of the first raft, Ferrier -had leisure to observe what the enemy were about. The warriors from the -village, who had marched along the left bank of the river, were rushing -round the northern shore of the pool towards the causeway. It was -impossible to see what they would do when they reached it, and, to judge -by the uproar in the fort, there was more excitement than cool -calculation among Juma's party. But by the time the rafts were loaded, -the breastworks replaced, and the ropes attached, the enemy's intention -became clear. Before the rafts were loosed from their moorings and -poled into the gentle current of the pool, a large number of negroes, -with one or two Swahilis, emerged into view from behind the intervening -island, and were seen hastening along the path which led from the -causeway up the bluff. - -"They've got a good start of us," Ferrier called from the leading raft. -"We must run the gauntlet." - -But now that the critical moment had arrived, John was setting his wits -to work. In all the encounters with the enemy hitherto, success had -been gained by the exercise of superior intelligence rather than -superior force. Was there not a chance of outwitting them even now at -the eleventh hour? Could they not be withdrawn from their threatening -position above the gorge? An idea suggested itself: to let the rafts -drift on until they came opposite the fort, and then to change their -direction and pole them across the pool as if with the intention of -landing on the western shore of the island and storming the fort. If -the ruse succeeded, the enemy would rush back and swarm within the walls -again. - -John imparted his scheme to Ferrier in a few hurried sentences. - -"It's worth trying," said Ferrier, "but can we get back into the current -in time?" - -"Yes; it begins to flow swifter, as you know, opposite the island. If -only the men are drawn back into the fort, we shall have time to come -back into the current and make straight for the rapids, and then they -may run their hardest but won't overtake us." - -"Well, you pole back first, so as not to change our order. They surely -won't be such idiots!" - -The rafts passed slowly along, hailed with derisive yells from the few -men left in the fort, and by a shower of arrows, which flew harmlessly -over the breastworks, the men having all lain down as before. Then -suddenly they ceased to move; but in a few moments started ponderously -in the reverse direction. John and Ferrier had exchanged places with -their two steersmen, and while they poled on the bottom in the manner of -punters, Coja and Said Mohammed thrust their poles into the water at an -angle which would bring the rafts round to the western end of the -island. It was exceedingly hard work to force the heavy vessels against -the current, slight though that was; but they did move slowly, away from -the gorge, and that was enough for the defenders of the fort. Alarmed at -the prospect of having to repel an assault from the wasungu, they -shouted vociferously to their fellows on the shore to return and help -them. - -"It's working!" cried John in delight. "I only wish we could see round -the island. We shall have to guess when it's time to be off." - -But there was little chance of their being left in ignorance of the -enemy's movements. The din was tremendous, far and near. Soon the -uproar within the fort increased, and men were seen swarming on to the -edges of the western wall, some scrambling over and running down the -slope to meet the expected attack. The situation of the rafts was too -close to be pleasant to their occupants. Arrows flew over and between -them, some sticking in the meshes of the breastwork. The men flat on -the decks of the rafts were out of harm's way; but the two white men and -their assistants were partly exposed to the flying missiles, since they -could not manage the clumsy rafts unless they stood nearly upright. For -some minutes they cruised along the shore, as if seeking a convenient -landing-place, until they were screened from the enemy by the fringe of -trees. At last, having allowed sufficient time for the greater part of -the enemy's force to regain the fort, or at least the causeway, John and -Ferrier again changed places with Said Mohammed and Coja, and began to -pole vigorously in the opposite direction. Being hidden by the trees, -the rafts, helped by the current, had gained some speed before the -change of direction was perceived. Even then the meaning of it did not -at once strike the enemy. Those who had come down to the shore ran back -to the fort; those within manned the southern and eastern parts of the -wall, anticipating an assault at the spot where it had been partially -demolished. But the rafts were increasing their distance from the -island; they were also increasing their speed; and as they were now -heading straight for the mouth of the gorge Juma at last recognized how -he had been duped. - -The voyagers were now in full view of the causeway. It was covered with -men returning at a run to the fort. But Juma, the moment he saw his -mistake, hastened to the gate and shouted to the men to right-about and -make for the gorge. The causeway was too long for his words to be heard -distinctly at the shore end, and there was a minute's confusion among -the negroes before they grasped what was intended--a precious minute to -the voyagers, for at the end of it the rafts were swept into the full -current. When the men on the causeway, yelling with rage, at last set -off to run back to the shore, John saw with a leaping heart that they -were too late. A few of the enemy who had not yet reached the causeway -when the retirement was countermanded, rushed along the shore and came -level with the rafts as these began the descent of the rapids. But they -had to run uphill: the speed of the current was at least fifteen miles -an hour; before they could gain the summit of the bluff the rafts would -be a mile or more downstream. - -As John's raft was swept along in the wake of Ferrier's, he wondered -whether the rafts, when they reached the end of the rapids, would be in -splinters, and the men battered corpses. When he had shot the upper -rapids with Bill, the darkness had concealed the full extent of his -peril; but now in broad daylight it was brought alarmingly home to him. -Ferrier's raft was swinging before him, and John heard his shouts as he -instructed Coja how to move his pole for steering. John stuck to his -post, almost at his wit's end, but trying desperately to follow in -Ferrier's wake, and shouting instructions to Said Mohammed, who steered -accordingly. - -All at once he saw with terror a large rock almost in midstream, over -which the water swirled and dashed with clouds of spray. He felt that -nothing could avert disaster. Ferrier was safely past; John, grasping -his pole, cried to the Bengali to steer to the right. The rock seemed -to approach him with terrible speed; in a moment the raft would surely -be dashed against it and shivered to splinters. But the force of the -current, and a timely thrust of the pole--how he made it in time John -could never understand--carried the raft clear of the barrier. John's -shove was indeed more vigorous than was necessary, for it swung the -stern of the raft partly across the current, and caused it to scrape the -edge of the rock, with a jar that sent John and the Indian headlong -among the men who lay on the deck. There was a howl of dismay, and John -sprang up, expecting to find himself whirling to destruction. But to -his unspeakable relief he saw that the perilous voyage was over. The -raft had shot clear of the gorge, and was floating with almost oily -smoothness on the river below the escarpment. - - - - -CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FIFTH--The Fight in the Swamp - - -"By George!" cried John, breathless, as he poled his raft up to -Ferrier's, "I don't think I could have faced it if I had known what to -expect." - -"You did famously," said Ferrier, laughing. "I was afraid you'd come a -cropper on that rock. How are your men? Mine are positively sea-sick." - -"I didn't give them a thought. They'll be all right now, at any rate. -Coja stuck to his job gamely, and so did Said Mohammed. We'll have to -do something for them when we get home." - -"Do you think we have seen the last of Juma's lot now?" - -"Surely they'll have had enough of it by this time?" - -"But if your guess is correct, the fellow has missed the aim of his life -in losing the ivory. If I were in his place I'd certainly have another -try. The current is getting slower and slower; they could easily -outstrip us on the bank." - -"That might be awkward for us. We don't know anything about the river a -few miles down-stream. There may be more rapids. And look: d'you see -men coming over the bluff behind us?" - -"Yes, swarming like ants. Evidently they mean to chase us, and they'll -catch us in an hour at this rate. We had better try punting." - -The rate of the current here was probably not more than two or two and a -half miles an hour. Vigorous poling increased the speed of the rafts -slightly, but they were too heavy to move above a walking pace. A bend -in the river hid the pursuers from view. When next seen they were -considerably nearer. - -"We could get on faster if the men walked," said Ferrier. "Let us land -them on the right bank. The enemy appear to be all on the left, and we -can take them in again if they come to too close quarters." - -The suggestion seemed a good one, and was quickly put in effect. The -men, who had had a fright and thorough drenching, were glad enough to -stretch their legs on dry land again, and the rafts, relieved of their -weight, responded more readily to the sturdy thrusts of the poles. Again -the enemy were hidden, but catching sight of them presently through the -trees, John cried-- - -"I say, they are cutting off to their left. The river makes another -bend, I suppose, and they're going to post themselves before we arrive." - -"I only hope the bank isn't high," said Ferrier. "If it is they can -fire down on us, and the mischief is, we can't reply and attend to the -rafts as well. Hadn't we better chuck the ivory into the river and take -our own things and make a bolt for it?" - -"Not I," said John. "I don't like the idea of skedaddling at all, and -I'm not going to lose the ivory now. That would bring Juma out on top, -and he could crow over us after all." - -"There's a good deal of obstinacy in you, John," said Ferrier, smiling. -"We shall have to fight, and I shouldn't be surprised if our hottest -time is yet to come." - -They went steadily down the river, the men keeping pace with them as -closely as possible, though the nature of the ground caused them -sometimes to leave the bank and march at a considerable distance from -it. For nearly two hours, as they guessed, they did not catch a single -glimpse of the enemy, and hoped that they had tired of the pursuit. But -presently they had reason to suspect that they were not to be allowed to -escape so easily. The river spread out into a kind of swamp, apparently -almost half-a-mile in breadth. About half that distance ahead it was -studded with small wooded islands, and Ferrier, who was still leading, -was puzzled as to which of the channels into which the stream was -divided was the safest to attempt. The enemy were not in sight, but -from somewhere ahead came the sound of chopping wood. - -"What are they up to?" said John. - -"Can't tell. Making a boma perhaps. Don't you think we had better take -the men on board before we get fairly into the swamp? If the enemy are -hidden on those islands we had better have them with us." - -John hailed the marching men, who came at his call and were soon -ensconced on the rafts again. They punted along, looking ahead warily -for signs of the enemy. The current became more and more sluggish, and -there was at times scarcely enough water to float the rafts, now again -weighted by their passengers. Ferrier scanned the river in search of a -practicable channel. In the channels on the left he saw mud-banks -rising just above the surface. A wider channel to the right, about -twenty yards broad, gave the best promise of a safe passage, and towards -this he steered. While still some distance from it, however, he saw -some figures emerge from the wooded island on the left, wade hurriedly -across, and enter a similar wood on the right bank of the river, both -the island and the bank being here slightly above the level of the -water. The greater number of the waders were negroes, but among them -were the white-clad forms of Swahilis. - -"This is nasty," said John. "We can't go back." - -"Nor forward either, except at a snail's pace," said Ferrier. "Confound -it! We're stuck again. Look out, John: I'm on a mud-bank. Pull up till -I'm free." - -By dint of energetic poling he managed to get his raft clear. John -avoided the obstacle by slightly changing his course. - -"All we can do," he said, "is to push on as fast as we can and trust to -the breastwork. The worst of it is, the men can't defend themselves -without exposing their heads to the enemy's fire." - -"Yes they can, if they make loopholes," replied Ferrier. "Set 'em to -cut some; we were idiots not to do it before." - -The rafts were still about eighty yards from the island. Their course -was checked while the men hastily cut loopholes in the breastwork on -each side, at which they posted themselves with their weapons; then the -white men drove the rafts forward as swiftly as the shallow water -permitted. The enemy had again totally disappeared. But just as -Ferrier's raft entered the channel between the island and the bank, -there was a shout, and a boom of logs was drawn rapidly across, -completely blocking the passage. The sound of chopping was explained. - -The moment he saw the obstruction, Ferrier strove to increase the speed -of the raft, in the hope of breaking through. There was a jolt and a -crash, but the boom held, and instantly with ferocious yells the enemy -on both sides let fly a shower of arrows mingled with a few rifle-shots -at the occupants of the raft. These, kneeling at the breastworks, -replied as well as they could through the loopholes; but they suffered -two disadvantages: while they were exposed to the missiles of the enemy -behind them, and on a higher level, the enemy themselves were concealed -among the trees and brushwood. Cries of pain proclaimed that several -had been hit, and Ferrier, turning for a moment to seize his rifle, -received an arrow in his right shoulder. In an instant he wrenched it -out: there was no time to think of wounds. - -Meanwhile John had poled his raft somewhat to the left of the other, to -try in his turn to break through the boom. Like Ferrier, he failed. The -rafts were now ranged alongside, and John's men became exposed to the -deadly hail from the island. - -"We must either cut the boom or run for it," he said, gaining what -shelter he could from the breastwork. - -"Impossible!" returned Ferrier. "We've no axes. Knives are no good. -The logs are three deep. Any one who tried to cut the lashings would be -killed, to a certainty." - -"I'll try and rush the island, then. You keep the others at bay." - -"I'll do my best." - -John ordered his men to lie down, and rapidly explained to them what he -meant to do. Then, with a few vigorous thrusts of his pole, he drove -the raft against the bank. As it touched, a bullet passed through his -helmet. He dropped his pole, seized a rifle with his left hand and a -revolver with his right, and calling to the men, leapt over the -breastwork on to the island. The men followed him with a yell, all but -Said Mohammed, whom he had ordered to remain and prevent the raft from -drifting away. - -As they swarmed up the bank, they were met by a shower of missiles. Two -or three men fell; an arrow grazed John's cheek; but the suddenness of -the attack had taken the enemy by surprise. Those who had rifles had no -time to reload before their assailants were among them. Discharging his -revolver at the nearest man, John dashed straight forward, smiting left -and right with his clubbed rifle, the men hacking with their knives and -jabbing with their spears. The enemy had thought rather of obtaining -good cover from which to attack than of sustaining a hand-to-hand fight. -John's men, emboldened by his example, followed close upon his heels. -For a few moments a fierce scrimmage raged among the trees. Then the -enemy gave way, turned tail, and, rushing across the narrow island, -splashed through the shallow water that separated it from the next. -Here they stood and faced about, as if to show fight again; but when -they saw John and his little band springing after them they lost heart -and fled, racing over the second island and the channel dividing it from -the left bank of the river, and never halting until they gained firm -ground a hundred yards away. - -Meanwhile John had become aware by the uproar behind him that a fierce -conflict was in progress there. He could not delay to see whether the -enemy he had put to flight would return, but rushed back to the -assistance of Ferrier. What he saw filled him with alarm and dismay. -The main body of the enemy, several hundreds strong, and led by Juma -himself, had swarmed out from the trees and shrubs among which they had -been concealed, and after discharging their weapons, were wading through -the river to attack Ferrier's raft. The channel was black with them, -yelling, brandishing spears and rifles, a few still shooting their -arrows as they plunged through the water. Some had run along the boom, -and at the moment when John returned were trying to leap over the -breastwork on to the raft. Some had come round on the other side and -were attempting to tear down the breastwork. Ferrier was laying about -him doughtily with his clubbed rifle; Coja at the further end of the -raft was doing the same; and the rest of the men were darting here and -there, striking the heads of the negroes in the river, or prodding with -their spears at those on the boom. - -But the numbers of the enemy were so overwhelming that John feared that -nothing could now save the day. Said Mohammed in his agitation had -allowed his raft to drift away from the island into the stream, and a -rush was immediately made towards it. John sprang on to the boom, and -ran with all speed to Ferrier's help, his men close behind. Catching a -big negro by the throat, he hurled him off the boom into the water, -jumped the breastwork, and came to Ferrier's side just as he staggered -and fell with a spear wound in the thigh. The arrival of John's party -checked the assault for a moment, but meanwhile the enemy had clambered -into his raft, overthrowing Said Mohammed, and the current brought it -once more against the boom. The little party was now surrounded. One -after another fell. Two men, a Swahili and a negro, had at last broken -through the defence and gained a footing on Ferrier's raft. John felled -the Swahili with a sledge-hammer blow of his rifle; the negro was killed -with a thrust from Bill's knife. But while these first invaders were -thus disposed of, others had forced their way on to the raft, and before -John could recover himself, a spear was driven through his arm and he -was hustled to the deck. - -There was a yell of triumph from the enemy. But all at once, above the -uproar there came the sharp crackle of rifles, followed by a ringing -cheer. Juma, who was at that moment in the act of springing from the -boom into the raft, halted for a second, and turned to discover the -origin of these new sounds. He saw, on the right bank of the river, not -two hundred yards away, a party of mounted white men, riding at a gallop -towards him. For an instant he hesitated. While his back was towards -the raft, Bill, with an agility amazing in a man of his years, leapt the -breastwork, knife in hand, and hurled himself upon the Swahili. Both -together, they fell into the river. Juma was undermost. For an instant -they disappeared beneath the surface. Bill never relaxed his grip. -When they emerged, he plunged his knife up to the haft in the Swahili's -throat; then flung his enemy from him. Juma was dead. So he expiated -the cruelties and tyrannies of many years, at the hands of a member of -the tribe which had suffered most wrong. - -While this tragedy was being enacted, the riders came to the brink of -the stream, and ten rifles sped their bullets among the swarm of black -men. Again the air rang with a British cheer. With screams of pain, -yells of consternation and affright, the enemy broke and fled, some -towards the island, some scrambling up-stream, those who were in the -rafts plunging into the water and swimming in all directions. And John, -rising to his feet, beheld his father and Mr. Gillespie, and eight men -whom he did not recognize, and waving his rifle aloft with his uninjured -arm, he answered cheer with cheer. - - - - -CHAPTER THE TWENTY-SIXTH--Back to the Farm - - -One morning, about a month after the fight in the swamp, John was -sitting at the table in his bungalow, a paper outspread before him, a -pencil in his hand, and Said Mohammed standing at his elbow. - -"We must have it all first-rate, you know," he said. - -"Quite up to dick, sir; you may rely on me." - -"Well now, _hors d'oeuvres_--I think we might do without that." - -"With respect, sir, _hors d'oeuvres_ is _sine qua non_--correct card, -sir, foundation of the _comme il faut_." - -"All right, then; stick down sardines: we've got a tin. Now -_potage_--why the dickens don't you put it in English, khansaman?" - -"The English tongue, sir, is great and glorious instrument, but too -gross for refinements of culinary art. Soup!--listen to it--soup! -disgusting monosyllable, sir, resembling hiccough. Contrast with the -delicate vocables of French." - -"Well, what shall the _potage_ be?" - -"Clear, sir, for the ladies, _consomm la Wanderobbo_." - -"What on earth is that?" - -"I beg you, sir, not to insist on answer," said the Bengali gravely. -"Thick, for masculine gender: Scotch broth, concession to prejudices of -great nation." - -"That's all right. What's next? _Poissons_! That looks fishy. Take -care you don't drop an _s_. What fish can we do?" - -"Coja hooked quantity of finny tribe which, with due sauce, may pass for -trout." - -"Now for _entres_." - -"The partridges you shot yesterday, sir, are in prime condition. I -suggest _perdrix la Swahili_. For _relev_ I propose----" - -"I say, we'll drop that. Let's come to a good honest roast. Shoulder -of lamb, say--but we can't manage mint sauce. There's no vinegar." - -"With respect, sir, in intelligent anticipation I provide for that. I -put quantity of Bill's honey in ferment, and made acidulous liquid -passable imitation of vinegar; pious fraud." - -"Plenty of vegetables, of course." - -"_Croquettes de pomme de terre, choux-fleurs la Lulu, topinambours -la crme_." - -"Look here, I can't spell that crack-jaw. What, in plain English, are -_topinambours_?" - -"In vulgar tongue, sir, Jerusalem artichokes; but you will agree that -final syllable of artichokes is ominous and forbidding, especially to -ladies." - -"Well, I've had enough of it. Finish the menu yourself. I've no doubt -everything will be all right." - -John went out and strolled round the farm. It presented a different -appearance: four or five new wooden huts, neatly thatched, erected for -the accommodation of the visitors expected, stood near the bungalow. -John was at present the only white man on the farm, Mr. Halliday having -returned to Nairobi with the rest of the rescue-party to make some -purchases, and Ferrier to meet his sister and get attention to his -wounded thigh. The evening before, a messenger had come in advance, to -announce that the visitors would arrive next day: Mr. Halliday was -returning with Mrs. Burtenshaw, her family, and the Ferriers. Said -Mohammed was determined "to do credit to the establishment," as he put -it; he would show the guests "that the resources of civilization were -not dead letter in African wilds." - -As the day drew on, John became restless. He had the floor of the -bungalow scrubbed twice; set Lulu to scour the pans in the dairy for the -third time; and got Coja to cut his hair. He was in some agitation of -mind as to what he should wear. He looked out a white shirt, collar, -and tie, and a suit of clothes he had not worn since he left England. -His unaccustomed fingers struggled with his collar-stud until he was in -despair, and when he had knotted his tie he found that he had no clips, -and the wretched thing threatened to ride up to his chin. - -He was standing at the door of the bungalow, thus arrayed, and feeling -ridiculously got up, when he saw Ferrier galloping up on a pony. - -"Hallo, old chap!" shouted his friend. "The others are about -half-an-hour behind. Thought I would ride ahead and prepare you. What -have you been doing to yourself?" - -"What do you mean?" - -"Well, don't mind what I say, but you look a bit of a guy, you know. -Your coat's too tight, and your waistcoat too short: are they the things -you wore at school? Your tie's wriggling round to your ear; and your -trousers display a good deal of ankle--d'you know that you've got on odd -socks?" - -"Hang it all, Charley, what shall I do? I've got nothing else but khaki -and drill, and I can't show up in those." - -"Don't see why. The women won't expect to find Bond Street fashions -here, and if you'll take my tip you'll tumble out of those things as -soon as possible, and rig up in your usual toggery." - -"You really think they won't mind?" - -"Of course not. Hurry up; you'll just have time." - -John dashed off with a feeling of unutterable relief. He pitched his -tie and collar into a corner, crushed his suit into a drawer, regardless -of creases, and in ten minutes reappeared in flannel shirt and clean -white drill, feeling at ease. - -In less than half-an-hour the party arrived, six in all, Mr. Gillespie -having accompanied them. Their safari was still some miles in the rear. - -"How d'you do, John?" said the elder lady, as he helped her to dismount. -"I am Mrs. Burtenshaw--still!" - -John felt himself blushing. - -"I know you as Cousin Sylvia, ma'am," he said. - -"We'll be great friends, I'm sure. You know Joe and Poll; this is -Helen. Hilda, come and be introduced to my long-lost nephew. Regard me -as your favourite aunt, my dear boy. Tell me," she whispered, "is that -fat smiling gentleman in white your failed B.A.?" - -"That's he: cook, khansaman, and major-domo. Said Mohammed, escort the -ladies to their rooms." - -The Bengali approached, bowing to each in turn. - -"Esteemed madam and misses," he said, "deign to direct your footsteps to -humble abode, or, as William Cowper beautifully says, your lodge in vast -wilderness, with boundless contiguity of shade." - -The ladies preserved an admirable composure, and retired to the huts -assigned to them. - -"Now, John," said Mrs. Burtenshaw, when they reappeared, "you must show -us round this wonderful farm of yours. It looks very tidy, I must say. -But where are your sheep? I thought you had hundreds, and there aren't -fifty in that pen." - -"They're out at grass, cousin; you'll see them come in by and by. There -really isn't much to see, you know. Cabbages and artichokes--'m; -_topinambours_ is the name for ladies, says my cook--they're just the -same, here and at home. If you'd come a few months later, now, I might -have shown you some zebras. I'm going to try and tame some." - -"Ah yes! I remember you threatened to meet your father on a striped -charger, to match his striped trousers.... Who's that funny-looking -little object?" - -"That's Bill, scout and huntsman, and a millionaire, as things are -reckoned here. Come and see his ivory." - -"You're a very rash and headstrong boy. The idea of going miles and -miles after a set of thieves! I wonder you're alive. A pretty settler, -indeed!" - -"Well, cousin, I dare say I shall settle down now, with father to keep -me in order. You see, we couldn't have felt secure if----" - -"Don't tell me! You're just a madcap; if you were my son I should be in -constant terror lest you were brought home one day a mangled corpse." - -"Look, mother," said Helen, "isn't it a pretty sight?" - -The lambs were coming home, a great flock, covering the hollow between -two gentle slopes. Their bleatings, heard faintly at first, became a -deafening noise as they neared the farm. The observers noticed how they -quickened their pace as they approached. Within the pen the ewes moved -restlessly about, bleating calls to their young. When the lambs entered -through the gate, they leapt forward frisking with delight, darted into -the open pen, and sprang this way and that, each seeking its own dam. - -"Charming!" said Mrs. Burtenshaw. "What a pity sheep are so silly! Now -take us to your dairy." - - ---- - -Said Mohammed's cookery won general applause. - -"I envy you, Halliday," said Mr. Gillespie. "He's worth his fifty -rupees a month, isn't he?" - -"You don't have a dinner like this every day, I'm sure, John--French -menu and all," said Mrs. Burtenshaw. "I should like the recipe for that -_consomm la Wanderobbo_." - -"What is _ la Wanderobbo_?" asked Helen. - -"I don't know," replied John. "That little old man you saw just now is -one of the Wanderobbo tribe." - -"Good gracious! I hope he had nothing to do with the soup. He -looked--well, not scrupulously clean." - -"No, no," said John, laughing. "He had no more to do with the soup than -Lulu had with the cauliflowers--unless she cut them. Talking of Bill, -Mr. Gillespie, what are we to do about his ivory? It has been his dream -for years to recover it, but when we got back he made me a present of -it." - -"Just like a man," said Mrs. Burtenshaw. "You'll struggle all your life -and wear yourselves out for some ridiculous thing, and when you get it -don't know what to do with it." - -"It's what you do that counts, not what you get," remarked Mr. Halliday: -"or as our failed B.A. said when we met him first, it is work that -ennobles. But about the ivory?" - -"Well," said Mr. Gillespie judicially, "I'm not sure but it belongs to -the Government." - -"I don't see that," said Joe Browne. "The Government did nothing for -it. Didn't do anything for you, either. I'd stick to it if I were you, -John. What will it fetch?" - -"Five or six hundred pounds, I should think," said Mr. Gillespie. - -"I wish it were mine," said Oliver. "Mother keeps me plaguey short." - -"I'd thought of a scheme that would be pretty fair all round," said -John. "Bill was the owner, and he gave it to me. He wants to stay on -the farm. Well, I propose to build him a new hut and set him up with -new weapons: that will make him comfortable for life. Then old -Sobersides has been very decent. His men behaved like bricks, and we -certainly couldn't have got it without their help. We might give them -some bushels of beads and loads of wire and blankets and other things -they value. They may seem trumpery to us, but they're untold wealth to -the natives." - -"And then?" said Mrs. Burtenshaw. - -"Well, perhaps Charley and I might share the rest." - -"Nonsense!" said Ferrier. "It's yours." - -"And we'll share it. We shared everything else. Don't be selfish, -Charley." - -Everybody laughed, and it was ultimately settled that the ivory should -be sent to Nairobi, where Mr. Gillespie promised to get the best -possible price for it. - -Here Said Mohammed came in with coffee. When he had handed round the -cups he lingered. - -"Don't wait, khansaman," said John. "We'll manage now. Every one was -delighted with your dinner." - -"I am repaid a thousandfold, sir. Not to intrude, sir, I have trifling -communication to make." - -"What is it?" - -"Native chief, sir, did me honour to request I would convey thanks of -self and co. for immense and colossal benefits conferred." - -"Oh, that's all right. He thanked me himself, long ago." - -"_Festina lente_, sir. Reflecting on said petition, I deemed the circs. -worthy of more formal commemoration than perfunctory acknowledgement. -Wherefore and accordingly I scorn delights and live laborious days in -inditing few lines pat to the occasion, which with august permission I -will now proceed to chuck off chest." - -The two girls made suspicious use of their handkerchiefs; Joe Browne -kicked Ferrier under the table; and Oliver, choking over his coffee, -accused Mr. Halliday of smoking very strong cigars. John and the elder -members of the party preserved their gravity, though it was in a -curiously constrained tone that John asked the Bengali to favour the -company. With a smile of gratification Said Mohammed unrolled a scroll -of paper, and, looking round to make sure that every one was attending, -began in his high-pitched voice-- - - Hear me tell a moving story, chronicled in lofty rhyme, - Redolent of stripling's glory, monument to end of time. - Idol of my veneration, you I celebrate in song; - Ornament of British nation, you I crack up, hot and strong. - - To begin at the beginning: When one day, at usual pace, - Our oblate spheroid was spinning through an awful lot of space, - You, an up-to-date Orion, Enfield rifle in your hand, - Did for most obnoxious lion, holy terror in the land. - - Next, predaceous gang, Swahilis--Juma, if you please, and Co.,-- - Prowling, slippery as eel is, on the rampage to and fro, - Depredated native village, spreading woe and dire alarm, - Then for more important pillage fell like ton of bricks on farm. - - Faithful servant, Said Mohammed, feeling anything but bold, - Like a bleating orphan lamb hid, sniffing wolves within the - fold; - While despoilers collared rifles, ammunition, shell and shot; - Item, sundry piffling trifles which the poet has forgot. - - Minions of a base levanter, villains of the deepest dye,-- - You are after them instanter, lightning flashing from your eye; - Swoop upon them in their slumbers, catch them fairly on the hop, - Though inferior in numbers, smite them hip and thigh and crop. - - Terrified by dire disaster, they make hurry-scurry flight. - Yoicks! our whipper-in goes faster, helter-skelter day and - night, - Till dark citadel is sighted, wall-encircled, likewise moat. - Is prodigious effort blighted? Not at all: we simply gloat. - - Roberts' grit and Csar's clear eye--honestly, you have them - both. - 'Fas est ab hoste doceri,' august Roman general quoth: - Taking leaf from book of Juma, you perpended ruse de guerre, - And with dodgy slimness you manoeuvred brigands from their lair. - - Penned within restricted compass, you repel the fierce attack, - Calm amid most awful rumpus: things are looking very black. - Lo! in thickest of the slaughter, one sees chance of chipping - in, - And with can of boiling water stems the tide and scores a win. - - Threat of famine, grisly spectre, makes us look a little blue; - But our commonwealth's protector, launching forth in bark canoe, - Quits the precincts of the island, marches at a spanking pace, - Up-hill, down-hill, swamp and dry land, perfect Nimrod in the - chase. - - Hippopotamus stupendous to your prowess falls a prey. - Ministers of grace defend us! you are spirited away. - Lo! proverbially fickle, Fortune knocks you from your perch, - Leaves you in a pretty pickle, or, as you may say, the lurch. - - Meditating in your prison, through the darkling stilly night, - Ere red Phoebus has arisen you have perpetrated flight: - Swift rejoin the little party by Swahili sore oppressed; - Juma then is in the cart, he gets a bullet in the chest. - - Pardon slight inaccuracy, due to exigence of rhyme; - Frenzied poet, going pace, imagines only the sublime. - Be pedestrian and pedantic when you're patronizing prose, - Spur your Pegasus quite frantic when a poem you compose. - - To return from this diversion, and to make long story short, - After enemy's dispersion you evacuated fort; - Made a bee-line for the village, situated on a hill, - Scooped the products of their tillage, bloodless coup, - resistance nil. - - Expediting preparations for strategic move in rear, - 'Mid poor females' ululations, most distressing to the ear-- - What makes all your pulses throb? oh! what sets all your nerves - athrill? - 'Tis shikari Wanderobbo, or, to use his alias, Bill. - - Pale with rage and indignation (metaphorically pale), - Billy tells of spoliation, thieves his property assail. - Tartar like the bold Cambuscan (Chaucer left his tale - half-told), - Juma digs up every tusk and Bill is absolutely sold. - - Now behold you on your mettle; now momentous hour has struck, - You in most pugnacious fettle sally forth to try your luck; - Meet marauders by the river, fall on them like bolt from blue, - Crying 'Stand and eke deliver, or I'll run you through and - through!' - - (Note: that speech, correct in diction, is not quite correct in - fact; - 'Tis a literary fiction, managed with consummate tact. - So the other classic writers, Livy and Thucydides, - Decorate the lips of fighters with sublime apostrophes.) - - Though the words were never uttered, pish! it matters not a jot; - Like March hares the scoundrels scuttered, dropping burdens on - the spot; - After years of patient waiting, Bill regains his ownest own, - And with ecstasy gyrating, bellows till he's fairly blown. - - You with prescient acumen see that all is not O.K.; - You alas! have very few men, Juma has a vast array; - Yet while danger round you thickens, lo! you neither quail nor - quake; - Though you wonder how the dickens you are going to take the - cake. - - To omit progressive stages, which would take up too much time, - Occupy a dozen pages and exhaust a lot of rhyme-- - After navigating torrent where the crocodiles disport, - You were spied by foe abhorrent, lurking watchful in the fort. - - How you diddled them just proper, how you did the Johnnies - brown, - And how many came a cropper as the rafts were floating down: - This perchance a future Milton, seeking an heroic theme, - May compose splendacious lilt on, in the groves of Academe. - - And perchance some future Hallam, with display of prosy pomp, - Will relate in distant Balham scrumptious battle in the swamp; - And describe the villain Juma, in penultimate despair, - Meeting Bill upon the boom and getting his quietus there. - - Now the hurly-burly's over, not a cloud bedims the sky; - You are jolly well in clover, and the bloom is on the rye; - 'Tempus fugit': I must stow it---end my palpitating lay, - Ever faithful cook and poet, Said Mohammed, failed B.A. - -There was a burst of applause as the Bengali concluded. - -"Capital!" cried Mr. Halliday. - -"Wonderful!" exclaimed the girls together, clapping their hands. - -"Absolutely unique, by Jove!" added Oliver. - -"You're sure of immortality now, John," said Joe. - -"I wouldn't wonder if it's good enough for _Punch_," said Mr. Gillespie. - -"Such laudation warms the cockles of my heart, ladies and gentlemen," -declared Said Mohammed, beaming. "But the poem is not destined to be -squandered on _profanum vulgus:_ it is strictly for private -consumption." - -"Have some copies printed, Mr. Mohammed," said Mrs. Burtenshaw. "I'll -pay the bill." - -"Your esteemed order, madam, shall be punctually attended to. And now, -with excuses, I beg to be allowed to retire to my own place--to return -to my muttons, as it were: or in other words, to wash the dishes." - -And with profound salaams he withdrew. - - ---- - -By the last advices from Nairobi I learn that the Hallidays' farm in -Kenya is exceedingly prosperous. Mr. Halliday received his lease, and -was recently mentioned in a Government report as one of the most -enterprising and successful settlers in British East Africa. Mrs. -Burtenshaw regards this testimonial as unfair, since Mr. Halliday is -only a figurehead, and John does the work; but, as Mr. Gillespie says, -nobody cares a pin for what appears in a Government report. - -There are two other farms adjoining Alloway, one owned by Charles -Ferrier, the other by the two Brownes. It is rumoured that, as lions -and other wild-fowl have now disappeared from the vicinity, two of the -three farms will soon be graced by the presence of ladies; but there -seems to be some speculation at tea-tables in Nairobi as to whether -Hilda Ferrier will become Mrs. Joseph Browne or Mrs. David Halliday. -Knowing John, I should say that there is no doubt about the matter. Mr. -Gillespie advises Helen Browne to change her name to Ferrier at the same -time: he is a firm believer in economy. Said Mohammed is anxiously -awaiting definite information, for he says that he cannot set to work on -his nuptial ode in honour of the occasion until he knows which is which; -then he will show us all what's what. My own opinion is that he will be -so busy in erecting a wedding-cake of suitable proportions as to have no -leisure to build the lofty rhyme. Meanwhile he has learnt Spenser's -"Epithalamium" by heart, and is convinced that, with due inspiration, he -will knock it into a cocked hat. - - - - - THE END - - - - - - HERBERT STRANG - - _Complete List of Stories_ - - -ADVENTURES OF DICK TREVANION, THE -ADVENTURES OF HARRY ROCHESTER, THE -A GENTLEMAN AT ARMS -A HERO OF LIGE -AIR PATROL, THE -AIR SCOUT, THE -BARCLAY OF THE GUIDES -BLUE RAIDER, THE -BOYS OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE -BRIGHT IDEAS -BROWN OF MOUKDEN -BURTON OF THE FLYING CORPS -CARRY ON -CRUISE OF THE GYRO-CAR, THE -FIGHTING WITH FRENCH -FLYING BOAT, THE -FRANK FORESTER -HUMPHREY BOLD -JACK HARDY -KING OF THE AIR -KOBO -LONG TRAIL, THE -LORD OF THE SEAS -MOTOR SCOUT, THE -NO MAN'S ISLAND -OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN, THE -ONE OF CLIVE'S HEROES -PALM TREE ISLAND -ROB THE RANGER -ROUND THE WORLD IN SEVEN DAYS -SAMBA -SETTLERS AND SCOUTS -SULTAN JIM -SWIFT AND SURE -THROUGH THE ENEMY'S LINES -TOM BURNABY -TOM WILLOUGHBY'S SCOUTS -WINNING HIS NAME -WITH DRAKE ON THE SPANISH MAIN -WITH HAIG ON THE SOMME - - - - - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SETTLERS AND SCOUTS *** - - - - -A Word from Project Gutenberg - - -We will update this book if we find any errors. - -This book can be found under: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/39161 - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission -and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily keep eBooks -in compliance with any particular paper edition. - -Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's eBook -number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, -compressed (zipped), HTML and others. - -Corrected _editions_ of our eBooks replace the old file and take over -the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is renamed. -_Versions_ based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving -new filenames and etext numbers. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg(tm), -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/39161-8.zip b/39161-8.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index adf2d15..0000000 --- a/39161-8.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/39161-h.zip b/39161-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 2f95213..0000000 --- a/39161-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/39161-h/39161-h.html b/39161-h/39161-h.htm index 8ac008b..2512762 100644 --- a/39161-h/39161-h.html +++ b/39161-h/39161-h.htm @@ -432,34 +432,9 @@ pre { font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.9em; white-space: pre-wrap </style> </head> <body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 39161 ***</div> <div class="document" id="settlers-and-scouts"> <h1 class="document-title level-1 pfirst title">SETTLERS AND SCOUTS</h1> - -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="align-None container language-en noindent pgheader" id="pg-header" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<p class="noindent pfirst">This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the <a class="reference internal" href="#project-gutenberg-license">Project Gutenberg License</a> -included with this eBook or online at -<a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a>.</p> -<p class="noindent pnext"></p> -<div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<div class="align-None container noindent white-space-pre-line" id="pg-machine-header"> -<p class="noindent pfirst white-space-pre-line"><span class="white-space-pre-line">Title: Settlers and Scouts<br /> -<br /> -Author: Herbert Strang<br /> -<br /> -Release Date: March 15, 2012 [EBook #39161]<br /> -<br /> -Language: English<br /> -<br /> -Character set encoding: UTF-8</span></p> -</div> -<div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-start-line">*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK <span>SETTLERS AND SCOUTS</span> ***</p> <div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 4em"> </div> <p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-produced-by"><span>Produced by Al Haines.</span></p> @@ -8759,347 +8734,6 @@ with due inspiration, he will knock it into a cocked hat.</p> <!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> <div class="backmatter"> </div> -<p class="pfirst" id="pg-end-line">*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK <span>SETTLERS AND SCOUTS</span> ***</p> -<div class="cleardoublepage"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="language-en level-2 pgfooter section" id="a-word-from-project-gutenberg" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<span id="pg-footer"></span><h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title">A Word from Project Gutenberg</h2> -<p class="pfirst">We will update this book if we find any errors.</p> -<p class="pnext">This book can be found under: <a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/39161"><span>http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/39161</span></a></p> -<p class="pnext">Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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-
-.. meta::
- :PG.Id: 39161
- :PG.Title: Settlers and Scouts
- :PG.Released: 2012-03-15
- :PG.Rights: Public Domain
- :PG.Producer: Al Haines
- :DC.Creator: Herbert Strang
- :DC.Title: Settlers and Scouts
- :DC.Language: en
- :DC.Created: 1922
- :coverpage: images/img-cover.jpg
-
-.. role:: small-caps
- :class: small-caps
-
-===================
-SETTLERS AND SCOUTS
-===================
-
-.. pgheader::
-
-
-
-.. figure:: images/img-cover.jpg
- :align: center
- :alt: Cover art
-
- Cover art
-
-
-
-
-.. _`The Bengali hurled the canful at his head.`:
-
-.. figure:: images/img-front.jpg
- :align: center
- :alt: "The Bengali hurled the canful at his head."
-
- "The Bengali hurled the canful at his head." *See page 253*.
-
-.. class:: center large
-
- |
- |
- |
- | SETTLERS AND SCOUTS
- |
- |
- |
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- | *A TALE OF THE AFRICAN HIGHLANDS*
- |
- |
- |
-
-.. class:: center small
-
- | BY
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- | HERBERT STRANG
- |
- |
- |
-
-.. class:: center small
-
- | *NEW EDITION*
- |
- |
- |
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- | HUMPHREY MILFORD
- | OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
- | LONDON, EDINBURGH, GLASGOW
- | TORONTO, MELBOURNE, CAPE TOWN, BOMBAY
- |
- |
- |
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- | REPRINTED 1922 IN GREAT BRITAIN BY R. CLAY AND SONS, LTD.,
- | BUNGAY, SUFFOLK.
- |
- |
- |
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- | PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION
-
-The present story completes a series of three books in which I have
-endeavoured to give impressions of life in the immense region known as
-Equatorial Africa. The scene of *Tom Burnaby* was laid in the centre,
-around the great lakes; *Samba* was concerned with the western or Congo
-districts; *Settlers and Scouts* is a story of the east, more
-especially the magnificent highland region which seems destined to
-become one of the greatest provinces of the British African Empire.
-
-The steady stream of emigration already flowing to British East Africa
-is bound to swell when it is more generally recognized that in the hill
-districts of Kenya, Naivasha, and Kisumu there are vast areas of
-agricultural land constituting an ideal "white man's country." In the
-following pages I have attempted to show some of the conditions under
-which the pioneers of emigration must work. The development of
-communications and the settlement of the remoter regions will soon
-relegate such alarums and excursions as are here described to the
-romantic possibilities of the past. But it will be long before the
-lion, the rhinoceros, the hippopotamus and other more or less
-formidable neighbours cease to be factors with which the emigrant has
-to reckon.
-
-For many facts, stranger by far than fiction, concerning the wild
-inhabitants, human and other, of this most interesting region, I am
-indebted to Mr. Arkell-Hardwick's *An Ivory Trader in North Kenya* and
-Colonel Patterson's *Man-Eaters of Tsavo*, among several important
-works that have appeared during recent years.
-
-It may be added that in the spelling of native names I have sometimes
-rather consulted the reader's convenience than conformed strictly to
-rule. The name *Wanderobbo*, for instance, applied to an individual,
-is a solecism, the prefix *Wa* being a sign of the plural. But it
-seemed better to err than to afflict the reader with so uncouth a form
-as *N'derobbo*.
-
-.. class:: left medium
-
- | HERBERT STRANG.
- |
- |
- |
-
-----
-
-.. contents:: CONTENTS
- :depth: 1
- :backlinks: entry
-
-----
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- | LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
-
-.. class:: left medium
-
- | `THE BENGALI HURLED THE CANFUL AT HIS HEAD.`_
- |
- | `ONE OF THE WAKAMBA SLIPPED OFF WHEN HE WAS IN MID STREAM`_
- |
- | `THE BENGALI HURLED THE CANFUL AT HIS HEAD.`_
- |
- | `FERRIER RAISED HIS RIFLE, AND ... BROUGHT HIM DOWN WITH A BULLET THROUGH THE HEART`_
- |
- | `THE HIPPO GAVE A SNORT, AND THE WATER AROUND HIM WAS AGITATED AS BY AN IMMENSE CHURN`_
- |
- | `JOHN ORDERED HIS ASKARIS TO FIRE AMONG THE NEGROES ON THE LEFT BANK.`_
- |
- |
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- | MAPS
-
-.. class:: left medium
-
- | `PART OF BRITISH EAST AFRICA`_
- |
- | `ENVIRONS OF JUMA'S FORT`_
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
-
-
-CHAPTER THE FIRST--The Emigrants
-================================
-
-The train was steaming over Mombasa Island, and Mr. David Halliday,
-ejaculating "Now we're off!" settled himself in his corner and
-comfortably fell asleep. Age has its weaknesses--or its privileges,
-according as you look at it. Not that Mr. Halliday was aged, or even
-old. He was nearly fifty, and might have passed for younger. His son,
-at any rate, was neither old nor sleepy. He was, in fact, but a few
-months past his seventeenth year; and being possessed of an average
-curiosity and a healthy interest in novel scenes, he looked with
-delight on the groves of lofty cocoa-nut palms, the wide-spreading
-mangoes and baobabs filled with chattering monkeys, and the long
-stretches of park-like glades, brilliant with flowers, through which
-runs the Uganda railway in the first stage of its long course to the
-shores of Victoria Nyanza.
-
-Mr. Halliday, son of a Scots farmer who had emigrated from Ayrshire
-thirty years before, had been for many years agent--or "factor," as he,
-being a Scotsman, preferred to call himself--on the estates of Lord
-Sussex, who, as everybody knows, owns half the county from which his
-title is derived. He had managed to save some money during his
-stewardship, but having entrusted the greater part of it for investment
-to a bland London solicitor of his acquaintance, he had the misfortune
-to learn one day from the newspaper that the lawyer had absconded,
-leaving defalcations to the tune of some £50,000. A few weeks
-afterwards another calamity befell Mr. Halliday. His employer, a
-bachelor, died; the estates passed into the hands of a distant
-relative; and the new peer, taking alarm at the large sums demanded of
-him in the shape of death duties, announced his intention of cutting
-down expenses, and employing a younger man to steward his estates, at a
-lower salary. Luckily Mr. Halliday had a thousand or two safely
-invested, apart from what he had lost through the lawyer's rascality;
-and being disinclined, at his time of life, to seek similar employment,
-he cast about, during his six months' notice of the termination of his
-engagement, to find some new outlet for his energies and some secure
-channel for the use of his little capital.
-
-The problem was complicated by the necessity of starting his son in
-life. He had intended David for one of the professions, and put him to
-a good school; but the boy had not shown any particular aptitude for
-book work, except in the one subject that interested him--natural
-history. He was never so happy as when he was with dogs and horses; he
-read with avidity every book about animals on which he could lay hands;
-and once, when his career was being talked about, he said bluntly that
-he knew he couldn't stand work at a desk in stuffy London, and implored
-his father to let him go out to Canada or Australia. Mr. Halliday
-merely grunted at the time; he was a man of few words; but he thought
-the matter out very carefully, and his attention having been called to
-the opening up of East Africa consequent upon the completion of the
-Uganda railway, he quietly made inquiries, obtained information about
-the country, its climate, soil, and prospects in regard to
-stock-raising, and one day startled his son with the news that he was
-going out in a few months to settle. Having once made up his mind he
-let no grass grow under his feet. One May day father and son left
-London in a Peninsular and Oriental Liner, transhipped at Aden into a
-vessel of the British India Steam Navigation Company, landed at
-Mombasa, and after spending a fortnight there in preliminary
-preparations, took tickets for Nairobi, three hundred and thirty miles
-down the line, whence they proposed to strike up country and select the
-ground for their settlement.
-
-They travelled by the intermediate class--the third of the four classes
-into which passengers on the Uganda railway are divided. Mr. Halliday,
-as he said, had not come out to Africa for the fun of it and having
-spent considerably over £100 already in travelling expenses, he was not
-inclined to spend more was absolutely necessary now. By travelling
-intermediate, unusual though it was, they saved nearly a hundred rupees
-(the currency of British East Africa) on the first-class fare, and
-twenty-five on the second, and every rupee they could save would be of
-importance when they came to stock their ranch. "And I haven't taken
-return tickets, John," said Mr. Halliday.
-
-Since the boy had been named David after his father, and had no other
-name, it is necessary to explain how he came to be called John. At
-school, his name being David, on the principle of association of ideas
-he was immediately dubbed Jonathan, though he might just as reasonably
-have been called Saul. Jonathan being too long was cut down to Johnny,
-and finally to John; and when one of his school-fellows, on a visit in
-the holidays, addressed him by this simple monosyllable, the name was
-laughingly accepted by his parents as an excellent means of
-distinguishing between the two Davids. People who knew him only as
-John were puzzled when he signed himself "D. Halliday," and one
-matter-of-fact lady was not quite pleased when he said gravely that,
-Prince Edward being known in the family circle as David, it was only
-right that David Halliday should be known as John. "I am glad I am not
-your godmother," she replied grimly.
-
-John, then, as we, like all his intimates, will call him, smiled
-affectionately when he saw his father settle himself to slumber, and
-devoted his own very wide-awake eyes to the scenery. It was a feast
-for the senses and the imagination. The train, leaving Mombasa island
-for the mainland, runs through a tract of undulating richly-wooded
-country, with, here, groves of cocoa-nut palms and papaws; there,
-orchards of mangoes and cashew apples; anon, vast plantations of maize
-and millet and other grain crops. There is plenty of time to take in
-the details of this luxuriant panorama, for the train is climbing,
-climbing always, and the traveller is not whirled along at the
-bewildering speed of an English express. Leaning out of the window,
-and looking back over the route, John catches a last glimpse of the sea
-at Port Reitz, guarded by the Shimba hills, and realizes that a new
-chapter in his life is opening, full of romantic possibilities.
-
-"A verree fine country, sir," says a thin staccato voice behind, and
-turning, he is smiled upon by a swarthy face, with black moustache and
-beard that have never known a razor, and surmounted by a spotless white
-turban.
-
-"Magnificent," replies John, eyeing his fellow-passenger curiously.
-
-"But this is not the best," says the man again. "We shall see, in due
-time, scenes of still more prepossessing appearance, together with
-myriads of four-footed beasts, et cetera."
-
-"Indeed," says John, a trifle amused.
-
-"Yes, sir. When we come to Tsavo we may behold lions, truly
-denominated the king of beasts, but no longer monarchs of all they
-survey, as William Cowper beautifully and poetically says. Man, sir,
-plays the very dickens with Nature; the surveyor molests the ancient
-solitary reign of Mr. Lion; he has to take a back seat."
-
-John was quite unaccustomed to conversation interlarded with quotations
-from what he had at school irreverently called "rep.," and wondering
-what manner of man he had to do with he hazarded an indirect question.
-
-"You seem to have read some of our poets," he said.
-
-"Yes, sir, I am familiar with the masterpieces of English literature,
-edited with notes. My name, sir, is Said Mohammed, failed B.A. of
-Calcutta University."
-
-"Failed B.A.?" said John, puzzled. He had met B.A.'s of several
-universities, and even junior masters who called themselves Inter. B.A.
-Lond. (honours); but a failed B.A. was a new species.
-
-"Yes, sir; the honourable examiners formed a less elevated estimate of
-my intellectual attainments than was reasonably anticipated, and when
-the list was published, lo! my name was conspicuous by its absence.
-But that is a bagatelle. The honorific distinction--what is it but the
-guinea stamp? It is work, sir, that ennobles. I have accumulated a
-priceless store of knowledge; I am all there, I assure you."
-
-John thought it only polite to murmur an assent to this, but he felt
-himself ill equipped to sustain a conversation on the dizzy heights to
-which Said Mohammed appeared inclined to ascend, and turning once more
-to the window, he viewed in silence the ever-changing scenery. The
-luxuriant vegetation of the coastal region had given place to a vast
-plateau covered with a dense scrub of umbrella-shaped acacias, with
-patches of dry grass, and here and there a massive baobab rearing its
-antic form from out the undergrowth. He was interested in the little
-stations, with their trim flower-beds and home-like appointments, at
-which the train stopped at intervals of several miles; and gave but
-perfunctory answers to the Bengali, who kept up, with every appearance
-of pleasure, a continual flow of talk, informing him that this tree was
-an aristolochia and that an aloe, and calling his attention at one spot
-to a herd of sable antelopes which were startled by the train as they
-drank at a stream, and dashed off into the jungle. "Their scientific
-name, sir, is *Hippotragus niger*," said Said Mohammed, and Mr.
-Halliday waking at this point, the Bengali favoured him with a smile,
-and said, "A verree fine country, sir; good-morning."
-
-They took their lunch at Mackinnon Road station, at the foot of the
-Taru hills. Refreshed by his sleep and the meal, Mr. Halliday began to
-take more interest in things in general, and John having introduced
-Said Mohammed (mentioning impressively that he was a failed B.A. of
-Calcutta University), a three-cornered conversation was begun, in which
-the Bengali fluently expounded his views on many subjects.
-
-"Yes, sir," said he, when the question of the treatment of native races
-cropped up, "that is a subject to which I have devoted considerable
-acumen. Is it just, I ask you, is it worthy of this immense and
-glorious empire on which the sun never sits, that the natives, the
-primordial owners of the soil, should be laid under such restrictions
-as are now in force? Are we Indians not subjects of the same gracious
-and glorious majesty, F.D., et cetera? Have we not shed our blood in
-defence of the Union Jack? Are we not ready to fight and conquer again
-and again like your jolly tars and all? And yet my countrymen, to wit,
-are not allowed in South Africa the full rights of citizens; and in
-this country, where this verree railway was built by the labour of
-Indians, it is becoming the rule to refuse them grants of land. Is
-this sauce for the gander, I ask you, gentlemen?"
-
-"It's a very ticklish subject," said Mr. Halliday, "and I don't profess
-to understand it. I dare say those zebras yonder--look at them, John,
-hundreds of 'em--think it great impudence on the part of this engine to
-run snorting through their grounds. But the engine runs all the same."
-
-At Tsavo the line crossed the river Athi. John looked out eagerly for
-a glimpse of the lions which were said to infest this region, but to
-his disappointment saw none. Indeed, as the train passed through mile
-after mile of uninteresting scrub, he began to feel that his first
-enthusiasm for the country was premature. But at Kibwezi the line
-enters another belt of forest, the trees looped together with
-festooning creepers, and filled with chattering monkeys and barking
-baboons; the undergrowth brilliant with colour, both of the flowers and
-of birds and butterflies innumerable. Some miles farther on, at
-Makindu, the forest yields to rich pasture land, the undulating plain
-stretching on both sides of the line, broken by streams whose beds are
-lined with date-palms and firs. All the vegetation was fresh and vivid
-through recent rains, and Mr. Halliday, viewing the country with a
-stock-breeder's eye, now for the first time allowed a remark on the
-scenery to pass his lips. "That's grand!" he said; and when the
-rumbling of the train set startled herds of antelope and gazelle, red
-congoni and black wildebeeste, scampering over the plain, he stood up
-in the carriage and gazed at them with kindling admiration.
-
-The oppressive heat of the morning had now given place to a pleasant
-coolness, with a crisp exhilarating breeze. When John expressed his
-surprise at this, within a degree or two of the Equator, Said Mohammed
-explained that they were now four or five thousand feet above
-sea-level, among the Highlands of East Africa, where Europeans may live
-in health and comfort. By the time they reached Nairobi, indeed, the
-evening air was so chill that both Englishmen were glad to don their
-overcoats. Said Mohammed deferentially took leave of them on the
-platform of the station, and disappeared among a crowd of Orientals
-gathered there; while Mr. Halliday inquired for the coffee-planter to
-whom he had an introduction, and who had offered him the hospitality of
-his bungalow so long as he remained in Nairobi.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER THE SECOND--Said Mohammed, failed B.A.
-==============================================
-
-Nairobi was disappointing. At a distance it looked like a cluster of
-tin cottages, and though these appeared larger and more substantial on
-a nearer view, they retained the dreary aspect of makeshift which
-corrugated iron always gives. Mr. Gillespie, however, the
-coffee-planter with whom the Hallidays were to stay, was hospitality
-itself; he and his good wife received their visitors with real Scottish
-heartiness of welcome. They gave them a capital dinner, and made them
-feel thoroughly at home.
-
-Mr. Gillespie was much amused when, in answering his question about
-their journey from Mombasa, John told him of Said Mohammed, failed B.A.
-
-"I'm that myself," he said, with a comical smile--"failed M.A. of
-Glasgow, though I don't call myself so. Professor Ramsay's Latin
-Composition fair stuck me, that's a fact. Man, these Indians are a
-problem. We've some thousands of them here, industrious, quick, and
-able to live on next to nothing, which we Scotsmen have got out of the
-way of. I believe in free trade, when it is free; but I don't believe
-in free competition with people who can beat us hollow, and these
-Indians will do that if we let 'em. We're bound to put restrictions on
-them."
-
-"But they're British subjects, sir," John was beginning.
-
-"Aye," interrupted Mr. Gillespie, "and so are the lions and rhinoceros
-of these parts, and we have to fight 'em. A country can't belong to
-both wild beasts and men; nor can it belong to black men and white; one
-or other must go to the wall. Not that the Indians are wild beasts, or
-even black; on the contrary, they're very decent folk in the main, and
-that's the worst of it. The only solution I see is to let them develop
-the Lowlands where we can't live, and to keep the Highlands for
-ourselves. Man, it's a grand country."
-
-After dinner Mr. Gillespie led his guests to the verandah, and
-providing them with deck-chairs and cigars, discussed with them their
-immediate future.
-
-"We've a decent club here; I'll introduce you to-morrow, Halliday. You
-can get a round of golf; and there are several young lassies who'll
-play lawn tennis all day with your son if he wishes."
-
-"Don't speak of it, man," said Mr. Halliday hastily. "We're out on
-business--strictly on business, and we've no time for playing till
-we've fixed on our land. Where is this Mount Kenya, anyway? John
-Gilmour--d'ye know him?--was out hunting a while ago, and he wrote me
-he'd found the very place for me, somewhere south-east of Mount Kenya;
-he stuck a post in the ground to mark the spot, and I've the directions
-written down somewhere."
-
-"Mount Kenya's a bit north-east of us, a hundred miles or so. Fine
-country, too."
-
-"And how do you get there?"
-
-"Well, the ground's not exactly fit for motor-cars yet, and horses
-don't thrive. You can get mules, but they're apt to be a trouble, so I
-guess you'd better tramp it. You'll have to carry food with you, and a
-load of 'trade' for the natives; we'll have to see about getting
-carriers for you; you pay 'em about four rupees a month, and feed 'em.
-Their food don't cost much; you can get a hundredweight of native grain
-and red beans for three or four rupees, and if you're good shots you
-can provide yourselves with plenty of meat on the way."
-
-"There's no fear of trouble with the natives, I suppose?"
-
-"Not if you don't go too far north. South of Kenya they're friendly
-enough as a rule, but there are wild tribes on the east and north. You
-must have two porters who can shoot; Sniders they're used to; but don't
-let 'em use them except in case of necessity. Do all the game shooting
-yourselves, and keep a firm hand on the men; they'll play you all
-manner of tricks if you don't. They're the queerest people God ever
-made, that's a fact. They'll desert at any moment and forfeit their
-pay, for no reason at all that we can understand. I could tell you of
-men who'll carry a load of ninety pounds or more every day for a month
-on end, and then all at once decamp, hundreds of miles away from their
-home, and with no earthly chance of getting there. But you'll find 'em
-out for yourselves."
-
-The talk lasted far into the night, Mr. Gillespie giving advice and
-retailing reminiscences of his own early days as a settler, which John
-drank in eagerly. Next day they set about collecting porters for the
-journey. The news that a white man was going up country had already
-spread through the native quarter of the town, and Mr. Gillespie's
-office was besieged by a great crowd of black men, representing a score
-of different races, all eager to join the stranger's "safari." The
-experience of the coffee-planter was very useful at this juncture, and
-the Hallidays were quietly amused as he dismissed man after man with
-little ceremony and a curtness of speech which, had they understood it
-(he spoke in Swahili, the common vehicle of intercourse between
-European and native), would have amused them still more. A little
-M'kamba would come forward with a smile. "You're a thief; be off,"
-said Mr. Gillespie, and the man went away, still smiling. A hulking
-Swahili appears, a sullen look on his face. "You're always
-quarrelling; be off," says Mr. Gillespie, and the Swahili retires, to
-join the crowd of rejected. At length half-a-dozen men were selected,
-three Swahilis, of whom Coja ben Selim, a big, good-tempered-looking
-fellow, was to be headman; and three Wakamba. Mr. Gillespie was
-doubtful whether so small a safari would suffice; but Mr. Halliday was
-bent on economy; he argued that he could not in any case afford an
-escort large enough to cope with a serious native attack, and further,
-that a party of modest dimensions was not so likely to provoke
-hostility as a large one. Moreover, he intended to pay only a flying
-visit to the site of his proposed settlement, for the purpose of a
-preliminary survey. If he was pleased with the country, he intended to
-mark out the ground and put in an application to the Land Commissioner
-for a lease of a thousand acres or so. With luck, a month would
-suffice for this prospecting journey, which incidentally, as Mr.
-Gillespie informed him, would absolve him from paying registration fees
-on his porters, such fees only being necessary when they were engaged
-for two months or more.
-
-It remained to hire a cook for the expedition.
-
-"We don't need a cook," said Mr. Halliday. "I've roughed it often
-enough; we can do our own cooking."
-
-"Man, you're a tenderfoot," said Mr. Gillespie, laughing. "You must
-have a cook. Your men would all mutiny if you didn't. I don't mean
-that he would cook for them; they'll have their own cooking-pots; but
-they wouldn't obey you for a day if they saw you cooking for yourself.
-The first maxim for a white man in this country is: 'Never do a black
-man's work.' Order your men about as much as you please, but *don't do
-anything*."
-
-"But that's a doctrine of the dark ages. Confound it, man, that's the
-kind of thing we shook off centuries ago. I'm not a duke."
-
-"That's just exactly what you are here. The natives will regard you as
-their lord and master, and if you don't act up to the part--why, man, I
-think the Governor will expel you as an undesirable alien. In short,
-you must have a cook."
-
-Here Mr. Gillespie's native servant came in to say that an Indian
-gentleman desired to see him.
-
-"Send him in," said Mr. Gillespie, and there entered, suave and
-smiling, Said Mohammed, failed B.A. He bowed respectfully--a little
-too respectfully, thought John--to his acquaintances of the day before;
-then, addressing himself to Mr. Gillespie, he said--
-
-"Having learnt in the bazaar, sir, that the esteemed gentleman in whose
-company I had the honour to travel yesterday is engaging a safari, I
-embrace the opportunity of submitting tender of my services in
-unremitting attention to the interior economy--soups, joints, sweets,
-et cetera, or, as one might say, *hoc genus omne*, as it were."
-
-John opened his eyes. Apparently the failed B.A. was offering himself
-as cook; but John thought he must be mistaken. Mr. Gillespie, however,
-after a stare at his visitor, said in a severely practical tone--
-
-"You have experience?"
-
-"Yes, sir, I am *experientia docet* with several years' standing, and
-testimonials galore. Videlicet, the Central Restaurant, sir, in
-London, continuously chock-a-block on curry day when my dishes,
-prepared Indian fashion, were the delight of city gents and ladies of
-prepossessing appearance who feed there regular as clock-work. In
-soup, joint, entrée I am a don; in sauce I am a wily adept."
-
-"Come up to my bungalow and cook my dinner to-night," said Mr.
-Gillespie.
-
-"Verree good, sir. The proof of the pudding is in the mastication
-thereof. Good-morning, sir, and assuring you of my best services at
-all times."
-
-There was a laugh when Said Mohammed had gone.
-
-"He'll never do," said Mr. Halliday.
-
-"Man, if he's any good at all he'll be a perfect treasure," said Mr.
-Gillespie. "And you'll have to pay him fifty rupees a month."
-
-"Near £3 a month for cooking?" cried Mr. Halliday. "Can't afford it."
-
-"But, my dear sir, you can't get any sort of a cook here for less than
-thirty rupees; and our failed B.A., if he's worth his salt, will be
-worth fifty. He will at least be clean; it's a part of his religion."
-
-"Well, perhaps he's a failure all round. Anyway, we don't want
-kickshaws, and a cheaper man will do all we need."
-
-But the dinner at Mr. Gillespie's that night turned out excellent--well
-cooked, well served, and varied though simple dishes.
-
-"Faith, Halliday," said the host, "if you don't engage the man I'll
-take him myself. That'll bring you up to the scratch if you've any
-Scotch blood left in you."
-
-Whether it was due to this provocation or not, Mr. Halliday engaged
-Said Mohammed next day, for a month. Then, having been advised of the
-inexpediency of delay, which might be taken advantage of by his porters
-to desert, he decided to set off the same day, as soon as the hottest
-hours were past. He sent Said Mohammed into the bazaar to buy the
-necessary amount of food-stuff for the natives; Mr. Gillespie undertook
-the purchase of small quantities of "trade"--sheeting, coloured cloths,
-and beads for the most part; Mr. Halliday himself bought a small tent,
-provisions, blankets, rifles and ammunition, and a few cheap utensils.
-All these articles were sent up to the bungalow. At three o'clock Said
-Mohammed and the six porters arrived and set about packing up, under
-Mr. Gillespie's directions. Within an hour the loads were packed and
-placed in a line on the ground.
-
-"Now, Halliday," said Mr. Gillespie, "it's up to you. You must give
-each man his proper load, and don't be jockeyed."
-
-There was a twinkle in his eye which Mr. Halliday detected.
-
-"Are you setting a trap for me?" he asked.
-
-"No, no, man; but as you're to be master, the sooner you feel your feet
-the better."
-
-Whereupon Mr. Halliday, who was not without courage as well as shrewd
-common-sense, instantly confided the tent and personal baggage to two
-of the three Swahilis, and distributed the remaining loads among the
-three Wakamba by a rough and ready estimate of their muscular
-capabilities. Then began what John called the "fun." The Swahilis
-accepted their loads without a murmur; were they not the best fitted to
-carry the *bwana's* belongings? But one of the Wakamba, a stout little
-fellow with one eye, uttered a terrible wail when he lifted his bundle
-to his back, and, letting it down again, began to expostulate in a
-torrent of gibberish, of which the *bwana*, of course, understood not a
-word. The others instantly followed his example, and all three began
-to wrangle and gesticulate and abuse one another with a deafening
-clamour. It was plain that every man wanted the load of somebody else.
-Mr. Halliday looked on calmly for a few moments, Mr. Gillespie
-curiously watching to see what he would do, and placidly smoking a
-cigar without offering any suggestion. Suddenly Mr. Halliday called to
-Coja ben Selim, the Swahili, and the only man whose name he knew.
-
-"You're headman; settle it," he said calmly, turning on his heel. "I
-give you five minutes."
-
-The big Swahili instantly went among the Wakamba, cuffing them right
-and left. In less than five minutes peace was restored, the Wakamba
-slung their loads to their backs, passing the long loop of raw hide
-around their foreheads; the Swahilis set theirs upon their heads; and
-the cry of "Safari! safari!" indicated that they were ready to be off.
-
-"A capital start, Halliday," said Mr. Gillespie. "Good luck to ye."
-
-Mr. Halliday and John shook hands heartily with their host and hostess,
-and taking their rifles under their arm, set off after the little
-caravan, the leader of which had already started a marching song. Said
-Mohammed, carrying a little bundle of his own, brought up the rear,
-with Coja ben Selim.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER THE THIRD--In a Game-Pit
-================================
-
-John felt all the thrilling excitement of a new experience. There was
-nothing romantic, it is true, in trudging along at two miles an hour
-over a decent road, which led at first through the spacious estates of
-colonists who had already settled in the neighbourhood of the town.
-But he knew that before long the caravan would enter a wild, unsettled
-region, swarming with game large and small, holding innumerable
-possibilities of encounters with strange beasts and men. And though
-there was nothing novel in the mere exercise of walking, it was both
-new and amusing to find himself in company with African natives,
-marching stolidly along under heavy loads, to a monotonous chant kept
-up by their leader, who repeated the same words endlessly. Curious to
-know what the man was singing, he asked Coja ben Selim, the only man of
-them that knew English. The Swahili gave him a wide grin and said it
-was all nonsense, and when John pressed him for the exact meaning he
-prevaricated and looked uncomfortable. The song was, in fact, an
-impromptu one, and the words, literally translated, meant nothing more
-than "Two more white men; oh, what noses! Oh, what legs!" and if John
-had known he would only have wondered what amusement the porters could
-have derived from the constant repetition of such an uninspired and
-uninspiring refrain. He made up his mind to learn the native tongue as
-soon as possible.
-
-After they had walked for three or four miles it became suddenly dark,
-but there was no pause, Mr. Gillespie having advised that they should
-take advantage of the cool hours, and do a good ten miles before
-camping for the night. A new moon shed a little light upon the path,
-which, as the scattered cultivated districts were left behind, entered
-a region of long grass and belts of forest land. Presently they heard
-the rushing noise of water, and came to the brink of a deep ravine,
-whose bottom they could not see for the trees and dense undergrowth
-with which it was clothed. Coja ben Selim was for crossing the ravine;
-he said he knew of a fine place for camping a little beyond it; but Mr.
-Halliday was not inclined to risk a broken leg, and decided to camp in
-a glade on the nearer bank, and to attempt the crossing by daylight.
-The loads were set down, the tent was pitched, and a fire lighted; soon
-the men were cooking their simple supper, chattering cheerfully; and
-Said Mohammed, opening up the stores, produced some cocoa, tinned milk
-and biscuits, and in a few minutes provided his employers with a simple
-meal. Mr. Halliday discussed the advisability of setting a watch
-during the night, but Coja said that there were no black men in the
-neighbourhood, and the fires would keep off wild animals; so the two
-Englishmen wrapped their blankets around them, and slept soundly till
-the dawn.
-
-Mr. Gillespie had given his guests some instruction in the general
-conduct of a safari, so that when Mr. Halliday put his head out of the
-tent and called to the headman to take up the loads, there was a brisk
-movement among the porters to the pile in which their bundles had been
-stacked during the night. They laid them in a row for inspection,
-first lashing to them their mats and cooking-pots. When this was done,
-they squatted down to eat a few roasted grains of muhindi (maize), and
-while the Swahilis struck the tent and tied up the bedding, the two
-Englishmen having rapidly dressed, Said Mohammed prepared breakfast of
-tinned meat, biscuits, and tea. Then, to the customary cry of
-"Safari!" the porters lifted their loads, the utensils were quickly
-packed, and while the dawn was still grey the little party left the
-camp and began the descent of the ravine. Looking back as he came to
-the brink, John saw a hyena slink out of the undergrowth and steal past
-the smouldering embers of the fires, and birds like kites swoop down
-with rushing wings, soaring up again with some remnant of food in their
-talons. He felt now that his new strange life was beginning indeed.
-
-.. _`PART OF BRITISH EAST AFRICA`:
-
-.. figure:: images/img-032.jpg
- :align: center
- :alt: PART OF BRITISH EAST AFRICA
-
- PART OF BRITISH EAST AFRICA
-
-
-The descent was safely made, the river waded, and climbing up the
-further side, the travellers found themselves entering a region of bush
-and thorns and tall rank grass, in the midst of which they heard at
-times a swishing sound as some animal, invisible, darted away from
-before them. They had left the road leading to Fort Hall, the nearest
-Government station, and struck off in a direction north by east. The
-leader picked his way steadily, following the track of an animal, the
-others close behind him, though after a time some of the porters,
-weaker or less willing than the rest, began to lag behind. Though it
-was still early morning, John found it already uncomfortably hot, and,
-taking off his coat, gave it to Coja. Once or twice he removed his
-sun-helmet also, but Said Mohammed, at this, came to his side, and
-said, very respectfully--
-
-"Ten thousand pardons, sir, but a word to the wise: never expose your
-manly brow to the solar luminary. In a brace of shakes you will have
-sunstroke."
-
-"But there is no sun; I shan't hurt with this mist over the ground,"
-John protested.
-
-"It is human to err, sir. You cannot see the sun, but he sees you, and
-lo! in a moment he smites you, and it is no go. The head, sir, is the
-weaker vessel."
-
-"Put on your hat, John," said Mr. Halliday. "We don't want to run any
-risks."
-
-By and by the mist cleared, and having reached a ridge bare of trees,
-the travellers suddenly caught sight of Mount Kenya in the distance,
-rearing itself from the plain by such gentle slopes that it was hard to
-believe that its summit was 14,000 feet above sea-level and covered
-with snow. Its peaks were swathed in cloud; indeed, only once or twice
-during many months did the travellers catch a glimpse of them. Then
-the view was magnificent, and for the first time in his life John felt
-a longing to climb a mountain.
-
-Every day's programme was the same. They started early. After a march
-of two hours a halt was called, to allow the laggards to come up with
-the party. Then the march was resumed, and continued until the sun's
-heat became unendurable, and the men clamoured for a long rest. One
-day at this time Mr. Halliday, selecting a glade shaded by immense
-trees, bade the men set down their loads, and take a siesta. The
-resting-place was not so well chosen as it had appeared to be; a stream
-ran close by, and the travellers had hardly settled themselves when
-they were beset by innumerable red ticks, which clung to the white
-men's clothing and bit their skin savagely, sparing the natives. The
-Hallidays, finding their attacks intolerable, sprang up and went on,
-instructing Coja to follow them when the porters were sufficiently
-rested. They had not gone far when they saw a herd of congoni, an
-animal of the antelope kind, dashing across the plain, and John
-fingered his rifle longingly. But Mr. Halliday would not permit him to
-go in chase of them.
-
-"We shall have plenty of sport by and by," he said, "and we don't want
-to heat ourselves or lose touch with the men."
-
-He had scarcely spoken when John caught sight of another safari coming
-across a ridge in the distance. Mr. Halliday thought it prudent to
-halt until they were rejoined by the rest of their party, and they
-threw themselves down under a baobab to wait for them. It was two
-hours before they came up, and the march had just been resumed when
-they heard shots, and saw a number of black men rushing towards them at
-full speed. Mr. Halliday was a little alarmed, thinking that an attack
-was imminent; but in a few moments Coja told him that the approaching
-men were plainly porters, for they were unarmed, but they bore no
-loads, and he suggested that something had frightened them.
-
-In a few minutes the first of the runaways came up, and began to talk
-excitedly to Coja, who informed Mr. Halliday that the men were indeed
-porters belonging to a safari returning to Nairobi, and that a
-rhinoceros had just charged them, whereupon they had flung down their
-loads and bolted.
-
-"Where is their master?" asked Mr. Halliday.
-
-The man, who had been joined by several of his comrades, pointed back
-in the direction whence he had come. No white man, however, was in
-sight, and Mr. Halliday decided to hurry on and see what had become of
-him, ordering the men to follow, which they were plainly reluctant to
-do. He came within half-a-mile to the scene of the stampede, the loads
-of the porters strewing the grass; but there was no sign either of the
-rhinoceros or of the young white man who, as the scared natives said,
-was the master of the safari. Coja declared that the *bwana* must have
-been gored or trampled by the rhinoceros, and suggested that they
-should hurry on and get out of danger as quickly as possible; but Mr.
-Halliday would not hear of leaving the spot until he had made an effort
-to find the unfortunate traveller. He ordered the men to set down
-their loads and remain with them while he made a search, and asked
-whether any of them could follow a rhinoceros trail. One and all first
-denied that they had ever seen a rhinoceros; but Mr. Halliday sternly
-told Coja that they would have no supper unless they recovered their
-memory, and then Coja himself reluctantly admitted that if the trail
-was very clear, and if the white men would go one on each side of him
-with their guns, he would try to lead them after the animal.
-
-As a matter of fact, the trail was easily found, the ground being soft
-and the grass heavily trampled. It led them into a dense mass of bush.
-Mr. Halliday, holding his rifle ready for the least sign of danger,
-plunged into the jungle with John and Coja, the latter soon declaring
-that he saw, together with the great hoof-marks of the animal, forming
-paths on both sides of a ridge of grass, the smaller and fainter tracks
-made by a white man's boots.
-
-"Him killed dead, sure 'nuff," said Coja solemnly. "No good look no
-more."
-
-"We'll make sure of it. Go on," said Mr. Halliday, and the three
-continued to follow the trail.
-
-"What's that?" cried John suddenly, a few minutes later.
-
-"White man call; him no dead yet," said Coja.
-
-"Hallo!" shouted Mr. Halliday, and a faint "Hallo!" came in answer.
-
-Coja turned a little to the right, in the direction of the sound. Mr.
-Halliday called again, and again the answer came, louder, but still
-curiously muffled. Led by the sound, they now left the trail of the
-rhinoceros, and had proceeded but a few steps farther when Coja
-suddenly came to a halt, and bursting into laughter, cried, "Him down
-there!"
-
-"Where?" said Mr. Halliday in amazement, looking about him. And then
-he saw, in the midst of the grass, a deep hole, and at the bottom, nine
-or ten feet below the surface, a young white man sitting cross-legged.
-
-"Hallo!" he said, looking up with a smile. "I thought it was my
-brother, though it wasn't like his shout. Can you help me out? I'm
-afraid I've sprained my ankle."
-
-"Of course we can," said Mr. Halliday, "but I'd like to know what on
-earth you are doing there."
-
-"Thanking my stars I'm not skewered," said the other. "Let down your
-rifle, will you? Perhaps I can manage to scramble out; but don't let
-me drag you down."
-
-Mr. Halliday lowered his rifle, holding it by the barrel, having first
-taken the precaution of emptying the breech; and the prisoner took it
-by the stock, and tried to clamber up the side of the hole. But he
-winced as his right foot touched the earth, and after a few moments
-said--
-
-"I'm afraid I can't manage it. My ankle has got a twist. If you'll
-shout for my men I'll get one of them to make a sling of rope and haul
-me out."
-
-"We needn't wait for that," said John. "I'll jump down and give you a
-lift."
-
-"Look out, then. There's a pointed stake in the ground here which I
-only escaped by a hair's breadth. Jump to the left. It's uncommon
-good of you."
-
-John leapt down, and making a pick-a-back, got the stranger to mount
-and then to stand erect on one foot. His head was now just below the
-level of the pit.
-
-"I'm afraid we're not much for'arder," he said, with a smile.
-
-"Can't you get your elbows on the edge and hoist yourself up?"
-suggested John.
-
-"Can't reach. You'd better let me down."
-
-"I'll tell you what," said John: "cut a notch in the wall for your
-foot. Then you can hoist yourself up by the rifle until you are high
-enough to get your elbows on; then it'll be easy. The earth is pretty
-soft."
-
-Sitting with his legs over John's shoulders, the stranger soon cut a
-notch with his knife; and in a few minutes he was hauled to the surface.
-
-"I'm much obliged to you. I might have stayed there till I starved for
-all my men would have troubled."
-
-"How did you manage to fall in?" asked Mr. Halliday.
-
-"A rhinoceros charged us as we were crossing the foot of the kopje
-yonder. He sprang out from behind a small mountain of an ant-hill. My
-men instantly flung down their loads and bolted--idiots! and as we're
-rather short of meat I thought I'd try to get within shot of the beast.
-I was following him up when the earth gave way under me, and I found
-myself in this old game-pit, and don't know how I managed to escape the
-skewer sticking up at the bottom, as long as my arm. I say, you
-haven't happened to see anything of my brother, I suppose?"
-
-"We met nobody but your men," said Mr. Halliday. "Has your brother
-lost himself?"
-
-"Old Joe lost! Not a bit of it," cried the young man. "He'll turn up
-all right. He left me a couple of hours ago to shoot something for
-to-night's pot, and I thought you might have come across him. I'm
-rather a nuisance, I'm afraid; I can't put my left foot to the ground,
-and our last donkey died four days ago, so that I can't ride. We've
-had uncommon bad luck with our donkeys. As a rule they're hardy in
-this climate, we were told; but every one of the six we started with
-has died. Really, I am a nuisance, keeping you here."
-
-"Nonsense," said Mr. Halliday. "Coja, shout for some of our men."
-
-"No come, master," said Coja. "Berry much 'fraid."
-
-"If he goes and calls our headman a coward I think it will answer,"
-said the stranger. "Headmen are very jealous of each other."
-
-Coja entered into the spirit of the suggestion, and ran back over the
-tracks. In a few minutes the sounds of angry altercation came through
-the bush, and Coja reappeared, in company with a white-clad Somali,
-each man abusing the other at the top of his voice. Mr. Halliday
-silenced them sternly, and ordered them to construct a litter,
-promising a few cents to the man who did the larger share of the work.
-They set to work at once, weaving strands of creeping plants and stalks
-of grass with amazing rapidity. In less than twenty minutes a sheet of
-matting was finished and firmly bound to two rifles, and on this
-extemporized litter the stranger was carried between the headmen back
-to the open ground.
-
-On the way he explained that his name was Oliver Browne, "commonly
-called Poll," and that he came from Cape Colony. With his elder
-brother he had been shooting and prospecting in North Kenya and
-Gallaland, and they had thoughts of settling in British East Africa,
-which seemed to offer better prospects than they could see in South
-Africa.
-
-"I suppose you're on the same job," he concluded.
-
-"Well, we're going to have a look round," replied Mr. Halliday
-cautiously. "We're on a flying visit, you see."
-
-"And I'm a nuisance, hindering you like this. Here are my wretched
-men; I shall be all right now; and I can't thank you enough. We may
-meet again, if we decide to come north. Good-bye. And I say, if you
-meet that brother of mine, please tell him to hurry up, for if another
-rhinoceros takes a fancy to charge us, and I can't bring him down, I
-shall be a mangled corpse in no time."
-
-"Hadn't we better stay with you till your brother turns up?" said John.
-
-"Not at all. The plain is pretty open here, and a rhinoceros could not
-take us unawares. I shall go on slowly, and camp when I come to a
-suitable place, and my men will rig up a boma in no time. Good-bye
-again."
-
-The matting had been transferred to two of the Brownes' rifles, and the
-men of each party having collected and shouldered their loads, they set
-off in opposite directions, the two headmen hurling abuse at each other
-as long as they remained in sight. Coja was particularly indignant
-because his rival had received the reward for completing the greater
-portion of the litter; but after a little Mr. Halliday consoled him by
-saying, casually, that his portion had been the more closely knit, so
-that he should receive a reward also.
-
-"Dat oder fella no good, what I say," remarked Coja.
-
-Half-an-hour after they had parted with Oliver Browne, they met a white
-man whom at the first glance they knew to be his brother, so striking
-was the resemblance. He was attended by four porters, each carrying a
-large portion of some newly-killed animal. Mr. Halliday halted as they
-came up, saying--
-
-"You're Mr. Joe Browne?"
-
-"That I am, but----" He paused, looking puzzled.
-
-"You don't know me," said Mr. Halliday, "so you needn't rack your
-memory. We've just met your brother. He was after a rhinoceros and
-tumbled into a game-pit."
-
-"Clumsy ass!" cried Mr. Browne, in the manner of an affectionate
-brother. "No bones broke, I hope?"
-
-Mr. Halliday reassured him on that point, and the two stood for a few
-minutes exchanging notes. The South African said that he had been much
-attracted by what he had seen of the country, and if Mr. Halliday
-became a settler, he would in all probability have him for a neighbour.
-
-"But it won't be yet," he added. "We must settle up our affairs at the
-Cape first. Three or four months, perhaps; you'll have grown your
-first crops by then. Don't shoot all the game before I come."
-
-"You have left us some, I hope," said John, eyeing the porters' burdens.
-
-"Oh, that's a couple of water-buck for the pot. You'll find bigger
-game than that. Hippo meat's uncommonly good, but don't try elephant's
-foot; it's a fraud. Don't believe any one who tells you to the
-contrary. Good-bye; pleased to have met you; bar rhinoceros or
-game-pits we'll meet again."
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER THE FOURTH--White Man's Magic
-=====================================
-
-When John found opportunity to put pen to paper, he wrote, as he said,
-"loads" to a school chum about the incidents of the next few days,
-every one furnishing a new excitement. Mr. Halliday was so anxious to
-accomplish the aim of his journey that he pushed on resolutely each
-day, striking camp at earliest dawn, marching with intervals until ten,
-resting until three or four, and then going on again until nightfall.
-The ground was varied, now a stretch of grass land, now a belt of
-forest; here a rapidly flowing stream rushing between high banks
-covered with dense vegetation, there a tract of hard volcanic soil so
-rugged and hot under the sun's rays that walking was painful. It was
-only during the intervals for rest that John was able to indulge his
-sporting tastes, and at the same time do service to the commissariat.
-He caught some fine fish in the rivers, and wished there had been time
-to follow up the hippopotamus tracks he discovered on the banks. He
-brought down several water-buck and red congoni with his .303 rifle,
-and one day was vastly excited to see a black-maned lion with his
-lioness cross from one patch of reeds to another. The sight of other
-game in wonderful variety--zebras, leopards, antelopes--became so
-common that after a time it ceased to be impressive, and opportunities
-for shooting them came but rarely, the country they frequented being
-flat and open, and their scent being so keen that it was almost
-impossible to come within range.
-
-One incident that gave a little excitement was the crossing of the
-Thika river. The water was so deep and the current so swift that to
-ford it was impossible, and after vainly searching for a shallow part,
-Mr. Halliday confessed himself at a loss to know how to proceed. John
-suggested that they should fell a tree and throw it across the river as
-a bridge, but this would be a somewhat lengthy operation; and Said
-Mohammed said it would take less time to construct a raft. This was
-accordingly done, by lashing together three dead logs found on the
-bank; but Mr. Halliday asked how it was to be prevented from being
-swept away by the stream. Coja showed himself to be a man of resource.
-Taking a rope between his teeth, he plunged into the river, first
-looking warily round to make sure that no crocodiles were in the
-neighbourhood, and swam across, the force of the current giving his
-course an inclination of sixty degrees. Having reached the other side,
-he fastened the rope to a tree, and by aid of this line the raft was
-ferried over, conveying now the loads and now the men. One of the
-Wakamba slipped off when he was in midstream, and instantly howled that
-a crocodile was after him; but Coja called him a liar, sprang after
-him, and catching him by the hair, towed him safely to the farther bank.
-
-.. _`One of the Wakamba slipped off when he was in mid stream`:
-
-.. figure:: images/img-046.jpg
- :align: center
- :alt: "One of the Wakamba slipped off when he was in midstream."
-
- "One of the Wakamba slipped off when he was in midstream."
-
-Hitherto the party had met no natives; but Coja now informed his master
-that the people of these parts were very bad, and advised that they
-should go slowly, so that no stragglers should be left to be set on and
-robbed--if not maltreated or killed. Mr. Halliday was somewhat
-troubled at the thought of unfriendly natives between his prospective
-estate and the outposts of civilization; but consoled himself with the
-reflection that the area of settlements was rapidly enlarging, and the
-country in the settled parts being brought thoroughly under control.
-
-The country beyond the Thika river proved to be more difficult than any
-that had hitherto been traversed. Bare rocky hills, cut by deep and
-dangerous ravines, alternated with stretches of long coarse grass and
-dense thorny scrub, impenetrable save by low tunnels made by roaming
-hippopotami. As they burrowed painfully through these tunnels, they
-were oppressed by the suffocating heat, their clothes were torn by the
-thorns, and their skin irritated by the multitudinous insects. It was
-like wandering through a complex maze, the hippo paths twisting this
-way and that in apparently aimless fashion, though Coja said they were
-a clear sign of the neighbourhood of water. After a whole day spent in
-this fatiguing march the party came abruptly upon a broad river,
-flowing with swift but almost noiseless current between banks clad with
-noble palms and every species of tropical vegetation, amid which
-countless throngs of monkeys desported themselves, and birds of many
-colours darted this way and that like fragments of a rainbow. Mr.
-Halliday pitched his camp for the night above the river, and for the
-first time the porters surrounded it with a boma--a close fence of
-thorn bushes, which they constructed with wonderful celerity. For the
-first time, too, a watch was kept, the porters being told off to take
-turns at sentry-go. It occurred to Mr. Halliday, waking in the middle
-of the night, to see whether the sentry was alert at his post, and he
-was not greatly surprised to find him fast asleep. He shook him up and
-rated him very soundly, his reprimand being, perhaps, the more
-impressive because delivered in a tongue which the man did not
-understand. Mr. Halliday slept no more that night, coming to the
-conclusion that if it was necessary to keep watch, the porters were not
-to be entrusted with the task.
-
-It was next day that the party first encountered the native
-inhabitants. They came upon a luxuriant plantation of manioc, and
-shortly afterwards saw a number of fierce-looking men, armed with
-spears, lurking in the long grass. Mr. Halliday ordered Coja to go
-forward and explain that he was a friend, bent on a peaceful errand,
-and that he would give good prices for any food the people cared to
-bring him. One of the natives ran back to the village, and soon
-returned with the chief, who presented a singular appearance in a
-ragged and stained khaki jacket, and a dilapidated sun-helmet with an
-ostrich feather stuck in it at a rakish angle. It turned out that this
-was not his usual attire, but had been hastily donned in honour of the
-white man.
-
-"He seems a very respectable old guy," said Mr. Halliday to John as the
-chief came up with a broad smile. With Coja's aid as interpreter, Mr.
-Halliday repeated what had already been said to the men, and as an
-earnest of what was to come, presented the chief with a number of
-coloured beads, feeling somewhat doubtful whether such trifles were
-worth the acceptance of one who, as his dress showed, had already had
-some intercourse with Europeans. But the chief showed unmistakable
-pleasure, and immediately sent two of his young men to bring wild honey
-and gourds of milk for the wasungu. Presently a number of women came,
-bearing loads of water-melons and other vegetables, which were very
-welcome after the dry fare of the past few days, the vendors being
-thoroughly satisfied with a handful of red beads or a short strip of
-cloth.
-
-Mr. Halliday had directed the course of his march, under Coja's
-guidance, according to instructions and a rough map given him by his
-friend Gilmour. The district recommended to him as an excellent site
-for his farm lay on high ground to the east of Mount Kenya, and Mr.
-Gilmour had marked the exact spot by erecting a post, the top of which
-was carved to the shape of a man's head. When Mr. Halliday expressed a
-doubt whether the post would still be found after the lapse of several
-years, his friend reassured him on the point, declaring that the
-natives would not touch it, and unless it had been thrown down by a
-sportive rhinoceros, or "collected" as an object of interest by some
-wandering European sportsman, it would remain precisely as he had left
-it. Mr. Halliday, judging by his sketch-map that he must have nearly
-reached his destination, got Coja to ask the natives whether they knew
-of this post, and was disappointed with their negative answer. There
-was nothing for it but to continue the march. Accordingly he took
-leave of the friendly natives, after purchasing considerable quantities
-of food, and set off.
-
-There was every indication that his goal could not be far distant. The
-country was open, the soil a rich red loam, covered with rank rough
-pasturage and wild clover, with occasional clumps of woodland. The air
-was so cool, except at mid-day, that it was hard to believe they were
-within a degree or two of the Equator; but by testing the boiling-point
-of water John discovered that the height was five thousand feet above
-sea-level, and the temperate climate was explained.
-
-Two days after leaving the native village Mr. Halliday decided to pitch
-his camp, and taking that for a centre, to explore the surrounding
-country.
-
-"If this isn't the place, it ought to be," he said to John. "I never
-saw a finer country for grazing; it's good for three or four sheep an
-acre, or I'm a Dutchman, and fruit ought to grow here as well as in
-Kent."
-
-"It's rather strange, though," said John, "that there's no game to be
-seen. There ought to be plenty."
-
-"That's true. Perhaps they've been killed off by some disease, though
-I hope that's not the explanation. We'll maybe find out by and by."
-
-The camp was pitched near a shallow stream, a boma was erected round
-it, and next day the travellers set off with Coja and one of the
-porters, leaving the rest in charge of the second Swahili.
-
-They waded several small streams, and in the afternoon came to a broad
-river which, on consulting his map, Mr. Halliday felt sure was the one
-marked as forming the northern boundary of his suggested settlement.
-But though they searched its banks for some hours, they failed to
-discover the post, and had to return unsuccessful, reaching camp after
-nightfall. Next day they set off again in a different direction, so as
-to strike the river at a point higher up its course. When they came to
-it, Coja pointed to a native village on high ground some distance on
-the other side, and suggested that inquiry should be made there. The
-river could only be crossed by swimming, and there being no sign of
-crocodiles, they plunged in, finding the water deliciously cold. Their
-approach was descried from the village, and they were soon met by a
-group of young warriors armed with bows and arrows, who, standing at a
-distance, demanded who they were and what was their business. Coja
-shouted in reply that they had come to make friends with the chief, and
-had brought some valuable presents for him. One of the men ran back to
-the village, the others remaining on guard, and forbidding the
-strangers to advance until the chief arrived.
-
-Some little time elapsed before the chief made his appearance amid a
-group of elders. At first he stood suspiciously aloof while Coja
-explained the purpose of the white men's visit, but when Mr. Halliday
-displayed a strip of coloured cloth, and Coja announced that it was a
-gift for the chief, the natives drew a little nearer, and said that
-they were willing to be friends if the strangers would not rob them.
-Coja's reply to this was that the white men were very good, and would
-never dream of robbing their friends, adding that the cloth would be
-handed to the chief if he would come and answer a few questions.
-
-"Give it him at once," said Mr. Halliday, "and say there's more if
-they'll tell us what we want to know."
-
-The gift of the cloth finally disarmed the chief's suspicions. Looking
-very much pleased, he came forward with his men, and said that he was
-ready to give what help he could. Mr. Gillespie had warned Mr.
-Halliday not to believe too implicitly any statements made by natives,
-who would always say what they thought would please; so when, in answer
-to his question about a post with a man's head, the chief said that he
-certainly knew it, and asked for another piece of cloth, Mr. Halliday
-shook his head, promising to give more presents if the chief would lead
-him to the landmark. At this the chief looked much troubled, and his
-men began to talk eagerly, it being evident from their manner that they
-were trying to dissuade him from complying with the white man's
-request. Mr. Halliday was at a loss to understand their reluctance
-until Coja, after a long colloquy with the chief, announced that they
-were afraid to go near the post, which was a terrible devil, for their
-medicine man had seen its eyes move, and its mouth grin at him. It had
-come there suddenly one day, no one knew how, but they thought it must
-have sprung out of the ground, and some of their cattle that grazed
-around it had soon afterwards died, so that they were sure it was a
-devil, and they had never since allowed their herds to roam in that
-direction.
-
-"Where is it?" asked Mr. Halliday.
-
-The chief pointed up the river, and said that if the white man had
-medicine strong enough to destroy the devil the people would be very
-grateful. Mr. Halliday thought he might turn this superstition to good
-account. He explained that he had come from the end of the world to
-make a home in this country, and the devil had no doubt established
-himself on the ground in order to show that it was to be a white man's
-property. But now that he had come, the devil's work of guarding the
-land was over, and if the chief would promise to be a friendly
-neighbour, the devil should be at once destroyed, and a good price
-should be paid for the land, since it was clearly a part of the chief's
-grazing grounds. The chief gave the promise with alacrity, adding that
-he would become the blood brother of any man who should rid the country
-of so terrible a creature. Thereupon Mr. Halliday asked him to lead
-the way as far as he dared, and he should see for himself that the
-devil had no power against the white man's magic.
-
-The chief sent a messenger back to the village with this good news, and
-soon a great throng of people came flocking down, men, women, and
-children, some blowing rude horns, others beating drums, all in great
-excitement. The devil was on the bank of the river from which the
-white men had crossed. Having swum back in company with the chief and
-half-a-dozen of his men, the travellers marched up the river, the
-populace flocking along the other bank, being only occasionally visible
-among the trees.
-
-After walking for about half-a-mile, the chief struck away from the
-river, and led the way to a saucer-like depression between two ranges
-of low hills. It was open grass country for the most part, but at the
-further end of the hollow, about three miles away, there was a thick
-mass of forest. All at once the chief came to a halt, and, pointing
-ahead, declared that the devil was there, and he would go no farther.
-Neither Mr. Halliday nor John could distinguish the post among the long
-grass, but asking the chief to remain where he stood, they went forward
-to search for it. After a few steps they missed Coja, and turning to
-look for him, found that he had halted a hundred yards or so from the
-chief, being evidently unwilling to face the devil, and at the same
-time wishing to appear braver than the natives.
-
-Walking some distance apart, so that they should not miss the post, Mr.
-Halliday and his son in a minute or two caught sight simultaneously of
-what they sought. A thick knobby post stood among the grass, its top
-about a foot above the level of the stalks. The knob had been carved
-with some skill to the shape of a face with the mouth wide open.
-
-"We may as well do the job with becoming solemnity," said Mr. Halliday.
-"We'll have a shot or two at it before we go near. Range about a
-hundred, isn't it?"
-
-"I should think so. Bet you I get most shots in his mouth."
-
-"Considering that our rifles and cartridges are alike, I don't see how
-you're going to judge. Anyway, you take first shot."
-
-John fired. A flock of birds rose with a great clatter of wings into
-the air, and the group of natives yelled and flung themselves face
-downward into the grass, whereupon Coja began to taunt them with
-cowardice. A shot from Mr. Halliday followed; then each fired again,
-and Mr. Halliday, turning round, declared that the devil was killed,
-and walked towards the post. Coja, now thoroughly reassured, ran after
-him, the natives following at a distance.
-
-"All four shots in the mouth; the honours are easy," said Mr. Halliday.
-"You're a better shot than I thought you, John. We'd better pull the
-thing up, hadn't we?"
-
-But they found the post so firmly fixed that they could neither pull it
-up nor push it over. It was evidently a case for digging. Having no
-implements with them they were obliged to leave it standing; but Mr.
-Halliday showed the admiring natives the bullet marks in the mouth,
-and, slapping the top of the head, assured them that the devil would do
-no more harm. He then gave the chief another strip of cloth and a
-handful of beads in reward for his services, and the party returned to
-the river, where the happy result of the expedition was announced to
-the main body of the villagers, from whom the proceedings had been
-hidden by the contour of the ground. The chief wished Mr. Halliday to
-feast with him, and afterwards witness a war-dance, and when the
-invitation was declined, he insisted on his white friend accepting a
-small pied goat.
-
-"The pioneer of our stock, John," said Mr. Halliday. "But the chief
-must take charge of it until we come up to settle. I don't suppose we
-shall see it again."
-
-But in this he was mistaken, for when he came some weeks later to enter
-into occupation of his estate, the goat was brought to him with every
-mark of respect by a deputation of the villagers.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER THE FIFTH--Juma takes to the Bush
-=========================================
-
-Mr. Halliday spent the next two days in surveying the neighbourhood of
-Mr. Gilmour's stake. The country was all that his friend had
-described. The soil was rich; the river, as the natives informed him,
-never ran dry, though its waters were sometimes very low; and the
-valley was intersected by several smaller watercourses, which, though
-now dry, were full streams in the rainy season, so that the estate
-would never lack irrigation except after long-continued drought. Being
-well satisfied with the locality, Mr. Halliday got his men to erect a
-number of boundary posts about a rectangular area of some 1,500 acres,
-and then set off on the return journey to Nairobi to lodge a claim for
-a Government grant in the office of the District Commissioner. He paid
-his preliminary survey fee of seventy-five rupees; then, knowing that
-it would be months before the official survey was made, he decided to
-purchase stores, stock, and material for building a bungalow and
-out-houses, and to engage porters to convey these to the spot, and a
-certain number of servants to staff the farm. Formal possession of the
-land would be granted as soon as it was certified to be actually
-occupied and the balance of the survey fee, some two hundred rupees,
-was paid; but the lease for ninety-nine years would not be made out
-until the Commissioner received proof that development had taken place,
-which practically meant the expenditure of forty times the rent, this
-being twelve cents an acre. Thus it would be about three years before
-Mr. Halliday was definitely accepted as a settler and leaseholder, and
-he impressed upon John that they must both put their backs into the
-work if they intended to be successful.
-
-It was a month before the second safari was ready to start--a far more
-important caravan than the first. To begin with, there was a large
-quantity of stores for the use of the white men, together with seeds,
-root plants, and a few apple-tree slips, which by all accounts would
-thrive. Then there was a considerable amount of thin corrugated iron
-for roofing, some glass, and some ready-made window-frames, which if
-made on the spot would have involved too great an expenditure of time
-and labour. There were a few simple agricultural implements which Mr.
-Halliday had brought from home, guessing, and rightly as it proved,
-that even allowing for the cost of freight they were cheaper than they
-could have been bought in Nairobi. These included the "small holdings
-plough" of Ipswich, which had to be taken to pieces for convenience of
-transit. Mr. Halliday deplored the lack of roads and of bridges over
-the streams, which made it impossible to employ vehicles for the
-carriage of his goods, and prevented him from taking several pieces of
-machinery he would have liked to have with him. But he purchased a few
-donkeys, each of which could carry twice as much as a man.
-
-In addition to these articles, a large number of live-stock was
-included in the caravan. It might be possible, Mr. Halliday was told,
-to purchase cattle and sheep from the natives in the neighbourhood of
-his farm, but he was advised to buy a good number of half-bred animals
-in Nairobi, the native sheep and goats being woolless, and of no value
-except for their flesh and hides. Later on, when he was fairly
-settled, he hoped to introduce some English stock to cross with the
-native. Accordingly he bought 750 sheep at an average price of six
-shillings a head, a few goats, and a score of cattle, for which he paid
-£140.
-
-To carry his goods he found it necessary to engage, in addition to the
-donkeys, forty porters, a few of whom he intended to keep as labourers
-on the farm or servants in the house, if they proved satisfactory. Of
-these forty only one, Coja the headman, had been a member of the first
-expedition, the rest of that party being unwilling to do any more work
-until they had spent their wages. Twelve of the new company were
-Swahilis, the remainder Wakamba or Wakikuyu. Four of the Swahilis were
-askaris, or armed porters. Said Mohammed had done so well on the first
-journey that he was engaged permanently as cook. John declared that
-his conversation was well worth his wages, but Mr. Halliday took
-severely practical views of everything, and said that he didn't pay for
-conversation. He hired two Indian mistris for three months, at two
-rupees a day, to build his bungalow and do what other carpenter's work
-was necessary. And since his farm was to be mainly a stock-farm, he
-engaged a stalwart Masai and his son, a lad of sixteen or seventeen, to
-assist in the herding, the Masai being a pastoral race *par excellence*.
-
-Mr. Halliday had not intended to increase his men's burdens on this
-occasion by "trade" goods, thinking that the friendship he had already
-sealed with the chief of the neighbouring village would obviate any
-further dealings with the natives. But he changed his mind on the
-advice of Mr. Gillespie, who represented that he might come in contact
-with other tribes not so well disposed, that he might find it necessary
-to purchase more sheep and cattle, especially if tick fever or some
-other disease broke out among his stock, and that it would be well to
-have the means of purchasing ivory, if he found an opportunity, the
-tribes to the north of Kenya being reputed great elephant hunters.
-
-All being at last ready, Mr. Halliday set out on his second journey,
-which took him nearly four times as long as the first, owing partly to
-a certain turbulence among the Swahili porters, and partly to the
-difficulty of driving the animals. Apart from their natural tendency
-to lag and to stray, it was a difficult and sometimes a perilous
-operation to get them across the many streams; fortunately it was the
-height of the dry season, and the depth of water insignificant.
-Several sheep were drowned, some strayed and could not be recovered;
-one or two died of over-marching. The donkeys also gave a good deal of
-trouble, having to be unloaded at every stream, lugged across, and then
-loaded up again. It was a long and tiresome business each night to
-construct a boma of sufficient circuit to enclose the whole of the
-safari, and in spite of this thorny fence, and watchfires kept
-constantly alight, a lion on one occasion broke in at dead of night,
-snapped up a sheep, and made off with it before the alarm could be
-given.
-
-Mr. Halliday found the porters even more troublesome than the animals.
-It turned out that one of the Swahilis was an old rival of Coja ben
-Selim. He was a big man named Juma, with a stronger strain of Arab
-blood than the rest, and he constantly disputed Coja's authority, and
-incited the other men to complain of their loads and their food. Mr.
-Halliday had to be continually on the watch, and only by dint of great
-firmness and by keeping Juma on one occasion without food for a day did
-he succeed in preventing a mutiny. Juma had brought his wife with him,
-a very stout negress of some Bantu race; or rather, she had attached
-herself to the expedition when it had marched some ten miles out of
-Nairobi, and resolutely refused to leave. Her presence proved to be
-rather an advantage than otherwise, for once when Mr. Halliday had
-found it necessary to give Juma a stern reprimand, the woman volubly
-assisted him, demanding of her husband why he was such a fool as to
-endanger his pay. Juma was evidently in some awe of his spouse, and
-Coja told John privately that she had a terrible tongue.
-
-At length the safari arrived at the site of the farm, and though Mr.
-Halliday did not flatter himself that his troubles were over, he felt a
-great relief that the anxieties of the journey were a thing of the
-past. The first proceeding was to construct a substantial boma. Then
-he selected a site for his bungalow, fixing on a pleasant knoll above
-the river and at a distance of about two hundred yards from it. John
-pleaded for a position nearer the river, but Mr. Halliday pointed out
-that the stream was at present shrunk, and would no doubt swell to a
-much greater width in the rainy season, when exhalations from it might
-be dangerous to health. He had brought a couple of tents to live in
-while the bungalow was building; his natives ran up grass huts for
-themselves; and within twenty-four hours of their arrival, with the
-tents pitched, the huts erected, the sheep and cattle grazing, and a
-boma enclosing them all, the place had already begun to assume the
-aspect of a settlement.
-
-During the first night the sleep of the camp was disturbed by the
-distant roaring of lions, and Mr. Halliday took turns with John to
-watch. They had learnt from Mr. Gillespie that the lion stalks his
-prey in absolute silence, so that they did not fear an actual
-visitation while the roars continued; and though the sounds came nearer
-towards the morning, the dread beasts made no attempt to break in.
-Examining the ground on the following day, Mr. Halliday found pug marks
-about half-a-mile from the enclosure, and a little further away the
-scanty remains of a zebra. The proximity of lions was somewhat
-perturbing. Sometimes, as Mr. Halliday had learnt, the mere presence
-of man was enough to drive them away; but if they had once tasted human
-flesh they showed extraordinary audacity and cunning in obtaining
-further victims. As a precaution, he caused an inner boma to be
-erected around the tents and the grass huts of the men, so that if
-lions should break into the outer enclosure they would find another
-barrier between them and human prey.
-
-During the daytime the building of the bungalow and the cattle-sheds
-proceeded apace. There was plenty of wood in the neighbourhood, and
-the people of the village beyond the river assisted in cutting and
-transporting the timber in exchange for a small quantity of cloth,
-beads, or wire. No work could be got out of the porters, except a few
-of the Wakamba, who began to prepare the ground around the bungalow for
-cultivation. Mr. Halliday would willingly have seen the backs of the
-whole company, but Juma declared that they must rest a few days after
-their long march before returning to Nairobi; and having no means of
-expelling them Mr. Halliday must needs submit, though he hoped their
-stay would be short. Apart from other reasons why their presence was
-undesirable, they consumed a prodigious amount of food, which had to be
-purchased from the chief; and while the Wakamba were satisfied with
-grain and fruits, the Swahili demanded meat, which meant that either
-some of the cattle must be killed, or the Hallidays must go hunting for
-their unwelcome guests.
-
-One day Wasama, the Masai herdsman, reported that a number of the sheep
-had strayed. Not willing to lose them, Mr. Halliday and John set off
-with Wasama and two or three of the Wakamba to find them, taking their
-rifles in the hope of bringing down some game for the men. They
-tracked the wanderers through the long grass to the west of the
-encampment, and found that the trail led them into the woods on the
-rising ground in that direction. There they lost the trail, and
-scattered, the Englishmen arranging to fire a shot as a signal to the
-others if either of them came upon the track of the missing animals.
-
-John was making his way through the wood, bending close to the ground,
-when he suddenly came upon a small hut standing by itself in a little
-glade. It consisted of four upright logs, the interspaces filled with
-brushwood, and covered with a roof of twisted boughs. He halted,
-wondering whose dwelling it might be, and then, a movement among the
-undergrowth at the rear of the hut attracting his attention, he walked
-slowly towards the spot, holding his rifle in readiness to encounter
-danger. To his amazement he saw a quaint little figure emerge from the
-thicket. It was the form of an elderly man, not more than four feet
-high, dark brown in colour, with strangely bent shins, longish hair
-streaked with grey, and protruding jaws. He wore nothing but a loose
-cloak of undressed skin hung from the shoulders, and he carried a small
-bow. Still more to John's surprise, the little man came forward, and
-held out his hand with a frank gesture of friendliness, uttering a word
-or two in a low, quiet voice. John shook his hand, feeling a little
-confused in his inability to speak to the man; then, thinking that he
-might be able to assist in the search for the sheep, he fired off his
-rifle, upon which the man sprang back into his hut with every mark of
-terror.
-
-The shot soon brought up the rest of the party, and on John explaining
-why he had fired, Wasama went to the entrance of the hut and shouted
-into the interior. After a little hesitation the owner came out, and a
-brief conversation ensued between the two men, at the close of which
-Wasama, who knew enough English to make himself understood, explained
-that the man was one of the Wanderobbo tribe and was living quite
-alone. This fact was rather surprising, for the African natives always
-live in communities, large or small. But after further speech with the
-hermit, Wasama said that he had no tribe or village, all his people
-having been killed a long while ago. He had since lived in this little
-hut, occupying himself, after the manner of his people, in collecting
-wild honey and hunting, selling the skins of the animals he killed to
-the neighbouring villagers.
-
-Mr. Halliday asked whether the man had seen anything of his sheep, and
-the Wanderobbo at once offered to help in the search in return for a
-few beads. The party set off again, and, emerging from the wood at its
-southern extremity, the little man soon discovered the trail, and the
-wanderers were seen placidly grazing half-a-mile away. The Wanderobbo
-seemed much more delighted with the few beads given him than the value
-of the gift appeared to justify, and at parting shook hands warmly with
-the Englishmen, promising, when Wasama had told him of their
-settlement, to bring them some honey shortly. Wasama collected the
-sheep and began to herd them back towards the farm, Mr. Halliday and
-the others going a little farther in pursuance of his intention of
-shooting something for the larder. But an hour's search revealing no
-trace of game, he started to return. He had just overtaken Wasama,
-about a mile from camp, when he saw Said Mohammed hastening towards him
-at a run.
-
-"I hope there's nothing wrong," he said, but as the Bengali drew nearer
-it was plain from his perturbed countenance that he bore bad news.
-
-"Master and esteemed sir," he said, panting as he came up, "I regret to
-inform you that a calamity has transpired."
-
-"What is it?" asked Mr. Halliday, as the cook, who was of substantial
-physique, paused to recover breath.
-
-"Larceny, sir. Juma, that badmash, awful scoundrel, sir, has lifted,
-or shall I say pinched, four donkeys, a dozen rifles, and a regular
-heap of trade goods, and has decamped, bunked, sir, with the Swahilis,
-who knows where?"
-
-"What was Coja about?" demanded Mr. Halliday, at the same time
-quickening his pace.
-
-"That, sir, deponent knoweth not. In fact, I have not seen Coja for
-some time, and suspect that he winked the other eye."
-
-"How long ago was this?"
-
-"I do not know the exact moment, since I was engaged in washing
-crockery after our matutinal repast, and did not discover the crime
-until I had made a hole in it; but on a modest computation I should
-say, not less than five hours ago."
-
-"Soon after we left, John. Which way did the men go?"
-
-"Of that also I am in blissful ignorance, sir."
-
-"We'll soon track them, anyway. John, we must go after them."
-
-They hurried on towards the camp, taking Wasama with them, and leaving
-the sheep in charge of the Wakamba. When they reached the settlement,
-it was apparently deserted, except by the Indian carpenters and Juma's
-negro wife, who, as soon as she saw them, began excitedly to harangue
-some person out of sight, and then ran behind the bungalow, the walls
-of which were already up, and dragged forth Coja, whom she brought, a
-sheepish and crestfallen object, before his master.
-
-Mr. Halliday did not delay either to reprimand or to receive
-explanations, but ordered Coja and the four Wakamba who had followed
-him from his hiding-place to sling on their cooking-pots and a little
-food and prepare to accompany him in chase of the fugitives.
-
-"We don't know how long it will take us," he said to John. "Said
-Mohammed, you must come with us; we may be a day or two and shall want
-you to cook. Juma's wife seems a capable body; we'll leave her in
-charge. Coja, look for their tracks, and go on; we'll follow you."
-
-Within a quarter of an hour of reaching camp the party set off,
-numbering eight in all. The track was very clear. For three miles it
-followed the route by which the safari had come several days before;
-then, to Mr. Halliday's surprise, it made a sudden turn westward.
-
-"I made sure they would strike for the coast," he said. "They won't
-dare show themselves in any of our settled parts, and I don't
-understand their going off into the interior. They've had a good start
-of us, but we travel lighter and ought to catch them if we don't lose
-the trail."
-
-The party hurried on, not pausing, though the day was now at its
-hottest. The trail led through open country, and across several
-streams, some of them of fair size. Here there were signs that the
-donkeys had given trouble, the soft earth at the brink being so
-trampled and cut up as to suggest that the animals had had to be pushed
-and hauled into the water. The trail was for the most part easily
-followed, for the fugitives had clearly been in too great a hurry to
-attempt to cover it. Once or twice, when it crossed stony ground, Coja
-was temporarily at fault, and he then declared he wished they had the
-Wanderobbo with them, for there were no people like the Wanderobbo for
-following a trail. Were they not matchless elephant hunters? But a
-little skirmishing beyond such stony tracts sufficed to pick up the
-trail again, and pushing on without respite, rest, or food, until
-sundown, Coja said that the newness of the footprints showed that the
-quarry was not far ahead. Darkness fell, however, without their having
-sighted the fugitives, and since they were all thoroughly tired and
-hungry, Mr. Halliday decided to halt for rest and a meal, and to resume
-the pursuit in the night if the moon rose, or at dawn.
-
-"I say, father," said John, as they came to a halt, "we mustn't light a
-fire, or we'll give ourselves away."
-
-"Quite right. We shall have to do without our cocoa to-night, and keep
-an extra sharp look-out for lions."
-
-The white men had to satisfy themselves with biscuit and water from a
-brook; the natives ate some of the roasted beans without which they
-never travel. With the first glimmer of dawn the party were up and on
-the trail. Two hours' hard marching, at a pace which the natives had
-never known before, brought them up with the thieves. Coja was the
-first to catch sight of them, and he held up his hand as a sign to the
-rest to halt, informing Mr. Halliday in a whisper that the fugitives
-were only a little distance ahead, in the act of crossing a stream.
-Half of them had, indeed, already crossed; the remainder were trying to
-induce the donkeys to face the water.
-
-"Can we catch them?" Mr. Halliday asked.
-
-"Yes, sah, go round about," answered the man.
-
-He led them in a direction at right angles to the path, so as to make a
-circuit and come upon the runaways from among the thick vegetation at
-the brink of the river. But Coja's advice turned out to be bad. They
-had reached the bank and were wheeling to burst upon the Swahilis, when
-they were suddenly descried by those who had crossed. A shout warned
-the men struggling with the donkeys; without a moment's hesitation they
-let go of the animals and took to their heels. When Mr. Halliday came
-upon the scene nothing was in sight but the donkeys, which on being
-released had scrambled up the bank out of the river and begun to bray
-with pleasure at the riddance of their loads.
-
-"We ought to have come straight instead of round about," cried Mr.
-Halliday, vexed at his failure to punish the men. It was obviously
-hopeless to pursue them further. The scrub was dense; the Swahilis had
-good rifles and ammunition; and being relieved of impedimenta, the
-loads of goods having been left on the farther bank when they fled,
-they could travel much faster than Mr. Halliday and his party, fatigued
-after their forced march.
-
-"We must be satisfied with having got back our donkeys and their
-loads," said Mr. Halliday. "The men are a good riddance; but I grudge
-those rifles of ours. However, it can't be helped. We must keep a
-sharp eye on our people, and fire out at once any we can't trust."
-
-The loads abandoned by the runaways were brought across the river
-without interference, and after they had been strapped on the donkeys'
-backs the little caravan started to return to the farm.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER THE SIXTH--Raided by Lions
-==================================
-
-The return march was not so hurried as the pursuit, and it was the
-afternoon of the fifth day after their departure when the little party
-arrived at the farm. Mr. Halliday was surprised that none of the
-Wakamba had come to meet him, thinking that they must have descried him
-from afar; and still more surprised when, on entering the enclosure, he
-could not see any of his people. Surely they had not all deserted!
-Passing through the second boma, however, he heard a howl, and
-immediately afterwards the natives came rushing pell-mell towards him
-out of their grass huts, Wasama and Lulu, Juma's wife, leading the way.
-They crowded about him, all shouting together, and making such a din
-that Coja himself could not at once distinguish what they were saying.
-But when Mr. Halliday had sternly called for order, Coja made out that
-the people were in a terrible state of fright, because a cow had been
-carried away during the night without a sound.
-
-They declared that the robber must be the devil whom Mr. Halliday had
-professed to slay.
-
-"Nonsense!" said Mr. Halliday. "It must have been a lion."
-
-But no--Wasama declared it could not have been a lion, for he had not
-heard a lion's roar, and there was no breach in the outer boma: only a
-devil could have passed through it without forcing a gap.
-
-When Mr. Halliday set Coja to question the man, however, he learnt that
-neither he nor any other of the natives had stirred outside the inner
-enclosure that day, so that they were hardly in a position to know
-whether the boma had been broken or not. An examination of it soon
-revealed a gap in the western side, and bits of tawny hide were
-sticking to the thorns. Mr. Halliday insisted on Wasama following up
-the tracks which even his inexperienced eye discovered, and within a
-quarter of a mile he came upon some bones and a few remnants of a
-carcase, from which a couple of vultures flew away. Wasama, however,
-persisted in his assertion that the track was not that of a lion, and
-the others backing him up, Mr. Halliday sent John and Coja to the wood
-to fetch the Wanderobbo, determined to clear up the point before dark.
-
-The Wanderobbo came bringing a small gourd of wild honey which he
-offered to Mr. Halliday. The little man threw one glance on the
-blood-bespattered ground, and then said that the tracks were
-undoubtedly those of two lions, which would probably return to the spot
-during the coming night.
-
-"Then we'll stay and wait for them, John," said Mr. Halliday. "We
-mustn't be molested in this way, and the sooner we teach the beasts a
-lesson, the better."
-
-But the Wanderobbo, when this was explained to him, earnestly advised
-the white men not to do anything of the sort. There was no tree at
-hand, he pointed out, in which the hunters could rest and watch for the
-lions, and they, having far keener sight than men, would merely stalk
-them. In the darkness they could not even see to shoot. He said that
-they had better return to the settlement and watch inside the boma; and
-since darkness would soon fall, he begged to be taken in for the night,
-to which Mr. Halliday readily agreed.
-
-Neither of the Englishmen slept that night. They sat at their tent
-door, with their rifles within reach, listening to the distant roaring,
-and awaiting with a nervous impatience the onset of the terrible
-beasts. The roars drew nearer, then ceased. The men clutched their
-rifles, and stole into the outer enclosure, where the sheep were
-huddled together in terror. They waited for several hours, peering
-into the darkness, but neither saw nor heard any more of the marauders,
-though when they went out with the Wanderobbo in the morning, they
-traced the spoor of lions within a few yards of the boma.
-
-This experience was repeated for several nights following. To lessen
-their fatigue, Mr. Halliday and John took turns to watch, but though
-each night they heard the roars, there was no attempt to break in.
-Thinking that the fires, which were kept burning all night, were
-proving effectual in scaring the beasts, both father and son decided
-one day to go to sleep as usual. But in the middle of the night they
-were startled by a yell. Springing up, they seized their rifles, and
-rushed out of the tent in their pyjamas. There was a great commotion
-among the animals in the outer enclosure, and dashing through them, Mr.
-Halliday saw that a gap had been broken in the boma no more than three
-yards from one of the fires. The man whose turn it was to replenish it
-with fuel, and whose yell had awakened the white men, said that a lion
-had sprung through without warning and carried off a sheep. It was
-useless to attempt to pursue the robber in the dark, and Mr. Halliday
-could only swallow his vexation and return to his interrupted sleep.
-
-Nothing disturbed the work of the settlement during the daytime. The
-Indian carpenters were making good progress with the bungalow and the
-other sheds which Mr. Halliday had decided to erect on the north side,
-nearest the river. The soil outside the boma was being slowly prepared
-for crops, and finding after a few days that his Wakamba porters were
-but indifferent labourers, Mr. Halliday dismissed them, resolving to
-rely upon the people of the neighbouring villages for such farm labour
-as he required. He intended to bring only a small area under
-cultivation at first, for the purpose of growing enough grain and
-vegetables for his own consumption. Difficulties of transit would
-prevent him from dealing in farm produce; the work of driving his
-cattle by and by over a hundred miles to market would no doubt prove
-arduous enough.
-
-But though the days were thus placid, the nights became a horror. If a
-watch was kept, the peace of the encampment was undisturbed except by
-the remote and harmless roars; but as soon as the weary Englishmen
-determined to enjoy a full night's rest, the thorn fence would be
-broken at some new spot, and when the sheep and cattle were numbered in
-the morning it was found that one or more was missing. The natives
-became scared, and as for Mr. Halliday, he declared it was positively
-uncanny.
-
-"One would think the beasts have the gift of second sight," he said.
-"I don't wonder our village friends kept their cattle off these grounds
-and believed in Gilmour's devil."
-
-The only incident that relieved the tension and afforded a little
-amusement was the discovery one morning that the lion in his haste had
-snatched up a bag of rice, which was found at some little distance, the
-grains scattered about as though the thief had lost his temper when he
-became aware of the mistake.
-
-It was fortunate indeed for the little community that the lions were
-apparently not man-eaters. A lion that has once tasted man thenceforth
-scorns lesser fare, and Coja told his employers harrowing stories of
-the reign of terror under which the coolies who had been engaged in
-laying the Uganda railway had lived. Night after night the terrible
-beasts had crept into the native encampments and stolen forth in dead
-silence with their hapless prey, ceasing their depredations for months
-at a time, but returning when the men were lulled to security, and
-beginning their havoc over again. Mr. Halliday had heard of this from
-Mr. Gillespie in Nairobi; but the story told now by one who had
-actually lived in the camps thus visited at night, and punctuated by
-the roaring of lions at a distance, made a much more powerful and
-harrowing impression. At any moment the lions might become man-eaters.
-They had only to stumble upon a native in their nocturnal raids and
-then the life of no man would be safe.
-
-More than once Mr. Halliday set off in the daytime with John and the
-Wanderobbo, who was now a frequent visitor to the farm, to track the
-lions and if possible hunt them down. They found that the spoor led
-into the dense scrub higher up the river, a region ten or twelve miles
-in length and nearly as much in breadth. So thick was the scrub that
-it was impossible to trace the beasts for more than a few yards into
-its recesses. After what he had heard of the Wanderobbo's skill and
-prowess as a hunter, Mr. Halliday was surprised to find how reluctant
-the little man was to accompany them in their expeditions. But he had
-a wholesome dread of lions. Elephants he was prepared to tackle, and
-indeed any other creature of the wilds; though even them he would
-rather snare than stalk; but the lion was a much more cunning and
-dangerous enemy. He would talk very bravely sometimes, avowing that if
-he met a lion and stared at him the beast would slink away; but he
-showed no readiness to enter the probable haunts of the creatures, and
-admitted that they sometimes took it into their heads to fight instead
-of running away, and then they were quite as clever hunters as he was.
-Mr. Halliday somewhat impatiently reminded him that rifles were very
-deadly weapons; but the Wanderobbo shook his head and said that he had
-never hunted lions with rifles. He had seen the Arabs do so, and pay
-for their temerity with their lives. On the whole his advice was to
-leave the lions alone, and he once confessed very naïvely that if he,
-bold hunter as he was, saw a lion approaching, he would certainly go
-the other way.
-
-With such half-hearted assistance it was not surprising that many days
-passed before the Englishmen so much as caught a glimpse of their
-tormentors. However, one morning when they had gone out with the
-Wanderobbo and Coja to track the smaller game for food, they descried
-two lions stalking slowly across a glade some miles up the river. In
-spite of the little man's reluctance Mr. Halliday determined to go in
-chase, and then the Wanderobbo, forgetting his fears when his hunting
-instincts were aroused, suggested that they should tempt the lions to
-come within range. He proposed that they should carry a water-buck
-which John had just brought down, to a spot where the scent of it would
-be wafted by the wind towards the beasts. This having been done, the
-party retreated to the rear of the lions and lurked behind some trees
-to watch them. The lions soon scented the game, and came slowly
-towards it, moving with a majestic and yet graceful gait that extorted
-murmurs of admiration from the Englishmen. But when they had come
-within two hundred yards, and John was quivering with excitement at the
-prospect of his first encounter with the king of beasts, one of them
-became suspicious and halted, lifting his head and sniffing the air,
-and then uttering a low growl as if to warn his companion. After a
-minute or two they seemed to decide that they were being led into a
-trap, and, turning about, stalked slowly away.
-
-"Let's go after them, father," said John, unwilling to let this chance
-slip.
-
-The four set off stealthily to stalk the beasts, and after an hour's
-fatiguing march over rough ground, saw them standing together at the
-edge of a patch of bush just beyond range. Bending low, and taking
-advantage of every tree and tussock of grass, and a tall ant-hill, for
-cover, the two Englishmen drew nearer and nearer, and were on the point
-of lifting their rifles to fire, when the animals disappeared into the
-bush. There was nothing for it but to begin the stalking again. They
-cautiously made the circuit of the bush, and presently saw the lions
-emerge from the further end and continue their promenade. Again the
-hunters followed them, at one moment flattering themselves that a few
-yards further would bring them within range, the next chagrined to
-perceive that the lions had quickened their pace and outdistanced them.
-At length, when a thin patch of woodland enabled them to hurry their
-steps and gave hope of overtaking their quarry, the lions broke into a
-trot and soon disappeared from view.
-
-"Well, if that isn't disgusting!" exclaimed John,
-
-"How long have we been at this game, do you think?" asked his father.
-
-"Two or three hours, perhaps."
-
-"Five hours and a half, my boy, and I rather think we might have been
-better employed."
-
-John was too much disgusted at the failure of his first lion-hunt to
-say any more; and when next morning it was found that one of the best
-cows had been stolen he was still more angry.
-
-"We must put a stop to this, father," he said. "Can't we set a trap?"
-
-"We'll see what our friend Bill says," replied Mr. Halliday. The
-Wanderobbo's name had proved so unpronounceable that he had been called
-Bill for short. Bill, however, said that lions were too clever to be
-caught in traps, which did not seem improbable when he explained what
-he meant by a trap--a simple pit with a sharpened stick at the bottom,
-like that in which Oliver Browne had been found, or a spear suspended
-from the branch of a tree and brought down by the animal treading on a
-rope. Mr. Halliday set to work to devise a more effective machine.
-
-He got the mistris to cut several stout logs, out of which they
-constructed a sort of gigantic rat-trap. The door was arranged so that
-it was held in position by a light pole attached to a length of stout
-wire, which was connected with a spring hidden under leaves on the
-floor of the trap. If a lion should enter and tread on the spring, the
-wire would be released and the door fall behind him down two grooves of
-corrugated iron. To entice him to enter, a live goat was placed in a
-compartment adjoining the trap, so strongly fenced that the bait was in
-no danger.
-
-This trap was rigged up, with the expenditure of a day's work, at one
-corner of the outer boma.
-
-"It's rather poor sport to treat the lion like a rat," said John, "but
-that can't be helped. If we catch one we shan't be able to get a good
-shot at him in the dark, though."
-
-"Well, we can either keep him there till daylight, or, better still,
-burn a bit of magnesium wire--I've plenty; that will not only give us a
-good light, but possibly help to scare other beasts away."
-
-The trap was set. For two nights nothing happened. On the third, just
-as the two Englishmen were thinking of turning in, they heard the door
-of the trap fall with a clatter, followed by a low growl of rage. They
-caught up their rifles and hurried to the spot.
-
-"Now for the wire, father," said John. "You give me a light and I'll
-pot the beast."
-
-Mr. Halliday struck a match and ignited the wire, but just as John was
-taking aim it fell to the ground.
-
-"What's the matter?" he asked.
-
-"I'm as nervous as a cat," said his father, with a rueful laugh. "And
-I haven't brought a second piece, confound it!"
-
-"Well, we'll take a shot in the dark. We can't both miss."
-
-They fired together. The next moment there was a terrific roar, a
-crash as of shattered match-wood, and they knew that the infuriated
-captive had burst through the walls of the trap, stout as they were.
-They fired another shot in the direction they supposed him to have
-taken, and then, vexed and disappointed, returned to their tent. They
-found next day that the lion had been wounded. Bill traced it by the
-stains of blood upon the ground. But its injuries were plainly not
-very serious, for the track failed at a patch of reeds a mile up the
-river, and the Englishmen had to digest their chagrin that the
-troublesome beast was still at large. Their efforts, however, had not
-been wholly unsuccessful. The nocturnal visitations ceased, and since
-no roaring was heard it appeared that the lions had been scared from
-the neighbourhood.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER THE SEVENTH--John runs the Farm
-=======================================
-
-Within three months of Mr. Halliday's arrival at his farm, which he
-named Alloway after the village of his father's birth, the place had
-assumed the orderly appearance of a prosperous settlement. The knoll
-was crowned by a neat bungalow; two hundred yards below it stood two
-wooden huts appropriated to Said Mohammed and the mistris; at some
-distance from this a row of cattle-sheds had been erected; and beyond
-these stood the grass huts of Wasama and his son and Lulu the negress,
-these being all who remained of the original party. Pens had been made
-for the sheep and goats; about twenty acres of land had been prepared
-for planting when the rains began; and a dairy had been started, being
-cut out of the side of the knoll on which the bungalow stood, for the
-sake of coolness and protection from the sun and dust.
-
-The work of the Indians being finished for the present, Mr. Halliday
-thought of paying them off; but reflecting that more fencing would be
-needed by and by, as well as lambing-pens and cattle-sheds as the stock
-increased, he decided to retain the men, even though he could not make
-full use of them.
-
-It chanced one day that a Swahili came to the farm with a letter from
-Mr. Gillespie, enclosing one addressed to Mr. Halliday, and bearing the
-Glasgow postmark and a date nine weeks back. The flap of the envelope
-bore the name and address of a firm of lawyers unknown to Mr. Halliday,
-and he opened the letter with some curiosity mixed with apprehension.
-
-"Well now," he exclaimed, as he hastily read it, "this is a pretty fix."
-
-"What is it, father?" asked John.
-
-"You've heard me speak of my uncle Alec--the old curmudgeon who lived
-by himself and hasn't spoken to any of his family for twenty years.
-Well, the poor old man is dead, and these people, Wright and MacKellar,
-tell me that he left no will, and understanding that I am the next of
-kin, they urge me to come to Glasgow and make good my title. The
-letter was written nearly three months ago, and seems by the look of
-the envelope to have had an adventurous career."
-
-"But hadn't your uncle any children?"
-
-"One daughter. She married without his consent: I forget the man's
-name, and I haven't heard about her for five-and-twenty years."
-
-"What will you do?"
-
-"I'm just thinking. My uncle was a shipowner, and pretty well-to-do:
-indeed, your poor mother's friends used to advise me to keep in with
-him, but I couldn't toady to the old bear. I suppose I ought to go
-back, and yet!---- It's rather upsetting, my boy, just as we are
-getting settled. He must have died before we left England, and if I
-had known then, and really inherit his property, we needn't have come
-out at all, perhaps."
-
-"I'm jolly glad you didn't, then, for I wouldn't have been out of this
-for anything."
-
-"That's all very well, but there's the property: it would be a pity to
-lose that: shouldn't like it to go out of the family. At the same
-time, I'm not inclined to give up the farm; we've made a good start,
-and I'm uncommonly interested in it. Besides, I may not be the heir
-after all; my cousin may be alive: and I should look a pretty fool
-after going to this expense if I cleared out and got nothing--like the
-dog in the fable. I think I'd better take a trip back to Nairobi and
-see Gillespie. And I'll tell you what I'll do, John. If I decide to
-go home, as most likely I shall, I'll find an experienced man in
-Nairobi and send him up to take charge while I'm away."
-
-"That's rather rotten," said John with a crestfallen look. "I don't
-want anybody here bossing me, father. Why not leave me in charge?"
-
-"You're over young, John," replied Mr. Halliday dubiously.
-
-"I'm just on eighteen, and I've got a bit used to things. I learnt a
-lot in that six months at the agricultural college before we started.
-I'm not exactly a fool, either. Plenty of fellows have gone to the
-Colonies on their own at my age, and done jolly well too. Look at Ned
-Cooper; he's got his own ranch in British Columbia, and he's not more
-than a year older than I am. Besides, look at the expense. You won't
-get a decent Englishman who'll be any good under £300 a year, I should
-think, and if this business in Glasgow turns out a frost, you'll be
-precious sorry you spent the money."
-
-"There's something in that," said Mr. Halliday, stroking his beard.
-"Well, I'll think of it."
-
-The upshot of his meditations was that he decided to do as John
-suggested. The lad was unfeignedly delighted; the responsibility did
-not daunt him; though he said little he felt capable of carrying on the
-work of the farm, and inwardly resolved to have a good budget to show
-his father when he returned. Mr. Halliday spent a good many anxious
-hours in instilling principles of caution and carefulness into his
-mind: he gave directions about the steps to be taken to bring the
-cattle and sheep and dairy produce to market when the proper time came;
-and then one day he set off with Coja and a couple of villagers as
-porters, determined to ask Mr. Gillespie to keep an eye on the boy as
-far as he could.
-
-Before leaving he had a little conversation with Said Mohammed, upon
-whom he impressed the necessity of paying implicit obedience to his
-young master, and of helping him in every possible way.
-
-"Verb. sap., sir," said the Bengali. "Mr. John is a chip of the old
-block, a second edition of you, sir, and I esteem myself most fortunate
-and in clover to do this trivial round for such a superior person."
-
-Things went on very peacefully and on the whole prosperously at the
-farm after Mr. Halliday's departure. He sent Coja back from Nairobi
-with a letter in which he wrote that Mr. Gillespie had advised him to
-return to England, and had promised to pay John a visit if he found
-time. The rains began soon after Mr. Halliday had gone, and John was
-mortified when a few of the sheep died through catching a chill; but
-apart from this misfortune nothing happened to trouble him. He had no
-difficulties with the people under his authority. Coja proved to be a
-handy man; Wasama and his son were excellent herdsmen; and Lulu not
-only did a fair share of labour in the fields with the villagers, but
-excelled in laundry work, and looked after John's simple wardrobe with
-a neatness and care which would have put many a London landlady to the
-blush. As for Said Mohammed, he was a compendium of utilities. He was
-cook, khansaman, and table-servant rolled into one. He was careful to
-explain that in India he would scorn to serve in more than one
-capacity, but "Tempora mutantur," he quoted impressively, "et nos
-mutamur in illis."
-
-"Rest, sir, is change of occupation," he said, "and when I have
-accomplished the culinary part of my functions, I make a lightning
-change and become a dumb waiter, remembering the beautiful words of the
-blind epic poet, 'They also serve who only stand and wait.'"
-
-With the beginning of the rains came the season for planting. Mr.
-Halliday had brought a variety of seeds with him, for though he hoped
-to make money out of stock-raising rather than agriculture, and
-reckoned on getting cereals from the neighbouring village for his
-native and Indian workers, he was not sure that the villagers would
-always grow enough to supply their needs, and he wished also to grow
-English vegetables and fruits for his own consumption. John made a
-start towards the end of November with oats and wheat; next month he
-sowed cabbages, peas, tomatoes, potatoes and vegetable marrows, and
-planted a few apple-tree slips. In January he put in cabbages and
-onions, and finished off with cauliflowers in February. The great
-dread of the African cultivator is drought, but the rains fell almost
-continuously for three months, so that there was every prospect of good
-crops.
-
-The sheep and cattle throve apace. There was no sign of scab or
-heartwater in the former, but they were troubled for a time by the
-nostril-fly, a pest that lays its eggs in the nasal passages, causing
-intense irritation and sometimes a dangerous fever. Two or three of
-the animals died, but there happening to be a syringe among the things
-brought from Nairobi, John made a point every night of thoroughly
-washing out the nostrils of the sheep affected, and had the
-satisfaction of preventing any more deaths from this cause, though he
-never succeeded in banishing the pests. He felt not a little gratified
-at pulling one of the bulls through an attack of pneumonia. After a
-little trouble in inducing the two Masai and Lulu to be scrupulous in
-washing their hands, he managed to get the dairy into working order.
-Each cow yielded about four pounds of milk a day, some of which he
-turned into butter, which his people consumed in enormous quantities.
-All the spare milk over and above what was used for food was utilized
-for making cheese, which was stored in a deep pit until it could be
-transported to market at Nairobi.
-
-Being dissatisfied with the grass huts which had originally been
-erected by the natives, he set the mistris to build substantial houses
-of logs and thatch, and found them both cleaner and healthier. They
-cost no more than £1 apiece. He also got them to put up a plant-house
-with wickerwork sides and thatched roof at a cost of £5. Finding that
-the villagers possessed fowls, he bought a number, and this provided
-more work for the carpenters. They built a large hen-house of wood
-with an iron roof, and fenced in a run of about 1000 square feet in
-area. With the prospect of good crops a barn was necessary, and they
-erected a wooden building with a floor of about 300 square feet.
-Having no iron left, he had to roof this with thatch, resolving to buy
-more galvanized roofing on his first visit to Nairobi.
-
-Before all this work was finished some of the vegetables and cereals he
-had planted grew to maturity. Said Mohammed gave him turnips for
-dinner in February; next month he had some fine tomatoes and potatoes,
-and by the beginning of April the most delicious peas and vegetable
-marrows he had ever tasted. The grain fields, however, suffered a good
-deal from the depredations of weaver birds, and after ineffectual
-attempts to get rid of these with his rifle and by setting up
-scarecrows, John resorted to a poison supplied by his native
-neighbours--a decoction of a certain root. This proved effective. The
-wheat was ready for reaping in April, and he was amused to see the
-natives cut it with knives, they being quite unable to handle the
-scythes Mr. Halliday had brought. They threshed it with sticks and
-winnowed it with hand-sieves. There was a small hand-mill among the
-farm utensils, and by the end of April John enjoyed the unaccustomed
-luxury of eating bread baked by Said Mohammed in an earthen oven. Only
-half an acre had been sown with wheat, and as the yield was 400 lbs. of
-grain John was thoroughly satisfied. The oats were not ripe until
-July, and the yield was much less than that of the wheat; but they made
-good porridge, and John was able to write to his father that when he
-returned he could have the national breakfast.
-
-John had heard from Mr. Halliday several times since his departure.
-The first letter arrived early in December, and caused him mingled
-amusement and vexation.
-
-----
-
-"Here I am, in Glasgow, flourishing as ever. Tennant's stack is
-behaving even worse than usual, and the atmosphere makes me fair sick
-after the air of Kenya. I had a horrible passage: we were terribly
-knocked about in the Bay, and I got a black eye one night through being
-pitched out of my bunk and coming into collision with the ledge of the
-one below. There was a teetotal commercial on board (rare bird), who
-looked at me very suspiciously at breakfast, and asked me at lunch
-whether I drank pot-still or patent. I asked him which was his line,
-and he got so red that I was uncharitable enough to conjecture he
-drinks on the sly.
-
-"But here I am, and I think I've made a fool of myself in coming; for
-when I called at Wright and MacKellar's they showed me a cable they had
-just received from the Cape. 'Halliday's daughter inherits; letter
-this mail.' The death of poor old uncle had of course been announced
-in the *Herald*, and that goes everywhere, and sure enough when the
-mail came in there was a letter from some lawyer fellows at Cape Town
-to say that their client, Mrs. Burtenshaw, née Sylvia Halliday, having
-seen the announcement of her father's death, had made arrangements to
-return to Scotland to claim the estate I asked them why the
-ballachulish they hadn't waited before they sent for me, and Wright
-said that if he had been aware that I had changed my domicile (law for
-left the country, I suppose) he would certainly have hesitated before
-putting me to the inconvenience (and expense, I put in) of making so
-long a voyage. I asked whether my expenses would come out of the
-estate, and he said that he was inclined to believe the trustees would
-not homologate any claim for my outgoings. I'm glad you were not a
-lawyer, after all. I was for starting back at once, but he wouldn't
-hear of it: said I must wait to see whether Mrs. Burtenshaw could
-substantiate her claim; she might be an impostor, and since the estate
-is valued at over £100,000 it would be a pity to be out of the way if I
-turned out to be the heir after all. My cousin's name is Sylvia right
-enough, and I'm convinced the claimant will prove her bona-fides, but I
-suppose I must kick my heels until she turns up. It's twenty-five
-years or more since I saw her, and I shouldn't know her from Lulu, so I
-can't help to identify her. Altogether I'm very unhappy. Tell me how
-you're getting on. I am wearying until I get back, and on thorns in
-case anything goes wrong. God bless you!
-
-"P.S.--Don't forget that cabbages and cauliflowers must be transplanted
-*about five weeks* after they are sown."
-
-----
-
-This was vexing enough, but when the next letter came, saying that Mrs.
-Burtenshaw was laid up with bronchitis and would be unable to travel
-for some time, John was thoroughly distressed. He knew how his father
-would hate hanging on indefinitely, with nothing to do, and no
-interests to keep him in St. Mungo's city. Mr. Halliday, however, did
-not remain in Glasgow. He went to his old home in the south of
-England, instructing Wright and MacKellar to summon him by telegraph
-when the lady arrived.
-
-As time went on, the stock on the farm was considerably increased by
-the arrival of healthy lambs and calves. John had expected his father
-to return before it became necessary to drive the animals to Nairobi
-for sale, and he became seriously concerned as to how that was to be
-done. Being the only white man on the farm he could not leave it; yet
-the animals must be taken to market somehow, for his father was relying
-on the proceeds of their sale to replenish his small balance at the
-bank, which he had had to draw upon to meet the expenses of his
-prolonged stay in England. John himself was running short of "trade"
-for the payment of his native workers from the village, and of ready
-money for his immediate dependants, who required hard cash or notes of
-the East African currency. He did not wish to draw on the bank, as his
-father had authorized him to do; and he knew that the sums realized by
-the sale of the stock would enable him to carry on for a considerable
-time, and also to add to the bank surplus, upon which Mr. Halliday
-might have to draw at any moment.
-
-There was no one among the hands to whom he could entrust the driving
-of the cattle. Wasama and his boy, no doubt, could do the actual
-driving, if they were not plundered on the way; but the presence of a
-white man would be almost a *sine qua non* to prevent molestation on
-the journey. Even in the unlikely chance of Wasama getting the beasts
-safely to Nairobi he could not be expected to sell them to advantage,
-and Said Mohammed, when John spoke of it to him one day, very frankly
-acknowledged that the Masai would come off second best in any attempt
-to barter with the traders of Nairobi, whether Indian or European.
-
-"You have to be up to snuff, sir," said the Bengali, "in dealing with
-gentlemen of business capacity. Wasama is a very good chap: I have
-high opinion of his honesty, et cetera; but honesty is no go in markets
-without the possession of considerable acumen, and Wasama has not had
-the advantage of gaining that familiarity with the methods of
-civilization, which, as the proverb says, breeds contempt," an
-unconsciously double-edged remark which did not amuse John.
-
-Of course he might ask the help of Mr. Gillespie, which would no doubt
-be very willingly given; but John was very reluctant to let things out
-of his own hands, having a full share of Anglo-Saxon independence. The
-matter, at any rate, was not immediately urgent. Two or three more
-months must pass before the young animals were weaned and fit to
-undertake the long journey; and John still hoped that by the time the
-sale of them became imperative his father would have returned.
-
-It was about six months after Mr. Halliday left that John received the
-following letter from him--
-
- |
-
-"The lady has arrived. She's a very decent, respectable widow body.
-She has brought all her family, two boys and a girl--a pretty creature,
-the image of her mother when I first knew her. The widow produced her
-birth certificate and a series of photographs, the first showing her in
-her father's arms at about a week old, for all the world as if he were
-a royalty displaying the infant to a crowd of grandees. Wright and
-MacKellar are satisfied, which is more than I am, coming all this way
-on such a fool's errand. The widow wanted to repay me the £100 or so
-I've wasted, but of course I couldn't hear of that. I expect to sail
-next week. Glad to hear you're getting on well.
-
-"P.S.--I suppose you haven't seen anything of those young Brownes? I'd
-be a deal happier if I knew you had neighbours."
-
- |
-
-A week later came a brief note.
-
- |
-
-"Fate's got a downer on me. I was fool enough to go for a ride in the
-widow's new 40 h.-p. Panhard. The chauffeur ran us into a dyke; the
-rest got bruises, but I survive with a broken leg. Tony Weller was
-right: beware of widders."
-
- |
-
-Since then no news had come, and John grew anxious, though he reflected
-that he would have heard if his father was seriously ill.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER THE EIGHTH--Hard Pressed
-================================
-
-John spent a good deal of time with Bill the Wanderobbo. He found it
-at first difficult to communicate with him, for the little man knew no
-English, nor even Swahili, which John was rapidly picking up, partly
-from Coja, and partly from a Swahili grammar and Bible which he had
-brought from Mombasa. He had to employ Wasama as the medium of
-intercourse with Bill, the two men speaking in the Masai tongue, and
-Wasama translating either into his imperfect English, or into Swahili,
-as John became more proficient in it. Coja told him that the
-Wanderobbo have a language of their own, and he tried to get Bill to
-teach him that; but the man became reserved and shy whenever the
-suggestion was made, and Wasama explained that the Wanderobbo never
-allowed any foreigner to hear them speak in their own tongue. After a
-time John managed to converse with Bill about simple matters in a kind
-of sign language, in which the Wanderobbo was very quick. He learnt
-long afterwards that the mysterious language of the tribe largely
-consists of signs, to such an extent that the people cannot understand
-one another in the dark.
-
-One day Bill darkly hinted that though John was very rich, yet he, the
-Wanderobbo, was richer. This was surprising, seeing that to all
-appearance he possessed nothing but his hut and weapons. On being
-questioned he at first shyly refused to say more, but by and by said
-that he owned a very large store of ivory.
-
-"Where?" asked John.
-
-"In his old home away in the hills," said Wasama, who was interpreting.
-
-"Then why doesn't he sell it and buy himself a good hut and good arms
-and make himself comfortable?"
-
-"Because the store is now in the bad man's country, beyond the
-mountain."
-
-John had by this time learnt something of the native African's genius
-for invention, and treated the Wanderobbo's assertions as sheer
-romance; but the old man repeated them again and again, and indeed
-seemed sometimes to be brooding over his wrongs, so that John began to
-believe that there was some little foundation for his story. Once Bill
-said that if the young master cared to go with him a long journey he
-would show him how to hunt elephants, so that he might get ivory for
-himself. But it happened that Mr. Halliday had only taken out an
-ordinary game licence, costing 150 rupees, not caring to pay an
-additional 600 rupees for the full licence which would entitle him to
-shoot elephants and rhinoceros and other large game. Bill was totally
-unable to understand the reason of John's refusal, and John felt that
-the old man in his secret thoughts set him down as afraid.
-
-But though elephant hunting had to be declined, John was never loth to
-go in quest of smaller game when the larder required it. He never
-killed any of his own sheep or cattle for food, but depended on the
-game that fell to his rifle--waterbuck, grantei, congoni, and other
-animals which were to be found at first within short distances of the
-farm. Bill was his constant companion on these expeditions, and proved
-very useful, having an instinct for the right localities. Two or three
-of the villagers were usually hired to carry back the game that was
-shot.
-
-One day the party had gone some five miles to the northward, and the
-bearers were cutting up two grantei which John had shot, when a
-solitary figure appeared in the far distance. It was unusual to see a
-native travelling alone, but he was approaching so slowly that John did
-not think it worth while to await his arrival, and when the cutting up
-was finished, he ordered the men to shoulder their burdens. But taking
-a look at the stranger before setting off after his men, John felt sure
-that he was making straight towards him across the broken country; and
-since he was in the middle of a wide plain, trackless and bare, he
-wondered whether the stranger had some definite purpose in so directing
-his course. Letting the bearers go on in advance, he decided to wait
-with Bill for the man.
-
-As he came more clearly into view, John perceived that he was moving
-very slowly and with manifest difficulty. When he came up, and John,
-who had by this time more than a smattering of Swahili, questioned him,
-the man explained that he was a Baganda, and had been sent to seek help
-for a safari nearly a day's march to the north-east. The master of the
-safari was a young msungu (white man), and John was able to make out
-from what the messenger said that the party was in extreme danger from
-"bad men." The msungu had sent him out at night on the chance of
-finding help, but he had not been able to move fast because he was very
-weak and hungry.
-
-John was in a quandary. On the one hand his inclination prompted him
-to set off at once to the aid of a fellow white man: on the other hand
-he had no force at command which could hope to intervene effectually if
-the "bad men" were in considerable numbers. He was some miles from the
-farm, and even if he hurried back he could not raise a strong party.
-Coja was the only man on the farm besides himself who could use a
-rifle, and John was very doubtful whether he could induce any of the
-villagers to leave their own ground on a fighting expedition. Still,
-he felt that something must be done. He asked the Baganda whether he
-could use a rifle, and on being answered in the affirmative, he first
-gave the man some food from the little stock he had brought for his own
-use, and then bade him wait with the Wanderobbo while he returned to
-the farm.
-
-On arriving he dispatched Wasama with the news to the nearest
-government station, Fort Hall, forty miles to the south-west. Then he
-ordered Said Mohammed to make ready a supply of food, and Coja to
-saddle three donkeys, and within a quarter of an hour he was hurrying
-back over his tracks, Coja beside him leading the third donkey. Each
-had his rifle, and Coja carried a third for the Baganda.
-
-They found the man where he had been left with Bill, looking much the
-better for his meal. John sent Bill back to the farm, and then, the
-Baganda having mounted, the party of three set off to the relief of the
-safari. The route lay first north and then north-west round a steep
-hill, which John concluded was one of the foothills of Mount Kenya. It
-was very rough going at times, the messenger having made his way in a
-direct line, up hill and down dale, and he had to return over the same
-ground lest he should lose the track and go astray. Fortunately the
-donkeys were sure-footed, and only a few stumbles on the sides of
-precipitous descents reminded John subsequently that he had taken risks
-in his excitement and haste which he would scarcely have faced in cold
-blood. He felt that he could have travelled faster on foot, and the
-Baganda was plainly ill at ease on the donkey's back; but not knowing
-what might be demanded of him, he had thought it wise to ride so as to
-husband his strength. They saw no signs of habitation: indeed, the
-whole of the region through which they passed was a wilderness, owing,
-as was learnt afterwards, to Masai raids in a not remote past.
-
-It was close upon nightfall when, on topping a rise, they came in sight
-of the spot where, as the Baganda said, his master was beset by the bad
-men. It appeared to be about three miles off. The actual place could
-not be seen, owing to intervening patches of woodland, but on
-proceeding a little farther, the guide pointed out a dark shape on the
-plain which he said was a camp of bad men, and some distance beyond it
-John was able to descry the boma within which the white man had
-entrenched himself.
-
-On the way he had succeeded in getting a few more details from the
-Baganda, by the interpreting aid of Coja. It appeared that two wasungu
-had been making a sporting expedition from northern Uganda by way of
-Lake Rudolf to the Kenya district. The elder msungu had been seized
-with swamp fever in the neighbourhood of the lake, but had pushed on
-southward instead of resting, with the result that he became worse and
-worse and at last died near Mount Sil, eighty miles north of Mount
-Kenya. The safari had already found the tribes through which it had
-passed somewhat troublesome, and as after the bwana's death it
-travelled southward, it came into a region where the people were openly
-hostile, and hung on its skirts, watching for any opportunity of taking
-it at a disadvantage. The party had, however, got safely to the Waso
-Nyiro river, which they had crossed a week ago; but then they had been
-attacked one night by a tribe of Embe, one of the fiercest and most
-quarrelsome of East African peoples. Some of the porters were killed,
-others deserted, and the young msungu himself was wounded. The attack
-had been beaten off, and the boma round the camp had been strengthened,
-and when the messenger left they were holding out against a much larger
-body of natives and in dire straits because their food was running
-short.
-
-The safari consisted of forty men, with only ten rifles among them.
-John tried to ascertain how many the assailants numbered, but the
-Baganda could only speak vaguely of a very great host. Moving forward
-cautiously so as not to be seen by the enemy, John soon perceived a
-second camp on the further side of the boma: it was plain that the
-savages were subjecting the camp to a strict investment, knowing that,
-even if they could not break in, want of food would soon compel the
-beleaguered to surrender. But while it was clearly impossible for the
-white man's party to make any movement as a body without discovery, it
-did not appear to John that the blockade was so close as to prevent
-individuals from entering or leaving the camp under cover of night;
-indeed, the Baganda had slipped out in the darkness and escaped
-detection. John therefore asked him whether he was willing to make an
-attempt to get in during the coming night, and tell his master that
-help was coming. The man said that he thought he could pass the enemy
-safely, but he would certainly be shot at from the msungu's camp if his
-approach was heard, and that was a risk he did not care to run. With
-some persuasion and the promise of a handsome present John induced the
-messenger to try his luck, instructing him to make a big fire if he got
-in safely, or if that was impossible through lack of fuel, to ask his
-master to fire two shots in rapid succession. John would then
-endeavour to enter the camp. He did not suppose, of course, that a
-reinforcement of two would enable the besieged party to turn the tables
-on the besiegers, but he hoped that his presence would be taken as an
-earnest of help to come from Fort Hall, and would at least encourage
-the men to hold out.
-
-The three waited until darkness covered the ground, having meanwhile
-tethered the animals. Then the Baganda set off on foot just after
-seven o'clock with a small bundle of food strapped to his back so as
-not to encumber his movements. The minutes passed slowly; there was no
-sign from the encampment; and after what seemed hours John ventured to
-strike a match under cover of the bush and look at his watch. It was
-only eight. But there had been time enough for the Baganda to have
-reached the encampment, and John wondered what had happened to him. He
-did not think he had been captured, for that would have been announced
-by a shout or a shot. Only a few minutes after he had looked at his
-watch there was a sudden bright glare in the direction of the
-encampment: one flash and then darkness. This was followed by a
-confused murmur of voices, and then by several irregular shots. At the
-same time two fires were lighted, one on the north and the other on the
-south of the encampment--a clear sign that the besiegers meant to hold
-their ground during the night, the fires having been kindled to keep
-off wild beasts. John guessed that the white man within the boma had
-adopted the flare as a better signal than the one he had suggested;
-undoubtedly the Baganda had reached the camp in safety.
-
-The problem now was to follow him without being detected. The flare
-had shown John the exact direction in which he should go; but it had
-also put the besiegers on the alert, though it was unlikely that they
-had any suspicion at present of the meaning of the light. Luckily no
-fire had been kindled on the west side of the camp, on which there was
-no gate, and as the night was pitch dark, John hoped with care to
-escape the notice of the savages. Leaving the animals tethered, he
-crept forward with Coja, a little nervous lest he should stumble upon
-some obstruction or go astray in the darkness. The plain was covered
-with grass up to his knees, and here and there clumps of mimosa. As
-the two crept forward the sky in front of them was momentarily lit up
-by another flare. "He's got his wits about him, whoever he is,"
-thought John. Again he heard shots, but he could not tell whether they
-were fired within or without the boma. The Baganda had not reported
-that the besiegers had rifles: one or two of them, he said, had very
-old guns; but the shots were evidently those of rifles, and John
-wondered whether the besiegers had been reinforced during the day.
-
-The two men, making slow progress, and guided by the flares which were
-shown at intervals, drew gradually nearer to the camp. Suddenly a
-flash showed them a clump of bush between them and the boma, which John
-guessed to be now about a hundred and fifty yards distant. They lay
-flat in the grass until the flare had died down, then crept to the edge
-of the bush, John hoping to find a speedy opportunity of making a dash
-for the camp. Just as they reached the clump Coja stumbled over his
-rifle, making a slight rustle among the grass. Instantly there was a
-low call, apparently from the other side of the bush. A man was on the
-watch there. "Speak to him," John whispered to Coja, who whispered
-back that he did not know what tribe the man belonged to, and to speak
-might be dangerous. John felt that the critical moment was come. He
-dared not retreat: that would arouse suspicion: nor durst he stay
-inertly where he was, for the man might come towards them. Yet to
-attempt to dash past him across the open would be to risk a shot or a
-spear at such close range that the chance of escape would be small, for
-though the night was dark, there was enough glimmer from the stars to
-enable an alert enemy to take aim, besides a reflected glow from the
-camp fires. He made up his mind instantly to venture on a bold course.
-Whispering to Coja to follow him closely, he wriggled as quietly as
-possible through the bush, and came upon a man sitting on his haunches
-with a rifle or musket across his knees, watching the boma. He half
-turned his head as he heard the slight rustle of John's approach, but
-did not rise. Dropping his rifle, John gathered himself together and
-sprang full upon the man, throwing his left arm round his neck in a
-strangling embrace. Before the captive could utter more than a gurgle,
-John's handkerchief was stuffed into his mouth. Then in a swift
-whisper, while he still held the savage firmly, John ordered Coja to
-take the man's weapon and creep towards the boma. Giving him a
-minute's start, John suddenly flung the man from him, seized his own
-rifle, and sprinted across the open, overtaking Coja just as he reached
-the fence. At the same moment a shout was raised from the rear: the
-sentry had apparently been too much dazed to give the alarm before.
-Calling in Swahili and English to warn the garrison of their presence,
-John and Coja stood at the boma, looking vainly for a place to enter.
-There was an answering shout of "This way!" They ran towards it, and
-after stumbling for a few seconds, came to a narrow gap. John felt his
-hand grasped and was lugged into the enclosure: Coja followed him; and
-they were barely inside when a spattering volley of bullets tore
-through the thorn defences.
-
-"You did that jolly well," said a pleasant voice, and John was shaking
-hands with a young man of about his own height. "Come and have a talk
-in my blockhouse."
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER THE NINTH--A Rearguard Fight
-====================================
-
-The stranger led the way to the centre of the enclosure.
-
-"Here's my blockhouse," he said. "We've piled up the baggage, you see.
-I say, you're a trump, you know. Are any more coming up?"
-
-"I sent word to Fort Hall, but that's seventy miles from here, and we
-can't expect help for two or three days."
-
-"That's bad. We've been on short rations for a week and haven't got a
-single full meal left. My men are as weak as rats, and I've had a
-knock myself, as you see"--his right arm was in a sling--"so that if
-those fellows outside pluck up their courage to make a rush I'm afraid
-we shall be done for."
-
-"Not a bit of it," said John cheerfully. "How did you get hurt?"
-
-"An arrow made a gash in my forearm. I was in a bit of a funk at
-first; my men said it was sure to be poisoned. But I'm all right so
-far: had some antiseptic lotion, and the wound seems to be healing. My
-man told you how we got into this mess, didn't he? We've had an awful
-time of it; for six weeks on end had to fight and dodge these ruffians;
-and my poor father----"
-
-"Yes, I'm very sorry," said John, as the other stopped.
-
-"What I can't make out," went on the young man presently, "is why these
-fellows haven't rushed our boma. They were reinforced yesterday by six
-or eight men with rifles, Swahilis, too, to judge by their dress, and
-as I've only sixteen men left out of the forty we started with, and
-only five have rifles (four deserted with rifles yesterday), we
-couldn't have held out for an hour. There's a couple of hundred of
-them, I guess, and a dozen or more have got rifles or else smooth-bore
-muskets, and those at close quarters are just as dangerous as rifles,
-as we know to our cost."
-
-He did not say, but John learnt afterwards, that it was probably his
-own fearlessness and activity which had daunted the besiegers. He had
-had to get assistance in loading his rifle, and could only fire from
-the left shoulder; but as sure as one of the enemy showed himself
-within range he became a target, and several had been accounted for
-during the past few days. Having no doubt been informed by the
-deserters from his safari, however, that provisions had run short, the
-besiegers were quite content to play a waiting game.
-
-"What do you think we can do?" asked the stranger.
-
-John said nothing for a few moments: he was thinking hard.
-
-"I wish I could see your face," went on the other. "It's rather odd,
-this--two fellows who don't know each other talking in the dark. I
-don't even know your name."
-
-"Halliday," said John, adding with a laugh, as he struck a match; "take
-a good look while the light lasts."
-
-By the feeble light each saw a clean-shaven face burnt almost the
-colour of copper by the sun.
-
-"You aren't a bad-looking chap, and my name's Ferrier," said the
-stranger. "Can we do anything, do you think?"
-
-A listener might have smiled at the quick transition from banter to
-serious business. During the brief illumination, John had observed,
-how thin and worn Ferrier looked, and it seemed to help him to make up
-his mind.
-
-"Well," he said, "it's risky, but I vote we make a bolt for it."
-
-"Now?" asked Ferrier quietly.
-
-"No, but you'll do it, I can see. You don't say, 'How can we?' You
-see, we can't expect help for two days at the least, and it may be much
-more. You look worn out as it is, and another day without proper food
-might do for you. But we can save time by fighting our way southward,
-though it'll be a pretty risky business, as I said. The best time to
-clear out will be just about dawn; the fellows outside will be dead
-tired with watching and won't expect any movement then. With luck we
-may get a mile or two away before they find out we've gone."
-
-"Why not start in the dark?"
-
-"Safer not, I think. We could easily be rushed in the darkness, and
-any damage we might do among them wouldn't have half the moral effect
-it would have in the light, because they couldn't see it. Now give me
-an idea how the land lies round this place: I only saw it from the side
-I came in at."
-
-"Well, there's bush pretty well all round, but the ground's clearest on
-the east side. There's a gap in the bush there which would be the best
-road."
-
-"We'll make for that, then. But look here, you're dead tired, and
-you'll want all your strength to-morrow. Get a sleep: I'll see to
-everything and wake you when the times comes. What are your men, by
-the way? Swahilis?"
-
-"No, most of them are Bantus of one sort or another. I've got one
-Swahili; he's headman; and two or three Wakikuyu, strapping fellows who
-can shoot."
-
-"That's all right, then. Now go to sleep like a good chap, and don't
-worry."
-
-It was so long since Ferrier had enjoyed a good night's rest that he
-thankfully availed himself of the presence of a white man capable of
-taking command. John immediately set about his preparations for the
-sortie. He ordered the porters to make their loads ready as quickly as
-possible, discarding everything that was heavy or cumbersome and likely
-to impede rapidity of movement. Thinking over the position, he decided
-that the best plan would be to issue from the boma on the east side as
-if to pass through the gap. This movement, if detected, would probably
-draw the enemy to both sides of the gap, where they would wait in the
-bush, thinking they had the safari ambushed. But before reaching the
-gap he proposed to turn sharp off to the right, seizing a tongue of
-woodland jutting southward which he had noticed from his post of
-observation in the wood. Beyond that he could not make any plans, but
-must trust to the inspiration of the moment and the nature of the
-ground.
-
-All preparations being made, John told the men to sleep. He would keep
-watch until the moment for departure came. He walked round the
-enclosure to make sure that no ammunition or anything else of value had
-been left, inspected the spot where the boma had been cut to allow the
-egress of the party, and then sat down on the tent, which it had been
-decided to leave behind.
-
-Shortly before six o'clock he woke Ferrier, and Coja woke the men, who
-shouldered their loads, and the whole party moved silently across the
-enclosure. Some of the men removed the piece of the boma which had
-been previously loosened, and John led the way out. There was a slight
-mist over the ground, which favoured the escape. They had covered
-about two hundred yards in safety when there was a loud shout from both
-the camps of the enemy, proving that a determined watch had been kept,
-and that their departure had been discovered. A few shots were fired,
-and John caught sight of two or three black figures darting among the
-trees of the wooded tongue towards which he intended to march; but the
-absence of a general rush seemed to show that his anticipation was
-being justified, and that the enemy were swarming from their camps to
-the two sides of the gap. John threw himself down on a knoll and sent
-two or three shots into the woodland to check any movement of the enemy
-to station themselves there, which would be fatal to his plan. The
-result of his firing was that the men who had been scouting there
-rushed away to join their comrades in the bush skirting the gap.
-
-Now that the party was fairly out, John asked Ferrier to take the lead,
-while he brought up the rear with Coja. Ferrier at first demurred to
-this arrangement, protesting that the greatest danger would lie in the
-rear, and he didn't see why he should not share in it.
-
-"You shut up," said John, with friendly brusqueness. "We haven't time
-to argue. We can settle that afterwards. Don't go above a walking
-pace: if they think we are bunking they will make a rush for us, and we
-must avoid that at all costs. On you go: wheel to the right when you
-come opposite the end of the wood."
-
-Ferrier obediently went on with the unarmed porters and his six men who
-had rifles, including the one captured from the sentry, John and Coja
-marching behind with the man who acted as messenger, turning every now
-and then to guard against a rush, and not hurrying their pace though
-shots were dropping at unpleasantly close quarters. There were loud
-shouts from the enemy lining both sides of the gap when they saw the
-safari suddenly sweep round to the right towards the spur of woodland.
-Several men on the northern side at once broke cover and began to rush
-across the gap. John saw that the best service he could do was to hold
-this portion of the enemy's force in check until the woodland was
-reached, and so reduce their striking strength. The question was,
-could he and Coja and the one other man with him make things so hot for
-any of the enemy who tried to cross the gap that they would hesitate
-until it was too late? Another question which he dared not think about
-was whether the men with Ferrier would be steady enough to meet the
-attack from the southern portion of the enemy, which they could hardly
-escape. Telling Coja and the Baganda to shoot steadily, he took aim
-from behind a bush at the first man who crossed the gap, and dropped
-him. Coja aimed at the man immediately behind, but missed. A second
-shot from John, however, brought him down, and his companions, firing
-into the midst of a group of half-a-dozen who were following their
-leaders, gave a shout of delight when they saw two other men fall, and
-the rest immediately turn tail and scamper at full speed back to cover.
-
-"Come on," cried John.
-
-Leaving the bush from behind which he had fired, he ran towards another
-which would give still better cover and was at the same time slightly
-nearer the enemy. The distance was about thirty yards, and several
-shots were fired at them as they sprinted across. John felt a bullet
-slap through his helmet, but no other hit was made, and they reached
-the second bush safely. It afforded excellent cover against the enemy
-on the north side of the gap, but would have been useless against any
-that remained on the south side. These, however, had left their
-positions in order to deal with the safari making for the woodland,
-since it was plain to them that they would be at an immense
-disadvantage in the more open bush if the copse were once gained.
-Indeed, if they had had the courage and the quickness of perception to
-seize and hold this spur of woodland, the fate of the safari would
-almost certainly have been sealed.
-
-John, for the moment left unmolested, had time to look round, and saw
-with delight that Ferrier and his men had disappeared among the trees.
-But at the same time he realized that the enemy who had tried
-ineffectually to head them off from the woodland were now free to
-attack him, and there was a danger that he might be surrounded. The
-northern end of the woodland was about a hundred yards from the bush at
-which he had stationed himself, and there was no time to be lost if he
-was to get out of harm's way. It was a straight run across the open.
-From his experience of negroes' shooting he did not fear that a flying
-shot would hit him except by accident; the only question was whether
-all three could rush across the open space before they were intercepted
-by the other section of the enemy.
-
-Since delay was dangerous he ordered the men to follow him at full
-speed, and made a dash for the woodland. A few shots were fired at
-them, but luckily the movement had not been seen by the men he had most
-reason to fear, and by the time they were warned of it by the shouts of
-their comrades beyond the gap the three runners were safe among the
-trees. John felt that in the shelter of the wood the party might hold
-out all day against an enemy who was so reluctant to come to close
-quarters; but to be beleaguered in the wood would be no better than
-their situation within the boma, and it was necessary to press on to
-the south, both with the idea of lessening the distance between the
-safari and the force of East African rifles or Protectorate Police
-which he hoped was on the way from Fort Hall, and also of obtaining
-food. It was not easy to see how the party could cross in safety the
-open country south of the wood, and John felt the necessity of
-consulting with Ferrier. Accordingly he hastened on towards him.
-
-Soon he came upon Ferrier's askaris, who informed him that their
-master, having reached the extremity of the wood, had sent them back to
-assist him. Ordering them to remain with Coja where they were and keep
-the enemy in check if they showed any sign of advancing, he hurried on
-until he reached Ferrier. After explaining how matters stood, he
-suggested that Ferrier with the porters should hasten with all speed
-across the open country until they reached the clump of trees in which
-he had left his donkeys, about two miles away. The enemy would
-scarcely suspect that the party would emerge from the wood into the
-open, and he felt pretty sure that, reinforced by the rifles, he could
-keep them in play until the safari had reached its goal. The course
-proposed was favoured by the fact that the safari, by striking off in a
-south-westerly direction, would soon be out of sight owing to the
-undulating ground. Ferrier agreed to this plan, and John hurried back
-to the men.
-
-Nothing had happened during his absence. The enemy on the north side
-of the gap had not yet plucked up courage to cross, and the rest were
-apparently still lurking in the bush to the east of the stretch of
-woodland. John led his men back to the southern end of this, where he
-halted to watch the progress of the safari, and to assure himself that
-its escape had not been noticed.
-
-From this position he saw, a quarter of a mile to the right, a mound
-which would form an excellent defensive position in case he was
-seriously attacked, and he determined to betake himself thither as soon
-as the safari was out of sight. After waiting for a few minutes he saw
-the enemy, who had no doubt become suspicious, at last swarm from the
-further side of the gap and join their comrades. The combined force,
-emboldened by numbers, emerged from the bush, and appeared to be
-intending to make a dash upon the wood. John waited until they had
-come within two hundred yards, and then gave the word to his men to
-fire a volley. The effect was instantaneous. Several of the enemy
-fell; the rest made all speed back under cover. Taking advantage of
-the repulse, John ordered three of the men to rush to the mound, and as
-soon as they had reached it, he followed them with the rest. The
-movement was seen by the enemy, who, knowing now that the safari must
-have escaped them, and probably suspecting that it had already taken
-refuge on the other side of the mound, were at last impelled by their
-rage to make a determined rush to the spot. John and his men were,
-however, so well ensconced that their fire checked the advance, and the
-assailants, once more baffled, fled back either into the wood or to
-their former position in the bush. Twice they repeated the assault:
-each time they were driven back; and though they came closer each time,
-and sent a shower of arrows and bullets on to the mound, they were
-utterly unable to make an impression, the little party of riflemen
-lying flat on their faces at the top of the reverse slope, so that only
-their heads were exposed. During the last rush, however, Coja, who was
-vastly excited at this fight against odds, incautiously raised himself,
-and received a bullet in the shoulder. John was a good deal concerned:
-the mere shock of such an injury would have rendered a European
-helpless; but the African is not so highly strung, and Coja went on all
-day with admirable fortitude.
-
-John chose the moment when an assault had just been repelled to
-evacuate the mound, and keeping it between him and the enemy, to strike
-off to the south-west, intending to make a circuit and rejoin Ferrier
-at the clump of trees. He had marched for more than half a mile before
-the meaning of the movement became plain to the enemy. Seeing the
-little party now in the open, with no cover of any kind, the men set
-off with loud cries to intercept them before they reached the clump of
-trees which was the only shelter for miles. It was a race between the
-two parties. John was north-west of the clump, the enemy due north,
-and equidistant from it. Ferrier, who had reached the spot some time
-before, and was watching eagerly his new friend's manoeuvres, fired an
-occasional shot at the savages as soon as they came within range, but
-his single rifle was unable to check the advance. It was fortunate
-that John had somewhat easier ground than the enemy, sloping gently
-down to the clump of trees. He ran as he had never run since he won
-the quarter-mile in his school sports, and the negroes kept pace with
-him, in the fierce heat of the sun. Ferrier saw that he was gaining on
-the enemy, and shouted to encourage him. Another two hundred yards and
-he would be safe. On he came: now he was several yards ahead of his
-men, then they spurted and came up with him: and in another fifteen
-seconds the whole party gained the wood, the enemy being no more than a
-hundred yards away.
-
-Ferrier sent a shot among them which brought them to a halt. Even now
-they might have overwhelmed the little party, for John and the men were
-hot and breathless, and their limbs trembled so violently that for some
-seconds they were unable to hold their rifles steadily. But Ferrier's
-shot gave them the breathing-space they needed. Then all the rifles
-spoke together. A gap was made in the halted throng of negroes; there
-was a moment's hesitation; then with furious yells of rage and
-disappointment they turned their backs upon the clump of trees, and ran
-swiftly towards the distant bush.
-
-That was the last that was seen of them. John and the riflemen held
-the wooded clump while the safari, taking the donkeys, pressed on to
-the south. Then, when all danger of pursuit seemed at an end, he
-followed in its track and overtook it within two hours. No pursuers
-being in sight, he thought it safe to make a long halt for rest and
-food, both badly needed by the whole party, and especially by Ferrier
-and his men. Ferrier blessed John's forethought in bringing a quantity
-of food on the donkeys. It was only sufficient for one meal, and that
-not a very good one; but a little is a feast to men who are famishing,
-and there was great contentment among the negroes as they baked little
-millet cakes at their fires. When the march was resumed, John shot a
-wart-hog during the afternoon, which he allowed the men to cook and eat
-there and then. They camped for the rest of the day, building a thorn
-zariba and keeping a careful watch all night. Early in the morning
-they went on again, and passing through the friendly village and across
-the river, they came at midday to the farm. John at once sent
-Ferrier's headman towards Fort Hall to say that there was no longer any
-need of help. Then he committed the negroes to the care of Lulu,
-doctored Coja's wounded shoulder as well as he could, and asked Said
-Mohammed to use all his skill in preparing dinner for his guest.
-
-"Your esteemed order shall be punctually attended to," said the
-Bengali. "The honourable gentleman shall smack his lips and feel jolly
-well bucked up. I will do him tiptop."
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER THE TENTH--Driving Sheep to Market
-==========================================
-
-"I say, Halliday, you're in clover here," said Ferrier, as the two sat
-smoking in the bungalow after Said Mohammed had made their hearts glad
-with a capital dinner. "My grandfather made his pile ranching in
-Manitoba, and you'll do the same here."
-
-John laughed. "We're not paying our way at present," he said, "and I
-know my father grudged the money for his passage home again so soon.
-He'll grudge it still more now that his journey has turned out useless,
-and there are doctors' bills to pay in the bargain."
-
-The two young men had exchanged confidences during the latter part of
-their march to the farm. Charles Ferrier's father had been called to
-the Canadian bar, but he had never practised, his fortune being
-sufficient to keep him and his family in something more than comfort,
-and to pay for the sporting expeditions which were his real interest in
-life. Charles, who was twenty years old, had just come down from the
-McGill university, and his father had brought him to East Africa to
-"give him a run," as he put it, before he settled down to work.
-
-"And his ambition for me was that I should enter the Canadian
-legislature," said he, with a wry face. "It's not work much after my
-mind; I'd prefer ranching like my grandfather. Poor father! D'you
-think I ought to stick to his notion now that he's gone?"
-
-"I think every man should follow his own bent," said John. "The
-mischief is we mayn't know till it's too late what our bent is. For
-instance, I like this life out here, but I don't know I'll succeed at
-it, and some day I may eat my heart out because I didn't take up law,
-as my father wished. He's a good sort, and didn't urge it. Well,
-khansaman, what is it?" he asked, as Said Mohammed entered.
-
-"Entreating your pardon, sir, Coja has made a discovery and is in an
-excessive state of amazement, jolly well flabbergasted, as it were. He
-declares that when you went on donkeys to visit the honourable gent you
-took three rifles marked with initials D.H., but lo! when he examines
-the weapons brought back, he finds four. Q.E.D."
-
-"That's rum, certainly," said John. "How did one of our rifles get
-into the hands of your men, Ferrier? We took three, as Coja says.
-Your messenger had one."
-
-"I don't know. Wait a bit, though: didn't you bring three rifles into
-camp? Of course: you took one from the man you half throttled outside
-our boma. But how could that be marked with your initials?"
-
-"Tell Coja to bring it here, khansaman," said John. "I've a suspicion,
-Ferrier; we'll soon prove it."
-
-When Coja brought the rifle, John examined it carefully. It was a
-Snider.
-
-"It's as I thought, Ferrier," he said. "This is one of the rifles run
-off with by those porters of ours--the sweeps! I don't like the look
-of it. Looks as though they've started an organized band of
-freebooters. We shall have to report this at Fort Hall or Nairobi;
-perhaps you'll do that. I suppose you'll be off to-morrow to get that
-arm of yours properly attended to."
-
-"That's all right. It's beginning to heal, rather slowly though, and
-if you can put up with me for a few days I'd like to stay here. Food
-and rest is what I want more than doctors. Besides, if your deserters
-have joined that pack of savages they may make a raid on you, and I'll
-be of some use, even left-handed."
-
-"No, sah," said Coja, "bad man no come all dis way. Juma and dem
-debbils, oh yes! but not de Embe, oh no! dey never live for come long
-way."
-
-"Coja's right, Ferrier," said John. "By all accounts no natives will
-go raiding more than twenty miles from their village, except the Masai,
-and we haven't to deal with them. Juma and his Swahilis might come if
-they dared, but they won't venture without support. That'll do, Coja.
-How's your shoulder, by the way?"
-
-"Jolly fine, sah. Bill him give me stuff to put on, berry good magic."
-
-"There you are, Ferrier," cried John, laughing. "We've got a doctor on
-the spot. Bill is a Wanderobbo we've made friends with, a little old
-man who lives by himself and tells fairy-tales about a wonderful store
-of ivory belonging to him in an enemy's country. He's by way of being
-a herbalist, too, it appears. We'll have a look at his 'berry good
-magic' by and by."
-
-The magic turned out to be a decoction of herbs which Bill had smeared
-on Coja's wound, binding it up with leaves. He begged the new msungu
-to make a trial of it, and Ferrier after some hesitation consented.
-His wound healed more rapidly after the application, and Bill was
-delighted with the present of a few cents--without doubt the first
-doctor's fee he had ever earned.
-
-Ferrier remained for the present at the farm, his healthy constitution
-soon reasserting itself after the strain of his recent experiences.
-His father's death had left him his own master. He had an only sister
-living with an aunt at Toronto, and he wrote to her and to the family
-lawyers, relating what had happened, but saying nothing of his
-intentions. The letters were entrusted to his porters, whom he
-dismissed with the exception of three. On reaching Nairobi, the men
-would take the train to Kisumu, and reach their homes in Uganda by
-steamer across the Victoria Nyanza.
-
-It was more than a month since John had heard from his father. A few
-days after Ferrier's arrival he received a note which made him very
-angry.
-
- |
-
-"I'm on the mend. Doctor says my leg couldn't have healed better if I
-were ten years younger. Cousin Sylvia has been very good. Insists on
-making reparation for the damage (financial and physical) she has done
-me. 'Twas *her* chauffeur, and *her* motor-car, and so on. Upshot is
-that as you're getting on so well I'm inclined to accept her invitation
-of a run through the Continent. Will let you know when I sail. Cousin
-Sylvia sends her love.
-
-"P.S. Glad to hear you got the lambing over well. Be sure and *don't
-wean them too soon*."
-
- |
-
-This apparently innocent note made John furious.
-
-"You see what it is!" he cried, striding up and down the room. "That
-woman's got hold of him, and she'll marry him, and all our plans will
-be spoilt by an old--old--I don't know what to call her. Sends her
-love, indeed!"
-
-Seeing that John was in a passion, Ferrier wisely said nothing, and the
-storm presently blew over.
-
-The presence of Ferrier at the farm solved John's difficulty about the
-sheep and calves. He had rather more than 800 lambs altogether, of
-which 450 rams were for sale, and might be expected to fetch about £90.
-He had also fifteen calves, which might realize £1 each, and the £105
-thus gained would relieve his present anxieties and go far towards
-defraying the second year's expenses. In addition to these, there was
-a considerable weight of cheese to be taken to market. He had become
-so chummy with Ferrier that he did not hesitate to mention to him the
-difficulty about transporting the animals.
-
-"There's no difficulty at all," said the Canadian at once. "Take them
-yourself. I'll stay here while you are gone. A rest will do me all
-the good in the world. You must certainly leave a white man in charge,
-and I've come in the nick of time."
-
-"It's jolly of you," said John. "I'd accept your offer in a moment if
-it weren't for those blackguards who stole our rifles. It would be
-hard lines on you if they came and attacked you while I was away."
-
-"They won't do it. You told me yourself that you'd sent Bill out to
-see if he could discover their whereabouts, and he didn't hear anything
-of them. Besides, if they do come we can defend ourselves. They
-didn't show any eagerness to come to very close quarters with us, and I
-don't doubt for a moment that with my men and yours--I suppose the
-Indians can handle a rifle on occasion?--we could beat them off."
-
-"Very well, then: I'll chance it. I'll take Wasama and three men from
-the village: his boy can look after the cattle here. I shall have to
-hire another Masai to help when I get back: there's too much work for
-two now. You'll find Bill a great help; I wish he would come and live
-here, but he's an independent old boy and won't leave his little hut in
-the wood."
-
-"Hadn't you better take him with you? Four men won't be enough for the
-job. You must carry food and a tent, you know."
-
-"I didn't mean to take a tent. Why not camp in the open?"
-
-"You'd be rather sorry if it happened to rain."
-
-"But the rains aren't due for another month," objected John, looking at
-his almanac.
-
-"I dare say not, but they may start a bit earlier, and if you think
-you're going to get all those beasts to Nairobi in a week, or even two,
-you're mistaken. Remember the streams to cross and the thorn bush to
-get through. And you'll have to put a boma round the whole lot every
-night, and that will be a long job with so few men. You'll need twenty
-at the very least, my boy, so make up your mind for it. Ask Wasama."
-
-John had in fact felt some misgiving lest the party he proposed to take
-should not be strong enough to guard the animals against wild beasts,
-or natives who chanced to be hostile or predatory; but he was so
-anxious to economize that he had stilled his doubts. When Wasama
-backed up Ferrier's point, he yielded to the inevitable, and engaged
-fifteen more men in the village. Ferrier insisted on his taking the
-three Uganda men he had retained out of his safari, because they were
-not only trained porters, but very fair shots. John wished he had a
-horse to ride, or at least a mule, not caring about donkey-rides: but
-Ferrier chaffed him on his singular regard for appearances, and he
-decided at last to mount the best of the donkeys.
-
-One fine September day the safari set off, numbering twenty in all.
-Coja was very much depressed at not being able to accompany his master,
-but his wound was not yet sufficiently healed. The start was watched
-by the whole community, and as John rode off in the rear of the caravan
-he felt sure he heard Said Mohammed's high-pitched voice quote, "The
-lowing herd winds slowly o'er the lea," and proceed to a recitation of
-the Elegy.
-
-John had had an inkling of the difficulties of droving, but the reality
-turned out to be immeasurably worse than the anticipation. The
-animals, being young, could not be driven hard; their pace at the best
-was two miles an hour, and often less than one, and as frequent halts
-were necessary, the longest day's march did not exceed eight miles.
-The obstacles which had given only amusement or excitement on the
-journey from Nairobi caused exasperation now. There were many streams
-to cross, and it was often difficult to induce the sheep to face them.
-Sometimes they were almost invisible in the long grass, and when they
-came among thorny bush, the men had to use their knives freely in
-hacking a path for the beasts, causing hours of delay. For the first
-week all went fairly well. The bleating of the sheep attracted hyenas,
-but by dint of great vigilance and activity they were kept off, and
-only two sheep were seized. In crossing one stream Wasama had a narrow
-escape from the jaws of a crocodile; but the water in most ran so low
-after the dry season that it was easy to examine the beds and avoid
-danger of this kind.
-
-On the eighth night, however, John was awakened by the pattering of
-rain on his tent. It poured in torrents, and when he got up in the
-morning he found half-a-dozen sheep stretched lifeless on the sodden
-earth. It was still raining at the usual time for starting, and the
-animals could not be induced to move, but turned their backs to the
-wind and huddled together in a compact mass. The weather cleared about
-ten o'clock, and then a start was made; but the safari had only been an
-hour on the road when another downpour checked them. So it continued
-all day--drenching rain, with brief intervals of sunshine. John
-persevered, taking advantage of every bright period to move on a little
-farther; but when the rain finally ceased in the evening he found that
-during the whole laborious day he had not covered more than about three
-miles. Some of the sheep had lagged terribly, and it was quite dark
-when the last of them came into camp, and before they could all be got
-within the boma a couple of hyenas sprang among them out of the
-surrounding bush and killed several.
-
-This was only the beginning of trouble. It rained nearly every night,
-and every night some of the sheep died. The streams were much swollen
-and flowed so swiftly that it was only with the utmost difficulty that
-the men prevented the animals from being washed away. One river took
-two hours to cross, each individual animal having to be passed over
-from hand to hand. At another the current was so rapid that it seemed
-hopeless to attempt to cross it at all, until John, with a good deal of
-risk, managed to swim over slantwise with a rope, which he fastened to
-a tree on the further bank. With the help of this, every man and beast
-was got across safely, but with such an expenditure of labour that all
-were thoroughly exhausted. That night, to add to John's misfortunes,
-his donkey was killed by a hyena, and he was in a state of miserable
-depression when he started to resume his journey.
-
-The one satisfactory feature of the march was that the natives met *en
-route* had been friendly. The food was exhausted when the safari had
-been ten days on the road, but they had no difficulty in purchasing
-muhindi or cassava at the villages. John's rifle provided all
-necessary meat, and at one stream he shot a crocodile, the flesh of
-which was highly prized by his men. But the very friendliness of the
-people became a source of anxiety. They offered their services in
-helping to drive the animals, and at the end of a day when they had
-apparently been very useful, John found that six sheep had mysteriously
-disappeared. He blamed Wasama for not warning him of the thievish
-propensities of the volunteer drovers, much to the surprise of the
-Masai, who said he thought everybody knew that a man would take what he
-could get if he had the chance. After that, John refused all
-assistance, however generously it was pressed upon him, and kept a
-sharp eye on the natives who hung about the flanks of the safari. With
-all his vigilance he lost a dozen more sheep and a fine bull calf by
-theft, and he began despairingly to wonder whether he would have any
-animals left by the time he arrived in Nairobi.
-
-But everything comes to an end. One day, nearly four weeks after
-leaving the farm, he caught sight of the chimney-stack of the Nairobi
-locomotive works in the distance. Five hours later he trudged wearily
-into the town, conscious that he presented a deplorable and
-disreputable appearance. His clothes were torn and dirty; the sole of
-his right boot had parted from the upper and flapped as he walked,
-while that of the left boot had gone altogether, and he trod on his
-sock. He felt thoroughly knocked up, and after he had seen his animals
-safely penned, he could hardly drag himself to Mr. Gillespie's house.
-To his surprise nobody in the streets seemed to pay the least attention
-to his appearance; he supposed that such sights were not uncommon; and
-Mr. Gillespie did not start back with the look of horror which in his
-self-consciousness John had expected. The coffee-planter greeted him
-warmly, but had no sooner taken him to his room than he whipped out a
-clinical thermometer and stuck it into John's mouth.
-
-"Thought so," he said, when he examined it. "You've a touch of fever,
-and no wonder. You'll go straight to bed, my boy. We'll have a talk
-in the morning."
-
-After a hot bath, John was tucked up between the blankets and dosed
-with quinine by Mrs. Gillespie, and he fell asleep with a happiness and
-a sense of security to which he seemed to have been a stranger for
-years.
-
-He was better in the morning, but Mr. Gillespie would not allow him to
-quit his bed.
-
-"You just leave it to me," he said when John protested that he must see
-about selling his animals. "I'll go and take a look at them. You
-won't sell them for a day or two: they'll be all the better for a rest.
-I've just heard from your father, by the way. He's a gay old dog, upon
-my word, gadding about on the Continent. You must have written glowing
-accounts of the farm, or he'd have been back before this. I dare say
-there's a letter for you by the same mail: you'll find it when you get
-back. And how do you like ranching, eh?"
-
-They had a long talk, and Mr. Gillespie said he thought he had done
-very well for the first year. He laughed when John related the
-incidents of his march.
-
-"You'll get used to it," he said. "It's rather disheartening at first,
-but you may think yourself lucky the natives didn't bother you. When I
-first came out here ten years ago I had a running fight with one of the
-tribes for a week, and lost practically everything I possessed. Things
-are safer now."
-
-John told him about the desertion of Juma with the rifles, and the
-plight from which he had rescued Ferrier.
-
-"That's unpleasant," said Mr. Gillespie. "If you take my advice you'll
-go back by way of Fort Hall and report to the District Commissioner.
-He may be disposed to send a company of the Protectorate police to deal
-with the ruffians. I'm afraid it's not a big enough job for the King's
-African Rifles. Probably they won't trouble you again, however. Their
-ammunition will soon be exhausted, and they can't get any more."
-
-John remained in Nairobi for a week. He found that he had lost
-fifty-two sheep and one calf, besides his donkey; but Mr. Gillespie
-said that the animals were a healthy lot, and handed over 1500 rupees
-as the proceeds of the sale. The cheese fetched 100 rupees. John
-banked the greater part of the money, keeping a little to buy new
-clothes for himself, a few articles for the farm, and a fresh stock of
-"trade" for the payment of his native workers. Then, feeling that
-Ferrier might be growing uneasy at his long absence, he set off one day
-with his safari on the return journey, feeling pretty well satisfied
-with the tangible result of his first year's labours.
-
-He went by way of Fort Hall, as Mr. Gillespie had suggested. He found
-it to be only a fort in the sense in which that word was used to
-describe the stations of the Hudson's Bay Company in the Far North. A
-substantial house perched on a hill, with a solid stone wall and a
-ditch around it, the flag of the Protectorate flying from a staff in
-the compound, a few huts and houses, a jail, and an Indian bazaar: that
-was Fort Hall. The Commissioner received him hospitably, and listened
-attentively to his story.
-
-"Well, Mr. Halliday," he said, "the tribesmen certainly ought to be
-taught a lesson: in fact, they clearly have been taught a lesson. I
-don't know that I can do anything. I got your message, of course, but
-had no men available. You see, we don't care to start police
-expeditions if we can avoid it. It means great expense, and we want
-all our funds for peaceful development. Of course if you hadn't
-already given them a dressing we should have had to do something; but I
-fancy you've given them a fright, and they won't bother you again.
-You're rather far away, and a few years ago you would have had a very
-hot time there; but there are signs all over the country that the
-natives are settling down peaceably under our government, and the moral
-effect of the crushing of the Masai rebellion has been enormous. Let
-me know at once if you have any further trouble."
-
-The interview left John with the impression that he could expect little
-assistance from the officials. In this he probably did them an
-injustice. It is not altogether harmful that the settler should be
-self-reliant.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER THE ELEVENTH--Rhinoceros and Lions
-==========================================
-
-"I'm jolly glad you're back, old man," said Ferrier, as John marched in
-one day at the head of his safari. "Began to think you were lost. How
-did you get on?"
-
-"Splendidly," said John, cheerful after his quick journey home. "That
-is, pretty well; in fact" (as his memory and his sense of veracity
-awoke) "I had the rottenest time I ever had in my life. That sounds a
-bit of a muddle, I know, but I'll tell you all about it presently. How
-have things been going here?"
-
-"Splendidly: that is, pretty well; and I'm glad you're back in time to
-prevent me from having the rottenest time I've ever had in my life.
-It's just short of that at present."
-
-"What! Have those blackguards been bothering you?"
-
-"Worse! Lions!"
-
-"Oh! Is that it? I don't know that they're worse than the natives,
-though."
-
-"Yes, they are, because it doesn't come to a fair stand-up fight.
-They're cowardly, skulking brutes, and so disgustingly clever."
-
-John laughed at Ferrier's aggrieved tone and look.
-
-"Well, I'll get a bath and a feed, and then we'll talk it over," he
-said. "I hope our people have behaved well?"
-
-"Oh yes! Lulu has been a mother to me--at a distance, of course; and
-Said Mohammed has been a delight three times a day. But go and get
-your bath; you'll stand here talking for ever."
-
-Half-an-hour later John, having changed into a suit of white drill, was
-sitting at table with Ferrier in the little dining-room of the
-bungalow. It struck him as rather bare and cold-looking after Mr.
-Gillespie's comfortable rooms, and he resolved, if things went well the
-second year, to buy a few bits of furniture.
-
-"It wants a woman, you know," said Ferrier. "She'd rig up some
-curtains and make things look cheerful in no time. But you'll never
-get a woman to live among lions."
-
-"Verree true, sir--excuse the liberty," remarked Said Mohammed, as he
-handed the fish. "A lion among ladies is a most dreadful thing; for
-there is not a more fearful wild-fowl than your lion living."
-
-"That's how he goes on," said Ferrier, exploding when the Bengali had
-gone for the joint. "That's Shakespeare; next time it'll be Milton."
-
-"Did Shakespeare write that rubbish about the wild-fowl?"
-
-"Why, that's the excellent Nick Bottom in *Midsummer Night's Dream*!"
-
-"Never read it: we only did *Julius Cæsar* and *Henry V*. But tell me
-what's happened."
-
-"Nothing, for three weeks, except rain. My word, didn't it come down!
-I'm sorry to say some of the sheep died until we thought of covering
-them up at night. But a week ago I heard a lion roaring in the night,
-and in the morning a calf was gone. Last night it was two sheep. The
-boma's not a bit of good to keep them out. Why don't you put up some
-wire fencing?"
-
-"It's expensive, but I will by and by."
-
-"The lion got clear away the first time, but last night I was roused by
-the commotion among the animals, and managed to get a shot as he was
-slinking off: it was bright moonlight. I'm afraid I missed: my right
-arm isn't fit for much even yet. I wanted Bill to go and hunt him with
-me; but he wouldn't. I suppose he won't visit us again now you've come
-back: Coja said he's sure the lion's an afreet, which is devil, I
-suppose, and knows when the coast is clear."
-
-"I rather fancy he finds other game scarce in this rainy weather. It's
-much easier to break into the boma than to hunt game in the open, and I
-expect now that he's tasted blood again and got back his confidence we
-shall have some more trouble. We shall have to tackle him."
-
-"If you excuse me, sir," put in Said Mohammed, so respectfully that
-John could not resent the indiscretion, "I will tell you of the
-machinations of my prophetic soul my uncle. He has a small property in
-the Sunderbunds; choice site, excellent amenities, et cetera. There
-lurks the tiger, tiger burning bright. In my childhood innocence I
-resided with my avuncular relative, and he being a great shikari I saw
-some A1 sport. I should esteem it a privilege to be allowed to give
-you a leg up in hunting the abominable creature. The sahibs in general
-have derogatory opinion of us Bengalis; but I am a Socialist,
-gentlemen, in so far as believing in equality of chances, and I am
-cocksure that if only I get a look in I shall prove to demonstration
-that I am full of both grit and beans."
-
-"All right, khansaman, I'll give you a rifle and you shall come with us
-when we go after the beast. It may be rather exciting."
-
-"A regular beano," said Ferrier, sotto voce. "But I want to hear all
-about your droving, Halliday."
-
-John gave him a running account of his experiences, which were more
-amusing in retrospect than in actuality. They spent the rest of the
-day in going over the farm together. John was very well pleased with
-the signs of progress he saw everywhere. The sheep and cattle looked
-healthy; the second crops were in good condition; and the only failures
-among all the vegetables he had planted were the onions and artichokes,
-which had produced too much stalk and gave no indication of fruiting.
-
-That night a lion broke in and carried off a ram. John was too late to
-get a shot at the beast, and next day was too much occupied about the
-farm to go in search of it. But when Wasama came in with the sheep,
-somewhat earlier than usual, and reported that he had seen a
-black-maned lion with his mate on the edge of the bush, John determined
-to go out after them at once. It was the first time lions had been
-seen by day, and this sign of growing boldness convinced him that it
-was high time to attempt reprisals. He was accompanied by Ferrier and
-Said Mohammed with two of the Baganda, but by the time they reached the
-bush the lions had disappeared, leaving, however, a trace of their
-depredations in the freshly-picked bones of the stolen sheep. Roars
-were again heard at night, and John kept watch with Ferrier in
-anticipation of another visit; but as had happened before, no lions
-appeared, and they turned in towards morning very much disgusted.
-
-Next day John sent for Bill and asked him to lead them over the track
-of the lions. Meat was required for the larder, and he had determined
-to combine game-shooting with a lion hunt. News of his arrangements
-was carried to the village by one of the women working on the farm, and
-just as he was setting off, a dozen men arrived and begged to be
-allowed to join the party, their motive being probably a desire for
-excitement mingled with the hope of sharing the spoils. John's policy
-being to keep on good terms with them, he made no objection, and
-shortly after ten the party set off, consisting of the two white men
-with Bill, Said Mohammed (very proud in the possession of a rifle), and
-the three Baganda, the villagers following at a distance.
-
-Business coming before sport, Bill led the party along the river-bank
-where he expected to find the tracks of animals which had come down to
-drink. The proximity of the farm had had the effect of scaring
-antelopes and gazelles and the timider animals away from the
-neighbourhood. Already John had had to go farther afield for game than
-in the early days of the farm a year before. The Wanderobbo found his
-way among the dense vegetation by following old hippo paths, which
-crossed and recrossed in what seemed to the wasungu hopeless confusion.
-But he came after some miles to a region where there was an abrupt gap
-in the larger trees: a fairly wide and recent hippo path led through
-the tall grass on the crest of the river-bank; and the party began to
-be on the alert for game.
-
-Suddenly Bill halted and took a backward leap which nearly landed him
-in the arms of John.
-
-"Faro! faro!" he cried excitedly, and on John asking where the
-rhinoceros was, he pointed a few yards ahead, where, almost hidden by
-the grass, lay a huge bull animal right across the path, and apparently
-asleep. The white men had brought only their double-barrelled rifles,
-which were not the best of weapons for shooting rhinoceros, and John,
-having no licence for such big game, though Ferrier had, ordered the
-natives to shout, hoping that this would scare the beast away. When it
-remained unmoved he went to the river-bank on the right, and breaking
-off some clods of earth, flung them at the slumberous creature, which
-completely blocked the way. But this proving ineffectual ("It's like
-shooting peas at a Dreadnought" said John) there was nothing for it but
-to try a rifle shot.
-
-Ferrier went forward, cocked his rifle and fired, aiming at the brain;
-but though he was ordinarily a dead shot, his right arm had not yet
-fully recovered, and he missed. The rhinoceros was now thoroughly
-awake; snorting angrily, he sprang to his feet with extraordinary
-nimbleness for so unwieldy a brute, and after a glance round came
-charging full at Ferrier. He fired his second barrel, and this time
-hit; but the shot had no effect except to make the beast more furious,
-and Ferrier turned and bolted for his life. All the other members of
-the party except John had turned tail and fled away shrieking at the
-first moment of the animal's rising. John, licence or no licence, let
-fly with both barrels in rapid succession; whether he hit or not he
-could not tell; certainly he failed to check the charging beast, which
-made with lowered head straight for Ferrier.
-
-All this had happened in a few seconds. Ferrier was running hard, but
-it was clear that the rhinoceros must soon overtake him, and John knew
-that one blow from those terrible horns would inflict a fatal gash.
-His hand shaking with nervous anxiety, he reloaded, but when he lifted
-the rifle to his shoulder he saw that he could not strike a fatal spot,
-the animal being directly between him and his friend. He ran after
-them, hoping for some chance to give him a shot. At this moment
-Ferrier became aware that the rhinoceros was almost within tossing
-distance, and leaving the path made a sudden swerve to the right,
-plunging into the long grass. The animal immediately turned to pursue
-him, for the first time presenting his flank to John. It was a
-ticklish moment. John knew that his friend's life probably depended on
-his coolness. He steadied himself, took aim at a spot behind the
-beast's shoulder, and fired. He heard the thud of the bullet, but for
-a moment feared it had not penetrated the tough hide. The rhinoceros
-made a half-turn as if to charge his new assailant, and John, glad that
-he had at least diverted the pursuit from Ferrier, was preparing to
-fire his second barrel when the great form staggered, recovered itself,
-made two tottering strides, and then fell over on its side.
-
-The air was rent with jubilant shouts as the natives emerged from their
-hiding-places in the grass and ran towards the prostrate beast. They
-started back in affright when it made a last convulsive effort to rise.
-John put it out of pain with another shot, and the natives surrounded
-it and immediately set about cutting it up.
-
-"Thanks, old man," said Ferrier, coming up. "That's the second time."
-
-"I say, what's the penalty for shooting a rhino without a licence?"
-cried John, to cover his embarrassment.
-
-"The same as if you shot an armed burglar breaking into your house: the
-thanks of every honest man for ridding the world of a villain."
-
-Said Mohammed, who had watched the incident from a safe distance,
-wondered that two young men should talk so strangely at a time when
-they ought to have been overcome with emotion. That is the English
-way. John had once seen M. Perrichon in the play fling his arms round
-his preserver's neck and weep with gratitude. "What sickening rot!" he
-had said. "Come and have an ice."
-
-While the natives were cutting up the rhinoceros, the others marched
-on. They had no need to shoot more for the larder; there was at least
-a ton of meat on the huge carcase, which would last for several days.
-It was now a question of finding the track of lions. John went ahead
-with Bill, Ferrier walking with Said Mohammed a few yards behind. The
-Bengali was talking, and his high-pitched voice carried well in the
-crisp, clear air. John heard him say--
-
-"In my humble opinion, sir, backed by inestimable experience in the
-Sunderbunds, it was deplorable error of judgment to bunk. My uncle,
-sir, on that never-to-be-forgotten occasion when I shed the light of my
-countenance on his tiger-hunt, he put the tiger to dumbfounder and
-flight--how, sir? By standing firm as a rock, 'without or life or
-motion,' as the poet Coleridge beautifully says, and staring with
-unflinching gaze into the opposing optics. Moreover and in addition,
-he recited with unfaltering lips the words of a charm he had learnt
-from some old cock of a jogi--you have no word for that in your lovely
-lingo, sir, but, without disrespect, I might say parson. Tableau!
-Exit tiger. Triumph of mind over matter. 'He held him with his
-glittering eye,' et cetera."
-
-
- | "'The man recovered from the bite,
- | The dog it was that died,'"
-
-quoted Ferrier.
-
-"Oliver Goldsmith, sir," cried the Bengali delightedly, "who wrote like
-an angel but talked like poor Poll. I esteem it a glorious privilege
-to hold communion, even in humble capacity of cook and bottle-washer,
-with gentleman of literary taste and elegant extracts."
-
-The river-bank had descended until the path was almost level with the
-surface of the water, and passed several patches of reeds which Bill
-negotiated warily, saying that any one of them might harbour a lion.
-The white men followed him with growing excitement, and John confessed
-he felt rather nervous, not knowing but that a lion might at any moment
-spring up at their feet. He stole a glance at Said Mohammed, and
-exchanged a smile with Ferrier as he saw that the cook looked decidedly
-jumpy. Far in the rear came the villagers, eager not to miss the
-sport, and yet fearful to approach too near.
-
-All at once Bill halted and bent towards the ground. There were the
-unmistakable pug marks. Following the track with his eyes, but without
-moving from the spot, after a few moments he stretched out his spear
-towards a clump of trees about a hundred yards ahead, whispering,
-"Simba!" Neither John nor Ferrier could at first distinguish the lion,
-but presently two lionesses sprang out of the undergrowth, and made off
-with long low bounds across the plain. For a moment the white men
-watched their graceful movements with admiration, forgetting that these
-were the pests they had come out to slay. Then they set off in
-pursuit. But they had not advanced three paces when a huge black-maned
-lion showed his head among the bushes, snarling angrily. He stared at
-the strangers for a moment or two, then turned with another growl and
-trotted after his mates.
-
-"Come along," said John excitedly. "We can't get a fair shot at him
-yet."
-
-They set off at a run, not troubling about Bill or Said Mohammed, who
-followed at a discreet distance. They gained on the beast, but after
-running some three hundred yards found themselves rather short of wind,
-owing to the fact that they were in rarefied air at least 6000 feet
-above sea-level.
-
-"We shall spoil our aim if we get puffed," said Ferrier. "Better go
-slow."
-
-At this moment, however, the lion halted behind a tree, as if to check
-the pursuit of the lionesses, and stood watching the huntsmen, growling
-in a very threatening way. He seemed disinclined to budge, so John lay
-down on the path, and bringing his rifle to his shoulder, covered the
-huge head.
-
-"Confound it, look how my hand wobbles," he whispered to Ferrier. "I
-can't fix the sight on him. Be ready to shoot if I miss or just sting
-him, for he'll fly at us like the wind."
-
-He steadied his arm and pulled the trigger. The fierce head instantly
-dropped out of sight, and the air was filled with such appalling roars
-that John hastily fired the second barrel, in the hope of finishing the
-beast before he could charge. He had to aim by guess-work, and fired
-half-a-dozen shots before the roaring ceased.
-
-"Now the others," cried John, shouting to the Wanderobbo to keep his
-eye on the spot.
-
-He ran forward with Ferrier towards the lionesses, which had halted a
-quarter of a mile away, and could just be seen above the grass. At the
-men's approach they cantered off, and though the chase was kept up for
-nearly a mile, they always got to cover before the pursuers came within
-effective range, and finally disappeared among a large patch of reeds
-by the river, whence it was hopeless to attempt to dislodge them.
-
-"Better luck next time," said John, as they retraced their steps. "You
-shall have first shot, Charley."
-
-Returning towards the spot where the lion had been shot, they found
-that Bill had deserted his post. He was standing in the middle of the
-path with Said Mohammed, a good hundred yards away from any bushes or
-trees. The natives were chattering at a little distance.
-
-"Why didn't you do as I told you?" cried John, vexed at the possibility
-of having lost his quarry.
-
-"Conscience made a coward of him, I fear, sir," said Said Mohammed.
-
-"Well, go and see if you can find the lion. Get the natives to help.
-I don't know which tree it was we shot him at," he added to Ferrier,
-"but I'm not going back without his head."
-
-The party split up and made a systematic search, the natives beating
-the bush and long grass thoroughly with their spears. At last one of
-them shouted that he had found the simba, instantly running away from
-the spot at the top of his speed. There was no growling to be heard,
-however, so plucking up his courage he returned to the place with his
-comrades. When John reached them, he found the men grouped a yard or
-two from the lion's tail, jabbering in much excitement. The beast was
-stretched on his side, but John was surprised to see by the heaving of
-his flanks that he was not yet dead. Judging that the chatter of the
-men would have roused him if he had been able to rise, John went
-towards his head, but the moment the lion caught sight of him he
-uttered a terrible roar and to John's amazement sprang to his feet.
-Stepping hastily backward, John stumbled against Said Mohammed, who,
-believing like every one else that the beast was helpless, had become
-bold. The Bengali went down like a ninepin. John recovered his
-footing with an effort, and raising his rifle, fired at the lion at a
-range of four yards; but he was too hurried and agitated to take a
-careful aim, and the shot merely had the effect of throwing the
-infuriated animal on his haunches as he prepared to spring.
-
-All this had happened so quickly that Ferrier, who had been beating the
-bush in the opposite direction from John, had not yet come up. The
-sudden flight of the villagers apprised him that something was wrong,
-and as he hurried to the spot he was horrified at the sight that met
-his gaze. Man and beast seemed only a yard apart. He dared not shoot
-for fear of hitting John, and seeing that the shot had but momentarily
-checked the animal, he had given up his friend for lost when, as by a
-miracle, a sudden diversion occurred. The lion was leaping on John,
-who fired his second barrel with shaking hand and missed, when Said
-Mohammed scrambled to his feet and flew down the path, shrieking at the
-top of his voice. As if supposing that this white-clad yelling
-creature was his worst enemy, the lion changed the direction of his
-spring, almost grazing John as he fell, and bounded off after the
-Bengali, with such enormous leaps that escape seemed impossible. John
-hastily reloaded and fired, but he was trembling from head to foot; a
-mist seemed to rise before his eyes; and his shot went very wide of the
-mark. By the time Ferrier reached his side the chase seemed over; they
-thought that nothing could save the unlucky Indian. But when almost
-within the brute's clutches, Said Mohammed with the desperation of
-terror made a sudden jump to the right towards the river, as if
-intending to fling himself into it. The lion swerved after him,
-presenting his flank to the anxious spectators. Quick as thought
-Ferrier raised his rifle and, just as the beast was midway in his final
-spring, brought him down with a bullet through the heart.
-
-.. _`Ferrier raised his rifle, and ... brought him down with a bullet through the heart`:
-
-.. figure:: images/img-148.jpg
- :align: center
- :alt: "Ferrier raised his rifle, and brought him down with a bullet through the heart."
-
- "Ferrier raised his rifle, and brought him down with a bullet through the heart."
-
-..
-
-John heaved a deep sigh of relief.
-
-"Good man!" he said. "But what on earth is the fellow up to?"
-
-Next moment both he and Ferrier were shaking their sides with laughter,
-almost hysterical now that the tension was relaxed. The Bengali, too
-much overcome with terror to be aware of his safety, was scrambling up
-a thorn tree with an agility that would have done credit to a slimmer
-man. Up he went, frantically swinging himself from bough to bough.
-Half way up he lost his puggaree, snatched from his head by a long
-spike, and every stage of his ascent was marked by little bits of his
-white cotton dhoti left clinging to the branches. For some moments
-John was helpless with laughter, but at last he managed to shout to
-Said Mohammed to come down, for the beast was dead. The shout only
-made him climb the faster, nor did he stop until he was perched on the
-topmost branch, his white robe flapping in tatters about him. Nothing
-would induce him to budge until the lion's head had been cut off, to be
-carried back to the farm as a trophy. Then he descended, much more
-slowly than he had mounted, and with a piteous effort to regain his
-dignity that was too much for John and Ferrier, who turned their backs
-so that he should not see their amusement.
-
-These excitements were considered enough for one day, and the party set
-off for home, the natives carrying the lion's head and shouting a song
-of triumph. John said nothing to Said Mohammed until he thought his
-composure was restored. Then he said--
-
-"I owe you my life, khansaman. It was very plucky of you to draw the
-lion after you, and I shan't forget it.--Shut up!" he whispered to
-Ferrier, who emitted a sort of gurgle.
-
-A gratified smile stole across the Bengali's face.
-
-"I am quite bucked, sir," he said. "Your words are sweeter than honey.
-When your honoured parent returns to this vale of woe, my heart will be
-in my mouth when I say to him: 'Lo! here is your progeny, whom I, Said
-Mohammed, failed B.A. of Calcutta University, saved from the jaws of
-the lion. If I had not been on the spot he would have been absolutely
-up a gum-tree.'"
-
-Ferrier guffawed.
-
-"Why didn't you do as your uncle did in the Sunderbunds?" he asked
-presently, unable to resist the temptation of a sly dig at the failed
-B.A.
-
-"The absence of one ingredient, sir, spoils the sauce. It was rotten
-nuisance, but I forgot *in toto* the words of the charm."
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER THE TWELFTH--The Sack of the Farm
-=========================================
-
-At breakfast on the day after the lion-hunt Ferrier, who was silent and
-seemed embarrassed, said suddenly--
-
-"I say, old boy, d'you know I've been here nearly two months?"
-
-"What! Getting tired of it?" said John, with a smile.
-
-"Not a bit; only--well, to put it straight, I've been here so long that
-I ought to pay for my keep."
-
-"Rot!"
-
-"I mean it. It's all very well to be your guest for a week or two, and
-I'm jolly comfortable, but to hang on like this--no, really, I ought to
-pay something to help keep the pot boiling."
-
-"Now look here, Charles Ferrier, you're a very good sort, but I'm
-hanged if I stand that. If there's any talk of pay, I ought to pay you
-for your services. Five weeks in charge while I was droving--name your
-figure. Rounding up strayed cattle; looking after the natives--how
-much that lot? You do far more in a day than any hired man, as I
-believe you call 'em in your part of the world."
-
-"Well, I like it, and I've nothing else to do; in fact, I've a great
-mind to settle about here myself, and I would, like a shot, if it
-weren't for Hilda. I'm afraid it wouldn't do to bring her among the
-lions, as your khansaman said. But here I am, learning all about it on
-the cheap, and with no responsibility."
-
-"Look here, we'll leave it at that. I'm very glad of your company, to
-say nothing of your help, and as by the look of it that misguided
-father of mine has been hooked, and the widow must be rolling in money,
-I don't suppose we shall see him back here. He'll settle down in Park
-Lane, and die before his time of overfeeding. You stay on as long as
-you like, and if you're getting experience, I'm getting your services,
-so we'll cry quits."
-
-So it was left. The two young fellows shared in the management of the
-farm. They found their time pretty fully occupied, and a portion of a
-letter which John wrote to his father a week or two later may be quoted
-as showing how affairs at the farm were progressing.
-
- |
-
-The rains have stopped, and I've got all the planting done. I'm trying
-some radish and rhubarb this season; also carrots, which Mr. Gillespie
-told me are good for the cattle. By the way, that bull we called Moses
-because he's fierce, is off his feed; I don't know what's wrong with
-him, and you might send me Barton's book on common ailments. I don't
-suppose you'll find a copy in Geneva, or wherever you are now, but if
-you're not too busy to send a card in London, I dare say I'll get it
-when Moses is dead.
-
- |
-
-"That'll touch him up, Charley; he'll think Moses would be all right if
-he were here."
-
- |
-
-..
-
-I bought a few fat-tailed sheep from old Sobersides (the chief of the
-neighbouring village) the other day. He got them, he says, from a
-party of Rendili who were driven south of the Waso Nyiro by the drought
-in their own country. I don't suppose it's true, for Coja tells me the
-Rendili live a big long way beyond the mountain, and we've seen nothing
-of them.
-
-Sobersides tells us, too, that a gang of Swahilis have established
-themselves somewhere north of Kenya, and are raiding the surrounding
-tribes. As they've got guns, I bet they're that sweep Juma and his
-crew. That's all we've heard of them since we licked them.
-
-Ferrier is still here; says he's in loco parentis, and won't leave me
-till you return to your duties. I wonder if you tell the widow's
-children that you're in loco parentis?
-
-The lions have been quiet lately, since Said Mohammed saved my life;
-but as the mistris had next to nothing to do and were getting too fat,
-I have set them to build a stronger boma, of stout poles fastened
-together with transverse logs. That ought to keep the beasts out; at
-any rate it will give the place more the look of a respectable
-stockyard.
-
-I wish you'd ship a few merinos for cross-breeding. Our half-breeds
-aren't much good for wool. The May lambs were born with long coarse
-hair, though they grew a poor sort of wool at three months. Wasama
-doesn't like the woolled sheep; he says they're not like the sheep of
-his country, and persists in believing that the first woolled beasts
-were the offspring of lions and hyenas. What ignorance! as old Martha
-used to say.
-
-Out shooting the other day we saw a herd of zebras, and Ferrier has got
-a mad idea of catching some of the foals and taming them. We may try
-it if we come across them again, so don't be surprised if you see us
-riding to meet you on striped chargers. You, I expect, will be wearing
-striped trousers, light gloves, and a new silk topper.
-
-The failed B.A. is a perpetual joy. His latest. Ferrier found a hair
-in his soup the other night. "Accept humble apologies, sir," says Said
-Mohammed, as he took it away. "In such circs. I can best cheer you up
-by reminding you of a verse of the little but divine Alexander Pope:
-'And beauty draws us with a single hair.'" That may appeal to you, dad.
-
-I hope your leg is all right, and you're enjoying yourself. *I've* got
-to work for my living.
-
- |
-
-One day the younger Masai, who had taken a flock of sheep out to graze
-at the extreme west of the estate, came rushing in breathless and
-reported with intense excitement that the sheep had been driven off by
-some men who had pounced suddenly out of the bush. One was a Swahili,
-the rest negroes. They had carried him along with them for some
-distance and then let him go.
-
-"How many were they?" asked John.
-
-"Eight," replied the boy. "One had a gun."
-
-"Which way did they go?"
-
-The boy pointed to the west.
-
-"We can tackle eight, Charley. Coja, saddle up the two best donkeys
-and bring us our rifles. This is something new, Charley. I wonder if
-it's our friend Juma again?"
-
-"Rum thing, their letting the boy go, don't you think?" said Ferrier.
-"They must know we'll be after them, especially if the Swahili is Juma;
-it's not the first time you've chased him."
-
-"He reckons on getting away, or on our not finding the trail, I
-suppose. We'll take Bill with us."
-
-But when, riding their donkeys hard, they came to the little hut in the
-wood, they found that the Wanderobbo was not there.
-
-"He's gone for honey, I suppose," said John. "Never mind; we oughtn't
-to find it difficult to track sheep."
-
-They set off at full speed, and easily picked up the trail at the place
-where the marauders had rushed from their hiding-place in the bush.
-They followed it without difficulty so long as it led across grass
-country, but lost it for a time soon after they entered the bush,
-because there were evident signs that a herd of animals larger that
-sheep had recently forced a way. However, they recovered it again
-after ten minutes' search, and found from that point that it led in
-almost a straight line--so straight that John was puzzled.
-
-"I can't make out why they haven't tried to blind their trail and lead
-us astray," he said. "They must be very cocksure, or else they're
-trying to ambuscade us. We'd better keep a sharp look-out."
-
-They rode more slowly now, yet at a brisk pace, narrowly examining
-every specially thick bush as they approached it, and avoiding any
-clump of woodland that might give cover to the marauders.
-
-Suddenly, when they were a good five miles, as John estimated, from the
-farm, on ascending a gradual slope they saw from its crest the flock of
-sheep placidly grazing on a little patch of grass about half-a-mile
-below. There was no sign of the raiders, and the surrounding bush
-being very thin, they must have been visible had they remained in the
-immediate vicinity. Cantering down towards the sheep, which scattered
-as they approached, the riders dismounted, rounded them up, and
-proceeded to count them.
-
-"They're the Welsh crosses," said John. "Forty-nine--one missing. I
-can't make this out at all. Look, here's the trail of the men, let's
-follow it up. We'll tether the donkeys. The sheep won't leave this
-grass."
-
-The trail led them straight towards a wood a mile further on. At the
-edge of this they saw clear signs of a sheep having been slaughtered
-and cut up. Entering the wood cautiously, they followed the trail for
-some distance, finding that it wound towards the north. Both were
-itching to punish the raiders, but the trail became more and more
-difficult to distinguish as the wood grew denser, and at length, hot
-and tired, and as much mystified as angry, they turned back and came
-out once more into the open.
-
-"It's something to have got the sheep," said John. "But what was the
-beggars' game? They couldn't have seen us after them, and they
-wouldn't drive the whole flock so far for the sake of cutting up one."
-
-"Sheer devilry, perhaps," suggested Ferrier. "They knew we'd overtake
-'em before they had got very far, and I dare say are chuckling at
-having given us all the trouble for nothing. Rather a poor game, one
-would think."
-
-"Well, we'd better drive the sheep home. It's a long march, and
-they'll be pretty well done up by the time we get there."
-
-They remounted, and headed the flock towards the farm. Sheep, as every
-one knows, and as John had experienced on the road to Nairobi, are very
-slow travellers.
-
-"By Jove!" said Ferrier, when they had marched for an hour and covered
-perhaps two miles, "I begin to understand what your droving job was
-like. I should never have had the patience."
-
-"I'd give anything for a good sheep-dog. I must ask my father to bring
-one with him--or send one, if he doesn't intend to come himself."
-
-It was on the verge of nightfall when, tired and hungry, they came to
-the outskirts of the farm. They heard the bleating of the animals that
-had been already penned, and the flock, weary as they were, moved a
-little faster to rejoin their kind. Coming to the gate of the boma,
-John was surprised to find it open, having given strict orders that it
-should always be closed immediately after the animals were brought in
-for the night. There was not a man to be seen. Having driven the
-sheep into their pens, they hurried on towards the farm buildings.
-
-"What a smell of wood smoke!" said Ferrier, sniffing.
-
-"Yes; I hope they haven't set fire to anything. Ah! here's Wasama."
-
-The Masai came running towards them, followed by his son, the Indians,
-Coja and Lulu, all in great haste.
-
-"The bad men, *bwana*!" cried Coja, and began to pour out a story so
-rapidly that John, familiar as he now was with Swahili, could make
-little of it, especially as Lulu and the Masai joined in with great
-excitement. John silenced them, and asked Said Mohammed to explain
-what had happened. His story, told in more direct and natural language
-than John had ever heard from him before, was as follows. About
-half-an-hour after John had started in pursuit of the raiders Bill had
-rushed in, dripping wet, and reported that a large party of armed men,
-having raided the village north of the river, were marching rapidly
-down with the evident intention of swimming across and making an attack
-on the farm. The Bengali, according to his own account, wished to
-close the gate and bar the doors of the bungalow, and defend it to the
-last; but John afterwards had reason to believe that this was Coja's
-proposal, and he had found nobody to support him. Only a few minutes
-after Bill's arrival the strangers were seen rushing into the
-farmstead. The mistris, the Masai, Lulu, and the few women of the
-village who had been working in the fields instantly fled and hid
-themselves, who knows where. Said Mohammed went into his own house,
-and there awaited the coming of the enemy, resolved to die for the
-sahib whose salt he had eaten. The men seized him and dragged him
-forth, demanding that he should tell them where the rifles and
-ammunition were kept.
-
-"That made me very ratty, sir," said the Bengali. "What! should I tell
-tales out of school? But when those fearful bounders threatened to
-roast me at my own fire I reflected that it could not be your wish, nor
-the wish of your excellent progenitor, that a failed B.A. of Calcutta
-University should be roast joint for the sake of a quantity of
-villainous saltpetre, et cetera, and therefore I owned up. But while
-the banditti were gloating and slapping their backs I took French leave
-by the back door, and lo! ensconced behind the barn was Coja, who like
-me had saved his bacon."
-
-From their hiding-place they watched the proceedings of the enemy.
-They first of all carried all the rifles out of the bungalow; then from
-the little outhouse adjoining it they brought all the ammunition and
-all the "trade." The place had been stripped bare, as the Bengali
-found when he examined it after the men had gone. The negroes had then
-shouldered the loot under the direction of three Swahilis who had guns,
-and when they had marched off, the Swahilis had kindled a fire in the
-little space between the floor of the bungalow and the ground. Then
-they had hurried off after the rest. As soon as they had disappeared,
-Coja and the Bengali emerged from their hiding-places, and extinguished
-the fire with water from the rain-water tank near the dairy. Very
-little damage had been done, the incendiaries having been in such haste
-to overtake the rest of their party that they had not waited to ensure
-a good blaze.
-
-In the first shock of hearing this bad news both John and Ferrier used
-such language as might have been expected of them. It was only too
-clear now that the sheep-stealing had been a mere blind, cunningly
-devised to decoy them from the farm while the real raid was effected.
-To John it was a disaster. When he hurried into the outhouses and
-bungalow and found that rifles, ammunition, and every bundle of "trade"
-were gone, he felt that ruin stared him in the face. It is not
-surprising that, tired out after his long day's work, he saw things
-even blacker than they were. There was still a balance at the bank,
-Cousin Sylvia having insisted on paying all the expenses of Mr.
-Halliday's tour; though if John drew upon that there would be little or
-no reserve in case the second year's working turned out unprofitable.
-Meanwhile the actual loss was heavy, and the inconvenience perhaps
-greater, for without the "trade" he could not pay the labourers from
-the village, and what with the lack of wages and the damage to their
-employer's prestige, John foresaw a refusal to work any more.
-
-An examination of the bungalow showed that the floor was little more
-than scorched. Nothing had been taken from it except the rifles, so
-far as John could see. He kept very little cash, but that was intact.
-His rupee notes were always stowed for security in the pockets of his
-belt. It was clear that the raiders had come for arms and "trade"
-only, and having got what they wanted had wasted no time in merely
-looting.
-
-"We can't sit down under this," said John, when he had realized the
-extent of his loss. "Yet I don't know what on earth we can do. We've
-two rifles and twenty rounds apiece, against--how many did these
-ruffians number, khansaman?"
-
-"In mental arithmetic, sir, I am mere greenhorn, rank duffer; but from
-cursory squint I figure them at five hundred."
-
-"Oh, come now, that won't do. If they had been so many they wouldn't
-have been in such a hurry, Where's Bill?"
-
-"He has not come within my sphere of influence since he ran in like
-drowned rat to give us the straight tip, sir."
-
-"Well, get us something to eat. We're famished. By the way, did any
-one recognize Juma among them?"
-
-"No, sah; no Juma to-day, sah," said Coja. "Him berry much 'fraid to
-come heah, 'cause of Lulu, sah. Him show him face, ha! ha! she give
-him what for, sah."
-
-"Go and get your supper."
-
-John spoke irritably. Normally good-tempered, he was now unlike
-himself.
-
-"And I might have guessed it if I had any gumption," he said to
-Ferrier. "Juma took advantage of the sheep straying to run off with
-our rifles before, and it didn't require much ingenuity to invent the
-ruse."
-
-"Cheer up, old chap. You'll feel better when you've had some grub.
-It's very sickening, but as you say, I don't see what we can do."
-
-It was now quite dark, and they ate their supper in silence. Even Said
-Mohammed's excellent cookery could not overcome John's furious disgust
-at having been tricked. When the Bengali brought in an omelet he said--
-
-"A thousand and one pardons, sir. The wanderer, videlicet Wanderobbo,
-has returned, and asks for honour of confab."
-
-"Bring him in, and fetch Coja; it takes too long to understand Bill
-without him."
-
-Bill had come to report that he had followed up the raiders for several
-miles to the north. They had robbed the villagers of all their
-foodstuffs, and all the "trade" which they had received as wages for
-their work on the farm, and then marched directly northward, coming
-after a few miles to an encampment where they were presently joined by
-a smaller party from the west. When he came to this part of his story
-Bill grew much excited. In the leader of the smaller party he
-recognized one of the safari which years before had attacked his
-village, killed his people, and plundered their store of ivory--the
-ivory which by rights belonged to him, and which he would yet recover.
-
-"But that's nonsense," said John. "If these people seized his ivory
-years ago, it has all been sold long before this."
-
-When this was interpreted to Bill he was like a man demented, and
-poured out a torrent of incoherent speech which even Coja was unable to
-understand. John dismissed them both, thinking that the Wanderobbo
-must have brooded over some old grievance until it had turned his brain.
-
-"Bill's report has given me a notion," he said to Ferrier presently.
-"If they looted the village they'll be pretty heavily loaded and will
-go slowly. They won't march during the night, and if this business
-happened about five hours ago we ought to be able to overtake them if
-we start early in the morning."
-
-"But, my dear fellow----" began Ferrier.
-
-"Oh, I know it's a risk, and we're outnumbered, and we ought to be
-prudent, and all the other things that people say who sit in
-easy-chairs and wear goloshes. But it's the only thing to be done, and
-I'm going to do it."
-
-"But do you think it's right to leave the farm? Wouldn't your
-father----"
-
-"Hang--no, I don't mean that; I'm afraid I'm rather a bad-tempered
-brute to-night, old fellow; but look at it clearly, and you'll agree
-with me. If we sit down under this they'll try it on again. The farm
-will never be safe. We might as well cut our sticks at once."
-
-"Why not apply to the Government?"
-
-"Absolutely useless. To begin with, it would take time, and the
-raiders would be who knows how far away? If they belong to that gang
-we heard of who've got some sort of a fort up north, they're in a
-country where precious few white men have ever been, if any. It would
-be sheer folly to send a police column into the hills after a roving
-band of this sort. No, it's a settlers' job; it's one of the risks we
-run, like the lions, and we've got to deal with it."
-
-"Well, but how are you going to set about it?"
-
-"How are *we* going to, you mean."
-
-"A slip of the tongue, old chap. Of course I'm with you, all along the
-line. How are we going to set about it, then?"
-
-"Don't know yet. That's what we've got to decide before we go to bed
-to-night. One thing's certain, we must make up our minds quickly,
-start soon, and hurry like the very dickens, for if there's any truth
-in this tale of a fort, we must collar our rifles and ammunition before
-they get to it, or we're done. That's the first thing: to get our
-rifles back."
-
-"That's a large order. How many did they take?"
-
-"Four and a shot-gun. If they're the same lot we dealt with before
-they'll have about a dozen now. I know we don't stand the ghost of a
-chance of recovering them in a fight; that's absurd; but I rather think
-if we put our heads together we can find some way of diddling them."
-
-"If it's a matter of brains I'm conceited enough to believe we have the
-odds, but there's a lot to consider besides. We shall have to take a
-safari to carry provisions, and a pretty big one if we're going to
-bluff them. They won't bolt as they did before. Well, where will you
-get your safari from?"
-
-"The village. What are you smiling at? Snakes, I forgot they've run
-off with all my "trade." I've nothing to pay porters with. That's
-bad. Still, the chief has known us some time, and perhaps he'll trust
-us. I'll see, first thing in the morning."
-
-"Who will you leave in charge of the farm? Not the Bengali?"
-
-"Rather not. He may be a very Nimrod in the Sunderbunds, but he's a
-funk-stick here. No; Coja's a better man."
-
-"But you'll want him to interpret."
-
-"'M. Afraid I shall. I can rub along pretty well with Swahili by this
-time, but we may come across a tribe who don't know it, and that would
-certainly be awkward. Well, Coja must come with us, then."
-
-"What I suggest is that you should send a note to Mr. Gillespie and ask
-him to send up a respectable European to take charge. He might come
-himself; he hasn't paid you the visit he promised, and if you tell him
-what you're after I'm sure he'll do what he can. Besides, if we get
-bowled over, you know, it would be just as well he should have heard
-about the business beforehand, for your father's sake. And I'd send a
-note to the Commissioner at Fort Hall too; he may be inclined to
-stretch a point."
-
-"I'll do both. A good idea to get Gillespie up here, or some one he
-can trust. Of course if we're lucky we shall get our rifles and things
-and be back here long before he could arrive. But then we mayn't.
-I'll write before we turn in. That's settled."
-
-"Don't you think we ought to have some sort of a plan before we start?"
-
-"Our plan is to go straight after the raiders, and march two miles or
-more to their one."
-
-"That's all right; but what if they reckon on being pursued and lay a
-trap for us? You see, they were pursued last time, and they hadn't
-done nearly so much damage then."
-
-"That's true," said John; "but on the other hand there's such a lot of
-them this time--we can divide Mohammed's five hundred by five--there's
-such a lot that they may think we'll not attempt to bring them to book.
-Still, we ought to be on our guard. The worst of it is that if we have
-to go carefully we shall have to go slowly, and time's everything in
-this job. Hand me a cigarette and let's think it over."
-
-"Any good asking Bill?"
-
-"Not a bit. He can do tracking, follow his nose, but that's about all.
-Besides, he's so cranky just now that he's fit for nothing. I wonder
-how much truth there is in this ivory yarn of his? We may get to the
-bottom of it by and by. But this plan of ours--any ideas, Charley?"
-
-"Not a ghost of one. We *must* follow the track, and that may lead us
-into an ambush."
-
-"Wait a bit, though. If we could march on a line parallel to it we
-might go as fast as we liked without much danger."
-
-"How could we do that--far enough away from it not to be spotted, and
-yet near enough not to lose it?"
-
-"Of course we couldn't all go together; some one must keep on the
-track, and that must be Bill for one."
-
-"That wouldn't be much good. How could we keep in touch with him?
-I've got a field-glass, but that will be useless if we have to go
-through much wood. We can't rig Bill up with wireless!"
-
-"No, but I'll tell you what we can do. You take the safari on the
-parallel line; I'll go with Bill and take my pocket-mirror with me. It
-will make a fine heliograph. You know the code, of course?"
-
-"I do, as it happens. I could signal back with my watch-case. But
-that won't help us if there's a wood or a hill between us."
-
-"Well, we must chance that; and as Bill and I shall be able to go much
-faster than you with the safari, we can come over to you if necessary;
-you see what I mean: come and go between the two tracks and yet keep up
-with you."
-
-"I think that's got it. I suppose it's no use thinking what we'll do
-when we come up with the raiders?"
-
-"No; all will depend on when we find them, and where. I'm not going to
-think of that, and as we shall have to be up early to interview the
-chief and get our things together, I vote we go to bed."
-
-"Don't forget your letters."
-
-"Right. Off you go. Goodness knows when we'll sleep next."
-
-John wrote the two letters he had spoken of, and a third, a brief note
-to his father explaining what had happened. Then he went to bed
-thoroughly tired out, and slept like a top.
-
-Next morning one of the most serious of his difficulties was
-unexpectedly removed. As soon as it was light, the chief came over
-from the village with some of his people to beg the msungu to follow up
-the bad men and recover the stores they had stolen. John jumped at the
-opportunity. He agreed to do so if the chief would allow forty of his
-strongest young men to act as porters. He pointed out that the
-villagers had as great a cause of quarrel with the raiders as he had
-himself, so that the bargain he proposed was reasonable. The chief
-agreed to it at once. John's recent exploits in slaying the rhinoceros
-and the lion, his former successes against the raiders, and above all
-his fairness and punctuality in paying the villagers for their labour,
-had won him the respect of his neighbours, and they joined him with
-full confidence that the expedition would be successful. Preparations
-were quickly made, a considerable quantity of food was packed up, two
-runners were sent off with the letters, and by seven o'clock the safari
-was ready to start.
-
-At the last moment Said Mohammed came up to John.
-
-"With submission, sir," he said, "I offer myself as unit in this
-expeditionary force. I undertake to be no cipher, but integer, sir,
-and not a minus quantity. Need I remind you of the saying of some
-great and glorious general whose name I have forgotten, that an army
-marches upon its tummy? *Verb. sap*. Grub, sir, is the sinews of war,
-and astounding military gumption is no go without a cook. Furthermore,
-was I not honoured to interpose unworthy corpus between raging lion and
-your honour's nobility? If so, what is a life saved if not also
-preserved? Permit me, therefore, to be the life-preserver."
-
-"All right. Hurry up! No time to waste," said John, remarking to
-Ferrier, as the Bengali went off to fetch his bundle: "I suppose he's
-afraid the place will be attacked again in our absence."
-
-"A bad look-out if it is."
-
-"Well, we shall soon find out whether the whole gang of the raiders are
-on the march. If they are, I don't think they'll come back, and as
-nobody else has molested us for more than a year I think we may be
-pretty easy. Now, khansaman, buck up; we're off."
-
-John had already decided that every member of the party should go on
-foot. Donkeys might prove a great nuisance if the country was
-difficult; moreover, mounted men would form conspicuous objects in the
-plains. Accordingly Ferrier and he had donned stout-soled boots, and
-set off to tramp after Bill and Coja, who had gone ahead with the chief
-to select the men for the safari. Said Mohammed brought up the rear.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER THE THIRTEENTH--Tracking the Raiders
-============================================
-
-The two white men had just forded the river when they met the porters
-marching to the farm to fetch the loads laid there in readiness for
-them. It was plain that the chief was in earnest, for the forty young
-men were the most stalwart in his community. Each carried his bow and
-arrows, and as John turned and watched them striding lithely along he
-thought they would prove no mean antagonists in a fight. He went on
-with Ferrier to the village, had a short conversation with the chief,
-and then set off with Bill on the trail of the raiders, leaving Coja
-and Said Mohammed to bring the safari. He wished to go a few miles
-ahead in order to examine the trail and get some guidance of his course
-before the others came up.
-
-At the outset the spoor was very easy to follow. The ground in the
-immediate neighbourhood of the village was soft red soil, on which the
-print of feet could be clearly seen. But it was impossible at first to
-distinguish the marks of the raiders from those of the villagers.
-Presently, however, they came to a stretch of grass-land, the grass
-cropped short by the villagers' cattle. Here again the trail was so
-crossed and mingled with the hoof-marks of the animals that had grazed
-there since daybreak that it was impossible to learn anything from it.
-But by and by the grass grew longer, and the passage of a numerous body
-of men through it was plainly indicated. There were two distinct
-tracks, one a narrow path, the other, a few yards to the left, broader.
-Both the white men were sufficiently experienced in African travel to
-know that the former was the track of the bearers among the party,
-proceeding in single file; the latter that of the Swahilis, who,
-insolent in their strain of Arab blood, domineer over the native tribes.
-
-"They're going pretty fast," said John, as they marched on; "fast, that
-is, for men carrying loads."
-
-"How do you know?" asked Ferrier.
-
-"By the look of the spoor. Stop a minute and bend down. Here are the
-footprints of the niggers, you see, about thirty inches apart. Every
-man trod in the steps of the man in front, so that the prints are
-particularly clear. I know they went fast because their feet turned in
-a lot; look at the marks; you can't carry a load at any pace with your
-feet splayed. Now look at the other trail. The footsteps are farther
-apart--three feet, I should think; and one or two of the men had
-sandals; there's a flatter impression than bare feet make. I rather
-guess that the Swahilis set the pace and made the natives keep up: they
-could do that because if there's a lot of them they needn't all carry
-loads at the same time."
-
-"I say, we could have done without Bill," said Ferrier, with a laugh,
-as they went on. "Did he teach you that?"
-
-"No. I did some scouting at school. Bill can't make any inferences
-from what he sees, but he's got sharper eyes than I have, and can often
-spot the trail when I've lost it, especially on hard ground. The worst
-of this habit of marching in Indian file is that one can't tell how
-many the party consists of; at least, I can't; perhaps a more
-experienced scout could judge from the depth of the impression of the
-footprints. Look here; just as I thought. They stopped here to change
-loads. The Swahilis made a group here; the carriers put their loads on
-the grass at the side of the path; see how it's pressed down. Here's
-the mark of one of my ammunition boxes, I'll swear; and the next man
-had a cargo of maize; here are some of the grains."
-
-"How far do you reckon they went before camping?"
-
-"Well, judging by what Said Mohammed said, they made their attack
-between one and two--the hottest part of the day, when everybody would
-be sleepy. Allowing a couple of hours to sack the village and get the
-loads together, they might start at four and march till seven, so that
-in about an hour's time we ought to get to their last night's camp.
-The trail runs fairly straight, so it looks as if they're making direct
-for their refuge in the hills, and I hope to goodness it's pretty far
-away: the farther it is the better our chance of coming up with them
-before they get there. It runs west-nor'-west, you see" (he had taken
-out his pocket compass), "which leads to the foothills of Kenya. We
-ought to find ourselves on rocky ground presently, and may lose the
-trail."
-
-"Hadn't we better wait for our men now?"
-
-"We'll come to the raiders' camp first. Coja won't lose us; and I want
-to see what sort of camp they made: it may help us."
-
-They hastened on. At one point the track swerved to the east to avoid
-a steep incline, but returned to its former direction immediately that
-had been passed. At another it led due west, skirting a swamp, at the
-edges of which the footprints were still deeper in the soft mud, which
-was, however, beginning to dry in the sun's rays. Then it crossed a
-shallow stream, and John wondered at first why the raiders had marched
-for some little distance up the bank before crossing, since the stream
-was fordable anywhere. He understood when Bill pointed to a long
-depression in the soft earth at the brink: a crocodile had lain there,
-and the men had given it a wide berth, for if it had heard or seen them
-it would have slipped noiselessly into the water and seized some
-hapless fellow as they crossed.
-
-At length, after a rapid march of two hours, during which they had
-covered, as John estimated, about eight miles, they came suddenly to an
-open glade in the midst of scrub, where there were clear signs of the
-previous night's encampment. A thorn boma was left partly standing.
-Within it there were the black marks of fires, and a circular patch of
-discoloured grass where the loads had been stacked. Here John decided
-to halt and await the arrival of the safari. The smell of burnt wood
-was still so strong that he guessed the raiders had not made a very
-early start, giving him the hope of coming up with them before
-nightfall if his men would be content with a short rest.
-
-It was an hour and a half before they came up, very hot and tired, Coja
-having not allowed a halt until they reached the stream, where they had
-delayed for a little while to drink and cool their feet. Judging that
-the raiders were quite out of sight, a belt of forest stretching across
-the country about a mile ahead, John did not think any harm would come
-of lighting fires; accordingly the men set about cooking their
-breakfast, and Said Mohammed made some coffee, which the white men
-drank out of tin mugs, with condensed milk. John took the opportunity
-to explain to the men that he wished to set off without delay,
-promising that with good luck they should recover their stolen goods
-before next morning. After an hour's rest, therefore, he gave the
-order to march.
-
-They now adopted the plan he had arranged with Ferrier over night.
-They had come into country favourable to an ambuscade, and it was
-advisable to take all precautions. On starting, Ferrier and the safari
-struck off to the right, leaving John to follow the trail with Bill.
-The latter kept close to the track so long as it led over open country,
-where no trap was possible; but as soon as they reached the wood, John
-heliographed with his pocket mirror to Ferrier, now nearly a mile to
-the east, to halt until he had scouted among the trees. For some time
-there was no answering flash to his signals, and he feared the safari
-was out of touch, but after repeated trials the answer came, and he
-knew that all was well. John then entered the wood with Bill very
-cautiously, and found it so thick, and the ground so densely covered
-with undergrowth, that it was impossible to see the trail. There was
-nothing for it but to penetrate to the other side, and they did this as
-rapidly as possible, John thinking it scarcely probable that the
-raiders would have attempted to lay a trap for them in the wood, where
-there was no path. John found this the most trying experience he had
-yet encountered. Here he had to climb over a dead tree-trunk: there to
-cut his way through a jungle of bamboos, every stroke of his knife
-shaking a shower of dew from the canopy overhead until his shirt was
-soaked. He was unable to see a yard in front of him. His progress was
-all the more difficult because the wood covered a steep slope. It took
-nearly half-an-hour to get right through, though the distance in a
-straight line was less than half-a-mile: then they came out upon a sort
-of rocky plateau, and John got one of his rare glimpses of Mount Kenya,
-far to the west, its snow-clad peaks, for once clear of mist, gleaming
-dazzlingly in the sunlight. Leaving Bill to recover the trail, he
-hastened back to heliograph that the safari might advance, and by the
-time he had once more penetrated the wood and rejoined the Wanderobbo,
-Ferrier had come within sight in a hollow a mile and a half to the
-east. Bill having not yet found the trail on the hard ground, John
-signalled to Ferrier to halt again; the delay was vexatious, but it was
-important that the advance should not be continued until he had made
-quite sure of the direction.
-
-Finding Bill at fault, John cast about for the lost trail in a
-systematic way. He laid down his rifle to mark the spot where he had
-emerged from the wood, and sent Bill to the left, himself going to the
-right, to examine the ground in ever-widening circles. The difficulty
-was greatly enhanced by the fact that almost all the raiders were
-barefooted, so that there was nothing to mark their passage over the
-hard soil. After searching for half-an-hour in the sweltering heat,
-and almost despairing, John suddenly observed, about two hundred yards
-from the spot where he had left his rifle, a tribe of black ants very
-busily engaged. Looking more closely, he was delighted to see that
-they were running over and over a grain or maize. Bill came up at his
-call, and instantly flinging himself upon his face, and peering along
-the surface of the soil northwards, he declared he saw marks of the
-scraping of sandals. John hastened in that direction, and within a few
-yards came upon a small round depression whence a pebble lying near by
-had evidently been kicked. He had no doubt that the trail was at last
-recovered, so he sent Bill back for his rifle, and then, finding from
-his compass that the line between the grain and the hole led in a
-north-westerly direction, towards a low hill, he ventured to set his
-course thither, finding, as he progressed, slight traces on the soil
-that proved his judgment to be correct.
-
-The hill was about two miles away, and by the time he reached it he was
-so fatigued with trudging over the shelterless plain under the fierce
-sun that he was glad to throw himself under a thorn-bush at the foot of
-the slope and rest, first signalling his intention to Ferrier. An hour
-after, he rose and scouted to the top of the hill, being careful not to
-expose himself on the skyline, and lying down to take a good look round
-before proceeding. The plain stretched as far as the eye could reach,
-slightly undulating, with patches of grass and scrub. There was no
-sign of the raiders, but a herd of wildebeeste were quietly grazing
-half-a-mile ahead, from which John concluded that no men had recently
-passed that way. The march therefore was resumed. Half-an-hour
-afterwards he caught sight of a party of natives on a hill to the
-right, and at once signalled to Ferrier to examine them through his
-field-glass. In a few minutes he saw flashes, and made out from the
-message that there were no Swahilis among the natives, nor did they
-carry loads, but appeared to be a hunting party. From Ferrier's report
-it did not seem that any danger would attend an advance. Accordingly
-the march was continued, and shortly afterwards the natives caught
-sight of the safari and bolted into the bush. John wondered whether
-they would carry news of his approach to the raiders, but soon made up
-his mind to the contrary, for if what had come to his ears was true,
-the Swahilis had established a reign of terror in the district, and the
-neighbouring tribes would rather avoid them. It struck him, however,
-that it was very necessary to be even more carefully on his guard
-against premature discovery by the raiders, for these would force any
-natives they came in contact with to join their safari and fight for
-them. As it was now drawing towards nightfall, and there seemed no
-chance of coming up with the raiders, he decided to call a halt, and,
-striking to the right, joined Ferrier. The men, who had marched
-without a murmur through the hottest hours of the day, were very glad
-to drop their burdens and camp. Tired though they were, they at once
-set about surrounding the encampment with a boma. While they were
-doing this, John and Ferrier, accompanied by Bill, scouted for about
-two miles ahead to make sure that the raiders had not encamped in the
-vicinity, in which case an accidental noise might betray the safari.
-Discovering no sign of their presence, they returned to the men. They
-deliberated whether it was safe to light fires, and decided not to do
-so, though it meant a cold and dry supper.
-
-Before they went to sleep, Bill, who was not usually communicative,
-told John more completely, with Coja's aid, the story of which he had
-hitherto given only scattered hints. He said that they were now
-drawing near to his own country, which lay only four marches distant
-beyond the mountain. Between it and their present camp was the country
-of the bad men. A long time ago he had been one of a considerable
-tribe, who for many years had enjoyed good hunting. Large herds of
-elephants had infested their country, and they had slain some with
-their spears in open hunting, but more by snaring them in pits. The
-flesh they ate, the tusks they buried for fear of the Masai and the
-Rendili, who plundered the weaker tribes. They were waiting for the
-coming of a safari to which they might sell their store of ivory.
-
-The waiting was long, but the safari came at last--a large safari,
-commanded by brown men, not white men like the *bwana*, nor black like
-the people of those parts. Coja explained that Bill referred to Arabs.
-One member of the safari was the very man whom he had seen among the
-raiders. The Wanderobbo began to bargain with the Arabs, but these, as
-soon as they learnt where the ivory was buried, had treacherously
-fallen upon the tribe, and massacred all except a few women whom they
-spared to make slaves of, for the transport of the treasure. Bill had
-escaped by shamming dead when the slaughter was going on, and, lurking
-in the woods, he saw his wife among the slaves whom the Arabs loaded
-with the ivory. He followed the safari when it marched off with the
-spoils, and came in its track into the country of the bad men, who
-secretly gathered around it, and early one morning fell upon it in a
-fierce assault. From the shelter of a thick tree Bill watched the
-fighting. The Arabs had fire-sticks, and slew many of the bad men; but
-after a time they ceased to make the big noises; the fire-sticks had
-lost their magic. Seeing this, the bad men attacked still more
-fiercely, and in greater numbers. A whole day the fight lasted, and
-did not cease until night fell. Creeping up to the Arabs' camp and
-climbing a tree, Bill saw them bury the ivory by the light of their
-fires, working hard all night, and before morning came they broke out
-of their camp and forced a way through the enemy. These, following
-their custom, waited until daylight before they pursued the Arabs; then
-they set off, having no fear of them now that the firesticks were
-silent. Bill was too frightened to follow them up, but he learnt
-afterwards that the bad men caught the party up in two days and slew
-every one, and also the Wanderobbo whom they had enslaved. It was
-clear, however, that one at least had escaped. Bill remained in the
-tree until the bad men had gone, and then slipped away and took refuge
-with a Masai tribe south of his old home. But a time came when
-disaster overtook the Masai. Disease seized upon their cattle: they
-roamed about and suffered heavy defeats in war: and at length Bill left
-them, when almost starving, and built himself the little hut in the
-wood where John had found him.
-
-Now he was happy. The msungu had been his friend. He had brought him
-into the very country of the bad men: and when he had punished the
-people who had robbed him, surely he would go farther, a little
-farther, and recover the ivory which lay in the earth awaiting its
-rightful master.
-
-"But did not the bad men take it when they had killed the Arabs?" asked
-John.
-
-No: they might have sought for it, but they would never find it. They
-could not tell where it had been concealed, and if they had returned to
-the camp they would not have discovered it, for the Arabs had strewed
-ashes from their fires over the spot, to hide the disturbance of the
-earth. Bill knew where it was; he could lead the msungu straight to
-the spot; and the msungu who had been his friend would show his
-friendliness still, and would perhaps buy the treasure when it was laid
-bare.
-
-"What do you think of it?" John asked Ferrier, as they talked it over
-together.
-
-"It sounds like a fairy tale. You may be sure that the 'bad men' did
-find it. They would naturally suppose it had been buried in the camp
-and search for it there."
-
-"I'm not so sure. They're not a very intelligent lot, to begin with.
-Imagine a crowd of chawbacons----"
-
-"What are they?"
-
-"Oh, I suppose you haven't got 'em in Canada--raw country yokels who
-haven't any ideas beyond beans and bacon. Imagine them in the same
-case, chasing a party for twenty miles or more and then finding that
-they hadn't got what they supposed they had. They wouldn't know but
-what the treasure had been hidden anywhere along the twenty miles run,
-and they'd adjourn to the nearest 'pub.'"
-
-"You may be right, though I guess no Canadian would give it up so soon.
-Anyway, we can't help the old fellow, can we?"
-
-"We've got our own job to see through first, and that will be tough
-enough, I expect. The beggars must have marched at a tremendous pace,
-and we shall be short of food soon. If we don't catch them to-morrow
-we shall be in a pretty bad way, for the country seems practically a
-wilderness. But we won't croak yet. I'll take first watch while you
-sleep: I'll wake you at midnight; and we'll make an early start."
-
-The camp was astir while it was still dark, and at dawn was on its way,
-observing the same precautions as before; indeed, John was even more
-careful, for being ignorant how far ahead the raiders were, it was
-necessary to run no risk of approaching them too rapidly. Again the
-course took a north-westerly direction, but after skirting one of the
-larger foothills of Mount Kenya, it bore a little more to the west.
-Bill said that they were now marching almost straight towards his old
-home. After two hours they came upon the site of the raiders' last
-camp, and John, finding the ashes of the fires warm, though the sun had
-not yet broken through the morning mist, concluded that they had been
-raked over not more than two hours before. This caused him some little
-uneasiness. Though no attempt had been made hitherto to trap the
-pursuers, he was still alive to the possibility of such an ambush being
-laid: it was possible also that the raiders had left a rearguard to
-advance behind the main body, after they had assured themselves that
-there was no pursuit. These considerations led him to swerve from the
-direct track, and proceed through a belt of scrub half-a-mile to the
-right of it, Ferrier with the safari marching at the same distance
-still farther to the east, and only at intervals being in sight. He
-intended to return to the track from time to time, when a favourable
-opportunity occurred, to make sure that he was still proceeding in the
-right direction.
-
-It was fortunate that he adopted this precaution, for the first time he
-struck off to the left to revisit the trail he was astonished to find,
-distinctly imprinted on the dewy grass, the footsteps of men going in
-the reverse direction. The sun being now up, he at once signalled to
-Ferrier to halt, and then carefully examined the new trail. It was
-quite fresh; the trodden grass had not had time to erect itself; and
-after a careful scrutiny he came to the conclusion that the marks had
-been made by four or five men, all wearing sandals. He suspected from
-this that they were some of the Swahilis of the party, and suspicion
-became certainty when Bill discovered a tiny strip of white cotton on a
-spike of a wait-a-bit thorn-bush. The conclusion was irresistible that
-some of the raiders had doubled on their tracks in order to watch for
-and perhaps ambush any pursuers.
-
-Feeling that he must find out exactly what had happened, he began with
-Bill cautiously to follow up the new track, looking warily ahead, and
-observing with especial care the few large trees that were to be seen
-here and there in the distance, for any flight of birds would at once
-indicate the presence of men. As they walked, they found that the
-trail curved slightly westward, which seemed to show that it would
-presently join the main track which they had quitted. John moved now
-more cautiously than ever, for if his supposition was correct, the men
-would halt before they actually reached the direct course, at some spot
-where they could overlook it.
-
-As they proceeded, the ground rose and the scrub became thicker. But
-suddenly the bushes thinned away and they saw, at the top of a long
-incline, a clump of trees. And then they stopped short and dropped
-hurriedly to the ground. Before them, on the knoll, at the foot of a
-tree, they had caught sight of three white-clad men looking upwards
-among the branches. They had rifles. Without doubt this was the spot
-chosen for keeping watch on the trail. Wriggling under cover, at the
-cost of some scratches, John and the Wanderobbo saw a fourth man
-perched high up in the tree below which the others stood. Had he not
-been intently gazing towards the main track, and his companions looking
-up at him, it would scarcely have been possible for John to escape
-discovery.
-
-The men were speaking. At the distance John could not distinguish what
-they said; foreign words are always difficult to pick up when the
-speakers are at all remote; but from a certain impatient intonation he
-gathered that the men had been for some time on the watch, and were
-weary or disappointed at the apparent fruitlessness of it. As he lay
-there, his heart jumped as he thought how easy it would be to shoot the
-men. He could take aim at his leisure, and pick off two of them with
-certainty. Taken by surprise, the others would probably bolt. But it
-would not be playing the game; he could not bring himself to stalk them
-as he would stalk a wild animal, though he knew that if they spied him
-and got first shot they would have no compunction about shooting him.
-For a moment he thought of dispatching Bill to fetch Ferrier; with his
-aid, backed by the natives with their bows and arrows, he might capture
-all four, or, if they showed fight, dispose of them. But he soon gave
-up the idea. The men might decamp before Ferrier could arrive; they
-might indeed see the Wanderobbo creeping through the bush, and, the
-most important consideration of all, a shot would certainly give the
-alarm to the main body of the raiders, and that would defeat his
-purpose. If they took to flight he would lose his only chance of
-recovering his rifles and ammunition, which was his immediate object.
-If they hastened back at the sound of the firing, he would find himself
-matched against overwhelming numbers, and the result would be disaster.
-His only hope of success lay in a sudden unexpected blow at the main
-body, when his numerical inferiority would be compensated by the
-paralyzing effect of surprise. How this blow was to be delivered he
-had at present no notion; it must be left to the guidance of
-circumstances; but certainly its prospects would be hopelessly
-jeopardized if the raiders' vigilance was aroused. Patience must be
-his watchword.
-
-He lay and watched the Swahilis for half-an-hour by his watch. Then,
-evidently tired of their fruitless errand, they started to rejoin the
-main body. They came down the slope, passing within a few yards of
-where John and the Wanderobbo were concealed; but fortunately they did
-not retrace their steps along the path by which they had come, but
-struck off towards the direct course of the main column, which they
-would probably intersect, as John guessed, at the distance of about a
-quarter of a mile. If they had returned by the same way the marks of
-John's boots might possibly have escaped them unless they were
-accustomed to tracking; but if they had caught sight of them he felt
-that he would have been in a dangerous predicament. At that moment
-John wished that he could march barefoot like the natives, but he knew
-that it was a vain wish.
-
-John told Bill to creep through the scrub and follow the men up for a
-little way, until he was sure that they had finally left the spot. For
-himself, he had suddenly resolved to climb the tree as the Swahili had
-done, and discover what outlook could be had from it. He found that
-the place had been admirably chosen. From a branch thirty feet above
-the ground the country was visible for miles around. On the west rose
-the giant mist-clad form of Mount Kenya; eastward the plain extended as
-far as the eye could reach. South and north he could scan the country
-through which the raiders had passed, and westward, from the appearance
-of the vegetation, he inferred that a considerable stream flowed. As
-he watched, he saw the four Swahilis emerge from the scrub, strike the
-track, and hasten towards the north. There was no doubt that they had
-dismissed the idea of being pursued.
-
-When Bill came back, the two set off to rejoin the safari, which they
-found halted by a shallow stream about two miles away. John told
-Ferrier what he had discovered.
-
-"I don't think they can be more than five or six miles ahead of us," he
-said. "We can easily come up with them by the time they camp, or soon
-after, and I think we ought to strike to-night."
-
-"Have you any idea how?"
-
-"None whatever. All will depend on the lie of the land and the kind of
-camp they make. I'll send Bill on ahead to make sure they don't alter
-their direction, and then we'll follow up and get to them by nightfall."
-
-"It's to be hoped they won't get warning. I've seen two or three small
-parties of natives to-day, and they must have seen us. I suppose they
-won't give any information."
-
-"I hope not. The chief danger is that the news of our safari will
-spread, and the raiders learn of it by accident. I don't think the
-natives will rush purposely to inform them, if they're the kind of
-tyrants we've heard they are."
-
-"I shall be jolly glad when we come to grips with them. This marching
-is rather trying, and the men are getting the dumps. They seem to have
-thought we should overtake the fellows in a winking, and wipe them out
-with magic. Coja tells me they haven't been so far away from their
-village before."
-
-"How's our failed B.A.?"
-
-"Decidedly jumpy. He said just now that he feels O.K., excluding
-organs of ambulation, which are quite below par, owing to filamentous
-condition and conspicuous absence of beefiness. He has got rather
-spindly calves, to be sure. By the way, an hour ago we saw two black
-fellows looking at us through the scrub. We gave chase, but couldn't
-catch them. I hope they won't bring a horde of the 'bad men' upon us."
-
-"No, indeed. We've got our hands pretty full as it is."
-
-Bill returned by and by with the news that the whole party of raiders
-had rested in the scrub some distance to the north, but had now resumed
-their march. John set off at once on a parallel course, and at four
-o'clock halted again, judging that the raiders would now have chosen
-the spot for their encampment. Once more he sent Bill forward to
-reconnoitre, and learnt from him on his return that the raiders had
-stopped, evidently with no intention of going farther, near a small
-stream. Knowing that the African native is incapable of estimating
-distance, John, though he was tired, determined to press on with the
-Wanderobbo and discover how far off the camp was. It was an hour
-before he came in sight of it. Some of the men were engaged in
-erecting a boma; a few were fishing in the stream that flowed within
-about a hundred yards of the camp; others were cooking a meal. The
-ground about the camp was for the most part open, but there were
-patches of scrub here and there, and one or two clumps of woodland.
-The camp was placed on a hillock, the base of which was washed on one
-side by the stream. This wound away in a north-easterly direction, and
-at one point was a tract of tall elephant grass, lining the banks due
-north of the camp and stretching for about half-a-mile to the west,
-where it merged in dense scrub.
-
-Being unable to learn as much as he desired from his post of
-observation south of the camp, John, still accompanied by the
-Wanderobbo, struck off to the west, crossed the stream, which was only
-knee-deep but fairly swift, and making a long circuit came down upon it
-again through the elephant grass, at a point directly opposite the
-camp, and only about a hundred yards from it. The ground rose
-gradually from the river to the boma. From his position at the edge of
-the grass John could not see the gate, but guessed from the coming and
-going of the men that it was on the south-west side. The boma was
-constructed of material cut from the surrounding scrub, and was of no
-great strength, though sufficiently formidable to stop a rush. The
-fact that the men had kindled fires showed that they were not seriously
-apprehensive of being followed up, and this sign of security was
-welcome to John, as favouring his design of surprising them.
-
-It was nearly dark when he rejoined the safari, so fatigued that
-Ferrier questioned the possibility of his leading an attack that night.
-
-"Oh, I'm all right," said John. "I can rest for an hour or two. Have
-you got a pencil? I'll draw a sketch of the camp. Here's the stream:
-here's the elephant grass: what I propose is that we make our way to
-that and suddenly spring on them. Even disciplined troops are pretty
-well scarified by a night attack, and if we can only fairly surprise
-these beggars we ought at least to be able to get our ammunition, if
-not our rifles, in the confusion."
-
-"But if they stand we shall be in a bad way."
-
-"That's true. We can't match them in mere fighting strength.
-Everything depends on the completeness of the surprise, and we shall
-have to be very strict with our men. The slightest sound will give the
-alarm, and as they're not used to marching at night they are likely to
-be scared by anything. That's all I'm afraid of. I don't know whether
-we hadn't better gag them all."
-
-Ferrier laughed.
-
-"I don't think that would help matters," he said. "You had better
-explain to them what's at stake, and then take your chance."
-
-"Well, we'll try it to-night. D'you know I begin to get a notion of
-what their game is. Bill says that one of them belonged to the Arabs
-who stole his ivory. If that's so, the fellow will know where the
-ivory is buried, and I fancy this is a pretty scheme to get hold of it.
-Ten to one it's Juma. That would explain his bagging rifles and
-ammunition. He wanted to get together a strong party, so that he could
-keep off the 'bad men' in whose country the ivory is. It will be
-rather a feather in our cap if we can get back our property and dish
-his little game too."
-
-"Don't fly too high, old chap. We may thank our stars if we get
-through at all, and if you take my advice, as soon as we have secured
-the ammunition if we ever do, you'll make tracks for home and not go
-treasure-hunting. There's nobody on the farm, remember."
-
-"Well, we'll see. First things first; I'll go and harangue the men."
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER THE FOURTEENTH--Ferrier Insists
-=======================================
-
-There were long faces among the men when they heard what was expected
-of them. Night was terrible to them. They were low-spirited, and John
-had to refrain from stimulating them with a full meal; there would be
-danger in lighting fires. But he promised them a feast when the work
-was done. To march silently, to keep together, to do exactly what they
-were told: that was the sum of his exhortation. When he left them to
-consider it, some grumbled, others talked of slinking away. But one
-reminded them that these wasungu had slain lions and rhinoceros, why
-should they not slay bad men too? And they kept their promises: if
-they said there should be a feast, a feast there would certainly be.
-So they took comfort, and began to talk bravely of the deeds they would
-do.
-
-Before they set forth, John set Bill to gather some bundles of dry
-grass and press them tight. Then he asked Said Mohammed to spare him a
-quantity of the methylated spirit he had brought for cooking. He
-poured some of this into his pocket-flask from the Bengali's tin can.
-
-"You will remain here, Said Mohammed," he said. "I shall leave five or
-six men who have most felt the strain of marching."
-
-"Respectfully, sir, that is against the grain. I go where honour
-calls. Never say die. I gird up my loins and follow into thick of the
-fray."
-
-"All right. Just as you please. Keep close to us, that's all."
-
-"I will stick closer than a brother, sir."
-
-Some few minutes past ten o'clock, under a sky whose blackness was
-scarce broken by the stars, John and the Wanderobbo led the way out of
-the camp, each carrying a bundle of dried grass. Immediately behind
-them marched Said Mohammed, then Coja and the rest of the men in single
-file, Ferrier bringing up the rear. They moved silently, and the
-half-dozen men left behind in the camp, peering out through the boma,
-neither saw nor heard them when the last man was a dozen yards away.
-
-John did not try to find the track of his former journey. It was too
-dark to see it. Bill might have discovered it by his wonderfully keen
-sense of touch, but there was no need. All they had to do was to march
-due west until they struck the stream; then to hug its bank until they
-arrived at the elephant grass.
-
-It was slow work, and not without its anxieties for the white men.
-Every now and then John heard a gulping sound behind, and knew that
-some one was afraid. Once or twice he halted. The men's hard
-breathing spoke of terror rather than effort. At such times he passed
-down the line, speaking quietly to reassure them; then, returning to
-the head, he bent to the ground and struck a match under his hat, to
-check the course by his pocket-compass, and went on again. Once there
-was a rustling sound upon the left hand, and the scared negroes made
-clicks with their mouths, and some would have run had not John, in a
-fierce whisper, called to them to stand, and asked whether they feared
-an antelope.
-
-They came at length to the stream, the gurgle of its waters making a
-pleasant music in John's ears. Half the journey was done. So that he
-might not come to the stream near the enemy's camp he had directed his
-course somewhat south of his former line; and it was a long march
-up-stream before they came to the elephant grass. John avoided the
-brink, for fear of lurking crocodiles. Once he almost stumbled upon a
-hippopotamus asleep in the sedge, and thought it lucky he was at the
-head of his men, whom the snort of the beast, as it rose and shambled
-away into the darkness, might have infected with panic. He heaved a
-sigh of relief as he came at last to the tall, thick grass standing
-high above his head. Halting, he passed word down the line to tread
-even more cautiously and in even deeper silence, trusting that the
-rustling which could scarcely be avoided would, if heard in the camp,
-seem to the enemy only the sound of animals moving in the grass. Then
-he went on again.
-
-Peering out through the screen, he presently saw a dull glow some
-distance to the right. There lay the camp; within the boma fires were
-burning. Once more the party halted, and John, moving stealthily,
-sought Ferrier to consult with him.
-
-"I'm going to set fire to the boma," he said in a whisper. "When you
-see the flames, fire off all your rifles and lead the men at a rush for
-the camp. They can shout then like the army of Gideon. We're
-north-west of it; they'll be startled out of their sleep, and rush for
-the gate on the south-west; at least I hope so."
-
-"You'd better let me fire the boma, John. You'll lead the men better
-than I should; they know you best. Besides, it's my turn."
-
-"Rubbish!" said John. "I've been here before."
-
-"But I can't miss the boma if I go straight ahead. I insist on it, old
-chap; I'm sure it will be best. Hand over your grass and the spirit;
-I've got matches."
-
-"Your arm's not thoroughly sound yet."
-
-"All the more reason. It doesn't require much muscle to strike a
-match. Come on; it must be past midnight; there's no time to lose."
-
-John gave him the materials somewhat reluctantly. Ferrier pressed his
-hand and slid away into the darkness. Time passed very slowly. The
-men grew fidgety; John heard the strange gulping in their throats, and
-the little noises they made as they moved worried him, lest they were
-heard in the camp. True, there were other sounds: the hum of insects,
-a lion's roar in the distance, the laughing bark of a hyena; but these
-were momentary, not continuous like the rustling of the grass, which
-there was no breeze to account for. As minute after minute passed, and
-there was still no sign, John grew more and more anxious. The boma was
-less than two hundred yards distant. He durst not strike a light to
-look at his watch, but surely there had been time to go and come and go
-again. What was happening?
-
-Ferrier, stealing across the ground with no more sound than a snake
-might have made, guided always by the faint glow from the fires, had
-covered, as he guessed, two-thirds of the distance when he thought it
-prudent to drop upon hands and knees, lest, upright, his form should be
-descried by some keen-sighted sentry. He had crawled thus some twenty
-yards further when suddenly he saw dimly before him a something, like
-an irregular hedge, no more than four feet high, stretching athwart his
-path. Was this the boma? Surely it bespoke unusual security in the
-enemy if they had contented themselves with so low a defence. Their
-bomas were commonly six feet high or more. He crept on more stealthily
-until he touched the obstruction: it was a thorny hedge. He tried to
-peer through it, expecting to see the camp-fires; but he looked into
-blackness, save for the dull red glow in the sky. Was it possible that
-the enemy were not so confident after all, but had erected a double
-barrier? Or was the hedge natural?
-
-He crawled to the left. The hedge had a regular curve. It must have
-been placed by men. Raising himself gradually to his feet until his
-eyes were just level with the top, he looked over. Yes; there was the
-true boma, a dark mass thirty feet away. Through its interstices he
-saw streaks of dim light from the fires burning within. To set fire to
-the outer hedge would be useless; within the boma the enemy would be
-still secure, and the conflagration would but give them light to take
-aim at their assailants. He must cross the hedge.
-
-But how? By a flying leap? This would expose him to the view of any
-one on watch, for though the night was dark, it was not so black but
-that a moving object could be seen. By clambering over? This would be
-attended by the same risk and by others. He might indeed scramble over
-at the expense of torn hands and clothing, though there was the danger
-of being held fast by the tenacious wait-a-bit thorns of which the
-obstacle was made. But his movements must cause such a crackling and
-creaking of the interlaced branches as could not fail to alarm any one
-who chanced to be awake in the camp, no matter at what part of it.
-Leaping and climbing being equally out of the question, what course
-remained?
-
-Ferrier was not for nothing the grandson of a man who had roughed it in
-the backwoods of Canada. If acquired qualities are not inherited, the
-stock of which he came must have been sturdy and dogged in grain. At
-any rate, Charles was not the man to be baulked. Dropping on his knees
-again, he dug his fingers into the soil beneath the hedge. It was
-gravel, like the ground he had crossed in coming from the river. Very
-carefully he began to scrape out a hole, intending to persevere until
-it was large enough for him to squeeze his body through. He soon found
-that the task was not to be easy. The soil was so light and mobile
-that, as he scraped, it tended to slip at the sides and fill up the
-hole he was so laboriously excavating. Further, he felt the hedge, at
-the point where he was undermining it, subside, with a rustling and
-creaking which, faint as it was, might easily catch the ear of a wary
-guard. Fortunately the subsidence was soon checked. The base of the
-hedge was composed of stout branches which yielded but slightly, and in
-a few minutes the settling down ceased.
-
-Relieved on this score, Ferrier scraped away at the hole, thinking of
-John, who was no doubt wondering at the long delay. He worked until
-his fingers were sore. At last the hole was large enough for him to
-wriggle under the hedge. He groped with his hands for any thorns that
-might be sticking out downwards from the tangle above, and finding
-several, cut them off with his knife. Then, shoving his bundles of
-grass before him, he crawled into the hole and began to worm his way
-through. It was a tight fit, and the difficulty was all the greater
-because of the need for silence. More than once as his body, pressed
-close against the lower part of the hedge, put some strain upon it,
-there was a sharp creak when his passage freed the branch. At last he
-was through, scratched, hot, and breathless, and with a feeling that
-the various parts of his clothing were in very unnatural relation to
-one another. But he was through: that was the main thing; and pausing
-only to take breath, he ran in a stooping posture across the space
-between the outer and the inner defences.
-
-All was quiet within the boma. Ferrier maintains to this day that
-snoring is an infirmity of civilization, for the sleepers emitted no
-sound. He lost no time in completing his task. First he soaked the
-bundles of grass thoroughly with methylated spirit, having postponed
-this until he reached the boma, lest evaporation should diminish the
-effect. Then he thrust them beneath the boma, choosing a place where
-it was thick and the light from the fires shone through less freely
-than elsewhere. Then he struck a match and applied it. Instantly
-there was a great flame; the dry thornbushes of the boma took fire
-readily. Ferrier slipped away to be out of the glare, but had gone
-only a few steps when he heard a soft patter of feet behind him. A
-moment after, the air was rent with rifle cracks and a din of shouting,
-from within the boma and from a distance. He turned to meet the man
-approaching, and saw the form of a big negro silhouetted against the
-glare. Ferrier was unarmed save for his clasp-knife, and he had not
-made up his mind what to do when a shot whistled past him: the negro
-had fired at him while still running. Before the man could draw a
-knife or turn in his tracks Ferrier threw himself upon him, trying to
-wrest the rifle from his hand. The two fell together; the rifle
-dropped to the ground; and black man and white were locked in a
-desperate wrestle. Ferrier felt the negro's arms about him, straining
-to crush him or to break his back. Oblivious of the tumult around
-him--the yells and shots within the boma, the shouts of the assailants,
-the crackle and roar of the flames--Ferrier strove to free himself from
-the strangling embrace, conscious that he was no match in muscle for
-his powerful opponent. He had almost given himself up for lost when
-the man's grip relaxed, and with a heavy groan he lay still. Ferrier
-sprang up. By the light of the blazing boma he saw the men of his
-party at two points of the outer hedge, some leaping over it, some
-slashing at it with their knives and tearing it down. None of them
-were firing; after the first discharge of their rifles John had ordered
-them to rush for the camp. Evidently the big negro had been struck
-down by a shot from his own friends.
-
-Ferrier stood for a moment, marvelling at the din. Then he saw that
-John's men had crossed the outer hedge and were swarming towards the
-boma. Shouting at the top of his voice lest he should be butchered by
-his own party, he left the wounded man on the ground and joined them.
-With John at their head they were sweeping round towards the gate. The
-firing from within the boma had now ceased; the shouts were those of
-the assailants alone; and when the excited throng reached the gate,
-they saw in the ruddy glare the enemy streaming in frantic haste
-towards the river. Many an arrow was sped after them; a few of the
-rearmost narrowly escaped capture. Seeing that they were hopelessly
-routed, John shouted to his men to refrain from pursuit and retire
-within the boma. Then, telling off a dozen men to stand at the gate
-and watch against any rally of the enemy, he called to the rest to help
-him to check the fire. He left the part that was fiercely burning, and
-ordered the men to tear down a portion on each side of it, so as to
-make two large gaps across which the flames could not spring. The work
-was assisted by the absence of wind. The portion around the spot where
-Ferrier had kindled the fire soon burnt itself out; the remainder was
-saved. Within ten minutes after the first blaze the enemy were
-scattered in confusion, and the camp was in John's hands.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER THE FIFTEENTH--A Coup de Main
-=====================================
-
-John's first proceeding when the conflagration had been stayed was to
-look for the property he had been at such pains to recover. The
-camp-fires gave too little light, so he got Coja to make a couple of
-torches. Taking one himself and giving the other to Ferrier, he
-hastened to the centre of the camp, where the baggage was piled. On
-the way he passed a confused medley of things--sleeping mats, cooking
-pots, bows and arrows, spears--things left or flung down by the
-fugitives in their hurried flight. And there, packed in the middle
-space, out of reach of the fires, were his boxes of ammunition and his
-rifles.
-
-"We've got the lot, by Jove!" he exclaimed joyfully. "They haven't
-even opened one of the boxes. What extraordinary luck!"
-
-"Couldn't be better," cried Ferrier heartily. "And you've got more
-than your own, too; there's a good many bows and arrows and a few
-spears, besides no end of baskets containing food, I suppose."
-
-"Yes, they belong to the villagers. We'll make them a present of the
-bows and arrows and spears, and anything else they can find, bar the
-rifles. There aren't many spears; I suppose the rascals slept with
-them at their side, and snatched them up when they ran. Hallo! Here
-are two of the Sniders that Juma ran off with in his first little
-scheme. That makes three we've recovered."
-
-"And proves that Juma is at the bottom of it."
-
-"I should like to lay that fellow by the heels. But we'd better get
-something to eat. I'm famishing. Where's our failed B.A.?"
-
-"Here, sir," said a voice at John's elbow. "I obeyed in all points
-your esteemed injunctions at closest possible proximity, and tender
-hearty congratulations on the success, not in mortals to command, but
-more, deserved, which has attended this tour de force."
-
-"Well now, make up the fire and see what you can do to get us a meal.
-I'll go and talk to the young chief, Charley, and butter him up. He
-and his men did jolly well. The shouts they let out when I gave the
-word made amends for their silence during the march, which must have
-been a trial to them."
-
-Said Mohammed made up the fire and hunted about for the best
-cooking-pot and the articles of fare he thought would be most pleasing
-to the white men. The villagers had already set to work to prepare
-their own food, chattering and laughing in high elation. Within a
-quarter of an hour Said Mohammed had made a stew of some partly cooked
-waterbuck he had discovered. He washed out two rough mugs of clay, and
-pouring the stew into them, handed one to each of the young men.
-
-"A thousand regrets, gentlemen," he said, "that circs. do not admit of
-more dainty dishes and service to match."
-
-"That's all right," said John. "I could eat anything, and this stew is
-first-rate."
-
-"Permit me to remark, sir, on national characteristics as displayed by
-gastronomic ways of going on, utensils, et cetera. The nation, sir,
-that invented gas-stoves produced Shakespeare, bard of Avon; what
-achievements in science or literature could be expected from a race
-that never devilled kidney nor poached egg? Shakespeare himself, sir,
-was a poacher in giddy youth; though poaching egg and poaching stag are
-in some respects different, yet each is fine art. The fate of empires
-lurks in the saucepan; indeed, the mightiest monarch would be
-negligible quantity without quantum suff. Wherefore----"
-
-"A little more stew, please," said John, interrupting. "You'd better
-get your own supper, khansaman; you must be pretty peckish after your
-exertions."
-
-"I am indeed, sir, an abhorred vacuum, and retire with permission to
-get jolly good tuck-in."
-
-"Thank goodness!" ejaculated John when he had gone. "I say, Charley, I
-was getting very nervous when we didn't see the light for so long. You
-were pulled up by that hedge, of course; how did you get through?"
-
-"Burrowed like a mole. I've a greater respect for that animal now. I
-suppose we'll make tracks for home in the morning, by the bye?"
-
-"Well, d'you know, I'd rather like to finish this job now we've
-started. Juma's still at large: his men are a rabble, of course, but
-they're not licked, and if he gets them back to this fort of his he may
-still worry us, to say nothing of harrying the people about him. What
-do you say? Are you game?"
-
-"What about the farm?"
-
-"Gillespie will have sent somebody up by the time we could get back."
-
-"But don't you think we've done for Juma? To-night's work will damage
-his prestige, and I shouldn't wonder if the 'bad men,' as Bill calls
-them, round on him now."
-
-"I don't know. It will take him some time to recover from the blow, of
-course, but you see he still has some of our rifles and a certain
-amount of ammunition, I should think, and they'll go a long way in this
-country of bows and arrows. No: I confess I'd like to follow him up.
-The chief difficulty is our natives. They've recovered their property,
-which is what they came for, and I rather doubt whether they'll be
-willing to go any farther from home. If they won't there's no more to
-be said."
-
-"In any case we aren't strong enough to storm the fort, if it is a
-fort."
-
-"I shouldn't propose to do that. My idea is to start at sunrise or
-before, and get to the fort in advance of Juma. His men are quite
-demoralized: they'll take some time to rally. They'll probably hide in
-trees during the night, and they'll have to find one another in the
-morning, so that if we start early we can easily outstrip them."
-
-"We don't know the way."
-
-"But we've got some prisoners, my boy. No, we haven't though; I called
-our men off before they caught them. That's awkward."
-
-"I wonder if the fellow who tried to pot me is still alive."
-
-"You didn't tell me of that. When was it?"
-
-Ferrier related the incident that happened outside the boma. John at
-once accompanied him to the spot, which they reached just in time to
-see the wounded man limping towards the outer hedge. They ran after
-him and caught him, taking him back to the camp, where John examined
-his leg, and did what he could by bathing and bandaging. Meanwhile he
-questioned the man, and learnt from him that the fort lay a long day's
-march to the north. It was held by about forty men, of whom several
-were Swahilis and had rifles. The fort was built on an island in the
-river--not the stream flowing past the camp, but a broader river into
-which that emptied itself a day's march to the south. To find it would
-be easy. They had only to follow the stream for a short distance, and
-then strike across country directly to the north. They would soon come
-upon the river, and the surrounding country being hilly, the easiest
-way to the fort was to follow its course.
-
-"Now we'll tackle our natives," said John.
-
-He found, as he had expected, that they were at first loath to engage
-themselves for a further expedition. They had recovered their
-property: the chief would be expecting them; they wanted to return and
-celebrate their success by a feast. John pointed out that, though they
-had done much, they would greatly enhance their glory if they carried
-back a great quantity of spoil from the enemy. They had been wantonly
-attacked: why not repay their attackers in their own coin? The fort
-would certainly contain things worth having. This argument appealed to
-the men, and when the chief's son reminded them that the wasungu had
-kept their promise and led them to a bloodless victory, they began to
-waver. "The wasungu are great hunters of lions," said the young chief;
-"they are also great hunters of men." John said that any who wished to
-go home might do so; but none were disposed to pass through the country
-without the whole body, and ultimately they agreed to follow the msungu
-wherever he chose to lead them. "You've a most persuasive tongue,"
-said Ferrier to John, as they went away to talk things over. "I'm
-inclined to think you ought to have gone to the bar after all."
-
-"Bosh! The judges aren't savages. We shall have to arrange a flying
-column--that's the name for it, isn't it? It's quite clear from what
-the prisoner said that we must get to the fort well in advance of Juma.
-If they get back we shan't be able to dislodge them: they won't be
-caught napping again, you may be sure. As it is, we may find it a hard
-nut to crack if there are forty men in the fort. We shall have to
-divide forces, too. We must leave enough men to guard this loot, and
-I'm afraid we can't both go, old chap: one of us must remain in charge."
-
-"Well, you've done the hardest work so far: you take a rest and let me
-try my luck."
-
-"But you fired the boma; it's my turn. Tell you what, we'll toss for
-it. Heads I go, tails you do as you please."
-
-The spin of the coin decided for John.
-
-"Just my luck," said Ferrier. "I always lost the toss when I captained
-the lacrosse team at McGill's. How many men will you take?"
-
-"I can't do with fewer than twenty. I'll take Bill; Coja and Said
-Mohammed had better remain with you. By the way, you'll send over to
-our old camp in the morning and fetch the half-dozen we left there.
-They'll jump out of their skins if they're left too long. I wonder if
-our wounded prisoner could manage to come with me. I might find him
-useful. In fact, I'll take him--on a litter if he can't walk."
-
-"Well, you'd better get a sleep now, or you won't be fit for much in
-the morning. The men too. It looks as though they meant to jabber all
-night."
-
-"I'll stop that. I'll go and pick my men and make 'em go to sleep.
-Wake me at five, there's a good chap. By Jove! Wouldn't my old dad be
-in a stew if he knew what was up! We're risking a lot when you come to
-think of it; but we've been lucky so far, and with rifles and plenty of
-ammunition I fancy we'll win through. If I'm not back within two or
-three days you had better make tracks for the farm. Don't forget to
-wake me at five."
-
-"All right. Pleasant dreams!"
-
-Precisely at five o'clock John was roused, to find ready for him a
-breakfast of steaming stew and baked millet cakes. Ferrier had also
-prepared a litter for the prisoner, whose wound forbade him to walk.
-At half-past five the little company set off, consisting of John and
-the Wanderobbo, and twenty of the villagers. John had his rifle, a
-spare one being carried by a man at his side. Only two of the other
-men had ever handled firearms; these were given rifles, and carried the
-ammunition in little bundles slung to their backs. John had filled his
-bandolier and his pockets with cartridges. Ferrier said good-bye to
-him at the gate of the boma, and started the men left behind in a
-rousing cheer.
-
-The party marched very rapidly, John at the head with Bill and the
-litter-bearers, so that the prisoner might keep them in the right way.
-They followed the course of the stream for about a mile; then forded
-it, and made across a stretch of grassland, in which, as the morning
-advanced, they started large numbers of game. Just before noon they
-reached the river of which the prisoner had spoken, a slow, gurgling
-current of red water. Here they halted for a meal of beans and millet;
-then after an hour's rest set forth again. They had gone but a short
-distance up-stream when, as they ascended a slight acclivity, Bill was
-seized with intense excitement. Pointing to a flat-topped hill many
-miles away, he cried that it was there the Arab safari was attacked,
-and near by the ivory was hidden. A projecting spur to the right was
-the site of the shambas whence the people had pounced out to the
-assault. His own old home lay half a day's journey beyond the hill.
-
-John pressed on now even more rapidly. Though he had met with no
-natives on the way, he could not be sure that some of the fugitives had
-not outstripped him along another route. For the most part he kept to
-the river, striking off here and there to avoid wide sweeping curves,
-as the prisoner indicated. Presently he saw in the distance a bold
-bluff rising to a hundred feet above the plain, and stretching across
-the line of march. The fort, said the prisoner, lay a short distance
-beyond the bluff, which was cut in two by the river. Up the side of
-the bluff wound a steep pathway, and at the top a look-out was
-constantly stationed, except at night, when he was withdrawn into the
-fort. From this high post the plain could be seen for miles. Knowing
-how keen is the negro's sight, John called a halt before it was likely
-that his party had come within the range of vision. The rest of the
-journey must be performed in the dark. He led the men into the bush at
-some distance from the river, so that they should not be seen by any
-one who might pass either to or from the fort. Again he impressed upon
-them the necessity for silence.
-
-At nightfall, refreshed by the rest, they started once more, confident
-of being able to approach the bluff unobserved. An hour's march under
-the pale light of the stars brought them to its foot, and John heard
-the noise of water rushing swiftly through the gorge. The pathway,
-said the prisoner, started from a spot very near the river-bank. Even
-with his directions it proved by no means easy to find in the darkness,
-and when at last they lit upon it, and John began the ascent, it was
-scarcely less difficult to keep to the track. Bill fell on his knees
-and groped along it with his hand, saying when he arose that it had not
-been made originally by men, but trodden by game descending from the
-hills to the plain.
-
-Coming at length, after a tortuous and toilsome climb, to the summit,
-John paused to take breath and to look about him. Below on his left he
-could now see the foaming river racing through the gorge. Beyond, the
-ground sloped gradually to the plain. There was no sound save that of
-the swirling water, no sign of the presence of men. He went on, until
-he came once more to the brink of the river, and a mile further on saw
-gleaming in the starlight a broad pool, in the midst of which rose a
-dark mass. This, said the prisoner, was the island and fort, and at
-the upper end of the pool the river ran down swiftly, but not so
-swiftly as below.
-
-Striking off to the right towards a belt of woodland, John led his
-party until they came opposite the island. It was dark and silent: no
-one would have supposed that the fort held men. John could see an
-irregular path leading from the shore to the island. This, said the
-prisoner, was a line of rocks flung down into the water, and so narrow
-that only one man could walk along it at a time. There was a gap
-between the island and the end of the causeway. The prisoner explained
-that a bridge was thrown over the gap to enable men to enter and leave
-the fort, the wall of which came to within a few feet of the shore of
-the island. At night the bridge was drawn up.
-
-John stood to consider his next move. His purpose in bringing the
-prisoner was to use him as a decoy to draw the garrison from the fort.
-He was confronted with a difficulty. The man could not walk. He would
-be useless as a decoy unless he could advance along the causeway so far
-as to bring him within hearing of his fellows. The bullet was still in
-the man's leg; John wished he had thought of probing the wound before;
-it was impossible to do it now. The negro is a hardy animal, stolid
-under pain. John promised to give the man a handsome present if he
-would leave the litter and go with a message to the fort. The man
-agreed with such alacrity as to suggest an intention of treachery, but
-John provided against that. He had the prisoner bound to him by a cord
-about his ankle, and showing him his revolver, he explained what the
-result would be if he did anything but what he was told to do. He
-carefully instructed the prisoner in the part he was required to play,
-repeating his words so that he could not mistake. Then, having placed
-the remainder of his party under cover of the wood, he set forth with
-the negro.
-
-There was now a light in the fort, and the glow of a fire. Clearly
-somebody was awake. The two men walked down to the edge of the pool,
-and on to the causeway, the guide limping painfully, but uttering no
-murmur. John walked close behind him, so that he might not be descried
-from the fort. They had gone about half-way along the causeway when a
-voice rang out from some point ahead. The prisoner gave an answering
-shout. John's nerves were at too high a tension to permit of his
-feeling amusement at the greetings that were exchanged.
-
-"Is it well?"
-
-"It is well."
-
-"Ah!"
-
-"Ah!"
-
-"Um!"
-
-"Um!"
-
-"Have you eaten well?"
-
-"We have eaten well.
-
-"Ma!"
-
-"Ma!"
-
-"Mum!"
-
-"Mum!"
-
-Civilities being thus completed, they got to business. The prisoner
-recited the story with which he had been prompted, so glibly that a
-white man might have doubted its veracity. He said that he brought
-good news. The brave warriors (meaning Juma's party), under their
-brave leader, had sacked the msungu's farm and the neighbouring
-village, and made much plunder, so vast a quantity, indeed, that they
-were exhausted in carrying it. He had been sent in advance to order
-thirty men to issue forth and help the weary warriors in conveying
-their spoils up the bluff.
-
-"It is dark," said the sentry.
-
-"It is the leader's command," was the reply. "He will be like a raging
-lion if you delay."
-
-Another voice was heard within the fort. In a few moments the sentry
-cried--
-
-"We come."
-
-"Ah!" said the prisoner.
-
-"Ah!" echoed the sentry.
-
-Then, before the garrison could issue from the gate and lay the bridge
-across the gap, the prisoner cried that he would hasten back and inform
-Juma that the men were coming. He turned, and followed John along the
-causeway until they reached the shore. Then the two hurried across the
-open to rejoin the ambushed party. The prisoner, who had borne up
-stoically hitherto, collapsed with pain before they reached the wood;
-and John, alarmed lest his stratagem should be defeated at a moment
-when success seemed assured, set the man upon his back and ran into
-shelter. A few minutes afterwards he saw a line of men, headed by a
-Swahili in a white garment, come across the causeway from the fort, and
-turn to the right along the path leading to the bluff. John was
-tingling with excitement. All was going well: would his luck hold?
-The men's voices faded away in the distance. He gave them ten minutes;
-then bidding his men follow him closely, he ran down to the shore, and
-on to the causeway. As he expected, the bridge had been left spanning
-the gap in readiness for the laden safari. Waiting only to see that
-the men were close at his heels, John dashed over the last few feet,
-straight into the fort. A dozen men were squatting in a group about a
-small fire in the middle of the compound. They looked up as they heard
-the tread of men, but before they could spring to their feet, before,
-indeed, their slow minds suspected that anything was amiss, they were
-bowled over by the rush of twenty sturdy savages with a white man at
-their head, and lay in shaking terror on the ground, howling for mercy.
-
-John had ordered his men to do no killing. They were surprised, but
-obeyed. Shouting for silence, he called to the panic-stricken garrison
-to march out of the fort. They sprang up and fled like a flock of
-terrified sheep, out of the gate and along the causeway, yelling as
-they ran. When the last was gone, and none but his own men were left
-in the place, John caught up the bridge and drew it in. The capture of
-the stronghold had taken three minutes.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER THE SIXTEENTH--Juma is Reinforced
-=========================================
-
-Flushed with his bloodless victory, John ordered his men to make up the
-fire, and set two to watch at the gate; then, carrying a roughly-formed
-torch, he proceeded to an examination of the stronghold which was so
-imposing to the native imagination. It was a poor enough place
-estimated from a European point of view. It consisted simply of a
-circular space on a low mound about thirty yards in diameter, enclosed
-by a rude stone wall rather less than the height of a man. The island
-itself was an irregular oval. At the eastern end the wall came to
-within a foot or two of its shore; north and south the interval was
-little greater, the ground sloping steeply down to the edge of the
-pool. Westward it fell away less rapidly, though even here the angle
-was considerable. The island was no more than sixty yards at its
-greatest length, and from forty to fifty in breadth. The bridge sloped
-up from the end of the causeway to the gate, which was itself some feet
-lower than the ground within the fort. Just within it, on each side, a
-canoe was laid against the wall. Within the enclosure were a number of
-grass huts, set at intervals of a few yards apart.
-
-.. _`Environs of Juma's fort`:
-
-.. figure:: images/img-218.jpg
- :align: center
- :alt: The Pool
-
- The Pool
-
-..
-
-Having surveyed the place as well as he could by the uncertain light of
-his torch, John searched the huts. He found in the largest of them,
-which he guessed to be Juma's, two of his rifles, a number of old
-muskets, a miscellaneous collection of cartridges, most of which would
-not fit the rifles, shot of all shapes and sizes, one or two old
-swords, and a curious assortment of articles, mostly useless, which
-Juma and his men had no doubt purloined when on safari. Among them
-were broken boots, a fancy waistcoat in tatters, several condensed milk
-tins, some pewter spoons, a field-glass case, and an empty whisky
-bottle. These things, valueless to a European, would be treasure
-untold to the natives, and John was glad that his promise of loot would
-not be nullified. There was also a fair quantity of grain food, but no
-meat.
-
-"I think I'm a bit of a fool," said John to himself, when he had seen
-all there was to be seen. "What have I come for after all? I've got
-back our property, to be sure; but what then? I can't demolish the
-fort before Juma arrives. I can't go back at once, because the men
-couldn't stand it. It looks as if I shall have to hold the place, for
-a day at least; and if those beggars come up in any numbers and manage
-to cross the pool I shall be pretty hard put to it to defend a hundred
-yards of wall. Ah well! I'm in for it now. The best thing I can do
-is to get out as soon as possible."
-
-He arranged for a watch to be kept up during the remainder of the
-night, and then threw himself down on the ground near the fire, not to
-sleep, for the negro is an untrustworthy sentry, but to turn things
-over in his mind. He remembered the store of ivory which Bill wished
-to recover, and would have been willing to help the old man; but when
-he considered the matter he concluded that it would be sheer lunacy to
-venture with his handful of men into the country of a tribe that had
-been strong enough to annihilate a large and well-armed Arab safari.
-There was no reason to suppose that the "bad men" were any less
-powerful now than they had been then.
-
-"And suppose I got the ivory," he thought, "how the dickens could I
-carry it? The men have got quite enough to carry, what with the loot
-here and the things left with Charley. Judging by the weight of
-billiard balls a single tusk of ivory would be a pretty heavy load for
-two or three men, and we might be two or three weeks getting back.
-Bill will be upset, without a doubt, but I can't help that. A good
-rest, and then start for home: that's my ticket."
-
-Pondering further, he came to the conclusion that there might after all
-not be the need for haste that he had at first imagined. Juma's men
-were thoroughly disheartened, no doubt; the garrison at the fort had
-been turned adrift; they had lost the greater part of their firearms
-and ammunition and all their stores of food, and it was probable that
-for the present they would have enough to do to find subsistence
-without wasting their energies in attacking either him or Ferrier. His
-own men had been marching or fighting, with only a few hours' sleep,
-for two days; a long rest was necessary for them; so he decided, before
-he fell into a half-doze from which the least sound would have roused
-him, that he might look forward to spending a day or two in the fort
-before he need set off to rejoin Ferrier.
-
-At dawn he was up, and went to the gate to look round. None of the
-enemy were in sight, except his wounded prisoner, whom he saw hobbling
-across the causeway. In the excitement of the attack he had clean
-forgotten the man, who, he remembered with compunction, must have been
-all night in the wood, hungry, a prey to terror and pain. He let down
-the bridge and admitted him at once.
-
-"Let me look at your leg," he said.
-
-Removing the bandages, he saw that it was a case for desperate remedies.
-
-"You must let me cut the bullet out," he said.
-
-The man made no objection. John opened his knife and carefully washed
-the sharpest blade; then ordered two of the men to hold the patient,
-and began to probe the wound as gently as he could. The bullet was
-imbedded in the flesh where there was no danger of his severing an
-artery. He soon found the bullet, and setting his teeth, started the
-first surgical operation of his life. He had a steady hand: the man
-lay inert as a log, without wincing or even groaning; and in a few
-minutes he had extracted the bullet, feeling a vast admiration for the
-big fellow's fortitude. Having bathed and bound up the leg, he gave
-the man some food, and saw him in a few minutes fall asleep. John drew
-a good augury from this little incident. The man had sought him, and
-not his own master; John took it, perhaps superstitiously, as an
-indication that he, and not Juma, would, as he put it, "come out on
-top."
-
-He sent out Bill, with one of the men, to look for the enemy. They
-returned early in the afternoon, reporting that they had failed to see
-either the men who had been ejected from the fort, or the larger party
-under Juma's command. Bill judged from the tracks that the former had
-scattered, some to the south to meet their friends, others to the east.
-
-In the daylight John confirmed his overnight examination of the fort.
-He saw now that there were rapids at both ends of the pool, and sighed
-for leisure to do a little fishing, guessing that such a river would
-provide good sport. But he had something more serious to think about.
-After their night's rest the men were less fatigued than he had
-expected, so he saw no reason to defer the destruction of the fort.
-His purpose was to rase the wall, and hurl into the pool the stones of
-which it was built. They were piled loosely one upon another without
-cement or mortar, and he thought that it would be a light job to remove
-them; but it turned out to be a much more troublesome business than he
-had supposed, and when, after two hours' work, he saw how little had
-been accomplished he felt rather troubled. At the same rate it would
-take two or three days to complete the work. He had no gunpowder to
-spare for blowing up the wall; and he wished neither to remain so long
-absent from Ferrier, nor to be found on the spot when Juma returned, as
-he assuredly would do.
-
-A little while after Bill had returned from his reconnoitring
-expedition he suddenly cocked his ear towards the south-east and in a
-moment declared that he heard the sound of fire-sticks. The men were
-chattering, and John fancied that the Wanderobbo must be mistaken. He
-called for silence, and all listened intently, but could hear nothing
-except the slow gurgle of the water in the pool and the far-away
-rumbling of the rapids below.
-
-"Do you hear it now?" he asked.
-
-"No," Bill replied; "but I did hear it."
-
-John had by this time so much respect for the Wanderobbo's acuteness of
-hearing that he felt it unwise to neglect this statement. Bidding the
-men to sort out all the provisions the fort contained, with the idea of
-carrying a portion with him when he left, and burning the rest, he left
-the place with Bill, after giving strict orders that the bridge should
-be taken up behind him, and not replaced over the gap until his return,
-unless he should send back a message by Bill. The two crossed the pool
-and set off at a rapid pace towards the bluff. They were half-way to
-the summit when Bill declared that he again heard shots. They
-quickened their pace, and on reaching the top, where a wide expanse of
-the plain was outstretched before them, they looked carefully all round
-the southern horizon, keeping under cover. They could see the river
-winding along between its verdurous banks, and when they lost sight of
-the shining water they could still trace its course by the fresher
-green of the vegetation. The plain was covered for the most part with
-grass, with patches of scrub and clumps of woodland here and there. In
-the far distance they descried a herd of antelope feeding, but for some
-time saw no other living creature, beast or man.
-
-All at once both started. In the still air, above the sound of the
-swirling water beneath them, they heard distinctly six shots. One of
-them, Bill declared, was that of the msungu's rifle, though John was
-utterly unable to understand how he could distinguish it from the
-others. Some seconds afterwards Bill lifted his hand and pointed in a
-south-easterly direction, saying that he saw smoke among the trees.
-John looked eagerly in the same direction, but could see nothing.
-Unluckily he had left his field-glass with Ferrier. Presently he heard
-more shots, in rapid succession. Clearly there was fighting going on;
-the natural inference was that Ferrier's party was engaged, and since
-only he, Coja, and Said Mohammed could use rifles, the number of the
-shots showed that his opponents must possess firearms. It was equally
-clear that Ferrier, if it was indeed he, had left the spot where it had
-been arranged that he should await John's return, and he must be either
-pursuing or pursued. The conclusion was irresistible that for some
-unforeseen reason he had found himself compelled to advance towards
-John.
-
-Anxious on his friend's behalf, John decided instantly that he must set
-out at once to join hands with him. He sent Bill back to call the men
-from the fort, telling him that they must bring the ammunition and
-rifles for those who could use them. He himself would start towards
-the firing, pointing out to Bill the general direction in which he
-would go. He knew that the men, being rapid marchers when not carrying
-loads, would not be long in overtaking him. The fort must be left
-unguarded, but there was no help for it; the matter of immediate
-urgency was to reinforce Ferrier.
-
-While Bill sped back to the fort, John scrambled down the bluff and
-hurried over the plain. As he proceeded the sounds of firing became
-ever clearer, and when he had covered about two miles at a swinging
-pace he could also hear shouts.
-
-He had come almost to a thin belt of forest when he saw figures
-approaching among the trees. Dropping down behind a bush, he eagerly
-watched them. At the edge of the forest they came clearly into view,
-and he saw that they were black men, marching in single file, rapidly,
-in spite of heavy loads. From behind them came at short intervals the
-still louder crack of rifles, and the more voluminous shouts of men.
-In a few moments he recognized them as men of his safari, and rose to
-meet them. His figure suddenly appearing above the bush startled them,
-and they instantly dropped their loads with yells, and began to run
-away. But a shout from him dispelled their fright; they turned, and
-hastened towards him, leaving their loads, however, where they had
-thrown them.
-
-When they met him they told him in accents of terror that the msungu
-was fighting with a great host of bad men. Two or three showed wounds
-they had received. John ordered them to return to their loads and take
-them up, and then to look out for the party following him. He hurried
-forward into the wood, and half-a-mile further on came upon Ferrier
-with the rest of the safari, slowly retiring before a horde of savages.
-He had supposed that the "great host" of which the porters had spoken
-was an exaggeration born of their panic, but he saw that Ferrier and
-his men were, in fact, holding at bay a crowd of natives, among whom he
-perceived the white garments of Swahilis. Ferrier had Coja on his
-right and Said Mohammed on his left, each at a few yards' interval, the
-remainder of the party, armed only with bows and arrows, being spread
-out on each side over a considerable space to avoid the risk of being
-outflanked. They were retiring slowly, taking cover behind trees,
-picking off any of the enemy who showed themselves. Ferrier himself
-was a dead shot now that he had recovered the full use of his arm.
-Several men had fallen to his unerring aim. What execution Coja and
-Said Mohammed did John never knew; but their shots had been effective
-in daunting the enemy, who had not dared to come too near, or to make a
-rush. With a little more courage and generalship the savages, vastly
-outnumbering the safari, could have swept round them and had them at
-their mercy; but the young Canadian had hitherto managed to hold off
-the bolder spirits who pressed him in front, and the others followed on
-without as yet attempting a flanking movement.
-
-"Good man!" cried John, as he hastened to Ferrier's side. "My lot are
-coming up. We had better get out of this wood, or they'll be all round
-us."
-
-They retired more quickly. It was time, for when they reached the
-plain, they saw that parties of the enemy, who had at last realized
-that they were losing opportunities, had crept round to right and left.
-John instantly sent a shot among the nearer crowd, causing them to
-scatter. Then, perceiving that another party had slipped by and was
-hastening in pursuit of the porters, he called some of the bowmen, who
-were mightily encouraged by his arrival, and set off in chase. Another
-shot sent this party flying. John saw that the river would form an
-excellent defence to the left flank of his little force, and running
-back to Ferrier, he asked him to edge nearer to it.
-
-"If we can only manage to keep them off until our men have had time to
-climb the bluff, we can make a bolt for it," he said. "Up there among
-the boulders we can hold our own against any number."
-
-They retired slowly towards the belt of trees fringing the river. By
-the time they reached it Bill came up with the party from the fort.
-This reinforcement, together with the more advantageous position of the
-retiring force, served to check the pursuit. The enemy were not
-courageous enough to dash past them within range, though their numbers
-were so great that they could easily have afforded the loss of a few
-men. The only means they had of slipping past safely and overtaking
-the safari was either to make a wide detour across the plain, which
-would have given John's party time to reach the bluff before them, or
-to cross the river and make their way through the trees on the other
-bank; but the current here was swift enough to make fording dangerous.
-So they adopted neither course, but followed sullenly in the track of
-the party, firing at times, but never diminishing the distance between
-them.
-
-Every now and then John crept out from cover to watch the progress of
-the porters. To his impatience they seemed to move extraordinarily
-slowly, and indeed their speed was much less than when he had first
-seen them, for they had reached the beginning of the ascent, and were
-tired with carrying their heavy loads. He could see them toiling up
-the bluff, not in a close line, but far apart, the rearmost being
-nearly half-a-mile behind the leader. At length he saw with relief
-that the last man was within a few yards of the summit.
-
-"Now we'll give them a volley," said he, "and slip away."
-
-All who had rifles accompanied him to the edge of the belt of trees,
-and at his word fired together at the enemy, who had halted as if
-undecided what to do. Another volley flashed from the second barrels;
-then, withdrawing among the trees, the party ran along in the direction
-of the bluff, reloading as they went. Within a few hundred yards they
-came without warning upon a band of twenty or thirty natives with two
-Swahilis among them. They must have found a means of crossing the
-river, hastened along the opposite bank, and then recrossed ahead of
-John's party. There was no time for hesitation.
-
-"All together!" shouted Ferrier.
-
-They poured in a volley, emptying both barrels; then, with John and
-Ferrier at the head, charged straight at the enemy. The savages,
-themselves taken aback by this sudden and vigorous onslaught, were too
-much flurried to discharge their weapons. While they still hesitated,
-the two white men were upon them, smiting right and left with the
-stocks of their rifles, their native followers close at their heels,
-making the air ring with their shouts. The savages immediately in the
-path of John and Ferrier went over like ninepins; a way was cleft
-through the group; several fell to the spears of the natives; the rest
-turned and fled right and left with wild yells, some plunging into the
-river, the others dashing towards their comrades in the plain.
-
-"Now for a sprint," cried John. "We're not far from the bluff."
-
-They ran as fast as they could through the clinging undergrowth,
-emerged from cover when the rising ground told them that the end of
-their march was near at hand, and began to climb the steep ascent. The
-enemy, whose main body had hurried forward at the sound of firing in
-the expectation of finding their quarry engaged with the ambush, were
-driven frantic at the sight of their prey escaping them. Plucking up
-courage at last, they rushed forward in a yelling swarm, hoping to
-overcome the little party which had baffled them while it was still on
-the lower slope of the bluff, the path being so narrow that the
-climbers must go in single file. In a few brief sentences John ordered
-the bowmen to climb as quickly as possible, while with the rest he
-remained at the foot to check the rush. The enemy had come within two
-hundred yards before John and his companions had time to reload their
-rifles, which they had been unable to do during their dash through the
-undergrowth. But they came no nearer. A volley brought down several
-men in the front line of the mass, if the van of such a wild horde
-could be called a line. The rest wavered; while they hesitated the
-terrible bullets were again singing among them. It was enough: they
-broke and fled in disorder, sped by a flight of arrows from the men who
-had climbed the bluff and were able to shoot without the risk of
-injuring their friends below.
-
-"I think that's the end," said John, panting as much with excitement as
-with his exertions. "Up you go, Coja!"
-
-They hastened up the path, Ferrier and John the last two of the line.
-When they reached the top, where their men were awaiting them, they
-halted to look back over the plain.
-
-"My word! you've done jolly well," cried John, as he saw the dusky
-throng halted below. "I had no idea there were so many of them. What
-happened, Charley?"
-
-"Yesterday afternoon, just after I had brought in those fellows we left
-at our little camp, the beggars made a sudden rush on us, springing up
-from nowhere, as it appeared. It was the same lot that we stampeded,
-but largely reinforced, and from what my men said, there's no doubt the
-newcomers belong to the same tribe I had trouble with when you rescued
-me. It was lucky we weren't completely taken by surprise. I had a
-sort of notion they might try on something of the sort. I don't
-believe they knew at first that you had gone, and their idea was to
-have their revenge for the slap we gave them. Juma was among them,
-Coja told me."
-
-"The blackguard!"
-
-"I had got the boma repaired where we burnt it, so that they couldn't
-get in, but they came all round us, keeping under cover, and thinking,
-I suppose, that they would starve us out. I felt I was in a bit of a
-fix. We might hold our own in the camp for three or four days; but I
-was afraid they'd stay there until you came back, and there was such a
-crowd of them, as you see, that I didn't see how you could possibly get
-through them. It struck me that the best thing I could do was to come
-after you and join forces while there was time; so I left the fires
-burning and slipped away in the middle of the night, making a detour
-round their camp, which they had pitched about a quarter of a mile
-up-stream. We couldn't march very fast with our loads, but the men
-were very plucky, and it wasn't till this afternoon that the beggars
-caught us. We had been fighting for about an hour when you came up,
-and I was jolly glad to see you, I can tell you, for they were
-beginning to press us very closely, and we couldn't have kept it up
-much longer. What luck have you had?"
-
-"I've got the fort: I'll tell you all about it when we get there. By
-Jove! there is a lot of them. What are they up to?"
-
-The enemy, numbering, as nearly as John could estimate, more than four
-hundred, had given up direct pursuit, evidently recognizing that to
-scale the bluff under the rifles of its defenders would be a hopeless
-task. They were marching rapidly to the right. In addition to the
-fighting men, there was also a large number of men and women carrying
-loads, no doubt provisions: these had only just come up with the main
-body.
-
-"Is there any other way up the escarpment?" asked Ferrier, anxiously.
-
-"Not that I know of. It looks as if they're going to make a round to
-the fort. We had better hurry on."
-
-They turned about and marched rapidly after the men, who were already
-some distance away.
-
-"I had begun to demolish the fort," said John, "which is a pity if
-they're going to besiege us. Perhaps they've had enough of it, though."
-
-"Can't we repair it?"
-
-"Unluckily we've pitched the stones of the wall into the pool
-surrounding it, and I'm afraid we can't fish them up again. It's a
-good job we hadn't done much. We were in the middle of the work when
-Bill heard your shots. He spotted your rifle; his hearing is amazingly
-acute."
-
-"Well, it seems to me that we are in for a nice little campaign. It is
-to be hoped your friend Gillespie has started for the farm. I don't
-like to think of it being left."
-
-"Let's see. He must just about have got my letter, I should think. I
-don't feel very anxious. We had no troubles except from lions and
-Juma, and the chief will lend a hand if any wandering tribe turns up,
-which isn't likely. No, Charley; the difficulty's here: and upon my
-word it looks as if we've got a campaign on our hands, as you say.
-However, here we are! There's the fort, and we've got to hold it, my
-boy."
-
-"Right ho! I only hope it won't be another Ladysmith."
-
-"Can't possibly. Our food won't last a week."
-
-"Oh!" said Ferrier.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER THE SEVENTEENTH--John's Letter
-======================================
-
-In the comfortable dining-room of Mr. Gillespie's bungalow a merry
-party was assembled. At the right hand of Mr. Gillespie sat a
-handsome, well-preserved lady, who was fifty and looked forty-five. At
-the other end of the table, beside the hostess, was our friend Mr.
-Halliday, fresh and florid, evidently in the best of health. His
-neighbour on the right was a slim young girl in black; hers was a tall,
-well-set-up young man of twenty-five. Opposite these two, in due
-sequence, were a girl who might have been seventeen, and a youth a year
-or two older, so much like her that no one could have doubted they were
-brother and sister.
-
-Laughter rang round the table; everybody seemed at the top of
-cheerfulness, except the girl in black. Even she smiled at a remark
-addressed to her by Mr. Halliday. There was a pause in the
-conversation as they devoted themselves to the sweets, which included a
-wonderful confection of native pine-apples. Then the lady next to Mr.
-Gillespie, in slow level tones, and with the clear enunciation and
-scarcely perceptible burr of an educated Scotswoman, said--
-
-"He's a dear boy, I'm sure. We could read so well between the lines of
-his letters that he thought me a very designing woman----"
-
-"A Delilah, Cousin Sylvia," said Mr. Halliday.
-
-"You'd be the better for having your hair cut, Cousin David. I
-shouldn't allude to such a personal matter if I didn't hope that Mrs.
-Gillespie would back me up. *I've* done my best to improve you, and
-failed; perhaps public opinion will do some good."
-
-"Don't worry, Mrs. Burtenshaw," said Mr. Gillespie. "He'll get a
-thorough crop before he goes up country, where barbers are unknown."
-
-"But it won't matter then, where there's no one to see him.... It was
-plain John thought his father would marry me----"
-
-"The other way about, cousin," Mr. Halliday interposed. "He wouldn't
-suspect me of all men of fortune hunting."
-
-"Listen to him!" exclaimed Mrs. Burtenshaw, drawing herself up with an
-affectation of injured dignity. "If any man wanted to marry me it
-could only be for my money, you see. As I was saying, John quite
-expects to be presented with a step-mother, and resents it, like all
-young things. Joe there wouldn't speak to me for a week when I married
-poor Burtenshaw. It's a nice kind of jealousy, don't you think so,
-Mrs. Gillespie?"
-
-"Just like a dog's," said Mrs. Gillespie, in a tone that made every one
-laugh. "When we first came out we had a collie that couldn't see my
-husband put his arm round me without whining to be petted."
-
-"John will be flabbergasted when he sees us," said the older of the two
-young men, referred to by his mother as Joe.
-
-"Yes, wasn't it funny that he should come across them in the wilds of
-Africa, and rescue Poll from a game-pit without either of them knowing
-they were cousins?" said Helen, his sister. "It's quite a romance."
-
-"Doesn't he know the relationship now?" asked Mrs. Gillespie.
-
-"No," said Mr. Halliday, with a chuckle. "I asked him in one of my
-letters whether he had seen anything of the Brownes. You see, they
-talked of settling here, before they came into this fortune."
-
-"That's all over now, of course," said Mr. Gillespie.
-
-"I'm not so sure," said Joe Browne. "The people at home were very
-nice, and all that, but they're too stiff and starched after what we've
-been used to; wear high collars and kid gloves. I don't fancy Poll and
-I could settle down to that sort of thing."
-
-"And I don't want you to," said Mrs. Burtenshaw. "I don't believe in
-healthy young men loafing about, and I tell my boys they'll have to
-work for their living just as if I were a poor woman."
-
-"Capital!" said Mr. Gillespie. "And when they see what John has been
-doing I warrant they'll settle down as neighbours. There'll be quite a
-little colony of Scotsmen about Alloway soon, for I've no doubt you've
-Scotch blood in you, Miss Ferrier?"
-
-"Diluted, Mr. Gillespie," said the girl in black. "My grandfather was
-a Scotsman, but he married a Frenchwoman--Canadian French, of course.
-Do you really think my brother will settle here?"
-
-"Well, I can't exactly say," was Mr. Gillespie's cautious reply. "It
-seems very probable from what John says in his letters. Don't you like
-the prospect?"
-
-"Oh, I shall live with Charley, of course; and if it's really as nice
-as he says--there isn't any real danger, is there?"
-
-"A lion among the ladies!" cried Mr. Halliday, and they all laughed,
-Said Mohammed's quotation being common property among them. "I think
-you'll find it all right, my dear," he added in his fatherly way. "I
-dare say John and your brother between them have exterminated the lions
-in our neighbourhood by this time."
-
-"I think Hilda was very plucky to come all this way alone," said Helen.
-"*I* shouldn't have had the courage."
-
-"But I wasn't really alone," said Hilda Ferrier. "The people on the
-*Mauretania* were very kind, and I met you on the *Palawan*, you see.
-I was thinking more of the natives than of lions: of course, you can
-shoot lions."
-
-"And you can shoot men, my dear," said Mr. Halliday.
-
-"There, now you've frightened her," said Mrs. Burtenshaw, as a startled
-look crossed the girl's face. "What an absurd man you are, David!
-You've told us over and over again that the natives are perfectly
-friendly."
-
-"So we found them, Cousin Sylvia. We had no trouble except with the
-thieves of our own safari. I grudge them the rifles they stole, that's
-a fact. I suppose that villain Juma has never dared to show his face
-in Nairobi again, Gillespie?"
-
-"Not to my knowledge. He wouldn't bring your rifles if he did."
-
-"Why did he steal them, then?" asked Helen.
-
-"To shoot with, of course," said Oliver Browne. "What a question!"
-
-"I thought he might want to sell them, or pawn them, or something."
-
-"We've no pawn-shops in Nairobi," said Mr. Gillespie, laughing, "though
-I'm sorry to say we've some Indian money-lenders who've got their
-clutch on some of our poorer settlers. Juma won't try to sell the
-rifles here at any rate. I suppose he stole them to shoot with, as
-your brother says, though I confess it's a little odd. He has been a
-porter for several years past, and it isn't like porters to give up
-their trade. Perhaps he has taken a fancy for being independent, and
-has settled down somewhere with others of his kidney. The rifles would
-be very useful to him in getting food. He's a scamp, though; for he
-has unquestionably deserted his wife, who has turned out a capital
-laundress, John says."
-
-"He hasn't been back to the farm?" asked Mr. Halliday.
-
-"John hasn't said so. I think my notion must be correct, because the
-man has led an adventurous life, and the only surprising thing is that
-he should go back to it after years of portering. I believe he once
-belonged to a party of Arab ivory-dealers--I can't call them hunters,
-for all they did was to buy, or steal, ivory from the Wanderobbo north
-of Kenya. They were smashed up a few years ago by a tribe of Embe or
-Rendili, and Juma was said to be the only one who escaped. He has
-always been a good porter, except for his temper, and people have put
-up with that because of his strength and ingenuity.... This is cheese
-from John's dairy, Mrs. Burtenshaw; I can recommend it."
-
-At this point a black servant entered, carrying a letter on a salver.
-
-"A letter from John himself," said Mr. Gillespie, glancing at the
-envelope. "Now we shall hear all the news."
-
-He broke the envelope and cast his eye over the contents, the others
-waiting in silence to hear what he had to say. He looked up in a
-moment and gave a quick glance at Mr. Halliday. Then, still holding
-the letter, he smiled and said--
-
-"Shall we go into the other room, Mother, and digest this letter with
-some coffee?"
-
-"Very well, my dear," said Mrs. Gillespie, rising. No one could have
-detected from her placid face and natural movements that she was aware
-that something was wrong. Oliver, who was nearest to the door, held it
-while the ladies passed out, and stood back for the elder men to follow.
-
-"Go on, my boy," said Mr. Gillespie. "I'll look out some cigars I want
-you to try; be with you in a moment."
-
-He took Mr. Halliday by the arm as he was passing, shut the door, and
-putting the letter into his hand, said--
-
-"Read that!"
-
-This is what Mr. Halliday read--
-
- |
-
-DEAR MR. GILLESPIE,
-
-The farm has been raided while we were away--got away by a trick. I
-suspect Juma and his gang. They collared all our rifles and
-ammunition. Ferrier and I are starting at once to follow them up. I
-want you to send up somebody at once--a white man--to give an eye to
-things. I dare say we shall be back by the time he gets here, but
-it'll be just as well to have somebody on the spot in case we're longer
-than I expect. Sorry to trouble you, but I've got to teach Juma a
-lesson.
-
-Yours in haste,
- | D. HALLIDAY.
-
- |
-
-"That's the explanation!" exclaimed Mr. Halliday. "Can I start
-to-night?"
-
-"No. This may be a serious business--the young madcap! I hope he'll
-turn back if he doesn't catch them at once----"
-
-"That wouldn't be John. He'll go on till he has thrashed them."
-
-"Then heaven help him! Man, he may find himself among a whole tribe of
-blood-thirsty savages. And the worst of it is we may not reach him in
-time. It's not merely a question of looking after the farm. We'll
-start as soon as it's light: I'll get a party together."
-
-"The police?"
-
-"No: can't wait for them. I'll go down to the club and get some
-fellows I can rely on. We'll go on horses and mules. We had better
-not alarm the women."
-
-"We must tell them something. Better out with it, I think. They'll
-only think it worse than it is if they see we're keeping something
-back."
-
-"Couldn't be worse. Well, perhaps you are right; but don't let 'em see
-we're put about."
-
-"All right. Give me a cigar."
-
-They strolled into the other room smoking, showing no trace of their
-anxiety. Mrs. Gillespie looked up quickly as her husband entered, but
-only said--
-
-"Come, your coffee is poured out and getting cold."
-
-"My own growing, ma'am," said Mr. Gillespie to Mrs. Burtenshaw, as he
-took his cup, "and I hope you like it."
-
-"Mother couldn't say she doesn't, could she?" said Helen archly. "*I*
-like it very much."
-
-"Helen speaks for us all," said Mrs. Burtenshaw. "Well, what does John
-say?"
-
-"Any news of the failed B.A.?" asked Joe.
-
-"He doesn't mention him this time. In fact, it's just a note: you
-can't call it a letter. He has had to leave the farm for a day or two,
-and wants me to send up a man to look after things in his absence."
-
-"Has Charley gone too?" asked Hilda Ferrier.
-
-"Yes, they've both gone, or it wouldn't be necessary to ask for a man.
-It's lucky Mr. Halliday is on the spot, so we shan't have to hire
-anybody."
-
-"Gone shooting, I suppose," said Joe.
-
-"Or after strayed sheep," said Oliver. "They're always a trouble."
-
-"But I don't understand," said Hilda. "You say they have gone: why
-didn't John get somebody before he went?"
-
-"That shows it's sheep," replied Oliver quickly. "He'd have to start
-at once or he wouldn't stand much chance of getting 'em all. That's
-it, isn't it, Mr. Gillespie?"
-
-"Well, no, not exactly."
-
-"In fact," said Mr. Halliday quietly, "the farm has been robbed, and as
-there are no policemen in the neighbourhood, John has had to go after
-the robbers himself."
-
-"Gone shooting: I said so," remarked Joe.
-
-"Don't be absurd, Joe," said Helen.
-
-"I'm going to take Halliday down to the club, if you'll excuse us,"
-said Mr. Gillespie. "He'll start for the farm to-morrow----"
-
-"So soon!" interrupted Joe quickly. "I thought we should all go
-together at the end of the week."
-
-"I must go to-morrow," said Mr. Halliday, "and as I shall be off before
-you're up in the morning I'll say good-bye now. I'll be back in a few
-days, and then you can all come and view our estate. It's just as well
-that I am going first, for we shall have to get some rooms ready for
-you, you know."
-
-He shook hands all round, and left with Mr. Gillespie, who had been
-speaking in an undertone to his wife. Joe Browne followed them from
-the room.
-
-"I say, Cousin David," he said, "what's up?"
-
-Hesitating a moment, Mr. Halliday put John's note into his hand. Joe
-whistled softly.
-
-"I'm coming," he said. "So will Poll. What time do you start?"
-
-"My dear boy, your mother----"
-
-"Mother's an old trump. I shall tell her the exact state of the case
-quietly, of course; I won't scare the girls; and she won't turn a hair.
-We'll ride, I suppose? You can get us mounts, Mr. Gillespie?"
-
-"Yes. We'll start at sunrise. You've got khaki and sun helmets?"
-
-"Of course. We'll be ready, sir, Poll and I."
-
-At six o'clock next morning a party of ten rode out of Nairobi. It
-consisted of the four men we know, with five friends of Mr. Gillespie
-and a Somali guide. Six were mounted on horses, the rest on mules.
-Two members of Mr. Gillespie's household watched them leave. One was
-his wife, who bid them Godspeed at the door; the other was Hilda
-Ferrier, who had passed a sleepless night, and looked forth from the
-window of her room with tired and anxious eyes.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER THE EIGHTEENTH--An Attack in Force
-==========================================
-
-It was within an hour of sunset when John and Ferrier reached the fort.
-They looked first of all to see whether it was possible to raise the
-stones which had been cast into the pool, for the purpose of repairing
-the wall, and found, as John had suspected, that they were too deep
-below the surface.
-
-"We must make the best of it," said John. "It's lucky we hadn't got
-more of the wall down. They won't bother us to-night, that's one
-comfort. They'll think twice before crossing the causeway in the dark."
-
-It proved as he had said. A careful watch was kept all through the
-night, but nothing happened to disturb them. As soon as there was a
-glimmer of light John went to the gate with Ferrier to survey the
-surroundings. Except for the clump of woodland half-a-mile away on the
-east there was nothing that afforded good cover, and it struck Ferrier
-that it would be a good plan to seize the wood with the fighting men
-before the enemy could occupy it. But when he passed over the causeway
-with John and a dozen of the natives they discovered to their vexation
-that they were too late. They had advanced but a short distance when
-they were met by a volley from among the trees, and though none of the
-party was hit, John considered it prudent to retire into the fort and
-await developments there.
-
-During the rest of the day the enemy made no serious attack. The smoke
-from their camp-fires was seen rising above the trees, and now and then
-a shot was fired if any of the garrison showed themselves at the gate
-or in the gap of the wall; but the enemy were indifferent marksmen, and
-the day passed without casualties.
-
-"Things don't look very rosy, do they?" said Ferrier, as he lay on the
-ground discussing the situation with John. They had found when they
-came to look into matters that some of the porters during their hurried
-flight had abandoned their loads. Two boxes of ammunition were
-missing, and several baskets of provisions. Said Mohammed was in great
-distress at the loss of the package containing cocoa, condensed milk,
-and marmalade. This, however, was not so serious as the loss of grain.
-The total food supply, including the provisions found in the fort,
-would not last more than three or four days; and John, though he did
-not say so, thought that Ferrier would have done better to retreat
-towards the farm than to advance chivalrously to rejoin him. He
-considered that it would have been possible for himself and his
-fighting men, unencumbered with baggage of any great weight, to have
-made a rapid march after demolishing the fort, and joined hands with
-Ferrier probably twenty miles nearer home. But fate had ordained
-otherwise; the situation must be faced as it existed.
-
-"Things certainly do not look rosy," John replied to Ferrier's remark,
-"but they might be worse--which is a pretty rotten platitude when you
-come to think of it. It looks as if they mean to keep us boxed up
-here. We shall have to get out when our food's exhausted, or starve,
-and I'm inclined to think we had better make a dash for it at once,
-before the men get weak. These natives who live mostly on grain food
-soon crock up: they haven't anything like our reserve strength,
-whatever the vegetarians may say."
-
-"I don't know. My poor father and I passed through a village where the
-people hadn't had any food for a week, and it was wonderful to see how
-energetic they were when they saw us coming. They were all skin and
-bone, dreadful-looking objects; but they weren't anything like so
-crocked as we should be."
-
-"Well, I suppose it all depends on what you are used to. We'll discuss
-the pros and cons of vegetarianism when we're out of this and have got
-a full choice of either food. At present we are likely to become
-air-eaters before long."
-
-"Aerophags, eh? or chameleons: they're supposed to live on air, aren't
-they?"
-
-"You seem very chirpy."
-
-"Well, old chap, the fact is I'm so uncommonly glad we're both alive
-that I am perhaps inclined to be a little----"
-
-"Light-headed," suggested John.
-
-"If you must be serious, I don't think your notion of an immediate dash
-is a good one. The men have had a lot of hard marching, and we ought
-to give them a good rest--a full day, at any rate."
-
-"I dare say that would be wise, but the worst of it is that it will
-give time for that crowd outside to grow still bigger, and the chances
-of our getting through them safely will be slighter than ever."
-
-"But remember they've got to eat, as well as we, and the more there are
-of them the worse their position. The country we came through was
-practically barren, and when they have used up the food they have with
-them they'll have to range about for more. That'll be our chance. I
-vote we sit tight for a while."
-
-"All right. Here's Said with our supper: what is it to-night,
-khansaman?"
-
-"I suffer pangs, sir, in serving gents with such slops, et cetera, but
-cupboard is bare, sir, to quote classic of Mother Hubbard; all I can
-provide for sustenance is cassava bread, beans, and bovril.
-Incredulity of native mind, sir, is as colossal as credulity. Carved
-wooden stick is a devil right enough: but when I tell them my little
-brown bottle contains concentrated essence of stall-fed ox, lo! they
-grin all over their mug and ask where are its four legs."
-
-"That's rather a good thing, for they won't envy us our supper. We
-shall do very well, as long as it lasts."
-
-"Ah, sir, I remember the beautiful words of Dr. Johnson, great
-lexicographer: 'And every moment makes my little less.' Hunger is the
-best sauce, sir, but it does not fill the saucepan."
-
-This night, like the last, was undisturbed. On the afternoon of the
-next day, when John had ceased to look for any offensive movement on
-the part of the enemy, he saw a great crowd of them issue from the
-wood, and come yelling across the ground towards the causeway.
-
-"Hallo! They're getting desperate," he said to Ferrier. He
-immediately brought up all the men who had firearms and placed them at
-the gap in the wall, bidding them keep under cover and fire when he
-gave the word. The yelling horde were met by a volley just as they
-reached the landward end of the causeway; but though several men
-dropped it did not check the rush, and John concluded from their
-intense excitement that they had been stimulating their courage with
-fermented liquor. Some sprang on to the causeway, and began to run
-across it; others took to the water, which soon swarmed with black
-heads moving towards the fort. The garrison fired as fast as they
-could reload, but the men rushing in single file along the causeway did
-not present a good target, and the swimmers were far too numerous to be
-dealt with by a dropping fire from the wall. The defenders in their
-turn were how the mark for a fusillade from the further shore of the
-pool, where several Swahilis had taken up their position, finding a
-little shelter in the reeds, and doing their best to cover the attack
-of the natives. John looked eagerly among them for the big form of
-Juma, resolving if he saw him to pick him off; the fall of their leader
-might demoralize or dishearten the rest. But Juma never came in sight;
-apparently he was directing the movement from a place of safety in the
-rear.
-
-The men running across the causeway sprang into the water when they
-came to the gap from which the bridge had been removed, and, swimming
-under water, sought to scramble on to the narrow shelf of land which
-ran beneath the wall at this part. At the same time those who had swum
-round on either side were swarming on hands and knees up the steep
-bank. The attack began to look more serious than John had anticipated.
-There were several hundreds of the assailants, and to meet these he had
-but forty-three, of whom only ten had rifles. The difficulty was
-increased by the fact that when the enemy succeeded, as some of them
-did, in effecting a lodgment, it was necessary that his men should show
-themselves above the wall in order to shoot down upon them, thus
-becoming exposed to the fire from the Swahilis. Leaving his riflemen
-at the gap to deal with the men who came over the causeway and to keep
-down as much as possible the fire from the shore, John ran with Ferrier
-to whatever part of the wall was at the moment the most seriously
-threatened. He had already proved the poor marksmanship of the
-Swahilis, and, seeing that the enemy must be prevented at all costs
-from entering the fort, he no longer troubled to seek cover, but
-ordered the men to mount the wall and make the most of their advantage
-in being several feet above their attackers. Ferrier and he, fully
-exposed to the enemy's fire, ran from place to place encouraging the
-men, grasping their rifles by the barrel so as to use them as clubs if
-any of the storming party came near the top of the wall.
-
-The extent of rampart to be defended was so great and the enemy so
-numerous that in spite of all efforts many of them succeeded in
-scrambling up the mound. Then, having reached the top, they set their
-feet in crevices between the stones and clambered up with great
-agility, with spears in their mouths. But no sooner did they show
-their heads above the wall than John, or Ferrier, or some of the men
-were upon them, and with clubbed rifles, spears, or fists, hurled them
-down the slope and into the water. A few managed to mount on the wall
-before the defenders could reach them, and held their position for a
-minute or two, thrusting viciously with their spears and wounding
-several of the garrison. John noticed these, and, hastily loading,
-called to his men to drop down and then fired, following up the shot
-with a rush. This group waited for no more, but sprang from the wall,
-fell headlong on the slope, and rolled into the pool, whither one of
-their comrades, shot by John's rifle, had already preceded them.
-
-In spite of these checks, the enemy still came on. Those who had been
-thrown down returned again to the assault, and were constantly
-reinforced by others. More parties gained a temporary footing on the
-wall; there was hand-to-hand fighting at several points at once; and
-John began to fear that his men would lose heart and give way before
-sheer weight of numbers. Neither he nor Ferrier could be everywhere,
-and it was noticeable that the enemy held their ground longest where
-the defenders had not the presence of the white men to give them
-confidence. The tide was turned at last by Said Mohammed, who had a
-brilliant inspiration. There was always a fire burning in the middle
-of the enclosure. It suddenly occurred to him, when he saw his party
-beginning to be hard pressed, to boil some water, and observing that
-John and Ferrier were occupied at two different points far apart, he
-ran towards the wall between them, where a group of the enemy were on
-the point of springing down into the enclosure. He carried a can full
-of boiling water. Aiming it at the biggest man of the group, just as
-he was bending forward to spring, the Bengali hurled the canful at his
-head. The scalding water fell not only on him, but on the man next
-him, and there rose two frightful yells which drowned all other sounds
-of combat. The injured men and their immediate comrades leapt
-frantically into the pool; their cries caused a weakening of the attack
-elsewhere; and the two white men, seizing the moment, though unaware at
-the time to what it was due, laid about them still more lustily with
-their rifles.
-
-The savages on the side where Said Mohammed had so opportunely
-intervened were now seen swimming to the shore. Their panic was
-speedily communicated to their fellows, and in a few moments at least
-half of the attacking force were in retreat. The defenders being thus
-free to devote all their attention to the enemy in the other quarter,
-soon made short work of them, and after twenty minutes of exhausting
-effort they saw the whole force making shorewards, and scurrying back
-under cover. John's riflemen fired a few shots at them as they fled,
-but he put a stop to this, thinking that the punishment they had
-already received might have taught them a lesson and would break up the
-siege.
-
-As he turned from the wall to see what casualties the garrison had
-suffered, Said Mohammed came up to him with his usually solemn face
-spread abroad with a smile. An empty can was swinging in his hand.
-
-"I did that jolly well, sir: *Hoc solus feci*."
-
-"By and by," said John impatiently, thinking that the Bengali had some
-trifling act to relate at epic length. Said Mohammed's smile vanished
-like an April sun behind a cloud. He looked sorrowfully after John's
-retreating form, then brightened a little as he caught sight of Ferrier.
-
-"Esteemed sir," he said, advancing towards him, "this humble billy was
-the *Deus ex machina*."
-
-"Eh! What! You aren't hurt, are you?" said Ferrier, hurrying by.
-
-"Only in my soul," muttered Said Mohammed, gloom descending upon him.
-"'Slow rises worth by poverty depressed.'"
-
-John and Ferrier spent the next half-hour in attending to the wounded.
-Not a man had been killed; but several were suffering from spear
-wounds, and still more from rifle shots. The white men were again
-struck by the uncomplaining patience of the injured men.
-
-"You may call it a lack of sensibility if you like," said Ferrier, "but
-I guess it's a fine thing from a military point of view."
-
-"One can understand how Wellington's army in the Peninsula, the scum of
-the earth, as he called them, did what they did. I wish we could do
-something for these poor chaps. One of them is done for, I'm afraid; I
-don't feel fit to-day to dig out the bullets from the others. All we
-can do is to bathe 'em and bandage them up; they've astonishing
-vitality. Did you read some time ago about a fellow who got a bullet
-in him in the Franco-Prussian war, and didn't have it removed till
-thirty years afterwards? Hallo! You've had a knock yourself."
-
-"So have you."
-
-"I didn't know it," said John, looking himself up and down.
-
-"I'm sorry to say it's behind," said Ferrier, with a smile: "just under
-your shoulder. You'd better take your shirt off and let me see to it."
-
-"After you. You've got a pretty gash in your neck. My face must have
-scared 'em, and they didn't recover till I had turned, and then jabbed
-me in the back."
-
-"If we were only outside, Bill might find some of his herbs and plaster
-us. However, we're lucky to have got off so well, and I hope we shan't
-have anything worse to go through before we get back."
-
-Said Mohammed was unwontedly silent when he brought their supper. He
-handed them their bovril and cassava cakes without a word. John
-suddenly remembered that he had brushed hastily past the Bengali just
-as the fight was over.
-
-"By the way, khansaman," he said, "you began to tell me something.
-Sorry I was too busy to attend to you. What was it?"
-
-"Trifling matter, sir, not worthy of august attention," murmured the
-man.
-
-"You made some remark about your billy, didn't you?" said Ferrier. "I
-didn't quite catch it."
-
-"Foreign lingo, sir: in short, Latin, reformed pronunciation."
-
-"Ah! that accounts for it. I was taught by an old Westminster man.
-You should take pity on my ignorance, khansaman."
-
-"Accepting your invite, sir, I take you back to critical moment when
-all seemed U P. The hour brings forth the man. There came into my
-mind the lovely words of Alfred Lord Tennyson, poet laureate--
-
- | Fill the can, and fill the cup:
- | All the windy ways of men
- | Are but dust that rises up,
- | And is lightly laid again.
-
-There was the enemy, rising up like dust; here was the can, ready to be
-filled. Whereupon I filled it in a jiffy, boiled it in the time
-ordained by nature, and with this right hand hurled it in teeth of the
-foe. The dust was laid, sir. Q.E.F."
-
-"By Jove!" cried John, "I wondered why they slackened off all of a
-sudden. You did jolly well, khansaman."
-
-"Shows the usefulness of English literature," said Ferrier gravely.
-"You never know what inspiration it may give at times of difficulty and
-danger."
-
-"Verree true, sir; and it makes me feel jolly bucked to know I have
-such spanking good memory."
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER THE NINETEENTH--Trapped
-===============================
-
-The failure of their determined assault had evidently discouraged the
-enemy, for during the following day they scarcely showed themselves.
-John was disappointed, however, to find that it had not caused them to
-break up their camp. The stock of food in the fort was seriously
-deplenished; but after the spirit the enemy had displayed he felt that
-the chances of surviving a running fight with them would be small. The
-notion of slipping away in the darkness again occurred to him, and as
-he talked it over with Ferrier it suddenly came into his head to make a
-preliminary night sortie himself, to see how the land lay on the side
-of the fort remote from the enemy.
-
-"We can carry one of the canoes to that end, lift it over the wall, and
-launch it without being seen."
-
-"If there are none of the enemy about," said Ferrier. "You remember we
-saw a party of them cross the river to-day and march in that direction,
-foraging, I suppose."
-
-"Yes, but we've never seen or heard a sign of them at night."
-
-"That's true."
-
-"And I say, I've another idea. We want food badly: why shouldn't I go
-out at night with Bill and a few others and shoot something?"
-
-"Are you quite mad, my dear chap? Your shots would bring them on you
-in no time."
-
-"Of course I shouldn't attempt to shoot anything until we were miles
-away from the camp. We could cover five or six miles before it was
-light, and if we take care not to go to windward they won't hear a
-single rifle-shot. A volley would be a different thing, I grant you."
-
-"I doubt whether the reeds on that side of the pool are thick enough to
-hide the canoe, and if they discover it----"
-
-"There's no need to hide it," John interrupted. "One of the men can
-paddle it back, and come for us again when we give you a hail. We
-shall have to return by night, of course."
-
-"Well, you bowl over my objections one after another, so I suppose you
-must go. Can't I come too?"
-
-"We can't both leave the place."
-
-"Well, why shouldn't I go and you stay?"
-
-"You see, I understand Bill better than you do, and he'll be the one to
-find the game. I really think, Charley, this time----"
-
-"Oh, all right!" said Ferrier, interrupting. "This time, and that
-time, and all the other times!"
-
-"But you fired the boma!"
-
-"Is that to last me for ever?"
-
-"And came to find me, fighting: what about that? Still, if you want to
-go----"
-
-"Not a bit of it, old man. It's your idea; you go; I'll run over in my
-mind all the poetry I know and see if I can get a happy thought like
-Said Mohammed."
-
-Two hours before dawn the canoe was gently lowered by ropes over the
-wall at the end of the fort opposite the gate. Here, it will be
-remembered, the slope of the ground immediately beneath the wall was
-steep, but the island jutted out, in a fairly level spit, for some
-distance into the pool. John, the Wanderobbo, and five other men were
-let down in the same way, four of them to accompany John as carriers of
-any game he might obtain, the fifth to paddle the canoe back when they
-had landed. The night was very dark; they moved with scarcely a sound;
-and having gained the further shore John and his companions struck off
-across country.
-
-John's intention had been to go directly north, but when Bill told him
-that the banks of the river would be the most likely quarter in which
-to find game at sunrise, when the animals came down to drink, he
-resolved to strike off in a north-westerly direction, from which
-quarter the wind blew, and gain the river somewhere north of the
-rapids. They marched very quickly, the plain on this side of the river
-being open, came to the river-bank in about half-an-hour, and then
-tramped along up-stream, careful not to approach the water too closely
-for fear of crocodiles. At dawn they were, John thought, at least five
-miles from the fort, but he decided to go a mile or two farther before
-beginning operations, to lessen any risk of shots being heard in the
-camp.
-
-The river wound this way and that, now between level banks, now
-bordered by steep bluffs thick with overhanging trees. The current was
-always swift, and John had been conscious ever since the start that the
-ground was gradually rising. Bill did not stick closely to the river:
-indeed, that would have been impossible; he sought the easiest way,
-which led sometimes through scrub, sometimes over stretches of bare
-rock which tried John's boots sorely, sometimes through patches of
-woodland: always, however, coming to the river at last. From one
-elevated position to which they came John looked back and, now that the
-morning haze had lifted, saw the river serpentining behind him, and in
-the far distance the pool gleaming in the sunlight, the island and fort
-a dark spot in the midst.
-
-At last he considered that he had come far enough to be out of earshot
-from the enemy's camp, and since the nearest village, the abode of the
-"bad men," was about a day's march to the north-west, he felt that no
-danger was to be anticipated from that quarter. Accordingly the party
-of six descended to the level of the river, and Bill began his search
-for game-tracks. The river here flowed through narrow channels between
-great boulders of a pinkish rock, the brink being lined with reeds.
-Before long Bill came upon the spoor of a hippopotamus, and since
-necessity knows no law, John thought himself justified in following it
-up, in spite of the technical transgression of the terms of his
-licence. He was not shooting for sport, he reflected, but for food.
-
-They came at length to a rocky pool. Bill halted, and pointing to an
-overhanging rock on the other side, drew John's attention to a gentle
-rippling disturbance of the water. In a moment appeared two red
-nostrils covered with coarse black hair. John lifted his rifle, but
-Bill signed to him to wait, and after a few seconds the nostrils sank
-below the surface: the animal had merely risen to breathe. They all
-sat down on the bank to await his reappearance. Several times during
-half-an-hour he showed just as much of himself, and no more. This was
-tantalizing. Would he never emerge? John's patience at length gave
-out. He thought that if he could cross to the other side he might get
-a fair shot at the beast, or at least stir him to movement. Looking
-down-stream, he saw that some little distance away the surface of the
-river was broken, which indicated shallow water. He hastened to the
-spot, and stripping to his shirt, waded across waist deep, climbed the
-bank, and stealthily crept up until he came directly over the place
-where the hippo had last appeared.
-
-Scarcely had he arrived there when the beast heaved its great back,
-with a convulsion of the water, above the surface a little farther up
-the pool. In an instant the rifle was at his shoulder: he fired; the
-hippo gave a snort, and the water around him was agitated as by an
-immense churn. Quick as thought John fired the second barrel: and the
-beast rolled over on its side, with a bullet through the brain.
-
-.. _`The hippo gave a snort, and the water around him was agitated as by an immense churn`:
-
-.. figure:: images/img-262.jpg
- :align: center
- :alt: "The hippo gave a snort, and the water around him was agitated as by an immense churn."
-
- "The hippo gave a snort, and the water around him was agitated as by an immense churn."
-
-..
-
-The four porters shouted with delight, and plunged into the water to
-drag the carcase to the bank with the cords they had brought with them.
-The current, however, carried it downwards, and wedged it between two
-rocks so tightly that, when they had tied the cords to the feet, all
-their hauling failed for a time to dislodge it. John was determined to
-secure the prey, which would provide two days' food for his whole
-party, so he stripped off his sole remaining garment and, first spying
-for crocodiles, swam to the assistance of the men. After ten minutes'
-hauling the unwieldy body was freed from the detaining rocks and drawn
-slowly to the bank.
-
-The men immediately set to work to cut it up with their knives. While
-they were engaged in this task, John resolved to go a little farther in
-search of more delicate fare for Ferrier and himself. Rolling on the
-grass to dry himself, he put on his clothes and set off up-stream with
-the Wanderobbo, instructing the others to retrace their steps slowly so
-soon as they had tied up their loads. They had proceeded but a short
-distance when Bill discovered the track of congoni which had recently
-come down to the river to drink. Following it up, they by and by came
-in sight of a small herd moving leisurely across the plain to the left.
-Being to windward of them, it would be impossible to stalk them
-directly. The only chance of getting a shot was to make a long detour
-and come upon them from the further side. John's sporting instincts
-were roused. There was no fear of losing the track of his men, so he
-struck off with Bill at right angles to the river, and after walking
-rapidly for half-an-hour in a wide curve, Bill never losing sight of
-the game, they got ahead of them, and took cover in a clump of trees
-which the animals must pass if they did not change their direction.
-They came very slowly, and before reaching the trees swerved somewhat
-to the right. It was now or never. John took aim at the nearest of
-the herd, which presented its flank to him. His first shot brought it
-down: the rest, raising their heads and looking round for a moment,
-galloped off; and Bill hurried forward with John to cut from the dead
-beast as much as he could carry.
-
-It was by this time more than an hour since they had left the men; and
-since it would be at least another hour before they could overtake
-them, John decided to hurry back as soon as Bill had prepared his load.
-He was sitting at the edge of the clump of trees, clasping his knees,
-and watching Bill's deft movements a few yards away, when he heard a
-slight rustling behind him. Thinking it might be a lion or hyena
-attracted by the scent of the game, he sprang up, grasping his rifle,
-only to be thrown on to his back by the onset of near a score of
-yelling savages. He had no opportunity of defending himself. His
-rifle had been knocked from his hand and was now in the possession of a
-tall Swahili, who grinned at him with malicious triumph as he lay on
-the ground, and ordered the savages to turn him over and tie his hands
-behind his back. Meanwhile some of the party had dashed after the
-Wanderobbo, who had fled towards the river at the first alarm. The old
-man was soon caught; John was hoisted to his feet; and in a few minutes
-he had the mortification of knowing that he was being marched, a
-prisoner, in a direction the exact opposite of the fort.
-
-The men were in an ecstasy of delight over their capture. They laughed
-and jabbered among themselves, but John was unable to recognize the
-dialect. He could not ask Bill who they were, for the crestfallen old
-man was kept at a distance from him. His hands also had been tied
-behind his back. John ventured once to speak to the Swahili, but the
-only answer was a grunt.
-
-They marched on, with intervals for rest, but without food, for the
-rest of the day. The country became more and more hilly as they
-proceeded, but the Swahili, who led the way, was evidently familiar
-with it. Just before sunset they came in sight of a stockaded village,
-perched up on a hill, and surrounded by wide well-cultivated fields.
-The Swahili called a halt while they were still some distance from the
-stockade, and, leaving his prisoners in the charge of a dozen of the
-men, went forward with the rest to the gate. There he held a long
-parley with the villagers, whom John could see thronging the stockade.
-The Swahili turned several times and pointed towards him, and then the
-talk began again, with much excited gesturing. John could not guess
-the meaning of the pantomime; the only thing that was clear was that it
-had some reference to him. At length, when it was almost dark, the
-Swahili turned away from the gate and came back to the remainder of his
-party. Whatever the subject of the discussion had been, the result was
-evidently satisfactory, for a contented smile overspread the man's
-swarthy face. He gave a curt order to the men: the prisoners were
-lifted from the ground where they had been laid, and urged towards the
-village with ungentle proddings from their captors' spears. They
-entered the gate and passed through a vast throng of excited people.
-John was now able to exchange a few words with Bill, who told him
-miserably that this was the village of the "bad men" who had destroyed
-the ivory caravan. There was no time for more; the two prisoners were
-again separated; amid yells from the men and shrieks of laughter from
-the women John was hustled into a noisome hut, and there left, tired
-and famished, to chew the cud of bitter reflection, amid the pressing
-attentions of innumerable pestilent insects.
-
-"Here's a pretty go!" he thought. "I suppose they won't eat me, but
-what will they do? This Swahili is surely one of Juma's gang, but what
-is he doing here? If what Bill says is true, there'll be no love lost
-between Juma and these people. What a precious fool I've been! I
-wonder if those poor wretches with the hippo meat are collared too?
-Good heavens! if they get back safe to the fort, I hope Ferrier won't
-be mad enough to come to the rescue. If he does it's good-bye for us
-all. Oh! *what* a fool I am!"
-
-To know one's folly is a stage towards wisdom: many men never get so
-far.
-
-John groaned, and shook his head and body in a vain attempt to get rid
-of his persistent visitors. He tried to release his arms, but failed.
-At last, exhausted by fatigue and want of food, and resigned to the
-stings he could not avoid, he fell into an uneasy sleep.
-
-Next morning, as soon as it was light, he was taken out of the hut, his
-arms were unbound, and he was given a bunch of bananas, which he ate
-ravenously, surrounded by a chattering, grinning crowd of villagers,
-men, women, and children, who watched him curiously, making what he
-felt to be very personal remarks. He looked around for his companion
-in misfortune, but could not see him. He made signs that he was
-thirsty, and a girl brought him a gourd of a sweetish-bitter liquor,
-which he drained at a draught, and felt so silly that he wondered if he
-was drunk. Then there was a great shouting, and the men went away. On
-their departure the women drew nearer, touched his clothes and his
-bandolier and ran back giggling, pointed to his fair skin where his
-shirt was open at the neck, whereat he blushed and they shrieked. One
-sportive damsel tugged at the leather watch-chain attached to his belt,
-and screamed when his silver watch came out of its fob. He thought
-with a kind of fuddled amusement that he might impress them by letting
-them hear it tick, and when one came and tried to pull his hair, he
-held the watch to her ear, and she fled away screeching.
-
-What was going on? he wondered. There was a great stirring in the
-village. A man passed, and John saw that his face was hideously daubed
-with white, and his head surrounded with the skin of some animal. He
-carried a spear. Others similarly attired and armed came by. He got
-up to watch them more closely, and the spectators fell back and made a
-wide circle about him. Beyond them, in the centre of the village, men
-were thronging together. It flashed upon him in a moment: they were
-forming a war-party. The Swahili had come to enlist their aid. What
-inducements he had held out could only be guessed. Probably he had
-told them that a white man with great treasure was at their mercy.
-"Poor old Charley!" thought John: "it'll be a miracle if he isn't
-overwhelmed." For one mad moment he thought of making a dash to the
-gate, only to realize that he would never reach it alive. He groaned
-aloud, and the wretched little urchins around mocked him, booing with
-vast enjoyment.
-
-Then he saw the Swahili approaching with the chief in all his
-war-paint. They stood opposite him, talking loud and fast, with many
-gesticulations. They were growing angry: what were they disputing
-about? The Swahili pointed in the direction of the fort: the chief
-shook his head and shouted. Could they be discussing whether to take
-him with them or leave him behind? With all his heart he hoped they
-would decide for the former course: he might perhaps escape from them
-when they approached the fort. But no: presently the Swahili sullenly
-gave way: John guessed that he felt that numbers were against him.
-What was his fate to be? Was he to be held as a hostage for the due
-fulfilment of promises held out? He could not tell. It was clear that
-he was to be left in the village.
-
-The muster was complete. Amid a tremendous clamour the war-party moved
-towards the gate. With a sinking of the heart John guessed at their
-number: there must be three or four hundred. They marched out, the
-Swahili among them, leaving two of his party evidently to keep a watch
-on the prisoners--or the prisoner, for where was Bill? They had of
-course recognized him as a Wanderobbo: had they butchered him at once?
-No: there he was, at the entrance of a small hut thirty yards away.
-John took courage at the sight of him. If he was spared, it must be
-because, being employed by white men, he might have some commercial
-value. It occurred to John now that Juma, the prime mover in these
-machinations, would probably stop short of the actual murder of a white
-man, and might hold him to ransom. But this did not relieve his
-anxiety about Ferrier. The young Canadian would certainly not yield
-without a struggle, and in that struggle he might well lose his life.
-
-The two men left on guard tied his hands again and took him back to his
-hut. John made them understand by signs that he did not wish to be
-cooped up in its foetid atmosphere, and they let him sit at the
-entrance, standing close by with their spears. He saw now that he was
-at the highest part of the village, overlooking a vast expanse of the
-lower country. There was the war-party, already a dark blot amid the
-green. He could see the river winding its way for miles and miles over
-the plain, until it became little more than a silver streak in the
-sunlight. Was it his fancy, or did he descry in the far distance the
-island like a black spot on a silver plate?
-
-Suddenly he remembered that he had in his pocket the little mirror with
-which he had signalled to Ferrier on the march from the farm. Perhaps
-he could signal to him now--tell him of his plight, and warn him of the
-reinforcement of the enemy. The warning would be of little use to him,
-for he could not materially strengthen his defences; but it would at
-least show him the folly and the impossibility of attempting a rescue.
-Neither his guards nor the villagers would understand what he was
-about. He took the mirror from his pocket. The group of onlookers who
-had never left him came nearer: what was this piece of solid water that
-the msungu held?
-
-A woman approached him shyly: he held the mirror up to her; she caught
-sight of a black smiling face with sharp-filed teeth, and ran away in
-consternation, screaming that it was a devil. As she stood explaining
-the marvel to her friends, John threw a flash among them: they covered
-their eyes, and flew like the wind. Then he turned the glass towards
-the fort, and began to make tentative flashes. The guards watched him,
-curiously, stolidly; what was the msungu doing? Again and again he
-caught the sunbeam, and turned the mirror this way and that. For a
-long time there was no answer: he feared the signal had not been seen.
-Still he persevered. The guards had ceased to pay any attention to
-him. At last he thought he saw a twinkling point of light. Yes: there
-it was again: Ferrier was flashing back. Then he began to spell out
-his message--
-
-"Prisoner: large war-party coming towards you. Good luck!"
-
-And presently, with much difficulty, for Ferrier's watchcase was a poor
-instrument, he read the answer. He could not be sure of it, but it
-seemed to be--
-
-"Poor old chap! Never say die."
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER THE TWENTIETH--Shooting the Rapids
-==========================================
-
-The curiosity of the villagers was lulled after a time, and they went
-about their usual occupations. The few men left lolled and loafed and
-played at knuckle-bones: the women went into the fields and returned
-loaded with vegetables. John found that he was not to be ill-treated;
-he was given food when the villagers had their meals, and nobody
-molested him. The guards dozed near by. But when night came it was
-clear that the men had had orders to watch him strictly. He was bound
-both hand and foot and taken into the hut, the two men remaining with
-the evident intention of keeping him company through the night. Before
-he entered he saw that Bill was not held of so much account. He too
-was bound, but to all appearance he was left to himself: indeed, the
-hut assigned to him, half in ruins, was so small that there would
-scarcely have been room in it for another occupant.
-
-John's discomfort this night sprang less from the insects, to which he
-had become inured, than from the proximity of his guards. Armed with
-spears, they did not trouble to keep awake, and he soon had proof that
-snoring is not, as Ferrier had suggested, an accomplishment only of
-civilized races. They might have been trumpeters! He lay oppressed in
-the hot stifling air. Deep silence reigned in the village.
-
-Escape! Why not try? The gate would be unguarded: the negro never
-keeps watch unless he is on the war-path, and even then very slackly.
-If he once gained the outside, he would have at least some hours in
-which to make good his flight. His guards might wake; they might or
-might not discover that he had gone; if they did miss him, it would be
-contrary to their instinct and their custom if they pursued him in the
-dark. There was Bill to be considered: he must not be left behind.
-But the first thing was to rid himself of his bonds, and that would be
-no easy matter.
-
-Lying still to think out his plan, he saw a chance. All was hushed,
-but for the tempestuous snores. It was pitch dark. The guards lay
-together near the entrance. With careful movements he rolled and edged
-and wriggled across the floor until he knew that he was within a few
-inches of the men. Then, groping with his bound wrists, he sought for
-a spear. He touched it, grasped it, drew it gently towards him. It
-resisted: the guard was lying half upon it. He pulled it again: the
-snoring ceased with a sudden snap, and John thought it was all over.
-But there was a grunt; the man turned heavily on his side; and the
-music began again. The spear was now freed. By careful manoeuvring
-John got the head between his knees, and holding it fast, began to saw
-the thongs that bound his wrists. The weapon was sharp: the strands
-parted; he rubbed the skin to relieve the smarting pain, and then, with
-two sharp cuts, released his ankles.
-
-He stood erect and listened. Only those horn-blasts at his feet. He
-peered through the entrance. The darkness without was scarcely less
-than within. Carefully, and with a shiver of apprehension, John
-stepped over the two stretched forms, in nervous terror lest he should
-plant a foot on one of them. He gained the entrance, glancing warily
-to right and left, and stepped into the open, snuffing greedily at the
-cool air. The village was asleep, calm as the stars twinkling overhead.
-
-The tumble-down hut in which Bill lay was thirty yards nearer to the
-gate. Four huts intervened. John crept round to the back of them and
-stole along on tip-toe. He came to the fifth hut, which was separated
-from the fourth by a passage a yard wide. Groping down this, he
-reached the entrance, and after another look round, put his head
-within. All was silent. Perhaps the Wanderobbo tribe did not snore!
-He called the man's name softly.
-
-"Bwana!" whispered Bill.
-
-In a trice John was beside him. In ten seconds he had cut the ropes.
-In twenty both were at the back of the hut. Now Bill took the lead.
-He plunged into a banana plantation behind the line of huts, and made
-his way swiftly towards the stockade. They came to the gate: it was
-unguarded. Being merely a sort of strong hurdle of thorn, held in
-position by a few logs, its removal was easy. They passed out, and
-lifted the gate back to its former position, though, of course, they
-were unable to fasten it. They then ran across the stretch of trodden
-grass outside the village, down the hill towards the river.
-
-Far to the left a lion roared, and John heard his companion utter the
-strange gulping sound which in the negro indicates fright. A night
-journey in these wilds was a perilous undertaking. They had one spear
-between them, a paltry weapon if they should be pounced upon by some
-beast of prey. There was just enough light from the stars to enable
-them to choose the opener ground, avoiding bush and trees in which wild
-beasts might lurk. They moved fast, for John had set his heart on
-reaching the neighbourhood of the fort before dawn. There were few
-able-bodied men left in the village, but these would turn out in the
-morning as soon as the escape was discovered, and scour the surrounding
-country. This was reason enough for haste, but there was another. If
-they did not succeed in entering the fort before daylight, it would
-probably be impossible until the following night. The attack in all
-likelihood had not yet been made; the villagers would scarcely attempt
-it after their long march; John's whole mind was set on standing by
-Ferrier's side when the assault came.
-
-On they went, running when the ground permitted. Every now and then
-John had to stop for Bill's sake, the poor old man, weakened by terror
-and hunger (John discovered afterwards that he had had no food all
-day), being unequal to the pace. Presently, in descending too rapidly
-a sharp declivity, John slipped and sprained himself. When he started
-again every movement was painful. To go at any great speed was now
-impossible. Still he pushed on, grudging every lost minute of the
-night.
-
-He could not tell what the time was; it was too dark to see his watch.
-His pain grew worse at every step, and though he limped along gamely,
-he had at length to confess himself done, and sank to the ground. His
-distress of mind was as great as that of his body. Was he doomed to
-fail? As he crouched miserably in the grass he heard the swirling of
-the river close at his right hand. He would go to it and bathe his
-aching legs. Bill expostulated: there were sure to be crocodiles; but
-John would not be gainsaid. He dragged himself towards the river, and
-sat down to rest on a small tree-trunk which had apparently been washed
-ashore. In the faint light he saw others dotted about. An idea
-flashed upon him. Could they make a raft? Bill had never heard of
-such a thing: John did not know if there was a word for it. But he
-made him understand that he was to collect some of the smaller logs,
-and then to lash them together with strands of the creeping plants
-which grew in abundance around. It was hard work and slow in the
-darkness, John himself being unable to move freely; but at length
-something in the semblance of a raft lay beside him. Rising with
-difficulty, he helped Bill to carry it the few yards to the water;
-then, peering around for crocodiles, which they would hardly have seen
-if any had lain there, they launched the raft and managed to scramble
-on board, each carrying a branch to steer with. The current was swift;
-there was no need for paddling; and thus, perched precariously on their
-crazy craft, they floated down the stream.
-
-At times they heard movements on one bank or the other. Once they
-heard the horrid snap of a crocodile's jaws. A little farther on the
-raft bumped against something; there was a swirl of water, and John
-went hot and cold at the suspicion that they had collided with a
-hippopotamus. The current bore them past in safety, to his
-inexpressible relief; one heave of the monster's body would have turned
-them over.
-
-So they went on, how long John could not tell. The darkness seemed to
-be lifting: from the banks came sounds of awakening life: where were
-they? The river was flowing more swiftly; it was racing; and John
-suddenly realized with a gasp that he had entered the rapids at the
-head of the pool. With frantic movements of the paddles they tried to
-steer into the bank; but the current was too much for them; the
-lumbering craft was swept along at ever quickening speed; they were
-helpless. Dropping their paddles--the spear was already gone--they
-held on for dear life to the lashings. Some of them snapped: one of
-the outer logs was wrenched away; the raft whirled round, and every
-moment John expected it to break apart and hurl them into the race.
-Still he clung on with convulsive grip. Bill was flat on his face with
-his hands over the edge. On they went, jerked and jarred, until with
-startling suddenness they were shot over a rock, and found themselves
-floating on the pool.
-
-The raft was almost in pieces, but it floated more slowly towards the
-island. John's relief at finding himself and his companion yet alive
-was dashed by a new anxiety. Dawn was glimmering in the sky. If they
-were not rescued they would float through the pool to the longer and
-even more dangerous series of rapids at the further end. They might be
-seen by the enemy on the bank. He could not swim to the fort; his
-whole body was stiff and racked with pain; his limbs would fail him.
-The raft was drifting past the fort; very slowly, for it was no longer
-in the middle of the current; but being without anything to serve as a
-paddle, the two could do nothing to check its steady progress towards
-the lower rapids. There was only one chance. He called to Bill to
-shout at the top of his voice, and putting two fingers to his lips, he
-blew a shrill whistle which no white man would fail to recognize. In a
-moment there came an answering whistle from the fort. Dimly he saw
-figures at the wall. He shouted: a cheery cry answered him: and in a
-few moments he saw Ferrier and four men lug a canoe to the gate and put
-off to the rescue.
-
-But the whistle and the shouts had been heard by the enemy, who were
-already astir. John could not yet see them, but he heard their yells,
-and knew that they were swarming towards the pool.
-
-"All right, old man, we've got the start of them," cried Ferrier, as
-the canoe rapidly approached.
-
-It was a race between the canoe and the current, between the rescuers
-and the enemy. A shot rang out: a flight of arrows hissed into the
-water. The raft was drifting within range of the enemy; but in the
-half-darkness and against the background of wood on the shore the small
-floating object offered but an indifferent mark. Had the day been even
-a few minutes older the occupants of the raft would have stood a poor
-chance against the arrows, to say nothing of the rifles, of the crowd
-that could now be seen flitting like shadows round the margin of the
-pool. The greatest source of alarm, however, was not the imperfect
-shooting of the enemy, but the rapids to which the raft was drawing
-ever nearer. Weakened as it was by its passage of the upper rapids, it
-was inconceivable that it could survive the second and far more
-formidable strain. The rush of the water could already be heard; the
-movement of the raft was perceptibly quickening. Would Ferrier arrive
-in time? And if he did overtake the raft, would he too not run a
-fearful risk of being drawn into the stream and hurled along in utter
-helplessness? The shouts from the shore redoubled in volume; arrows
-flew more and more thickly; and John had almost yielded to despair when
-the canoe shot up alongside at an amazing pace. Some one grasped the
-raft; the crew backed water with all their might. Bill plunged into
-the water and scrambled on board the canoe.
-
-"I can't move; I've ricked myself," cried John. "You must lug me in."
-
-Ferrier leant over, grasped him, and hauled him by main force into the
-canoe. Then the four sturdy natives dug their paddles into the water.
-The enemy had reached the brink; some were already on the causeway; but
-at this moment four rifles flashed from the fort, and a man toppled off
-the causeway into the pool. The others halted. The canoe sped on; a
-bullet splashed in its wake; more arrows fell perilously near; but just
-as the enemy had gained courage to rush over the causeway again,
-Ferrier steered the canoe away from that side and guided it round to
-the lower end of the island where landing was easier. The canoe
-scraped the shore: its occupants sprang to land: and with Ferrier's aid
-the negroes carried John up to the wall, where willing hands hoisted
-him over.
-
-"A near shave, old chap," said Ferrier. "You look awfully done up."
-
-"Pretty nearly crocked," said John, with a feeble smile. "Are those
-beggars attacking?"
-
-"No," replied Ferrier, looking over the wall. "They've gone back.
-It's not light enough yet."
-
-"Thank goodness! I'm no good at present; I'm----"
-
-"Don't you worry," interrupted Ferrier, seeing his lips quivering.
-"Just lie easy for a bit: I'll bring you something to eat."
-
-John closed his eyes and shivered in his drenched clothes. Ferrier got
-two of the men to carry him to the fire, and in a few moments gave him
-a mug of soup.
-
-"You'll feel better after that: hippo soup, my boy."
-
-"They got back safely then?"
-
-"Of course they did, an hour after sundown. They hid in the woods
-yonder until the coast was clear. I gave them a good ragging for
-leaving you."
-
-"That wasn't fair; we left them."
-
-"So they said. You may imagine what a funk I was in when they came
-back without you. I didn't sleep a wink all night."
-
-"Poor old chap! We went after congoni when they were cutting up the
-hippo, and were rushed as neatly as possible, and carried off to the
-village of Bill's 'bad men' in the hills. Our captors were evidently
-an embassy from Juma to enlist the chief's assistance. Three or four
-hundred warriors in full fig left yesterday morning: have you seen
-anything of them?"
-
-"Not yet. We heard a great hullabaloo in Juma's camp last night, and I
-guessed the lot you signalled about had come in. I was glad you
-signalled; it was a relief to know you were alive. I wished I could
-come up and rescue you, and I'd have had a shot at it if you hadn't
-told me the war-party were coming. Of course that dished it. I
-couldn't have got through, and I'm afraid our fellows wouldn't have
-held out long if I'd left them."
-
-"Of course not. It would have been simply mad to try it."
-
-"All the same, it was pretty rotten having to stop here able to do
-nothing. I chafed a good deal, I can tell you. When I got your
-message, as the enemy were very quiet I sent Coja and one of my askaris
-out to see if they could spy out where you were; and what do you
-think--Said Mohammed insisted on going too."
-
-"Well, I'm hanged!"
-
-"He said it was quite impossible for him to pursue the even tenor of
-his way while you, his boss and patron, were in parlous circs. and
-durance vile. I'm beginning to think the Bengali has been libelled; go
-deep enough and you'll find a man. Anyway, he insisted on going, and
-I'm sorry to say none of the three has come back."
-
-John groaned from utter weariness and disappointment.
-
-"What a mess I've made of everything!" he said. "If ever we get safely
-out of this I'll not go rampaging after stolen rifles again. Look what
-I've brought on everybody!"
-
-"Utter rot! Nobody came against his will, and who could foresee all
-this? We've had amazing luck really, and as for getting safely out of
-it--but look here, old man, you mustn't shiver like that. I'm a
-fat-headed chump. Off with your clothes; they're sopping. We haven't
-got a change, but you won't shock any one's modesty. I'll rub you dry
-with some of Said's cloths; your things will dry in no time, and I'll
-try massage for your sprain. You'll take a good stiff dose of quinine,
-too; we can't have an invalid on our hands."
-
-John winced as he rose to strip. Ferrier got his clothes off, rubbed
-him vigorously with cloths ("Shout when I hurt," he said), then rolled
-him in a blanket and laid him down by the fire, "To sweat it out, you
-know."
-
-"Just go and look after Bill," said John, feeling comfortably lazy.
-
-"Bill's all right, bless your heart! He's got no clothes to dry, and
-he's tucking into roast hippo like one o'clock. It's the last of it,
-by the way. It bucked the men up wonderfully. I wish we had some
-more."
-
-"How do we stand for food?" asked John anxiously.
-
-"Never you mind about food. You shall have your dinner when the time
-comes. The best thing you can do is to go to sleep, and when you wake
-you can tell me how you managed to escape from the 'bad men.' Are they
-very bad, like the little girl who was horrid? No, you needn't answer;
-just shut your eyes while I count ten, and you'll sleep like a top."
-
-Two hours later, the man on guard at the gate, one of Ferrier's
-askaris, reported that a number of men were marching across the plain
-towards the causeway. Ferrier went to the gate, and saw that the group
-consisted of two Swahilis and four of their followers. A great throng
-of black men stood at the edge of the wood, giving no sign of an
-intention to move.
-
-"A deputation, I presume," thought Ferrier. "Coming to offer us terms!"
-
-The men advanced along the causeway, the Swahilis first. When they had
-come half-way Ferrier told the askari at his side to order them to
-stop. They came to a halt immediately.
-
-"Ask 'em if one of them is Juma," said Ferrier.
-
-No: one was Sadi ben Asmani, the other Jumbi ben Abdullah.
-
-"Then you may tell Sadi ben Asmani and Jumbi ben Abdullah that I have
-nothing to say to them, and they had better be off, sharp."
-
-When this was interpreted the Swahilis glowered. One of them began to
-speak, but Ferrier signed to him to be silent.
-
-"Tell them I'll listen to the others, but won't hear a word from them."
-
-The causeway being too narrow for two men to pass securely, the file
-faced about and retreated to the shore. Then they came on again, the
-negroes this time leading, and the Swahilis remaining at the end of the
-causeway. The first negro, a finely proportioned fellow whom it was a
-pleasure to look upon, began to address the white man, using his hands
-freely.
-
-"What does he say?" asked Ferrier.
-
-The askari did not know his dialect. From the crowd of men who had
-gathered at the wall one stepped forward saying that he knew it.
-
-"Well, tell me what he says."
-
-"Him say msungu come out: no lib for no more fight. Great big lot o'
-black men: msungu no can run away."
-
-"You can tell him that the msungu won't come out, and the black men had
-better run away. They have come to fight us, who never did them any
-harm. They have come to help a lot of thieves and murderers, who have
-stolen the goods of the black men round about. This fort is where they
-lived, and where they kept the goods they stole. The fort now belongs
-to the msungu. A great many wasungu are now coming from their fort far
-away to punish them, and when they come they will scatter them as the
-lion scatters sheep. Tell them we are quite happy; we aren't a bit
-afraid of them; we have beaten them twice, and we'll beat them again.
-They had better take up their cook-pots and go home."
-
-This little speech Ferrier delivered sentence by sentence, wondering
-how much of it was fairly translated. The deputation clearly gathered
-the gist of it, for with every sentence they became manifestly more
-incensed. At the close they shouted and waved their arms, and then the
-leader, with the air of one playing his trump card, cried out that the
-msungu's talk was fool's talk, for they held a sheep-faced msungu a
-prisoner in their village far away, and if their demand was not
-instantly complied with, the sheep-faced msungu would be killed.
-
-"By Jove!" thought Ferrier, "they didn't recognize old John then. What
-a tremendous lark! I'll give them a shocker."
-
-To the evident amazement of the natives he laughed heartily. Then,
-bidding them stand where they were until he came back to them, he
-returned into the fort.
-
-"I say, John," he said, with a chuckle, shaking the sleeping form;
-"wake up, old chap. There's a deputation outside summoning us to
-surrender, and threatening if we don't to slaughter a sheep-faced
-msungu--sheep-faced, old chap!--whom they've got penned up in their
-village. Come and show yourself; I bet they'll look sheepish. It was
-evidently too dark to see you when you came down on your raft. Slip
-your things on: you don't look the same man in that blanket."
-
-John laughed and slipped on his shirt and breeches, now thoroughly dry.
-His sun-helmet, which had been fastened on by a strap, was rather
-pulpy, but Ferrier clapped it on his head, saying that it didn't
-matter. In a few seconds he had limped to the gate, and stood at
-Ferrier's side, smiling very amiably.
-
-The natives were struck dumb with astonishment. The Swahilis could not
-have been more confounded if they had seen a ghost. After gazing for a
-full minute at the msungu whom they imagined to be in safe custody
-fifteen miles away, they turned round and marched back in silence, only
-breaking into excited talk when they reached the shore. The two white
-men stood watching them until they rejoined the vast throng gathered at
-the edge of the wood.
-
-"They've got something to digest," said Ferrier, with a laugh. "Now
-we'll go and get some dinner."
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FIRST--A Combined Assault
-============================================
-
-"Think they'll give it up?" said Ferrier, as they sat over their dinner.
-
-"Not they! Those fellows haven't come all the way from their village
-for nothing. They wouldn't have come at all but for some strong
-inducement, for Juma isn't an old friend of theirs, remember."
-
-"Well, there's very little inducement so far as I can see. There's
-next to no loot bar the rifles and ammunition, and Juma would bag those
-if he licked us. The others would have a very poor look-in."
-
-"You forget the sort of old curiosity shop collection that the men were
-so delighted with. The 'bad men' would get those, of course."
-
-"It's very little among so many; you said there were about four hundred
-of them."
-
-"Yes, but Juma wouldn't be over particular as to what he promised. All
-he wanted was to get their help. If he were to lick us, he could
-safely defy the 'bad men,' for with the rifles and practically
-unlimited ammunition he could do what he liked with 'em. He's sure to
-attack us, maybe to-day, maybe to-morrow; and the best thing we can do
-is to strengthen our defences. We shall have all our work cut out to
-keep 'em off this time: we're three rifles short; I suppose Coja and
-the others took theirs with them?"
-
-"Yes, unfortunately. But I've already begun to strengthen the
-defences--started when I got your message."
-
-"Good man! What did you do?"
-
-"First thing, I cut down some of the young trees at the further end of
-the island. I thought they might give cover to the enemy if they tried
-an attack in that quarter. Then it occurred to me that if we could
-raise a sort of bastion to jut over the wall by the gate yonder, we
-could fire at them without exposing ourselves, and--what do they call
-it?--enfilade them."
-
-"Capital! I wondered what that rummy erection meant. Didn't like to
-say so, but it looks like a funeral pyre."
-
-"Well, it's not finished, you know. It took us a good time to cut down
-the trees and strip off the branches. The enemy didn't see what we
-were about until we had got a pretty good pile of logs, and then they
-began shooting at us--with arrows; they didn't want to waste
-ammunition, I suppose. I had to draw the men off then, and we haven't
-gone at it again: your arrival has put everything else in the shade."
-
-"We may as well finish that bastion now, at any rate, and put up
-another on the other side of the gate, if there's wood enough. Sorry I
-can't help you; I'm too stiff. You'll have to perch me up on one of
-the bastions when the attack comes, and leave me there."
-
-"Oh, you'll soon be all right. I'll give you a good rubbing by and by
-with hippo grease; it'll be as good as goose fat, and that's what the
-old wives use, isn't it?"
-
-Ferrier set the men to work on the bastions, instructing them how to
-pile the logs and to interlace the branches they had lopped off, so as
-to form a kind of parapet, the interstices between the branches making
-natural loopholes.
-
-They were still engaged on this task, about four o'clock in the
-afternoon, when Ferrier's attention was attracted by movements among
-the enemy, who formed a dense black mass, with a few white spots,
-against the background of trees. He thought that the signs of activity
-portended an attack, and called to some of the men to occupy the one
-bastion that was finished. They obeyed quickly, carrying John with
-them at his own order. But it was soon apparent that the enemy were
-not contemplating an immediate assault. They suddenly threw themselves
-on the ground in a large circle, three ranks deep, the Swahilis, eight
-in number, standing at the centre.
-
-"A council of war: what they call a shauri," said John.
-
-It was soon seen that there was a difference of opinion among the
-assembly. At first the discussion proceeded in a quiet and orderly
-manner, the sound of voices reaching the fort very faintly. But
-presently there were clear signs of excitement. Some of the warriors
-sprang up, and harangued the Swahilis fiercely, brandishing their
-spears in the direction of the fort. Their voices were raised; the
-tumult increased moment by moment; and the sound became a continuous
-roar, like the noise of surf at a distance.
-
-"The allies are at loggerheads," said Ferrier. "They may raise the
-siege."
-
-The chief of the "bad men" was in fact demanding to know why the
-Swahilis had brought him and his men on a fool's errand. Where was the
-promised spoil? In a fort, defended by a wall, a pool of water, and an
-army led by wasungu. How had the msungu whom they had left in the
-village, bound and under guard, come into the fort? Surely by magic;
-and if the wasungu had such wonderful medicine it was useless to attack
-them.
-
-To this Juma--for it was he--replied that the spoil was indeed within
-the fort, but the defences were not so formidable as they appeared.
-The wall had been partly demolished; the pool could be swum, it
-contained no crocodiles; and as for the men within, it was clear they
-must be very weak, for they had taken no food into the fort for many
-days. Nor could they get any; no doubt an attempt had been made that
-morning, and found to be impossible because of the current. (Such was
-his explanation of the incident of the raft.) And as for the msungu
-who had reappeared so mysteriously, it was no magic, but the
-carelessness of the guards that accounted for that: the msungu must
-have escaped, and not being afraid of the dark had marched during the
-night.
-
-This aspersion on the trustworthiness of the guards roused the chief to
-fury. Springing up, he demanded the instant fulfilment of the promise
-made to him. He worked himself up to an ecstasy of indignation; his
-men caught fire from him; and when the tumult was at its height they
-suddenly wheeled round and, following their chief, began to march off
-towards their village.
-
-"This looks promising, certainly," said John, who had watched the
-proceedings closely. "If we could only get out we might even enlist
-those fellows on our side."
-
-But in a few moments a change came over the scene. Six painted
-warriors came running from the north-west to meet the marching force,
-which halted, swallowing up the runners into its own mass. A few
-minutes passed; then the whole body wheeled about and returned to the
-spot where the Swahilis and their negroes were still grouped in a
-circle.
-
-"Men from the village come to report our escape," said John.
-
-"But why should that make the chief turn back?" rejoined Ferrier. "It
-ought to have the opposite effect."
-
-"I take it that the chief is so mad at being done that he has decided
-not to go until he has caught me again."
-
-"But your escape is no news to him. They've seen you already."
-
-"That's true. Well, I can't account for it; but it's clear that those
-six fellows have caused a change in the tide, and I wish them at
-Halifax."
-
-The conference was resumed, and continued until dark. There was no
-further outburst. Ferrier utilized the time to finish the second
-bastion: it was impossible to doubt that the enemy was planning an
-attack. It would not be made in the night, but must be looked for as
-soon as morning broke. Ferrier's expression was very grave as he
-helped John to reach his little grass hut in the centre of the fort.
-He had made an inspection of the stock of provisions during the
-morning, and knew that it would not last beyond another day.
-
-"I won't worry John to-night," he thought, "but he'll have to know in
-the morning."
-
-Though convinced that no attack would be made during the dark hours,
-Ferrier took the precaution of putting four men on sentry-go. He
-insisted on John's going to bed as soon as he had had his massaging,
-and sat down by the fire himself, in no cheerful frame of mind. He
-knew he would get little sleep that night, for the negro, though
-willing enough, is ever an untrustworthy sentinel. And when he
-reflected on the horde of savage enemies without, he could not look
-forward with confidence to the issue of the coming fight. He canvassed
-the possibility of help coming from Nairobi or Fort Hall, reckoning how
-long it would take for the messenger to reach Mr. Gillespie, and how
-long for a rescue party to gain the fort. But he found the very
-elements of the calculation uncertain; try as he might, he could not
-recollect clearly how many days had passed since they left the farm.
-Never before had he understood the savage man's indifference to time;
-it was now clear; time is an invention of civilization.
-
-While he was sitting thus brooding over the fire, one of the sentries,
-an askari of his original safari, came running to him.
-
-"Bwana," he said, "man ober dere."
-
-He pointed towards the western end of the island. Ferrier sprang up,
-seizing rifle and revolver: surely the enemy had not crossed the river
-in the darkness and crept round to attack the fort from this side?
-Hastening to the wall, he mounted upon it and peered into the night.
-Nothing could be seen. But in a moment he thought he heard a faint
-sound. He listened intently: yes, he heard it again; it was a kind of
-whinny--the signal he had arranged with Coja in case he should return
-after sunset. The men were safe, then; he rejoiced for their own sake,
-and because it meant the addition of three good rifles to the morrow's
-defence. Calling up two of the men, he had the canoe lowered and
-carried down to the water, himself accompanying them, since he could
-never be sure that unreasoning panic might not seize them. The canoe
-was launched and paddled quietly to the farther shore of the pool. Two
-men stepped down to meet it: they were Coja and the askari.
-
-"Where is Said Mohammed?" asked Ferrier.
-
-"Him gone, sah," replied Coja: "dunno where he are."
-
-"You lost him?"
-
-"Long long way ober dere."
-
-"Before it was dark?"
-
-"Long time, sah,"
-
-"Did you look for him?"
-
-"Oh yes, sah, look for him long time, sure nuff."
-
-"Well, get in. You're a couple of muffs, to say the least. What were
-you doing?"
-
-Coja explained that about midday, as they were fording the river, a
-number of leeches fastened on their legs. They jumped about to rid
-themselves of the creatures, and suddenly a huge brown crocodile, waked
-by the disturbance, slid off a mud bank into the stream, within a foot
-or two of Said Mohammed. The Bengali heard the flop of the loathsome
-reptile just in time to spring out of its reach. The others dashed
-across the river at full speed: Said Mohammed ran back to the bank they
-had left, scrambled up, and sped away as fast as his legs would carry
-him into the bush. Coja did not venture to recross the stream at that
-spot: he sought a ford higher up, but was long in finding one. Both he
-and the askari waded over and searched along the bank; they did not
-dare to shout, for fear of bringing an enemy upon them; and failing
-after a long time to discover any trace of the Bengali, they had
-thought it best to return to the fort.
-
-"And did you find the place where the *bwana* and Bill are kept?" asked
-Ferrier.
-
-"No, sah: them's dead, sure miff."
-
-"They're here, and alive," he said. "I was a fool to let the men go,"
-was his unspoken thought.
-
-The men were amazed and delighted that the master had returned. As for
-Said Mohammed, it was doubtful whether his fate gave them any concern.
-
-The night passed in peace. Ferrier felt very weary in the morning, but
-John, after a long sleep, rose much refreshed, though he still found
-moving difficult. About eight o'clock there was a cry from the gate
-that the enemy were rushing down towards the causeway. The bastions
-were instantly manned, John taking post in one and Ferrier in the
-other, dividing the askaris equally between them. Twenty men with
-spears and bows and arrows were told off to hold the broken portion of
-the wall on either side of the gate, where the attack was most to be
-feared. The remainder of the force were stationed at various points,
-to be ready to run wherever they were called, and to keep watch on the
-opposite side of the island.
-
-John was surprised to see that the enemy did not take to the water, as
-they had done on the former occasion, but came in a yelling line along
-the causeway. They were Juma's newest allies, and being without
-personal experience of the reception their friends had formerly met
-with, they came rushing across with a reckless courage. When the first
-man had reached the middle of the causeway, a volley was fired
-simultaneously from each of the bastions, and half the line fell into
-the water, uttering dreadful yells. There was a momentary pause; but
-the leader had escaped; he bounded forward, followed by the survivors
-and others who had not come within the line of fire. The shore behind
-was thick with black warriors, hideous in their war-paint, and shouting
-furiously. Only Ferrier's rifle was double-barrelled; John's had been
-taken from him when he was captured; and before the men could reload,
-several of the enemy had reached the end of the causeway, and,
-springing into the water at the gap, gained the shelf of land beneath
-the wall. Ferrier's rifle disposed of one of them; the rest rushed up
-to the gate and the ruined rampart, and were in a moment fighting
-hand-to-hand with the men within.
-
-"Keep your fire on the causeway," shouted John, who then called to some
-of the men in reserve to mount the wall and fling stones on the men
-trying to clamber up. A second volley from either side crashed into
-the negroes racing towards the fort. Only two of them got across.
-Those behind who had not been struck down came to a sudden halt, only
-to be pushed on by those surging in the rear. The result was that a
-score of unhurt negroes were hustled into the water. John forbore to
-fire at these, but as soon as his men had reloaded, sent another volley
-among those who were still running along. Meanwhile the defenders of
-the wall had beaten off the assault of the men below, who were at a
-hopeless disadvantage. Two or three fell groaning to the ground,
-transfixed with spears; the rest leapt into the pool, and struck out
-frantically for the shore. The sight of this retreat, and a fourth
-volley from their unseen enemy, shattered the confidence of the bravest
-negroes. There was wild confusion on the causeway. Those upon it
-could not retreat because of the pressure of their comrades behind.
-They jumped into the water on both sides. The others, seeing that all
-was lost, fled back towards the wood. In ten minutes after the first
-attack they were in full flight.
-
-But at this moment a shout was raised that the enemy were attacking
-from the other side of the island. Ferrier instantly sprang down from
-his perch, and calling on his men to follow him, rushed across the
-enclosure to repel this new assault. John, perforce confined to his
-post, ordered his company to join the others, while he alone kept watch
-on the causeway. Being undisturbed, he had leisure to consider what
-the enemy's plan had been. He could not doubt that they had arranged
-in their council of war that the Swahilis with their party should cross
-the river and creep under cover of the trees and scrub to the western
-shore of the pool. The intention had certainly been that the attack
-should be made on both sides of the fort simultaneously. If it had
-been perfectly timed, and begun at a concerted signal, the plight of
-the garrison might have been very serious. But careful co-operation is
-impossible to the negro. The men on the eastern side had rushed
-blindly to the assault, heedless of what the other party was doing.
-These, led by Juma himself, had made their way unobserved to the place
-arranged, and swum the pool under cover of the fringe of trees which
-were still left standing. But only one or two had landed when they
-heard the din of fighting on the other side. Juma, more intelligent
-than the negroes, had seen at once the necessity of striking while the
-garrison was engaged in that quarter. But he was compelled to wait
-until he had sufficient support, and by the time he had gathered a
-score of men about him the eastern attack was beaten off, and the
-defenders were hurrying to meet him.
-
-When Ferrier reached the wall, he saw the Swahilis and their followers
-coming up the slope in a straggling body. The moment they perceived
-him, they halted; those who had rifles fired them off, too hurriedly to
-take effective aim; the others let fly a shower of arrows. Then they
-all rushed forward, a disorderly shouting mob. Ferrier fired his
-rifle, but his men had not had time to reload, having hastened from the
-bastion immediately after the final volley upon the causeway. The
-enemy had come within about twenty yards of the wall when Ferrier,
-whipping out his revolver, snapped a shot at Juma and winged him. The
-big man fell to the ground with a howl of pain; his men halted in
-consternation. This was not the easy victory they had been promised.
-Their hesitation was fatal. It had given time to the men on the wall
-to load their pieces. A general fusillade spattered bullets among the
-waverers; it quickened them into action, but instead of continuing
-their advance they turned tail and bolted down the slope, pursued by a
-shower of arrows. Juma had risen, and struggled along with the help of
-two of his kind. They fled with all speed among the trees, and the
-garrison, yelling with delight, saw them no more that day.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER THE TWENTY-SECOND--A Counter Stroke
-===========================================
-
-John had every reason to be satisfied when he took stock of the results
-of the action. The enemy had been thoroughly routed, with considerable
-loss: he had no men killed, and only a few with superficial flesh
-wounds. But he looked grave enough when, at dinner-time, Ferrier
-confessed that he had already had to put the men on half rations.
-
-"Our only hope is that the enemy have had enough of it and will clear
-off," he said. "The 'bad men,' at any rate, won't think much of their
-job."
-
-"And Juma himself has had a reminder that won't leave him for a few
-days. But if they *don't* clear off----"
-
-"We must wait and see. There ought to be plenty of fish in this pool;
-couldn't we try a little angling?"
-
-"What about hooks?"
-
-"Well, there are some empty condensed milk-tins; we can make some sort
-of hooks out of them. And as for bait--I say, look there!"
-
-Two vultures were swooping down upon the western end of the island.
-
-"Sickening!" said Ferrier, with a shudder. "I'll go and pot them and
-get the men to attend to things there. The birds will give us bait,
-and the men may like to eat them--I couldn't."
-
-Several large hooks were made out of milk-tins. A piece of rope was
-unravelled to form lines, and several of the men were soon sitting on
-the causeway, angling with portions of the vultures which Ferrier shot.
-In the course of an hour or two they caught several fish, large and
-small; but the total quantity was insignificant in comparison with what
-was needed to give all a full meal. They were all rather hungry when
-they settled down for the night, and the white men devoutly hoped that
-when morning dawned they would see that the enemy's force had broken up.
-
-In this they were disappointed. Daylight showed them parties of
-negroes hovering on the outskirts of the wood. That their intention
-was to resume their old tactics of watching the fort was proved before
-the day was over. A long line of women was observed coming from the
-north, bending under heavy loads.
-
-"Grub for them," said Ferrier. "They're short, like us: but they can
-draw on the village while we starve."
-
-"I wonder if we could intercept a convoy," suggested John.
-
-"Very risky: practically impossible. We couldn't tell when it's
-coming. We might have to wait a day or two, and miss it after all.
-Besides, we might be cut off; they're strong enough to keep us out if
-they get between us and the fort; and the garrison would be so much
-weakened that they couldn't hold out against a general attack. No: we
-mustn't think of it."
-
-"Well, it looks as if we must either break out or starve. We may
-starve in any case. We didn't pass a single cultivated field on the
-way up, and if we made a dash for home we should have to depend on game
-and what wild fruits we could pick up. I don't know what on earth we
-can do, that's a fact."
-
-Next day saw them no nearer a solution of the problem. The enemy were
-still in force, and the punishment they had received had not sufficed
-to detach the "bad men," who were easily distinguishable from the other
-negroes by their characteristic equipment. Juma had in fact persuaded
-them that the surrender of the white men was only a matter of time:
-they could not live without food, and while they remained in the fort
-to obtain food was impossible.
-
-"Look here, Charley," said John that afternoon, "we can't stand this
-any longer. It's neck or nothing, and I'm for a bold course. That
-village up yonder is crammed with food-stuff of all kinds. They've
-just been harvesting. I vote we make a dash for it and seize enough to
-last us best part of the way home. All the fighting men are away, or
-nearly all. If we can only get there it'll be easy enough to capture
-the place and hold it as long as we like: there's a good stockade. But
-I don't want to hold it. We might stay there a day or two until our
-men are fed up, and then make tracks. Perhaps we'd have the luck to
-escape them; it's not likely, I admit. They would be between us and
-the farm: we should have to be uncommonly clever to dodge them; and as
-we couldn't move fast, with our men loaded, they're bound to come up
-with us some time or other. That would mean a fight in the open;
-perhaps a running fight for miles, with the odds of numbers against us.
-But I prefer fighting to starving; and it's Hobson's choice."
-
-"It means a night march."
-
-"Yes, but the men won't mind that. We haven't failed in anything so
-far, and success goes a long way with them."
-
-"Your escape has bucked them more than anything. Bill has told them
-some wonderful story about your voyage on the raft, and if you talked
-about taking a trip to the moon I believe they'd think it feasible."
-
-"Things couldn't be better, then. Suppose we start about eight
-o'clock--the enemy will all be asleep by then--we should have ten
-hours' grace before sunrise, more than long enough to get to the
-village, barring accidents."
-
-"That is, if they don't find out that we've gone."
-
-"Of course. I don't see why they should do that. They've never shown
-any inclination to attack us in the darkness, and if any of them keep a
-watch on the causeway side, they certainly don't at the other end, or
-Coja couldn't have got in. That's our way out. We shall have to keep
-the men quiet, but we've done that before, and when we've explained to
-them what's at stake they'll be on their mettle. We'll cross the pool
-in the canoes, and the paddles won't make any sound that they can hear,
-if we're careful."
-
-"I've an idea. While we're ferrying our things over, and most of the
-men, why not start the others on a sing-song? That would drown any
-noise we might make."
-
-"And wake the enemy! They'd wonder what was up. Why should we disturb
-their rest? Better not make any difference in our usual ways, I think:
-keep our fires burning, and give 'em no reason to think we're doing
-anything out of the ordinary."
-
-"You're right. There's a risk that in spite of all our care they'll
-hear something, but it will take 'em some time to make sure that we've
-gone, and it's ten to one they won't pursue us in the darkness."
-
-"And when they do find out, in the daylight, they'll probably waste
-some time in picking up the trail, unless they are good trackers, which
-we've no evidence of. I fancy we shall get, as I said, a good ten
-hours' start of them, and I defy 'em to catch us then--again barring
-accidents."
-
-"D'you think you can stand the march?"
-
-"I'm going to chance it, anyway. Your rubbings have done me a deal of
-good, and we can't go very fast at night, so I think I'll manage to
-keep up. If I can't, you must just sling me on to a litter. I'm
-eleven stone two--or was; I suspect I've lost a few pounds lately; but
-four men could toddle along with me, and a dozen will have loads in any
-case. There's the ammunition, and all that flummery I gave to them;
-they won't want to leave that."
-
-"Suppose we find that some of the war-party have gone back?"
-
-"It's not likely. They're here with the idea of getting loot, and not
-a man Jack of them will be willing to lose the chance of his share.
-Anyway, we must risk it. If we have luck we shall get to the village
-before it's light, and a sudden rush will have the effect it always has
-on them."
-
-"Well, it sounds rather promising, and, upon my word, I'm itching to be
-off."
-
-"All in good time, old man. I wish we could all have a good feed
-before we start, but perhaps the men will march the better with the
-promise of a meal before them."
-
-The preparation of the men's loads was set about betimes. The absence
-of large quantities of food was an advantage; the other goods could
-easily be carried by twelve of the men, and the labour would be
-lightened by transferring the loads to the others in turn.
-
-There was much excitement among the negroes when John explained his
-plan to them. The past successes had given them entire confidence in
-their leaders; and the prospect of actually capturing the village of
-the notorious "bad men" had a spice of daring about it which lent it a
-certain charm.
-
-At nightfall the canoes were let down over the wall and carried to the
-shore. Then the men conveyed the stores to them, moving so silently
-that only a very alert enemy could have detected the activity. The
-canoes had to make several journeys across the pool before all the
-goods and the men were ferried over. There was not a sound from the
-enemy's encampment. When all were safely landed, John called the men
-about him, and repeated his instructions to march quietly and above all
-to beware of straggling; then he set off with Bill to lead the way.
-Behind him came in order four askaris carrying rifles: then the twelve
-men with the ammunition and the assortment of oddments found in the
-fort; then six men bearing in litters three others whose wounds
-prevented them from marching. After these came the rest of the
-negroes, among whom the prisoner taken at the camp was enrolled,
-Ferrier and Coja bringing up the rear to ensure that there was no
-straggling at the end of the line.
-
-It was a dark night, but the sky was clear and the air cold. To make a
-direct course was impossible. Bill knew the way in the daytime, but at
-night he was completely at a loss. John, however, was aware of the
-general direction, and by keeping within touch of the river, as he
-could easily do by his sense of hearing, he knew that he could not go
-very far wrong, though the journey would necessarily be longer than if
-he had been able to avoid the windings. Fortunately in this hilly
-country the ground was much less obstructed by tangles of thorn than it
-was in the less elevated districts to the south, and the safari was not
-hindered by the annoying necessity of having to cut a way through
-pathless jungle.
-
-Nevertheless, the march was not devoid of trials and discomforts. The
-ground was very irregular, and at one point, where the bank of the
-river rose to a considerable height above the water-level, they found
-that they had come to a stretch of hard gravel interspersed with large
-fragments of a whitish rock, making progress very slow and difficult.
-Looking back, John saw the glow of the fires left burning in the
-fort--a little patch of red amid deep black. When they descended to
-grassy land again he stumbled over an obstruction about three feet
-high, which Bill told him was an ant-hill. A little further on he
-heard a strange whistling that seemed to come from a line of trees on
-his left hand. Hearing the men behind gulping, he halted, and got them
-to exchange loads, listening meanwhile to the weird and mournful sound,
-which now increased in volume, now died away in a doleful wail. He
-asked Bill if he recognized the sound as that of an animal, but he
-replied that he had never heard it before. After a few moments John
-observed that the sound rose and fell with the gusts of wind, and
-concluded that it was caused by the breeze sweeping through the trees.
-He reassured the men; but it was not till long afterwards he discovered
-the origin of the sound. The trees were a species of thorn about eight
-feet high, with leafless branches on which hung a number of hollow
-seed-pods. In these an insect bores a hole, and the wind, passing
-through the innumerable tiny apertures, produces the musical notes
-which so much disturbed the negroes.
-
-After about two hours, John felt much fatigued. The continued exertion
-had revived the dull aching pain in his back and limbs, and he thought
-it prudent to rest awhile. The progress had been so good that he could
-afford to waste an hour: there would still be time to reach the village
-before the dawn. The whole party lay down on a grassy knoll, speaking
-only in whispers. Occasionally the cry of some night-bird broke the
-stillness, and once there came, from far away, the sharp bark of a
-hyena. At the end of an hour the safari was again on foot. Twice more
-John found himself compelled to halt, and after the second time Ferrier
-persuaded him to let four of the men carry him, in a litter which they
-quickly made by slinging one of the blankets between two rifles.
-Always taking the river as guide, they pressed on again. At last, when
-the sounds of re-awakening life in the trees proclaimed that dawn was
-at hand, they came to the foot of a long grassy acclivity which John
-felt sure led up to the village. After a consultation with Ferrier, he
-decided to wait a little until there was light enough to show them the
-way clearly. The air was misty, but the blackness of night was
-passing, and at length they were able to see the goal of their long
-march--the "bad men's" village, lying in perfect stillness on the
-hill-top.
-
-John led the men among some trees, and waited until he saw the gate
-opened, and a number of women come out and wend their way into the
-plantations to the left. When they were out of sight, he ordered the
-men to leave their loads and follow him closely without a sound. Then,
-regardless of his pain, he led the way at a steady run up the hill.
-Ferrier came to his side.
-
-"We do this together, old boy," he said.
-
-On they went. They had almost reached the stockade when a woman in the
-fields to the left saw them, and uttered a loud shriek. John quickened
-his pace; the men, unable to restrain themselves any longer, raised
-their voices in a tremendous shout. A few seconds later the whole
-party, the white men still leading, dashed through the gate, and along
-the single street, causing a wild stampede among the children playing
-there, and the women who were moving about. The uproar drew several
-men from their huts, where they were no doubt indulging themselves in a
-final nap while their womenkind prepared breakfast. Almost all were
-old men. At the sight of the invading horde they yelled and fled.
-John hurried on towards the compound where he had seen the war-party
-assemble. As the scared negroes left the street vacant, he was struck
-with amazement at the sight that met his eyes. At the entrance of a
-hut at one side of the central space stood a figure in white. He had
-risen from bending over a cooking-pot. Next moment Said Mohammed came
-towards his master, walking leisurely, his face beaming with smiles.
-
-"Good morning, sir," he said blithely. "You have come in nick of time.
-Banana fritters, new dish to savage with untutored mind, are done to a
-turn. On point of tickling unappreciative palates, they now serve
-nobler end, delectating connoisseur who knows what's what. With
-respect, sir, I'm jolly glad to see you."
-
-Thus the village of the "bad men" was carried without a blow.
-
-John sent Coja back with a few men to bring in the loads and secure the
-gate. Then he lost no time in hunting through the village, and learnt,
-as he had hoped, that there were very few men left in it; and these for
-the most part old and negligible as a fighting force. He had given
-strict orders to his party not to injure any one wantonly. The women,
-seeing that there was no burning or slaughtering, recovered from their
-first fright. They recognized the prisoner in whom they had been so
-much interested, and their curiosity overcoming every other feeling,
-they drew slowly nearer to the strangers, uttering little shrieks of
-excitement. John made them understand that the men were hungry, and
-they ran with alacrity into their huts, not at all averse from
-preparing a meal for such inoffensive visitors. Meanwhile Said
-Mohammed had instantly seized his own cooking-pot and other utensils
-from the men who carried them, and set to work to cook more banana
-fritters and other dainties to which the white men had been strangers
-for many a day. Before long the whole party were seated, enjoying a
-capital breakfast, the men laughing and chattering like light-hearted
-children. In the midst of the repast they broke into song, one of them
-chanting a line of solo, the rest chiming in with a boisterous chorus.
-
- | (Solo) Where did the white men go in the night?
- | (Chorus) They went to the place of the bad men.
- | (Solo) Why did they go to the place of the bad men?
- | (Chorus) To get very much food
- | For themselves and the good men.
- | The white men must eat,
- | The black men must eat,
- | In the place of the bad men is very much food,
- | O, eat all the food of the bad men.
-
-
-John smiled rather wistfully as he translated the song to Ferrier.
-
-"Poor devils!" he said. "They don't think of what they may have to go
-through before they get home. Just like children.... We thought we'd
-never see you again, khansaman. What became of you?"
-
-"Sir, I will round unvarnished tale deliver. Crossing stream, a
-thousand horse-leeches take fancy to my nether extremities, and cling
-like grim death. I make saltatory gyrations to shunt obnoxious
-hangers-on, when lo! enter crocodile, without introduction, his room
-better than his company. I was in blue funk, sir, and scooted, with
-celerity and splash. In agitation of moment I forgot my pals, and when
-I look round, behold! they are no more. I call: no answer; I call
-again: silence that can be felt. You could hear a pin drop. In the
-charming words of the handsome but afflicted Lord Byron--
-
- | 'What next befell me then and there
- | I know not well--I never knew:'
-
-but when I came to myself, to quote from same sublime poem--
-
- | 'I had not strength to stir, nor strive,
- | But felt that I was still alive,'
-
-for, below, leeches suck my vital fluid; above, black men have me in
-grip as firm as metropolitan bobby. They propel me, sir, with
-indignity to reverse of the medal, to this identical spot.
-
- | 'First came the loss of light, and air,
- | And then of darkness too:'
-
-in other words, I, Said Mohammed, failed B.A. of Calcutta University,
-am consigned to ignominious horizontal extension on floor of beastly
-hovel. I suffer in silence,
-
- | 'Nor call the gods with vulgar spite
- | To vindicate my hapless right.'
-
---Allow me to offer you another fritter, sir."
-
-"Thanks. What next? Fire away!"
-
-"After horrid night, sir, over which I draw veil of decency, I am
-transported into light of day. Hail, smiling morn! I purchase freedom
-by generous offer to teach fair sex a thing or two. Casting pearls
-before swine, sir; pains thrown away. But I earn my salt, and the rest
-is blank page, clean slate, until I hear the tramp of armed men, and
-behold, the grand finale!"
-
-"I am glad things have ended so well," said John. "And I must say,
-khansaman, it was very handsome and plucky of you to undertake a search
-for me."
-
-The Bengali bowed deprecatingly; then he said--
-
-"But alas! sir, the web of our life is mingled yarn, both good and evil
-together, as says sweet swan of Avon. There is fly in ointment; gilt
-is off ginger-bread. Coja, very good chap, has left sublunary sphere.
-'He will awake no more, oh, never more!' to quote the words of Percy
-Bysshe Shelley, also failed B.A. We ne'er shall look upon his like
-again. Who would not weep for---- By gum! This knocks me silly all
-of a heap! There he is!"
-
-"Yes," said John, laughing, "and you can exchange notes while I take a
-look round."
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER THE TWENTY-THIRD--The Ivory
-===================================
-
-John reckoned that his escape from the fort would probably have been
-discovered about the same time as he was entering the village. The
-enemy would almost certainly suppose that his flight had been
-southward, towards the farm. Several hours might be wasted in pursuing
-in that direction; even if they hit upon his trail at once, it would be
-four or five hours before they could reach him. His course, then, must
-be to take advantage of this respite to prepare the safari for the
-struggle that could scarcely be avoided when they came to close
-quarters.
-
-Issuing from the village with Ferrier, he made his way to the
-cultivated fields, which, lying on the sheltered slopes of the hill,
-were more fertile than might have been expected at such a height above
-sea-level. Much of the harvesting had been done: he had already
-noticed that the shambas were filled to overflowing with muhindi and
-pumpkins. But the banana-trees were weighed down with huge clusters of
-ripening fruit, and acres of the soil were covered with beans and sweet
-potatoes. He could provision the safari for the whole of the homeward
-journey, and yet make a scarcely sensible inroad upon the resources of
-the people. He had no scruples in taking as much as he needed, or
-rather as much as the men could carry; by all the rules of war it would
-be letting the village off lightly. Accordingly he lost no time in
-setting the men to get as much of the native produce together as would
-furnish full loads for the men who were not already burdened. This
-would inevitably diminish their marching power; but on the other hand
-they must carry plenty of food with them if they meant to reach home.
-
-While the men were engaged in this task, an idea occurred to Ferrier.
-
-"I say, John, why not go down the river on rafts?" he said. "We should
-get along much faster, and be less likely to meet Juma, who is sure to
-know a short cut, and won't stick to the river as we did."
-
-"A jolly good notion! Wait a bit, though. What about the rapids?
-They nearly did for me, and loaded rafts would stand a worse chance
-than I did, wouldn't they?"
-
-"That's where I come in, old chap. I've shot the rapids on the St.
-Lawrence; these rapids aren't a patch on the Roches Fendues. I didn't
-do it by myself, of course; an old fellow named Baptiste Le Sueur
-managed the pole; but I saw it all, and I bet I could navigate those
-little affairs by the fort."
-
-"I'll be hanged if we don't try it, then. We can make a better job of
-it than Bill and I did. By the way, where is the old fellow? I
-haven't seen him since we came into the village."
-
-"Nor have I. He won't be far off. Let us set about it at once. Two
-large rafts, I think: it'll take some time to cut enough timber."
-
-"We needn't wait for that. We'll dismantle some of the huts. The
-natives can easily build new ones when we are gone, and I'd like to
-give them a little trouble after all they have given us."
-
-"Capital! Come on then. The sooner we get them done the better."
-
-Returning to the village, they set all the men to work who were not
-engaged in the fields. In a short time a large number of poles from
-the huts lay on the ground ready to be lashed together, and a quantity
-of bast being found, there was no lack of material for the lashings.
-Those of the men who had been porters and were expert in manipulating
-ropes were entrusted with this work, the two white men superintending
-them and making sure that the knots were firm.
-
-The first raft, capable of supporting half the party in addition to
-half the stores, had just been completed when Bill ran into the village
-in a state of great excitement. In such a condition he seemed to lose
-almost all power of expression, and it was some time before John, even
-with Coja's assistance, could make out what was the matter with him.
-Presently, however, he gathered that Bill had gone alone to the spot, a
-few miles away, where the ivory had been buried by the Arabs when
-fleeing from the "bad men." It was situated on a wooded knoll washed
-by the river. Scarcely had he reached the place when his
-extraordinarily keen sense of hearing apprised him that a number of men
-were fording the river, though he was not able at first to see them,
-owing to the trees. Immediately on hearing their approach, he swarmed
-up a tree--the same in which he had taken shelter years before--and
-from this coign of vantage he spied a large body of negroes gathered on
-the further bank. In a little while he saw, moving up the knoll, the
-party who had previously crossed: they were Swahilis, and their leader
-was the man whom he had already recognized as a member of the Arab
-safari. All carried spades or other implements.
-
-And then, helpless in the tree, the old man had had the agony to see
-the Swahilis dig up the ivory which had lain so long concealed: his
-ivory, the recovery of which had been his dream for years, a dream for
-whose realization he had counted on the assistance of the white men.
-The tusks had been laid only a foot or two below the surface, so that
-it was no great labour to unearth them. When they were all dug up, the
-men began to carry them down to the river, each tusk requiring four
-men. The intention was, Bill supposed, to transport them to the
-evacuated fort. He seized the opportunity when their backs were turned
-to slip down from his perch and run to the village: would not the
-wasungu even now strike a blow for him?
-
-This was a staggering piece of news. The knoll was up-stream; there
-was not much doubt that downstream the warriors whose village had been
-captured were marching up in pursuit of the safari. Probably they had
-already been met by fugitives from the village and informed of what had
-happened. It struck John that Juma and the chief might have fallen
-out, and that the Swahili had made a rapid dash northward to possess
-himself of the treasure while the "bad men" were absent from the
-neighbourhood. However that might be, there was no question but that
-both the Swahilis and the villagers were dangerous enemies, and would
-join forces to crush the little band who had defied and routed them.
-
-"We're in the tightest place we have ever been in yet," said John.
-"They've got us between them. What on earth are we to do?"
-
-"Slip away, west or east?" suggested Ferrier.
-
-"Hopeless! Loaded as we should be, we couldn't escape them. It's too
-late to get on to the river now. This one raft won't hold us all. We
-are done at last!"
-
-They looked at each other in speechless anxiety. The men had ceased
-work on the second raft; they all knew what had occurred, and gazed at
-their white leaders with troubled countenances.
-
-"There's one desperate chance," said Ferrier at length. "Juma is
-nearest. Deal with him before the others come up."
-
-John stared at him for a moment with brightening eyes. Then he sprang
-up.
-
-"Right!" he cried. "It's the one chance. But we can't risk it without
-knowing a little of the ground. I'll go out with Bill and have a look
-at it, if you'll stay and keep a look-out for the down-stream lot."
-
-The two set off at once. Bill led the way rapidly round the village
-and further up the hill until they reached the summit. From this point
-the ground fell away to the plain, and rather less than a mile away
-John descried the knoll of which Bill had spoken, the peninsula from
-which it rose jutting out into the river. It was densely covered with
-vegetation, and on the other side of the stream there was a similar
-screen. Only a short reach of the river was visible, but here he saw
-negroes wading waist-deep. They were crossing, however, not to the far
-side, but from it. Juma had thought it better to bring his porters to
-the ivory than the reverse. Apparently none of it had yet been
-transported from bank to bank; but it was all laid in readiness.
-
-Bill gazed at the scene with an expression of mingled grief and rage.
-Suddenly he stretched forth his hand, pointing towards the trees on the
-near side of the river. At first John could not see anything but the
-dense mass of foliage; but presently he discerned two negroes standing
-motionless at the foot of the knoll. Clearly Juma had posted them as
-scouts to give warning of any movement from the village. So many years
-had passed since the defeat of his safari that the likelihood of the
-people suspecting his search for the treasure was small, especially
-since they were obviously unaware of its location. But with the
-remembrance of their hostility in his mind he was evidently uneasy.
-
-John's guess at the course of events was very near the mark. Ever
-since the defeat of the Arabs, Juma, the sole survivor of their hapless
-safari, had lived for nothing else than the recovery of the ivory,
-which would make him a millionaire according to the native standard of
-wealth. But the store lay in the enemy's country; he had the best of
-reasons for knowing how formidable they were, and what his fate would
-be if he was discovered by them when removing the ivory. He had
-recognized that there was little chance of obtaining possession of it
-unless he came with sufficient force to repel attack. Its transport
-would demand a large number of porters, and a still larger number of
-armed men to protect them. It had therefore been the work of his life
-to organize such a party. For this he had become a porter himself, to
-avail himself of opportunities of stealthy pilfering. For this he had
-established himself in the island fort, hoping to seize an occasion
-when the villagers were absent on a raid or a hunting expedition to
-make a dash up the river and achieve the aim of his ambition.
-
-The unexpected series of events that culminated in the capture of the
-fort had interposed a check at the very moment when he saw success
-within his grasp. But his cunning mind conceived the scheme which he
-had carried out: to form an alliance with the very tribe with whom he
-had expected to come into conflict. He seized upon the presence of the
-white men as a rational basis for their alliance, intending, when the
-white men and their safari had been annihilated, to turn his arms
-against his allies, and having overthrown them, to secure the prize he
-had so long coveted.
-
-Again he was baulked by the prolonged resistance of the white men. But
-it happened that the combined force of natives which he had gathered
-about him ran short of food. In this circumstance he saw his
-opportunity. On the morning after John had left the fort, Juma set off
-with his own contingent before the escape had been discovered,
-ostensibly to go hunting for game. He took with him almost all the men
-who had rifles, and a large party to carry the game he promised to
-shoot. Striking at first to the west, he turned sharply northward, and
-pushed on with all speed towards the knoll where the hoard of ivory lay
-concealed. Had he secured it, his whilom enemies, his present allies,
-would have seen him no more. He would have taken the shortest route to
-the coast, to dispose of the ivory at one of the ports. His approach
-was hidden from the people in the village by the hill rising behind it,
-and being quite unaware that the village was now held by the white men,
-he felt that he had nothing to fear except chance discovery by some one
-who might happen to stray up the hill. To provide against this he had
-posted the two scouts whom John saw at the base of the knoll.
-
-John perceived in a moment that the work of transporting the ivory
-across the river gave him an opportunity of taking the enemy at a
-disadvantage. Running back to the top of the hill, careful not to come
-within sight of the scouts, he reached a point whence he could overlook
-the village and where he was himself in full view from it. The moment
-he arrived there he knew that he had been seen, for Ferrier waved his
-hand above his head. John immediately semaphored with his arms, asking
-Ferrier to bring out all the men except a few left to guard the
-village, and to join him on the hill-top. In ten minutes they were
-with him. Then, descending the western slope of the hill, invisible to
-the enemy, they worked their way through the belt of trees on the
-river-bank until they arrived within a furlong of the ford. Juma's
-porters were staggering down the knoll under their loads--great tusks
-from six to nine feet long. To advance further without being
-discovered was impossible: the two scouts were full in the path.
-
-John gathered his party just within the belt of trees, and in a whisper
-told them what to do. Then, at his word, they dashed after him from
-cover, yelling at the top of their voices, the askaris firing their
-rifles as they ran, and reloading. There was little chance of the
-shots taking effect, but John reckoned on them to demoralize the enemy.
-The result surpassed his anticipations. The scouts stood for a moment
-as if rooted to the ground with amazement; then they flung down their
-rifles and fled like hares to the spot where Juma was indicating the
-ford. At the same instant the porters dropped their loads with a yell
-of fright, and made for the river, into which they cast themselves,
-careless of its depth, and of the crocodiles that might be lurking
-expectant of a victim. Juma had his arm in a sling: the other Swahilis
-raised their rifles, and fired, each one wild ineffectual shot, at the
-advancing company. Then, utterly confounded by this amazing attack
-from an enemy whom they supposed to be far away, they rushed in a body
-to the river, sped by a volley of bullets and arrows. Half wading,
-half swimming, they gained the further bank, and by the time John and
-his men came to the ford, they had disappeared with all their men into
-the undergrowth.
-
-Bill ran from one tusk to another, frantic with joy. But John was too
-much concerned with the serious work that lay before him to trouble
-himself for the present with the ivory, however valuable it might be.
-He saw at once that he must remove all his men from the village to the
-knoll if the plan of floating down the river was to be successfully
-initiated. After their fright, Juma and his men might for a time be
-disregarded; but the war-party of villagers could not now be far away,
-and the interval before their arrival might be all too short. The
-knoll not only formed a good defensible position, but it was the most
-convenient spot for the launching of the rafts, and the timber upon it
-offered material for the second raft yet to be constructed. Keeping
-part of his men to hack branches from the trees with their knives, he
-asked Ferrier to return with the rest to the village and bring over the
-hill the first raft and all the stores.
-
-"Get the women to help," he said. "Promise that we'll do no more harm
-to the village if they'll work for us. They'll be glad enough to get
-rid of us, no doubt. I'd go myself, Charley, only my back is bothering
-me again, confound it."
-
-Ferrier hurried off. In little more than half-an-hour he reappeared on
-the shoulder of the hill, followed by a long line of the men of the
-safari and the women of the village, carrying the loads of provisions,
-the impedimenta of the camp, and the raft, a cumbersome object which
-required twenty men to carry it. As they descended the slope, shots
-were fired at them from the trees bordering the river, but manifestly
-at so long a range that they were little likely to do any harm. They
-reached the knoll in safety; the baggage was piled up a short distance
-from the bank to form a sort of rampart: and then the whole party,
-including a crowd of women who were impressed to fetch and carry,
-worked rapidly at the construction of the raft.
-
-"There'll be mighty little protection if they fire at us on the way
-down," said John gloomily.
-
-"Yes," replied Ferrier, "we haven't got enough baggage to screen us.
-But look here! Why not make a sort of fence to go all round?"
-
-"The very thing! The men are so used to making bomas that it won't
-give them any trouble."
-
-While the second raft was being finished, the men who were not engaged
-upon it were set to weave a light framework of canes, rushes, and
-slender branches, about three feet high, and strong enough to be
-impenetrable by spears or arrows. As portions of this were completed,
-they were lashed to the edges of the first raft. Fore and aft the
-framework was raised to the height of six feet, and a hole was cut in
-it through which a pole might be thrust, to ward off rocks or other
-obstructions as the raft floated downstream, and to steer the unwieldy
-craft.
-
-At midday a good deal of the work still remained to be done. The sun
-beat down mercilessly upon the workers, and John, eager as he was to
-finish, ordered a rest and a meal. The negroes threw themselves on the
-grass, and appeared to feel no discomfort from the heat; but the white
-men were glad to seek the shade of the trees crowning the knoll, where
-Said Mohammed served their dinner.
-
-The order had just been given to resume work when they saw a vast crowd
-of dusky warriors pouring over the brow of the hill.
-
-"Here they come!" said John, starting up; "and by the look of them, and
-their yells, we're in for a tight little scrimmage."
-
-Ferrier laughed.
-
-"Not unless they're prepared to attack us over the bodies of their
-wives," he said. "They can't shoot at us without hitting them."
-
-"Of course not. I hadn't thought of that. But they're so mad that
-they may be ready to sacrifice their nearest and dearest. We must
-prevent the women from running away. It's shameful coercion, but we
-can't help it."
-
-The furious villagers halted within a short distance of the knoll, and
-one or two let fly arrows at the busy workers behind their rampart of
-baggage. A wild shriek arose from the terrified women, though none had
-been hit; and John, running among them, told them sternly that their
-only safety lay in remaining at their work. To give point to his
-warning, and at the same time to daunt the warriors, he lifted his
-rifle and fired towards the dense mob, taking care to aim above their
-heads. The result was a general stampede. The men had already learnt
-the power of the wasungu's weapons, and being exposed on the bare
-hillside they recognized their disadvantage. They retreated up the
-hill to a position of security, and stood there in impotent wrath,
-watching their womenkind toiling for the hated enemy.
-
-The work went on without pause until the rafts were finished. The next
-thing was to launch them. The river swept round the knoll in a
-half-circle, and John decided to have the rafts carried to the water on
-the side remote from the village and out of sight of the warriors, any
-interference being guarded against by leaving his askaris with loaded
-rifles at the baggage. When the rafts were launched and moored to
-prevent their being carried down by the current, the ivory was conveyed
-to them. One side of each had been left undefended by the framework
-until the loading was finished. The tusks having been stowed on one
-raft, half-a-dozen men were set to lash on the framework while the
-stores and the rest of the baggage were carried to the second raft. It
-was clear that Bill had by no means exaggerated the value of the ivory.
-There were twenty-three tusks, varying in weight and size, but scaling
-in all at least half a ton. John did not know the market value of
-ivory, but so large a quantity would probably fetch several hundreds of
-pounds.
-
-By the time the loads were stacked round the rafts, close against the
-framework, it was drawing towards evening.
-
-"I'm afraid we shall have to wait until morning before we start," said
-John. "It will be very risky to navigate these clumsy things in the
-darkness. They lie very heavy in the water, and I shouldn't be
-surprised if they founder before we've gone far."
-
-"We must chance that," said Ferrier. "I think we had better start at
-once. There are no rapids in this part of the river; our real trouble
-will begin when we come above the pool. If we stay here till the
-morning, we may be set upon before we are well away, whereas by
-starting now we shall be past the village by the time it is dark, and
-when they see us fairly off they may chuck up the sponge."
-
-"All right. Is there anything else to be done?"
-
-"We'll rope the rafts together, but we must be ready to cut the hawser
-if there's any need. I'll go in the first raft, of course. Perhaps
-Coja had better come with me to try his hand at steering, if you don't
-mind taking Said Mohammed. Your raft ought to come along in the wake
-of mine without any difficulty; but have your pole ready to push off if
-we strike a shoal."
-
-"What's the rate of the current, do you think?"
-
-"Three to four miles an hour, at a guess. Better let the women go now."
-
-John withdrew the askaris who had been keeping guard, and the women, on
-being told that they might go, fled away up the hill like a flock of
-sheep. All the men of the safari then took their places on the rafts;
-these were roped together; the framework was lashed on the unprotected
-sides; the mooring ropes were released, and the strange overladen
-craft, sinking so low that the logs were covered with water, took the
-current and began to float down. Luckily the bales of provisions had
-been placed above the ammunition boxes and other baggage, which would
-not suffer from a wetting.
-
-The actual start was hidden from the enemy by the projecting knoll; but
-as the rafts swept round the curve their appearance was hailed with
-loud shouts from the hill-top, where the women had now joined the
-warriors. The left bank was here too precipitous and too densely
-wooded to permit the enemy to approach near enough to do any damage;
-and as the voyagers came into the straight reach that ran by the foot
-of the hill on which the village was perched, they saw the yelling
-horde rush over the brow.
-
-"Going to meet us on the level," shouted Ferrier from his place behind
-the breastwork of the foremost raft. "Keep the men crouching behind
-the palisade."
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FOURTH--Ferrier takes the Lead
-=================================================
-
-The river varied in breadth at this part of its course from sixty to
-eighty yards. The steersmen, Coja in the first, Said Mohammed in the
-second, kept the rafts in midstream, and they glided on the full
-current with a steadiness that augured well for the voyage. In less
-than half-an-hour they were level with the village. Then a shot rang
-out from the right bank. Clearly Juma had been on the watch. The shot
-fell short, and the sound of it caused great consternation among the
-villagers, who had taken up a position a few hundred yards down-stream
-on a stretch of treeless land on the left bank, raised a few feet above
-the level of the river. They had evidently been as yet unaware of the
-proximity of their allies. But their apprehension was immediately
-changed to wild excitement as they saw Juma, accompanied by his band,
-appear on a similar eminence on the opposite bank. They shouted with
-delight, leaping, brandishing spears, little suspecting the trick which
-the Swahilis had played on them.
-
-As the rafts approached, they were assailed with showers of arrows from
-both sides, mingled with rifle shots from the right bank. Ferrier and
-John ordered their men to lie flat on their faces, for those on the
-starboard side were exposed to the fire from the right bank, those on
-the port side to that from the left. The two white men themselves, and
-their two steersmen, could not find shelter in the same way, being
-bound to stand erect in order to keep the rafts in midstream. As the
-missiles flew around him, John felt that this was a vastly unpleasant
-way of running the gauntlet. He instinctively pressed his body close
-to the framework; and whether it was due to the growing darkness, or to
-the inability of the enemy to hit a moving target, he escaped unhurt.
-The immediate danger was past when the banks of the river fell away to
-the level of the stream. Both parties of the enemy still fired,
-running along in time with the rafts; but their missiles now flew over
-the top of the breastwork. Ferrier thought it worth risking a volley
-from his own men. He ordered them to kneel, rest their rifles on the
-palisade, and take good aim at the Swahilis. Their skill or luck was
-superior, for when the volley flashed forth, a yell told that one at
-least of the bullets had got home. Immediately afterwards John ordered
-his askaris to fire among the negroes on the left bank; but these were
-somewhat remoter from the river, and he could not learn that any of the
-shots took effect.
-
-.. _`John ordered his askaris to fire among the negroes on the left bank.`:
-
-.. figure:: images/img-332.jpg
- :align: center
- :alt: "John ordered his askaris to fire among the negroes on the left bank."
-
- "John ordered his askaris to fire among the negroes on the left bank."
-
-..
-
-Night had now sunk upon the land. The moon would rise late, and for
-several hours the voyage must be continued in darkness. John called to
-Ferrier to ask whether he had not better run into the bank and wait
-until there was a little light upon the course.
-
-"I can see well enough at present," was the reply. "Besides, those
-beggars are keeping it up."
-
-His expectation that the pursuit would be abandoned as soon as it
-became dark was not borne out. It was obvious from the shouts that
-were heard on either side from time to time that the enemy had screwed
-their resolution to an uncommon pitch. Their dread of the darkness was
-no less, but their savage resentment and vindictive desire for revenge
-was more. John was able to account for their pertinacity when he
-remembered what lay before him. The rapids! If he, on his light raft,
-had barely escaped with his life, how much less was the chance that two
-heavy-laden rafts would survive the battering they must receive! If
-they were not wrecked and broken up before they reached the pool, they
-would then become exposed to a terrific attack. He dared not think of
-what the fate of the safari would be if they were cast into the river
-and thrown upon the mercy of the enemy. Did they come safe through the
-first series of rapids and cross the pool, there was the second series
-beyond, sweeping through the gorge, from the heights of which the enemy
-could pour down upon them not merely a hail of bullets and arrows, but
-an avalanche of rocks which could not fail to send the rafts to the
-bottom. Great as were the perils which had beset him since he quitted
-the farm, he recognized with a momentary sinking of heart that they
-were trifles compared with those that were to come. He felt that his
-confidence would be greater if he could be beside Ferrier on the first
-raft. Their comradeship during the past few months had brought them
-very close together. He wished that they could talk things over
-quietly; whereas now they were separated by forty feet of rope, and
-anything either had to say must be uttered in a bawl.
-
-As the darkness thickened the navigation became increasingly difficult.
-Sometimes, when long stretches of the river were banked by woods, it
-was pitch dark, and whatever obstacles might have occurred in the
-course, it would have been impossible to avoid them. Ferrier did his
-best to keep his raft in midstream, for he knew that crocodiles lurked
-on the banks; hippos might be sleeping in the shallows; and heavy as
-the raft was, he had little doubt that a heave of a hippo's huge body,
-a swish from a crocodile's terrible tail, would cause it to capsize, or
-at least break a gap in the breastwork.
-
-At one such gloomy patch the raft ran ashore upon a mud-bank projecting
-into the stream. Before Ferrier could pole it off, the second raft,
-borne on by the current, collided with it; there was a shock, John's
-raft spun round, and rocked so violently that the men yelled with
-fright. The attaching rope, however, pulled it up with a jerk, which
-had the effect of hauling the first raft off the bank. Their positions
-were now reversed; Said Mohammed was foremost down-stream, Ferrier
-last. It was obviously impossible that the voyage could be continued
-thus. John and Ferrier ran each to the forward end of his own raft.
-
-"Run her ashore again," shouted Ferrier, "and let me swing clear."
-
-John obeyed. He would not have shirked the task of leading, but
-Ferrier's experience might make all the difference between success and
-failure, and it was certainly not a time to run any avoidable risks.
-Some minutes passed before he managed to strike the bank, and then the
-raft crashed against the projecting stem of a tree with a violence that
-threw John on to his back. Up in an instant, he clutched a branch just
-in time to prevent the raft from drifting away, and held on until
-Ferrier had passed in mid-stream, and the vessels had regained their
-former order. During this interlude nothing was heard of the enemy.
-The banks of the river were fortunately too steep and too densely
-wooded to allow their access.
-
-For a little while all went well. Where the banks were low and free
-from tall trees the level rays of the rising moon threw a faint light
-upon the water, enabling Ferrier to use his pole with more confidence.
-But on entering a narrower reach where the trees came down to the
-water's edge, the sudden passage from comparative light to absolute
-darkness prevented him from seeing a rocky ledge jutting out from the
-right bank. The raft scraped it for a few feet, then stuck fast. The
-second raft, coming directly in its wake, did not this time sweep by,
-but bumped the first, and both were now end to end on the rock. The
-most energetic work with the poles failing to dislodge them, John said--
-
-"Let's have a rest. There's no sign of the enemy, and I'm desperately
-hungry."
-
-"That's all very well," replied Ferrier, "but the longer we delay the
-worse off we shall be presently. It gives the enemy time to get ahead
-of us, and they'll be waiting for us at the pool. I rather fancy
-they've already outstripped us by cutting across country; the river
-winds a good deal."
-
-"All the same, we shan't be any the better off for being famished when
-we meet them. Besides, I want to talk to you; we haven't settled what
-we're going to do."
-
-"Very well; we'll have a tuck-in. What's the time? My match-box is
-empty."
-
-John struck a match. His watch had stopped.
-
-"The spring must have broken when I toppled over," he said. "Isn't
-yours going?"
-
-"It hasn't been going for a couple of days. We can't tell how far
-we've come. How is our direction?"
-
-"We're pointing north-west," replied John, after a glance at his
-compass. "There must be a big curve here. I fancy we must have just
-about got to the place where Bill and I launched our raft. If so, it
-will be getting light by the time we reach the pool. What do you think
-of doing then?"
-
-"That depends on the look of things when we get there. How long are
-the rapids?"
-
-"About half-a-mile, I should think."
-
-"Any rocks?"
-
-"Upon my word I don't know. I was too anxious about holding on to
-notice. But judging from the battering we got I should say plenty."
-
-"Then the safest course would be to unload the rafts when we get to the
-head of the rapids and make a portage--carry the things along the bank
-until we come to the pool. We can't do that if the enemy are in force.
-We shall simply have to shoot the rapids and take our chance."
-
-"I'm sorry for us. If my little raft was nearly smashed, what
-condition will these clumsy things be in when we get through!"
-
-"Well, I can only do my best. Left to themselves they'd be smashed up
-in no time, but if I can manage to steer clear of the rocks we may get
-through. It won't be safe to go roped together, though. You had
-better moor yours while I take down the first; then I'll go ashore and
-come back for you."
-
-"Rather dangerous, that, if the enemy are about."
-
-"Perhaps. But I'm inclined to think they'll wait for us lower down.
-In that case I should be back before they could catch me. But really
-it's not much good settling on anything until we see how the land lies.
-The most important thing will be to take care we are not caught in the
-rapids before we know it. If we are, we can only let ourselves go and
-trust to luck."
-
-After a delay of nearly an hour, during which the whole party made a
-meal of the fruits they had brought with them, they strove again to
-pole the rafts off the rock. The task was an impossible one while the
-vessels were so heavily laden. Accordingly the breastwork was removed
-from the shoreward side of each, and a portion of the goods was
-conveyed to the bank. Thus lightened, the rafts were got off by
-vigorous poling, and allowed to drift a few yards down-stream until
-they came once more into the moonlight. Then they were run into the
-bank and moored while the stores were fetched and the breastwork
-replaced. This took up a considerable time, and it could no longer be
-doubted that the enemy, unless they had halted, must arrive at the pool
-long before the rafts.
-
-As the moon rose higher in the sky the voyage became easier, and it was
-continued without incident until there were signs that day was
-breaking. Feeling sure that the rapids could not be far ahead, Ferrier
-steered into the right bank, followed by John.
-
-"I must take a look round before we go any farther," said Ferrier. "I
-don't hear anything of the enemy; perhaps they are behind us after all."
-
-He set off alone, making his way cautiously among the trees. It seemed
-hours before he returned, in almost broad daylight.
-
-"We're in for it," he said as he came up. "We're within six hundred
-yards of the rapids. I went on round the curve until I got a view of
-the pool. The fort is manned. Juma must have got well ahead of us and
-crossed the river somewhere. But I don't think the others have arrived
-on the scene yet."
-
-"Have they left nobody on the right bank?"
-
-"Nobody at all. They're very poor tacticians. I suppose they rely on
-our being smashed up in the rapids, and think they'll have us at their
-mercy. They ought to have held both banks. It gives us a chance. We
-may have time for a portage, but only to the pool. We can't hope to
-get past the second rapids on land; but as we shall be hidden from the
-enemy until we actually come to the pool, there ought to be time to
-load up again there before they can get round to us."
-
-"What then?"
-
-"We shall have to shoot the second rapids in the rafts just as we are.
-Can't stop for another portage. From my recollection as we came up
-past the gorge, they're much longer and swifter than the first, besides
-being straighter and less rocky. I had a good look at the first as I
-went down the bank. There's a nasty bit about half-way through: a
-narrow channel between two irregular lines of sunken rocks. But it's
-no worse than the Long Saut on the St. Lawrence; not so bad, indeed;
-and I'm going to run through all right. The only doubt I have is
-whether we can get to the second rapids before the enemy occupy the
-bluff above the gorge."
-
-"If we can't----!"
-
-"We shall have the pleasure of being targets for at least ten minutes
-for bullets and arrows and stones. But we must just go through with it
-now; there's no retreat for us. Now we'll unload my raft and send the
-men along with the ivory. When we've given them time to get half-way
-to the pool, I'll go down with the raft."
-
-"Alone?"
-
-"Yes. It won't do for you to come, and leave the men, in case they're
-attacked; and I don't think any of them would be much help to me. Coja
-and two or three of the askaris can escort the convoy. We must make
-'em understand they are to wait for me when they get to the pool;
-unless, indeed, I'm there first: the current is pretty swift."
-
-"There's bush enough to hide them, but you're bound to be spotted from
-the fort as soon as you get to the end of the rapids."
-
-"It will take Juma a long time to get round with his men."
-
-"But they can swim it!"
-
-"They won't! They can't attack us when swimming, and they'll be afraid
-of getting their heads broken against the raft."
-
-During this conversation the men had already begun the work of
-unloading the first raft. The breastwork on the right-hand side was
-removed, and the ivory conveyed tusk by tusk to the bank. Enough was
-left at the rear to balance Ferrier's weight at the forward end. When
-all was ready, the men set off with their loads, Coja and two askaris
-with rifles going ahead.
-
-"Get your raft unloaded while I'm gone, old chap," said Ferrier. "In
-fact, the men had better start with it straight away; if Juma has the
-sense to come round at once to meet us it'll be a very near thing to
-get loaded up again."
-
-"All right. I'll go with them myself and leave a couple of men to
-guard the raft."
-
-"On second thoughts I think you had better go after the first lot at
-once. Everything depends on their keeping under cover until I arrive
-with the raft, and you know how rash they are. Go and keep an eye on
-them. I'll see to the unloading here and send the men after you."
-
-Accordingly John hurried in the track of the ivory-carriers, whom he
-overtook by the time they reached the head of the rapids. Leading them
-carefully through the wood, where they would be invisible to any of the
-enemy who might be moving along on the other side of the river, he came
-opposite to the point where the rapids entered the pool. There he
-ordered them to set down their loads, and sent Bill back to guide the
-second party over the same course.
-
-Ferrier had resolved not to begin his adventurous voyage until all the
-men were gathered under John at the head of the pool. The actual
-passage of the rapids would take but a minute or two, and the time
-necessary for reloading the first raft would be halved if the whole
-party were employed in the work. The second convoy having arrived,
-John left them safely under cover while he retraced his steps for a
-short distance to a spot where he could witness his friend's
-performance. He held his breath and felt his skin creep as the raft
-came into view, shooting down at a furious rate to what appeared
-certain destruction. Ferrier had removed the upper part of the
-framework, and stood with pole in hand, bending low, his whole
-attention fixed on his task. Now he prodded to the right, now to the
-left: at one moment the raft swerved, having evidently scraped a rock,
-and he almost lost his balance; but recovering himself instantly, he
-dexterously slipped his pole over in the direction to which the raft
-had been driven, and came again into mid-current. John feared lest he
-should be carried far into the pool, beyond the spot where the loads
-were laid; but when the raft came into smooth water, and its momentum
-was checked, Ferrier flung a rope to the shore, and the craft,
-uninjured except for some chips at the edges, was hauled in.
-
-"Splendid!" said John. "It would be a stunning sport if----"
-
-But before he could complete the sentence Ferrier was running hard
-up-stream. There was a shout from the fort; the raft had been
-discovered; the second raft was still to be brought down. John
-instantly set the men to load up the first raft. Every movement was
-visible to the men in the fort. There were loud shouts; a few shots
-were fired; but the range was too long for inefficient marksmen. To
-John's consternation and alarm there came an echo to these shouts from
-up-stream. The warriors from the village were evidently within
-striking distance. Had they discovered Ferrier? Urging the men to
-hasten with the work of loading, he ran along the bank to see whether
-the second raft was on the way. Yes; it was sweeping down like the
-first, and on the opposite bank a crowd of yelling negroes rushed
-along, dodging the trees, and trying to keep pace. Ferrier paid no
-attention to them, his whole energy absorbed in his task. John sent a
-warning shot among the enemy, and they darted out of sight. The raft
-leapt and dashed and jolted down, and in little more than a minute
-after it passed John it lay moored beside the other at the shore of the
-pool.
-
-The men having not yet finished the loading of the first raft, Ferrier
-had leisure to observe what the enemy were about. The warriors from
-the village, who had marched along the left bank of the river, were
-rushing round the northern shore of the pool towards the causeway. It
-was impossible to see what they would do when they reached it, and, to
-judge by the uproar in the fort, there was more excitement than cool
-calculation among Juma's party. But by the time the rafts were loaded,
-the breastworks replaced, and the ropes attached, the enemy's intention
-became clear. Before the rafts were loosed from their moorings and
-poled into the gentle current of the pool, a large number of negroes,
-with one or two Swahilis, emerged into view from behind the intervening
-island, and were seen hastening along the path which led from the
-causeway up the bluff.
-
-"They've got a good start of us," Ferrier called from the leading raft.
-"We must run the gauntlet."
-
-But now that the critical moment had arrived, John was setting his wits
-to work. In all the encounters with the enemy hitherto, success had
-been gained by the exercise of superior intelligence rather than
-superior force. Was there not a chance of outwitting them even now at
-the eleventh hour? Could they not be withdrawn from their threatening
-position above the gorge? An idea suggested itself: to let the rafts
-drift on until they came opposite the fort, and then to change their
-direction and pole them across the pool as if with the intention of
-landing on the western shore of the island and storming the fort. If
-the ruse succeeded, the enemy would rush back and swarm within the
-walls again.
-
-John imparted his scheme to Ferrier in a few hurried sentences.
-
-"It's worth trying," said Ferrier, "but can we get back into the
-current in time?"
-
-"Yes; it begins to flow swifter, as you know, opposite the island. If
-only the men are drawn back into the fort, we shall have time to come
-back into the current and make straight for the rapids, and then they
-may run their hardest but won't overtake us."
-
-"Well, you pole back first, so as not to change our order. They surely
-won't be such idiots!"
-
-The rafts passed slowly along, hailed with derisive yells from the few
-men left in the fort, and by a shower of arrows, which flew harmlessly
-over the breastworks, the men having all lain down as before. Then
-suddenly they ceased to move; but in a few moments started ponderously
-in the reverse direction. John and Ferrier had exchanged places with
-their two steersmen, and while they poled on the bottom in the manner
-of punters, Coja and Said Mohammed thrust their poles into the water at
-an angle which would bring the rafts round to the western end of the
-island. It was exceedingly hard work to force the heavy vessels
-against the current, slight though that was; but they did move slowly,
-away from the gorge, and that was enough for the defenders of the fort.
-Alarmed at the prospect of having to repel an assault from the wasungu,
-they shouted vociferously to their fellows on the shore to return and
-help them.
-
-"It's working!" cried John in delight. "I only wish we could see round
-the island. We shall have to guess when it's time to be off."
-
-But there was little chance of their being left in ignorance of the
-enemy's movements. The din was tremendous, far and near. Soon the
-uproar within the fort increased, and men were seen swarming on to the
-edges of the western wall, some scrambling over and running down the
-slope to meet the expected attack. The situation of the rafts was too
-close to be pleasant to their occupants. Arrows flew over and between
-them, some sticking in the meshes of the breastwork. The men flat on
-the decks of the rafts were out of harm's way; but the two white men
-and their assistants were partly exposed to the flying missiles, since
-they could not manage the clumsy rafts unless they stood nearly
-upright. For some minutes they cruised along the shore, as if seeking
-a convenient landing-place, until they were screened from the enemy by
-the fringe of trees. At last, having allowed sufficient time for the
-greater part of the enemy's force to regain the fort, or at least the
-causeway, John and Ferrier again changed places with Said Mohammed and
-Coja, and began to pole vigorously in the opposite direction. Being
-hidden by the trees, the rafts, helped by the current, had gained some
-speed before the change of direction was perceived. Even then the
-meaning of it did not at once strike the enemy. Those who had come
-down to the shore ran back to the fort; those within manned the
-southern and eastern parts of the wall, anticipating an assault at the
-spot where it had been partially demolished. But the rafts were
-increasing their distance from the island; they were also increasing
-their speed; and as they were now heading straight for the mouth of the
-gorge Juma at last recognized how he had been duped.
-
-The voyagers were now in full view of the causeway. It was covered
-with men returning at a run to the fort. But Juma, the moment he saw
-his mistake, hastened to the gate and shouted to the men to right-about
-and make for the gorge. The causeway was too long for his words to be
-heard distinctly at the shore end, and there was a minute's confusion
-among the negroes before they grasped what was intended--a precious
-minute to the voyagers, for at the end of it the rafts were swept into
-the full current. When the men on the causeway, yelling with rage, at
-last set off to run back to the shore, John saw with a leaping heart
-that they were too late. A few of the enemy who had not yet reached
-the causeway when the retirement was countermanded, rushed along the
-shore and came level with the rafts as these began the descent of the
-rapids. But they had to run uphill: the speed of the current was at
-least fifteen miles an hour; before they could gain the summit of the
-bluff the rafts would be a mile or more downstream.
-
-As John's raft was swept along in the wake of Ferrier's, he wondered
-whether the rafts, when they reached the end of the rapids, would be in
-splinters, and the men battered corpses. When he had shot the upper
-rapids with Bill, the darkness had concealed the full extent of his
-peril; but now in broad daylight it was brought alarmingly home to him.
-Ferrier's raft was swinging before him, and John heard his shouts as he
-instructed Coja how to move his pole for steering. John stuck to his
-post, almost at his wit's end, but trying desperately to follow in
-Ferrier's wake, and shouting instructions to Said Mohammed, who steered
-accordingly.
-
-All at once he saw with terror a large rock almost in midstream, over
-which the water swirled and dashed with clouds of spray. He felt that
-nothing could avert disaster. Ferrier was safely past; John, grasping
-his pole, cried to the Bengali to steer to the right. The rock seemed
-to approach him with terrible speed; in a moment the raft would surely
-be dashed against it and shivered to splinters. But the force of the
-current, and a timely thrust of the pole--how he made it in time John
-could never understand--carried the raft clear of the barrier. John's
-shove was indeed more vigorous than was necessary, for it swung the
-stern of the raft partly across the current, and caused it to scrape
-the edge of the rock, with a jar that sent John and the Indian headlong
-among the men who lay on the deck. There was a howl of dismay, and
-John sprang up, expecting to find himself whirling to destruction. But
-to his unspeakable relief he saw that the perilous voyage was over.
-The raft had shot clear of the gorge, and was floating with almost oily
-smoothness on the river below the escarpment.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FIFTH--The Fight in the Swamp
-================================================
-
-"By George!" cried John, breathless, as he poled his raft up to
-Ferrier's, "I don't think I could have faced it if I had known what to
-expect."
-
-"You did famously," said Ferrier, laughing. "I was afraid you'd come a
-cropper on that rock. How are your men? Mine are positively sea-sick."
-
-"I didn't give them a thought. They'll be all right now, at any rate.
-Coja stuck to his job gamely, and so did Said Mohammed. We'll have to
-do something for them when we get home."
-
-"Do you think we have seen the last of Juma's lot now?"
-
-"Surely they'll have had enough of it by this time?"
-
-"But if your guess is correct, the fellow has missed the aim of his
-life in losing the ivory. If I were in his place I'd certainly have
-another try. The current is getting slower and slower; they could
-easily outstrip us on the bank."
-
-"That might be awkward for us. We don't know anything about the river
-a few miles down-stream. There may be more rapids. And look: d'you
-see men coming over the bluff behind us?"
-
-"Yes, swarming like ants. Evidently they mean to chase us, and they'll
-catch us in an hour at this rate. We had better try punting."
-
-The rate of the current here was probably not more than two or two and
-a half miles an hour. Vigorous poling increased the speed of the rafts
-slightly, but they were too heavy to move above a walking pace. A bend
-in the river hid the pursuers from view. When next seen they were
-considerably nearer.
-
-"We could get on faster if the men walked," said Ferrier. "Let us land
-them on the right bank. The enemy appear to be all on the left, and we
-can take them in again if they come to too close quarters."
-
-The suggestion seemed a good one, and was quickly put in effect. The
-men, who had had a fright and thorough drenching, were glad enough to
-stretch their legs on dry land again, and the rafts, relieved of their
-weight, responded more readily to the sturdy thrusts of the poles.
-Again the enemy were hidden, but catching sight of them presently
-through the trees, John cried--
-
-"I say, they are cutting off to their left. The river makes another
-bend, I suppose, and they're going to post themselves before we arrive."
-
-"I only hope the bank isn't high," said Ferrier. "If it is they can
-fire down on us, and the mischief is, we can't reply and attend to the
-rafts as well. Hadn't we better chuck the ivory into the river and
-take our own things and make a bolt for it?"
-
-"Not I," said John. "I don't like the idea of skedaddling at all, and
-I'm not going to lose the ivory now. That would bring Juma out on top,
-and he could crow over us after all."
-
-"There's a good deal of obstinacy in you, John," said Ferrier, smiling.
-"We shall have to fight, and I shouldn't be surprised if our hottest
-time is yet to come."
-
-They went steadily down the river, the men keeping pace with them as
-closely as possible, though the nature of the ground caused them
-sometimes to leave the bank and march at a considerable distance from
-it. For nearly two hours, as they guessed, they did not catch a single
-glimpse of the enemy, and hoped that they had tired of the pursuit.
-But presently they had reason to suspect that they were not to be
-allowed to escape so easily. The river spread out into a kind of
-swamp, apparently almost half-a-mile in breadth. About half that
-distance ahead it was studded with small wooded islands, and Ferrier,
-who was still leading, was puzzled as to which of the channels into
-which the stream was divided was the safest to attempt. The enemy were
-not in sight, but from somewhere ahead came the sound of chopping wood.
-
-"What are they up to?" said John.
-
-"Can't tell. Making a boma perhaps. Don't you think we had better
-take the men on board before we get fairly into the swamp? If the
-enemy are hidden on those islands we had better have them with us."
-
-John hailed the marching men, who came at his call and were soon
-ensconced on the rafts again. They punted along, looking ahead warily
-for signs of the enemy. The current became more and more sluggish, and
-there was at times scarcely enough water to float the rafts, now again
-weighted by their passengers. Ferrier scanned the river in search of a
-practicable channel. In the channels on the left he saw mud-banks
-rising just above the surface. A wider channel to the right, about
-twenty yards broad, gave the best promise of a safe passage, and
-towards this he steered. While still some distance from it, however,
-he saw some figures emerge from the wooded island on the left, wade
-hurriedly across, and enter a similar wood on the right bank of the
-river, both the island and the bank being here slightly above the level
-of the water. The greater number of the waders were negroes, but among
-them were the white-clad forms of Swahilis.
-
-"This is nasty," said John. "We can't go back."
-
-"Nor forward either, except at a snail's pace," said Ferrier.
-"Confound it! We're stuck again. Look out, John: I'm on a mud-bank.
-Pull up till I'm free."
-
-By dint of energetic poling he managed to get his raft clear. John
-avoided the obstacle by slightly changing his course.
-
-"All we can do," he said, "is to push on as fast as we can and trust to
-the breastwork. The worst of it is, the men can't defend themselves
-without exposing their heads to the enemy's fire."
-
-"Yes they can, if they make loopholes," replied Ferrier. "Set 'em to
-cut some; we were idiots not to do it before."
-
-The rafts were still about eighty yards from the island. Their course
-was checked while the men hastily cut loopholes in the breastwork on
-each side, at which they posted themselves with their weapons; then the
-white men drove the rafts forward as swiftly as the shallow water
-permitted. The enemy had again totally disappeared. But just as
-Ferrier's raft entered the channel between the island and the bank,
-there was a shout, and a boom of logs was drawn rapidly across,
-completely blocking the passage. The sound of chopping was explained.
-
-The moment he saw the obstruction, Ferrier strove to increase the speed
-of the raft, in the hope of breaking through. There was a jolt and a
-crash, but the boom held, and instantly with ferocious yells the enemy
-on both sides let fly a shower of arrows mingled with a few rifle-shots
-at the occupants of the raft. These, kneeling at the breastworks,
-replied as well as they could through the loopholes; but they suffered
-two disadvantages: while they were exposed to the missiles of the enemy
-behind them, and on a higher level, the enemy themselves were concealed
-among the trees and brushwood. Cries of pain proclaimed that several
-had been hit, and Ferrier, turning for a moment to seize his rifle,
-received an arrow in his right shoulder. In an instant he wrenched it
-out: there was no time to think of wounds.
-
-Meanwhile John had poled his raft somewhat to the left of the other, to
-try in his turn to break through the boom. Like Ferrier, he failed.
-The rafts were now ranged alongside, and John's men became exposed to
-the deadly hail from the island.
-
-"We must either cut the boom or run for it," he said, gaining what
-shelter he could from the breastwork.
-
-"Impossible!" returned Ferrier. "We've no axes. Knives are no good.
-The logs are three deep. Any one who tried to cut the lashings would
-be killed, to a certainty."
-
-"I'll try and rush the island, then. You keep the others at bay."
-
-"I'll do my best."
-
-John ordered his men to lie down, and rapidly explained to them what he
-meant to do. Then, with a few vigorous thrusts of his pole, he drove
-the raft against the bank. As it touched, a bullet passed through his
-helmet. He dropped his pole, seized a rifle with his left hand and a
-revolver with his right, and calling to the men, leapt over the
-breastwork on to the island. The men followed him with a yell, all but
-Said Mohammed, whom he had ordered to remain and prevent the raft from
-drifting away.
-
-As they swarmed up the bank, they were met by a shower of missiles.
-Two or three men fell; an arrow grazed John's cheek; but the suddenness
-of the attack had taken the enemy by surprise. Those who had rifles
-had no time to reload before their assailants were among them.
-Discharging his revolver at the nearest man, John dashed straight
-forward, smiting left and right with his clubbed rifle, the men hacking
-with their knives and jabbing with their spears. The enemy had thought
-rather of obtaining good cover from which to attack than of sustaining
-a hand-to-hand fight. John's men, emboldened by his example, followed
-close upon his heels. For a few moments a fierce scrimmage raged among
-the trees. Then the enemy gave way, turned tail, and, rushing across
-the narrow island, splashed through the shallow water that separated it
-from the next. Here they stood and faced about, as if to show fight
-again; but when they saw John and his little band springing after them
-they lost heart and fled, racing over the second island and the channel
-dividing it from the left bank of the river, and never halting until
-they gained firm ground a hundred yards away.
-
-Meanwhile John had become aware by the uproar behind him that a fierce
-conflict was in progress there. He could not delay to see whether the
-enemy he had put to flight would return, but rushed back to the
-assistance of Ferrier. What he saw filled him with alarm and dismay.
-The main body of the enemy, several hundreds strong, and led by Juma
-himself, had swarmed out from the trees and shrubs among which they had
-been concealed, and after discharging their weapons, were wading
-through the river to attack Ferrier's raft. The channel was black with
-them, yelling, brandishing spears and rifles, a few still shooting
-their arrows as they plunged through the water. Some had run along the
-boom, and at the moment when John returned were trying to leap over the
-breastwork on to the raft. Some had come round on the other side and
-were attempting to tear down the breastwork. Ferrier was laying about
-him doughtily with his clubbed rifle; Coja at the further end of the
-raft was doing the same; and the rest of the men were darting here and
-there, striking the heads of the negroes in the river, or prodding with
-their spears at those on the boom.
-
-But the numbers of the enemy were so overwhelming that John feared that
-nothing could now save the day. Said Mohammed in his agitation had
-allowed his raft to drift away from the island into the stream, and a
-rush was immediately made towards it. John sprang on to the boom, and
-ran with all speed to Ferrier's help, his men close behind. Catching a
-big negro by the throat, he hurled him off the boom into the water,
-jumped the breastwork, and came to Ferrier's side just as he staggered
-and fell with a spear wound in the thigh. The arrival of John's party
-checked the assault for a moment, but meanwhile the enemy had clambered
-into his raft, overthrowing Said Mohammed, and the current brought it
-once more against the boom. The little party was now surrounded. One
-after another fell. Two men, a Swahili and a negro, had at last broken
-through the defence and gained a footing on Ferrier's raft. John
-felled the Swahili with a sledge-hammer blow of his rifle; the negro
-was killed with a thrust from Bill's knife. But while these first
-invaders were thus disposed of, others had forced their way on to the
-raft, and before John could recover himself, a spear was driven through
-his arm and he was hustled to the deck.
-
-There was a yell of triumph from the enemy. But all at once, above the
-uproar there came the sharp crackle of rifles, followed by a ringing
-cheer. Juma, who was at that moment in the act of springing from the
-boom into the raft, halted for a second, and turned to discover the
-origin of these new sounds. He saw, on the right bank of the river,
-not two hundred yards away, a party of mounted white men, riding at a
-gallop towards him. For an instant he hesitated. While his back was
-towards the raft, Bill, with an agility amazing in a man of his years,
-leapt the breastwork, knife in hand, and hurled himself upon the
-Swahili. Both together, they fell into the river. Juma was undermost.
-For an instant they disappeared beneath the surface. Bill never
-relaxed his grip. When they emerged, he plunged his knife up to the
-haft in the Swahili's throat; then flung his enemy from him. Juma was
-dead. So he expiated the cruelties and tyrannies of many years, at the
-hands of a member of the tribe which had suffered most wrong.
-
-While this tragedy was being enacted, the riders came to the brink of
-the stream, and ten rifles sped their bullets among the swarm of black
-men. Again the air rang with a British cheer. With screams of pain,
-yells of consternation and affright, the enemy broke and fled, some
-towards the island, some scrambling up-stream, those who were in the
-rafts plunging into the water and swimming in all directions. And
-John, rising to his feet, beheld his father and Mr. Gillespie, and
-eight men whom he did not recognize, and waving his rifle aloft with
-his uninjured arm, he answered cheer with cheer.
-
-
-
-
-CHAPTER THE TWENTY-SIXTH--Back to the Farm
-==========================================
-
-One morning, about a month after the fight in the swamp, John was
-sitting at the table in his bungalow, a paper outspread before him, a
-pencil in his hand, and Said Mohammed standing at his elbow.
-
-"We must have it all first-rate, you know," he said.
-
-"Quite up to dick, sir; you may rely on me."
-
-"Well now, *hors d'oeuvres*--I think we might do without that."
-
-"With respect, sir, *hors d'oeuvres* is *sine qua non*--correct card,
-sir, foundation of the *comme il faut*."
-
-"All right, then; stick down sardines: we've got a tin. Now
-*potage*--why the dickens don't you put it in English, khansaman?"
-
-"The English tongue, sir, is great and glorious instrument, but too
-gross for refinements of culinary art. Soup!--listen to it--soup!
-disgusting monosyllable, sir, resembling hiccough. Contrast with the
-delicate vocables of French."
-
-"Well, what shall the *potage* be?"
-
-"Clear, sir, for the ladies, *consommé à la Wanderobbo*."
-
-"What on earth is that?"
-
-"I beg you, sir, not to insist on answer," said the Bengali gravely.
-"Thick, for masculine gender: Scotch broth, concession to prejudices of
-great nation."
-
-"That's all right. What's next? *Poissons*! That looks fishy. Take
-care you don't drop an *s*. What fish can we do?"
-
-"Coja hooked quantity of finny tribe which, with due sauce, may pass
-for trout."
-
-"Now for *entrées*."
-
-"The partridges you shot yesterday, sir, are in prime condition. I
-suggest *perdrix à la Swahili*. For *relevé* I propose----"
-
-"I say, we'll drop that. Let's come to a good honest roast. Shoulder
-of lamb, say--but we can't manage mint sauce. There's no vinegar."
-
-"With respect, sir, in intelligent anticipation I provide for that. I
-put quantity of Bill's honey in ferment, and made acidulous liquid
-passable imitation of vinegar; pious fraud."
-
-"Plenty of vegetables, of course."
-
-"*Croquettes de pomme de terre, choux-fleurs à la Lulu, topinambours à
-la crême*."
-
-"Look here, I can't spell that crack-jaw. What, in plain English, are
-*topinambours*?"
-
-"In vulgar tongue, sir, Jerusalem artichokes; but you will agree that
-final syllable of artichokes is ominous and forbidding, especially to
-ladies."
-
-"Well, I've had enough of it. Finish the menu yourself. I've no doubt
-everything will be all right."
-
-John went out and strolled round the farm. It presented a different
-appearance: four or five new wooden huts, neatly thatched, erected for
-the accommodation of the visitors expected, stood near the bungalow.
-John was at present the only white man on the farm, Mr. Halliday having
-returned to Nairobi with the rest of the rescue-party to make some
-purchases, and Ferrier to meet his sister and get attention to his
-wounded thigh. The evening before, a messenger had come in advance, to
-announce that the visitors would arrive next day: Mr. Halliday was
-returning with Mrs. Burtenshaw, her family, and the Ferriers. Said
-Mohammed was determined "to do credit to the establishment," as he put
-it; he would show the guests "that the resources of civilization were
-not dead letter in African wilds."
-
-As the day drew on, John became restless. He had the floor of the
-bungalow scrubbed twice; set Lulu to scour the pans in the dairy for
-the third time; and got Coja to cut his hair. He was in some agitation
-of mind as to what he should wear. He looked out a white shirt,
-collar, and tie, and a suit of clothes he had not worn since he left
-England. His unaccustomed fingers struggled with his collar-stud until
-he was in despair, and when he had knotted his tie he found that he had
-no clips, and the wretched thing threatened to ride up to his chin.
-
-He was standing at the door of the bungalow, thus arrayed, and feeling
-ridiculously got up, when he saw Ferrier galloping up on a pony.
-
-"Hallo, old chap!" shouted his friend. "The others are about
-half-an-hour behind. Thought I would ride ahead and prepare you. What
-have you been doing to yourself?"
-
-"What do you mean?"
-
-"Well, don't mind what I say, but you look a bit of a guy, you know.
-Your coat's too tight, and your waistcoat too short: are they the
-things you wore at school? Your tie's wriggling round to your ear; and
-your trousers display a good deal of ankle--d'you know that you've got
-on odd socks?"
-
-"Hang it all, Charley, what shall I do? I've got nothing else but
-khaki and drill, and I can't show up in those."
-
-"Don't see why. The women won't expect to find Bond Street fashions
-here, and if you'll take my tip you'll tumble out of those things as
-soon as possible, and rig up in your usual toggery."
-
-"You really think they won't mind?"
-
-"Of course not. Hurry up; you'll just have time."
-
-John dashed off with a feeling of unutterable relief. He pitched his
-tie and collar into a corner, crushed his suit into a drawer,
-regardless of creases, and in ten minutes reappeared in flannel shirt
-and clean white drill, feeling at ease.
-
-In less than half-an-hour the party arrived, six in all, Mr. Gillespie
-having accompanied them. Their safari was still some miles in the rear.
-
-"How d'you do, John?" said the elder lady, as he helped her to
-dismount. "I am Mrs. Burtenshaw--still!"
-
-John felt himself blushing.
-
-"I know you as Cousin Sylvia, ma'am," he said.
-
-"We'll be great friends, I'm sure. You know Joe and Poll; this is
-Helen. Hilda, come and be introduced to my long-lost nephew. Regard
-me as your favourite aunt, my dear boy. Tell me," she whispered, "is
-that fat smiling gentleman in white your failed B.A.?"
-
-"That's he: cook, khansaman, and major-domo. Said Mohammed, escort the
-ladies to their rooms."
-
-The Bengali approached, bowing to each in turn.
-
-"Esteemed madam and misses," he said, "deign to direct your footsteps
-to humble abode, or, as William Cowper beautifully says, your lodge in
-vast wilderness, with boundless contiguity of shade."
-
-The ladies preserved an admirable composure, and retired to the huts
-assigned to them.
-
-"Now, John," said Mrs. Burtenshaw, when they reappeared, "you must show
-us round this wonderful farm of yours. It looks very tidy, I must say.
-But where are your sheep? I thought you had hundreds, and there aren't
-fifty in that pen."
-
-"They're out at grass, cousin; you'll see them come in by and by.
-There really isn't much to see, you know. Cabbages and artichokes--'m;
-*topinambours* is the name for ladies, says my cook--they're just the
-same, here and at home. If you'd come a few months later, now, I might
-have shown you some zebras. I'm going to try and tame some."
-
-"Ah yes! I remember you threatened to meet your father on a striped
-charger, to match his striped trousers.... Who's that funny-looking
-little object?"
-
-"That's Bill, scout and huntsman, and a millionaire, as things are
-reckoned here. Come and see his ivory."
-
-"You're a very rash and headstrong boy. The idea of going miles and
-miles after a set of thieves! I wonder you're alive. A pretty
-settler, indeed!"
-
-"Well, cousin, I dare say I shall settle down now, with father to keep
-me in order. You see, we couldn't have felt secure if----"
-
-"Don't tell me! You're just a madcap; if you were my son I should be
-in constant terror lest you were brought home one day a mangled corpse."
-
-"Look, mother," said Helen, "isn't it a pretty sight?"
-
-The lambs were coming home, a great flock, covering the hollow between
-two gentle slopes. Their bleatings, heard faintly at first, became a
-deafening noise as they neared the farm. The observers noticed how
-they quickened their pace as they approached. Within the pen the ewes
-moved restlessly about, bleating calls to their young. When the lambs
-entered through the gate, they leapt forward frisking with delight,
-darted into the open pen, and sprang this way and that, each seeking
-its own dam.
-
-"Charming!" said Mrs. Burtenshaw. "What a pity sheep are so silly!
-Now take us to your dairy."
-
-----
-
-Said Mohammed's cookery won general applause.
-
-"I envy you, Halliday," said Mr. Gillespie. "He's worth his fifty
-rupees a month, isn't he?"
-
-"You don't have a dinner like this every day, I'm sure, John--French
-menu and all," said Mrs. Burtenshaw. "I should like the recipe for
-that *consommé à la Wanderobbo*."
-
-"What is *à la Wanderobbo*?" asked Helen.
-
-"I don't know," replied John. "That little old man you saw just now is
-one of the Wanderobbo tribe."
-
-"Good gracious! I hope he had nothing to do with the soup. He
-looked--well, not scrupulously clean."
-
-"No, no," said John, laughing. "He had no more to do with the soup
-than Lulu had with the cauliflowers--unless she cut them. Talking of
-Bill, Mr. Gillespie, what are we to do about his ivory? It has been
-his dream for years to recover it, but when we got back he made me a
-present of it."
-
-"Just like a man," said Mrs. Burtenshaw. "You'll struggle all your
-life and wear yourselves out for some ridiculous thing, and when you
-get it don't know what to do with it."
-
-"It's what you do that counts, not what you get," remarked Mr.
-Halliday: "or as our failed B.A. said when we met him first, it is work
-that ennobles. But about the ivory?"
-
-"Well," said Mr. Gillespie judicially, "I'm not sure but it belongs to
-the Government."
-
-"I don't see that," said Joe Browne. "The Government did nothing for
-it. Didn't do anything for you, either. I'd stick to it if I were
-you, John. What will it fetch?"
-
-"Five or six hundred pounds, I should think," said Mr. Gillespie.
-
-"I wish it were mine," said Oliver. "Mother keeps me plaguey short."
-
-"I'd thought of a scheme that would be pretty fair all round," said
-John. "Bill was the owner, and he gave it to me. He wants to stay on
-the farm. Well, I propose to build him a new hut and set him up with
-new weapons: that will make him comfortable for life. Then old
-Sobersides has been very decent. His men behaved like bricks, and we
-certainly couldn't have got it without their help. We might give them
-some bushels of beads and loads of wire and blankets and other things
-they value. They may seem trumpery to us, but they're untold wealth to
-the natives."
-
-"And then?" said Mrs. Burtenshaw.
-
-"Well, perhaps Charley and I might share the rest."
-
-"Nonsense!" said Ferrier. "It's yours."
-
-"And we'll share it. We shared everything else. Don't be selfish,
-Charley."
-
-Everybody laughed, and it was ultimately settled that the ivory should
-be sent to Nairobi, where Mr. Gillespie promised to get the best
-possible price for it.
-
-Here Said Mohammed came in with coffee. When he had handed round the
-cups he lingered.
-
-"Don't wait, khansaman," said John. "We'll manage now. Every one was
-delighted with your dinner."
-
-"I am repaid a thousandfold, sir. Not to intrude, sir, I have trifling
-communication to make."
-
-"What is it?"
-
-"Native chief, sir, did me honour to request I would convey thanks of
-self and co. for immense and colossal benefits conferred."
-
-"Oh, that's all right. He thanked me himself, long ago."
-
-"*Festina lente*, sir. Reflecting on said petition, I deemed the
-circs. worthy of more formal commemoration than perfunctory
-acknowledgement. Wherefore and accordingly I scorn delights and live
-laborious days in inditing few lines pat to the occasion, which with
-august permission I will now proceed to chuck off chest."
-
-The two girls made suspicious use of their handkerchiefs; Joe Browne
-kicked Ferrier under the table; and Oliver, choking over his coffee,
-accused Mr. Halliday of smoking very strong cigars. John and the elder
-members of the party preserved their gravity, though it was in a
-curiously constrained tone that John asked the Bengali to favour the
-company. With a smile of gratification Said Mohammed unrolled a scroll
-of paper, and, looking round to make sure that every one was attending,
-began in his high-pitched voice--
-
- | Hear me tell a moving story, chronicled in lofty rhyme,
- | Redolent of stripling's glory, monument to end of time.
- | Idol of my veneration, you I celebrate in song;
- | Ornament of British nation, you I crack up, hot and strong.
-
- | To begin at the beginning: When one day, at usual pace,
- | Our oblate spheroid was spinning through an awful lot of space,
- | You, an up-to-date Orion, Enfield rifle in your hand,
- | Did for most obnoxious lion, holy terror in the land.
-
- | Next, predaceous gang, Swahilis--Juma, if you please, and Co.,--
- | Prowling, slippery as eel is, on the rampage to and fro,
- | Depredated native village, spreading woe and dire alarm,
- | Then for more important pillage fell like ton of bricks on farm.
-
- | Faithful servant, Said Mohammed, feeling anything but bold,
- | Like a bleating orphan lamb hid, sniffing wolves within the fold;
- | While despoilers collared rifles, ammunition, shell and shot;
- | Item, sundry piffling trifles which the poet has forgot.
-
- | Minions of a base levanter, villains of the deepest dye,--
- | You are after them instanter, lightning flashing from your eye;
- | Swoop upon them in their slumbers, catch them fairly on the hop,
- | Though inferior in numbers, smite them hip and thigh and crop.
-
- | Terrified by dire disaster, they make hurry-scurry flight.
- | Yoicks! our whipper-in goes faster, helter-skelter day and night,
- | Till dark citadel is sighted, wall-encircled, likewise moat.
- | Is prodigious effort blighted? Not at all: we simply gloat.
-
- | Roberts' grit and Cæsar's clear eye--honestly, you have them both.
- | 'Fas est ab hoste doceri,' august Roman general quoth:
- | Taking leaf from book of Juma, you perpended ruse de guerre,
- | And with dodgy slimness you manoeuvred brigands from their lair.
-
- | Penned within restricted compass, you repel the fierce attack,
- | Calm amid most awful rumpus: things are looking very black.
- | Lo! in thickest of the slaughter, one sees chance of chipping in,
- | And with can of boiling water stems the tide and scores a win.
-
- | Threat of famine, grisly spectre, makes us look a little blue;
- | But our commonwealth's protector, launching forth in bark canoe,
- | Quits the precincts of the island, marches at a spanking pace,
- | Up-hill, down-hill, swamp and dry land, perfect Nimrod in the chase.
-
- | Hippopotamus stupendous to your prowess falls a prey.
- | Ministers of grace defend us! you are spirited away.
- | Lo! proverbially fickle, Fortune knocks you from your perch,
- | Leaves you in a pretty pickle, or, as you may say, the lurch.
-
- | Meditating in your prison, through the darkling stilly night,
- | Ere red Phoebus has arisen you have perpetrated flight:
- | Swift rejoin the little party by Swahili sore oppressed;
- | Juma then is in the cart, he gets a bullet in the chest.
-
- | Pardon slight inaccuracy, due to exigence of rhyme;
- | Frenzied poet, going pace, imagines only the sublime.
- | Be pedestrian and pedantic when you're patronizing prose,
- | Spur your Pegasus quite frantic when a poem you compose.
-
- | To return from this diversion, and to make long story short,
- | After enemy's dispersion you evacuated fort;
- | Made a bee-line for the village, situated on a hill,
- | Scooped the products of their tillage, bloodless coup, resistance nil.
-
- | Expediting preparations for strategic move in rear,
- | 'Mid poor females' ululations, most distressing to the ear--
- | What makes all your pulses throb? oh! what sets all your nerves athrill?
- | 'Tis shikari Wanderobbo, or, to use his alias, Bill.
-
- | Pale with rage and indignation (metaphorically pale),
- | Billy tells of spoliation, thieves his property assail.
- | Tartar like the bold Cambuscan (Chaucer left his tale half-told),
- | Juma digs up every tusk and Bill is absolutely sold.
-
- | Now behold you on your mettle; now momentous hour has struck,
- | You in most pugnacious fettle sally forth to try your luck;
- | Meet marauders by the river, fall on them like bolt from blue,
- | Crying 'Stand and eke deliver, or I'll run you through and through!'
-
- | (Note: that speech, correct in diction, is not quite correct in fact;
- | 'Tis a literary fiction, managed with consummate tact.
- | So the other classic writers, Livy and Thucydides,
- | Decorate the lips of fighters with sublime apostrophes.)
-
- | Though the words were never uttered, pish! it matters not a jot;
- | Like March hares the scoundrels scuttered, dropping burdens on the spot;
- | After years of patient waiting, Bill regains his ownest own,
- | And with ecstasy gyrating, bellows till he's fairly blown.
-
- | You with prescient acumen see that all is not O.K.;
- | You alas! have very few men, Juma has a vast array;
- | Yet while danger round you thickens, lo! you neither quail nor quake;
- | Though you wonder how the dickens you are going to take the cake.
-
- | To omit progressive stages, which would take up too much time,
- | Occupy a dozen pages and exhaust a lot of rhyme--
- | After navigating torrent where the crocodiles disport,
- | You were spied by foe abhorrent, lurking watchful in the fort.
-
- | How you diddled them just proper, how you did the Johnnies brown,
- | And how many came a cropper as the rafts were floating down:
- | This perchance a future Milton, seeking an heroic theme,
- | May compose splendacious lilt on, in the groves of Academe.
-
- | And perchance some future Hallam, with display of prosy pomp,
- | Will relate in distant Balham scrumptious battle in the swamp;
- | And describe the villain Juma, in penultimate despair,
- | Meeting Bill upon the boom and getting his quietus there.
-
- | Now the hurly-burly's over, not a cloud bedims the sky;
- | You are jolly well in clover, and the bloom is on the rye;
- | 'Tempus fugit': I must stow it---end my palpitating lay,
- | Ever faithful cook and poet, Said Mohammed, failed B.A.
-
-..
-
-There was a burst of applause as the Bengali concluded.
-
-"Capital!" cried Mr. Halliday.
-
-"Wonderful!" exclaimed the girls together, clapping their hands.
-
-"Absolutely unique, by Jove!" added Oliver.
-
-"You're sure of immortality now, John," said Joe.
-
-"I wouldn't wonder if it's good enough for *Punch*," said Mr. Gillespie.
-
-"Such laudation warms the cockles of my heart, ladies and gentlemen,"
-declared Said Mohammed, beaming. "But the poem is not destined to be
-squandered on *profanum vulgus:* it is strictly for private
-consumption."
-
-"Have some copies printed, Mr. Mohammed," said Mrs. Burtenshaw. "I'll
-pay the bill."
-
-"Your esteemed order, madam, shall be punctually attended to. And now,
-with excuses, I beg to be allowed to retire to my own place--to return
-to my muttons, as it were: or in other words, to wash the dishes."
-
-And with profound salaams he withdrew.
-
-----
-
-By the last advices from Nairobi I learn that the Hallidays' farm in
-Kenya is exceedingly prosperous. Mr. Halliday received his lease, and
-was recently mentioned in a Government report as one of the most
-enterprising and successful settlers in British East Africa. Mrs.
-Burtenshaw regards this testimonial as unfair, since Mr. Halliday is
-only a figurehead, and John does the work; but, as Mr. Gillespie says,
-nobody cares a pin for what appears in a Government report.
-
-There are two other farms adjoining Alloway, one owned by Charles
-Ferrier, the other by the two Brownes. It is rumoured that, as lions
-and other wild-fowl have now disappeared from the vicinity, two of the
-three farms will soon be graced by the presence of ladies; but there
-seems to be some speculation at tea-tables in Nairobi as to whether
-Hilda Ferrier will become Mrs. Joseph Browne or Mrs. David Halliday.
-Knowing John, I should say that there is no doubt about the matter.
-Mr. Gillespie advises Helen Browne to change her name to Ferrier at the
-same time: he is a firm believer in economy. Said Mohammed is
-anxiously awaiting definite information, for he says that he cannot set
-to work on his nuptial ode in honour of the occasion until he knows
-which is which; then he will show us all what's what. My own opinion
-is that he will be so busy in erecting a wedding-cake of suitable
-proportions as to have no leisure to build the lofty rhyme. Meanwhile
-he has learnt Spenser's "Epithalamium" by heart, and is convinced that,
-with due inspiration, he will knock it into a cocked hat.
-
-
-
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- |
- |
- |
- |
- | THE END
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
-
-
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- | HERBERT STRANG
-
-.. class:: center small
-
- | *Complete List of Stories*
- |
-
-.. class:: left small
-
- | ADVENTURES OF DICK TREVANION, THE
- | ADVENTURES OF HARRY ROCHESTER, THE
- | A GENTLEMAN AT ARMS
- | A HERO OF LIÉGE
- | AIR PATROL, THE
- | AIR SCOUT, THE
- | BARCLAY OF THE GUIDES
- | BLUE RAIDER, THE
- | BOYS OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE
- | BRIGHT IDEAS
- | BROWN OF MOUKDEN
- | BURTON OF THE FLYING CORPS
- | CARRY ON
- | CRUISE OF THE GYRO-CAR, THE
- | FIGHTING WITH FRENCH
- | FLYING BOAT, THE
- | FRANK FORESTER
- | HUMPHREY BOLD
- | JACK HARDY
- | KING OF THE AIR
- | KOBO
- | LONG TRAIL, THE
- | LORD OF THE SEAS
- | MOTOR SCOUT, THE
- | NO MAN'S ISLAND
- | OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN, THE
- | ONE OF CLIVE'S HEROES
- | PALM TREE ISLAND
- | ROB THE RANGER
- | ROUND THE WORLD IN SEVEN DAYS
- | SAMBA
- | SETTLERS AND SCOUTS
- | SULTAN JIM
- | SWIFT AND SURE
- | THROUGH THE ENEMY'S LINES
- | TOM BURNABY
- | TOM WILLOUGHBY'S SCOUTS
- | WINNING HIS NAME
- | WITH DRAKE ON THE SPANISH MAIN
- | WITH HAIG ON THE SOMME
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
-
-
-
-.. pgfooter::
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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it -under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this -eBook or online at http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - - -Title: Settlers and Scouts - -Author: Herbert Strang - -Release Date: March 15, 2012 [EBook #39161] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: US-ASCII - - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SETTLERS AND SCOUTS *** - - - - -Produced by Al Haines. - -[Illustration: Cover art] - -[Illustration: "The Bengali hurled the canful at his head." _See page -253_.] - - - - SETTLERS AND SCOUTS - - - - - _A TALE OF THE AFRICAN HIGHLANDS_ - - - - - BY - - HERBERT STRANG - - - - - _NEW EDITION_ - - - - - HUMPHREY MILFORD - OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS - LONDON, EDINBURGH, GLASGOW - TORONTO, MELBOURNE, CAPE TOWN, BOMBAY - - - - - REPRINTED 1922 IN GREAT BRITAIN BY R. CLAY AND SONS, LTD., - BUNGAY, SUFFOLK. - - - - - PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION - -The present story completes a series of three books in which I have -endeavoured to give impressions of life in the immense region known as -Equatorial Africa. The scene of _Tom Burnaby_ was laid in the centre, -around the great lakes; _Samba_ was concerned with the western or Congo -districts; _Settlers and Scouts_ is a story of the east, more especially -the magnificent highland region which seems destined to become one of -the greatest provinces of the British African Empire. - -The steady stream of emigration already flowing to British East Africa -is bound to swell when it is more generally recognized that in the hill -districts of Kenya, Naivasha, and Kisumu there are vast areas of -agricultural land constituting an ideal "white man's country." In the -following pages I have attempted to show some of the conditions under -which the pioneers of emigration must work. The development of -communications and the settlement of the remoter regions will soon -relegate such alarums and excursions as are here described to the -romantic possibilities of the past. But it will be long before the -lion, the rhinoceros, the hippopotamus and other more or less formidable -neighbours cease to be factors with which the emigrant has to reckon. - -For many facts, stranger by far than fiction, concerning the wild -inhabitants, human and other, of this most interesting region, I am -indebted to Mr. Arkell-Hardwick's _An Ivory Trader in North Kenya_ and -Colonel Patterson's _Man-Eaters of Tsavo_, among several important works -that have appeared during recent years. - -It may be added that in the spelling of native names I have sometimes -rather consulted the reader's convenience than conformed strictly to -rule. The name _Wanderobbo_, for instance, applied to an individual, is -a solecism, the prefix _Wa_ being a sign of the plural. But it seemed -better to err than to afflict the reader with so uncouth a form as -_N'derobbo_. - -HERBERT STRANG. - - - - - ---- - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER THE FIRST--The Emigrants - CHAPTER THE SECOND--Said Mohammed, failed B.A. - CHAPTER THE THIRD--In a Game-Pit - CHAPTER THE FOURTH--White Man's Magic - CHAPTER THE FIFTH--Juma takes to the Bush - CHAPTER THE SIXTH--Raided by Lions - CHAPTER THE SEVENTH--John runs the Farm - CHAPTER THE EIGHTH--Hard Pressed - CHAPTER THE NINTH--A Rearguard Fight - CHAPTER THE TENTH--Driving Sheep to Market - CHAPTER THE ELEVENTH--Rhinoceros and Lions - CHAPTER THE TWELFTH--The Sack of the Farm - CHAPTER THE THIRTEENTH--Tracking the Raiders - CHAPTER THE FOURTEENTH--Ferrier Insists - CHAPTER THE FIFTEENTH--A Coup de Main - CHAPTER THE SIXTEENTH--Juma is Reinforced - CHAPTER THE SEVENTEENTH--John's Letter - CHAPTER THE EIGHTEENTH--An Attack in Force - CHAPTER THE NINETEENTH--Trapped - CHAPTER THE TWENTIETH--Shooting the Rapids - CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FIRST--A Combined Assault - CHAPTER THE TWENTY-SECOND--A Counter Stroke - CHAPTER THE TWENTY-THIRD--The Ivory - CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FOURTH--Ferrier takes the Lead - CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FIFTH--The Fight in the Swamp - CHAPTER THE TWENTY-SIXTH--Back to the Farm - - ---- - - LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS - -THE BENGALI HURLED THE CANFUL AT HIS HEAD. - -ONE OF THE WAKAMBA SLIPPED OFF WHEN HE WAS IN MID STREAM - -THE BENGALI HURLED THE CANFUL AT HIS HEAD. - -FERRIER RAISED HIS RIFLE, AND ... BROUGHT HIM DOWN WITH A BULLET THROUGH -THE HEART - -THE HIPPO GAVE A SNORT, AND THE WATER AROUND HIM WAS AGITATED AS BY AN -IMMENSE CHURN - -JOHN ORDERED HIS ASKARIS TO FIRE AMONG THE NEGROES ON THE LEFT BANK. - - - - MAPS - -PART OF BRITISH EAST AFRICA - -ENVIRONS OF JUMA'S FORT - - - - - - - - -CHAPTER THE FIRST--The Emigrants - - -The train was steaming over Mombasa Island, and Mr. David Halliday, -ejaculating "Now we're off!" settled himself in his corner and -comfortably fell asleep. Age has its weaknesses--or its privileges, -according as you look at it. Not that Mr. Halliday was aged, or even -old. He was nearly fifty, and might have passed for younger. His son, -at any rate, was neither old nor sleepy. He was, in fact, but a few -months past his seventeenth year; and being possessed of an average -curiosity and a healthy interest in novel scenes, he looked with delight -on the groves of lofty cocoa-nut palms, the wide-spreading mangoes and -baobabs filled with chattering monkeys, and the long stretches of -park-like glades, brilliant with flowers, through which runs the Uganda -railway in the first stage of its long course to the shores of Victoria -Nyanza. - -Mr. Halliday, son of a Scots farmer who had emigrated from Ayrshire -thirty years before, had been for many years agent--or "factor," as he, -being a Scotsman, preferred to call himself--on the estates of Lord -Sussex, who, as everybody knows, owns half the county from which his -title is derived. He had managed to save some money during his -stewardship, but having entrusted the greater part of it for investment -to a bland London solicitor of his acquaintance, he had the misfortune -to learn one day from the newspaper that the lawyer had absconded, -leaving defalcations to the tune of some L50,000. A few weeks -afterwards another calamity befell Mr. Halliday. His employer, a -bachelor, died; the estates passed into the hands of a distant relative; -and the new peer, taking alarm at the large sums demanded of him in the -shape of death duties, announced his intention of cutting down expenses, -and employing a younger man to steward his estates, at a lower salary. -Luckily Mr. Halliday had a thousand or two safely invested, apart from -what he had lost through the lawyer's rascality; and being disinclined, -at his time of life, to seek similar employment, he cast about, during -his six months' notice of the termination of his engagement, to find -some new outlet for his energies and some secure channel for the use of -his little capital. - -The problem was complicated by the necessity of starting his son in -life. He had intended David for one of the professions, and put him to -a good school; but the boy had not shown any particular aptitude for -book work, except in the one subject that interested him--natural -history. He was never so happy as when he was with dogs and horses; he -read with avidity every book about animals on which he could lay hands; -and once, when his career was being talked about, he said bluntly that -he knew he couldn't stand work at a desk in stuffy London, and implored -his father to let him go out to Canada or Australia. Mr. Halliday -merely grunted at the time; he was a man of few words; but he thought -the matter out very carefully, and his attention having been called to -the opening up of East Africa consequent upon the completion of the -Uganda railway, he quietly made inquiries, obtained information about -the country, its climate, soil, and prospects in regard to -stock-raising, and one day startled his son with the news that he was -going out in a few months to settle. Having once made up his mind he -let no grass grow under his feet. One May day father and son left -London in a Peninsular and Oriental Liner, transhipped at Aden into a -vessel of the British India Steam Navigation Company, landed at Mombasa, -and after spending a fortnight there in preliminary preparations, took -tickets for Nairobi, three hundred and thirty miles down the line, -whence they proposed to strike up country and select the ground for -their settlement. - -They travelled by the intermediate class--the third of the four classes -into which passengers on the Uganda railway are divided. Mr. Halliday, -as he said, had not come out to Africa for the fun of it and having -spent considerably over L100 already in travelling expenses, he was not -inclined to spend more was absolutely necessary now. By travelling -intermediate, unusual though it was, they saved nearly a hundred rupees -(the currency of British East Africa) on the first-class fare, and -twenty-five on the second, and every rupee they could save would be of -importance when they came to stock their ranch. "And I haven't taken -return tickets, John," said Mr. Halliday. - -Since the boy had been named David after his father, and had no other -name, it is necessary to explain how he came to be called John. At -school, his name being David, on the principle of association of ideas -he was immediately dubbed Jonathan, though he might just as reasonably -have been called Saul. Jonathan being too long was cut down to Johnny, -and finally to John; and when one of his school-fellows, on a visit in -the holidays, addressed him by this simple monosyllable, the name was -laughingly accepted by his parents as an excellent means of -distinguishing between the two Davids. People who knew him only as John -were puzzled when he signed himself "D. Halliday," and one -matter-of-fact lady was not quite pleased when he said gravely that, -Prince Edward being known in the family circle as David, it was only -right that David Halliday should be known as John. "I am glad I am not -your godmother," she replied grimly. - -John, then, as we, like all his intimates, will call him, smiled -affectionately when he saw his father settle himself to slumber, and -devoted his own very wide-awake eyes to the scenery. It was a feast for -the senses and the imagination. The train, leaving Mombasa island for -the mainland, runs through a tract of undulating richly-wooded country, -with, here, groves of cocoa-nut palms and papaws; there, orchards of -mangoes and cashew apples; anon, vast plantations of maize and millet -and other grain crops. There is plenty of time to take in the details -of this luxuriant panorama, for the train is climbing, climbing always, -and the traveller is not whirled along at the bewildering speed of an -English express. Leaning out of the window, and looking back over the -route, John catches a last glimpse of the sea at Port Reitz, guarded by -the Shimba hills, and realizes that a new chapter in his life is -opening, full of romantic possibilities. - -"A verree fine country, sir," says a thin staccato voice behind, and -turning, he is smiled upon by a swarthy face, with black moustache and -beard that have never known a razor, and surmounted by a spotless white -turban. - -"Magnificent," replies John, eyeing his fellow-passenger curiously. - -"But this is not the best," says the man again. "We shall see, in due -time, scenes of still more prepossessing appearance, together with -myriads of four-footed beasts, et cetera." - -"Indeed," says John, a trifle amused. - -"Yes, sir. When we come to Tsavo we may behold lions, truly denominated -the king of beasts, but no longer monarchs of all they survey, as -William Cowper beautifully and poetically says. Man, sir, plays the -very dickens with Nature; the surveyor molests the ancient solitary -reign of Mr. Lion; he has to take a back seat." - -John was quite unaccustomed to conversation interlarded with quotations -from what he had at school irreverently called "rep.," and wondering -what manner of man he had to do with he hazarded an indirect question. - -"You seem to have read some of our poets," he said. - -"Yes, sir, I am familiar with the masterpieces of English literature, -edited with notes. My name, sir, is Said Mohammed, failed B.A. of -Calcutta University." - -"Failed B.A.?" said John, puzzled. He had met B.A.'s of several -universities, and even junior masters who called themselves Inter. B.A. -Lond. (honours); but a failed B.A. was a new species. - -"Yes, sir; the honourable examiners formed a less elevated estimate of -my intellectual attainments than was reasonably anticipated, and when -the list was published, lo! my name was conspicuous by its absence. But -that is a bagatelle. The honorific distinction--what is it but the -guinea stamp? It is work, sir, that ennobles. I have accumulated a -priceless store of knowledge; I am all there, I assure you." - -John thought it only polite to murmur an assent to this, but he felt -himself ill equipped to sustain a conversation on the dizzy heights to -which Said Mohammed appeared inclined to ascend, and turning once more -to the window, he viewed in silence the ever-changing scenery. The -luxuriant vegetation of the coastal region had given place to a vast -plateau covered with a dense scrub of umbrella-shaped acacias, with -patches of dry grass, and here and there a massive baobab rearing its -antic form from out the undergrowth. He was interested in the little -stations, with their trim flower-beds and home-like appointments, at -which the train stopped at intervals of several miles; and gave but -perfunctory answers to the Bengali, who kept up, with every appearance -of pleasure, a continual flow of talk, informing him that this tree was -an aristolochia and that an aloe, and calling his attention at one spot -to a herd of sable antelopes which were startled by the train as they -drank at a stream, and dashed off into the jungle. "Their scientific -name, sir, is _Hippotragus niger_," said Said Mohammed, and Mr. Halliday -waking at this point, the Bengali favoured him with a smile, and said, -"A verree fine country, sir; good-morning." - -They took their lunch at Mackinnon Road station, at the foot of the Taru -hills. Refreshed by his sleep and the meal, Mr. Halliday began to take -more interest in things in general, and John having introduced Said -Mohammed (mentioning impressively that he was a failed B.A. of Calcutta -University), a three-cornered conversation was begun, in which the -Bengali fluently expounded his views on many subjects. - -"Yes, sir," said he, when the question of the treatment of native races -cropped up, "that is a subject to which I have devoted considerable -acumen. Is it just, I ask you, is it worthy of this immense and -glorious empire on which the sun never sits, that the natives, the -primordial owners of the soil, should be laid under such restrictions as -are now in force? Are we Indians not subjects of the same gracious and -glorious majesty, F.D., et cetera? Have we not shed our blood in -defence of the Union Jack? Are we not ready to fight and conquer again -and again like your jolly tars and all? And yet my countrymen, to wit, -are not allowed in South Africa the full rights of citizens; and in this -country, where this verree railway was built by the labour of Indians, -it is becoming the rule to refuse them grants of land. Is this sauce -for the gander, I ask you, gentlemen?" - -"It's a very ticklish subject," said Mr. Halliday, "and I don't profess -to understand it. I dare say those zebras yonder--look at them, John, -hundreds of 'em--think it great impudence on the part of this engine to -run snorting through their grounds. But the engine runs all the same." - -At Tsavo the line crossed the river Athi. John looked out eagerly for a -glimpse of the lions which were said to infest this region, but to his -disappointment saw none. Indeed, as the train passed through mile after -mile of uninteresting scrub, he began to feel that his first enthusiasm -for the country was premature. But at Kibwezi the line enters another -belt of forest, the trees looped together with festooning creepers, and -filled with chattering monkeys and barking baboons; the undergrowth -brilliant with colour, both of the flowers and of birds and butterflies -innumerable. Some miles farther on, at Makindu, the forest yields to -rich pasture land, the undulating plain stretching on both sides of the -line, broken by streams whose beds are lined with date-palms and firs. -All the vegetation was fresh and vivid through recent rains, and Mr. -Halliday, viewing the country with a stock-breeder's eye, now for the -first time allowed a remark on the scenery to pass his lips. "That's -grand!" he said; and when the rumbling of the train set startled herds -of antelope and gazelle, red congoni and black wildebeeste, scampering -over the plain, he stood up in the carriage and gazed at them with -kindling admiration. - -The oppressive heat of the morning had now given place to a pleasant -coolness, with a crisp exhilarating breeze. When John expressed his -surprise at this, within a degree or two of the Equator, Said Mohammed -explained that they were now four or five thousand feet above sea-level, -among the Highlands of East Africa, where Europeans may live in health -and comfort. By the time they reached Nairobi, indeed, the evening air -was so chill that both Englishmen were glad to don their overcoats. -Said Mohammed deferentially took leave of them on the platform of the -station, and disappeared among a crowd of Orientals gathered there; -while Mr. Halliday inquired for the coffee-planter to whom he had an -introduction, and who had offered him the hospitality of his bungalow so -long as he remained in Nairobi. - - - - -CHAPTER THE SECOND--Said Mohammed, failed B.A. - - -Nairobi was disappointing. At a distance it looked like a cluster of -tin cottages, and though these appeared larger and more substantial on a -nearer view, they retained the dreary aspect of makeshift which -corrugated iron always gives. Mr. Gillespie, however, the -coffee-planter with whom the Hallidays were to stay, was hospitality -itself; he and his good wife received their visitors with real Scottish -heartiness of welcome. They gave them a capital dinner, and made them -feel thoroughly at home. - -Mr. Gillespie was much amused when, in answering his question about -their journey from Mombasa, John told him of Said Mohammed, failed B.A. - -"I'm that myself," he said, with a comical smile--"failed M.A. of -Glasgow, though I don't call myself so. Professor Ramsay's Latin -Composition fair stuck me, that's a fact. Man, these Indians are a -problem. We've some thousands of them here, industrious, quick, and -able to live on next to nothing, which we Scotsmen have got out of the -way of. I believe in free trade, when it is free; but I don't believe -in free competition with people who can beat us hollow, and these -Indians will do that if we let 'em. We're bound to put restrictions on -them." - -"But they're British subjects, sir," John was beginning. - -"Aye," interrupted Mr. Gillespie, "and so are the lions and rhinoceros -of these parts, and we have to fight 'em. A country can't belong to -both wild beasts and men; nor can it belong to black men and white; one -or other must go to the wall. Not that the Indians are wild beasts, or -even black; on the contrary, they're very decent folk in the main, and -that's the worst of it. The only solution I see is to let them develop -the Lowlands where we can't live, and to keep the Highlands for -ourselves. Man, it's a grand country." - -After dinner Mr. Gillespie led his guests to the verandah, and providing -them with deck-chairs and cigars, discussed with them their immediate -future. - -"We've a decent club here; I'll introduce you to-morrow, Halliday. You -can get a round of golf; and there are several young lassies who'll play -lawn tennis all day with your son if he wishes." - -"Don't speak of it, man," said Mr. Halliday hastily. "We're out on -business--strictly on business, and we've no time for playing till we've -fixed on our land. Where is this Mount Kenya, anyway? John -Gilmour--d'ye know him?--was out hunting a while ago, and he wrote me -he'd found the very place for me, somewhere south-east of Mount Kenya; -he stuck a post in the ground to mark the spot, and I've the directions -written down somewhere." - -"Mount Kenya's a bit north-east of us, a hundred miles or so. Fine -country, too." - -"And how do you get there?" - -"Well, the ground's not exactly fit for motor-cars yet, and horses don't -thrive. You can get mules, but they're apt to be a trouble, so I guess -you'd better tramp it. You'll have to carry food with you, and a load -of 'trade' for the natives; we'll have to see about getting carriers for -you; you pay 'em about four rupees a month, and feed 'em. Their food -don't cost much; you can get a hundredweight of native grain and red -beans for three or four rupees, and if you're good shots you can provide -yourselves with plenty of meat on the way." - -"There's no fear of trouble with the natives, I suppose?" - -"Not if you don't go too far north. South of Kenya they're friendly -enough as a rule, but there are wild tribes on the east and north. You -must have two porters who can shoot; Sniders they're used to; but don't -let 'em use them except in case of necessity. Do all the game shooting -yourselves, and keep a firm hand on the men; they'll play you all manner -of tricks if you don't. They're the queerest people God ever made, -that's a fact. They'll desert at any moment and forfeit their pay, for -no reason at all that we can understand. I could tell you of men who'll -carry a load of ninety pounds or more every day for a month on end, and -then all at once decamp, hundreds of miles away from their home, and -with no earthly chance of getting there. But you'll find 'em out for -yourselves." - -The talk lasted far into the night, Mr. Gillespie giving advice and -retailing reminiscences of his own early days as a settler, which John -drank in eagerly. Next day they set about collecting porters for the -journey. The news that a white man was going up country had already -spread through the native quarter of the town, and Mr. Gillespie's -office was besieged by a great crowd of black men, representing a score -of different races, all eager to join the stranger's "safari." The -experience of the coffee-planter was very useful at this juncture, and -the Hallidays were quietly amused as he dismissed man after man with -little ceremony and a curtness of speech which, had they understood it -(he spoke in Swahili, the common vehicle of intercourse between European -and native), would have amused them still more. A little M'kamba would -come forward with a smile. "You're a thief; be off," said Mr. -Gillespie, and the man went away, still smiling. A hulking Swahili -appears, a sullen look on his face. "You're always quarrelling; be -off," says Mr. Gillespie, and the Swahili retires, to join the crowd of -rejected. At length half-a-dozen men were selected, three Swahilis, of -whom Coja ben Selim, a big, good-tempered-looking fellow, was to be -headman; and three Wakamba. Mr. Gillespie was doubtful whether so small -a safari would suffice; but Mr. Halliday was bent on economy; he argued -that he could not in any case afford an escort large enough to cope with -a serious native attack, and further, that a party of modest dimensions -was not so likely to provoke hostility as a large one. Moreover, he -intended to pay only a flying visit to the site of his proposed -settlement, for the purpose of a preliminary survey. If he was pleased -with the country, he intended to mark out the ground and put in an -application to the Land Commissioner for a lease of a thousand acres or -so. With luck, a month would suffice for this prospecting journey, -which incidentally, as Mr. Gillespie informed him, would absolve him -from paying registration fees on his porters, such fees only being -necessary when they were engaged for two months or more. - -It remained to hire a cook for the expedition. - -"We don't need a cook," said Mr. Halliday. "I've roughed it often -enough; we can do our own cooking." - -"Man, you're a tenderfoot," said Mr. Gillespie, laughing. "You must -have a cook. Your men would all mutiny if you didn't. I don't mean -that he would cook for them; they'll have their own cooking-pots; but -they wouldn't obey you for a day if they saw you cooking for yourself. -The first maxim for a white man in this country is: 'Never do a black -man's work.' Order your men about as much as you please, but _don't do -anything_." - -"But that's a doctrine of the dark ages. Confound it, man, that's the -kind of thing we shook off centuries ago. I'm not a duke." - -"That's just exactly what you are here. The natives will regard you as -their lord and master, and if you don't act up to the part--why, man, I -think the Governor will expel you as an undesirable alien. In short, -you must have a cook." - -Here Mr. Gillespie's native servant came in to say that an Indian -gentleman desired to see him. - -"Send him in," said Mr. Gillespie, and there entered, suave and smiling, -Said Mohammed, failed B.A. He bowed respectfully--a little too -respectfully, thought John--to his acquaintances of the day before; -then, addressing himself to Mr. Gillespie, he said-- - -"Having learnt in the bazaar, sir, that the esteemed gentleman in whose -company I had the honour to travel yesterday is engaging a safari, I -embrace the opportunity of submitting tender of my services in -unremitting attention to the interior economy--soups, joints, sweets, et -cetera, or, as one might say, _hoc genus omne_, as it were." - -John opened his eyes. Apparently the failed B.A. was offering himself -as cook; but John thought he must be mistaken. Mr. Gillespie, however, -after a stare at his visitor, said in a severely practical tone-- - -"You have experience?" - -"Yes, sir, I am _experientia docet_ with several years' standing, and -testimonials galore. Videlicet, the Central Restaurant, sir, in London, -continuously chock-a-block on curry day when my dishes, prepared Indian -fashion, were the delight of city gents and ladies of prepossessing -appearance who feed there regular as clock-work. In soup, joint, entree -I am a don; in sauce I am a wily adept." - -"Come up to my bungalow and cook my dinner to-night," said Mr. -Gillespie. - -"Verree good, sir. The proof of the pudding is in the mastication -thereof. Good-morning, sir, and assuring you of my best services at all -times." - -There was a laugh when Said Mohammed had gone. - -"He'll never do," said Mr. Halliday. - -"Man, if he's any good at all he'll be a perfect treasure," said Mr. -Gillespie. "And you'll have to pay him fifty rupees a month." - -"Near L3 a month for cooking?" cried Mr. Halliday. "Can't afford it." - -"But, my dear sir, you can't get any sort of a cook here for less than -thirty rupees; and our failed B.A., if he's worth his salt, will be -worth fifty. He will at least be clean; it's a part of his religion." - -"Well, perhaps he's a failure all round. Anyway, we don't want -kickshaws, and a cheaper man will do all we need." - -But the dinner at Mr. Gillespie's that night turned out excellent--well -cooked, well served, and varied though simple dishes. - -"Faith, Halliday," said the host, "if you don't engage the man I'll take -him myself. That'll bring you up to the scratch if you've any Scotch -blood left in you." - -Whether it was due to this provocation or not, Mr. Halliday engaged Said -Mohammed next day, for a month. Then, having been advised of the -inexpediency of delay, which might be taken advantage of by his porters -to desert, he decided to set off the same day, as soon as the hottest -hours were past. He sent Said Mohammed into the bazaar to buy the -necessary amount of food-stuff for the natives; Mr. Gillespie undertook -the purchase of small quantities of "trade"--sheeting, coloured cloths, -and beads for the most part; Mr. Halliday himself bought a small tent, -provisions, blankets, rifles and ammunition, and a few cheap utensils. -All these articles were sent up to the bungalow. At three o'clock Said -Mohammed and the six porters arrived and set about packing up, under Mr. -Gillespie's directions. Within an hour the loads were packed and placed -in a line on the ground. - -"Now, Halliday," said Mr. Gillespie, "it's up to you. You must give -each man his proper load, and don't be jockeyed." - -There was a twinkle in his eye which Mr. Halliday detected. - -"Are you setting a trap for me?" he asked. - -"No, no, man; but as you're to be master, the sooner you feel your feet -the better." - -Whereupon Mr. Halliday, who was not without courage as well as shrewd -common-sense, instantly confided the tent and personal baggage to two of -the three Swahilis, and distributed the remaining loads among the three -Wakamba by a rough and ready estimate of their muscular capabilities. -Then began what John called the "fun." The Swahilis accepted their -loads without a murmur; were they not the best fitted to carry the -_bwana's_ belongings? But one of the Wakamba, a stout little fellow -with one eye, uttered a terrible wail when he lifted his bundle to his -back, and, letting it down again, began to expostulate in a torrent of -gibberish, of which the _bwana_, of course, understood not a word. The -others instantly followed his example, and all three began to wrangle -and gesticulate and abuse one another with a deafening clamour. It was -plain that every man wanted the load of somebody else. Mr. Halliday -looked on calmly for a few moments, Mr. Gillespie curiously watching to -see what he would do, and placidly smoking a cigar without offering any -suggestion. Suddenly Mr. Halliday called to Coja ben Selim, the -Swahili, and the only man whose name he knew. - -"You're headman; settle it," he said calmly, turning on his heel. "I -give you five minutes." - -The big Swahili instantly went among the Wakamba, cuffing them right and -left. In less than five minutes peace was restored, the Wakamba slung -their loads to their backs, passing the long loop of raw hide around -their foreheads; the Swahilis set theirs upon their heads; and the cry -of "Safari! safari!" indicated that they were ready to be off. - -"A capital start, Halliday," said Mr. Gillespie. "Good luck to ye." - -Mr. Halliday and John shook hands heartily with their host and hostess, -and taking their rifles under their arm, set off after the little -caravan, the leader of which had already started a marching song. Said -Mohammed, carrying a little bundle of his own, brought up the rear, with -Coja ben Selim. - - - - -CHAPTER THE THIRD--In a Game-Pit - - -John felt all the thrilling excitement of a new experience. There was -nothing romantic, it is true, in trudging along at two miles an hour -over a decent road, which led at first through the spacious estates of -colonists who had already settled in the neighbourhood of the town. But -he knew that before long the caravan would enter a wild, unsettled -region, swarming with game large and small, holding innumerable -possibilities of encounters with strange beasts and men. And though -there was nothing novel in the mere exercise of walking, it was both new -and amusing to find himself in company with African natives, marching -stolidly along under heavy loads, to a monotonous chant kept up by their -leader, who repeated the same words endlessly. Curious to know what the -man was singing, he asked Coja ben Selim, the only man of them that knew -English. The Swahili gave him a wide grin and said it was all nonsense, -and when John pressed him for the exact meaning he prevaricated and -looked uncomfortable. The song was, in fact, an impromptu one, and the -words, literally translated, meant nothing more than "Two more white -men; oh, what noses! Oh, what legs!" and if John had known he would -only have wondered what amusement the porters could have derived from -the constant repetition of such an uninspired and uninspiring refrain. -He made up his mind to learn the native tongue as soon as possible. - -After they had walked for three or four miles it became suddenly dark, -but there was no pause, Mr. Gillespie having advised that they should -take advantage of the cool hours, and do a good ten miles before camping -for the night. A new moon shed a little light upon the path, which, as -the scattered cultivated districts were left behind, entered a region of -long grass and belts of forest land. Presently they heard the rushing -noise of water, and came to the brink of a deep ravine, whose bottom -they could not see for the trees and dense undergrowth with which it was -clothed. Coja ben Selim was for crossing the ravine; he said he knew of -a fine place for camping a little beyond it; but Mr. Halliday was not -inclined to risk a broken leg, and decided to camp in a glade on the -nearer bank, and to attempt the crossing by daylight. The loads were set -down, the tent was pitched, and a fire lighted; soon the men were -cooking their simple supper, chattering cheerfully; and Said Mohammed, -opening up the stores, produced some cocoa, tinned milk and biscuits, -and in a few minutes provided his employers with a simple meal. Mr. -Halliday discussed the advisability of setting a watch during the night, -but Coja said that there were no black men in the neighbourhood, and the -fires would keep off wild animals; so the two Englishmen wrapped their -blankets around them, and slept soundly till the dawn. - -Mr. Gillespie had given his guests some instruction in the general -conduct of a safari, so that when Mr. Halliday put his head out of the -tent and called to the headman to take up the loads, there was a brisk -movement among the porters to the pile in which their bundles had been -stacked during the night. They laid them in a row for inspection, first -lashing to them their mats and cooking-pots. When this was done, they -squatted down to eat a few roasted grains of muhindi (maize), and while -the Swahilis struck the tent and tied up the bedding, the two Englishmen -having rapidly dressed, Said Mohammed prepared breakfast of tinned meat, -biscuits, and tea. Then, to the customary cry of "Safari!" the porters -lifted their loads, the utensils were quickly packed, and while the dawn -was still grey the little party left the camp and began the descent of -the ravine. Looking back as he came to the brink, John saw a hyena -slink out of the undergrowth and steal past the smouldering embers of -the fires, and birds like kites swoop down with rushing wings, soaring -up again with some remnant of food in their talons. He felt now that -his new strange life was beginning indeed. - -[Illustration: PART OF BRITISH EAST AFRICA] - -The descent was safely made, the river waded, and climbing up the -further side, the travellers found themselves entering a region of bush -and thorns and tall rank grass, in the midst of which they heard at -times a swishing sound as some animal, invisible, darted away from -before them. They had left the road leading to Fort Hall, the nearest -Government station, and struck off in a direction north by east. The -leader picked his way steadily, following the track of an animal, the -others close behind him, though after a time some of the porters, weaker -or less willing than the rest, began to lag behind. Though it was still -early morning, John found it already uncomfortably hot, and, taking off -his coat, gave it to Coja. Once or twice he removed his sun-helmet -also, but Said Mohammed, at this, came to his side, and said, very -respectfully-- - -"Ten thousand pardons, sir, but a word to the wise: never expose your -manly brow to the solar luminary. In a brace of shakes you will have -sunstroke." - -"But there is no sun; I shan't hurt with this mist over the ground," -John protested. - -"It is human to err, sir. You cannot see the sun, but he sees you, and -lo! in a moment he smites you, and it is no go. The head, sir, is the -weaker vessel." - -"Put on your hat, John," said Mr. Halliday. "We don't want to run any -risks." - -By and by the mist cleared, and having reached a ridge bare of trees, -the travellers suddenly caught sight of Mount Kenya in the distance, -rearing itself from the plain by such gentle slopes that it was hard to -believe that its summit was 14,000 feet above sea-level and covered with -snow. Its peaks were swathed in cloud; indeed, only once or twice -during many months did the travellers catch a glimpse of them. Then the -view was magnificent, and for the first time in his life John felt a -longing to climb a mountain. - -Every day's programme was the same. They started early. After a march -of two hours a halt was called, to allow the laggards to come up with -the party. Then the march was resumed, and continued until the sun's -heat became unendurable, and the men clamoured for a long rest. One day -at this time Mr. Halliday, selecting a glade shaded by immense trees, -bade the men set down their loads, and take a siesta. The resting-place -was not so well chosen as it had appeared to be; a stream ran close by, -and the travellers had hardly settled themselves when they were beset by -innumerable red ticks, which clung to the white men's clothing and bit -their skin savagely, sparing the natives. The Hallidays, finding their -attacks intolerable, sprang up and went on, instructing Coja to follow -them when the porters were sufficiently rested. They had not gone far -when they saw a herd of congoni, an animal of the antelope kind, dashing -across the plain, and John fingered his rifle longingly. But Mr. -Halliday would not permit him to go in chase of them. - -"We shall have plenty of sport by and by," he said, "and we don't want -to heat ourselves or lose touch with the men." - -He had scarcely spoken when John caught sight of another safari coming -across a ridge in the distance. Mr. Halliday thought it prudent to halt -until they were rejoined by the rest of their party, and they threw -themselves down under a baobab to wait for them. It was two hours -before they came up, and the march had just been resumed when they heard -shots, and saw a number of black men rushing towards them at full speed. -Mr. Halliday was a little alarmed, thinking that an attack was imminent; -but in a few moments Coja told him that the approaching men were plainly -porters, for they were unarmed, but they bore no loads, and he suggested -that something had frightened them. - -In a few minutes the first of the runaways came up, and began to talk -excitedly to Coja, who informed Mr. Halliday that the men were indeed -porters belonging to a safari returning to Nairobi, and that a -rhinoceros had just charged them, whereupon they had flung down their -loads and bolted. - -"Where is their master?" asked Mr. Halliday. - -The man, who had been joined by several of his comrades, pointed back in -the direction whence he had come. No white man, however, was in sight, -and Mr. Halliday decided to hurry on and see what had become of him, -ordering the men to follow, which they were plainly reluctant to do. He -came within half-a-mile to the scene of the stampede, the loads of the -porters strewing the grass; but there was no sign either of the -rhinoceros or of the young white man who, as the scared natives said, -was the master of the safari. Coja declared that the _bwana_ must have -been gored or trampled by the rhinoceros, and suggested that they should -hurry on and get out of danger as quickly as possible; but Mr. Halliday -would not hear of leaving the spot until he had made an effort to find -the unfortunate traveller. He ordered the men to set down their loads -and remain with them while he made a search, and asked whether any of -them could follow a rhinoceros trail. One and all first denied that -they had ever seen a rhinoceros; but Mr. Halliday sternly told Coja that -they would have no supper unless they recovered their memory, and then -Coja himself reluctantly admitted that if the trail was very clear, and -if the white men would go one on each side of him with their guns, he -would try to lead them after the animal. - -As a matter of fact, the trail was easily found, the ground being soft -and the grass heavily trampled. It led them into a dense mass of bush. -Mr. Halliday, holding his rifle ready for the least sign of danger, -plunged into the jungle with John and Coja, the latter soon declaring -that he saw, together with the great hoof-marks of the animal, forming -paths on both sides of a ridge of grass, the smaller and fainter tracks -made by a white man's boots. - -"Him killed dead, sure 'nuff," said Coja solemnly. "No good look no -more." - -"We'll make sure of it. Go on," said Mr. Halliday, and the three -continued to follow the trail. - -"What's that?" cried John suddenly, a few minutes later. - -"White man call; him no dead yet," said Coja. - -"Hallo!" shouted Mr. Halliday, and a faint "Hallo!" came in answer. - -Coja turned a little to the right, in the direction of the sound. Mr. -Halliday called again, and again the answer came, louder, but still -curiously muffled. Led by the sound, they now left the trail of the -rhinoceros, and had proceeded but a few steps farther when Coja suddenly -came to a halt, and bursting into laughter, cried, "Him down there!" - -"Where?" said Mr. Halliday in amazement, looking about him. And then he -saw, in the midst of the grass, a deep hole, and at the bottom, nine or -ten feet below the surface, a young white man sitting cross-legged. - -"Hallo!" he said, looking up with a smile. "I thought it was my -brother, though it wasn't like his shout. Can you help me out? I'm -afraid I've sprained my ankle." - -"Of course we can," said Mr. Halliday, "but I'd like to know what on -earth you are doing there." - -"Thanking my stars I'm not skewered," said the other. "Let down your -rifle, will you? Perhaps I can manage to scramble out; but don't let me -drag you down." - -Mr. Halliday lowered his rifle, holding it by the barrel, having first -taken the precaution of emptying the breech; and the prisoner took it by -the stock, and tried to clamber up the side of the hole. But he winced -as his right foot touched the earth, and after a few moments said-- - -"I'm afraid I can't manage it. My ankle has got a twist. If you'll -shout for my men I'll get one of them to make a sling of rope and haul -me out." - -"We needn't wait for that," said John. "I'll jump down and give you a -lift." - -"Look out, then. There's a pointed stake in the ground here which I -only escaped by a hair's breadth. Jump to the left. It's uncommon good -of you." - -John leapt down, and making a pick-a-back, got the stranger to mount and -then to stand erect on one foot. His head was now just below the level -of the pit. - -"I'm afraid we're not much for'arder," he said, with a smile. - -"Can't you get your elbows on the edge and hoist yourself up?" suggested -John. - -"Can't reach. You'd better let me down." - -"I'll tell you what," said John: "cut a notch in the wall for your foot. -Then you can hoist yourself up by the rifle until you are high enough to -get your elbows on; then it'll be easy. The earth is pretty soft." - -Sitting with his legs over John's shoulders, the stranger soon cut a -notch with his knife; and in a few minutes he was hauled to the surface. - -"I'm much obliged to you. I might have stayed there till I starved for -all my men would have troubled." - -"How did you manage to fall in?" asked Mr. Halliday. - -"A rhinoceros charged us as we were crossing the foot of the kopje -yonder. He sprang out from behind a small mountain of an ant-hill. My -men instantly flung down their loads and bolted--idiots! and as we're -rather short of meat I thought I'd try to get within shot of the beast. -I was following him up when the earth gave way under me, and I found -myself in this old game-pit, and don't know how I managed to escape the -skewer sticking up at the bottom, as long as my arm. I say, you haven't -happened to see anything of my brother, I suppose?" - -"We met nobody but your men," said Mr. Halliday. "Has your brother lost -himself?" - -"Old Joe lost! Not a bit of it," cried the young man. "He'll turn up -all right. He left me a couple of hours ago to shoot something for -to-night's pot, and I thought you might have come across him. I'm -rather a nuisance, I'm afraid; I can't put my left foot to the ground, -and our last donkey died four days ago, so that I can't ride. We've had -uncommon bad luck with our donkeys. As a rule they're hardy in this -climate, we were told; but every one of the six we started with has -died. Really, I am a nuisance, keeping you here." - -"Nonsense," said Mr. Halliday. "Coja, shout for some of our men." - -"No come, master," said Coja. "Berry much 'fraid." - -"If he goes and calls our headman a coward I think it will answer," said -the stranger. "Headmen are very jealous of each other." - -Coja entered into the spirit of the suggestion, and ran back over the -tracks. In a few minutes the sounds of angry altercation came through -the bush, and Coja reappeared, in company with a white-clad Somali, each -man abusing the other at the top of his voice. Mr. Halliday silenced -them sternly, and ordered them to construct a litter, promising a few -cents to the man who did the larger share of the work. They set to work -at once, weaving strands of creeping plants and stalks of grass with -amazing rapidity. In less than twenty minutes a sheet of matting was -finished and firmly bound to two rifles, and on this extemporized litter -the stranger was carried between the headmen back to the open ground. - -On the way he explained that his name was Oliver Browne, "commonly -called Poll," and that he came from Cape Colony. With his elder brother -he had been shooting and prospecting in North Kenya and Gallaland, and -they had thoughts of settling in British East Africa, which seemed to -offer better prospects than they could see in South Africa. - -"I suppose you're on the same job," he concluded. - -"Well, we're going to have a look round," replied Mr. Halliday -cautiously. "We're on a flying visit, you see." - -"And I'm a nuisance, hindering you like this. Here are my wretched men; -I shall be all right now; and I can't thank you enough. We may meet -again, if we decide to come north. Good-bye. And I say, if you meet -that brother of mine, please tell him to hurry up, for if another -rhinoceros takes a fancy to charge us, and I can't bring him down, I -shall be a mangled corpse in no time." - -"Hadn't we better stay with you till your brother turns up?" said John. - -"Not at all. The plain is pretty open here, and a rhinoceros could not -take us unawares. I shall go on slowly, and camp when I come to a -suitable place, and my men will rig up a boma in no time. Good-bye -again." - -The matting had been transferred to two of the Brownes' rifles, and the -men of each party having collected and shouldered their loads, they set -off in opposite directions, the two headmen hurling abuse at each other -as long as they remained in sight. Coja was particularly indignant -because his rival had received the reward for completing the greater -portion of the litter; but after a little Mr. Halliday consoled him by -saying, casually, that his portion had been the more closely knit, so -that he should receive a reward also. - -"Dat oder fella no good, what I say," remarked Coja. - -Half-an-hour after they had parted with Oliver Browne, they met a white -man whom at the first glance they knew to be his brother, so striking -was the resemblance. He was attended by four porters, each carrying a -large portion of some newly-killed animal. Mr. Halliday halted as they -came up, saying-- - -"You're Mr. Joe Browne?" - -"That I am, but----" He paused, looking puzzled. - -"You don't know me," said Mr. Halliday, "so you needn't rack your -memory. We've just met your brother. He was after a rhinoceros and -tumbled into a game-pit." - -"Clumsy ass!" cried Mr. Browne, in the manner of an affectionate -brother. "No bones broke, I hope?" - -Mr. Halliday reassured him on that point, and the two stood for a few -minutes exchanging notes. The South African said that he had been much -attracted by what he had seen of the country, and if Mr. Halliday became -a settler, he would in all probability have him for a neighbour. - -"But it won't be yet," he added. "We must settle up our affairs at the -Cape first. Three or four months, perhaps; you'll have grown your first -crops by then. Don't shoot all the game before I come." - -"You have left us some, I hope," said John, eyeing the porters' burdens. - -"Oh, that's a couple of water-buck for the pot. You'll find bigger game -than that. Hippo meat's uncommonly good, but don't try elephant's foot; -it's a fraud. Don't believe any one who tells you to the contrary. -Good-bye; pleased to have met you; bar rhinoceros or game-pits we'll -meet again." - - - - -CHAPTER THE FOURTH--White Man's Magic - - -When John found opportunity to put pen to paper, he wrote, as he said, -"loads" to a school chum about the incidents of the next few days, every -one furnishing a new excitement. Mr. Halliday was so anxious to -accomplish the aim of his journey that he pushed on resolutely each day, -striking camp at earliest dawn, marching with intervals until ten, -resting until three or four, and then going on again until nightfall. -The ground was varied, now a stretch of grass land, now a belt of -forest; here a rapidly flowing stream rushing between high banks covered -with dense vegetation, there a tract of hard volcanic soil so rugged and -hot under the sun's rays that walking was painful. It was only during -the intervals for rest that John was able to indulge his sporting -tastes, and at the same time do service to the commissariat. He caught -some fine fish in the rivers, and wished there had been time to follow -up the hippopotamus tracks he discovered on the banks. He brought down -several water-buck and red congoni with his .303 rifle, and one day was -vastly excited to see a black-maned lion with his lioness cross from one -patch of reeds to another. The sight of other game in wonderful -variety--zebras, leopards, antelopes--became so common that after a time -it ceased to be impressive, and opportunities for shooting them came but -rarely, the country they frequented being flat and open, and their scent -being so keen that it was almost impossible to come within range. - -One incident that gave a little excitement was the crossing of the Thika -river. The water was so deep and the current so swift that to ford it -was impossible, and after vainly searching for a shallow part, Mr. -Halliday confessed himself at a loss to know how to proceed. John -suggested that they should fell a tree and throw it across the river as -a bridge, but this would be a somewhat lengthy operation; and Said -Mohammed said it would take less time to construct a raft. This was -accordingly done, by lashing together three dead logs found on the bank; -but Mr. Halliday asked how it was to be prevented from being swept away -by the stream. Coja showed himself to be a man of resource. Taking a -rope between his teeth, he plunged into the river, first looking warily -round to make sure that no crocodiles were in the neighbourhood, and -swam across, the force of the current giving his course an inclination -of sixty degrees. Having reached the other side, he fastened the rope -to a tree, and by aid of this line the raft was ferried over, conveying -now the loads and now the men. One of the Wakamba slipped off when he -was in midstream, and instantly howled that a crocodile was after him; -but Coja called him a liar, sprang after him, and catching him by the -hair, towed him safely to the farther bank. - -[Illustration: "One of the Wakamba slipped off when he was in -midstream."] - -Hitherto the party had met no natives; but Coja now informed his master -that the people of these parts were very bad, and advised that they -should go slowly, so that no stragglers should be left to be set on and -robbed--if not maltreated or killed. Mr. Halliday was somewhat troubled -at the thought of unfriendly natives between his prospective estate and -the outposts of civilization; but consoled himself with the reflection -that the area of settlements was rapidly enlarging, and the country in -the settled parts being brought thoroughly under control. - -The country beyond the Thika river proved to be more difficult than any -that had hitherto been traversed. Bare rocky hills, cut by deep and -dangerous ravines, alternated with stretches of long coarse grass and -dense thorny scrub, impenetrable save by low tunnels made by roaming -hippopotami. As they burrowed painfully through these tunnels, they -were oppressed by the suffocating heat, their clothes were torn by the -thorns, and their skin irritated by the multitudinous insects. It was -like wandering through a complex maze, the hippo paths twisting this way -and that in apparently aimless fashion, though Coja said they were a -clear sign of the neighbourhood of water. After a whole day spent in -this fatiguing march the party came abruptly upon a broad river, flowing -with swift but almost noiseless current between banks clad with noble -palms and every species of tropical vegetation, amid which countless -throngs of monkeys desported themselves, and birds of many colours -darted this way and that like fragments of a rainbow. Mr. Halliday -pitched his camp for the night above the river, and for the first time -the porters surrounded it with a boma--a close fence of thorn bushes, -which they constructed with wonderful celerity. For the first time, -too, a watch was kept, the porters being told off to take turns at -sentry-go. It occurred to Mr. Halliday, waking in the middle of the -night, to see whether the sentry was alert at his post, and he was not -greatly surprised to find him fast asleep. He shook him up and rated -him very soundly, his reprimand being, perhaps, the more impressive -because delivered in a tongue which the man did not understand. Mr. -Halliday slept no more that night, coming to the conclusion that if it -was necessary to keep watch, the porters were not to be entrusted with -the task. - -It was next day that the party first encountered the native inhabitants. -They came upon a luxuriant plantation of manioc, and shortly afterwards -saw a number of fierce-looking men, armed with spears, lurking in the -long grass. Mr. Halliday ordered Coja to go forward and explain that he -was a friend, bent on a peaceful errand, and that he would give good -prices for any food the people cared to bring him. One of the natives -ran back to the village, and soon returned with the chief, who presented -a singular appearance in a ragged and stained khaki jacket, and a -dilapidated sun-helmet with an ostrich feather stuck in it at a rakish -angle. It turned out that this was not his usual attire, but had been -hastily donned in honour of the white man. - -"He seems a very respectable old guy," said Mr. Halliday to John as the -chief came up with a broad smile. With Coja's aid as interpreter, Mr. -Halliday repeated what had already been said to the men, and as an -earnest of what was to come, presented the chief with a number of -coloured beads, feeling somewhat doubtful whether such trifles were -worth the acceptance of one who, as his dress showed, had already had -some intercourse with Europeans. But the chief showed unmistakable -pleasure, and immediately sent two of his young men to bring wild honey -and gourds of milk for the wasungu. Presently a number of women came, -bearing loads of water-melons and other vegetables, which were very -welcome after the dry fare of the past few days, the vendors being -thoroughly satisfied with a handful of red beads or a short strip of -cloth. - -Mr. Halliday had directed the course of his march, under Coja's -guidance, according to instructions and a rough map given him by his -friend Gilmour. The district recommended to him as an excellent site -for his farm lay on high ground to the east of Mount Kenya, and Mr. -Gilmour had marked the exact spot by erecting a post, the top of which -was carved to the shape of a man's head. When Mr. Halliday expressed a -doubt whether the post would still be found after the lapse of several -years, his friend reassured him on the point, declaring that the natives -would not touch it, and unless it had been thrown down by a sportive -rhinoceros, or "collected" as an object of interest by some wandering -European sportsman, it would remain precisely as he had left it. Mr. -Halliday, judging by his sketch-map that he must have nearly reached his -destination, got Coja to ask the natives whether they knew of this post, -and was disappointed with their negative answer. There was nothing for -it but to continue the march. Accordingly he took leave of the friendly -natives, after purchasing considerable quantities of food, and set off. - -There was every indication that his goal could not be far distant. The -country was open, the soil a rich red loam, covered with rank rough -pasturage and wild clover, with occasional clumps of woodland. The air -was so cool, except at mid-day, that it was hard to believe they were -within a degree or two of the Equator; but by testing the boiling-point -of water John discovered that the height was five thousand feet above -sea-level, and the temperate climate was explained. - -Two days after leaving the native village Mr. Halliday decided to pitch -his camp, and taking that for a centre, to explore the surrounding -country. - -"If this isn't the place, it ought to be," he said to John. "I never -saw a finer country for grazing; it's good for three or four sheep an -acre, or I'm a Dutchman, and fruit ought to grow here as well as in -Kent." - -"It's rather strange, though," said John, "that there's no game to be -seen. There ought to be plenty." - -"That's true. Perhaps they've been killed off by some disease, though I -hope that's not the explanation. We'll maybe find out by and by." - -The camp was pitched near a shallow stream, a boma was erected round it, -and next day the travellers set off with Coja and one of the porters, -leaving the rest in charge of the second Swahili. - -They waded several small streams, and in the afternoon came to a broad -river which, on consulting his map, Mr. Halliday felt sure was the one -marked as forming the northern boundary of his suggested settlement. But -though they searched its banks for some hours, they failed to discover -the post, and had to return unsuccessful, reaching camp after nightfall. -Next day they set off again in a different direction, so as to strike -the river at a point higher up its course. When they came to it, Coja -pointed to a native village on high ground some distance on the other -side, and suggested that inquiry should be made there. The river could -only be crossed by swimming, and there being no sign of crocodiles, they -plunged in, finding the water deliciously cold. Their approach was -descried from the village, and they were soon met by a group of young -warriors armed with bows and arrows, who, standing at a distance, -demanded who they were and what was their business. Coja shouted in -reply that they had come to make friends with the chief, and had brought -some valuable presents for him. One of the men ran back to the village, -the others remaining on guard, and forbidding the strangers to advance -until the chief arrived. - -Some little time elapsed before the chief made his appearance amid a -group of elders. At first he stood suspiciously aloof while Coja -explained the purpose of the white men's visit, but when Mr. Halliday -displayed a strip of coloured cloth, and Coja announced that it was a -gift for the chief, the natives drew a little nearer, and said that they -were willing to be friends if the strangers would not rob them. Coja's -reply to this was that the white men were very good, and would never -dream of robbing their friends, adding that the cloth would be handed to -the chief if he would come and answer a few questions. - -"Give it him at once," said Mr. Halliday, "and say there's more if -they'll tell us what we want to know." - -The gift of the cloth finally disarmed the chief's suspicions. Looking -very much pleased, he came forward with his men, and said that he was -ready to give what help he could. Mr. Gillespie had warned Mr. Halliday -not to believe too implicitly any statements made by natives, who would -always say what they thought would please; so when, in answer to his -question about a post with a man's head, the chief said that he -certainly knew it, and asked for another piece of cloth, Mr. Halliday -shook his head, promising to give more presents if the chief would lead -him to the landmark. At this the chief looked much troubled, and his -men began to talk eagerly, it being evident from their manner that they -were trying to dissuade him from complying with the white man's request. -Mr. Halliday was at a loss to understand their reluctance until Coja, -after a long colloquy with the chief, announced that they were afraid to -go near the post, which was a terrible devil, for their medicine man had -seen its eyes move, and its mouth grin at him. It had come there -suddenly one day, no one knew how, but they thought it must have sprung -out of the ground, and some of their cattle that grazed around it had -soon afterwards died, so that they were sure it was a devil, and they -had never since allowed their herds to roam in that direction. - -"Where is it?" asked Mr. Halliday. - -The chief pointed up the river, and said that if the white man had -medicine strong enough to destroy the devil the people would be very -grateful. Mr. Halliday thought he might turn this superstition to good -account. He explained that he had come from the end of the world to -make a home in this country, and the devil had no doubt established -himself on the ground in order to show that it was to be a white man's -property. But now that he had come, the devil's work of guarding the -land was over, and if the chief would promise to be a friendly -neighbour, the devil should be at once destroyed, and a good price -should be paid for the land, since it was clearly a part of the chief's -grazing grounds. The chief gave the promise with alacrity, adding that -he would become the blood brother of any man who should rid the country -of so terrible a creature. Thereupon Mr. Halliday asked him to lead the -way as far as he dared, and he should see for himself that the devil had -no power against the white man's magic. - -The chief sent a messenger back to the village with this good news, and -soon a great throng of people came flocking down, men, women, and -children, some blowing rude horns, others beating drums, all in great -excitement. The devil was on the bank of the river from which the white -men had crossed. Having swum back in company with the chief and -half-a-dozen of his men, the travellers marched up the river, the -populace flocking along the other bank, being only occasionally visible -among the trees. - -After walking for about half-a-mile, the chief struck away from the -river, and led the way to a saucer-like depression between two ranges of -low hills. It was open grass country for the most part, but at the -further end of the hollow, about three miles away, there was a thick -mass of forest. All at once the chief came to a halt, and, pointing -ahead, declared that the devil was there, and he would go no farther. -Neither Mr. Halliday nor John could distinguish the post among the long -grass, but asking the chief to remain where he stood, they went forward -to search for it. After a few steps they missed Coja, and turning to -look for him, found that he had halted a hundred yards or so from the -chief, being evidently unwilling to face the devil, and at the same time -wishing to appear braver than the natives. - -Walking some distance apart, so that they should not miss the post, Mr. -Halliday and his son in a minute or two caught sight simultaneously of -what they sought. A thick knobby post stood among the grass, its top -about a foot above the level of the stalks. The knob had been carved -with some skill to the shape of a face with the mouth wide open. - -"We may as well do the job with becoming solemnity," said Mr. Halliday. -"We'll have a shot or two at it before we go near. Range about a -hundred, isn't it?" - -"I should think so. Bet you I get most shots in his mouth." - -"Considering that our rifles and cartridges are alike, I don't see how -you're going to judge. Anyway, you take first shot." - -John fired. A flock of birds rose with a great clatter of wings into -the air, and the group of natives yelled and flung themselves face -downward into the grass, whereupon Coja began to taunt them with -cowardice. A shot from Mr. Halliday followed; then each fired again, -and Mr. Halliday, turning round, declared that the devil was killed, and -walked towards the post. Coja, now thoroughly reassured, ran after him, -the natives following at a distance. - -"All four shots in the mouth; the honours are easy," said Mr. Halliday. -"You're a better shot than I thought you, John. We'd better pull the -thing up, hadn't we?" - -But they found the post so firmly fixed that they could neither pull it -up nor push it over. It was evidently a case for digging. Having no -implements with them they were obliged to leave it standing; but Mr. -Halliday showed the admiring natives the bullet marks in the mouth, and, -slapping the top of the head, assured them that the devil would do no -more harm. He then gave the chief another strip of cloth and a handful -of beads in reward for his services, and the party returned to the -river, where the happy result of the expedition was announced to the -main body of the villagers, from whom the proceedings had been hidden by -the contour of the ground. The chief wished Mr. Halliday to feast with -him, and afterwards witness a war-dance, and when the invitation was -declined, he insisted on his white friend accepting a small pied goat. - -"The pioneer of our stock, John," said Mr. Halliday. "But the chief -must take charge of it until we come up to settle. I don't suppose we -shall see it again." - -But in this he was mistaken, for when he came some weeks later to enter -into occupation of his estate, the goat was brought to him with every -mark of respect by a deputation of the villagers. - - - - -CHAPTER THE FIFTH--Juma takes to the Bush - - -Mr. Halliday spent the next two days in surveying the neighbourhood of -Mr. Gilmour's stake. The country was all that his friend had described. -The soil was rich; the river, as the natives informed him, never ran -dry, though its waters were sometimes very low; and the valley was -intersected by several smaller watercourses, which, though now dry, were -full streams in the rainy season, so that the estate would never lack -irrigation except after long-continued drought. Being well satisfied -with the locality, Mr. Halliday got his men to erect a number of -boundary posts about a rectangular area of some 1,500 acres, and then -set off on the return journey to Nairobi to lodge a claim for a -Government grant in the office of the District Commissioner. He paid -his preliminary survey fee of seventy-five rupees; then, knowing that it -would be months before the official survey was made, he decided to -purchase stores, stock, and material for building a bungalow and -out-houses, and to engage porters to convey these to the spot, and a -certain number of servants to staff the farm. Formal possession of the -land would be granted as soon as it was certified to be actually -occupied and the balance of the survey fee, some two hundred rupees, was -paid; but the lease for ninety-nine years would not be made out until -the Commissioner received proof that development had taken place, which -practically meant the expenditure of forty times the rent, this being -twelve cents an acre. Thus it would be about three years before Mr. -Halliday was definitely accepted as a settler and leaseholder, and he -impressed upon John that they must both put their backs into the work if -they intended to be successful. - -It was a month before the second safari was ready to start--a far more -important caravan than the first. To begin with, there was a large -quantity of stores for the use of the white men, together with seeds, -root plants, and a few apple-tree slips, which by all accounts would -thrive. Then there was a considerable amount of thin corrugated iron -for roofing, some glass, and some ready-made window-frames, which if -made on the spot would have involved too great an expenditure of time -and labour. There were a few simple agricultural implements which Mr. -Halliday had brought from home, guessing, and rightly as it proved, that -even allowing for the cost of freight they were cheaper than they could -have been bought in Nairobi. These included the "small holdings plough" -of Ipswich, which had to be taken to pieces for convenience of transit. -Mr. Halliday deplored the lack of roads and of bridges over the streams, -which made it impossible to employ vehicles for the carriage of his -goods, and prevented him from taking several pieces of machinery he -would have liked to have with him. But he purchased a few donkeys, each -of which could carry twice as much as a man. - -In addition to these articles, a large number of live-stock was included -in the caravan. It might be possible, Mr. Halliday was told, to -purchase cattle and sheep from the natives in the neighbourhood of his -farm, but he was advised to buy a good number of half-bred animals in -Nairobi, the native sheep and goats being woolless, and of no value -except for their flesh and hides. Later on, when he was fairly settled, -he hoped to introduce some English stock to cross with the native. -Accordingly he bought 750 sheep at an average price of six shillings a -head, a few goats, and a score of cattle, for which he paid L140. - -To carry his goods he found it necessary to engage, in addition to the -donkeys, forty porters, a few of whom he intended to keep as labourers -on the farm or servants in the house, if they proved satisfactory. Of -these forty only one, Coja the headman, had been a member of the first -expedition, the rest of that party being unwilling to do any more work -until they had spent their wages. Twelve of the new company were -Swahilis, the remainder Wakamba or Wakikuyu. Four of the Swahilis were -askaris, or armed porters. Said Mohammed had done so well on the first -journey that he was engaged permanently as cook. John declared that his -conversation was well worth his wages, but Mr. Halliday took severely -practical views of everything, and said that he didn't pay for -conversation. He hired two Indian mistris for three months, at two -rupees a day, to build his bungalow and do what other carpenter's work -was necessary. And since his farm was to be mainly a stock-farm, he -engaged a stalwart Masai and his son, a lad of sixteen or seventeen, to -assist in the herding, the Masai being a pastoral race _par excellence_. - -Mr. Halliday had not intended to increase his men's burdens on this -occasion by "trade" goods, thinking that the friendship he had already -sealed with the chief of the neighbouring village would obviate any -further dealings with the natives. But he changed his mind on the -advice of Mr. Gillespie, who represented that he might come in contact -with other tribes not so well disposed, that he might find it necessary -to purchase more sheep and cattle, especially if tick fever or some -other disease broke out among his stock, and that it would be well to -have the means of purchasing ivory, if he found an opportunity, the -tribes to the north of Kenya being reputed great elephant hunters. - -All being at last ready, Mr. Halliday set out on his second journey, -which took him nearly four times as long as the first, owing partly to a -certain turbulence among the Swahili porters, and partly to the -difficulty of driving the animals. Apart from their natural tendency to -lag and to stray, it was a difficult and sometimes a perilous operation -to get them across the many streams; fortunately it was the height of -the dry season, and the depth of water insignificant. Several sheep were -drowned, some strayed and could not be recovered; one or two died of -over-marching. The donkeys also gave a good deal of trouble, having to -be unloaded at every stream, lugged across, and then loaded up again. -It was a long and tiresome business each night to construct a boma of -sufficient circuit to enclose the whole of the safari, and in spite of -this thorny fence, and watchfires kept constantly alight, a lion on one -occasion broke in at dead of night, snapped up a sheep, and made off -with it before the alarm could be given. - -Mr. Halliday found the porters even more troublesome than the animals. -It turned out that one of the Swahilis was an old rival of Coja ben -Selim. He was a big man named Juma, with a stronger strain of Arab -blood than the rest, and he constantly disputed Coja's authority, and -incited the other men to complain of their loads and their food. Mr. -Halliday had to be continually on the watch, and only by dint of great -firmness and by keeping Juma on one occasion without food for a day did -he succeed in preventing a mutiny. Juma had brought his wife with him, -a very stout negress of some Bantu race; or rather, she had attached -herself to the expedition when it had marched some ten miles out of -Nairobi, and resolutely refused to leave. Her presence proved to be -rather an advantage than otherwise, for once when Mr. Halliday had found -it necessary to give Juma a stern reprimand, the woman volubly assisted -him, demanding of her husband why he was such a fool as to endanger his -pay. Juma was evidently in some awe of his spouse, and Coja told John -privately that she had a terrible tongue. - -At length the safari arrived at the site of the farm, and though Mr. -Halliday did not flatter himself that his troubles were over, he felt a -great relief that the anxieties of the journey were a thing of the past. -The first proceeding was to construct a substantial boma. Then he -selected a site for his bungalow, fixing on a pleasant knoll above the -river and at a distance of about two hundred yards from it. John -pleaded for a position nearer the river, but Mr. Halliday pointed out -that the stream was at present shrunk, and would no doubt swell to a -much greater width in the rainy season, when exhalations from it might -be dangerous to health. He had brought a couple of tents to live in -while the bungalow was building; his natives ran up grass huts for -themselves; and within twenty-four hours of their arrival, with the -tents pitched, the huts erected, the sheep and cattle grazing, and a -boma enclosing them all, the place had already begun to assume the -aspect of a settlement. - -During the first night the sleep of the camp was disturbed by the -distant roaring of lions, and Mr. Halliday took turns with John to -watch. They had learnt from Mr. Gillespie that the lion stalks his prey -in absolute silence, so that they did not fear an actual visitation -while the roars continued; and though the sounds came nearer towards the -morning, the dread beasts made no attempt to break in. Examining the -ground on the following day, Mr. Halliday found pug marks about -half-a-mile from the enclosure, and a little further away the scanty -remains of a zebra. The proximity of lions was somewhat perturbing. -Sometimes, as Mr. Halliday had learnt, the mere presence of man was -enough to drive them away; but if they had once tasted human flesh they -showed extraordinary audacity and cunning in obtaining further victims. -As a precaution, he caused an inner boma to be erected around the tents -and the grass huts of the men, so that if lions should break into the -outer enclosure they would find another barrier between them and human -prey. - -During the daytime the building of the bungalow and the cattle-sheds -proceeded apace. There was plenty of wood in the neighbourhood, and the -people of the village beyond the river assisted in cutting and -transporting the timber in exchange for a small quantity of cloth, -beads, or wire. No work could be got out of the porters, except a few -of the Wakamba, who began to prepare the ground around the bungalow for -cultivation. Mr. Halliday would willingly have seen the backs of the -whole company, but Juma declared that they must rest a few days after -their long march before returning to Nairobi; and having no means of -expelling them Mr. Halliday must needs submit, though he hoped their -stay would be short. Apart from other reasons why their presence was -undesirable, they consumed a prodigious amount of food, which had to be -purchased from the chief; and while the Wakamba were satisfied with -grain and fruits, the Swahili demanded meat, which meant that either -some of the cattle must be killed, or the Hallidays must go hunting for -their unwelcome guests. - -One day Wasama, the Masai herdsman, reported that a number of the sheep -had strayed. Not willing to lose them, Mr. Halliday and John set off -with Wasama and two or three of the Wakamba to find them, taking their -rifles in the hope of bringing down some game for the men. They tracked -the wanderers through the long grass to the west of the encampment, and -found that the trail led them into the woods on the rising ground in -that direction. There they lost the trail, and scattered, the -Englishmen arranging to fire a shot as a signal to the others if either -of them came upon the track of the missing animals. - -John was making his way through the wood, bending close to the ground, -when he suddenly came upon a small hut standing by itself in a little -glade. It consisted of four upright logs, the interspaces filled with -brushwood, and covered with a roof of twisted boughs. He halted, -wondering whose dwelling it might be, and then, a movement among the -undergrowth at the rear of the hut attracting his attention, he walked -slowly towards the spot, holding his rifle in readiness to encounter -danger. To his amazement he saw a quaint little figure emerge from the -thicket. It was the form of an elderly man, not more than four feet -high, dark brown in colour, with strangely bent shins, longish hair -streaked with grey, and protruding jaws. He wore nothing but a loose -cloak of undressed skin hung from the shoulders, and he carried a small -bow. Still more to John's surprise, the little man came forward, and -held out his hand with a frank gesture of friendliness, uttering a word -or two in a low, quiet voice. John shook his hand, feeling a little -confused in his inability to speak to the man; then, thinking that he -might be able to assist in the search for the sheep, he fired off his -rifle, upon which the man sprang back into his hut with every mark of -terror. - -The shot soon brought up the rest of the party, and on John explaining -why he had fired, Wasama went to the entrance of the hut and shouted -into the interior. After a little hesitation the owner came out, and a -brief conversation ensued between the two men, at the close of which -Wasama, who knew enough English to make himself understood, explained -that the man was one of the Wanderobbo tribe and was living quite alone. -This fact was rather surprising, for the African natives always live in -communities, large or small. But after further speech with the hermit, -Wasama said that he had no tribe or village, all his people having been -killed a long while ago. He had since lived in this little hut, -occupying himself, after the manner of his people, in collecting wild -honey and hunting, selling the skins of the animals he killed to the -neighbouring villagers. - -Mr. Halliday asked whether the man had seen anything of his sheep, and -the Wanderobbo at once offered to help in the search in return for a few -beads. The party set off again, and, emerging from the wood at its -southern extremity, the little man soon discovered the trail, and the -wanderers were seen placidly grazing half-a-mile away. The Wanderobbo -seemed much more delighted with the few beads given him than the value -of the gift appeared to justify, and at parting shook hands warmly with -the Englishmen, promising, when Wasama had told him of their settlement, -to bring them some honey shortly. Wasama collected the sheep and began -to herd them back towards the farm, Mr. Halliday and the others going a -little farther in pursuance of his intention of shooting something for -the larder. But an hour's search revealing no trace of game, he started -to return. He had just overtaken Wasama, about a mile from camp, when -he saw Said Mohammed hastening towards him at a run. - -"I hope there's nothing wrong," he said, but as the Bengali drew nearer -it was plain from his perturbed countenance that he bore bad news. - -"Master and esteemed sir," he said, panting as he came up, "I regret to -inform you that a calamity has transpired." - -"What is it?" asked Mr. Halliday, as the cook, who was of substantial -physique, paused to recover breath. - -"Larceny, sir. Juma, that badmash, awful scoundrel, sir, has lifted, or -shall I say pinched, four donkeys, a dozen rifles, and a regular heap of -trade goods, and has decamped, bunked, sir, with the Swahilis, who knows -where?" - -"What was Coja about?" demanded Mr. Halliday, at the same time -quickening his pace. - -"That, sir, deponent knoweth not. In fact, I have not seen Coja for -some time, and suspect that he winked the other eye." - -"How long ago was this?" - -"I do not know the exact moment, since I was engaged in washing crockery -after our matutinal repast, and did not discover the crime until I had -made a hole in it; but on a modest computation I should say, not less -than five hours ago." - -"Soon after we left, John. Which way did the men go?" - -"Of that also I am in blissful ignorance, sir." - -"We'll soon track them, anyway. John, we must go after them." - -They hurried on towards the camp, taking Wasama with them, and leaving -the sheep in charge of the Wakamba. When they reached the settlement, -it was apparently deserted, except by the Indian carpenters and Juma's -negro wife, who, as soon as she saw them, began excitedly to harangue -some person out of sight, and then ran behind the bungalow, the walls of -which were already up, and dragged forth Coja, whom she brought, a -sheepish and crestfallen object, before his master. - -Mr. Halliday did not delay either to reprimand or to receive -explanations, but ordered Coja and the four Wakamba who had followed him -from his hiding-place to sling on their cooking-pots and a little food -and prepare to accompany him in chase of the fugitives. - -"We don't know how long it will take us," he said to John. "Said -Mohammed, you must come with us; we may be a day or two and shall want -you to cook. Juma's wife seems a capable body; we'll leave her in -charge. Coja, look for their tracks, and go on; we'll follow you." - -Within a quarter of an hour of reaching camp the party set off, -numbering eight in all. The track was very clear. For three miles it -followed the route by which the safari had come several days before; -then, to Mr. Halliday's surprise, it made a sudden turn westward. - -"I made sure they would strike for the coast," he said. "They won't -dare show themselves in any of our settled parts, and I don't understand -their going off into the interior. They've had a good start of us, but -we travel lighter and ought to catch them if we don't lose the trail." - -The party hurried on, not pausing, though the day was now at its -hottest. The trail led through open country, and across several -streams, some of them of fair size. Here there were signs that the -donkeys had given trouble, the soft earth at the brink being so trampled -and cut up as to suggest that the animals had had to be pushed and -hauled into the water. The trail was for the most part easily followed, -for the fugitives had clearly been in too great a hurry to attempt to -cover it. Once or twice, when it crossed stony ground, Coja was -temporarily at fault, and he then declared he wished they had the -Wanderobbo with them, for there were no people like the Wanderobbo for -following a trail. Were they not matchless elephant hunters? But a -little skirmishing beyond such stony tracts sufficed to pick up the -trail again, and pushing on without respite, rest, or food, until -sundown, Coja said that the newness of the footprints showed that the -quarry was not far ahead. Darkness fell, however, without their having -sighted the fugitives, and since they were all thoroughly tired and -hungry, Mr. Halliday decided to halt for rest and a meal, and to resume -the pursuit in the night if the moon rose, or at dawn. - -"I say, father," said John, as they came to a halt, "we mustn't light a -fire, or we'll give ourselves away." - -"Quite right. We shall have to do without our cocoa to-night, and keep -an extra sharp look-out for lions." - -The white men had to satisfy themselves with biscuit and water from a -brook; the natives ate some of the roasted beans without which they -never travel. With the first glimmer of dawn the party were up and on -the trail. Two hours' hard marching, at a pace which the natives had -never known before, brought them up with the thieves. Coja was the -first to catch sight of them, and he held up his hand as a sign to the -rest to halt, informing Mr. Halliday in a whisper that the fugitives -were only a little distance ahead, in the act of crossing a stream. Half -of them had, indeed, already crossed; the remainder were trying to -induce the donkeys to face the water. - -"Can we catch them?" Mr. Halliday asked. - -"Yes, sah, go round about," answered the man. - -He led them in a direction at right angles to the path, so as to make a -circuit and come upon the runaways from among the thick vegetation at -the brink of the river. But Coja's advice turned out to be bad. They -had reached the bank and were wheeling to burst upon the Swahilis, when -they were suddenly descried by those who had crossed. A shout warned -the men struggling with the donkeys; without a moment's hesitation they -let go of the animals and took to their heels. When Mr. Halliday came -upon the scene nothing was in sight but the donkeys, which on being -released had scrambled up the bank out of the river and begun to bray -with pleasure at the riddance of their loads. - -"We ought to have come straight instead of round about," cried Mr. -Halliday, vexed at his failure to punish the men. It was obviously -hopeless to pursue them further. The scrub was dense; the Swahilis had -good rifles and ammunition; and being relieved of impedimenta, the loads -of goods having been left on the farther bank when they fled, they could -travel much faster than Mr. Halliday and his party, fatigued after their -forced march. - -"We must be satisfied with having got back our donkeys and their loads," -said Mr. Halliday. "The men are a good riddance; but I grudge those -rifles of ours. However, it can't be helped. We must keep a sharp eye -on our people, and fire out at once any we can't trust." - -The loads abandoned by the runaways were brought across the river -without interference, and after they had been strapped on the donkeys' -backs the little caravan started to return to the farm. - - - - -CHAPTER THE SIXTH--Raided by Lions - - -The return march was not so hurried as the pursuit, and it was the -afternoon of the fifth day after their departure when the little party -arrived at the farm. Mr. Halliday was surprised that none of the -Wakamba had come to meet him, thinking that they must have descried him -from afar; and still more surprised when, on entering the enclosure, he -could not see any of his people. Surely they had not all deserted! -Passing through the second boma, however, he heard a howl, and -immediately afterwards the natives came rushing pell-mell towards him -out of their grass huts, Wasama and Lulu, Juma's wife, leading the way. -They crowded about him, all shouting together, and making such a din -that Coja himself could not at once distinguish what they were saying. -But when Mr. Halliday had sternly called for order, Coja made out that -the people were in a terrible state of fright, because a cow had been -carried away during the night without a sound. - -They declared that the robber must be the devil whom Mr. Halliday had -professed to slay. - -"Nonsense!" said Mr. Halliday. "It must have been a lion." - -But no--Wasama declared it could not have been a lion, for he had not -heard a lion's roar, and there was no breach in the outer boma: only a -devil could have passed through it without forcing a gap. - -When Mr. Halliday set Coja to question the man, however, he learnt that -neither he nor any other of the natives had stirred outside the inner -enclosure that day, so that they were hardly in a position to know -whether the boma had been broken or not. An examination of it soon -revealed a gap in the western side, and bits of tawny hide were sticking -to the thorns. Mr. Halliday insisted on Wasama following up the tracks -which even his inexperienced eye discovered, and within a quarter of a -mile he came upon some bones and a few remnants of a carcase, from which -a couple of vultures flew away. Wasama, however, persisted in his -assertion that the track was not that of a lion, and the others backing -him up, Mr. Halliday sent John and Coja to the wood to fetch the -Wanderobbo, determined to clear up the point before dark. - -The Wanderobbo came bringing a small gourd of wild honey which he -offered to Mr. Halliday. The little man threw one glance on the -blood-bespattered ground, and then said that the tracks were undoubtedly -those of two lions, which would probably return to the spot during the -coming night. - -"Then we'll stay and wait for them, John," said Mr. Halliday. "We -mustn't be molested in this way, and the sooner we teach the beasts a -lesson, the better." - -But the Wanderobbo, when this was explained to him, earnestly advised -the white men not to do anything of the sort. There was no tree at -hand, he pointed out, in which the hunters could rest and watch for the -lions, and they, having far keener sight than men, would merely stalk -them. In the darkness they could not even see to shoot. He said that -they had better return to the settlement and watch inside the boma; and -since darkness would soon fall, he begged to be taken in for the night, -to which Mr. Halliday readily agreed. - -Neither of the Englishmen slept that night. They sat at their tent -door, with their rifles within reach, listening to the distant roaring, -and awaiting with a nervous impatience the onset of the terrible beasts. -The roars drew nearer, then ceased. The men clutched their rifles, and -stole into the outer enclosure, where the sheep were huddled together in -terror. They waited for several hours, peering into the darkness, but -neither saw nor heard any more of the marauders, though when they went -out with the Wanderobbo in the morning, they traced the spoor of lions -within a few yards of the boma. - -This experience was repeated for several nights following. To lessen -their fatigue, Mr. Halliday and John took turns to watch, but though -each night they heard the roars, there was no attempt to break in. -Thinking that the fires, which were kept burning all night, were proving -effectual in scaring the beasts, both father and son decided one day to -go to sleep as usual. But in the middle of the night they were startled -by a yell. Springing up, they seized their rifles, and rushed out of -the tent in their pyjamas. There was a great commotion among the -animals in the outer enclosure, and dashing through them, Mr. Halliday -saw that a gap had been broken in the boma no more than three yards from -one of the fires. The man whose turn it was to replenish it with fuel, -and whose yell had awakened the white men, said that a lion had sprung -through without warning and carried off a sheep. It was useless to -attempt to pursue the robber in the dark, and Mr. Halliday could only -swallow his vexation and return to his interrupted sleep. - -Nothing disturbed the work of the settlement during the daytime. The -Indian carpenters were making good progress with the bungalow and the -other sheds which Mr. Halliday had decided to erect on the north side, -nearest the river. The soil outside the boma was being slowly prepared -for crops, and finding after a few days that his Wakamba porters were -but indifferent labourers, Mr. Halliday dismissed them, resolving to -rely upon the people of the neighbouring villages for such farm labour -as he required. He intended to bring only a small area under -cultivation at first, for the purpose of growing enough grain and -vegetables for his own consumption. Difficulties of transit would -prevent him from dealing in farm produce; the work of driving his cattle -by and by over a hundred miles to market would no doubt prove arduous -enough. - -But though the days were thus placid, the nights became a horror. If a -watch was kept, the peace of the encampment was undisturbed except by -the remote and harmless roars; but as soon as the weary Englishmen -determined to enjoy a full night's rest, the thorn fence would be broken -at some new spot, and when the sheep and cattle were numbered in the -morning it was found that one or more was missing. The natives became -scared, and as for Mr. Halliday, he declared it was positively uncanny. - -"One would think the beasts have the gift of second sight," he said. "I -don't wonder our village friends kept their cattle off these grounds and -believed in Gilmour's devil." - -The only incident that relieved the tension and afforded a little -amusement was the discovery one morning that the lion in his haste had -snatched up a bag of rice, which was found at some little distance, the -grains scattered about as though the thief had lost his temper when he -became aware of the mistake. - -It was fortunate indeed for the little community that the lions were -apparently not man-eaters. A lion that has once tasted man thenceforth -scorns lesser fare, and Coja told his employers harrowing stories of the -reign of terror under which the coolies who had been engaged in laying -the Uganda railway had lived. Night after night the terrible beasts had -crept into the native encampments and stolen forth in dead silence with -their hapless prey, ceasing their depredations for months at a time, but -returning when the men were lulled to security, and beginning their -havoc over again. Mr. Halliday had heard of this from Mr. Gillespie in -Nairobi; but the story told now by one who had actually lived in the -camps thus visited at night, and punctuated by the roaring of lions at a -distance, made a much more powerful and harrowing impression. At any -moment the lions might become man-eaters. They had only to stumble upon -a native in their nocturnal raids and then the life of no man would be -safe. - -More than once Mr. Halliday set off in the daytime with John and the -Wanderobbo, who was now a frequent visitor to the farm, to track the -lions and if possible hunt them down. They found that the spoor led -into the dense scrub higher up the river, a region ten or twelve miles -in length and nearly as much in breadth. So thick was the scrub that it -was impossible to trace the beasts for more than a few yards into its -recesses. After what he had heard of the Wanderobbo's skill and prowess -as a hunter, Mr. Halliday was surprised to find how reluctant the little -man was to accompany them in their expeditions. But he had a wholesome -dread of lions. Elephants he was prepared to tackle, and indeed any -other creature of the wilds; though even them he would rather snare than -stalk; but the lion was a much more cunning and dangerous enemy. He -would talk very bravely sometimes, avowing that if he met a lion and -stared at him the beast would slink away; but he showed no readiness to -enter the probable haunts of the creatures, and admitted that they -sometimes took it into their heads to fight instead of running away, and -then they were quite as clever hunters as he was. Mr. Halliday somewhat -impatiently reminded him that rifles were very deadly weapons; but the -Wanderobbo shook his head and said that he had never hunted lions with -rifles. He had seen the Arabs do so, and pay for their temerity with -their lives. On the whole his advice was to leave the lions alone, and -he once confessed very naively that if he, bold hunter as he was, saw a -lion approaching, he would certainly go the other way. - -With such half-hearted assistance it was not surprising that many days -passed before the Englishmen so much as caught a glimpse of their -tormentors. However, one morning when they had gone out with the -Wanderobbo and Coja to track the smaller game for food, they descried -two lions stalking slowly across a glade some miles up the river. In -spite of the little man's reluctance Mr. Halliday determined to go in -chase, and then the Wanderobbo, forgetting his fears when his hunting -instincts were aroused, suggested that they should tempt the lions to -come within range. He proposed that they should carry a water-buck -which John had just brought down, to a spot where the scent of it would -be wafted by the wind towards the beasts. This having been done, the -party retreated to the rear of the lions and lurked behind some trees to -watch them. The lions soon scented the game, and came slowly towards -it, moving with a majestic and yet graceful gait that extorted murmurs -of admiration from the Englishmen. But when they had come within two -hundred yards, and John was quivering with excitement at the prospect of -his first encounter with the king of beasts, one of them became -suspicious and halted, lifting his head and sniffing the air, and then -uttering a low growl as if to warn his companion. After a minute or two -they seemed to decide that they were being led into a trap, and, turning -about, stalked slowly away. - -"Let's go after them, father," said John, unwilling to let this chance -slip. - -The four set off stealthily to stalk the beasts, and after an hour's -fatiguing march over rough ground, saw them standing together at the -edge of a patch of bush just beyond range. Bending low, and taking -advantage of every tree and tussock of grass, and a tall ant-hill, for -cover, the two Englishmen drew nearer and nearer, and were on the point -of lifting their rifles to fire, when the animals disappeared into the -bush. There was nothing for it but to begin the stalking again. They -cautiously made the circuit of the bush, and presently saw the lions -emerge from the further end and continue their promenade. Again the -hunters followed them, at one moment flattering themselves that a few -yards further would bring them within range, the next chagrined to -perceive that the lions had quickened their pace and outdistanced them. -At length, when a thin patch of woodland enabled them to hurry their -steps and gave hope of overtaking their quarry, the lions broke into a -trot and soon disappeared from view. - -"Well, if that isn't disgusting!" exclaimed John, - -"How long have we been at this game, do you think?" asked his father. - -"Two or three hours, perhaps." - -"Five hours and a half, my boy, and I rather think we might have been -better employed." - -John was too much disgusted at the failure of his first lion-hunt to say -any more; and when next morning it was found that one of the best cows -had been stolen he was still more angry. - -"We must put a stop to this, father," he said. "Can't we set a trap?" - -"We'll see what our friend Bill says," replied Mr. Halliday. The -Wanderobbo's name had proved so unpronounceable that he had been called -Bill for short. Bill, however, said that lions were too clever to be -caught in traps, which did not seem improbable when he explained what he -meant by a trap--a simple pit with a sharpened stick at the bottom, like -that in which Oliver Browne had been found, or a spear suspended from -the branch of a tree and brought down by the animal treading on a rope. -Mr. Halliday set to work to devise a more effective machine. - -He got the mistris to cut several stout logs, out of which they -constructed a sort of gigantic rat-trap. The door was arranged so that -it was held in position by a light pole attached to a length of stout -wire, which was connected with a spring hidden under leaves on the floor -of the trap. If a lion should enter and tread on the spring, the wire -would be released and the door fall behind him down two grooves of -corrugated iron. To entice him to enter, a live goat was placed in a -compartment adjoining the trap, so strongly fenced that the bait was in -no danger. - -This trap was rigged up, with the expenditure of a day's work, at one -corner of the outer boma. - -"It's rather poor sport to treat the lion like a rat," said John, "but -that can't be helped. If we catch one we shan't be able to get a good -shot at him in the dark, though." - -"Well, we can either keep him there till daylight, or, better still, -burn a bit of magnesium wire--I've plenty; that will not only give us a -good light, but possibly help to scare other beasts away." - -The trap was set. For two nights nothing happened. On the third, just -as the two Englishmen were thinking of turning in, they heard the door -of the trap fall with a clatter, followed by a low growl of rage. They -caught up their rifles and hurried to the spot. - -"Now for the wire, father," said John. "You give me a light and I'll -pot the beast." - -Mr. Halliday struck a match and ignited the wire, but just as John was -taking aim it fell to the ground. - -"What's the matter?" he asked. - -"I'm as nervous as a cat," said his father, with a rueful laugh. "And I -haven't brought a second piece, confound it!" - -"Well, we'll take a shot in the dark. We can't both miss." - -They fired together. The next moment there was a terrific roar, a crash -as of shattered match-wood, and they knew that the infuriated captive -had burst through the walls of the trap, stout as they were. They fired -another shot in the direction they supposed him to have taken, and then, -vexed and disappointed, returned to their tent. They found next day -that the lion had been wounded. Bill traced it by the stains of blood -upon the ground. But its injuries were plainly not very serious, for -the track failed at a patch of reeds a mile up the river, and the -Englishmen had to digest their chagrin that the troublesome beast was -still at large. Their efforts, however, had not been wholly -unsuccessful. The nocturnal visitations ceased, and since no roaring -was heard it appeared that the lions had been scared from the -neighbourhood. - - - - -CHAPTER THE SEVENTH--John runs the Farm - - -Within three months of Mr. Halliday's arrival at his farm, which he -named Alloway after the village of his father's birth, the place had -assumed the orderly appearance of a prosperous settlement. The knoll -was crowned by a neat bungalow; two hundred yards below it stood two -wooden huts appropriated to Said Mohammed and the mistris; at some -distance from this a row of cattle-sheds had been erected; and beyond -these stood the grass huts of Wasama and his son and Lulu the negress, -these being all who remained of the original party. Pens had been made -for the sheep and goats; about twenty acres of land had been prepared -for planting when the rains began; and a dairy had been started, being -cut out of the side of the knoll on which the bungalow stood, for the -sake of coolness and protection from the sun and dust. - -The work of the Indians being finished for the present, Mr. Halliday -thought of paying them off; but reflecting that more fencing would be -needed by and by, as well as lambing-pens and cattle-sheds as the stock -increased, he decided to retain the men, even though he could not make -full use of them. - -It chanced one day that a Swahili came to the farm with a letter from -Mr. Gillespie, enclosing one addressed to Mr. Halliday, and bearing the -Glasgow postmark and a date nine weeks back. The flap of the envelope -bore the name and address of a firm of lawyers unknown to Mr. Halliday, -and he opened the letter with some curiosity mixed with apprehension. - -"Well now," he exclaimed, as he hastily read it, "this is a pretty fix." - -"What is it, father?" asked John. - -"You've heard me speak of my uncle Alec--the old curmudgeon who lived by -himself and hasn't spoken to any of his family for twenty years. Well, -the poor old man is dead, and these people, Wright and MacKellar, tell -me that he left no will, and understanding that I am the next of kin, -they urge me to come to Glasgow and make good my title. The letter was -written nearly three months ago, and seems by the look of the envelope -to have had an adventurous career." - -"But hadn't your uncle any children?" - -"One daughter. She married without his consent: I forget the man's -name, and I haven't heard about her for five-and-twenty years." - -"What will you do?" - -"I'm just thinking. My uncle was a shipowner, and pretty well-to-do: -indeed, your poor mother's friends used to advise me to keep in with -him, but I couldn't toady to the old bear. I suppose I ought to go -back, and yet!---- It's rather upsetting, my boy, just as we are -getting settled. He must have died before we left England, and if I had -known then, and really inherit his property, we needn't have come out at -all, perhaps." - -"I'm jolly glad you didn't, then, for I wouldn't have been out of this -for anything." - -"That's all very well, but there's the property: it would be a pity to -lose that: shouldn't like it to go out of the family. At the same time, -I'm not inclined to give up the farm; we've made a good start, and I'm -uncommonly interested in it. Besides, I may not be the heir after all; -my cousin may be alive: and I should look a pretty fool after going to -this expense if I cleared out and got nothing--like the dog in the -fable. I think I'd better take a trip back to Nairobi and see -Gillespie. And I'll tell you what I'll do, John. If I decide to go -home, as most likely I shall, I'll find an experienced man in Nairobi -and send him up to take charge while I'm away." - -"That's rather rotten," said John with a crestfallen look. "I don't -want anybody here bossing me, father. Why not leave me in charge?" - -"You're over young, John," replied Mr. Halliday dubiously. - -"I'm just on eighteen, and I've got a bit used to things. I learnt a -lot in that six months at the agricultural college before we started. -I'm not exactly a fool, either. Plenty of fellows have gone to the -Colonies on their own at my age, and done jolly well too. Look at Ned -Cooper; he's got his own ranch in British Columbia, and he's not more -than a year older than I am. Besides, look at the expense. You won't -get a decent Englishman who'll be any good under L300 a year, I should -think, and if this business in Glasgow turns out a frost, you'll be -precious sorry you spent the money." - -"There's something in that," said Mr. Halliday, stroking his beard. -"Well, I'll think of it." - -The upshot of his meditations was that he decided to do as John -suggested. The lad was unfeignedly delighted; the responsibility did -not daunt him; though he said little he felt capable of carrying on the -work of the farm, and inwardly resolved to have a good budget to show -his father when he returned. Mr. Halliday spent a good many anxious -hours in instilling principles of caution and carefulness into his mind: -he gave directions about the steps to be taken to bring the cattle and -sheep and dairy produce to market when the proper time came; and then -one day he set off with Coja and a couple of villagers as porters, -determined to ask Mr. Gillespie to keep an eye on the boy as far as he -could. - -Before leaving he had a little conversation with Said Mohammed, upon -whom he impressed the necessity of paying implicit obedience to his -young master, and of helping him in every possible way. - -"Verb. sap., sir," said the Bengali. "Mr. John is a chip of the old -block, a second edition of you, sir, and I esteem myself most fortunate -and in clover to do this trivial round for such a superior person." - -Things went on very peacefully and on the whole prosperously at the farm -after Mr. Halliday's departure. He sent Coja back from Nairobi with a -letter in which he wrote that Mr. Gillespie had advised him to return to -England, and had promised to pay John a visit if he found time. The -rains began soon after Mr. Halliday had gone, and John was mortified -when a few of the sheep died through catching a chill; but apart from -this misfortune nothing happened to trouble him. He had no difficulties -with the people under his authority. Coja proved to be a handy man; -Wasama and his son were excellent herdsmen; and Lulu not only did a fair -share of labour in the fields with the villagers, but excelled in -laundry work, and looked after John's simple wardrobe with a neatness -and care which would have put many a London landlady to the blush. As -for Said Mohammed, he was a compendium of utilities. He was cook, -khansaman, and table-servant rolled into one. He was careful to explain -that in India he would scorn to serve in more than one capacity, but -"Tempora mutantur," he quoted impressively, "et nos mutamur in illis." - -"Rest, sir, is change of occupation," he said, "and when I have -accomplished the culinary part of my functions, I make a lightning -change and become a dumb waiter, remembering the beautiful words of the -blind epic poet, 'They also serve who only stand and wait.'" - -With the beginning of the rains came the season for planting. Mr. -Halliday had brought a variety of seeds with him, for though he hoped to -make money out of stock-raising rather than agriculture, and reckoned on -getting cereals from the neighbouring village for his native and Indian -workers, he was not sure that the villagers would always grow enough to -supply their needs, and he wished also to grow English vegetables and -fruits for his own consumption. John made a start towards the end of -November with oats and wheat; next month he sowed cabbages, peas, -tomatoes, potatoes and vegetable marrows, and planted a few apple-tree -slips. In January he put in cabbages and onions, and finished off with -cauliflowers in February. The great dread of the African cultivator is -drought, but the rains fell almost continuously for three months, so -that there was every prospect of good crops. - -The sheep and cattle throve apace. There was no sign of scab or -heartwater in the former, but they were troubled for a time by the -nostril-fly, a pest that lays its eggs in the nasal passages, causing -intense irritation and sometimes a dangerous fever. Two or three of the -animals died, but there happening to be a syringe among the things -brought from Nairobi, John made a point every night of thoroughly -washing out the nostrils of the sheep affected, and had the satisfaction -of preventing any more deaths from this cause, though he never succeeded -in banishing the pests. He felt not a little gratified at pulling one -of the bulls through an attack of pneumonia. After a little trouble in -inducing the two Masai and Lulu to be scrupulous in washing their hands, -he managed to get the dairy into working order. Each cow yielded about -four pounds of milk a day, some of which he turned into butter, which -his people consumed in enormous quantities. All the spare milk over and -above what was used for food was utilized for making cheese, which was -stored in a deep pit until it could be transported to market at Nairobi. - -Being dissatisfied with the grass huts which had originally been erected -by the natives, he set the mistris to build substantial houses of logs -and thatch, and found them both cleaner and healthier. They cost no -more than L1 apiece. He also got them to put up a plant-house with -wickerwork sides and thatched roof at a cost of L5. Finding that the -villagers possessed fowls, he bought a number, and this provided more -work for the carpenters. They built a large hen-house of wood with an -iron roof, and fenced in a run of about 1000 square feet in area. With -the prospect of good crops a barn was necessary, and they erected a -wooden building with a floor of about 300 square feet. Having no iron -left, he had to roof this with thatch, resolving to buy more galvanized -roofing on his first visit to Nairobi. - -Before all this work was finished some of the vegetables and cereals he -had planted grew to maturity. Said Mohammed gave him turnips for dinner -in February; next month he had some fine tomatoes and potatoes, and by -the beginning of April the most delicious peas and vegetable marrows he -had ever tasted. The grain fields, however, suffered a good deal from -the depredations of weaver birds, and after ineffectual attempts to get -rid of these with his rifle and by setting up scarecrows, John resorted -to a poison supplied by his native neighbours--a decoction of a certain -root. This proved effective. The wheat was ready for reaping in April, -and he was amused to see the natives cut it with knives, they being -quite unable to handle the scythes Mr. Halliday had brought. They -threshed it with sticks and winnowed it with hand-sieves. There was a -small hand-mill among the farm utensils, and by the end of April John -enjoyed the unaccustomed luxury of eating bread baked by Said Mohammed -in an earthen oven. Only half an acre had been sown with wheat, and as -the yield was 400 lbs. of grain John was thoroughly satisfied. The oats -were not ripe until July, and the yield was much less than that of the -wheat; but they made good porridge, and John was able to write to his -father that when he returned he could have the national breakfast. - -John had heard from Mr. Halliday several times since his departure. The -first letter arrived early in December, and caused him mingled amusement -and vexation. - - ---- - -"Here I am, in Glasgow, flourishing as ever. Tennant's stack is -behaving even worse than usual, and the atmosphere makes me fair sick -after the air of Kenya. I had a horrible passage: we were terribly -knocked about in the Bay, and I got a black eye one night through being -pitched out of my bunk and coming into collision with the ledge of the -one below. There was a teetotal commercial on board (rare bird), who -looked at me very suspiciously at breakfast, and asked me at lunch -whether I drank pot-still or patent. I asked him which was his line, -and he got so red that I was uncharitable enough to conjecture he drinks -on the sly. - -"But here I am, and I think I've made a fool of myself in coming; for -when I called at Wright and MacKellar's they showed me a cable they had -just received from the Cape. 'Halliday's daughter inherits; letter this -mail.' The death of poor old uncle had of course been announced in the -_Herald_, and that goes everywhere, and sure enough when the mail came -in there was a letter from some lawyer fellows at Cape Town to say that -their client, Mrs. Burtenshaw, nee Sylvia Halliday, having seen the -announcement of her father's death, had made arrangements to return to -Scotland to claim the estate I asked them why the ballachulish they -hadn't waited before they sent for me, and Wright said that if he had -been aware that I had changed my domicile (law for left the country, I -suppose) he would certainly have hesitated before putting me to the -inconvenience (and expense, I put in) of making so long a voyage. I -asked whether my expenses would come out of the estate, and he said that -he was inclined to believe the trustees would not homologate any claim -for my outgoings. I'm glad you were not a lawyer, after all. I was for -starting back at once, but he wouldn't hear of it: said I must wait to -see whether Mrs. Burtenshaw could substantiate her claim; she might be -an impostor, and since the estate is valued at over L100,000 it would be -a pity to be out of the way if I turned out to be the heir after all. -My cousin's name is Sylvia right enough, and I'm convinced the claimant -will prove her bona-fides, but I suppose I must kick my heels until she -turns up. It's twenty-five years or more since I saw her, and I -shouldn't know her from Lulu, so I can't help to identify her. -Altogether I'm very unhappy. Tell me how you're getting on. I am -wearying until I get back, and on thorns in case anything goes wrong. -God bless you! - -"P.S.--Don't forget that cabbages and cauliflowers must be transplanted -_about five weeks_ after they are sown." - - ---- - -This was vexing enough, but when the next letter came, saying that Mrs. -Burtenshaw was laid up with bronchitis and would be unable to travel for -some time, John was thoroughly distressed. He knew how his father would -hate hanging on indefinitely, with nothing to do, and no interests to -keep him in St. Mungo's city. Mr. Halliday, however, did not remain in -Glasgow. He went to his old home in the south of England, instructing -Wright and MacKellar to summon him by telegraph when the lady arrived. - -As time went on, the stock on the farm was considerably increased by the -arrival of healthy lambs and calves. John had expected his father to -return before it became necessary to drive the animals to Nairobi for -sale, and he became seriously concerned as to how that was to be done. -Being the only white man on the farm he could not leave it; yet the -animals must be taken to market somehow, for his father was relying on -the proceeds of their sale to replenish his small balance at the bank, -which he had had to draw upon to meet the expenses of his prolonged stay -in England. John himself was running short of "trade" for the payment -of his native workers from the village, and of ready money for his -immediate dependants, who required hard cash or notes of the East -African currency. He did not wish to draw on the bank, as his father -had authorized him to do; and he knew that the sums realized by the sale -of the stock would enable him to carry on for a considerable time, and -also to add to the bank surplus, upon which Mr. Halliday might have to -draw at any moment. - -There was no one among the hands to whom he could entrust the driving of -the cattle. Wasama and his boy, no doubt, could do the actual driving, -if they were not plundered on the way; but the presence of a white man -would be almost a _sine qua non_ to prevent molestation on the journey. -Even in the unlikely chance of Wasama getting the beasts safely to -Nairobi he could not be expected to sell them to advantage, and Said -Mohammed, when John spoke of it to him one day, very frankly -acknowledged that the Masai would come off second best in any attempt to -barter with the traders of Nairobi, whether Indian or European. - -"You have to be up to snuff, sir," said the Bengali, "in dealing with -gentlemen of business capacity. Wasama is a very good chap: I have high -opinion of his honesty, et cetera; but honesty is no go in markets -without the possession of considerable acumen, and Wasama has not had -the advantage of gaining that familiarity with the methods of -civilization, which, as the proverb says, breeds contempt," an -unconsciously double-edged remark which did not amuse John. - -Of course he might ask the help of Mr. Gillespie, which would no doubt -be very willingly given; but John was very reluctant to let things out -of his own hands, having a full share of Anglo-Saxon independence. The -matter, at any rate, was not immediately urgent. Two or three more -months must pass before the young animals were weaned and fit to -undertake the long journey; and John still hoped that by the time the -sale of them became imperative his father would have returned. - -It was about six months after Mr. Halliday left that John received the -following letter from him-- - -"The lady has arrived. She's a very decent, respectable widow body. She -has brought all her family, two boys and a girl--a pretty creature, the -image of her mother when I first knew her. The widow produced her birth -certificate and a series of photographs, the first showing her in her -father's arms at about a week old, for all the world as if he were a -royalty displaying the infant to a crowd of grandees. Wright and -MacKellar are satisfied, which is more than I am, coming all this way on -such a fool's errand. The widow wanted to repay me the L100 or so I've -wasted, but of course I couldn't hear of that. I expect to sail next -week. Glad to hear you're getting on well. - -"P.S.--I suppose you haven't seen anything of those young Brownes? I'd -be a deal happier if I knew you had neighbours." - -A week later came a brief note. - -"Fate's got a downer on me. I was fool enough to go for a ride in the -widow's new 40 h.-p. Panhard. The chauffeur ran us into a dyke; the -rest got bruises, but I survive with a broken leg. Tony Weller was -right: beware of widders." - -Since then no news had come, and John grew anxious, though he reflected -that he would have heard if his father was seriously ill. - - - - -CHAPTER THE EIGHTH--Hard Pressed - - -John spent a good deal of time with Bill the Wanderobbo. He found it at -first difficult to communicate with him, for the little man knew no -English, nor even Swahili, which John was rapidly picking up, partly -from Coja, and partly from a Swahili grammar and Bible which he had -brought from Mombasa. He had to employ Wasama as the medium of -intercourse with Bill, the two men speaking in the Masai tongue, and -Wasama translating either into his imperfect English, or into Swahili, -as John became more proficient in it. Coja told him that the Wanderobbo -have a language of their own, and he tried to get Bill to teach him -that; but the man became reserved and shy whenever the suggestion was -made, and Wasama explained that the Wanderobbo never allowed any -foreigner to hear them speak in their own tongue. After a time John -managed to converse with Bill about simple matters in a kind of sign -language, in which the Wanderobbo was very quick. He learnt long -afterwards that the mysterious language of the tribe largely consists of -signs, to such an extent that the people cannot understand one another -in the dark. - -One day Bill darkly hinted that though John was very rich, yet he, the -Wanderobbo, was richer. This was surprising, seeing that to all -appearance he possessed nothing but his hut and weapons. On being -questioned he at first shyly refused to say more, but by and by said -that he owned a very large store of ivory. - -"Where?" asked John. - -"In his old home away in the hills," said Wasama, who was interpreting. - -"Then why doesn't he sell it and buy himself a good hut and good arms -and make himself comfortable?" - -"Because the store is now in the bad man's country, beyond the -mountain." - -John had by this time learnt something of the native African's genius -for invention, and treated the Wanderobbo's assertions as sheer romance; -but the old man repeated them again and again, and indeed seemed -sometimes to be brooding over his wrongs, so that John began to believe -that there was some little foundation for his story. Once Bill said -that if the young master cared to go with him a long journey he would -show him how to hunt elephants, so that he might get ivory for himself. -But it happened that Mr. Halliday had only taken out an ordinary game -licence, costing 150 rupees, not caring to pay an additional 600 rupees -for the full licence which would entitle him to shoot elephants and -rhinoceros and other large game. Bill was totally unable to understand -the reason of John's refusal, and John felt that the old man in his -secret thoughts set him down as afraid. - -But though elephant hunting had to be declined, John was never loth to -go in quest of smaller game when the larder required it. He never -killed any of his own sheep or cattle for food, but depended on the game -that fell to his rifle--waterbuck, grantei, congoni, and other animals -which were to be found at first within short distances of the farm. -Bill was his constant companion on these expeditions, and proved very -useful, having an instinct for the right localities. Two or three of -the villagers were usually hired to carry back the game that was shot. - -One day the party had gone some five miles to the northward, and the -bearers were cutting up two grantei which John had shot, when a solitary -figure appeared in the far distance. It was unusual to see a native -travelling alone, but he was approaching so slowly that John did not -think it worth while to await his arrival, and when the cutting up was -finished, he ordered the men to shoulder their burdens. But taking a -look at the stranger before setting off after his men, John felt sure -that he was making straight towards him across the broken country; and -since he was in the middle of a wide plain, trackless and bare, he -wondered whether the stranger had some definite purpose in so directing -his course. Letting the bearers go on in advance, he decided to wait -with Bill for the man. - -As he came more clearly into view, John perceived that he was moving -very slowly and with manifest difficulty. When he came up, and John, -who had by this time more than a smattering of Swahili, questioned him, -the man explained that he was a Baganda, and had been sent to seek help -for a safari nearly a day's march to the north-east. The master of the -safari was a young msungu (white man), and John was able to make out -from what the messenger said that the party was in extreme danger from -"bad men." The msungu had sent him out at night on the chance of -finding help, but he had not been able to move fast because he was very -weak and hungry. - -John was in a quandary. On the one hand his inclination prompted him to -set off at once to the aid of a fellow white man: on the other hand he -had no force at command which could hope to intervene effectually if the -"bad men" were in considerable numbers. He was some miles from the -farm, and even if he hurried back he could not raise a strong party. -Coja was the only man on the farm besides himself who could use a rifle, -and John was very doubtful whether he could induce any of the villagers -to leave their own ground on a fighting expedition. Still, he felt that -something must be done. He asked the Baganda whether he could use a -rifle, and on being answered in the affirmative, he first gave the man -some food from the little stock he had brought for his own use, and then -bade him wait with the Wanderobbo while he returned to the farm. - -On arriving he dispatched Wasama with the news to the nearest government -station, Fort Hall, forty miles to the south-west. Then he ordered Said -Mohammed to make ready a supply of food, and Coja to saddle three -donkeys, and within a quarter of an hour he was hurrying back over his -tracks, Coja beside him leading the third donkey. Each had his rifle, -and Coja carried a third for the Baganda. - -They found the man where he had been left with Bill, looking much the -better for his meal. John sent Bill back to the farm, and then, the -Baganda having mounted, the party of three set off to the relief of the -safari. The route lay first north and then north-west round a steep -hill, which John concluded was one of the foothills of Mount Kenya. It -was very rough going at times, the messenger having made his way in a -direct line, up hill and down dale, and he had to return over the same -ground lest he should lose the track and go astray. Fortunately the -donkeys were sure-footed, and only a few stumbles on the sides of -precipitous descents reminded John subsequently that he had taken risks -in his excitement and haste which he would scarcely have faced in cold -blood. He felt that he could have travelled faster on foot, and the -Baganda was plainly ill at ease on the donkey's back; but not knowing -what might be demanded of him, he had thought it wise to ride so as to -husband his strength. They saw no signs of habitation: indeed, the -whole of the region through which they passed was a wilderness, owing, -as was learnt afterwards, to Masai raids in a not remote past. - -It was close upon nightfall when, on topping a rise, they came in sight -of the spot where, as the Baganda said, his master was beset by the bad -men. It appeared to be about three miles off. The actual place could -not be seen, owing to intervening patches of woodland, but on proceeding -a little farther, the guide pointed out a dark shape on the plain which -he said was a camp of bad men, and some distance beyond it John was able -to descry the boma within which the white man had entrenched himself. - -On the way he had succeeded in getting a few more details from the -Baganda, by the interpreting aid of Coja. It appeared that two wasungu -had been making a sporting expedition from northern Uganda by way of -Lake Rudolf to the Kenya district. The elder msungu had been seized -with swamp fever in the neighbourhood of the lake, but had pushed on -southward instead of resting, with the result that he became worse and -worse and at last died near Mount Sil, eighty miles north of Mount -Kenya. The safari had already found the tribes through which it had -passed somewhat troublesome, and as after the bwana's death it travelled -southward, it came into a region where the people were openly hostile, -and hung on its skirts, watching for any opportunity of taking it at a -disadvantage. The party had, however, got safely to the Waso Nyiro -river, which they had crossed a week ago; but then they had been -attacked one night by a tribe of Embe, one of the fiercest and most -quarrelsome of East African peoples. Some of the porters were killed, -others deserted, and the young msungu himself was wounded. The attack -had been beaten off, and the boma round the camp had been strengthened, -and when the messenger left they were holding out against a much larger -body of natives and in dire straits because their food was running -short. - -The safari consisted of forty men, with only ten rifles among them. John -tried to ascertain how many the assailants numbered, but the Baganda -could only speak vaguely of a very great host. Moving forward -cautiously so as not to be seen by the enemy, John soon perceived a -second camp on the further side of the boma: it was plain that the -savages were subjecting the camp to a strict investment, knowing that, -even if they could not break in, want of food would soon compel the -beleaguered to surrender. But while it was clearly impossible for the -white man's party to make any movement as a body without discovery, it -did not appear to John that the blockade was so close as to prevent -individuals from entering or leaving the camp under cover of night; -indeed, the Baganda had slipped out in the darkness and escaped -detection. John therefore asked him whether he was willing to make an -attempt to get in during the coming night, and tell his master that help -was coming. The man said that he thought he could pass the enemy -safely, but he would certainly be shot at from the msungu's camp if his -approach was heard, and that was a risk he did not care to run. With -some persuasion and the promise of a handsome present John induced the -messenger to try his luck, instructing him to make a big fire if he got -in safely, or if that was impossible through lack of fuel, to ask his -master to fire two shots in rapid succession. John would then endeavour -to enter the camp. He did not suppose, of course, that a reinforcement -of two would enable the besieged party to turn the tables on the -besiegers, but he hoped that his presence would be taken as an earnest -of help to come from Fort Hall, and would at least encourage the men to -hold out. - -The three waited until darkness covered the ground, having meanwhile -tethered the animals. Then the Baganda set off on foot just after seven -o'clock with a small bundle of food strapped to his back so as not to -encumber his movements. The minutes passed slowly; there was no sign -from the encampment; and after what seemed hours John ventured to strike -a match under cover of the bush and look at his watch. It was only -eight. But there had been time enough for the Baganda to have reached -the encampment, and John wondered what had happened to him. He did not -think he had been captured, for that would have been announced by a -shout or a shot. Only a few minutes after he had looked at his watch -there was a sudden bright glare in the direction of the encampment: one -flash and then darkness. This was followed by a confused murmur of -voices, and then by several irregular shots. At the same time two fires -were lighted, one on the north and the other on the south of the -encampment--a clear sign that the besiegers meant to hold their ground -during the night, the fires having been kindled to keep off wild beasts. -John guessed that the white man within the boma had adopted the flare as -a better signal than the one he had suggested; undoubtedly the Baganda -had reached the camp in safety. - -The problem now was to follow him without being detected. The flare had -shown John the exact direction in which he should go; but it had also -put the besiegers on the alert, though it was unlikely that they had any -suspicion at present of the meaning of the light. Luckily no fire had -been kindled on the west side of the camp, on which there was no gate, -and as the night was pitch dark, John hoped with care to escape the -notice of the savages. Leaving the animals tethered, he crept forward -with Coja, a little nervous lest he should stumble upon some obstruction -or go astray in the darkness. The plain was covered with grass up to -his knees, and here and there clumps of mimosa. As the two crept -forward the sky in front of them was momentarily lit up by another -flare. "He's got his wits about him, whoever he is," thought John. -Again he heard shots, but he could not tell whether they were fired -within or without the boma. The Baganda had not reported that the -besiegers had rifles: one or two of them, he said, had very old guns; -but the shots were evidently those of rifles, and John wondered whether -the besiegers had been reinforced during the day. - -The two men, making slow progress, and guided by the flares which were -shown at intervals, drew gradually nearer to the camp. Suddenly a flash -showed them a clump of bush between them and the boma, which John -guessed to be now about a hundred and fifty yards distant. They lay -flat in the grass until the flare had died down, then crept to the edge -of the bush, John hoping to find a speedy opportunity of making a dash -for the camp. Just as they reached the clump Coja stumbled over his -rifle, making a slight rustle among the grass. Instantly there was a -low call, apparently from the other side of the bush. A man was on the -watch there. "Speak to him," John whispered to Coja, who whispered back -that he did not know what tribe the man belonged to, and to speak might -be dangerous. John felt that the critical moment was come. He dared -not retreat: that would arouse suspicion: nor durst he stay inertly -where he was, for the man might come towards them. Yet to attempt to -dash past him across the open would be to risk a shot or a spear at such -close range that the chance of escape would be small, for though the -night was dark, there was enough glimmer from the stars to enable an -alert enemy to take aim, besides a reflected glow from the camp fires. -He made up his mind instantly to venture on a bold course. Whispering to -Coja to follow him closely, he wriggled as quietly as possible through -the bush, and came upon a man sitting on his haunches with a rifle or -musket across his knees, watching the boma. He half turned his head as -he heard the slight rustle of John's approach, but did not rise. -Dropping his rifle, John gathered himself together and sprang full upon -the man, throwing his left arm round his neck in a strangling embrace. -Before the captive could utter more than a gurgle, John's handkerchief -was stuffed into his mouth. Then in a swift whisper, while he still -held the savage firmly, John ordered Coja to take the man's weapon and -creep towards the boma. Giving him a minute's start, John suddenly -flung the man from him, seized his own rifle, and sprinted across the -open, overtaking Coja just as he reached the fence. At the same moment -a shout was raised from the rear: the sentry had apparently been too -much dazed to give the alarm before. Calling in Swahili and English to -warn the garrison of their presence, John and Coja stood at the boma, -looking vainly for a place to enter. There was an answering shout of -"This way!" They ran towards it, and after stumbling for a few seconds, -came to a narrow gap. John felt his hand grasped and was lugged into -the enclosure: Coja followed him; and they were barely inside when a -spattering volley of bullets tore through the thorn defences. - -"You did that jolly well," said a pleasant voice, and John was shaking -hands with a young man of about his own height. "Come and have a talk -in my blockhouse." - - - - -CHAPTER THE NINTH--A Rearguard Fight - - -The stranger led the way to the centre of the enclosure. - -"Here's my blockhouse," he said. "We've piled up the baggage, you see. -I say, you're a trump, you know. Are any more coming up?" - -"I sent word to Fort Hall, but that's seventy miles from here, and we -can't expect help for two or three days." - -"That's bad. We've been on short rations for a week and haven't got a -single full meal left. My men are as weak as rats, and I've had a knock -myself, as you see"--his right arm was in a sling--"so that if those -fellows outside pluck up their courage to make a rush I'm afraid we -shall be done for." - -"Not a bit of it," said John cheerfully. "How did you get hurt?" - -"An arrow made a gash in my forearm. I was in a bit of a funk at first; -my men said it was sure to be poisoned. But I'm all right so far: had -some antiseptic lotion, and the wound seems to be healing. My man told -you how we got into this mess, didn't he? We've had an awful time of -it; for six weeks on end had to fight and dodge these ruffians; and my -poor father----" - -"Yes, I'm very sorry," said John, as the other stopped. - -"What I can't make out," went on the young man presently, "is why these -fellows haven't rushed our boma. They were reinforced yesterday by six -or eight men with rifles, Swahilis, too, to judge by their dress, and as -I've only sixteen men left out of the forty we started with, and only -five have rifles (four deserted with rifles yesterday), we couldn't have -held out for an hour. There's a couple of hundred of them, I guess, and -a dozen or more have got rifles or else smooth-bore muskets, and those -at close quarters are just as dangerous as rifles, as we know to our -cost." - -He did not say, but John learnt afterwards, that it was probably his own -fearlessness and activity which had daunted the besiegers. He had had -to get assistance in loading his rifle, and could only fire from the -left shoulder; but as sure as one of the enemy showed himself within -range he became a target, and several had been accounted for during the -past few days. Having no doubt been informed by the deserters from his -safari, however, that provisions had run short, the besiegers were quite -content to play a waiting game. - -"What do you think we can do?" asked the stranger. - -John said nothing for a few moments: he was thinking hard. - -"I wish I could see your face," went on the other. "It's rather odd, -this--two fellows who don't know each other talking in the dark. I -don't even know your name." - -"Halliday," said John, adding with a laugh, as he struck a match; "take -a good look while the light lasts." - -By the feeble light each saw a clean-shaven face burnt almost the colour -of copper by the sun. - -"You aren't a bad-looking chap, and my name's Ferrier," said the -stranger. "Can we do anything, do you think?" - -A listener might have smiled at the quick transition from banter to -serious business. During the brief illumination, John had observed, how -thin and worn Ferrier looked, and it seemed to help him to make up his -mind. - -"Well," he said, "it's risky, but I vote we make a bolt for it." - -"Now?" asked Ferrier quietly. - -"No, but you'll do it, I can see. You don't say, 'How can we?' You -see, we can't expect help for two days at the least, and it may be much -more. You look worn out as it is, and another day without proper food -might do for you. But we can save time by fighting our way southward, -though it'll be a pretty risky business, as I said. The best time to -clear out will be just about dawn; the fellows outside will be dead -tired with watching and won't expect any movement then. With luck we -may get a mile or two away before they find out we've gone." - -"Why not start in the dark?" - -"Safer not, I think. We could easily be rushed in the darkness, and any -damage we might do among them wouldn't have half the moral effect it -would have in the light, because they couldn't see it. Now give me an -idea how the land lies round this place: I only saw it from the side I -came in at." - -"Well, there's bush pretty well all round, but the ground's clearest on -the east side. There's a gap in the bush there which would be the best -road." - -"We'll make for that, then. But look here, you're dead tired, and -you'll want all your strength to-morrow. Get a sleep: I'll see to -everything and wake you when the times comes. What are your men, by the -way? Swahilis?" - -"No, most of them are Bantus of one sort or another. I've got one -Swahili; he's headman; and two or three Wakikuyu, strapping fellows who -can shoot." - -"That's all right, then. Now go to sleep like a good chap, and don't -worry." - -It was so long since Ferrier had enjoyed a good night's rest that he -thankfully availed himself of the presence of a white man capable of -taking command. John immediately set about his preparations for the -sortie. He ordered the porters to make their loads ready as quickly as -possible, discarding everything that was heavy or cumbersome and likely -to impede rapidity of movement. Thinking over the position, he decided -that the best plan would be to issue from the boma on the east side as -if to pass through the gap. This movement, if detected, would probably -draw the enemy to both sides of the gap, where they would wait in the -bush, thinking they had the safari ambushed. But before reaching the -gap he proposed to turn sharp off to the right, seizing a tongue of -woodland jutting southward which he had noticed from his post of -observation in the wood. Beyond that he could not make any plans, but -must trust to the inspiration of the moment and the nature of the -ground. - -All preparations being made, John told the men to sleep. He would keep -watch until the moment for departure came. He walked round the -enclosure to make sure that no ammunition or anything else of value had -been left, inspected the spot where the boma had been cut to allow the -egress of the party, and then sat down on the tent, which it had been -decided to leave behind. - -Shortly before six o'clock he woke Ferrier, and Coja woke the men, who -shouldered their loads, and the whole party moved silently across the -enclosure. Some of the men removed the piece of the boma which had been -previously loosened, and John led the way out. There was a slight mist -over the ground, which favoured the escape. They had covered about two -hundred yards in safety when there was a loud shout from both the camps -of the enemy, proving that a determined watch had been kept, and that -their departure had been discovered. A few shots were fired, and John -caught sight of two or three black figures darting among the trees of -the wooded tongue towards which he intended to march; but the absence of -a general rush seemed to show that his anticipation was being justified, -and that the enemy were swarming from their camps to the two sides of -the gap. John threw himself down on a knoll and sent two or three shots -into the woodland to check any movement of the enemy to station -themselves there, which would be fatal to his plan. The result of his -firing was that the men who had been scouting there rushed away to join -their comrades in the bush skirting the gap. - -Now that the party was fairly out, John asked Ferrier to take the lead, -while he brought up the rear with Coja. Ferrier at first demurred to -this arrangement, protesting that the greatest danger would lie in the -rear, and he didn't see why he should not share in it. - -"You shut up," said John, with friendly brusqueness. "We haven't time -to argue. We can settle that afterwards. Don't go above a walking -pace: if they think we are bunking they will make a rush for us, and we -must avoid that at all costs. On you go: wheel to the right when you -come opposite the end of the wood." - -Ferrier obediently went on with the unarmed porters and his six men who -had rifles, including the one captured from the sentry, John and Coja -marching behind with the man who acted as messenger, turning every now -and then to guard against a rush, and not hurrying their pace though -shots were dropping at unpleasantly close quarters. There were loud -shouts from the enemy lining both sides of the gap when they saw the -safari suddenly sweep round to the right towards the spur of woodland. -Several men on the northern side at once broke cover and began to rush -across the gap. John saw that the best service he could do was to hold -this portion of the enemy's force in check until the woodland was -reached, and so reduce their striking strength. The question was, could -he and Coja and the one other man with him make things so hot for any of -the enemy who tried to cross the gap that they would hesitate until it -was too late? Another question which he dared not think about was -whether the men with Ferrier would be steady enough to meet the attack -from the southern portion of the enemy, which they could hardly escape. -Telling Coja and the Baganda to shoot steadily, he took aim from behind -a bush at the first man who crossed the gap, and dropped him. Coja -aimed at the man immediately behind, but missed. A second shot from -John, however, brought him down, and his companions, firing into the -midst of a group of half-a-dozen who were following their leaders, gave -a shout of delight when they saw two other men fall, and the rest -immediately turn tail and scamper at full speed back to cover. - -"Come on," cried John. - -Leaving the bush from behind which he had fired, he ran towards another -which would give still better cover and was at the same time slightly -nearer the enemy. The distance was about thirty yards, and several -shots were fired at them as they sprinted across. John felt a bullet -slap through his helmet, but no other hit was made, and they reached the -second bush safely. It afforded excellent cover against the enemy on -the north side of the gap, but would have been useless against any that -remained on the south side. These, however, had left their positions in -order to deal with the safari making for the woodland, since it was -plain to them that they would be at an immense disadvantage in the more -open bush if the copse were once gained. Indeed, if they had had the -courage and the quickness of perception to seize and hold this spur of -woodland, the fate of the safari would almost certainly have been -sealed. - -John, for the moment left unmolested, had time to look round, and saw -with delight that Ferrier and his men had disappeared among the trees. -But at the same time he realized that the enemy who had tried -ineffectually to head them off from the woodland were now free to attack -him, and there was a danger that he might be surrounded. The northern -end of the woodland was about a hundred yards from the bush at which he -had stationed himself, and there was no time to be lost if he was to get -out of harm's way. It was a straight run across the open. From his -experience of negroes' shooting he did not fear that a flying shot would -hit him except by accident; the only question was whether all three -could rush across the open space before they were intercepted by the -other section of the enemy. - -Since delay was dangerous he ordered the men to follow him at full -speed, and made a dash for the woodland. A few shots were fired at -them, but luckily the movement had not been seen by the men he had most -reason to fear, and by the time they were warned of it by the shouts of -their comrades beyond the gap the three runners were safe among the -trees. John felt that in the shelter of the wood the party might hold -out all day against an enemy who was so reluctant to come to close -quarters; but to be beleaguered in the wood would be no better than -their situation within the boma, and it was necessary to press on to the -south, both with the idea of lessening the distance between the safari -and the force of East African rifles or Protectorate Police which he -hoped was on the way from Fort Hall, and also of obtaining food. It was -not easy to see how the party could cross in safety the open country -south of the wood, and John felt the necessity of consulting with -Ferrier. Accordingly he hastened on towards him. - -Soon he came upon Ferrier's askaris, who informed him that their master, -having reached the extremity of the wood, had sent them back to assist -him. Ordering them to remain with Coja where they were and keep the -enemy in check if they showed any sign of advancing, he hurried on until -he reached Ferrier. After explaining how matters stood, he suggested -that Ferrier with the porters should hasten with all speed across the -open country until they reached the clump of trees in which he had left -his donkeys, about two miles away. The enemy would scarcely suspect -that the party would emerge from the wood into the open, and he felt -pretty sure that, reinforced by the rifles, he could keep them in play -until the safari had reached its goal. The course proposed was favoured -by the fact that the safari, by striking off in a south-westerly -direction, would soon be out of sight owing to the undulating ground. -Ferrier agreed to this plan, and John hurried back to the men. - -Nothing had happened during his absence. The enemy on the north side of -the gap had not yet plucked up courage to cross, and the rest were -apparently still lurking in the bush to the east of the stretch of -woodland. John led his men back to the southern end of this, where he -halted to watch the progress of the safari, and to assure himself that -its escape had not been noticed. - -From this position he saw, a quarter of a mile to the right, a mound -which would form an excellent defensive position in case he was -seriously attacked, and he determined to betake himself thither as soon -as the safari was out of sight. After waiting for a few minutes he saw -the enemy, who had no doubt become suspicious, at last swarm from the -further side of the gap and join their comrades. The combined force, -emboldened by numbers, emerged from the bush, and appeared to be -intending to make a dash upon the wood. John waited until they had come -within two hundred yards, and then gave the word to his men to fire a -volley. The effect was instantaneous. Several of the enemy fell; the -rest made all speed back under cover. Taking advantage of the repulse, -John ordered three of the men to rush to the mound, and as soon as they -had reached it, he followed them with the rest. The movement was seen -by the enemy, who, knowing now that the safari must have escaped them, -and probably suspecting that it had already taken refuge on the other -side of the mound, were at last impelled by their rage to make a -determined rush to the spot. John and his men were, however, so well -ensconced that their fire checked the advance, and the assailants, once -more baffled, fled back either into the wood or to their former position -in the bush. Twice they repeated the assault: each time they were -driven back; and though they came closer each time, and sent a shower of -arrows and bullets on to the mound, they were utterly unable to make an -impression, the little party of riflemen lying flat on their faces at -the top of the reverse slope, so that only their heads were exposed. -During the last rush, however, Coja, who was vastly excited at this -fight against odds, incautiously raised himself, and received a bullet -in the shoulder. John was a good deal concerned: the mere shock of such -an injury would have rendered a European helpless; but the African is -not so highly strung, and Coja went on all day with admirable fortitude. - -John chose the moment when an assault had just been repelled to evacuate -the mound, and keeping it between him and the enemy, to strike off to -the south-west, intending to make a circuit and rejoin Ferrier at the -clump of trees. He had marched for more than half a mile before the -meaning of the movement became plain to the enemy. Seeing the little -party now in the open, with no cover of any kind, the men set off with -loud cries to intercept them before they reached the clump of trees -which was the only shelter for miles. It was a race between the two -parties. John was north-west of the clump, the enemy due north, and -equidistant from it. Ferrier, who had reached the spot some time -before, and was watching eagerly his new friend's manoeuvres, fired an -occasional shot at the savages as soon as they came within range, but -his single rifle was unable to check the advance. It was fortunate that -John had somewhat easier ground than the enemy, sloping gently down to -the clump of trees. He ran as he had never run since he won the -quarter-mile in his school sports, and the negroes kept pace with him, -in the fierce heat of the sun. Ferrier saw that he was gaining on the -enemy, and shouted to encourage him. Another two hundred yards and he -would be safe. On he came: now he was several yards ahead of his men, -then they spurted and came up with him: and in another fifteen seconds -the whole party gained the wood, the enemy being no more than a hundred -yards away. - -Ferrier sent a shot among them which brought them to a halt. Even now -they might have overwhelmed the little party, for John and the men were -hot and breathless, and their limbs trembled so violently that for some -seconds they were unable to hold their rifles steadily. But Ferrier's -shot gave them the breathing-space they needed. Then all the rifles -spoke together. A gap was made in the halted throng of negroes; there -was a moment's hesitation; then with furious yells of rage and -disappointment they turned their backs upon the clump of trees, and ran -swiftly towards the distant bush. - -That was the last that was seen of them. John and the riflemen held the -wooded clump while the safari, taking the donkeys, pressed on to the -south. Then, when all danger of pursuit seemed at an end, he followed -in its track and overtook it within two hours. No pursuers being in -sight, he thought it safe to make a long halt for rest and food, both -badly needed by the whole party, and especially by Ferrier and his men. -Ferrier blessed John's forethought in bringing a quantity of food on the -donkeys. It was only sufficient for one meal, and that not a very good -one; but a little is a feast to men who are famishing, and there was -great contentment among the negroes as they baked little millet cakes at -their fires. When the march was resumed, John shot a wart-hog during -the afternoon, which he allowed the men to cook and eat there and then. -They camped for the rest of the day, building a thorn zariba and keeping -a careful watch all night. Early in the morning they went on again, and -passing through the friendly village and across the river, they came at -midday to the farm. John at once sent Ferrier's headman towards Fort -Hall to say that there was no longer any need of help. Then he -committed the negroes to the care of Lulu, doctored Coja's wounded -shoulder as well as he could, and asked Said Mohammed to use all his -skill in preparing dinner for his guest. - -"Your esteemed order shall be punctually attended to," said the Bengali. -"The honourable gentleman shall smack his lips and feel jolly well -bucked up. I will do him tiptop." - - - - -CHAPTER THE TENTH--Driving Sheep to Market - - -"I say, Halliday, you're in clover here," said Ferrier, as the two sat -smoking in the bungalow after Said Mohammed had made their hearts glad -with a capital dinner. "My grandfather made his pile ranching in -Manitoba, and you'll do the same here." - -John laughed. "We're not paying our way at present," he said, "and I -know my father grudged the money for his passage home again so soon. -He'll grudge it still more now that his journey has turned out useless, -and there are doctors' bills to pay in the bargain." - -The two young men had exchanged confidences during the latter part of -their march to the farm. Charles Ferrier's father had been called to -the Canadian bar, but he had never practised, his fortune being -sufficient to keep him and his family in something more than comfort, -and to pay for the sporting expeditions which were his real interest in -life. Charles, who was twenty years old, had just come down from the -McGill university, and his father had brought him to East Africa to -"give him a run," as he put it, before he settled down to work. - -"And his ambition for me was that I should enter the Canadian -legislature," said he, with a wry face. "It's not work much after my -mind; I'd prefer ranching like my grandfather. Poor father! D'you -think I ought to stick to his notion now that he's gone?" - -"I think every man should follow his own bent," said John. "The -mischief is we mayn't know till it's too late what our bent is. For -instance, I like this life out here, but I don't know I'll succeed at -it, and some day I may eat my heart out because I didn't take up law, as -my father wished. He's a good sort, and didn't urge it. Well, -khansaman, what is it?" he asked, as Said Mohammed entered. - -"Entreating your pardon, sir, Coja has made a discovery and is in an -excessive state of amazement, jolly well flabbergasted, as it were. He -declares that when you went on donkeys to visit the honourable gent you -took three rifles marked with initials D.H., but lo! when he examines -the weapons brought back, he finds four. Q.E.D." - -"That's rum, certainly," said John. "How did one of our rifles get into -the hands of your men, Ferrier? We took three, as Coja says. Your -messenger had one." - -"I don't know. Wait a bit, though: didn't you bring three rifles into -camp? Of course: you took one from the man you half throttled outside -our boma. But how could that be marked with your initials?" - -"Tell Coja to bring it here, khansaman," said John. "I've a suspicion, -Ferrier; we'll soon prove it." - -When Coja brought the rifle, John examined it carefully. It was a -Snider. - -"It's as I thought, Ferrier," he said. "This is one of the rifles run -off with by those porters of ours--the sweeps! I don't like the look of -it. Looks as though they've started an organized band of freebooters. -We shall have to report this at Fort Hall or Nairobi; perhaps you'll do -that. I suppose you'll be off to-morrow to get that arm of yours -properly attended to." - -"That's all right. It's beginning to heal, rather slowly though, and if -you can put up with me for a few days I'd like to stay here. Food and -rest is what I want more than doctors. Besides, if your deserters have -joined that pack of savages they may make a raid on you, and I'll be of -some use, even left-handed." - -"No, sah," said Coja, "bad man no come all dis way. Juma and dem -debbils, oh yes! but not de Embe, oh no! dey never live for come long -way." - -"Coja's right, Ferrier," said John. "By all accounts no natives will go -raiding more than twenty miles from their village, except the Masai, and -we haven't to deal with them. Juma and his Swahilis might come if they -dared, but they won't venture without support. That'll do, Coja. How's -your shoulder, by the way?" - -"Jolly fine, sah. Bill him give me stuff to put on, berry good magic." - -"There you are, Ferrier," cried John, laughing. "We've got a doctor on -the spot. Bill is a Wanderobbo we've made friends with, a little old -man who lives by himself and tells fairy-tales about a wonderful store -of ivory belonging to him in an enemy's country. He's by way of being a -herbalist, too, it appears. We'll have a look at his 'berry good magic' -by and by." - -The magic turned out to be a decoction of herbs which Bill had smeared -on Coja's wound, binding it up with leaves. He begged the new msungu to -make a trial of it, and Ferrier after some hesitation consented. His -wound healed more rapidly after the application, and Bill was delighted -with the present of a few cents--without doubt the first doctor's fee he -had ever earned. - -Ferrier remained for the present at the farm, his healthy constitution -soon reasserting itself after the strain of his recent experiences. His -father's death had left him his own master. He had an only sister -living with an aunt at Toronto, and he wrote to her and to the family -lawyers, relating what had happened, but saying nothing of his -intentions. The letters were entrusted to his porters, whom he -dismissed with the exception of three. On reaching Nairobi, the men -would take the train to Kisumu, and reach their homes in Uganda by -steamer across the Victoria Nyanza. - -It was more than a month since John had heard from his father. A few -days after Ferrier's arrival he received a note which made him very -angry. - -"I'm on the mend. Doctor says my leg couldn't have healed better if I -were ten years younger. Cousin Sylvia has been very good. Insists on -making reparation for the damage (financial and physical) she has done -me. 'Twas _her_ chauffeur, and _her_ motor-car, and so on. Upshot is -that as you're getting on so well I'm inclined to accept her invitation -of a run through the Continent. Will let you know when I sail. Cousin -Sylvia sends her love. - -"P.S. Glad to hear you got the lambing over well. Be sure and _don't -wean them too soon_." - -This apparently innocent note made John furious. - -"You see what it is!" he cried, striding up and down the room. "That -woman's got hold of him, and she'll marry him, and all our plans will be -spoilt by an old--old--I don't know what to call her. Sends her love, -indeed!" - -Seeing that John was in a passion, Ferrier wisely said nothing, and the -storm presently blew over. - -The presence of Ferrier at the farm solved John's difficulty about the -sheep and calves. He had rather more than 800 lambs altogether, of -which 450 rams were for sale, and might be expected to fetch about L90. -He had also fifteen calves, which might realize L1 each, and the L105 -thus gained would relieve his present anxieties and go far towards -defraying the second year's expenses. In addition to these, there was a -considerable weight of cheese to be taken to market. He had become so -chummy with Ferrier that he did not hesitate to mention to him the -difficulty about transporting the animals. - -"There's no difficulty at all," said the Canadian at once. "Take them -yourself. I'll stay here while you are gone. A rest will do me all the -good in the world. You must certainly leave a white man in charge, and -I've come in the nick of time." - -"It's jolly of you," said John. "I'd accept your offer in a moment if -it weren't for those blackguards who stole our rifles. It would be hard -lines on you if they came and attacked you while I was away." - -"They won't do it. You told me yourself that you'd sent Bill out to see -if he could discover their whereabouts, and he didn't hear anything of -them. Besides, if they do come we can defend ourselves. They didn't -show any eagerness to come to very close quarters with us, and I don't -doubt for a moment that with my men and yours--I suppose the Indians can -handle a rifle on occasion?--we could beat them off." - -"Very well, then: I'll chance it. I'll take Wasama and three men from -the village: his boy can look after the cattle here. I shall have to -hire another Masai to help when I get back: there's too much work for -two now. You'll find Bill a great help; I wish he would come and live -here, but he's an independent old boy and won't leave his little hut in -the wood." - -"Hadn't you better take him with you? Four men won't be enough for the -job. You must carry food and a tent, you know." - -"I didn't mean to take a tent. Why not camp in the open?" - -"You'd be rather sorry if it happened to rain." - -"But the rains aren't due for another month," objected John, looking at -his almanac. - -"I dare say not, but they may start a bit earlier, and if you think -you're going to get all those beasts to Nairobi in a week, or even two, -you're mistaken. Remember the streams to cross and the thorn bush to -get through. And you'll have to put a boma round the whole lot every -night, and that will be a long job with so few men. You'll need twenty -at the very least, my boy, so make up your mind for it. Ask Wasama." - -John had in fact felt some misgiving lest the party he proposed to take -should not be strong enough to guard the animals against wild beasts, or -natives who chanced to be hostile or predatory; but he was so anxious to -economize that he had stilled his doubts. When Wasama backed up -Ferrier's point, he yielded to the inevitable, and engaged fifteen more -men in the village. Ferrier insisted on his taking the three Uganda men -he had retained out of his safari, because they were not only trained -porters, but very fair shots. John wished he had a horse to ride, or at -least a mule, not caring about donkey-rides: but Ferrier chaffed him on -his singular regard for appearances, and he decided at last to mount the -best of the donkeys. - -One fine September day the safari set off, numbering twenty in all. Coja -was very much depressed at not being able to accompany his master, but -his wound was not yet sufficiently healed. The start was watched by the -whole community, and as John rode off in the rear of the caravan he felt -sure he heard Said Mohammed's high-pitched voice quote, "The lowing herd -winds slowly o'er the lea," and proceed to a recitation of the Elegy. - -John had had an inkling of the difficulties of droving, but the reality -turned out to be immeasurably worse than the anticipation. The animals, -being young, could not be driven hard; their pace at the best was two -miles an hour, and often less than one, and as frequent halts were -necessary, the longest day's march did not exceed eight miles. The -obstacles which had given only amusement or excitement on the journey -from Nairobi caused exasperation now. There were many streams to cross, -and it was often difficult to induce the sheep to face them. Sometimes -they were almost invisible in the long grass, and when they came among -thorny bush, the men had to use their knives freely in hacking a path -for the beasts, causing hours of delay. For the first week all went -fairly well. The bleating of the sheep attracted hyenas, but by dint of -great vigilance and activity they were kept off, and only two sheep were -seized. In crossing one stream Wasama had a narrow escape from the jaws -of a crocodile; but the water in most ran so low after the dry season -that it was easy to examine the beds and avoid danger of this kind. - -On the eighth night, however, John was awakened by the pattering of rain -on his tent. It poured in torrents, and when he got up in the morning -he found half-a-dozen sheep stretched lifeless on the sodden earth. It -was still raining at the usual time for starting, and the animals could -not be induced to move, but turned their backs to the wind and huddled -together in a compact mass. The weather cleared about ten o'clock, and -then a start was made; but the safari had only been an hour on the road -when another downpour checked them. So it continued all day--drenching -rain, with brief intervals of sunshine. John persevered, taking -advantage of every bright period to move on a little farther; but when -the rain finally ceased in the evening he found that during the whole -laborious day he had not covered more than about three miles. Some of -the sheep had lagged terribly, and it was quite dark when the last of -them came into camp, and before they could all be got within the boma a -couple of hyenas sprang among them out of the surrounding bush and -killed several. - -This was only the beginning of trouble. It rained nearly every night, -and every night some of the sheep died. The streams were much swollen -and flowed so swiftly that it was only with the utmost difficulty that -the men prevented the animals from being washed away. One river took -two hours to cross, each individual animal having to be passed over from -hand to hand. At another the current was so rapid that it seemed -hopeless to attempt to cross it at all, until John, with a good deal of -risk, managed to swim over slantwise with a rope, which he fastened to a -tree on the further bank. With the help of this, every man and beast -was got across safely, but with such an expenditure of labour that all -were thoroughly exhausted. That night, to add to John's misfortunes, -his donkey was killed by a hyena, and he was in a state of miserable -depression when he started to resume his journey. - -The one satisfactory feature of the march was that the natives met _en -route_ had been friendly. The food was exhausted when the safari had -been ten days on the road, but they had no difficulty in purchasing -muhindi or cassava at the villages. John's rifle provided all necessary -meat, and at one stream he shot a crocodile, the flesh of which was -highly prized by his men. But the very friendliness of the people -became a source of anxiety. They offered their services in helping to -drive the animals, and at the end of a day when they had apparently been -very useful, John found that six sheep had mysteriously disappeared. He -blamed Wasama for not warning him of the thievish propensities of the -volunteer drovers, much to the surprise of the Masai, who said he -thought everybody knew that a man would take what he could get if he had -the chance. After that, John refused all assistance, however generously -it was pressed upon him, and kept a sharp eye on the natives who hung -about the flanks of the safari. With all his vigilance he lost a dozen -more sheep and a fine bull calf by theft, and he began despairingly to -wonder whether he would have any animals left by the time he arrived in -Nairobi. - -But everything comes to an end. One day, nearly four weeks after -leaving the farm, he caught sight of the chimney-stack of the Nairobi -locomotive works in the distance. Five hours later he trudged wearily -into the town, conscious that he presented a deplorable and disreputable -appearance. His clothes were torn and dirty; the sole of his right boot -had parted from the upper and flapped as he walked, while that of the -left boot had gone altogether, and he trod on his sock. He felt -thoroughly knocked up, and after he had seen his animals safely penned, -he could hardly drag himself to Mr. Gillespie's house. To his surprise -nobody in the streets seemed to pay the least attention to his -appearance; he supposed that such sights were not uncommon; and Mr. -Gillespie did not start back with the look of horror which in his -self-consciousness John had expected. The coffee-planter greeted him -warmly, but had no sooner taken him to his room than he whipped out a -clinical thermometer and stuck it into John's mouth. - -"Thought so," he said, when he examined it. "You've a touch of fever, -and no wonder. You'll go straight to bed, my boy. We'll have a talk in -the morning." - -After a hot bath, John was tucked up between the blankets and dosed with -quinine by Mrs. Gillespie, and he fell asleep with a happiness and a -sense of security to which he seemed to have been a stranger for years. - -He was better in the morning, but Mr. Gillespie would not allow him to -quit his bed. - -"You just leave it to me," he said when John protested that he must see -about selling his animals. "I'll go and take a look at them. You won't -sell them for a day or two: they'll be all the better for a rest. I've -just heard from your father, by the way. He's a gay old dog, upon my -word, gadding about on the Continent. You must have written glowing -accounts of the farm, or he'd have been back before this. I dare say -there's a letter for you by the same mail: you'll find it when you get -back. And how do you like ranching, eh?" - -They had a long talk, and Mr. Gillespie said he thought he had done very -well for the first year. He laughed when John related the incidents of -his march. - -"You'll get used to it," he said. "It's rather disheartening at first, -but you may think yourself lucky the natives didn't bother you. When I -first came out here ten years ago I had a running fight with one of the -tribes for a week, and lost practically everything I possessed. Things -are safer now." - -John told him about the desertion of Juma with the rifles, and the -plight from which he had rescued Ferrier. - -"That's unpleasant," said Mr. Gillespie. "If you take my advice you'll -go back by way of Fort Hall and report to the District Commissioner. He -may be disposed to send a company of the Protectorate police to deal -with the ruffians. I'm afraid it's not a big enough job for the King's -African Rifles. Probably they won't trouble you again, however. Their -ammunition will soon be exhausted, and they can't get any more." - -John remained in Nairobi for a week. He found that he had lost -fifty-two sheep and one calf, besides his donkey; but Mr. Gillespie said -that the animals were a healthy lot, and handed over 1500 rupees as the -proceeds of the sale. The cheese fetched 100 rupees. John banked the -greater part of the money, keeping a little to buy new clothes for -himself, a few articles for the farm, and a fresh stock of "trade" for -the payment of his native workers. Then, feeling that Ferrier might be -growing uneasy at his long absence, he set off one day with his safari -on the return journey, feeling pretty well satisfied with the tangible -result of his first year's labours. - -He went by way of Fort Hall, as Mr. Gillespie had suggested. He found -it to be only a fort in the sense in which that word was used to -describe the stations of the Hudson's Bay Company in the Far North. A -substantial house perched on a hill, with a solid stone wall and a ditch -around it, the flag of the Protectorate flying from a staff in the -compound, a few huts and houses, a jail, and an Indian bazaar: that was -Fort Hall. The Commissioner received him hospitably, and listened -attentively to his story. - -"Well, Mr. Halliday," he said, "the tribesmen certainly ought to be -taught a lesson: in fact, they clearly have been taught a lesson. I -don't know that I can do anything. I got your message, of course, but -had no men available. You see, we don't care to start police -expeditions if we can avoid it. It means great expense, and we want all -our funds for peaceful development. Of course if you hadn't already -given them a dressing we should have had to do something; but I fancy -you've given them a fright, and they won't bother you again. You're -rather far away, and a few years ago you would have had a very hot time -there; but there are signs all over the country that the natives are -settling down peaceably under our government, and the moral effect of -the crushing of the Masai rebellion has been enormous. Let me know at -once if you have any further trouble." - -The interview left John with the impression that he could expect little -assistance from the officials. In this he probably did them an -injustice. It is not altogether harmful that the settler should be -self-reliant. - - - - -CHAPTER THE ELEVENTH--Rhinoceros and Lions - - -"I'm jolly glad you're back, old man," said Ferrier, as John marched in -one day at the head of his safari. "Began to think you were lost. How -did you get on?" - -"Splendidly," said John, cheerful after his quick journey home. "That -is, pretty well; in fact" (as his memory and his sense of veracity -awoke) "I had the rottenest time I ever had in my life. That sounds a -bit of a muddle, I know, but I'll tell you all about it presently. How -have things been going here?" - -"Splendidly: that is, pretty well; and I'm glad you're back in time to -prevent me from having the rottenest time I've ever had in my life. It's -just short of that at present." - -"What! Have those blackguards been bothering you?" - -"Worse! Lions!" - -"Oh! Is that it? I don't know that they're worse than the natives, -though." - -"Yes, they are, because it doesn't come to a fair stand-up fight. -They're cowardly, skulking brutes, and so disgustingly clever." - -John laughed at Ferrier's aggrieved tone and look. - -"Well, I'll get a bath and a feed, and then we'll talk it over," he -said. "I hope our people have behaved well?" - -"Oh yes! Lulu has been a mother to me--at a distance, of course; and -Said Mohammed has been a delight three times a day. But go and get your -bath; you'll stand here talking for ever." - -Half-an-hour later John, having changed into a suit of white drill, was -sitting at table with Ferrier in the little dining-room of the bungalow. -It struck him as rather bare and cold-looking after Mr. Gillespie's -comfortable rooms, and he resolved, if things went well the second year, -to buy a few bits of furniture. - -"It wants a woman, you know," said Ferrier. "She'd rig up some curtains -and make things look cheerful in no time. But you'll never get a woman -to live among lions." - -"Verree true, sir--excuse the liberty," remarked Said Mohammed, as he -handed the fish. "A lion among ladies is a most dreadful thing; for -there is not a more fearful wild-fowl than your lion living." - -"That's how he goes on," said Ferrier, exploding when the Bengali had -gone for the joint. "That's Shakespeare; next time it'll be Milton." - -"Did Shakespeare write that rubbish about the wild-fowl?" - -"Why, that's the excellent Nick Bottom in _Midsummer Night's Dream_!" - -"Never read it: we only did _Julius Caesar_ and _Henry V_. But tell me -what's happened." - -"Nothing, for three weeks, except rain. My word, didn't it come down! -I'm sorry to say some of the sheep died until we thought of covering -them up at night. But a week ago I heard a lion roaring in the night, -and in the morning a calf was gone. Last night it was two sheep. The -boma's not a bit of good to keep them out. Why don't you put up some -wire fencing?" - -"It's expensive, but I will by and by." - -"The lion got clear away the first time, but last night I was roused by -the commotion among the animals, and managed to get a shot as he was -slinking off: it was bright moonlight. I'm afraid I missed: my right -arm isn't fit for much even yet. I wanted Bill to go and hunt him with -me; but he wouldn't. I suppose he won't visit us again now you've come -back: Coja said he's sure the lion's an afreet, which is devil, I -suppose, and knows when the coast is clear." - -"I rather fancy he finds other game scarce in this rainy weather. It's -much easier to break into the boma than to hunt game in the open, and I -expect now that he's tasted blood again and got back his confidence we -shall have some more trouble. We shall have to tackle him." - -"If you excuse me, sir," put in Said Mohammed, so respectfully that John -could not resent the indiscretion, "I will tell you of the machinations -of my prophetic soul my uncle. He has a small property in the -Sunderbunds; choice site, excellent amenities, et cetera. There lurks -the tiger, tiger burning bright. In my childhood innocence I resided -with my avuncular relative, and he being a great shikari I saw some A1 -sport. I should esteem it a privilege to be allowed to give you a leg -up in hunting the abominable creature. The sahibs in general have -derogatory opinion of us Bengalis; but I am a Socialist, gentlemen, in -so far as believing in equality of chances, and I am cocksure that if -only I get a look in I shall prove to demonstration that I am full of -both grit and beans." - -"All right, khansaman, I'll give you a rifle and you shall come with us -when we go after the beast. It may be rather exciting." - -"A regular beano," said Ferrier, sotto voce. "But I want to hear all -about your droving, Halliday." - -John gave him a running account of his experiences, which were more -amusing in retrospect than in actuality. They spent the rest of the day -in going over the farm together. John was very well pleased with the -signs of progress he saw everywhere. The sheep and cattle looked -healthy; the second crops were in good condition; and the only failures -among all the vegetables he had planted were the onions and artichokes, -which had produced too much stalk and gave no indication of fruiting. - -That night a lion broke in and carried off a ram. John was too late to -get a shot at the beast, and next day was too much occupied about the -farm to go in search of it. But when Wasama came in with the sheep, -somewhat earlier than usual, and reported that he had seen a black-maned -lion with his mate on the edge of the bush, John determined to go out -after them at once. It was the first time lions had been seen by day, -and this sign of growing boldness convinced him that it was high time to -attempt reprisals. He was accompanied by Ferrier and Said Mohammed with -two of the Baganda, but by the time they reached the bush the lions had -disappeared, leaving, however, a trace of their depredations in the -freshly-picked bones of the stolen sheep. Roars were again heard at -night, and John kept watch with Ferrier in anticipation of another -visit; but as had happened before, no lions appeared, and they turned in -towards morning very much disgusted. - -Next day John sent for Bill and asked him to lead them over the track of -the lions. Meat was required for the larder, and he had determined to -combine game-shooting with a lion hunt. News of his arrangements was -carried to the village by one of the women working on the farm, and just -as he was setting off, a dozen men arrived and begged to be allowed to -join the party, their motive being probably a desire for excitement -mingled with the hope of sharing the spoils. John's policy being to -keep on good terms with them, he made no objection, and shortly after -ten the party set off, consisting of the two white men with Bill, Said -Mohammed (very proud in the possession of a rifle), and the three -Baganda, the villagers following at a distance. - -Business coming before sport, Bill led the party along the river-bank -where he expected to find the tracks of animals which had come down to -drink. The proximity of the farm had had the effect of scaring -antelopes and gazelles and the timider animals away from the -neighbourhood. Already John had had to go farther afield for game than -in the early days of the farm a year before. The Wanderobbo found his -way among the dense vegetation by following old hippo paths, which -crossed and recrossed in what seemed to the wasungu hopeless confusion. -But he came after some miles to a region where there was an abrupt gap -in the larger trees: a fairly wide and recent hippo path led through the -tall grass on the crest of the river-bank; and the party began to be on -the alert for game. - -Suddenly Bill halted and took a backward leap which nearly landed him in -the arms of John. - -"Faro! faro!" he cried excitedly, and on John asking where the -rhinoceros was, he pointed a few yards ahead, where, almost hidden by -the grass, lay a huge bull animal right across the path, and apparently -asleep. The white men had brought only their double-barrelled rifles, -which were not the best of weapons for shooting rhinoceros, and John, -having no licence for such big game, though Ferrier had, ordered the -natives to shout, hoping that this would scare the beast away. When it -remained unmoved he went to the river-bank on the right, and breaking -off some clods of earth, flung them at the slumberous creature, which -completely blocked the way. But this proving ineffectual ("It's like -shooting peas at a Dreadnought" said John) there was nothing for it but -to try a rifle shot. - -Ferrier went forward, cocked his rifle and fired, aiming at the brain; -but though he was ordinarily a dead shot, his right arm had not yet -fully recovered, and he missed. The rhinoceros was now thoroughly -awake; snorting angrily, he sprang to his feet with extraordinary -nimbleness for so unwieldy a brute, and after a glance round came -charging full at Ferrier. He fired his second barrel, and this time -hit; but the shot had no effect except to make the beast more furious, -and Ferrier turned and bolted for his life. All the other members of -the party except John had turned tail and fled away shrieking at the -first moment of the animal's rising. John, licence or no licence, let -fly with both barrels in rapid succession; whether he hit or not he -could not tell; certainly he failed to check the charging beast, which -made with lowered head straight for Ferrier. - -All this had happened in a few seconds. Ferrier was running hard, but -it was clear that the rhinoceros must soon overtake him, and John knew -that one blow from those terrible horns would inflict a fatal gash. His -hand shaking with nervous anxiety, he reloaded, but when he lifted the -rifle to his shoulder he saw that he could not strike a fatal spot, the -animal being directly between him and his friend. He ran after them, -hoping for some chance to give him a shot. At this moment Ferrier -became aware that the rhinoceros was almost within tossing distance, and -leaving the path made a sudden swerve to the right, plunging into the -long grass. The animal immediately turned to pursue him, for the first -time presenting his flank to John. It was a ticklish moment. John knew -that his friend's life probably depended on his coolness. He steadied -himself, took aim at a spot behind the beast's shoulder, and fired. He -heard the thud of the bullet, but for a moment feared it had not -penetrated the tough hide. The rhinoceros made a half-turn as if to -charge his new assailant, and John, glad that he had at least diverted -the pursuit from Ferrier, was preparing to fire his second barrel when -the great form staggered, recovered itself, made two tottering strides, -and then fell over on its side. - -The air was rent with jubilant shouts as the natives emerged from their -hiding-places in the grass and ran towards the prostrate beast. They -started back in affright when it made a last convulsive effort to rise. -John put it out of pain with another shot, and the natives surrounded it -and immediately set about cutting it up. - -"Thanks, old man," said Ferrier, coming up. "That's the second time." - -"I say, what's the penalty for shooting a rhino without a licence?" -cried John, to cover his embarrassment. - -"The same as if you shot an armed burglar breaking into your house: the -thanks of every honest man for ridding the world of a villain." - -Said Mohammed, who had watched the incident from a safe distance, -wondered that two young men should talk so strangely at a time when they -ought to have been overcome with emotion. That is the English way. -John had once seen M. Perrichon in the play fling his arms round his -preserver's neck and weep with gratitude. "What sickening rot!" he had -said. "Come and have an ice." - -While the natives were cutting up the rhinoceros, the others marched on. -They had no need to shoot more for the larder; there was at least a ton -of meat on the huge carcase, which would last for several days. It was -now a question of finding the track of lions. John went ahead with -Bill, Ferrier walking with Said Mohammed a few yards behind. The -Bengali was talking, and his high-pitched voice carried well in the -crisp, clear air. John heard him say-- - -"In my humble opinion, sir, backed by inestimable experience in the -Sunderbunds, it was deplorable error of judgment to bunk. My uncle, -sir, on that never-to-be-forgotten occasion when I shed the light of my -countenance on his tiger-hunt, he put the tiger to dumbfounder and -flight--how, sir? By standing firm as a rock, 'without or life or -motion,' as the poet Coleridge beautifully says, and staring with -unflinching gaze into the opposing optics. Moreover and in addition, he -recited with unfaltering lips the words of a charm he had learnt from -some old cock of a jogi--you have no word for that in your lovely lingo, -sir, but, without disrespect, I might say parson. Tableau! Exit tiger. -Triumph of mind over matter. 'He held him with his glittering eye,' et -cetera." - - "'The man recovered from the bite, - The dog it was that died,'" - -quoted Ferrier. - -"Oliver Goldsmith, sir," cried the Bengali delightedly, "who wrote like -an angel but talked like poor Poll. I esteem it a glorious privilege to -hold communion, even in humble capacity of cook and bottle-washer, with -gentleman of literary taste and elegant extracts." - -The river-bank had descended until the path was almost level with the -surface of the water, and passed several patches of reeds which Bill -negotiated warily, saying that any one of them might harbour a lion. The -white men followed him with growing excitement, and John confessed he -felt rather nervous, not knowing but that a lion might at any moment -spring up at their feet. He stole a glance at Said Mohammed, and -exchanged a smile with Ferrier as he saw that the cook looked decidedly -jumpy. Far in the rear came the villagers, eager not to miss the sport, -and yet fearful to approach too near. - -All at once Bill halted and bent towards the ground. There were the -unmistakable pug marks. Following the track with his eyes, but without -moving from the spot, after a few moments he stretched out his spear -towards a clump of trees about a hundred yards ahead, whispering, -"Simba!" Neither John nor Ferrier could at first distinguish the lion, -but presently two lionesses sprang out of the undergrowth, and made off -with long low bounds across the plain. For a moment the white men -watched their graceful movements with admiration, forgetting that these -were the pests they had come out to slay. Then they set off in pursuit. -But they had not advanced three paces when a huge black-maned lion -showed his head among the bushes, snarling angrily. He stared at the -strangers for a moment or two, then turned with another growl and -trotted after his mates. - -"Come along," said John excitedly. "We can't get a fair shot at him -yet." - -They set off at a run, not troubling about Bill or Said Mohammed, who -followed at a discreet distance. They gained on the beast, but after -running some three hundred yards found themselves rather short of wind, -owing to the fact that they were in rarefied air at least 6000 feet -above sea-level. - -"We shall spoil our aim if we get puffed," said Ferrier. "Better go -slow." - -At this moment, however, the lion halted behind a tree, as if to check -the pursuit of the lionesses, and stood watching the huntsmen, growling -in a very threatening way. He seemed disinclined to budge, so John lay -down on the path, and bringing his rifle to his shoulder, covered the -huge head. - -"Confound it, look how my hand wobbles," he whispered to Ferrier. "I -can't fix the sight on him. Be ready to shoot if I miss or just sting -him, for he'll fly at us like the wind." - -He steadied his arm and pulled the trigger. The fierce head instantly -dropped out of sight, and the air was filled with such appalling roars -that John hastily fired the second barrel, in the hope of finishing the -beast before he could charge. He had to aim by guess-work, and fired -half-a-dozen shots before the roaring ceased. - -"Now the others," cried John, shouting to the Wanderobbo to keep his eye -on the spot. - -He ran forward with Ferrier towards the lionesses, which had halted a -quarter of a mile away, and could just be seen above the grass. At the -men's approach they cantered off, and though the chase was kept up for -nearly a mile, they always got to cover before the pursuers came within -effective range, and finally disappeared among a large patch of reeds by -the river, whence it was hopeless to attempt to dislodge them. - -"Better luck next time," said John, as they retraced their steps. "You -shall have first shot, Charley." - -Returning towards the spot where the lion had been shot, they found that -Bill had deserted his post. He was standing in the middle of the path -with Said Mohammed, a good hundred yards away from any bushes or trees. -The natives were chattering at a little distance. - -"Why didn't you do as I told you?" cried John, vexed at the possibility -of having lost his quarry. - -"Conscience made a coward of him, I fear, sir," said Said Mohammed. - -"Well, go and see if you can find the lion. Get the natives to help. I -don't know which tree it was we shot him at," he added to Ferrier, "but -I'm not going back without his head." - -The party split up and made a systematic search, the natives beating the -bush and long grass thoroughly with their spears. At last one of them -shouted that he had found the simba, instantly running away from the -spot at the top of his speed. There was no growling to be heard, -however, so plucking up his courage he returned to the place with his -comrades. When John reached them, he found the men grouped a yard or -two from the lion's tail, jabbering in much excitement. The beast was -stretched on his side, but John was surprised to see by the heaving of -his flanks that he was not yet dead. Judging that the chatter of the -men would have roused him if he had been able to rise, John went towards -his head, but the moment the lion caught sight of him he uttered a -terrible roar and to John's amazement sprang to his feet. Stepping -hastily backward, John stumbled against Said Mohammed, who, believing -like every one else that the beast was helpless, had become bold. The -Bengali went down like a ninepin. John recovered his footing with an -effort, and raising his rifle, fired at the lion at a range of four -yards; but he was too hurried and agitated to take a careful aim, and -the shot merely had the effect of throwing the infuriated animal on his -haunches as he prepared to spring. - -All this had happened so quickly that Ferrier, who had been beating the -bush in the opposite direction from John, had not yet come up. The -sudden flight of the villagers apprised him that something was wrong, -and as he hurried to the spot he was horrified at the sight that met his -gaze. Man and beast seemed only a yard apart. He dared not shoot for -fear of hitting John, and seeing that the shot had but momentarily -checked the animal, he had given up his friend for lost when, as by a -miracle, a sudden diversion occurred. The lion was leaping on John, who -fired his second barrel with shaking hand and missed, when Said Mohammed -scrambled to his feet and flew down the path, shrieking at the top of -his voice. As if supposing that this white-clad yelling creature was -his worst enemy, the lion changed the direction of his spring, almost -grazing John as he fell, and bounded off after the Bengali, with such -enormous leaps that escape seemed impossible. John hastily reloaded and -fired, but he was trembling from head to foot; a mist seemed to rise -before his eyes; and his shot went very wide of the mark. By the time -Ferrier reached his side the chase seemed over; they thought that -nothing could save the unlucky Indian. But when almost within the -brute's clutches, Said Mohammed with the desperation of terror made a -sudden jump to the right towards the river, as if intending to fling -himself into it. The lion swerved after him, presenting his flank to -the anxious spectators. Quick as thought Ferrier raised his rifle and, -just as the beast was midway in his final spring, brought him down with -a bullet through the heart. - -[Illustration: "Ferrier raised his rifle, and brought him down with a -bullet through the heart."] - -John heaved a deep sigh of relief. - -"Good man!" he said. "But what on earth is the fellow up to?" - -Next moment both he and Ferrier were shaking their sides with laughter, -almost hysterical now that the tension was relaxed. The Bengali, too -much overcome with terror to be aware of his safety, was scrambling up a -thorn tree with an agility that would have done credit to a slimmer man. -Up he went, frantically swinging himself from bough to bough. Half way -up he lost his puggaree, snatched from his head by a long spike, and -every stage of his ascent was marked by little bits of his white cotton -dhoti left clinging to the branches. For some moments John was helpless -with laughter, but at last he managed to shout to Said Mohammed to come -down, for the beast was dead. The shout only made him climb the faster, -nor did he stop until he was perched on the topmost branch, his white -robe flapping in tatters about him. Nothing would induce him to budge -until the lion's head had been cut off, to be carried back to the farm -as a trophy. Then he descended, much more slowly than he had mounted, -and with a piteous effort to regain his dignity that was too much for -John and Ferrier, who turned their backs so that he should not see their -amusement. - -These excitements were considered enough for one day, and the party set -off for home, the natives carrying the lion's head and shouting a song -of triumph. John said nothing to Said Mohammed until he thought his -composure was restored. Then he said-- - -"I owe you my life, khansaman. It was very plucky of you to draw the -lion after you, and I shan't forget it.--Shut up!" he whispered to -Ferrier, who emitted a sort of gurgle. - -A gratified smile stole across the Bengali's face. - -"I am quite bucked, sir," he said. "Your words are sweeter than honey. -When your honoured parent returns to this vale of woe, my heart will be -in my mouth when I say to him: 'Lo! here is your progeny, whom I, Said -Mohammed, failed B.A. of Calcutta University, saved from the jaws of the -lion. If I had not been on the spot he would have been absolutely up a -gum-tree.'" - -Ferrier guffawed. - -"Why didn't you do as your uncle did in the Sunderbunds?" he asked -presently, unable to resist the temptation of a sly dig at the failed -B.A. - -"The absence of one ingredient, sir, spoils the sauce. It was rotten -nuisance, but I forgot _in toto_ the words of the charm." - - - - -CHAPTER THE TWELFTH--The Sack of the Farm - - -At breakfast on the day after the lion-hunt Ferrier, who was silent and -seemed embarrassed, said suddenly-- - -"I say, old boy, d'you know I've been here nearly two months?" - -"What! Getting tired of it?" said John, with a smile. - -"Not a bit; only--well, to put it straight, I've been here so long that -I ought to pay for my keep." - -"Rot!" - -"I mean it. It's all very well to be your guest for a week or two, and -I'm jolly comfortable, but to hang on like this--no, really, I ought to -pay something to help keep the pot boiling." - -"Now look here, Charles Ferrier, you're a very good sort, but I'm hanged -if I stand that. If there's any talk of pay, I ought to pay you for -your services. Five weeks in charge while I was droving--name your -figure. Rounding up strayed cattle; looking after the natives--how much -that lot? You do far more in a day than any hired man, as I believe you -call 'em in your part of the world." - -"Well, I like it, and I've nothing else to do; in fact, I've a great -mind to settle about here myself, and I would, like a shot, if it -weren't for Hilda. I'm afraid it wouldn't do to bring her among the -lions, as your khansaman said. But here I am, learning all about it on -the cheap, and with no responsibility." - -"Look here, we'll leave it at that. I'm very glad of your company, to -say nothing of your help, and as by the look of it that misguided father -of mine has been hooked, and the widow must be rolling in money, I don't -suppose we shall see him back here. He'll settle down in Park Lane, and -die before his time of overfeeding. You stay on as long as you like, -and if you're getting experience, I'm getting your services, so we'll -cry quits." - -So it was left. The two young fellows shared in the management of the -farm. They found their time pretty fully occupied, and a portion of a -letter which John wrote to his father a week or two later may be quoted -as showing how affairs at the farm were progressing. - -The rains have stopped, and I've got all the planting done. I'm trying -some radish and rhubarb this season; also carrots, which Mr. Gillespie -told me are good for the cattle. By the way, that bull we called Moses -because he's fierce, is off his feed; I don't know what's wrong with -him, and you might send me Barton's book on common ailments. I don't -suppose you'll find a copy in Geneva, or wherever you are now, but if -you're not too busy to send a card in London, I dare say I'll get it -when Moses is dead. - -"That'll touch him up, Charley; he'll think Moses would be all right if -he were here." - -I bought a few fat-tailed sheep from old Sobersides (the chief of the -neighbouring village) the other day. He got them, he says, from a party -of Rendili who were driven south of the Waso Nyiro by the drought in -their own country. I don't suppose it's true, for Coja tells me the -Rendili live a big long way beyond the mountain, and we've seen nothing -of them. - -Sobersides tells us, too, that a gang of Swahilis have established -themselves somewhere north of Kenya, and are raiding the surrounding -tribes. As they've got guns, I bet they're that sweep Juma and his -crew. That's all we've heard of them since we licked them. - -Ferrier is still here; says he's in loco parentis, and won't leave me -till you return to your duties. I wonder if you tell the widow's -children that you're in loco parentis? - -The lions have been quiet lately, since Said Mohammed saved my life; but -as the mistris had next to nothing to do and were getting too fat, I -have set them to build a stronger boma, of stout poles fastened together -with transverse logs. That ought to keep the beasts out; at any rate it -will give the place more the look of a respectable stockyard. - -I wish you'd ship a few merinos for cross-breeding. Our half-breeds -aren't much good for wool. The May lambs were born with long coarse -hair, though they grew a poor sort of wool at three months. Wasama -doesn't like the woolled sheep; he says they're not like the sheep of -his country, and persists in believing that the first woolled beasts -were the offspring of lions and hyenas. What ignorance! as old Martha -used to say. - -Out shooting the other day we saw a herd of zebras, and Ferrier has got -a mad idea of catching some of the foals and taming them. We may try it -if we come across them again, so don't be surprised if you see us riding -to meet you on striped chargers. You, I expect, will be wearing striped -trousers, light gloves, and a new silk topper. - -The failed B.A. is a perpetual joy. His latest. Ferrier found a hair -in his soup the other night. "Accept humble apologies, sir," says Said -Mohammed, as he took it away. "In such circs. I can best cheer you up -by reminding you of a verse of the little but divine Alexander Pope: -'And beauty draws us with a single hair.'" That may appeal to you, dad. - -I hope your leg is all right, and you're enjoying yourself. _I've_ got -to work for my living. - -One day the younger Masai, who had taken a flock of sheep out to graze -at the extreme west of the estate, came rushing in breathless and -reported with intense excitement that the sheep had been driven off by -some men who had pounced suddenly out of the bush. One was a Swahili, -the rest negroes. They had carried him along with them for some -distance and then let him go. - -"How many were they?" asked John. - -"Eight," replied the boy. "One had a gun." - -"Which way did they go?" - -The boy pointed to the west. - -"We can tackle eight, Charley. Coja, saddle up the two best donkeys and -bring us our rifles. This is something new, Charley. I wonder if it's -our friend Juma again?" - -"Rum thing, their letting the boy go, don't you think?" said Ferrier. -"They must know we'll be after them, especially if the Swahili is Juma; -it's not the first time you've chased him." - -"He reckons on getting away, or on our not finding the trail, I suppose. -We'll take Bill with us." - -But when, riding their donkeys hard, they came to the little hut in the -wood, they found that the Wanderobbo was not there. - -"He's gone for honey, I suppose," said John. "Never mind; we oughtn't -to find it difficult to track sheep." - -They set off at full speed, and easily picked up the trail at the place -where the marauders had rushed from their hiding-place in the bush. They -followed it without difficulty so long as it led across grass country, -but lost it for a time soon after they entered the bush, because there -were evident signs that a herd of animals larger that sheep had recently -forced a way. However, they recovered it again after ten minutes' -search, and found from that point that it led in almost a straight -line--so straight that John was puzzled. - -"I can't make out why they haven't tried to blind their trail and lead -us astray," he said. "They must be very cocksure, or else they're -trying to ambuscade us. We'd better keep a sharp look-out." - -They rode more slowly now, yet at a brisk pace, narrowly examining every -specially thick bush as they approached it, and avoiding any clump of -woodland that might give cover to the marauders. - -Suddenly, when they were a good five miles, as John estimated, from the -farm, on ascending a gradual slope they saw from its crest the flock of -sheep placidly grazing on a little patch of grass about half-a-mile -below. There was no sign of the raiders, and the surrounding bush being -very thin, they must have been visible had they remained in the -immediate vicinity. Cantering down towards the sheep, which scattered -as they approached, the riders dismounted, rounded them up, and -proceeded to count them. - -"They're the Welsh crosses," said John. "Forty-nine--one missing. I -can't make this out at all. Look, here's the trail of the men, let's -follow it up. We'll tether the donkeys. The sheep won't leave this -grass." - -The trail led them straight towards a wood a mile further on. At the -edge of this they saw clear signs of a sheep having been slaughtered and -cut up. Entering the wood cautiously, they followed the trail for some -distance, finding that it wound towards the north. Both were itching to -punish the raiders, but the trail became more and more difficult to -distinguish as the wood grew denser, and at length, hot and tired, and -as much mystified as angry, they turned back and came out once more into -the open. - -"It's something to have got the sheep," said John. "But what was the -beggars' game? They couldn't have seen us after them, and they wouldn't -drive the whole flock so far for the sake of cutting up one." - -"Sheer devilry, perhaps," suggested Ferrier. "They knew we'd overtake -'em before they had got very far, and I dare say are chuckling at having -given us all the trouble for nothing. Rather a poor game, one would -think." - -"Well, we'd better drive the sheep home. It's a long march, and they'll -be pretty well done up by the time we get there." - -They remounted, and headed the flock towards the farm. Sheep, as every -one knows, and as John had experienced on the road to Nairobi, are very -slow travellers. - -"By Jove!" said Ferrier, when they had marched for an hour and covered -perhaps two miles, "I begin to understand what your droving job was -like. I should never have had the patience." - -"I'd give anything for a good sheep-dog. I must ask my father to bring -one with him--or send one, if he doesn't intend to come himself." - -It was on the verge of nightfall when, tired and hungry, they came to -the outskirts of the farm. They heard the bleating of the animals that -had been already penned, and the flock, weary as they were, moved a -little faster to rejoin their kind. Coming to the gate of the boma, -John was surprised to find it open, having given strict orders that it -should always be closed immediately after the animals were brought in -for the night. There was not a man to be seen. Having driven the sheep -into their pens, they hurried on towards the farm buildings. - -"What a smell of wood smoke!" said Ferrier, sniffing. - -"Yes; I hope they haven't set fire to anything. Ah! here's Wasama." - -The Masai came running towards them, followed by his son, the Indians, -Coja and Lulu, all in great haste. - -"The bad men, _bwana_!" cried Coja, and began to pour out a story so -rapidly that John, familiar as he now was with Swahili, could make -little of it, especially as Lulu and the Masai joined in with great -excitement. John silenced them, and asked Said Mohammed to explain what -had happened. His story, told in more direct and natural language than -John had ever heard from him before, was as follows. About half-an-hour -after John had started in pursuit of the raiders Bill had rushed in, -dripping wet, and reported that a large party of armed men, having -raided the village north of the river, were marching rapidly down with -the evident intention of swimming across and making an attack on the -farm. The Bengali, according to his own account, wished to close the -gate and bar the doors of the bungalow, and defend it to the last; but -John afterwards had reason to believe that this was Coja's proposal, and -he had found nobody to support him. Only a few minutes after Bill's -arrival the strangers were seen rushing into the farmstead. The -mistris, the Masai, Lulu, and the few women of the village who had been -working in the fields instantly fled and hid themselves, who knows -where. Said Mohammed went into his own house, and there awaited the -coming of the enemy, resolved to die for the sahib whose salt he had -eaten. The men seized him and dragged him forth, demanding that he -should tell them where the rifles and ammunition were kept. - -"That made me very ratty, sir," said the Bengali. "What! should I tell -tales out of school? But when those fearful bounders threatened to -roast me at my own fire I reflected that it could not be your wish, nor -the wish of your excellent progenitor, that a failed B.A. of Calcutta -University should be roast joint for the sake of a quantity of -villainous saltpetre, et cetera, and therefore I owned up. But while -the banditti were gloating and slapping their backs I took French leave -by the back door, and lo! ensconced behind the barn was Coja, who like -me had saved his bacon." - -From their hiding-place they watched the proceedings of the enemy. They -first of all carried all the rifles out of the bungalow; then from the -little outhouse adjoining it they brought all the ammunition and all the -"trade." The place had been stripped bare, as the Bengali found when he -examined it after the men had gone. The negroes had then shouldered the -loot under the direction of three Swahilis who had guns, and when they -had marched off, the Swahilis had kindled a fire in the little space -between the floor of the bungalow and the ground. Then they had hurried -off after the rest. As soon as they had disappeared, Coja and the -Bengali emerged from their hiding-places, and extinguished the fire with -water from the rain-water tank near the dairy. Very little damage had -been done, the incendiaries having been in such haste to overtake the -rest of their party that they had not waited to ensure a good blaze. - -In the first shock of hearing this bad news both John and Ferrier used -such language as might have been expected of them. It was only too -clear now that the sheep-stealing had been a mere blind, cunningly -devised to decoy them from the farm while the real raid was effected. To -John it was a disaster. When he hurried into the outhouses and bungalow -and found that rifles, ammunition, and every bundle of "trade" were -gone, he felt that ruin stared him in the face. It is not surprising -that, tired out after his long day's work, he saw things even blacker -than they were. There was still a balance at the bank, Cousin Sylvia -having insisted on paying all the expenses of Mr. Halliday's tour; -though if John drew upon that there would be little or no reserve in -case the second year's working turned out unprofitable. Meanwhile the -actual loss was heavy, and the inconvenience perhaps greater, for -without the "trade" he could not pay the labourers from the village, and -what with the lack of wages and the damage to their employer's prestige, -John foresaw a refusal to work any more. - -An examination of the bungalow showed that the floor was little more -than scorched. Nothing had been taken from it except the rifles, so far -as John could see. He kept very little cash, but that was intact. His -rupee notes were always stowed for security in the pockets of his belt. -It was clear that the raiders had come for arms and "trade" only, and -having got what they wanted had wasted no time in merely looting. - -"We can't sit down under this," said John, when he had realized the -extent of his loss. "Yet I don't know what on earth we can do. We've -two rifles and twenty rounds apiece, against--how many did these -ruffians number, khansaman?" - -"In mental arithmetic, sir, I am mere greenhorn, rank duffer; but from -cursory squint I figure them at five hundred." - -"Oh, come now, that won't do. If they had been so many they wouldn't -have been in such a hurry, Where's Bill?" - -"He has not come within my sphere of influence since he ran in like -drowned rat to give us the straight tip, sir." - -"Well, get us something to eat. We're famished. By the way, did any -one recognize Juma among them?" - -"No, sah; no Juma to-day, sah," said Coja. "Him berry much 'fraid to -come heah, 'cause of Lulu, sah. Him show him face, ha! ha! she give him -what for, sah." - -"Go and get your supper." - -John spoke irritably. Normally good-tempered, he was now unlike -himself. - -"And I might have guessed it if I had any gumption," he said to Ferrier. -"Juma took advantage of the sheep straying to run off with our rifles -before, and it didn't require much ingenuity to invent the ruse." - -"Cheer up, old chap. You'll feel better when you've had some grub. It's -very sickening, but as you say, I don't see what we can do." - -It was now quite dark, and they ate their supper in silence. Even Said -Mohammed's excellent cookery could not overcome John's furious disgust -at having been tricked. When the Bengali brought in an omelet he said-- - -"A thousand and one pardons, sir. The wanderer, videlicet Wanderobbo, -has returned, and asks for honour of confab." - -"Bring him in, and fetch Coja; it takes too long to understand Bill -without him." - -Bill had come to report that he had followed up the raiders for several -miles to the north. They had robbed the villagers of all their -foodstuffs, and all the "trade" which they had received as wages for -their work on the farm, and then marched directly northward, coming -after a few miles to an encampment where they were presently joined by a -smaller party from the west. When he came to this part of his story -Bill grew much excited. In the leader of the smaller party he -recognized one of the safari which years before had attacked his -village, killed his people, and plundered their store of ivory--the -ivory which by rights belonged to him, and which he would yet recover. - -"But that's nonsense," said John. "If these people seized his ivory -years ago, it has all been sold long before this." - -When this was interpreted to Bill he was like a man demented, and poured -out a torrent of incoherent speech which even Coja was unable to -understand. John dismissed them both, thinking that the Wanderobbo must -have brooded over some old grievance until it had turned his brain. - -"Bill's report has given me a notion," he said to Ferrier presently. "If -they looted the village they'll be pretty heavily loaded and will go -slowly. They won't march during the night, and if this business -happened about five hours ago we ought to be able to overtake them if we -start early in the morning." - -"But, my dear fellow----" began Ferrier. - -"Oh, I know it's a risk, and we're outnumbered, and we ought to be -prudent, and all the other things that people say who sit in easy-chairs -and wear goloshes. But it's the only thing to be done, and I'm going to -do it." - -"But do you think it's right to leave the farm? Wouldn't your -father----" - -"Hang--no, I don't mean that; I'm afraid I'm rather a bad-tempered brute -to-night, old fellow; but look at it clearly, and you'll agree with me. -If we sit down under this they'll try it on again. The farm will never -be safe. We might as well cut our sticks at once." - -"Why not apply to the Government?" - -"Absolutely useless. To begin with, it would take time, and the raiders -would be who knows how far away? If they belong to that gang we heard -of who've got some sort of a fort up north, they're in a country where -precious few white men have ever been, if any. It would be sheer folly -to send a police column into the hills after a roving band of this sort. -No, it's a settlers' job; it's one of the risks we run, like the lions, -and we've got to deal with it." - -"Well, but how are you going to set about it?" - -"How are _we_ going to, you mean." - -"A slip of the tongue, old chap. Of course I'm with you, all along the -line. How are we going to set about it, then?" - -"Don't know yet. That's what we've got to decide before we go to bed -to-night. One thing's certain, we must make up our minds quickly, start -soon, and hurry like the very dickens, for if there's any truth in this -tale of a fort, we must collar our rifles and ammunition before they get -to it, or we're done. That's the first thing: to get our rifles back." - -"That's a large order. How many did they take?" - -"Four and a shot-gun. If they're the same lot we dealt with before -they'll have about a dozen now. I know we don't stand the ghost of a -chance of recovering them in a fight; that's absurd; but I rather think -if we put our heads together we can find some way of diddling them." - -"If it's a matter of brains I'm conceited enough to believe we have the -odds, but there's a lot to consider besides. We shall have to take a -safari to carry provisions, and a pretty big one if we're going to bluff -them. They won't bolt as they did before. Well, where will you get -your safari from?" - -"The village. What are you smiling at? Snakes, I forgot they've run -off with all my "trade." I've nothing to pay porters with. That's bad. -Still, the chief has known us some time, and perhaps he'll trust us. -I'll see, first thing in the morning." - -"Who will you leave in charge of the farm? Not the Bengali?" - -"Rather not. He may be a very Nimrod in the Sunderbunds, but he's a -funk-stick here. No; Coja's a better man." - -"But you'll want him to interpret." - -"'M. Afraid I shall. I can rub along pretty well with Swahili by this -time, but we may come across a tribe who don't know it, and that would -certainly be awkward. Well, Coja must come with us, then." - -"What I suggest is that you should send a note to Mr. Gillespie and ask -him to send up a respectable European to take charge. He might come -himself; he hasn't paid you the visit he promised, and if you tell him -what you're after I'm sure he'll do what he can. Besides, if we get -bowled over, you know, it would be just as well he should have heard -about the business beforehand, for your father's sake. And I'd send a -note to the Commissioner at Fort Hall too; he may be inclined to stretch -a point." - -"I'll do both. A good idea to get Gillespie up here, or some one he can -trust. Of course if we're lucky we shall get our rifles and things and -be back here long before he could arrive. But then we mayn't. I'll -write before we turn in. That's settled." - -"Don't you think we ought to have some sort of a plan before we start?" - -"Our plan is to go straight after the raiders, and march two miles or -more to their one." - -"That's all right; but what if they reckon on being pursued and lay a -trap for us? You see, they were pursued last time, and they hadn't done -nearly so much damage then." - -"That's true," said John; "but on the other hand there's such a lot of -them this time--we can divide Mohammed's five hundred by five--there's -such a lot that they may think we'll not attempt to bring them to book. -Still, we ought to be on our guard. The worst of it is that if we have -to go carefully we shall have to go slowly, and time's everything in -this job. Hand me a cigarette and let's think it over." - -"Any good asking Bill?" - -"Not a bit. He can do tracking, follow his nose, but that's about all. -Besides, he's so cranky just now that he's fit for nothing. I wonder -how much truth there is in this ivory yarn of his? We may get to the -bottom of it by and by. But this plan of ours--any ideas, Charley?" - -"Not a ghost of one. We _must_ follow the track, and that may lead us -into an ambush." - -"Wait a bit, though. If we could march on a line parallel to it we -might go as fast as we liked without much danger." - -"How could we do that--far enough away from it not to be spotted, and -yet near enough not to lose it?" - -"Of course we couldn't all go together; some one must keep on the track, -and that must be Bill for one." - -"That wouldn't be much good. How could we keep in touch with him? I've -got a field-glass, but that will be useless if we have to go through -much wood. We can't rig Bill up with wireless!" - -"No, but I'll tell you what we can do. You take the safari on the -parallel line; I'll go with Bill and take my pocket-mirror with me. It -will make a fine heliograph. You know the code, of course?" - -"I do, as it happens. I could signal back with my watch-case. But that -won't help us if there's a wood or a hill between us." - -"Well, we must chance that; and as Bill and I shall be able to go much -faster than you with the safari, we can come over to you if necessary; -you see what I mean: come and go between the two tracks and yet keep up -with you." - -"I think that's got it. I suppose it's no use thinking what we'll do -when we come up with the raiders?" - -"No; all will depend on when we find them, and where. I'm not going to -think of that, and as we shall have to be up early to interview the -chief and get our things together, I vote we go to bed." - -"Don't forget your letters." - -"Right. Off you go. Goodness knows when we'll sleep next." - -John wrote the two letters he had spoken of, and a third, a brief note -to his father explaining what had happened. Then he went to bed -thoroughly tired out, and slept like a top. - -Next morning one of the most serious of his difficulties was -unexpectedly removed. As soon as it was light, the chief came over from -the village with some of his people to beg the msungu to follow up the -bad men and recover the stores they had stolen. John jumped at the -opportunity. He agreed to do so if the chief would allow forty of his -strongest young men to act as porters. He pointed out that the -villagers had as great a cause of quarrel with the raiders as he had -himself, so that the bargain he proposed was reasonable. The chief -agreed to it at once. John's recent exploits in slaying the rhinoceros -and the lion, his former successes against the raiders, and above all -his fairness and punctuality in paying the villagers for their labour, -had won him the respect of his neighbours, and they joined him with full -confidence that the expedition would be successful. Preparations were -quickly made, a considerable quantity of food was packed up, two runners -were sent off with the letters, and by seven o'clock the safari was -ready to start. - -At the last moment Said Mohammed came up to John. - -"With submission, sir," he said, "I offer myself as unit in this -expeditionary force. I undertake to be no cipher, but integer, sir, and -not a minus quantity. Need I remind you of the saying of some great and -glorious general whose name I have forgotten, that an army marches upon -its tummy? _Verb. sap_. Grub, sir, is the sinews of war, and -astounding military gumption is no go without a cook. Furthermore, was -I not honoured to interpose unworthy corpus between raging lion and your -honour's nobility? If so, what is a life saved if not also preserved? -Permit me, therefore, to be the life-preserver." - -"All right. Hurry up! No time to waste," said John, remarking to -Ferrier, as the Bengali went off to fetch his bundle: "I suppose he's -afraid the place will be attacked again in our absence." - -"A bad look-out if it is." - -"Well, we shall soon find out whether the whole gang of the raiders are -on the march. If they are, I don't think they'll come back, and as -nobody else has molested us for more than a year I think we may be -pretty easy. Now, khansaman, buck up; we're off." - -John had already decided that every member of the party should go on -foot. Donkeys might prove a great nuisance if the country was -difficult; moreover, mounted men would form conspicuous objects in the -plains. Accordingly Ferrier and he had donned stout-soled boots, and -set off to tramp after Bill and Coja, who had gone ahead with the chief -to select the men for the safari. Said Mohammed brought up the rear. - - - - -CHAPTER THE THIRTEENTH--Tracking the Raiders - - -The two white men had just forded the river when they met the porters -marching to the farm to fetch the loads laid there in readiness for -them. It was plain that the chief was in earnest, for the forty young -men were the most stalwart in his community. Each carried his bow and -arrows, and as John turned and watched them striding lithely along he -thought they would prove no mean antagonists in a fight. He went on -with Ferrier to the village, had a short conversation with the chief, -and then set off with Bill on the trail of the raiders, leaving Coja and -Said Mohammed to bring the safari. He wished to go a few miles ahead in -order to examine the trail and get some guidance of his course before -the others came up. - -At the outset the spoor was very easy to follow. The ground in the -immediate neighbourhood of the village was soft red soil, on which the -print of feet could be clearly seen. But it was impossible at first to -distinguish the marks of the raiders from those of the villagers. -Presently, however, they came to a stretch of grass-land, the grass -cropped short by the villagers' cattle. Here again the trail was so -crossed and mingled with the hoof-marks of the animals that had grazed -there since daybreak that it was impossible to learn anything from it. -But by and by the grass grew longer, and the passage of a numerous body -of men through it was plainly indicated. There were two distinct -tracks, one a narrow path, the other, a few yards to the left, broader. -Both the white men were sufficiently experienced in African travel to -know that the former was the track of the bearers among the party, -proceeding in single file; the latter that of the Swahilis, who, -insolent in their strain of Arab blood, domineer over the native tribes. - -"They're going pretty fast," said John, as they marched on; "fast, that -is, for men carrying loads." - -"How do you know?" asked Ferrier. - -"By the look of the spoor. Stop a minute and bend down. Here are the -footprints of the niggers, you see, about thirty inches apart. Every -man trod in the steps of the man in front, so that the prints are -particularly clear. I know they went fast because their feet turned in -a lot; look at the marks; you can't carry a load at any pace with your -feet splayed. Now look at the other trail. The footsteps are farther -apart--three feet, I should think; and one or two of the men had -sandals; there's a flatter impression than bare feet make. I rather -guess that the Swahilis set the pace and made the natives keep up: they -could do that because if there's a lot of them they needn't all carry -loads at the same time." - -"I say, we could have done without Bill," said Ferrier, with a laugh, as -they went on. "Did he teach you that?" - -"No. I did some scouting at school. Bill can't make any inferences -from what he sees, but he's got sharper eyes than I have, and can often -spot the trail when I've lost it, especially on hard ground. The worst -of this habit of marching in Indian file is that one can't tell how many -the party consists of; at least, I can't; perhaps a more experienced -scout could judge from the depth of the impression of the footprints. -Look here; just as I thought. They stopped here to change loads. The -Swahilis made a group here; the carriers put their loads on the grass at -the side of the path; see how it's pressed down. Here's the mark of one -of my ammunition boxes, I'll swear; and the next man had a cargo of -maize; here are some of the grains." - -"How far do you reckon they went before camping?" - -"Well, judging by what Said Mohammed said, they made their attack -between one and two--the hottest part of the day, when everybody would -be sleepy. Allowing a couple of hours to sack the village and get the -loads together, they might start at four and march till seven, so that -in about an hour's time we ought to get to their last night's camp. The -trail runs fairly straight, so it looks as if they're making direct for -their refuge in the hills, and I hope to goodness it's pretty far away: -the farther it is the better our chance of coming up with them before -they get there. It runs west-nor'-west, you see" (he had taken out his -pocket compass), "which leads to the foothills of Kenya. We ought to -find ourselves on rocky ground presently, and may lose the trail." - -"Hadn't we better wait for our men now?" - -"We'll come to the raiders' camp first. Coja won't lose us; and I want -to see what sort of camp they made: it may help us." - -They hastened on. At one point the track swerved to the east to avoid a -steep incline, but returned to its former direction immediately that had -been passed. At another it led due west, skirting a swamp, at the edges -of which the footprints were still deeper in the soft mud, which was, -however, beginning to dry in the sun's rays. Then it crossed a shallow -stream, and John wondered at first why the raiders had marched for some -little distance up the bank before crossing, since the stream was -fordable anywhere. He understood when Bill pointed to a long depression -in the soft earth at the brink: a crocodile had lain there, and the men -had given it a wide berth, for if it had heard or seen them it would -have slipped noiselessly into the water and seized some hapless fellow -as they crossed. - -At length, after a rapid march of two hours, during which they had -covered, as John estimated, about eight miles, they came suddenly to an -open glade in the midst of scrub, where there were clear signs of the -previous night's encampment. A thorn boma was left partly standing. -Within it there were the black marks of fires, and a circular patch of -discoloured grass where the loads had been stacked. Here John decided -to halt and await the arrival of the safari. The smell of burnt wood -was still so strong that he guessed the raiders had not made a very -early start, giving him the hope of coming up with them before nightfall -if his men would be content with a short rest. - -It was an hour and a half before they came up, very hot and tired, Coja -having not allowed a halt until they reached the stream, where they had -delayed for a little while to drink and cool their feet. Judging that -the raiders were quite out of sight, a belt of forest stretching across -the country about a mile ahead, John did not think any harm would come -of lighting fires; accordingly the men set about cooking their -breakfast, and Said Mohammed made some coffee, which the white men drank -out of tin mugs, with condensed milk. John took the opportunity to -explain to the men that he wished to set off without delay, promising -that with good luck they should recover their stolen goods before next -morning. After an hour's rest, therefore, he gave the order to march. - -They now adopted the plan he had arranged with Ferrier over night. They -had come into country favourable to an ambuscade, and it was advisable -to take all precautions. On starting, Ferrier and the safari struck off -to the right, leaving John to follow the trail with Bill. The latter -kept close to the track so long as it led over open country, where no -trap was possible; but as soon as they reached the wood, John -heliographed with his pocket mirror to Ferrier, now nearly a mile to the -east, to halt until he had scouted among the trees. For some time there -was no answering flash to his signals, and he feared the safari was out -of touch, but after repeated trials the answer came, and he knew that -all was well. John then entered the wood with Bill very cautiously, and -found it so thick, and the ground so densely covered with undergrowth, -that it was impossible to see the trail. There was nothing for it but -to penetrate to the other side, and they did this as rapidly as -possible, John thinking it scarcely probable that the raiders would have -attempted to lay a trap for them in the wood, where there was no path. -John found this the most trying experience he had yet encountered. Here -he had to climb over a dead tree-trunk: there to cut his way through a -jungle of bamboos, every stroke of his knife shaking a shower of dew -from the canopy overhead until his shirt was soaked. He was unable to -see a yard in front of him. His progress was all the more difficult -because the wood covered a steep slope. It took nearly half-an-hour to -get right through, though the distance in a straight line was less than -half-a-mile: then they came out upon a sort of rocky plateau, and John -got one of his rare glimpses of Mount Kenya, far to the west, its -snow-clad peaks, for once clear of mist, gleaming dazzlingly in the -sunlight. Leaving Bill to recover the trail, he hastened back to -heliograph that the safari might advance, and by the time he had once -more penetrated the wood and rejoined the Wanderobbo, Ferrier had come -within sight in a hollow a mile and a half to the east. Bill having not -yet found the trail on the hard ground, John signalled to Ferrier to -halt again; the delay was vexatious, but it was important that the -advance should not be continued until he had made quite sure of the -direction. - -Finding Bill at fault, John cast about for the lost trail in a -systematic way. He laid down his rifle to mark the spot where he had -emerged from the wood, and sent Bill to the left, himself going to the -right, to examine the ground in ever-widening circles. The difficulty -was greatly enhanced by the fact that almost all the raiders were -barefooted, so that there was nothing to mark their passage over the -hard soil. After searching for half-an-hour in the sweltering heat, and -almost despairing, John suddenly observed, about two hundred yards from -the spot where he had left his rifle, a tribe of black ants very busily -engaged. Looking more closely, he was delighted to see that they were -running over and over a grain or maize. Bill came up at his call, and -instantly flinging himself upon his face, and peering along the surface -of the soil northwards, he declared he saw marks of the scraping of -sandals. John hastened in that direction, and within a few yards came -upon a small round depression whence a pebble lying near by had -evidently been kicked. He had no doubt that the trail was at last -recovered, so he sent Bill back for his rifle, and then, finding from -his compass that the line between the grain and the hole led in a -north-westerly direction, towards a low hill, he ventured to set his -course thither, finding, as he progressed, slight traces on the soil -that proved his judgment to be correct. - -The hill was about two miles away, and by the time he reached it he was -so fatigued with trudging over the shelterless plain under the fierce -sun that he was glad to throw himself under a thorn-bush at the foot of -the slope and rest, first signalling his intention to Ferrier. An hour -after, he rose and scouted to the top of the hill, being careful not to -expose himself on the skyline, and lying down to take a good look round -before proceeding. The plain stretched as far as the eye could reach, -slightly undulating, with patches of grass and scrub. There was no sign -of the raiders, but a herd of wildebeeste were quietly grazing -half-a-mile ahead, from which John concluded that no men had recently -passed that way. The march therefore was resumed. Half-an-hour -afterwards he caught sight of a party of natives on a hill to the right, -and at once signalled to Ferrier to examine them through his -field-glass. In a few minutes he saw flashes, and made out from the -message that there were no Swahilis among the natives, nor did they -carry loads, but appeared to be a hunting party. From Ferrier's report -it did not seem that any danger would attend an advance. Accordingly -the march was continued, and shortly afterwards the natives caught sight -of the safari and bolted into the bush. John wondered whether they -would carry news of his approach to the raiders, but soon made up his -mind to the contrary, for if what had come to his ears was true, the -Swahilis had established a reign of terror in the district, and the -neighbouring tribes would rather avoid them. It struck him, however, -that it was very necessary to be even more carefully on his guard -against premature discovery by the raiders, for these would force any -natives they came in contact with to join their safari and fight for -them. As it was now drawing towards nightfall, and there seemed no -chance of coming up with the raiders, he decided to call a halt, and, -striking to the right, joined Ferrier. The men, who had marched without -a murmur through the hottest hours of the day, were very glad to drop -their burdens and camp. Tired though they were, they at once set about -surrounding the encampment with a boma. While they were doing this, -John and Ferrier, accompanied by Bill, scouted for about two miles ahead -to make sure that the raiders had not encamped in the vicinity, in which -case an accidental noise might betray the safari. Discovering no sign of -their presence, they returned to the men. They deliberated whether it -was safe to light fires, and decided not to do so, though it meant a -cold and dry supper. - -Before they went to sleep, Bill, who was not usually communicative, told -John more completely, with Coja's aid, the story of which he had -hitherto given only scattered hints. He said that they were now drawing -near to his own country, which lay only four marches distant beyond the -mountain. Between it and their present camp was the country of the bad -men. A long time ago he had been one of a considerable tribe, who for -many years had enjoyed good hunting. Large herds of elephants had -infested their country, and they had slain some with their spears in -open hunting, but more by snaring them in pits. The flesh they ate, the -tusks they buried for fear of the Masai and the Rendili, who plundered -the weaker tribes. They were waiting for the coming of a safari to -which they might sell their store of ivory. - -The waiting was long, but the safari came at last--a large safari, -commanded by brown men, not white men like the _bwana_, nor black like -the people of those parts. Coja explained that Bill referred to Arabs. -One member of the safari was the very man whom he had seen among the -raiders. The Wanderobbo began to bargain with the Arabs, but these, as -soon as they learnt where the ivory was buried, had treacherously fallen -upon the tribe, and massacred all except a few women whom they spared to -make slaves of, for the transport of the treasure. Bill had escaped by -shamming dead when the slaughter was going on, and, lurking in the -woods, he saw his wife among the slaves whom the Arabs loaded with the -ivory. He followed the safari when it marched off with the spoils, and -came in its track into the country of the bad men, who secretly gathered -around it, and early one morning fell upon it in a fierce assault. From -the shelter of a thick tree Bill watched the fighting. The Arabs had -fire-sticks, and slew many of the bad men; but after a time they ceased -to make the big noises; the fire-sticks had lost their magic. Seeing -this, the bad men attacked still more fiercely, and in greater numbers. -A whole day the fight lasted, and did not cease until night fell. -Creeping up to the Arabs' camp and climbing a tree, Bill saw them bury -the ivory by the light of their fires, working hard all night, and -before morning came they broke out of their camp and forced a way -through the enemy. These, following their custom, waited until daylight -before they pursued the Arabs; then they set off, having no fear of them -now that the firesticks were silent. Bill was too frightened to follow -them up, but he learnt afterwards that the bad men caught the party up -in two days and slew every one, and also the Wanderobbo whom they had -enslaved. It was clear, however, that one at least had escaped. Bill -remained in the tree until the bad men had gone, and then slipped away -and took refuge with a Masai tribe south of his old home. But a time -came when disaster overtook the Masai. Disease seized upon their -cattle: they roamed about and suffered heavy defeats in war: and at -length Bill left them, when almost starving, and built himself the -little hut in the wood where John had found him. - -Now he was happy. The msungu had been his friend. He had brought him -into the very country of the bad men: and when he had punished the -people who had robbed him, surely he would go farther, a little farther, -and recover the ivory which lay in the earth awaiting its rightful -master. - -"But did not the bad men take it when they had killed the Arabs?" asked -John. - -No: they might have sought for it, but they would never find it. They -could not tell where it had been concealed, and if they had returned to -the camp they would not have discovered it, for the Arabs had strewed -ashes from their fires over the spot, to hide the disturbance of the -earth. Bill knew where it was; he could lead the msungu straight to the -spot; and the msungu who had been his friend would show his friendliness -still, and would perhaps buy the treasure when it was laid bare. - -"What do you think of it?" John asked Ferrier, as they talked it over -together. - -"It sounds like a fairy tale. You may be sure that the 'bad men' did -find it. They would naturally suppose it had been buried in the camp -and search for it there." - -"I'm not so sure. They're not a very intelligent lot, to begin with. -Imagine a crowd of chawbacons----" - -"What are they?" - -"Oh, I suppose you haven't got 'em in Canada--raw country yokels who -haven't any ideas beyond beans and bacon. Imagine them in the same -case, chasing a party for twenty miles or more and then finding that -they hadn't got what they supposed they had. They wouldn't know but -what the treasure had been hidden anywhere along the twenty miles run, -and they'd adjourn to the nearest 'pub.'" - -"You may be right, though I guess no Canadian would give it up so soon. -Anyway, we can't help the old fellow, can we?" - -"We've got our own job to see through first, and that will be tough -enough, I expect. The beggars must have marched at a tremendous pace, -and we shall be short of food soon. If we don't catch them to-morrow we -shall be in a pretty bad way, for the country seems practically a -wilderness. But we won't croak yet. I'll take first watch while you -sleep: I'll wake you at midnight; and we'll make an early start." - -The camp was astir while it was still dark, and at dawn was on its way, -observing the same precautions as before; indeed, John was even more -careful, for being ignorant how far ahead the raiders were, it was -necessary to run no risk of approaching them too rapidly. Again the -course took a north-westerly direction, but after skirting one of the -larger foothills of Mount Kenya, it bore a little more to the west. Bill -said that they were now marching almost straight towards his old home. -After two hours they came upon the site of the raiders' last camp, and -John, finding the ashes of the fires warm, though the sun had not yet -broken through the morning mist, concluded that they had been raked over -not more than two hours before. This caused him some little uneasiness. -Though no attempt had been made hitherto to trap the pursuers, he was -still alive to the possibility of such an ambush being laid: it was -possible also that the raiders had left a rearguard to advance behind -the main body, after they had assured themselves that there was no -pursuit. These considerations led him to swerve from the direct track, -and proceed through a belt of scrub half-a-mile to the right of it, -Ferrier with the safari marching at the same distance still farther to -the east, and only at intervals being in sight. He intended to return -to the track from time to time, when a favourable opportunity occurred, -to make sure that he was still proceeding in the right direction. - -It was fortunate that he adopted this precaution, for the first time he -struck off to the left to revisit the trail he was astonished to find, -distinctly imprinted on the dewy grass, the footsteps of men going in -the reverse direction. The sun being now up, he at once signalled to -Ferrier to halt, and then carefully examined the new trail. It was -quite fresh; the trodden grass had not had time to erect itself; and -after a careful scrutiny he came to the conclusion that the marks had -been made by four or five men, all wearing sandals. He suspected from -this that they were some of the Swahilis of the party, and suspicion -became certainty when Bill discovered a tiny strip of white cotton on a -spike of a wait-a-bit thorn-bush. The conclusion was irresistible that -some of the raiders had doubled on their tracks in order to watch for -and perhaps ambush any pursuers. - -Feeling that he must find out exactly what had happened, he began with -Bill cautiously to follow up the new track, looking warily ahead, and -observing with especial care the few large trees that were to be seen -here and there in the distance, for any flight of birds would at once -indicate the presence of men. As they walked, they found that the trail -curved slightly westward, which seemed to show that it would presently -join the main track which they had quitted. John moved now more -cautiously than ever, for if his supposition was correct, the men would -halt before they actually reached the direct course, at some spot where -they could overlook it. - -As they proceeded, the ground rose and the scrub became thicker. But -suddenly the bushes thinned away and they saw, at the top of a long -incline, a clump of trees. And then they stopped short and dropped -hurriedly to the ground. Before them, on the knoll, at the foot of a -tree, they had caught sight of three white-clad men looking upwards -among the branches. They had rifles. Without doubt this was the spot -chosen for keeping watch on the trail. Wriggling under cover, at the -cost of some scratches, John and the Wanderobbo saw a fourth man perched -high up in the tree below which the others stood. Had he not been -intently gazing towards the main track, and his companions looking up at -him, it would scarcely have been possible for John to escape discovery. - -The men were speaking. At the distance John could not distinguish what -they said; foreign words are always difficult to pick up when the -speakers are at all remote; but from a certain impatient intonation he -gathered that the men had been for some time on the watch, and were -weary or disappointed at the apparent fruitlessness of it. As he lay -there, his heart jumped as he thought how easy it would be to shoot the -men. He could take aim at his leisure, and pick off two of them with -certainty. Taken by surprise, the others would probably bolt. But it -would not be playing the game; he could not bring himself to stalk them -as he would stalk a wild animal, though he knew that if they spied him -and got first shot they would have no compunction about shooting him. -For a moment he thought of dispatching Bill to fetch Ferrier; with his -aid, backed by the natives with their bows and arrows, he might capture -all four, or, if they showed fight, dispose of them. But he soon gave -up the idea. The men might decamp before Ferrier could arrive; they -might indeed see the Wanderobbo creeping through the bush, and, the most -important consideration of all, a shot would certainly give the alarm to -the main body of the raiders, and that would defeat his purpose. If -they took to flight he would lose his only chance of recovering his -rifles and ammunition, which was his immediate object. If they hastened -back at the sound of the firing, he would find himself matched against -overwhelming numbers, and the result would be disaster. His only hope of -success lay in a sudden unexpected blow at the main body, when his -numerical inferiority would be compensated by the paralyzing effect of -surprise. How this blow was to be delivered he had at present no -notion; it must be left to the guidance of circumstances; but certainly -its prospects would be hopelessly jeopardized if the raiders' vigilance -was aroused. Patience must be his watchword. - -He lay and watched the Swahilis for half-an-hour by his watch. Then, -evidently tired of their fruitless errand, they started to rejoin the -main body. They came down the slope, passing within a few yards of -where John and the Wanderobbo were concealed; but fortunately they did -not retrace their steps along the path by which they had come, but -struck off towards the direct course of the main column, which they -would probably intersect, as John guessed, at the distance of about a -quarter of a mile. If they had returned by the same way the marks of -John's boots might possibly have escaped them unless they were -accustomed to tracking; but if they had caught sight of them he felt -that he would have been in a dangerous predicament. At that moment John -wished that he could march barefoot like the natives, but he knew that -it was a vain wish. - -John told Bill to creep through the scrub and follow the men up for a -little way, until he was sure that they had finally left the spot. For -himself, he had suddenly resolved to climb the tree as the Swahili had -done, and discover what outlook could be had from it. He found that the -place had been admirably chosen. From a branch thirty feet above the -ground the country was visible for miles around. On the west rose the -giant mist-clad form of Mount Kenya; eastward the plain extended as far -as the eye could reach. South and north he could scan the country -through which the raiders had passed, and westward, from the appearance -of the vegetation, he inferred that a considerable stream flowed. As he -watched, he saw the four Swahilis emerge from the scrub, strike the -track, and hasten towards the north. There was no doubt that they had -dismissed the idea of being pursued. - -When Bill came back, the two set off to rejoin the safari, which they -found halted by a shallow stream about two miles away. John told -Ferrier what he had discovered. - -"I don't think they can be more than five or six miles ahead of us," he -said. "We can easily come up with them by the time they camp, or soon -after, and I think we ought to strike to-night." - -"Have you any idea how?" - -"None whatever. All will depend on the lie of the land and the kind of -camp they make. I'll send Bill on ahead to make sure they don't alter -their direction, and then we'll follow up and get to them by nightfall." - -"It's to be hoped they won't get warning. I've seen two or three small -parties of natives to-day, and they must have seen us. I suppose they -won't give any information." - -"I hope not. The chief danger is that the news of our safari will -spread, and the raiders learn of it by accident. I don't think the -natives will rush purposely to inform them, if they're the kind of -tyrants we've heard they are." - -"I shall be jolly glad when we come to grips with them. This marching -is rather trying, and the men are getting the dumps. They seem to have -thought we should overtake the fellows in a winking, and wipe them out -with magic. Coja tells me they haven't been so far away from their -village before." - -"How's our failed B.A.?" - -"Decidedly jumpy. He said just now that he feels O.K., excluding organs -of ambulation, which are quite below par, owing to filamentous condition -and conspicuous absence of beefiness. He has got rather spindly calves, -to be sure. By the way, an hour ago we saw two black fellows looking at -us through the scrub. We gave chase, but couldn't catch them. I hope -they won't bring a horde of the 'bad men' upon us." - -"No, indeed. We've got our hands pretty full as it is." - -Bill returned by and by with the news that the whole party of raiders -had rested in the scrub some distance to the north, but had now resumed -their march. John set off at once on a parallel course, and at four -o'clock halted again, judging that the raiders would now have chosen the -spot for their encampment. Once more he sent Bill forward to -reconnoitre, and learnt from him on his return that the raiders had -stopped, evidently with no intention of going farther, near a small -stream. Knowing that the African native is incapable of estimating -distance, John, though he was tired, determined to press on with the -Wanderobbo and discover how far off the camp was. It was an hour before -he came in sight of it. Some of the men were engaged in erecting a -boma; a few were fishing in the stream that flowed within about a -hundred yards of the camp; others were cooking a meal. The ground about -the camp was for the most part open, but there were patches of scrub -here and there, and one or two clumps of woodland. The camp was placed -on a hillock, the base of which was washed on one side by the stream. -This wound away in a north-easterly direction, and at one point was a -tract of tall elephant grass, lining the banks due north of the camp and -stretching for about half-a-mile to the west, where it merged in dense -scrub. - -Being unable to learn as much as he desired from his post of observation -south of the camp, John, still accompanied by the Wanderobbo, struck off -to the west, crossed the stream, which was only knee-deep but fairly -swift, and making a long circuit came down upon it again through the -elephant grass, at a point directly opposite the camp, and only about a -hundred yards from it. The ground rose gradually from the river to the -boma. From his position at the edge of the grass John could not see the -gate, but guessed from the coming and going of the men that it was on -the south-west side. The boma was constructed of material cut from the -surrounding scrub, and was of no great strength, though sufficiently -formidable to stop a rush. The fact that the men had kindled fires -showed that they were not seriously apprehensive of being followed up, -and this sign of security was welcome to John, as favouring his design -of surprising them. - -It was nearly dark when he rejoined the safari, so fatigued that Ferrier -questioned the possibility of his leading an attack that night. - -"Oh, I'm all right," said John. "I can rest for an hour or two. Have -you got a pencil? I'll draw a sketch of the camp. Here's the stream: -here's the elephant grass: what I propose is that we make our way to -that and suddenly spring on them. Even disciplined troops are pretty -well scarified by a night attack, and if we can only fairly surprise -these beggars we ought at least to be able to get our ammunition, if not -our rifles, in the confusion." - -"But if they stand we shall be in a bad way." - -"That's true. We can't match them in mere fighting strength. Everything -depends on the completeness of the surprise, and we shall have to be -very strict with our men. The slightest sound will give the alarm, and -as they're not used to marching at night they are likely to be scared by -anything. That's all I'm afraid of. I don't know whether we hadn't -better gag them all." - -Ferrier laughed. - -"I don't think that would help matters," he said. "You had better -explain to them what's at stake, and then take your chance." - -"Well, we'll try it to-night. D'you know I begin to get a notion of -what their game is. Bill says that one of them belonged to the Arabs -who stole his ivory. If that's so, the fellow will know where the ivory -is buried, and I fancy this is a pretty scheme to get hold of it. Ten to -one it's Juma. That would explain his bagging rifles and ammunition. -He wanted to get together a strong party, so that he could keep off the -'bad men' in whose country the ivory is. It will be rather a feather in -our cap if we can get back our property and dish his little game too." - -"Don't fly too high, old chap. We may thank our stars if we get through -at all, and if you take my advice, as soon as we have secured the -ammunition if we ever do, you'll make tracks for home and not go -treasure-hunting. There's nobody on the farm, remember." - -"Well, we'll see. First things first; I'll go and harangue the men." - - - - -CHAPTER THE FOURTEENTH--Ferrier Insists - - -There were long faces among the men when they heard what was expected of -them. Night was terrible to them. They were low-spirited, and John had -to refrain from stimulating them with a full meal; there would be danger -in lighting fires. But he promised them a feast when the work was done. -To march silently, to keep together, to do exactly what they were told: -that was the sum of his exhortation. When he left them to consider it, -some grumbled, others talked of slinking away. But one reminded them -that these wasungu had slain lions and rhinoceros, why should they not -slay bad men too? And they kept their promises: if they said there -should be a feast, a feast there would certainly be. So they took -comfort, and began to talk bravely of the deeds they would do. - -Before they set forth, John set Bill to gather some bundles of dry grass -and press them tight. Then he asked Said Mohammed to spare him a -quantity of the methylated spirit he had brought for cooking. He poured -some of this into his pocket-flask from the Bengali's tin can. - -"You will remain here, Said Mohammed," he said. "I shall leave five or -six men who have most felt the strain of marching." - -"Respectfully, sir, that is against the grain. I go where honour calls. -Never say die. I gird up my loins and follow into thick of the fray." - -"All right. Just as you please. Keep close to us, that's all." - -"I will stick closer than a brother, sir." - -Some few minutes past ten o'clock, under a sky whose blackness was -scarce broken by the stars, John and the Wanderobbo led the way out of -the camp, each carrying a bundle of dried grass. Immediately behind -them marched Said Mohammed, then Coja and the rest of the men in single -file, Ferrier bringing up the rear. They moved silently, and the -half-dozen men left behind in the camp, peering out through the boma, -neither saw nor heard them when the last man was a dozen yards away. - -John did not try to find the track of his former journey. It was too -dark to see it. Bill might have discovered it by his wonderfully keen -sense of touch, but there was no need. All they had to do was to march -due west until they struck the stream; then to hug its bank until they -arrived at the elephant grass. - -It was slow work, and not without its anxieties for the white men. Every -now and then John heard a gulping sound behind, and knew that some one -was afraid. Once or twice he halted. The men's hard breathing spoke of -terror rather than effort. At such times he passed down the line, -speaking quietly to reassure them; then, returning to the head, he bent -to the ground and struck a match under his hat, to check the course by -his pocket-compass, and went on again. Once there was a rustling sound -upon the left hand, and the scared negroes made clicks with their -mouths, and some would have run had not John, in a fierce whisper, -called to them to stand, and asked whether they feared an antelope. - -They came at length to the stream, the gurgle of its waters making a -pleasant music in John's ears. Half the journey was done. So that he -might not come to the stream near the enemy's camp he had directed his -course somewhat south of his former line; and it was a long march -up-stream before they came to the elephant grass. John avoided the -brink, for fear of lurking crocodiles. Once he almost stumbled upon a -hippopotamus asleep in the sedge, and thought it lucky he was at the -head of his men, whom the snort of the beast, as it rose and shambled -away into the darkness, might have infected with panic. He heaved a -sigh of relief as he came at last to the tall, thick grass standing high -above his head. Halting, he passed word down the line to tread even -more cautiously and in even deeper silence, trusting that the rustling -which could scarcely be avoided would, if heard in the camp, seem to the -enemy only the sound of animals moving in the grass. Then he went on -again. - -Peering out through the screen, he presently saw a dull glow some -distance to the right. There lay the camp; within the boma fires were -burning. Once more the party halted, and John, moving stealthily, -sought Ferrier to consult with him. - -"I'm going to set fire to the boma," he said in a whisper. "When you -see the flames, fire off all your rifles and lead the men at a rush for -the camp. They can shout then like the army of Gideon. We're -north-west of it; they'll be startled out of their sleep, and rush for -the gate on the south-west; at least I hope so." - -"You'd better let me fire the boma, John. You'll lead the men better -than I should; they know you best. Besides, it's my turn." - -"Rubbish!" said John. "I've been here before." - -"But I can't miss the boma if I go straight ahead. I insist on it, old -chap; I'm sure it will be best. Hand over your grass and the spirit; -I've got matches." - -"Your arm's not thoroughly sound yet." - -"All the more reason. It doesn't require much muscle to strike a match. -Come on; it must be past midnight; there's no time to lose." - -John gave him the materials somewhat reluctantly. Ferrier pressed his -hand and slid away into the darkness. Time passed very slowly. The men -grew fidgety; John heard the strange gulping in their throats, and the -little noises they made as they moved worried him, lest they were heard -in the camp. True, there were other sounds: the hum of insects, a -lion's roar in the distance, the laughing bark of a hyena; but these -were momentary, not continuous like the rustling of the grass, which -there was no breeze to account for. As minute after minute passed, and -there was still no sign, John grew more and more anxious. The boma was -less than two hundred yards distant. He durst not strike a light to -look at his watch, but surely there had been time to go and come and go -again. What was happening? - -Ferrier, stealing across the ground with no more sound than a snake -might have made, guided always by the faint glow from the fires, had -covered, as he guessed, two-thirds of the distance when he thought it -prudent to drop upon hands and knees, lest, upright, his form should be -descried by some keen-sighted sentry. He had crawled thus some twenty -yards further when suddenly he saw dimly before him a something, like an -irregular hedge, no more than four feet high, stretching athwart his -path. Was this the boma? Surely it bespoke unusual security in the -enemy if they had contented themselves with so low a defence. Their -bomas were commonly six feet high or more. He crept on more stealthily -until he touched the obstruction: it was a thorny hedge. He tried to -peer through it, expecting to see the camp-fires; but he looked into -blackness, save for the dull red glow in the sky. Was it possible that -the enemy were not so confident after all, but had erected a double -barrier? Or was the hedge natural? - -He crawled to the left. The hedge had a regular curve. It must have -been placed by men. Raising himself gradually to his feet until his -eyes were just level with the top, he looked over. Yes; there was the -true boma, a dark mass thirty feet away. Through its interstices he saw -streaks of dim light from the fires burning within. To set fire to the -outer hedge would be useless; within the boma the enemy would be still -secure, and the conflagration would but give them light to take aim at -their assailants. He must cross the hedge. - -But how? By a flying leap? This would expose him to the view of any -one on watch, for though the night was dark, it was not so black but -that a moving object could be seen. By clambering over? This would be -attended by the same risk and by others. He might indeed scramble over -at the expense of torn hands and clothing, though there was the danger -of being held fast by the tenacious wait-a-bit thorns of which the -obstacle was made. But his movements must cause such a crackling and -creaking of the interlaced branches as could not fail to alarm any one -who chanced to be awake in the camp, no matter at what part of it. -Leaping and climbing being equally out of the question, what course -remained? - -Ferrier was not for nothing the grandson of a man who had roughed it in -the backwoods of Canada. If acquired qualities are not inherited, the -stock of which he came must have been sturdy and dogged in grain. At -any rate, Charles was not the man to be baulked. Dropping on his knees -again, he dug his fingers into the soil beneath the hedge. It was -gravel, like the ground he had crossed in coming from the river. Very -carefully he began to scrape out a hole, intending to persevere until it -was large enough for him to squeeze his body through. He soon found -that the task was not to be easy. The soil was so light and mobile -that, as he scraped, it tended to slip at the sides and fill up the hole -he was so laboriously excavating. Further, he felt the hedge, at the -point where he was undermining it, subside, with a rustling and creaking -which, faint as it was, might easily catch the ear of a wary guard. -Fortunately the subsidence was soon checked. The base of the hedge was -composed of stout branches which yielded but slightly, and in a few -minutes the settling down ceased. - -Relieved on this score, Ferrier scraped away at the hole, thinking of -John, who was no doubt wondering at the long delay. He worked until his -fingers were sore. At last the hole was large enough for him to wriggle -under the hedge. He groped with his hands for any thorns that might be -sticking out downwards from the tangle above, and finding several, cut -them off with his knife. Then, shoving his bundles of grass before him, -he crawled into the hole and began to worm his way through. It was a -tight fit, and the difficulty was all the greater because of the need -for silence. More than once as his body, pressed close against the -lower part of the hedge, put some strain upon it, there was a sharp -creak when his passage freed the branch. At last he was through, -scratched, hot, and breathless, and with a feeling that the various -parts of his clothing were in very unnatural relation to one another. -But he was through: that was the main thing; and pausing only to take -breath, he ran in a stooping posture across the space between the outer -and the inner defences. - -All was quiet within the boma. Ferrier maintains to this day that -snoring is an infirmity of civilization, for the sleepers emitted no -sound. He lost no time in completing his task. First he soaked the -bundles of grass thoroughly with methylated spirit, having postponed -this until he reached the boma, lest evaporation should diminish the -effect. Then he thrust them beneath the boma, choosing a place where it -was thick and the light from the fires shone through less freely than -elsewhere. Then he struck a match and applied it. Instantly there was -a great flame; the dry thornbushes of the boma took fire readily. -Ferrier slipped away to be out of the glare, but had gone only a few -steps when he heard a soft patter of feet behind him. A moment after, -the air was rent with rifle cracks and a din of shouting, from within -the boma and from a distance. He turned to meet the man approaching, -and saw the form of a big negro silhouetted against the glare. Ferrier -was unarmed save for his clasp-knife, and he had not made up his mind -what to do when a shot whistled past him: the negro had fired at him -while still running. Before the man could draw a knife or turn in his -tracks Ferrier threw himself upon him, trying to wrest the rifle from -his hand. The two fell together; the rifle dropped to the ground; and -black man and white were locked in a desperate wrestle. Ferrier felt -the negro's arms about him, straining to crush him or to break his back. -Oblivious of the tumult around him--the yells and shots within the boma, -the shouts of the assailants, the crackle and roar of the -flames--Ferrier strove to free himself from the strangling embrace, -conscious that he was no match in muscle for his powerful opponent. He -had almost given himself up for lost when the man's grip relaxed, and -with a heavy groan he lay still. Ferrier sprang up. By the light of -the blazing boma he saw the men of his party at two points of the outer -hedge, some leaping over it, some slashing at it with their knives and -tearing it down. None of them were firing; after the first discharge of -their rifles John had ordered them to rush for the camp. Evidently the -big negro had been struck down by a shot from his own friends. - -Ferrier stood for a moment, marvelling at the din. Then he saw that -John's men had crossed the outer hedge and were swarming towards the -boma. Shouting at the top of his voice lest he should be butchered by -his own party, he left the wounded man on the ground and joined them. -With John at their head they were sweeping round towards the gate. The -firing from within the boma had now ceased; the shouts were those of the -assailants alone; and when the excited throng reached the gate, they saw -in the ruddy glare the enemy streaming in frantic haste towards the -river. Many an arrow was sped after them; a few of the rearmost -narrowly escaped capture. Seeing that they were hopelessly routed, John -shouted to his men to refrain from pursuit and retire within the boma. -Then, telling off a dozen men to stand at the gate and watch against any -rally of the enemy, he called to the rest to help him to check the fire. -He left the part that was fiercely burning, and ordered the men to tear -down a portion on each side of it, so as to make two large gaps across -which the flames could not spring. The work was assisted by the absence -of wind. The portion around the spot where Ferrier had kindled the fire -soon burnt itself out; the remainder was saved. Within ten minutes -after the first blaze the enemy were scattered in confusion, and the -camp was in John's hands. - - - - -CHAPTER THE FIFTEENTH--A Coup de Main - - -John's first proceeding when the conflagration had been stayed was to -look for the property he had been at such pains to recover. The -camp-fires gave too little light, so he got Coja to make a couple of -torches. Taking one himself and giving the other to Ferrier, he -hastened to the centre of the camp, where the baggage was piled. On the -way he passed a confused medley of things--sleeping mats, cooking pots, -bows and arrows, spears--things left or flung down by the fugitives in -their hurried flight. And there, packed in the middle space, out of -reach of the fires, were his boxes of ammunition and his rifles. - -"We've got the lot, by Jove!" he exclaimed joyfully. "They haven't even -opened one of the boxes. What extraordinary luck!" - -"Couldn't be better," cried Ferrier heartily. "And you've got more than -your own, too; there's a good many bows and arrows and a few spears, -besides no end of baskets containing food, I suppose." - -"Yes, they belong to the villagers. We'll make them a present of the -bows and arrows and spears, and anything else they can find, bar the -rifles. There aren't many spears; I suppose the rascals slept with them -at their side, and snatched them up when they ran. Hallo! Here are two -of the Sniders that Juma ran off with in his first little scheme. That -makes three we've recovered." - -"And proves that Juma is at the bottom of it." - -"I should like to lay that fellow by the heels. But we'd better get -something to eat. I'm famishing. Where's our failed B.A.?" - -"Here, sir," said a voice at John's elbow. "I obeyed in all points your -esteemed injunctions at closest possible proximity, and tender hearty -congratulations on the success, not in mortals to command, but more, -deserved, which has attended this tour de force." - -"Well now, make up the fire and see what you can do to get us a meal. -I'll go and talk to the young chief, Charley, and butter him up. He and -his men did jolly well. The shouts they let out when I gave the word -made amends for their silence during the march, which must have been a -trial to them." - -Said Mohammed made up the fire and hunted about for the best cooking-pot -and the articles of fare he thought would be most pleasing to the white -men. The villagers had already set to work to prepare their own food, -chattering and laughing in high elation. Within a quarter of an hour -Said Mohammed had made a stew of some partly cooked waterbuck he had -discovered. He washed out two rough mugs of clay, and pouring the stew -into them, handed one to each of the young men. - -"A thousand regrets, gentlemen," he said, "that circs. do not admit of -more dainty dishes and service to match." - -"That's all right," said John. "I could eat anything, and this stew is -first-rate." - -"Permit me to remark, sir, on national characteristics as displayed by -gastronomic ways of going on, utensils, et cetera. The nation, sir, -that invented gas-stoves produced Shakespeare, bard of Avon; what -achievements in science or literature could be expected from a race that -never devilled kidney nor poached egg? Shakespeare himself, sir, was a -poacher in giddy youth; though poaching egg and poaching stag are in -some respects different, yet each is fine art. The fate of empires -lurks in the saucepan; indeed, the mightiest monarch would be negligible -quantity without quantum suff. Wherefore----" - -"A little more stew, please," said John, interrupting. "You'd better -get your own supper, khansaman; you must be pretty peckish after your -exertions." - -"I am indeed, sir, an abhorred vacuum, and retire with permission to get -jolly good tuck-in." - -"Thank goodness!" ejaculated John when he had gone. "I say, Charley, I -was getting very nervous when we didn't see the light for so long. You -were pulled up by that hedge, of course; how did you get through?" - -"Burrowed like a mole. I've a greater respect for that animal now. I -suppose we'll make tracks for home in the morning, by the bye?" - -"Well, d'you know, I'd rather like to finish this job now we've started. -Juma's still at large: his men are a rabble, of course, but they're not -licked, and if he gets them back to this fort of his he may still worry -us, to say nothing of harrying the people about him. What do you say? -Are you game?" - -"What about the farm?" - -"Gillespie will have sent somebody up by the time we could get back." - -"But don't you think we've done for Juma? To-night's work will damage -his prestige, and I shouldn't wonder if the 'bad men,' as Bill calls -them, round on him now." - -"I don't know. It will take him some time to recover from the blow, of -course, but you see he still has some of our rifles and a certain amount -of ammunition, I should think, and they'll go a long way in this country -of bows and arrows. No: I confess I'd like to follow him up. The chief -difficulty is our natives. They've recovered their property, which is -what they came for, and I rather doubt whether they'll be willing to go -any farther from home. If they won't there's no more to be said." - -"In any case we aren't strong enough to storm the fort, if it is a -fort." - -"I shouldn't propose to do that. My idea is to start at sunrise or -before, and get to the fort in advance of Juma. His men are quite -demoralized: they'll take some time to rally. They'll probably hide in -trees during the night, and they'll have to find one another in the -morning, so that if we start early we can easily outstrip them." - -"We don't know the way." - -"But we've got some prisoners, my boy. No, we haven't though; I called -our men off before they caught them. That's awkward." - -"I wonder if the fellow who tried to pot me is still alive." - -"You didn't tell me of that. When was it?" - -Ferrier related the incident that happened outside the boma. John at -once accompanied him to the spot, which they reached just in time to see -the wounded man limping towards the outer hedge. They ran after him and -caught him, taking him back to the camp, where John examined his leg, -and did what he could by bathing and bandaging. Meanwhile he questioned -the man, and learnt from him that the fort lay a long day's march to the -north. It was held by about forty men, of whom several were Swahilis -and had rifles. The fort was built on an island in the river--not the -stream flowing past the camp, but a broader river into which that -emptied itself a day's march to the south. To find it would be easy. -They had only to follow the stream for a short distance, and then strike -across country directly to the north. They would soon come upon the -river, and the surrounding country being hilly, the easiest way to the -fort was to follow its course. - -"Now we'll tackle our natives," said John. - -He found, as he had expected, that they were at first loath to engage -themselves for a further expedition. They had recovered their property: -the chief would be expecting them; they wanted to return and celebrate -their success by a feast. John pointed out that, though they had done -much, they would greatly enhance their glory if they carried back a -great quantity of spoil from the enemy. They had been wantonly -attacked: why not repay their attackers in their own coin? The fort -would certainly contain things worth having. This argument appealed to -the men, and when the chief's son reminded them that the wasungu had -kept their promise and led them to a bloodless victory, they began to -waver. "The wasungu are great hunters of lions," said the young chief; -"they are also great hunters of men." John said that any who wished to -go home might do so; but none were disposed to pass through the country -without the whole body, and ultimately they agreed to follow the msungu -wherever he chose to lead them. "You've a most persuasive tongue," said -Ferrier to John, as they went away to talk things over. "I'm inclined -to think you ought to have gone to the bar after all." - -"Bosh! The judges aren't savages. We shall have to arrange a flying -column--that's the name for it, isn't it? It's quite clear from what -the prisoner said that we must get to the fort well in advance of Juma. -If they get back we shan't be able to dislodge them: they won't be -caught napping again, you may be sure. As it is, we may find it a hard -nut to crack if there are forty men in the fort. We shall have to -divide forces, too. We must leave enough men to guard this loot, and -I'm afraid we can't both go, old chap: one of us must remain in charge." - -"Well, you've done the hardest work so far: you take a rest and let me -try my luck." - -"But you fired the boma; it's my turn. Tell you what, we'll toss for -it. Heads I go, tails you do as you please." - -The spin of the coin decided for John. - -"Just my luck," said Ferrier. "I always lost the toss when I captained -the lacrosse team at McGill's. How many men will you take?" - -"I can't do with fewer than twenty. I'll take Bill; Coja and Said -Mohammed had better remain with you. By the way, you'll send over to -our old camp in the morning and fetch the half-dozen we left there. -They'll jump out of their skins if they're left too long. I wonder if -our wounded prisoner could manage to come with me. I might find him -useful. In fact, I'll take him--on a litter if he can't walk." - -"Well, you'd better get a sleep now, or you won't be fit for much in the -morning. The men too. It looks as though they meant to jabber all -night." - -"I'll stop that. I'll go and pick my men and make 'em go to sleep. Wake -me at five, there's a good chap. By Jove! Wouldn't my old dad be in a -stew if he knew what was up! We're risking a lot when you come to think -of it; but we've been lucky so far, and with rifles and plenty of -ammunition I fancy we'll win through. If I'm not back within two or -three days you had better make tracks for the farm. Don't forget to -wake me at five." - -"All right. Pleasant dreams!" - -Precisely at five o'clock John was roused, to find ready for him a -breakfast of steaming stew and baked millet cakes. Ferrier had also -prepared a litter for the prisoner, whose wound forbade him to walk. At -half-past five the little company set off, consisting of John and the -Wanderobbo, and twenty of the villagers. John had his rifle, a spare -one being carried by a man at his side. Only two of the other men had -ever handled firearms; these were given rifles, and carried the -ammunition in little bundles slung to their backs. John had filled his -bandolier and his pockets with cartridges. Ferrier said good-bye to him -at the gate of the boma, and started the men left behind in a rousing -cheer. - -The party marched very rapidly, John at the head with Bill and the -litter-bearers, so that the prisoner might keep them in the right way. -They followed the course of the stream for about a mile; then forded it, -and made across a stretch of grassland, in which, as the morning -advanced, they started large numbers of game. Just before noon they -reached the river of which the prisoner had spoken, a slow, gurgling -current of red water. Here they halted for a meal of beans and millet; -then after an hour's rest set forth again. They had gone but a short -distance up-stream when, as they ascended a slight acclivity, Bill was -seized with intense excitement. Pointing to a flat-topped hill many -miles away, he cried that it was there the Arab safari was attacked, and -near by the ivory was hidden. A projecting spur to the right was the -site of the shambas whence the people had pounced out to the assault. -His own old home lay half a day's journey beyond the hill. - -John pressed on now even more rapidly. Though he had met with no -natives on the way, he could not be sure that some of the fugitives had -not outstripped him along another route. For the most part he kept to -the river, striking off here and there to avoid wide sweeping curves, as -the prisoner indicated. Presently he saw in the distance a bold bluff -rising to a hundred feet above the plain, and stretching across the line -of march. The fort, said the prisoner, lay a short distance beyond the -bluff, which was cut in two by the river. Up the side of the bluff -wound a steep pathway, and at the top a look-out was constantly -stationed, except at night, when he was withdrawn into the fort. From -this high post the plain could be seen for miles. Knowing how keen is -the negro's sight, John called a halt before it was likely that his -party had come within the range of vision. The rest of the journey must -be performed in the dark. He led the men into the bush at some distance -from the river, so that they should not be seen by any one who might -pass either to or from the fort. Again he impressed upon them the -necessity for silence. - -At nightfall, refreshed by the rest, they started once more, confident -of being able to approach the bluff unobserved. An hour's march under -the pale light of the stars brought them to its foot, and John heard the -noise of water rushing swiftly through the gorge. The pathway, said the -prisoner, started from a spot very near the river-bank. Even with his -directions it proved by no means easy to find in the darkness, and when -at last they lit upon it, and John began the ascent, it was scarcely -less difficult to keep to the track. Bill fell on his knees and groped -along it with his hand, saying when he arose that it had not been made -originally by men, but trodden by game descending from the hills to the -plain. - -Coming at length, after a tortuous and toilsome climb, to the summit, -John paused to take breath and to look about him. Below on his left he -could now see the foaming river racing through the gorge. Beyond, the -ground sloped gradually to the plain. There was no sound save that of -the swirling water, no sign of the presence of men. He went on, until -he came once more to the brink of the river, and a mile further on saw -gleaming in the starlight a broad pool, in the midst of which rose a -dark mass. This, said the prisoner, was the island and fort, and at the -upper end of the pool the river ran down swiftly, but not so swiftly as -below. - -Striking off to the right towards a belt of woodland, John led his party -until they came opposite the island. It was dark and silent: no one -would have supposed that the fort held men. John could see an irregular -path leading from the shore to the island. This, said the prisoner, was -a line of rocks flung down into the water, and so narrow that only one -man could walk along it at a time. There was a gap between the island -and the end of the causeway. The prisoner explained that a bridge was -thrown over the gap to enable men to enter and leave the fort, the wall -of which came to within a few feet of the shore of the island. At night -the bridge was drawn up. - -John stood to consider his next move. His purpose in bringing the -prisoner was to use him as a decoy to draw the garrison from the fort. -He was confronted with a difficulty. The man could not walk. He would -be useless as a decoy unless he could advance along the causeway so far -as to bring him within hearing of his fellows. The bullet was still in -the man's leg; John wished he had thought of probing the wound before; -it was impossible to do it now. The negro is a hardy animal, stolid -under pain. John promised to give the man a handsome present if he -would leave the litter and go with a message to the fort. The man -agreed with such alacrity as to suggest an intention of treachery, but -John provided against that. He had the prisoner bound to him by a cord -about his ankle, and showing him his revolver, he explained what the -result would be if he did anything but what he was told to do. He -carefully instructed the prisoner in the part he was required to play, -repeating his words so that he could not mistake. Then, having placed -the remainder of his party under cover of the wood, he set forth with -the negro. - -There was now a light in the fort, and the glow of a fire. Clearly -somebody was awake. The two men walked down to the edge of the pool, -and on to the causeway, the guide limping painfully, but uttering no -murmur. John walked close behind him, so that he might not be descried -from the fort. They had gone about half-way along the causeway when a -voice rang out from some point ahead. The prisoner gave an answering -shout. John's nerves were at too high a tension to permit of his -feeling amusement at the greetings that were exchanged. - -"Is it well?" - -"It is well." - -"Ah!" - -"Ah!" - -"Um!" - -"Um!" - -"Have you eaten well?" - -"We have eaten well. - -"Ma!" - -"Ma!" - -"Mum!" - -"Mum!" - -Civilities being thus completed, they got to business. The prisoner -recited the story with which he had been prompted, so glibly that a -white man might have doubted its veracity. He said that he brought good -news. The brave warriors (meaning Juma's party), under their brave -leader, had sacked the msungu's farm and the neighbouring village, and -made much plunder, so vast a quantity, indeed, that they were exhausted -in carrying it. He had been sent in advance to order thirty men to -issue forth and help the weary warriors in conveying their spoils up the -bluff. - -"It is dark," said the sentry. - -"It is the leader's command," was the reply. "He will be like a raging -lion if you delay." - -Another voice was heard within the fort. In a few moments the sentry -cried-- - -"We come." - -"Ah!" said the prisoner. - -"Ah!" echoed the sentry. - -Then, before the garrison could issue from the gate and lay the bridge -across the gap, the prisoner cried that he would hasten back and inform -Juma that the men were coming. He turned, and followed John along the -causeway until they reached the shore. Then the two hurried across the -open to rejoin the ambushed party. The prisoner, who had borne up -stoically hitherto, collapsed with pain before they reached the wood; -and John, alarmed lest his stratagem should be defeated at a moment when -success seemed assured, set the man upon his back and ran into shelter. -A few minutes afterwards he saw a line of men, headed by a Swahili in a -white garment, come across the causeway from the fort, and turn to the -right along the path leading to the bluff. John was tingling with -excitement. All was going well: would his luck hold? The men's voices -faded away in the distance. He gave them ten minutes; then bidding his -men follow him closely, he ran down to the shore, and on to the -causeway. As he expected, the bridge had been left spanning the gap in -readiness for the laden safari. Waiting only to see that the men were -close at his heels, John dashed over the last few feet, straight into -the fort. A dozen men were squatting in a group about a small fire in -the middle of the compound. They looked up as they heard the tread of -men, but before they could spring to their feet, before, indeed, their -slow minds suspected that anything was amiss, they were bowled over by -the rush of twenty sturdy savages with a white man at their head, and -lay in shaking terror on the ground, howling for mercy. - -John had ordered his men to do no killing. They were surprised, but -obeyed. Shouting for silence, he called to the panic-stricken garrison -to march out of the fort. They sprang up and fled like a flock of -terrified sheep, out of the gate and along the causeway, yelling as they -ran. When the last was gone, and none but his own men were left in the -place, John caught up the bridge and drew it in. The capture of the -stronghold had taken three minutes. - - - - -CHAPTER THE SIXTEENTH--Juma is Reinforced - - -Flushed with his bloodless victory, John ordered his men to make up the -fire, and set two to watch at the gate; then, carrying a roughly-formed -torch, he proceeded to an examination of the stronghold which was so -imposing to the native imagination. It was a poor enough place -estimated from a European point of view. It consisted simply of a -circular space on a low mound about thirty yards in diameter, enclosed -by a rude stone wall rather less than the height of a man. The island -itself was an irregular oval. At the eastern end the wall came to -within a foot or two of its shore; north and south the interval was -little greater, the ground sloping steeply down to the edge of the pool. -Westward it fell away less rapidly, though even here the angle was -considerable. The island was no more than sixty yards at its greatest -length, and from forty to fifty in breadth. The bridge sloped up from -the end of the causeway to the gate, which was itself some feet lower -than the ground within the fort. Just within it, on each side, a canoe -was laid against the wall. Within the enclosure were a number of grass -huts, set at intervals of a few yards apart. - -[Illustration: The Pool] - -Having surveyed the place as well as he could by the uncertain light of -his torch, John searched the huts. He found in the largest of them, -which he guessed to be Juma's, two of his rifles, a number of old -muskets, a miscellaneous collection of cartridges, most of which would -not fit the rifles, shot of all shapes and sizes, one or two old swords, -and a curious assortment of articles, mostly useless, which Juma and his -men had no doubt purloined when on safari. Among them were broken -boots, a fancy waistcoat in tatters, several condensed milk tins, some -pewter spoons, a field-glass case, and an empty whisky bottle. These -things, valueless to a European, would be treasure untold to the -natives, and John was glad that his promise of loot would not be -nullified. There was also a fair quantity of grain food, but no meat. - -"I think I'm a bit of a fool," said John to himself, when he had seen -all there was to be seen. "What have I come for after all? I've got -back our property, to be sure; but what then? I can't demolish the fort -before Juma arrives. I can't go back at once, because the men couldn't -stand it. It looks as if I shall have to hold the place, for a day at -least; and if those beggars come up in any numbers and manage to cross -the pool I shall be pretty hard put to it to defend a hundred yards of -wall. Ah well! I'm in for it now. The best thing I can do is to get -out as soon as possible." - -He arranged for a watch to be kept up during the remainder of the night, -and then threw himself down on the ground near the fire, not to sleep, -for the negro is an untrustworthy sentry, but to turn things over in his -mind. He remembered the store of ivory which Bill wished to recover, -and would have been willing to help the old man; but when he considered -the matter he concluded that it would be sheer lunacy to venture with -his handful of men into the country of a tribe that had been strong -enough to annihilate a large and well-armed Arab safari. There was no -reason to suppose that the "bad men" were any less powerful now than -they had been then. - -"And suppose I got the ivory," he thought, "how the dickens could I -carry it? The men have got quite enough to carry, what with the loot -here and the things left with Charley. Judging by the weight of -billiard balls a single tusk of ivory would be a pretty heavy load for -two or three men, and we might be two or three weeks getting back. Bill -will be upset, without a doubt, but I can't help that. A good rest, and -then start for home: that's my ticket." - -Pondering further, he came to the conclusion that there might after all -not be the need for haste that he had at first imagined. Juma's men -were thoroughly disheartened, no doubt; the garrison at the fort had -been turned adrift; they had lost the greater part of their firearms and -ammunition and all their stores of food, and it was probable that for -the present they would have enough to do to find subsistence without -wasting their energies in attacking either him or Ferrier. His own men -had been marching or fighting, with only a few hours' sleep, for two -days; a long rest was necessary for them; so he decided, before he fell -into a half-doze from which the least sound would have roused him, that -he might look forward to spending a day or two in the fort before he -need set off to rejoin Ferrier. - -At dawn he was up, and went to the gate to look round. None of the -enemy were in sight, except his wounded prisoner, whom he saw hobbling -across the causeway. In the excitement of the attack he had clean -forgotten the man, who, he remembered with compunction, must have been -all night in the wood, hungry, a prey to terror and pain. He let down -the bridge and admitted him at once. - -"Let me look at your leg," he said. - -Removing the bandages, he saw that it was a case for desperate remedies. - -"You must let me cut the bullet out," he said. - -The man made no objection. John opened his knife and carefully washed -the sharpest blade; then ordered two of the men to hold the patient, and -began to probe the wound as gently as he could. The bullet was imbedded -in the flesh where there was no danger of his severing an artery. He -soon found the bullet, and setting his teeth, started the first surgical -operation of his life. He had a steady hand: the man lay inert as a -log, without wincing or even groaning; and in a few minutes he had -extracted the bullet, feeling a vast admiration for the big fellow's -fortitude. Having bathed and bound up the leg, he gave the man some -food, and saw him in a few minutes fall asleep. John drew a good augury -from this little incident. The man had sought him, and not his own -master; John took it, perhaps superstitiously, as an indication that he, -and not Juma, would, as he put it, "come out on top." - -He sent out Bill, with one of the men, to look for the enemy. They -returned early in the afternoon, reporting that they had failed to see -either the men who had been ejected from the fort, or the larger party -under Juma's command. Bill judged from the tracks that the former had -scattered, some to the south to meet their friends, others to the east. - -In the daylight John confirmed his overnight examination of the fort. He -saw now that there were rapids at both ends of the pool, and sighed for -leisure to do a little fishing, guessing that such a river would provide -good sport. But he had something more serious to think about. After -their night's rest the men were less fatigued than he had expected, so -he saw no reason to defer the destruction of the fort. His purpose was -to rase the wall, and hurl into the pool the stones of which it was -built. They were piled loosely one upon another without cement or -mortar, and he thought that it would be a light job to remove them; but -it turned out to be a much more troublesome business than he had -supposed, and when, after two hours' work, he saw how little had been -accomplished he felt rather troubled. At the same rate it would take -two or three days to complete the work. He had no gunpowder to spare -for blowing up the wall; and he wished neither to remain so long absent -from Ferrier, nor to be found on the spot when Juma returned, as he -assuredly would do. - -A little while after Bill had returned from his reconnoitring expedition -he suddenly cocked his ear towards the south-east and in a moment -declared that he heard the sound of fire-sticks. The men were -chattering, and John fancied that the Wanderobbo must be mistaken. He -called for silence, and all listened intently, but could hear nothing -except the slow gurgle of the water in the pool and the far-away -rumbling of the rapids below. - -"Do you hear it now?" he asked. - -"No," Bill replied; "but I did hear it." - -John had by this time so much respect for the Wanderobbo's acuteness of -hearing that he felt it unwise to neglect this statement. Bidding the -men to sort out all the provisions the fort contained, with the idea of -carrying a portion with him when he left, and burning the rest, he left -the place with Bill, after giving strict orders that the bridge should -be taken up behind him, and not replaced over the gap until his return, -unless he should send back a message by Bill. The two crossed the pool -and set off at a rapid pace towards the bluff. They were half-way to -the summit when Bill declared that he again heard shots. They quickened -their pace, and on reaching the top, where a wide expanse of the plain -was outstretched before them, they looked carefully all round the -southern horizon, keeping under cover. They could see the river winding -along between its verdurous banks, and when they lost sight of the -shining water they could still trace its course by the fresher green of -the vegetation. The plain was covered for the most part with grass, -with patches of scrub and clumps of woodland here and there. In the far -distance they descried a herd of antelope feeding, but for some time saw -no other living creature, beast or man. - -All at once both started. In the still air, above the sound of the -swirling water beneath them, they heard distinctly six shots. One of -them, Bill declared, was that of the msungu's rifle, though John was -utterly unable to understand how he could distinguish it from the -others. Some seconds afterwards Bill lifted his hand and pointed in a -south-easterly direction, saying that he saw smoke among the trees. John -looked eagerly in the same direction, but could see nothing. Unluckily -he had left his field-glass with Ferrier. Presently he heard more -shots, in rapid succession. Clearly there was fighting going on; the -natural inference was that Ferrier's party was engaged, and since only -he, Coja, and Said Mohammed could use rifles, the number of the shots -showed that his opponents must possess firearms. It was equally clear -that Ferrier, if it was indeed he, had left the spot where it had been -arranged that he should await John's return, and he must be either -pursuing or pursued. The conclusion was irresistible that for some -unforeseen reason he had found himself compelled to advance towards -John. - -Anxious on his friend's behalf, John decided instantly that he must set -out at once to join hands with him. He sent Bill back to call the men -from the fort, telling him that they must bring the ammunition and -rifles for those who could use them. He himself would start towards the -firing, pointing out to Bill the general direction in which he would go. -He knew that the men, being rapid marchers when not carrying loads, -would not be long in overtaking him. The fort must be left unguarded, -but there was no help for it; the matter of immediate urgency was to -reinforce Ferrier. - -While Bill sped back to the fort, John scrambled down the bluff and -hurried over the plain. As he proceeded the sounds of firing became -ever clearer, and when he had covered about two miles at a swinging pace -he could also hear shouts. - -He had come almost to a thin belt of forest when he saw figures -approaching among the trees. Dropping down behind a bush, he eagerly -watched them. At the edge of the forest they came clearly into view, -and he saw that they were black men, marching in single file, rapidly, -in spite of heavy loads. From behind them came at short intervals the -still louder crack of rifles, and the more voluminous shouts of men. In -a few moments he recognized them as men of his safari, and rose to meet -them. His figure suddenly appearing above the bush startled them, and -they instantly dropped their loads with yells, and began to run away. -But a shout from him dispelled their fright; they turned, and hastened -towards him, leaving their loads, however, where they had thrown them. - -When they met him they told him in accents of terror that the msungu was -fighting with a great host of bad men. Two or three showed wounds they -had received. John ordered them to return to their loads and take them -up, and then to look out for the party following him. He hurried -forward into the wood, and half-a-mile further on came upon Ferrier with -the rest of the safari, slowly retiring before a horde of savages. He -had supposed that the "great host" of which the porters had spoken was -an exaggeration born of their panic, but he saw that Ferrier and his men -were, in fact, holding at bay a crowd of natives, among whom he -perceived the white garments of Swahilis. Ferrier had Coja on his right -and Said Mohammed on his left, each at a few yards' interval, the -remainder of the party, armed only with bows and arrows, being spread -out on each side over a considerable space to avoid the risk of being -outflanked. They were retiring slowly, taking cover behind trees, -picking off any of the enemy who showed themselves. Ferrier himself was -a dead shot now that he had recovered the full use of his arm. Several -men had fallen to his unerring aim. What execution Coja and Said -Mohammed did John never knew; but their shots had been effective in -daunting the enemy, who had not dared to come too near, or to make a -rush. With a little more courage and generalship the savages, vastly -outnumbering the safari, could have swept round them and had them at -their mercy; but the young Canadian had hitherto managed to hold off the -bolder spirits who pressed him in front, and the others followed on -without as yet attempting a flanking movement. - -"Good man!" cried John, as he hastened to Ferrier's side. "My lot are -coming up. We had better get out of this wood, or they'll be all round -us." - -They retired more quickly. It was time, for when they reached the -plain, they saw that parties of the enemy, who had at last realized that -they were losing opportunities, had crept round to right and left. John -instantly sent a shot among the nearer crowd, causing them to scatter. -Then, perceiving that another party had slipped by and was hastening in -pursuit of the porters, he called some of the bowmen, who were mightily -encouraged by his arrival, and set off in chase. Another shot sent this -party flying. John saw that the river would form an excellent defence -to the left flank of his little force, and running back to Ferrier, he -asked him to edge nearer to it. - -"If we can only manage to keep them off until our men have had time to -climb the bluff, we can make a bolt for it," he said. "Up there among -the boulders we can hold our own against any number." - -They retired slowly towards the belt of trees fringing the river. By -the time they reached it Bill came up with the party from the fort. This -reinforcement, together with the more advantageous position of the -retiring force, served to check the pursuit. The enemy were not -courageous enough to dash past them within range, though their numbers -were so great that they could easily have afforded the loss of a few -men. The only means they had of slipping past safely and overtaking the -safari was either to make a wide detour across the plain, which would -have given John's party time to reach the bluff before them, or to cross -the river and make their way through the trees on the other bank; but -the current here was swift enough to make fording dangerous. So they -adopted neither course, but followed sullenly in the track of the party, -firing at times, but never diminishing the distance between them. - -Every now and then John crept out from cover to watch the progress of -the porters. To his impatience they seemed to move extraordinarily -slowly, and indeed their speed was much less than when he had first seen -them, for they had reached the beginning of the ascent, and were tired -with carrying their heavy loads. He could see them toiling up the -bluff, not in a close line, but far apart, the rearmost being nearly -half-a-mile behind the leader. At length he saw with relief that the -last man was within a few yards of the summit. - -"Now we'll give them a volley," said he, "and slip away." - -All who had rifles accompanied him to the edge of the belt of trees, and -at his word fired together at the enemy, who had halted as if undecided -what to do. Another volley flashed from the second barrels; then, -withdrawing among the trees, the party ran along in the direction of the -bluff, reloading as they went. Within a few hundred yards they came -without warning upon a band of twenty or thirty natives with two -Swahilis among them. They must have found a means of crossing the -river, hastened along the opposite bank, and then recrossed ahead of -John's party. There was no time for hesitation. - -"All together!" shouted Ferrier. - -They poured in a volley, emptying both barrels; then, with John and -Ferrier at the head, charged straight at the enemy. The savages, -themselves taken aback by this sudden and vigorous onslaught, were too -much flurried to discharge their weapons. While they still hesitated, -the two white men were upon them, smiting right and left with the stocks -of their rifles, their native followers close at their heels, making the -air ring with their shouts. The savages immediately in the path of John -and Ferrier went over like ninepins; a way was cleft through the group; -several fell to the spears of the natives; the rest turned and fled -right and left with wild yells, some plunging into the river, the others -dashing towards their comrades in the plain. - -"Now for a sprint," cried John. "We're not far from the bluff." - -They ran as fast as they could through the clinging undergrowth, emerged -from cover when the rising ground told them that the end of their march -was near at hand, and began to climb the steep ascent. The enemy, whose -main body had hurried forward at the sound of firing in the expectation -of finding their quarry engaged with the ambush, were driven frantic at -the sight of their prey escaping them. Plucking up courage at last, -they rushed forward in a yelling swarm, hoping to overcome the little -party which had baffled them while it was still on the lower slope of -the bluff, the path being so narrow that the climbers must go in single -file. In a few brief sentences John ordered the bowmen to climb as -quickly as possible, while with the rest he remained at the foot to -check the rush. The enemy had come within two hundred yards before John -and his companions had time to reload their rifles, which they had been -unable to do during their dash through the undergrowth. But they came -no nearer. A volley brought down several men in the front line of the -mass, if the van of such a wild horde could be called a line. The rest -wavered; while they hesitated the terrible bullets were again singing -among them. It was enough: they broke and fled in disorder, sped by a -flight of arrows from the men who had climbed the bluff and were able to -shoot without the risk of injuring their friends below. - -"I think that's the end," said John, panting as much with excitement as -with his exertions. "Up you go, Coja!" - -They hastened up the path, Ferrier and John the last two of the line. -When they reached the top, where their men were awaiting them, they -halted to look back over the plain. - -"My word! you've done jolly well," cried John, as he saw the dusky -throng halted below. "I had no idea there were so many of them. What -happened, Charley?" - -"Yesterday afternoon, just after I had brought in those fellows we left -at our little camp, the beggars made a sudden rush on us, springing up -from nowhere, as it appeared. It was the same lot that we stampeded, -but largely reinforced, and from what my men said, there's no doubt the -newcomers belong to the same tribe I had trouble with when you rescued -me. It was lucky we weren't completely taken by surprise. I had a sort -of notion they might try on something of the sort. I don't believe they -knew at first that you had gone, and their idea was to have their -revenge for the slap we gave them. Juma was among them, Coja told me." - -"The blackguard!" - -"I had got the boma repaired where we burnt it, so that they couldn't -get in, but they came all round us, keeping under cover, and thinking, I -suppose, that they would starve us out. I felt I was in a bit of a fix. -We might hold our own in the camp for three or four days; but I was -afraid they'd stay there until you came back, and there was such a crowd -of them, as you see, that I didn't see how you could possibly get -through them. It struck me that the best thing I could do was to come -after you and join forces while there was time; so I left the fires -burning and slipped away in the middle of the night, making a detour -round their camp, which they had pitched about a quarter of a mile -up-stream. We couldn't march very fast with our loads, but the men were -very plucky, and it wasn't till this afternoon that the beggars caught -us. We had been fighting for about an hour when you came up, and I was -jolly glad to see you, I can tell you, for they were beginning to press -us very closely, and we couldn't have kept it up much longer. What luck -have you had?" - -"I've got the fort: I'll tell you all about it when we get there. By -Jove! there is a lot of them. What are they up to?" - -The enemy, numbering, as nearly as John could estimate, more than four -hundred, had given up direct pursuit, evidently recognizing that to -scale the bluff under the rifles of its defenders would be a hopeless -task. They were marching rapidly to the right. In addition to the -fighting men, there was also a large number of men and women carrying -loads, no doubt provisions: these had only just come up with the main -body. - -"Is there any other way up the escarpment?" asked Ferrier, anxiously. - -"Not that I know of. It looks as if they're going to make a round to -the fort. We had better hurry on." - -They turned about and marched rapidly after the men, who were already -some distance away. - -"I had begun to demolish the fort," said John, "which is a pity if -they're going to besiege us. Perhaps they've had enough of it, though." - -"Can't we repair it?" - -"Unluckily we've pitched the stones of the wall into the pool -surrounding it, and I'm afraid we can't fish them up again. It's a good -job we hadn't done much. We were in the middle of the work when Bill -heard your shots. He spotted your rifle; his hearing is amazingly -acute." - -"Well, it seems to me that we are in for a nice little campaign. It is -to be hoped your friend Gillespie has started for the farm. I don't -like to think of it being left." - -"Let's see. He must just about have got my letter, I should think. I -don't feel very anxious. We had no troubles except from lions and Juma, -and the chief will lend a hand if any wandering tribe turns up, which -isn't likely. No, Charley; the difficulty's here: and upon my word it -looks as if we've got a campaign on our hands, as you say. However, here -we are! There's the fort, and we've got to hold it, my boy." - -"Right ho! I only hope it won't be another Ladysmith." - -"Can't possibly. Our food won't last a week." - -"Oh!" said Ferrier. - - - - -CHAPTER THE SEVENTEENTH--John's Letter - - -In the comfortable dining-room of Mr. Gillespie's bungalow a merry party -was assembled. At the right hand of Mr. Gillespie sat a handsome, -well-preserved lady, who was fifty and looked forty-five. At the other -end of the table, beside the hostess, was our friend Mr. Halliday, fresh -and florid, evidently in the best of health. His neighbour on the right -was a slim young girl in black; hers was a tall, well-set-up young man -of twenty-five. Opposite these two, in due sequence, were a girl who -might have been seventeen, and a youth a year or two older, so much like -her that no one could have doubted they were brother and sister. - -Laughter rang round the table; everybody seemed at the top of -cheerfulness, except the girl in black. Even she smiled at a remark -addressed to her by Mr. Halliday. There was a pause in the conversation -as they devoted themselves to the sweets, which included a wonderful -confection of native pine-apples. Then the lady next to Mr. Gillespie, -in slow level tones, and with the clear enunciation and scarcely -perceptible burr of an educated Scotswoman, said-- - -"He's a dear boy, I'm sure. We could read so well between the lines of -his letters that he thought me a very designing woman----" - -"A Delilah, Cousin Sylvia," said Mr. Halliday. - -"You'd be the better for having your hair cut, Cousin David. I -shouldn't allude to such a personal matter if I didn't hope that Mrs. -Gillespie would back me up. _I've_ done my best to improve you, and -failed; perhaps public opinion will do some good." - -"Don't worry, Mrs. Burtenshaw," said Mr. Gillespie. "He'll get a -thorough crop before he goes up country, where barbers are unknown." - -"But it won't matter then, where there's no one to see him.... It was -plain John thought his father would marry me----" - -"The other way about, cousin," Mr. Halliday interposed. "He wouldn't -suspect me of all men of fortune hunting." - -"Listen to him!" exclaimed Mrs. Burtenshaw, drawing herself up with an -affectation of injured dignity. "If any man wanted to marry me it could -only be for my money, you see. As I was saying, John quite expects to -be presented with a step-mother, and resents it, like all young things. -Joe there wouldn't speak to me for a week when I married poor -Burtenshaw. It's a nice kind of jealousy, don't you think so, Mrs. -Gillespie?" - -"Just like a dog's," said Mrs. Gillespie, in a tone that made every one -laugh. "When we first came out we had a collie that couldn't see my -husband put his arm round me without whining to be petted." - -"John will be flabbergasted when he sees us," said the older of the two -young men, referred to by his mother as Joe. - -"Yes, wasn't it funny that he should come across them in the wilds of -Africa, and rescue Poll from a game-pit without either of them knowing -they were cousins?" said Helen, his sister. "It's quite a romance." - -"Doesn't he know the relationship now?" asked Mrs. Gillespie. - -"No," said Mr. Halliday, with a chuckle. "I asked him in one of my -letters whether he had seen anything of the Brownes. You see, they -talked of settling here, before they came into this fortune." - -"That's all over now, of course," said Mr. Gillespie. - -"I'm not so sure," said Joe Browne. "The people at home were very nice, -and all that, but they're too stiff and starched after what we've been -used to; wear high collars and kid gloves. I don't fancy Poll and I -could settle down to that sort of thing." - -"And I don't want you to," said Mrs. Burtenshaw. "I don't believe in -healthy young men loafing about, and I tell my boys they'll have to work -for their living just as if I were a poor woman." - -"Capital!" said Mr. Gillespie. "And when they see what John has been -doing I warrant they'll settle down as neighbours. There'll be quite a -little colony of Scotsmen about Alloway soon, for I've no doubt you've -Scotch blood in you, Miss Ferrier?" - -"Diluted, Mr. Gillespie," said the girl in black. "My grandfather was a -Scotsman, but he married a Frenchwoman--Canadian French, of course. Do -you really think my brother will settle here?" - -"Well, I can't exactly say," was Mr. Gillespie's cautious reply. "It -seems very probable from what John says in his letters. Don't you like -the prospect?" - -"Oh, I shall live with Charley, of course; and if it's really as nice as -he says--there isn't any real danger, is there?" - -"A lion among the ladies!" cried Mr. Halliday, and they all laughed, -Said Mohammed's quotation being common property among them. "I think -you'll find it all right, my dear," he added in his fatherly way. "I -dare say John and your brother between them have exterminated the lions -in our neighbourhood by this time." - -"I think Hilda was very plucky to come all this way alone," said Helen. -"_I_ shouldn't have had the courage." - -"But I wasn't really alone," said Hilda Ferrier. "The people on the -_Mauretania_ were very kind, and I met you on the _Palawan_, you see. I -was thinking more of the natives than of lions: of course, you can shoot -lions." - -"And you can shoot men, my dear," said Mr. Halliday. - -"There, now you've frightened her," said Mrs. Burtenshaw, as a startled -look crossed the girl's face. "What an absurd man you are, David! -You've told us over and over again that the natives are perfectly -friendly." - -"So we found them, Cousin Sylvia. We had no trouble except with the -thieves of our own safari. I grudge them the rifles they stole, that's -a fact. I suppose that villain Juma has never dared to show his face in -Nairobi again, Gillespie?" - -"Not to my knowledge. He wouldn't bring your rifles if he did." - -"Why did he steal them, then?" asked Helen. - -"To shoot with, of course," said Oliver Browne. "What a question!" - -"I thought he might want to sell them, or pawn them, or something." - -"We've no pawn-shops in Nairobi," said Mr. Gillespie, laughing, "though -I'm sorry to say we've some Indian money-lenders who've got their clutch -on some of our poorer settlers. Juma won't try to sell the rifles here -at any rate. I suppose he stole them to shoot with, as your brother -says, though I confess it's a little odd. He has been a porter for -several years past, and it isn't like porters to give up their trade. -Perhaps he has taken a fancy for being independent, and has settled down -somewhere with others of his kidney. The rifles would be very useful to -him in getting food. He's a scamp, though; for he has unquestionably -deserted his wife, who has turned out a capital laundress, John says." - -"He hasn't been back to the farm?" asked Mr. Halliday. - -"John hasn't said so. I think my notion must be correct, because the -man has led an adventurous life, and the only surprising thing is that -he should go back to it after years of portering. I believe he once -belonged to a party of Arab ivory-dealers--I can't call them hunters, -for all they did was to buy, or steal, ivory from the Wanderobbo north -of Kenya. They were smashed up a few years ago by a tribe of Embe or -Rendili, and Juma was said to be the only one who escaped. He has -always been a good porter, except for his temper, and people have put up -with that because of his strength and ingenuity.... This is cheese from -John's dairy, Mrs. Burtenshaw; I can recommend it." - -At this point a black servant entered, carrying a letter on a salver. - -"A letter from John himself," said Mr. Gillespie, glancing at the -envelope. "Now we shall hear all the news." - -He broke the envelope and cast his eye over the contents, the others -waiting in silence to hear what he had to say. He looked up in a moment -and gave a quick glance at Mr. Halliday. Then, still holding the -letter, he smiled and said-- - -"Shall we go into the other room, Mother, and digest this letter with -some coffee?" - -"Very well, my dear," said Mrs. Gillespie, rising. No one could have -detected from her placid face and natural movements that she was aware -that something was wrong. Oliver, who was nearest to the door, held it -while the ladies passed out, and stood back for the elder men to follow. - -"Go on, my boy," said Mr. Gillespie. "I'll look out some cigars I want -you to try; be with you in a moment." - -He took Mr. Halliday by the arm as he was passing, shut the door, and -putting the letter into his hand, said-- - -"Read that!" - -This is what Mr. Halliday read-- - -DEAR MR. GILLESPIE, - -The farm has been raided while we were away--got away by a trick. I -suspect Juma and his gang. They collared all our rifles and ammunition. -Ferrier and I are starting at once to follow them up. I want you to -send up somebody at once--a white man--to give an eye to things. I dare -say we shall be back by the time he gets here, but it'll be just as well -to have somebody on the spot in case we're longer than I expect. Sorry -to trouble you, but I've got to teach Juma a lesson. - -Yours in haste, - D. HALLIDAY. - -"That's the explanation!" exclaimed Mr. Halliday. "Can I start -to-night?" - -"No. This may be a serious business--the young madcap! I hope he'll -turn back if he doesn't catch them at once----" - -"That wouldn't be John. He'll go on till he has thrashed them." - -"Then heaven help him! Man, he may find himself among a whole tribe of -blood-thirsty savages. And the worst of it is we may not reach him in -time. It's not merely a question of looking after the farm. We'll -start as soon as it's light: I'll get a party together." - -"The police?" - -"No: can't wait for them. I'll go down to the club and get some fellows -I can rely on. We'll go on horses and mules. We had better not alarm -the women." - -"We must tell them something. Better out with it, I think. They'll -only think it worse than it is if they see we're keeping something -back." - -"Couldn't be worse. Well, perhaps you are right; but don't let 'em see -we're put about." - -"All right. Give me a cigar." - -They strolled into the other room smoking, showing no trace of their -anxiety. Mrs. Gillespie looked up quickly as her husband entered, but -only said-- - -"Come, your coffee is poured out and getting cold." - -"My own growing, ma'am," said Mr. Gillespie to Mrs. Burtenshaw, as he -took his cup, "and I hope you like it." - -"Mother couldn't say she doesn't, could she?" said Helen archly. "_I_ -like it very much." - -"Helen speaks for us all," said Mrs. Burtenshaw. "Well, what does John -say?" - -"Any news of the failed B.A.?" asked Joe. - -"He doesn't mention him this time. In fact, it's just a note: you can't -call it a letter. He has had to leave the farm for a day or two, and -wants me to send up a man to look after things in his absence." - -"Has Charley gone too?" asked Hilda Ferrier. - -"Yes, they've both gone, or it wouldn't be necessary to ask for a man. -It's lucky Mr. Halliday is on the spot, so we shan't have to hire -anybody." - -"Gone shooting, I suppose," said Joe. - -"Or after strayed sheep," said Oliver. "They're always a trouble." - -"But I don't understand," said Hilda. "You say they have gone: why -didn't John get somebody before he went?" - -"That shows it's sheep," replied Oliver quickly. "He'd have to start at -once or he wouldn't stand much chance of getting 'em all. That's it, -isn't it, Mr. Gillespie?" - -"Well, no, not exactly." - -"In fact," said Mr. Halliday quietly, "the farm has been robbed, and as -there are no policemen in the neighbourhood, John has had to go after -the robbers himself." - -"Gone shooting: I said so," remarked Joe. - -"Don't be absurd, Joe," said Helen. - -"I'm going to take Halliday down to the club, if you'll excuse us," said -Mr. Gillespie. "He'll start for the farm to-morrow----" - -"So soon!" interrupted Joe quickly. "I thought we should all go -together at the end of the week." - -"I must go to-morrow," said Mr. Halliday, "and as I shall be off before -you're up in the morning I'll say good-bye now. I'll be back in a few -days, and then you can all come and view our estate. It's just as well -that I am going first, for we shall have to get some rooms ready for -you, you know." - -He shook hands all round, and left with Mr. Gillespie, who had been -speaking in an undertone to his wife. Joe Browne followed them from the -room. - -"I say, Cousin David," he said, "what's up?" - -Hesitating a moment, Mr. Halliday put John's note into his hand. Joe -whistled softly. - -"I'm coming," he said. "So will Poll. What time do you start?" - -"My dear boy, your mother----" - -"Mother's an old trump. I shall tell her the exact state of the case -quietly, of course; I won't scare the girls; and she won't turn a hair. -We'll ride, I suppose? You can get us mounts, Mr. Gillespie?" - -"Yes. We'll start at sunrise. You've got khaki and sun helmets?" - -"Of course. We'll be ready, sir, Poll and I." - -At six o'clock next morning a party of ten rode out of Nairobi. It -consisted of the four men we know, with five friends of Mr. Gillespie -and a Somali guide. Six were mounted on horses, the rest on mules. Two -members of Mr. Gillespie's household watched them leave. One was his -wife, who bid them Godspeed at the door; the other was Hilda Ferrier, -who had passed a sleepless night, and looked forth from the window of -her room with tired and anxious eyes. - - - - -CHAPTER THE EIGHTEENTH--An Attack in Force - - -It was within an hour of sunset when John and Ferrier reached the fort. -They looked first of all to see whether it was possible to raise the -stones which had been cast into the pool, for the purpose of repairing -the wall, and found, as John had suspected, that they were too deep -below the surface. - -"We must make the best of it," said John. "It's lucky we hadn't got -more of the wall down. They won't bother us to-night, that's one -comfort. They'll think twice before crossing the causeway in the dark." - -It proved as he had said. A careful watch was kept all through the -night, but nothing happened to disturb them. As soon as there was a -glimmer of light John went to the gate with Ferrier to survey the -surroundings. Except for the clump of woodland half-a-mile away on the -east there was nothing that afforded good cover, and it struck Ferrier -that it would be a good plan to seize the wood with the fighting men -before the enemy could occupy it. But when he passed over the causeway -with John and a dozen of the natives they discovered to their vexation -that they were too late. They had advanced but a short distance when -they were met by a volley from among the trees, and though none of the -party was hit, John considered it prudent to retire into the fort and -await developments there. - -During the rest of the day the enemy made no serious attack. The smoke -from their camp-fires was seen rising above the trees, and now and then -a shot was fired if any of the garrison showed themselves at the gate or -in the gap of the wall; but the enemy were indifferent marksmen, and the -day passed without casualties. - -"Things don't look very rosy, do they?" said Ferrier, as he lay on the -ground discussing the situation with John. They had found when they -came to look into matters that some of the porters during their hurried -flight had abandoned their loads. Two boxes of ammunition were missing, -and several baskets of provisions. Said Mohammed was in great distress -at the loss of the package containing cocoa, condensed milk, and -marmalade. This, however, was not so serious as the loss of grain. The -total food supply, including the provisions found in the fort, would not -last more than three or four days; and John, though he did not say so, -thought that Ferrier would have done better to retreat towards the farm -than to advance chivalrously to rejoin him. He considered that it would -have been possible for himself and his fighting men, unencumbered with -baggage of any great weight, to have made a rapid march after -demolishing the fort, and joined hands with Ferrier probably twenty -miles nearer home. But fate had ordained otherwise; the situation must -be faced as it existed. - -"Things certainly do not look rosy," John replied to Ferrier's remark, -"but they might be worse--which is a pretty rotten platitude when you -come to think of it. It looks as if they mean to keep us boxed up here. -We shall have to get out when our food's exhausted, or starve, and I'm -inclined to think we had better make a dash for it at once, before the -men get weak. These natives who live mostly on grain food soon crock -up: they haven't anything like our reserve strength, whatever the -vegetarians may say." - -"I don't know. My poor father and I passed through a village where the -people hadn't had any food for a week, and it was wonderful to see how -energetic they were when they saw us coming. They were all skin and -bone, dreadful-looking objects; but they weren't anything like so -crocked as we should be." - -"Well, I suppose it all depends on what you are used to. We'll discuss -the pros and cons of vegetarianism when we're out of this and have got a -full choice of either food. At present we are likely to become -air-eaters before long." - -"Aerophags, eh? or chameleons: they're supposed to live on air, aren't -they?" - -"You seem very chirpy." - -"Well, old chap, the fact is I'm so uncommonly glad we're both alive -that I am perhaps inclined to be a little----" - -"Light-headed," suggested John. - -"If you must be serious, I don't think your notion of an immediate dash -is a good one. The men have had a lot of hard marching, and we ought to -give them a good rest--a full day, at any rate." - -"I dare say that would be wise, but the worst of it is that it will give -time for that crowd outside to grow still bigger, and the chances of our -getting through them safely will be slighter than ever." - -"But remember they've got to eat, as well as we, and the more there are -of them the worse their position. The country we came through was -practically barren, and when they have used up the food they have with -them they'll have to range about for more. That'll be our chance. I -vote we sit tight for a while." - -"All right. Here's Said with our supper: what is it to-night, -khansaman?" - -"I suffer pangs, sir, in serving gents with such slops, et cetera, but -cupboard is bare, sir, to quote classic of Mother Hubbard; all I can -provide for sustenance is cassava bread, beans, and bovril. Incredulity -of native mind, sir, is as colossal as credulity. Carved wooden stick -is a devil right enough: but when I tell them my little brown bottle -contains concentrated essence of stall-fed ox, lo! they grin all over -their mug and ask where are its four legs." - -"That's rather a good thing, for they won't envy us our supper. We -shall do very well, as long as it lasts." - -"Ah, sir, I remember the beautiful words of Dr. Johnson, great -lexicographer: 'And every moment makes my little less.' Hunger is the -best sauce, sir, but it does not fill the saucepan." - -This night, like the last, was undisturbed. On the afternoon of the -next day, when John had ceased to look for any offensive movement on the -part of the enemy, he saw a great crowd of them issue from the wood, and -come yelling across the ground towards the causeway. - -"Hallo! They're getting desperate," he said to Ferrier. He immediately -brought up all the men who had firearms and placed them at the gap in -the wall, bidding them keep under cover and fire when he gave the word. -The yelling horde were met by a volley just as they reached the landward -end of the causeway; but though several men dropped it did not check the -rush, and John concluded from their intense excitement that they had -been stimulating their courage with fermented liquor. Some sprang on to -the causeway, and began to run across it; others took to the water, -which soon swarmed with black heads moving towards the fort. The -garrison fired as fast as they could reload, but the men rushing in -single file along the causeway did not present a good target, and the -swimmers were far too numerous to be dealt with by a dropping fire from -the wall. The defenders in their turn were how the mark for a fusillade -from the further shore of the pool, where several Swahilis had taken up -their position, finding a little shelter in the reeds, and doing their -best to cover the attack of the natives. John looked eagerly among them -for the big form of Juma, resolving if he saw him to pick him off; the -fall of their leader might demoralize or dishearten the rest. But Juma -never came in sight; apparently he was directing the movement from a -place of safety in the rear. - -The men running across the causeway sprang into the water when they came -to the gap from which the bridge had been removed, and, swimming under -water, sought to scramble on to the narrow shelf of land which ran -beneath the wall at this part. At the same time those who had swum -round on either side were swarming on hands and knees up the steep bank. -The attack began to look more serious than John had anticipated. There -were several hundreds of the assailants, and to meet these he had but -forty-three, of whom only ten had rifles. The difficulty was increased -by the fact that when the enemy succeeded, as some of them did, in -effecting a lodgment, it was necessary that his men should show -themselves above the wall in order to shoot down upon them, thus -becoming exposed to the fire from the Swahilis. Leaving his riflemen at -the gap to deal with the men who came over the causeway and to keep down -as much as possible the fire from the shore, John ran with Ferrier to -whatever part of the wall was at the moment the most seriously -threatened. He had already proved the poor marksmanship of the -Swahilis, and, seeing that the enemy must be prevented at all costs from -entering the fort, he no longer troubled to seek cover, but ordered the -men to mount the wall and make the most of their advantage in being -several feet above their attackers. Ferrier and he, fully exposed to -the enemy's fire, ran from place to place encouraging the men, grasping -their rifles by the barrel so as to use them as clubs if any of the -storming party came near the top of the wall. - -The extent of rampart to be defended was so great and the enemy so -numerous that in spite of all efforts many of them succeeded in -scrambling up the mound. Then, having reached the top, they set their -feet in crevices between the stones and clambered up with great agility, -with spears in their mouths. But no sooner did they show their heads -above the wall than John, or Ferrier, or some of the men were upon them, -and with clubbed rifles, spears, or fists, hurled them down the slope -and into the water. A few managed to mount on the wall before the -defenders could reach them, and held their position for a minute or two, -thrusting viciously with their spears and wounding several of the -garrison. John noticed these, and, hastily loading, called to his men -to drop down and then fired, following up the shot with a rush. This -group waited for no more, but sprang from the wall, fell headlong on the -slope, and rolled into the pool, whither one of their comrades, shot by -John's rifle, had already preceded them. - -In spite of these checks, the enemy still came on. Those who had been -thrown down returned again to the assault, and were constantly -reinforced by others. More parties gained a temporary footing on the -wall; there was hand-to-hand fighting at several points at once; and -John began to fear that his men would lose heart and give way before -sheer weight of numbers. Neither he nor Ferrier could be everywhere, -and it was noticeable that the enemy held their ground longest where the -defenders had not the presence of the white men to give them confidence. -The tide was turned at last by Said Mohammed, who had a brilliant -inspiration. There was always a fire burning in the middle of the -enclosure. It suddenly occurred to him, when he saw his party beginning -to be hard pressed, to boil some water, and observing that John and -Ferrier were occupied at two different points far apart, he ran towards -the wall between them, where a group of the enemy were on the point of -springing down into the enclosure. He carried a can full of boiling -water. Aiming it at the biggest man of the group, just as he was -bending forward to spring, the Bengali hurled the canful at his head. -The scalding water fell not only on him, but on the man next him, and -there rose two frightful yells which drowned all other sounds of combat. -The injured men and their immediate comrades leapt frantically into the -pool; their cries caused a weakening of the attack elsewhere; and the -two white men, seizing the moment, though unaware at the time to what it -was due, laid about them still more lustily with their rifles. - -The savages on the side where Said Mohammed had so opportunely -intervened were now seen swimming to the shore. Their panic was -speedily communicated to their fellows, and in a few moments at least -half of the attacking force were in retreat. The defenders being thus -free to devote all their attention to the enemy in the other quarter, -soon made short work of them, and after twenty minutes of exhausting -effort they saw the whole force making shorewards, and scurrying back -under cover. John's riflemen fired a few shots at them as they fled, -but he put a stop to this, thinking that the punishment they had already -received might have taught them a lesson and would break up the siege. - -As he turned from the wall to see what casualties the garrison had -suffered, Said Mohammed came up to him with his usually solemn face -spread abroad with a smile. An empty can was swinging in his hand. - -"I did that jolly well, sir: _Hoc solus feci_." - -"By and by," said John impatiently, thinking that the Bengali had some -trifling act to relate at epic length. Said Mohammed's smile vanished -like an April sun behind a cloud. He looked sorrowfully after John's -retreating form, then brightened a little as he caught sight of Ferrier. - -"Esteemed sir," he said, advancing towards him, "this humble billy was -the _Deus ex machina_." - -"Eh! What! You aren't hurt, are you?" said Ferrier, hurrying by. - -"Only in my soul," muttered Said Mohammed, gloom descending upon him. -"'Slow rises worth by poverty depressed.'" - -John and Ferrier spent the next half-hour in attending to the wounded. -Not a man had been killed; but several were suffering from spear wounds, -and still more from rifle shots. The white men were again struck by the -uncomplaining patience of the injured men. - -"You may call it a lack of sensibility if you like," said Ferrier, "but -I guess it's a fine thing from a military point of view." - -"One can understand how Wellington's army in the Peninsula, the scum of -the earth, as he called them, did what they did. I wish we could do -something for these poor chaps. One of them is done for, I'm afraid; I -don't feel fit to-day to dig out the bullets from the others. All we -can do is to bathe 'em and bandage them up; they've astonishing -vitality. Did you read some time ago about a fellow who got a bullet in -him in the Franco-Prussian war, and didn't have it removed till thirty -years afterwards? Hallo! You've had a knock yourself." - -"So have you." - -"I didn't know it," said John, looking himself up and down. - -"I'm sorry to say it's behind," said Ferrier, with a smile: "just under -your shoulder. You'd better take your shirt off and let me see to it." - -"After you. You've got a pretty gash in your neck. My face must have -scared 'em, and they didn't recover till I had turned, and then jabbed -me in the back." - -"If we were only outside, Bill might find some of his herbs and plaster -us. However, we're lucky to have got off so well, and I hope we shan't -have anything worse to go through before we get back." - -Said Mohammed was unwontedly silent when he brought their supper. He -handed them their bovril and cassava cakes without a word. John -suddenly remembered that he had brushed hastily past the Bengali just as -the fight was over. - -"By the way, khansaman," he said, "you began to tell me something. Sorry -I was too busy to attend to you. What was it?" - -"Trifling matter, sir, not worthy of august attention," murmured the -man. - -"You made some remark about your billy, didn't you?" said Ferrier. "I -didn't quite catch it." - -"Foreign lingo, sir: in short, Latin, reformed pronunciation." - -"Ah! that accounts for it. I was taught by an old Westminster man. You -should take pity on my ignorance, khansaman." - -"Accepting your invite, sir, I take you back to critical moment when all -seemed U P. The hour brings forth the man. There came into my mind the -lovely words of Alfred Lord Tennyson, poet laureate-- - - Fill the can, and fill the cup: - All the windy ways of men - Are but dust that rises up, - And is lightly laid again. - -There was the enemy, rising up like dust; here was the can, ready to be -filled. Whereupon I filled it in a jiffy, boiled it in the time -ordained by nature, and with this right hand hurled it in teeth of the -foe. The dust was laid, sir. Q.E.F." - -"By Jove!" cried John, "I wondered why they slackened off all of a -sudden. You did jolly well, khansaman." - -"Shows the usefulness of English literature," said Ferrier gravely. "You -never know what inspiration it may give at times of difficulty and -danger." - -"Verree true, sir; and it makes me feel jolly bucked to know I have such -spanking good memory." - - - - -CHAPTER THE NINETEENTH--Trapped - - -The failure of their determined assault had evidently discouraged the -enemy, for during the following day they scarcely showed themselves. -John was disappointed, however, to find that it had not caused them to -break up their camp. The stock of food in the fort was seriously -deplenished; but after the spirit the enemy had displayed he felt that -the chances of surviving a running fight with them would be small. The -notion of slipping away in the darkness again occurred to him, and as he -talked it over with Ferrier it suddenly came into his head to make a -preliminary night sortie himself, to see how the land lay on the side of -the fort remote from the enemy. - -"We can carry one of the canoes to that end, lift it over the wall, and -launch it without being seen." - -"If there are none of the enemy about," said Ferrier. "You remember we -saw a party of them cross the river to-day and march in that direction, -foraging, I suppose." - -"Yes, but we've never seen or heard a sign of them at night." - -"That's true." - -"And I say, I've another idea. We want food badly: why shouldn't I go -out at night with Bill and a few others and shoot something?" - -"Are you quite mad, my dear chap? Your shots would bring them on you in -no time." - -"Of course I shouldn't attempt to shoot anything until we were miles -away from the camp. We could cover five or six miles before it was -light, and if we take care not to go to windward they won't hear a -single rifle-shot. A volley would be a different thing, I grant you." - -"I doubt whether the reeds on that side of the pool are thick enough to -hide the canoe, and if they discover it----" - -"There's no need to hide it," John interrupted. "One of the men can -paddle it back, and come for us again when we give you a hail. We shall -have to return by night, of course." - -"Well, you bowl over my objections one after another, so I suppose you -must go. Can't I come too?" - -"We can't both leave the place." - -"Well, why shouldn't I go and you stay?" - -"You see, I understand Bill better than you do, and he'll be the one to -find the game. I really think, Charley, this time----" - -"Oh, all right!" said Ferrier, interrupting. "This time, and that time, -and all the other times!" - -"But you fired the boma!" - -"Is that to last me for ever?" - -"And came to find me, fighting: what about that? Still, if you want to -go----" - -"Not a bit of it, old man. It's your idea; you go; I'll run over in my -mind all the poetry I know and see if I can get a happy thought like -Said Mohammed." - -Two hours before dawn the canoe was gently lowered by ropes over the -wall at the end of the fort opposite the gate. Here, it will be -remembered, the slope of the ground immediately beneath the wall was -steep, but the island jutted out, in a fairly level spit, for some -distance into the pool. John, the Wanderobbo, and five other men were -let down in the same way, four of them to accompany John as carriers of -any game he might obtain, the fifth to paddle the canoe back when they -had landed. The night was very dark; they moved with scarcely a sound; -and having gained the further shore John and his companions struck off -across country. - -John's intention had been to go directly north, but when Bill told him -that the banks of the river would be the most likely quarter in which to -find game at sunrise, when the animals came down to drink, he resolved -to strike off in a north-westerly direction, from which quarter the wind -blew, and gain the river somewhere north of the rapids. They marched -very quickly, the plain on this side of the river being open, came to -the river-bank in about half-an-hour, and then tramped along up-stream, -careful not to approach the water too closely for fear of crocodiles. -At dawn they were, John thought, at least five miles from the fort, but -he decided to go a mile or two farther before beginning operations, to -lessen any risk of shots being heard in the camp. - -The river wound this way and that, now between level banks, now bordered -by steep bluffs thick with overhanging trees. The current was always -swift, and John had been conscious ever since the start that the ground -was gradually rising. Bill did not stick closely to the river: indeed, -that would have been impossible; he sought the easiest way, which led -sometimes through scrub, sometimes over stretches of bare rock which -tried John's boots sorely, sometimes through patches of woodland: -always, however, coming to the river at last. From one elevated -position to which they came John looked back and, now that the morning -haze had lifted, saw the river serpentining behind him, and in the far -distance the pool gleaming in the sunlight, the island and fort a dark -spot in the midst. - -At last he considered that he had come far enough to be out of earshot -from the enemy's camp, and since the nearest village, the abode of the -"bad men," was about a day's march to the north-west, he felt that no -danger was to be anticipated from that quarter. Accordingly the party -of six descended to the level of the river, and Bill began his search -for game-tracks. The river here flowed through narrow channels between -great boulders of a pinkish rock, the brink being lined with reeds. -Before long Bill came upon the spoor of a hippopotamus, and since -necessity knows no law, John thought himself justified in following it -up, in spite of the technical transgression of the terms of his licence. -He was not shooting for sport, he reflected, but for food. - -They came at length to a rocky pool. Bill halted, and pointing to an -overhanging rock on the other side, drew John's attention to a gentle -rippling disturbance of the water. In a moment appeared two red -nostrils covered with coarse black hair. John lifted his rifle, but -Bill signed to him to wait, and after a few seconds the nostrils sank -below the surface: the animal had merely risen to breathe. They all sat -down on the bank to await his reappearance. Several times during -half-an-hour he showed just as much of himself, and no more. This was -tantalizing. Would he never emerge? John's patience at length gave -out. He thought that if he could cross to the other side he might get a -fair shot at the beast, or at least stir him to movement. Looking -down-stream, he saw that some little distance away the surface of the -river was broken, which indicated shallow water. He hastened to the -spot, and stripping to his shirt, waded across waist deep, climbed the -bank, and stealthily crept up until he came directly over the place -where the hippo had last appeared. - -Scarcely had he arrived there when the beast heaved its great back, with -a convulsion of the water, above the surface a little farther up the -pool. In an instant the rifle was at his shoulder: he fired; the hippo -gave a snort, and the water around him was agitated as by an immense -churn. Quick as thought John fired the second barrel: and the beast -rolled over on its side, with a bullet through the brain. - -[Illustration: "The hippo gave a snort, and the water around him was -agitated as by an immense churn."] - -The four porters shouted with delight, and plunged into the water to -drag the carcase to the bank with the cords they had brought with them. -The current, however, carried it downwards, and wedged it between two -rocks so tightly that, when they had tied the cords to the feet, all -their hauling failed for a time to dislodge it. John was determined to -secure the prey, which would provide two days' food for his whole party, -so he stripped off his sole remaining garment and, first spying for -crocodiles, swam to the assistance of the men. After ten minutes' -hauling the unwieldy body was freed from the detaining rocks and drawn -slowly to the bank. - -The men immediately set to work to cut it up with their knives. While -they were engaged in this task, John resolved to go a little farther in -search of more delicate fare for Ferrier and himself. Rolling on the -grass to dry himself, he put on his clothes and set off up-stream with -the Wanderobbo, instructing the others to retrace their steps slowly so -soon as they had tied up their loads. They had proceeded but a short -distance when Bill discovered the track of congoni which had recently -come down to the river to drink. Following it up, they by and by came -in sight of a small herd moving leisurely across the plain to the left. -Being to windward of them, it would be impossible to stalk them -directly. The only chance of getting a shot was to make a long detour -and come upon them from the further side. John's sporting instincts -were roused. There was no fear of losing the track of his men, so he -struck off with Bill at right angles to the river, and after walking -rapidly for half-an-hour in a wide curve, Bill never losing sight of the -game, they got ahead of them, and took cover in a clump of trees which -the animals must pass if they did not change their direction. They came -very slowly, and before reaching the trees swerved somewhat to the -right. It was now or never. John took aim at the nearest of the herd, -which presented its flank to him. His first shot brought it down: the -rest, raising their heads and looking round for a moment, galloped off; -and Bill hurried forward with John to cut from the dead beast as much as -he could carry. - -It was by this time more than an hour since they had left the men; and -since it would be at least another hour before they could overtake them, -John decided to hurry back as soon as Bill had prepared his load. He was -sitting at the edge of the clump of trees, clasping his knees, and -watching Bill's deft movements a few yards away, when he heard a slight -rustling behind him. Thinking it might be a lion or hyena attracted by -the scent of the game, he sprang up, grasping his rifle, only to be -thrown on to his back by the onset of near a score of yelling savages. -He had no opportunity of defending himself. His rifle had been knocked -from his hand and was now in the possession of a tall Swahili, who -grinned at him with malicious triumph as he lay on the ground, and -ordered the savages to turn him over and tie his hands behind his back. -Meanwhile some of the party had dashed after the Wanderobbo, who had -fled towards the river at the first alarm. The old man was soon caught; -John was hoisted to his feet; and in a few minutes he had the -mortification of knowing that he was being marched, a prisoner, in a -direction the exact opposite of the fort. - -The men were in an ecstasy of delight over their capture. They laughed -and jabbered among themselves, but John was unable to recognize the -dialect. He could not ask Bill who they were, for the crestfallen old -man was kept at a distance from him. His hands also had been tied -behind his back. John ventured once to speak to the Swahili, but the -only answer was a grunt. - -They marched on, with intervals for rest, but without food, for the rest -of the day. The country became more and more hilly as they proceeded, -but the Swahili, who led the way, was evidently familiar with it. Just -before sunset they came in sight of a stockaded village, perched up on a -hill, and surrounded by wide well-cultivated fields. The Swahili called -a halt while they were still some distance from the stockade, and, -leaving his prisoners in the charge of a dozen of the men, went forward -with the rest to the gate. There he held a long parley with the -villagers, whom John could see thronging the stockade. The Swahili -turned several times and pointed towards him, and then the talk began -again, with much excited gesturing. John could not guess the meaning of -the pantomime; the only thing that was clear was that it had some -reference to him. At length, when it was almost dark, the Swahili -turned away from the gate and came back to the remainder of his party. -Whatever the subject of the discussion had been, the result was -evidently satisfactory, for a contented smile overspread the man's -swarthy face. He gave a curt order to the men: the prisoners were -lifted from the ground where they had been laid, and urged towards the -village with ungentle proddings from their captors' spears. They -entered the gate and passed through a vast throng of excited people. -John was now able to exchange a few words with Bill, who told him -miserably that this was the village of the "bad men" who had destroyed -the ivory caravan. There was no time for more; the two prisoners were -again separated; amid yells from the men and shrieks of laughter from -the women John was hustled into a noisome hut, and there left, tired and -famished, to chew the cud of bitter reflection, amid the pressing -attentions of innumerable pestilent insects. - -"Here's a pretty go!" he thought. "I suppose they won't eat me, but -what will they do? This Swahili is surely one of Juma's gang, but what -is he doing here? If what Bill says is true, there'll be no love lost -between Juma and these people. What a precious fool I've been! I -wonder if those poor wretches with the hippo meat are collared too? Good -heavens! if they get back safe to the fort, I hope Ferrier won't be mad -enough to come to the rescue. If he does it's good-bye for us all. Oh! -_what_ a fool I am!" - -To know one's folly is a stage towards wisdom: many men never get so -far. - -John groaned, and shook his head and body in a vain attempt to get rid -of his persistent visitors. He tried to release his arms, but failed. -At last, exhausted by fatigue and want of food, and resigned to the -stings he could not avoid, he fell into an uneasy sleep. - -Next morning, as soon as it was light, he was taken out of the hut, his -arms were unbound, and he was given a bunch of bananas, which he ate -ravenously, surrounded by a chattering, grinning crowd of villagers, -men, women, and children, who watched him curiously, making what he felt -to be very personal remarks. He looked around for his companion in -misfortune, but could not see him. He made signs that he was thirsty, -and a girl brought him a gourd of a sweetish-bitter liquor, which he -drained at a draught, and felt so silly that he wondered if he was -drunk. Then there was a great shouting, and the men went away. On -their departure the women drew nearer, touched his clothes and his -bandolier and ran back giggling, pointed to his fair skin where his -shirt was open at the neck, whereat he blushed and they shrieked. One -sportive damsel tugged at the leather watch-chain attached to his belt, -and screamed when his silver watch came out of its fob. He thought with -a kind of fuddled amusement that he might impress them by letting them -hear it tick, and when one came and tried to pull his hair, he held the -watch to her ear, and she fled away screeching. - -What was going on? he wondered. There was a great stirring in the -village. A man passed, and John saw that his face was hideously daubed -with white, and his head surrounded with the skin of some animal. He -carried a spear. Others similarly attired and armed came by. He got up -to watch them more closely, and the spectators fell back and made a wide -circle about him. Beyond them, in the centre of the village, men were -thronging together. It flashed upon him in a moment: they were forming -a war-party. The Swahili had come to enlist their aid. What -inducements he had held out could only be guessed. Probably he had told -them that a white man with great treasure was at their mercy. "Poor old -Charley!" thought John: "it'll be a miracle if he isn't overwhelmed." -For one mad moment he thought of making a dash to the gate, only to -realize that he would never reach it alive. He groaned aloud, and the -wretched little urchins around mocked him, booing with vast enjoyment. - -Then he saw the Swahili approaching with the chief in all his war-paint. -They stood opposite him, talking loud and fast, with many -gesticulations. They were growing angry: what were they disputing -about? The Swahili pointed in the direction of the fort: the chief -shook his head and shouted. Could they be discussing whether to take -him with them or leave him behind? With all his heart he hoped they -would decide for the former course: he might perhaps escape from them -when they approached the fort. But no: presently the Swahili sullenly -gave way: John guessed that he felt that numbers were against him. What -was his fate to be? Was he to be held as a hostage for the due -fulfilment of promises held out? He could not tell. It was clear that -he was to be left in the village. - -The muster was complete. Amid a tremendous clamour the war-party moved -towards the gate. With a sinking of the heart John guessed at their -number: there must be three or four hundred. They marched out, the -Swahili among them, leaving two of his party evidently to keep a watch -on the prisoners--or the prisoner, for where was Bill? They had of -course recognized him as a Wanderobbo: had they butchered him at once? -No: there he was, at the entrance of a small hut thirty yards away. John -took courage at the sight of him. If he was spared, it must be because, -being employed by white men, he might have some commercial value. It -occurred to John now that Juma, the prime mover in these machinations, -would probably stop short of the actual murder of a white man, and might -hold him to ransom. But this did not relieve his anxiety about Ferrier. -The young Canadian would certainly not yield without a struggle, and in -that struggle he might well lose his life. - -The two men left on guard tied his hands again and took him back to his -hut. John made them understand by signs that he did not wish to be -cooped up in its foetid atmosphere, and they let him sit at the -entrance, standing close by with their spears. He saw now that he was -at the highest part of the village, overlooking a vast expanse of the -lower country. There was the war-party, already a dark blot amid the -green. He could see the river winding its way for miles and miles over -the plain, until it became little more than a silver streak in the -sunlight. Was it his fancy, or did he descry in the far distance the -island like a black spot on a silver plate? - -Suddenly he remembered that he had in his pocket the little mirror with -which he had signalled to Ferrier on the march from the farm. Perhaps -he could signal to him now--tell him of his plight, and warn him of the -reinforcement of the enemy. The warning would be of little use to him, -for he could not materially strengthen his defences; but it would at -least show him the folly and the impossibility of attempting a rescue. -Neither his guards nor the villagers would understand what he was about. -He took the mirror from his pocket. The group of onlookers who had -never left him came nearer: what was this piece of solid water that the -msungu held? - -A woman approached him shyly: he held the mirror up to her; she caught -sight of a black smiling face with sharp-filed teeth, and ran away in -consternation, screaming that it was a devil. As she stood explaining -the marvel to her friends, John threw a flash among them: they covered -their eyes, and flew like the wind. Then he turned the glass towards -the fort, and began to make tentative flashes. The guards watched him, -curiously, stolidly; what was the msungu doing? Again and again he -caught the sunbeam, and turned the mirror this way and that. For a long -time there was no answer: he feared the signal had not been seen. Still -he persevered. The guards had ceased to pay any attention to him. At -last he thought he saw a twinkling point of light. Yes: there it was -again: Ferrier was flashing back. Then he began to spell out his -message-- - -"Prisoner: large war-party coming towards you. Good luck!" - -And presently, with much difficulty, for Ferrier's watchcase was a poor -instrument, he read the answer. He could not be sure of it, but it -seemed to be-- - -"Poor old chap! Never say die." - - - - -CHAPTER THE TWENTIETH--Shooting the Rapids - - -The curiosity of the villagers was lulled after a time, and they went -about their usual occupations. The few men left lolled and loafed and -played at knuckle-bones: the women went into the fields and returned -loaded with vegetables. John found that he was not to be ill-treated; -he was given food when the villagers had their meals, and nobody -molested him. The guards dozed near by. But when night came it was -clear that the men had had orders to watch him strictly. He was bound -both hand and foot and taken into the hut, the two men remaining with -the evident intention of keeping him company through the night. Before -he entered he saw that Bill was not held of so much account. He too was -bound, but to all appearance he was left to himself: indeed, the hut -assigned to him, half in ruins, was so small that there would scarcely -have been room in it for another occupant. - -John's discomfort this night sprang less from the insects, to which he -had become inured, than from the proximity of his guards. Armed with -spears, they did not trouble to keep awake, and he soon had proof that -snoring is not, as Ferrier had suggested, an accomplishment only of -civilized races. They might have been trumpeters! He lay oppressed in -the hot stifling air. Deep silence reigned in the village. - -Escape! Why not try? The gate would be unguarded: the negro never -keeps watch unless he is on the war-path, and even then very slackly. If -he once gained the outside, he would have at least some hours in which -to make good his flight. His guards might wake; they might or might not -discover that he had gone; if they did miss him, it would be contrary to -their instinct and their custom if they pursued him in the dark. There -was Bill to be considered: he must not be left behind. But the first -thing was to rid himself of his bonds, and that would be no easy matter. - -Lying still to think out his plan, he saw a chance. All was hushed, but -for the tempestuous snores. It was pitch dark. The guards lay together -near the entrance. With careful movements he rolled and edged and -wriggled across the floor until he knew that he was within a few inches -of the men. Then, groping with his bound wrists, he sought for a spear. -He touched it, grasped it, drew it gently towards him. It resisted: the -guard was lying half upon it. He pulled it again: the snoring ceased -with a sudden snap, and John thought it was all over. But there was a -grunt; the man turned heavily on his side; and the music began again. -The spear was now freed. By careful manoeuvring John got the head -between his knees, and holding it fast, began to saw the thongs that -bound his wrists. The weapon was sharp: the strands parted; he rubbed -the skin to relieve the smarting pain, and then, with two sharp cuts, -released his ankles. - -He stood erect and listened. Only those horn-blasts at his feet. He -peered through the entrance. The darkness without was scarcely less -than within. Carefully, and with a shiver of apprehension, John stepped -over the two stretched forms, in nervous terror lest he should plant a -foot on one of them. He gained the entrance, glancing warily to right -and left, and stepped into the open, snuffing greedily at the cool air. -The village was asleep, calm as the stars twinkling overhead. - -The tumble-down hut in which Bill lay was thirty yards nearer to the -gate. Four huts intervened. John crept round to the back of them and -stole along on tip-toe. He came to the fifth hut, which was separated -from the fourth by a passage a yard wide. Groping down this, he reached -the entrance, and after another look round, put his head within. All -was silent. Perhaps the Wanderobbo tribe did not snore! He called the -man's name softly. - -"Bwana!" whispered Bill. - -In a trice John was beside him. In ten seconds he had cut the ropes. In -twenty both were at the back of the hut. Now Bill took the lead. He -plunged into a banana plantation behind the line of huts, and made his -way swiftly towards the stockade. They came to the gate: it was -unguarded. Being merely a sort of strong hurdle of thorn, held in -position by a few logs, its removal was easy. They passed out, and -lifted the gate back to its former position, though, of course, they -were unable to fasten it. They then ran across the stretch of trodden -grass outside the village, down the hill towards the river. - -Far to the left a lion roared, and John heard his companion utter the -strange gulping sound which in the negro indicates fright. A night -journey in these wilds was a perilous undertaking. They had one spear -between them, a paltry weapon if they should be pounced upon by some -beast of prey. There was just enough light from the stars to enable -them to choose the opener ground, avoiding bush and trees in which wild -beasts might lurk. They moved fast, for John had set his heart on -reaching the neighbourhood of the fort before dawn. There were few -able-bodied men left in the village, but these would turn out in the -morning as soon as the escape was discovered, and scour the surrounding -country. This was reason enough for haste, but there was another. If -they did not succeed in entering the fort before daylight, it would -probably be impossible until the following night. The attack in all -likelihood had not yet been made; the villagers would scarcely attempt -it after their long march; John's whole mind was set on standing by -Ferrier's side when the assault came. - -On they went, running when the ground permitted. Every now and then -John had to stop for Bill's sake, the poor old man, weakened by terror -and hunger (John discovered afterwards that he had had no food all day), -being unequal to the pace. Presently, in descending too rapidly a sharp -declivity, John slipped and sprained himself. When he started again -every movement was painful. To go at any great speed was now -impossible. Still he pushed on, grudging every lost minute of the -night. - -He could not tell what the time was; it was too dark to see his watch. -His pain grew worse at every step, and though he limped along gamely, he -had at length to confess himself done, and sank to the ground. His -distress of mind was as great as that of his body. Was he doomed to -fail? As he crouched miserably in the grass he heard the swirling of -the river close at his right hand. He would go to it and bathe his -aching legs. Bill expostulated: there were sure to be crocodiles; but -John would not be gainsaid. He dragged himself towards the river, and -sat down to rest on a small tree-trunk which had apparently been washed -ashore. In the faint light he saw others dotted about. An idea flashed -upon him. Could they make a raft? Bill had never heard of such a -thing: John did not know if there was a word for it. But he made him -understand that he was to collect some of the smaller logs, and then to -lash them together with strands of the creeping plants which grew in -abundance around. It was hard work and slow in the darkness, John -himself being unable to move freely; but at length something in the -semblance of a raft lay beside him. Rising with difficulty, he helped -Bill to carry it the few yards to the water; then, peering around for -crocodiles, which they would hardly have seen if any had lain there, -they launched the raft and managed to scramble on board, each carrying a -branch to steer with. The current was swift; there was no need for -paddling; and thus, perched precariously on their crazy craft, they -floated down the stream. - -At times they heard movements on one bank or the other. Once they heard -the horrid snap of a crocodile's jaws. A little farther on the raft -bumped against something; there was a swirl of water, and John went hot -and cold at the suspicion that they had collided with a hippopotamus. -The current bore them past in safety, to his inexpressible relief; one -heave of the monster's body would have turned them over. - -So they went on, how long John could not tell. The darkness seemed to -be lifting: from the banks came sounds of awakening life: where were -they? The river was flowing more swiftly; it was racing; and John -suddenly realized with a gasp that he had entered the rapids at the head -of the pool. With frantic movements of the paddles they tried to steer -into the bank; but the current was too much for them; the lumbering -craft was swept along at ever quickening speed; they were helpless. -Dropping their paddles--the spear was already gone--they held on for -dear life to the lashings. Some of them snapped: one of the outer logs -was wrenched away; the raft whirled round, and every moment John -expected it to break apart and hurl them into the race. Still he clung -on with convulsive grip. Bill was flat on his face with his hands over -the edge. On they went, jerked and jarred, until with startling -suddenness they were shot over a rock, and found themselves floating on -the pool. - -The raft was almost in pieces, but it floated more slowly towards the -island. John's relief at finding himself and his companion yet alive -was dashed by a new anxiety. Dawn was glimmering in the sky. If they -were not rescued they would float through the pool to the longer and -even more dangerous series of rapids at the further end. They might be -seen by the enemy on the bank. He could not swim to the fort; his whole -body was stiff and racked with pain; his limbs would fail him. The raft -was drifting past the fort; very slowly, for it was no longer in the -middle of the current; but being without anything to serve as a paddle, -the two could do nothing to check its steady progress towards the lower -rapids. There was only one chance. He called to Bill to shout at the -top of his voice, and putting two fingers to his lips, he blew a shrill -whistle which no white man would fail to recognize. In a moment there -came an answering whistle from the fort. Dimly he saw figures at the -wall. He shouted: a cheery cry answered him: and in a few moments he -saw Ferrier and four men lug a canoe to the gate and put off to the -rescue. - -But the whistle and the shouts had been heard by the enemy, who were -already astir. John could not yet see them, but he heard their yells, -and knew that they were swarming towards the pool. - -"All right, old man, we've got the start of them," cried Ferrier, as the -canoe rapidly approached. - -It was a race between the canoe and the current, between the rescuers -and the enemy. A shot rang out: a flight of arrows hissed into the -water. The raft was drifting within range of the enemy; but in the -half-darkness and against the background of wood on the shore the small -floating object offered but an indifferent mark. Had the day been even -a few minutes older the occupants of the raft would have stood a poor -chance against the arrows, to say nothing of the rifles, of the crowd -that could now be seen flitting like shadows round the margin of the -pool. The greatest source of alarm, however, was not the imperfect -shooting of the enemy, but the rapids to which the raft was drawing ever -nearer. Weakened as it was by its passage of the upper rapids, it was -inconceivable that it could survive the second and far more formidable -strain. The rush of the water could already be heard; the movement of -the raft was perceptibly quickening. Would Ferrier arrive in time? And -if he did overtake the raft, would he too not run a fearful risk of -being drawn into the stream and hurled along in utter helplessness? The -shouts from the shore redoubled in volume; arrows flew more and more -thickly; and John had almost yielded to despair when the canoe shot up -alongside at an amazing pace. Some one grasped the raft; the crew -backed water with all their might. Bill plunged into the water and -scrambled on board the canoe. - -"I can't move; I've ricked myself," cried John. "You must lug me in." - -Ferrier leant over, grasped him, and hauled him by main force into the -canoe. Then the four sturdy natives dug their paddles into the water. -The enemy had reached the brink; some were already on the causeway; but -at this moment four rifles flashed from the fort, and a man toppled off -the causeway into the pool. The others halted. The canoe sped on; a -bullet splashed in its wake; more arrows fell perilously near; but just -as the enemy had gained courage to rush over the causeway again, Ferrier -steered the canoe away from that side and guided it round to the lower -end of the island where landing was easier. The canoe scraped the -shore: its occupants sprang to land: and with Ferrier's aid the negroes -carried John up to the wall, where willing hands hoisted him over. - -"A near shave, old chap," said Ferrier. "You look awfully done up." - -"Pretty nearly crocked," said John, with a feeble smile. "Are those -beggars attacking?" - -"No," replied Ferrier, looking over the wall. "They've gone back. It's -not light enough yet." - -"Thank goodness! I'm no good at present; I'm----" - -"Don't you worry," interrupted Ferrier, seeing his lips quivering. "Just -lie easy for a bit: I'll bring you something to eat." - -John closed his eyes and shivered in his drenched clothes. Ferrier got -two of the men to carry him to the fire, and in a few moments gave him a -mug of soup. - -"You'll feel better after that: hippo soup, my boy." - -"They got back safely then?" - -"Of course they did, an hour after sundown. They hid in the woods -yonder until the coast was clear. I gave them a good ragging for -leaving you." - -"That wasn't fair; we left them." - -"So they said. You may imagine what a funk I was in when they came back -without you. I didn't sleep a wink all night." - -"Poor old chap! We went after congoni when they were cutting up the -hippo, and were rushed as neatly as possible, and carried off to the -village of Bill's 'bad men' in the hills. Our captors were evidently an -embassy from Juma to enlist the chief's assistance. Three or four -hundred warriors in full fig left yesterday morning: have you seen -anything of them?" - -"Not yet. We heard a great hullabaloo in Juma's camp last night, and I -guessed the lot you signalled about had come in. I was glad you -signalled; it was a relief to know you were alive. I wished I could -come up and rescue you, and I'd have had a shot at it if you hadn't told -me the war-party were coming. Of course that dished it. I couldn't -have got through, and I'm afraid our fellows wouldn't have held out long -if I'd left them." - -"Of course not. It would have been simply mad to try it." - -"All the same, it was pretty rotten having to stop here able to do -nothing. I chafed a good deal, I can tell you. When I got your -message, as the enemy were very quiet I sent Coja and one of my askaris -out to see if they could spy out where you were; and what do you -think--Said Mohammed insisted on going too." - -"Well, I'm hanged!" - -"He said it was quite impossible for him to pursue the even tenor of his -way while you, his boss and patron, were in parlous circs. and durance -vile. I'm beginning to think the Bengali has been libelled; go deep -enough and you'll find a man. Anyway, he insisted on going, and I'm -sorry to say none of the three has come back." - -John groaned from utter weariness and disappointment. - -"What a mess I've made of everything!" he said. "If ever we get safely -out of this I'll not go rampaging after stolen rifles again. Look what -I've brought on everybody!" - -"Utter rot! Nobody came against his will, and who could foresee all -this? We've had amazing luck really, and as for getting safely out of -it--but look here, old man, you mustn't shiver like that. I'm a -fat-headed chump. Off with your clothes; they're sopping. We haven't -got a change, but you won't shock any one's modesty. I'll rub you dry -with some of Said's cloths; your things will dry in no time, and I'll -try massage for your sprain. You'll take a good stiff dose of quinine, -too; we can't have an invalid on our hands." - -John winced as he rose to strip. Ferrier got his clothes off, rubbed -him vigorously with cloths ("Shout when I hurt," he said), then rolled -him in a blanket and laid him down by the fire, "To sweat it out, you -know." - -"Just go and look after Bill," said John, feeling comfortably lazy. - -"Bill's all right, bless your heart! He's got no clothes to dry, and -he's tucking into roast hippo like one o'clock. It's the last of it, by -the way. It bucked the men up wonderfully. I wish we had some more." - -"How do we stand for food?" asked John anxiously. - -"Never you mind about food. You shall have your dinner when the time -comes. The best thing you can do is to go to sleep, and when you wake -you can tell me how you managed to escape from the 'bad men.' Are they -very bad, like the little girl who was horrid? No, you needn't answer; -just shut your eyes while I count ten, and you'll sleep like a top." - -Two hours later, the man on guard at the gate, one of Ferrier's askaris, -reported that a number of men were marching across the plain towards the -causeway. Ferrier went to the gate, and saw that the group consisted of -two Swahilis and four of their followers. A great throng of black men -stood at the edge of the wood, giving no sign of an intention to move. - -"A deputation, I presume," thought Ferrier. "Coming to offer us terms!" - -The men advanced along the causeway, the Swahilis first. When they had -come half-way Ferrier told the askari at his side to order them to stop. -They came to a halt immediately. - -"Ask 'em if one of them is Juma," said Ferrier. - -No: one was Sadi ben Asmani, the other Jumbi ben Abdullah. - -"Then you may tell Sadi ben Asmani and Jumbi ben Abdullah that I have -nothing to say to them, and they had better be off, sharp." - -When this was interpreted the Swahilis glowered. One of them began to -speak, but Ferrier signed to him to be silent. - -"Tell them I'll listen to the others, but won't hear a word from them." - -The causeway being too narrow for two men to pass securely, the file -faced about and retreated to the shore. Then they came on again, the -negroes this time leading, and the Swahilis remaining at the end of the -causeway. The first negro, a finely proportioned fellow whom it was a -pleasure to look upon, began to address the white man, using his hands -freely. - -"What does he say?" asked Ferrier. - -The askari did not know his dialect. From the crowd of men who had -gathered at the wall one stepped forward saying that he knew it. - -"Well, tell me what he says." - -"Him say msungu come out: no lib for no more fight. Great big lot o' -black men: msungu no can run away." - -"You can tell him that the msungu won't come out, and the black men had -better run away. They have come to fight us, who never did them any -harm. They have come to help a lot of thieves and murderers, who have -stolen the goods of the black men round about. This fort is where they -lived, and where they kept the goods they stole. The fort now belongs -to the msungu. A great many wasungu are now coming from their fort far -away to punish them, and when they come they will scatter them as the -lion scatters sheep. Tell them we are quite happy; we aren't a bit -afraid of them; we have beaten them twice, and we'll beat them again. -They had better take up their cook-pots and go home." - -This little speech Ferrier delivered sentence by sentence, wondering how -much of it was fairly translated. The deputation clearly gathered the -gist of it, for with every sentence they became manifestly more -incensed. At the close they shouted and waved their arms, and then the -leader, with the air of one playing his trump card, cried out that the -msungu's talk was fool's talk, for they held a sheep-faced msungu a -prisoner in their village far away, and if their demand was not -instantly complied with, the sheep-faced msungu would be killed. - -"By Jove!" thought Ferrier, "they didn't recognize old John then. What -a tremendous lark! I'll give them a shocker." - -To the evident amazement of the natives he laughed heartily. Then, -bidding them stand where they were until he came back to them, he -returned into the fort. - -"I say, John," he said, with a chuckle, shaking the sleeping form; "wake -up, old chap. There's a deputation outside summoning us to surrender, -and threatening if we don't to slaughter a sheep-faced -msungu--sheep-faced, old chap!--whom they've got penned up in their -village. Come and show yourself; I bet they'll look sheepish. It was -evidently too dark to see you when you came down on your raft. Slip -your things on: you don't look the same man in that blanket." - -John laughed and slipped on his shirt and breeches, now thoroughly dry. -His sun-helmet, which had been fastened on by a strap, was rather pulpy, -but Ferrier clapped it on his head, saying that it didn't matter. In a -few seconds he had limped to the gate, and stood at Ferrier's side, -smiling very amiably. - -The natives were struck dumb with astonishment. The Swahilis could not -have been more confounded if they had seen a ghost. After gazing for a -full minute at the msungu whom they imagined to be in safe custody -fifteen miles away, they turned round and marched back in silence, only -breaking into excited talk when they reached the shore. The two white -men stood watching them until they rejoined the vast throng gathered at -the edge of the wood. - -"They've got something to digest," said Ferrier, with a laugh. "Now -we'll go and get some dinner." - - - - -CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FIRST--A Combined Assault - - -"Think they'll give it up?" said Ferrier, as they sat over their dinner. - -"Not they! Those fellows haven't come all the way from their village -for nothing. They wouldn't have come at all but for some strong -inducement, for Juma isn't an old friend of theirs, remember." - -"Well, there's very little inducement so far as I can see. There's next -to no loot bar the rifles and ammunition, and Juma would bag those if he -licked us. The others would have a very poor look-in." - -"You forget the sort of old curiosity shop collection that the men were -so delighted with. The 'bad men' would get those, of course." - -"It's very little among so many; you said there were about four hundred -of them." - -"Yes, but Juma wouldn't be over particular as to what he promised. All -he wanted was to get their help. If he were to lick us, he could safely -defy the 'bad men,' for with the rifles and practically unlimited -ammunition he could do what he liked with 'em. He's sure to attack us, -maybe to-day, maybe to-morrow; and the best thing we can do is to -strengthen our defences. We shall have all our work cut out to keep 'em -off this time: we're three rifles short; I suppose Coja and the others -took theirs with them?" - -"Yes, unfortunately. But I've already begun to strengthen the -defences--started when I got your message." - -"Good man! What did you do?" - -"First thing, I cut down some of the young trees at the further end of -the island. I thought they might give cover to the enemy if they tried -an attack in that quarter. Then it occurred to me that if we could -raise a sort of bastion to jut over the wall by the gate yonder, we -could fire at them without exposing ourselves, and--what do they call -it?--enfilade them." - -"Capital! I wondered what that rummy erection meant. Didn't like to -say so, but it looks like a funeral pyre." - -"Well, it's not finished, you know. It took us a good time to cut down -the trees and strip off the branches. The enemy didn't see what we were -about until we had got a pretty good pile of logs, and then they began -shooting at us--with arrows; they didn't want to waste ammunition, I -suppose. I had to draw the men off then, and we haven't gone at it -again: your arrival has put everything else in the shade." - -"We may as well finish that bastion now, at any rate, and put up another -on the other side of the gate, if there's wood enough. Sorry I can't -help you; I'm too stiff. You'll have to perch me up on one of the -bastions when the attack comes, and leave me there." - -"Oh, you'll soon be all right. I'll give you a good rubbing by and by -with hippo grease; it'll be as good as goose fat, and that's what the -old wives use, isn't it?" - -Ferrier set the men to work on the bastions, instructing them how to -pile the logs and to interlace the branches they had lopped off, so as -to form a kind of parapet, the interstices between the branches making -natural loopholes. - -They were still engaged on this task, about four o'clock in the -afternoon, when Ferrier's attention was attracted by movements among the -enemy, who formed a dense black mass, with a few white spots, against -the background of trees. He thought that the signs of activity -portended an attack, and called to some of the men to occupy the one -bastion that was finished. They obeyed quickly, carrying John with them -at his own order. But it was soon apparent that the enemy were not -contemplating an immediate assault. They suddenly threw themselves on -the ground in a large circle, three ranks deep, the Swahilis, eight in -number, standing at the centre. - -"A council of war: what they call a shauri," said John. - -It was soon seen that there was a difference of opinion among the -assembly. At first the discussion proceeded in a quiet and orderly -manner, the sound of voices reaching the fort very faintly. But -presently there were clear signs of excitement. Some of the warriors -sprang up, and harangued the Swahilis fiercely, brandishing their spears -in the direction of the fort. Their voices were raised; the tumult -increased moment by moment; and the sound became a continuous roar, like -the noise of surf at a distance. - -"The allies are at loggerheads," said Ferrier. "They may raise the -siege." - -The chief of the "bad men" was in fact demanding to know why the -Swahilis had brought him and his men on a fool's errand. Where was the -promised spoil? In a fort, defended by a wall, a pool of water, and an -army led by wasungu. How had the msungu whom they had left in the -village, bound and under guard, come into the fort? Surely by magic; -and if the wasungu had such wonderful medicine it was useless to attack -them. - -To this Juma--for it was he--replied that the spoil was indeed within -the fort, but the defences were not so formidable as they appeared. The -wall had been partly demolished; the pool could be swum, it contained no -crocodiles; and as for the men within, it was clear they must be very -weak, for they had taken no food into the fort for many days. Nor could -they get any; no doubt an attempt had been made that morning, and found -to be impossible because of the current. (Such was his explanation of -the incident of the raft.) And as for the msungu who had reappeared so -mysteriously, it was no magic, but the carelessness of the guards that -accounted for that: the msungu must have escaped, and not being afraid -of the dark had marched during the night. - -This aspersion on the trustworthiness of the guards roused the chief to -fury. Springing up, he demanded the instant fulfilment of the promise -made to him. He worked himself up to an ecstasy of indignation; his men -caught fire from him; and when the tumult was at its height they -suddenly wheeled round and, following their chief, began to march off -towards their village. - -"This looks promising, certainly," said John, who had watched the -proceedings closely. "If we could only get out we might even enlist -those fellows on our side." - -But in a few moments a change came over the scene. Six painted warriors -came running from the north-west to meet the marching force, which -halted, swallowing up the runners into its own mass. A few minutes -passed; then the whole body wheeled about and returned to the spot where -the Swahilis and their negroes were still grouped in a circle. - -"Men from the village come to report our escape," said John. - -"But why should that make the chief turn back?" rejoined Ferrier. "It -ought to have the opposite effect." - -"I take it that the chief is so mad at being done that he has decided -not to go until he has caught me again." - -"But your escape is no news to him. They've seen you already." - -"That's true. Well, I can't account for it; but it's clear that those -six fellows have caused a change in the tide, and I wish them at -Halifax." - -The conference was resumed, and continued until dark. There was no -further outburst. Ferrier utilized the time to finish the second -bastion: it was impossible to doubt that the enemy was planning an -attack. It would not be made in the night, but must be looked for as -soon as morning broke. Ferrier's expression was very grave as he helped -John to reach his little grass hut in the centre of the fort. He had -made an inspection of the stock of provisions during the morning, and -knew that it would not last beyond another day. - -"I won't worry John to-night," he thought, "but he'll have to know in -the morning." - -Though convinced that no attack would be made during the dark hours, -Ferrier took the precaution of putting four men on sentry-go. He -insisted on John's going to bed as soon as he had had his massaging, and -sat down by the fire himself, in no cheerful frame of mind. He knew he -would get little sleep that night, for the negro, though willing enough, -is ever an untrustworthy sentinel. And when he reflected on the horde -of savage enemies without, he could not look forward with confidence to -the issue of the coming fight. He canvassed the possibility of help -coming from Nairobi or Fort Hall, reckoning how long it would take for -the messenger to reach Mr. Gillespie, and how long for a rescue party to -gain the fort. But he found the very elements of the calculation -uncertain; try as he might, he could not recollect clearly how many days -had passed since they left the farm. Never before had he understood the -savage man's indifference to time; it was now clear; time is an -invention of civilization. - -While he was sitting thus brooding over the fire, one of the sentries, -an askari of his original safari, came running to him. - -"Bwana," he said, "man ober dere." - -He pointed towards the western end of the island. Ferrier sprang up, -seizing rifle and revolver: surely the enemy had not crossed the river -in the darkness and crept round to attack the fort from this side? -Hastening to the wall, he mounted upon it and peered into the night. -Nothing could be seen. But in a moment he thought he heard a faint -sound. He listened intently: yes, he heard it again; it was a kind of -whinny--the signal he had arranged with Coja in case he should return -after sunset. The men were safe, then; he rejoiced for their own sake, -and because it meant the addition of three good rifles to the morrow's -defence. Calling up two of the men, he had the canoe lowered and -carried down to the water, himself accompanying them, since he could -never be sure that unreasoning panic might not seize them. The canoe -was launched and paddled quietly to the farther shore of the pool. Two -men stepped down to meet it: they were Coja and the askari. - -"Where is Said Mohammed?" asked Ferrier. - -"Him gone, sah," replied Coja: "dunno where he are." - -"You lost him?" - -"Long long way ober dere." - -"Before it was dark?" - -"Long time, sah," - -"Did you look for him?" - -"Oh yes, sah, look for him long time, sure nuff." - -"Well, get in. You're a couple of muffs, to say the least. What were -you doing?" - -Coja explained that about midday, as they were fording the river, a -number of leeches fastened on their legs. They jumped about to rid -themselves of the creatures, and suddenly a huge brown crocodile, waked -by the disturbance, slid off a mud bank into the stream, within a foot -or two of Said Mohammed. The Bengali heard the flop of the loathsome -reptile just in time to spring out of its reach. The others dashed -across the river at full speed: Said Mohammed ran back to the bank they -had left, scrambled up, and sped away as fast as his legs would carry -him into the bush. Coja did not venture to recross the stream at that -spot: he sought a ford higher up, but was long in finding one. Both he -and the askari waded over and searched along the bank; they did not dare -to shout, for fear of bringing an enemy upon them; and failing after a -long time to discover any trace of the Bengali, they had thought it best -to return to the fort. - -"And did you find the place where the _bwana_ and Bill are kept?" asked -Ferrier. - -"No, sah: them's dead, sure miff." - -"They're here, and alive," he said. "I was a fool to let the men go," -was his unspoken thought. - -The men were amazed and delighted that the master had returned. As for -Said Mohammed, it was doubtful whether his fate gave them any concern. - -The night passed in peace. Ferrier felt very weary in the morning, but -John, after a long sleep, rose much refreshed, though he still found -moving difficult. About eight o'clock there was a cry from the gate -that the enemy were rushing down towards the causeway. The bastions -were instantly manned, John taking post in one and Ferrier in the other, -dividing the askaris equally between them. Twenty men with spears and -bows and arrows were told off to hold the broken portion of the wall on -either side of the gate, where the attack was most to be feared. The -remainder of the force were stationed at various points, to be ready to -run wherever they were called, and to keep watch on the opposite side of -the island. - -John was surprised to see that the enemy did not take to the water, as -they had done on the former occasion, but came in a yelling line along -the causeway. They were Juma's newest allies, and being without -personal experience of the reception their friends had formerly met -with, they came rushing across with a reckless courage. When the first -man had reached the middle of the causeway, a volley was fired -simultaneously from each of the bastions, and half the line fell into -the water, uttering dreadful yells. There was a momentary pause; but -the leader had escaped; he bounded forward, followed by the survivors -and others who had not come within the line of fire. The shore behind -was thick with black warriors, hideous in their war-paint, and shouting -furiously. Only Ferrier's rifle was double-barrelled; John's had been -taken from him when he was captured; and before the men could reload, -several of the enemy had reached the end of the causeway, and, springing -into the water at the gap, gained the shelf of land beneath the wall. -Ferrier's rifle disposed of one of them; the rest rushed up to the gate -and the ruined rampart, and were in a moment fighting hand-to-hand with -the men within. - -"Keep your fire on the causeway," shouted John, who then called to some -of the men in reserve to mount the wall and fling stones on the men -trying to clamber up. A second volley from either side crashed into the -negroes racing towards the fort. Only two of them got across. Those -behind who had not been struck down came to a sudden halt, only to be -pushed on by those surging in the rear. The result was that a score of -unhurt negroes were hustled into the water. John forbore to fire at -these, but as soon as his men had reloaded, sent another volley among -those who were still running along. Meanwhile the defenders of the wall -had beaten off the assault of the men below, who were at a hopeless -disadvantage. Two or three fell groaning to the ground, transfixed with -spears; the rest leapt into the pool, and struck out frantically for the -shore. The sight of this retreat, and a fourth volley from their unseen -enemy, shattered the confidence of the bravest negroes. There was wild -confusion on the causeway. Those upon it could not retreat because of -the pressure of their comrades behind. They jumped into the water on -both sides. The others, seeing that all was lost, fled back towards the -wood. In ten minutes after the first attack they were in full flight. - -But at this moment a shout was raised that the enemy were attacking from -the other side of the island. Ferrier instantly sprang down from his -perch, and calling on his men to follow him, rushed across the enclosure -to repel this new assault. John, perforce confined to his post, ordered -his company to join the others, while he alone kept watch on the -causeway. Being undisturbed, he had leisure to consider what the -enemy's plan had been. He could not doubt that they had arranged in -their council of war that the Swahilis with their party should cross the -river and creep under cover of the trees and scrub to the western shore -of the pool. The intention had certainly been that the attack should be -made on both sides of the fort simultaneously. If it had been perfectly -timed, and begun at a concerted signal, the plight of the garrison might -have been very serious. But careful co-operation is impossible to the -negro. The men on the eastern side had rushed blindly to the assault, -heedless of what the other party was doing. These, led by Juma himself, -had made their way unobserved to the place arranged, and swum the pool -under cover of the fringe of trees which were still left standing. But -only one or two had landed when they heard the din of fighting on the -other side. Juma, more intelligent than the negroes, had seen at once -the necessity of striking while the garrison was engaged in that -quarter. But he was compelled to wait until he had sufficient support, -and by the time he had gathered a score of men about him the eastern -attack was beaten off, and the defenders were hurrying to meet him. - -When Ferrier reached the wall, he saw the Swahilis and their followers -coming up the slope in a straggling body. The moment they perceived -him, they halted; those who had rifles fired them off, too hurriedly to -take effective aim; the others let fly a shower of arrows. Then they -all rushed forward, a disorderly shouting mob. Ferrier fired his rifle, -but his men had not had time to reload, having hastened from the bastion -immediately after the final volley upon the causeway. The enemy had -come within about twenty yards of the wall when Ferrier, whipping out -his revolver, snapped a shot at Juma and winged him. The big man fell -to the ground with a howl of pain; his men halted in consternation. -This was not the easy victory they had been promised. Their hesitation -was fatal. It had given time to the men on the wall to load their -pieces. A general fusillade spattered bullets among the waverers; it -quickened them into action, but instead of continuing their advance they -turned tail and bolted down the slope, pursued by a shower of arrows. -Juma had risen, and struggled along with the help of two of his kind. -They fled with all speed among the trees, and the garrison, yelling with -delight, saw them no more that day. - - - - -CHAPTER THE TWENTY-SECOND--A Counter Stroke - - -John had every reason to be satisfied when he took stock of the results -of the action. The enemy had been thoroughly routed, with considerable -loss: he had no men killed, and only a few with superficial flesh -wounds. But he looked grave enough when, at dinner-time, Ferrier -confessed that he had already had to put the men on half rations. - -"Our only hope is that the enemy have had enough of it and will clear -off," he said. "The 'bad men,' at any rate, won't think much of their -job." - -"And Juma himself has had a reminder that won't leave him for a few -days. But if they _don't_ clear off----" - -"We must wait and see. There ought to be plenty of fish in this pool; -couldn't we try a little angling?" - -"What about hooks?" - -"Well, there are some empty condensed milk-tins; we can make some sort -of hooks out of them. And as for bait--I say, look there!" - -Two vultures were swooping down upon the western end of the island. - -"Sickening!" said Ferrier, with a shudder. "I'll go and pot them and -get the men to attend to things there. The birds will give us bait, and -the men may like to eat them--I couldn't." - -Several large hooks were made out of milk-tins. A piece of rope was -unravelled to form lines, and several of the men were soon sitting on -the causeway, angling with portions of the vultures which Ferrier shot. -In the course of an hour or two they caught several fish, large and -small; but the total quantity was insignificant in comparison with what -was needed to give all a full meal. They were all rather hungry when -they settled down for the night, and the white men devoutly hoped that -when morning dawned they would see that the enemy's force had broken up. - -In this they were disappointed. Daylight showed them parties of negroes -hovering on the outskirts of the wood. That their intention was to -resume their old tactics of watching the fort was proved before the day -was over. A long line of women was observed coming from the north, -bending under heavy loads. - -"Grub for them," said Ferrier. "They're short, like us: but they can -draw on the village while we starve." - -"I wonder if we could intercept a convoy," suggested John. - -"Very risky: practically impossible. We couldn't tell when it's coming. -We might have to wait a day or two, and miss it after all. Besides, we -might be cut off; they're strong enough to keep us out if they get -between us and the fort; and the garrison would be so much weakened that -they couldn't hold out against a general attack. No: we mustn't think -of it." - -"Well, it looks as if we must either break out or starve. We may starve -in any case. We didn't pass a single cultivated field on the way up, -and if we made a dash for home we should have to depend on game and what -wild fruits we could pick up. I don't know what on earth we can do, -that's a fact." - -Next day saw them no nearer a solution of the problem. The enemy were -still in force, and the punishment they had received had not sufficed to -detach the "bad men," who were easily distinguishable from the other -negroes by their characteristic equipment. Juma had in fact persuaded -them that the surrender of the white men was only a matter of time: they -could not live without food, and while they remained in the fort to -obtain food was impossible. - -"Look here, Charley," said John that afternoon, "we can't stand this any -longer. It's neck or nothing, and I'm for a bold course. That village -up yonder is crammed with food-stuff of all kinds. They've just been -harvesting. I vote we make a dash for it and seize enough to last us -best part of the way home. All the fighting men are away, or nearly -all. If we can only get there it'll be easy enough to capture the place -and hold it as long as we like: there's a good stockade. But I don't -want to hold it. We might stay there a day or two until our men are fed -up, and then make tracks. Perhaps we'd have the luck to escape them; -it's not likely, I admit. They would be between us and the farm: we -should have to be uncommonly clever to dodge them; and as we couldn't -move fast, with our men loaded, they're bound to come up with us some -time or other. That would mean a fight in the open; perhaps a running -fight for miles, with the odds of numbers against us. But I prefer -fighting to starving; and it's Hobson's choice." - -"It means a night march." - -"Yes, but the men won't mind that. We haven't failed in anything so -far, and success goes a long way with them." - -"Your escape has bucked them more than anything. Bill has told them -some wonderful story about your voyage on the raft, and if you talked -about taking a trip to the moon I believe they'd think it feasible." - -"Things couldn't be better, then. Suppose we start about eight -o'clock--the enemy will all be asleep by then--we should have ten hours' -grace before sunrise, more than long enough to get to the village, -barring accidents." - -"That is, if they don't find out that we've gone." - -"Of course. I don't see why they should do that. They've never shown -any inclination to attack us in the darkness, and if any of them keep a -watch on the causeway side, they certainly don't at the other end, or -Coja couldn't have got in. That's our way out. We shall have to keep -the men quiet, but we've done that before, and when we've explained to -them what's at stake they'll be on their mettle. We'll cross the pool -in the canoes, and the paddles won't make any sound that they can hear, -if we're careful." - -"I've an idea. While we're ferrying our things over, and most of the -men, why not start the others on a sing-song? That would drown any -noise we might make." - -"And wake the enemy! They'd wonder what was up. Why should we disturb -their rest? Better not make any difference in our usual ways, I think: -keep our fires burning, and give 'em no reason to think we're doing -anything out of the ordinary." - -"You're right. There's a risk that in spite of all our care they'll -hear something, but it will take 'em some time to make sure that we've -gone, and it's ten to one they won't pursue us in the darkness." - -"And when they do find out, in the daylight, they'll probably waste some -time in picking up the trail, unless they are good trackers, which we've -no evidence of. I fancy we shall get, as I said, a good ten hours' -start of them, and I defy 'em to catch us then--again barring -accidents." - -"D'you think you can stand the march?" - -"I'm going to chance it, anyway. Your rubbings have done me a deal of -good, and we can't go very fast at night, so I think I'll manage to keep -up. If I can't, you must just sling me on to a litter. I'm eleven -stone two--or was; I suspect I've lost a few pounds lately; but four men -could toddle along with me, and a dozen will have loads in any case. -There's the ammunition, and all that flummery I gave to them; they won't -want to leave that." - -"Suppose we find that some of the war-party have gone back?" - -"It's not likely. They're here with the idea of getting loot, and not a -man Jack of them will be willing to lose the chance of his share. -Anyway, we must risk it. If we have luck we shall get to the village -before it's light, and a sudden rush will have the effect it always has -on them." - -"Well, it sounds rather promising, and, upon my word, I'm itching to be -off." - -"All in good time, old man. I wish we could all have a good feed before -we start, but perhaps the men will march the better with the promise of -a meal before them." - -The preparation of the men's loads was set about betimes. The absence -of large quantities of food was an advantage; the other goods could -easily be carried by twelve of the men, and the labour would be -lightened by transferring the loads to the others in turn. - -There was much excitement among the negroes when John explained his plan -to them. The past successes had given them entire confidence in their -leaders; and the prospect of actually capturing the village of the -notorious "bad men" had a spice of daring about it which lent it a -certain charm. - -At nightfall the canoes were let down over the wall and carried to the -shore. Then the men conveyed the stores to them, moving so silently -that only a very alert enemy could have detected the activity. The -canoes had to make several journeys across the pool before all the goods -and the men were ferried over. There was not a sound from the enemy's -encampment. When all were safely landed, John called the men about him, -and repeated his instructions to march quietly and above all to beware -of straggling; then he set off with Bill to lead the way. Behind him -came in order four askaris carrying rifles: then the twelve men with the -ammunition and the assortment of oddments found in the fort; then six -men bearing in litters three others whose wounds prevented them from -marching. After these came the rest of the negroes, among whom the -prisoner taken at the camp was enrolled, Ferrier and Coja bringing up -the rear to ensure that there was no straggling at the end of the line. - -It was a dark night, but the sky was clear and the air cold. To make a -direct course was impossible. Bill knew the way in the daytime, but at -night he was completely at a loss. John, however, was aware of the -general direction, and by keeping within touch of the river, as he could -easily do by his sense of hearing, he knew that he could not go very far -wrong, though the journey would necessarily be longer than if he had -been able to avoid the windings. Fortunately in this hilly country the -ground was much less obstructed by tangles of thorn than it was in the -less elevated districts to the south, and the safari was not hindered by -the annoying necessity of having to cut a way through pathless jungle. - -Nevertheless, the march was not devoid of trials and discomforts. The -ground was very irregular, and at one point, where the bank of the river -rose to a considerable height above the water-level, they found that -they had come to a stretch of hard gravel interspersed with large -fragments of a whitish rock, making progress very slow and difficult. -Looking back, John saw the glow of the fires left burning in the fort--a -little patch of red amid deep black. When they descended to grassy land -again he stumbled over an obstruction about three feet high, which Bill -told him was an ant-hill. A little further on he heard a strange -whistling that seemed to come from a line of trees on his left hand. -Hearing the men behind gulping, he halted, and got them to exchange -loads, listening meanwhile to the weird and mournful sound, which now -increased in volume, now died away in a doleful wail. He asked Bill if -he recognized the sound as that of an animal, but he replied that he had -never heard it before. After a few moments John observed that the sound -rose and fell with the gusts of wind, and concluded that it was caused -by the breeze sweeping through the trees. He reassured the men; but it -was not till long afterwards he discovered the origin of the sound. The -trees were a species of thorn about eight feet high, with leafless -branches on which hung a number of hollow seed-pods. In these an insect -bores a hole, and the wind, passing through the innumerable tiny -apertures, produces the musical notes which so much disturbed the -negroes. - -After about two hours, John felt much fatigued. The continued exertion -had revived the dull aching pain in his back and limbs, and he thought -it prudent to rest awhile. The progress had been so good that he could -afford to waste an hour: there would still be time to reach the village -before the dawn. The whole party lay down on a grassy knoll, speaking -only in whispers. Occasionally the cry of some night-bird broke the -stillness, and once there came, from far away, the sharp bark of a -hyena. At the end of an hour the safari was again on foot. Twice more -John found himself compelled to halt, and after the second time Ferrier -persuaded him to let four of the men carry him, in a litter which they -quickly made by slinging one of the blankets between two rifles. Always -taking the river as guide, they pressed on again. At last, when the -sounds of re-awakening life in the trees proclaimed that dawn was at -hand, they came to the foot of a long grassy acclivity which John felt -sure led up to the village. After a consultation with Ferrier, he -decided to wait a little until there was light enough to show them the -way clearly. The air was misty, but the blackness of night was passing, -and at length they were able to see the goal of their long march--the -"bad men's" village, lying in perfect stillness on the hill-top. - -John led the men among some trees, and waited until he saw the gate -opened, and a number of women come out and wend their way into the -plantations to the left. When they were out of sight, he ordered the -men to leave their loads and follow him closely without a sound. Then, -regardless of his pain, he led the way at a steady run up the hill. -Ferrier came to his side. - -"We do this together, old boy," he said. - -On they went. They had almost reached the stockade when a woman in the -fields to the left saw them, and uttered a loud shriek. John quickened -his pace; the men, unable to restrain themselves any longer, raised -their voices in a tremendous shout. A few seconds later the whole -party, the white men still leading, dashed through the gate, and along -the single street, causing a wild stampede among the children playing -there, and the women who were moving about. The uproar drew several men -from their huts, where they were no doubt indulging themselves in a -final nap while their womenkind prepared breakfast. Almost all were old -men. At the sight of the invading horde they yelled and fled. John -hurried on towards the compound where he had seen the war-party -assemble. As the scared negroes left the street vacant, he was struck -with amazement at the sight that met his eyes. At the entrance of a hut -at one side of the central space stood a figure in white. He had risen -from bending over a cooking-pot. Next moment Said Mohammed came towards -his master, walking leisurely, his face beaming with smiles. - -"Good morning, sir," he said blithely. "You have come in nick of time. -Banana fritters, new dish to savage with untutored mind, are done to a -turn. On point of tickling unappreciative palates, they now serve -nobler end, delectating connoisseur who knows what's what. With -respect, sir, I'm jolly glad to see you." - -Thus the village of the "bad men" was carried without a blow. - -John sent Coja back with a few men to bring in the loads and secure the -gate. Then he lost no time in hunting through the village, and learnt, -as he had hoped, that there were very few men left in it; and these for -the most part old and negligible as a fighting force. He had given -strict orders to his party not to injure any one wantonly. The women, -seeing that there was no burning or slaughtering, recovered from their -first fright. They recognized the prisoner in whom they had been so -much interested, and their curiosity overcoming every other feeling, -they drew slowly nearer to the strangers, uttering little shrieks of -excitement. John made them understand that the men were hungry, and -they ran with alacrity into their huts, not at all averse from preparing -a meal for such inoffensive visitors. Meanwhile Said Mohammed had -instantly seized his own cooking-pot and other utensils from the men who -carried them, and set to work to cook more banana fritters and other -dainties to which the white men had been strangers for many a day. -Before long the whole party were seated, enjoying a capital breakfast, -the men laughing and chattering like light-hearted children. In the -midst of the repast they broke into song, one of them chanting a line of -solo, the rest chiming in with a boisterous chorus. - - (Solo) Where did the white men go in the night? - (Chorus) They went to the place of the bad men. - (Solo) Why did they go to the place of the bad men? - (Chorus) To get very much food - For themselves and the good men. - The white men must eat, - The black men must eat, - In the place of the bad men is very much food, - O, eat all the food of the bad men. - -John smiled rather wistfully as he translated the song to Ferrier. - -"Poor devils!" he said. "They don't think of what they may have to go -through before they get home. Just like children.... We thought we'd -never see you again, khansaman. What became of you?" - -"Sir, I will round unvarnished tale deliver. Crossing stream, a -thousand horse-leeches take fancy to my nether extremities, and cling -like grim death. I make saltatory gyrations to shunt obnoxious -hangers-on, when lo! enter crocodile, without introduction, his room -better than his company. I was in blue funk, sir, and scooted, with -celerity and splash. In agitation of moment I forgot my pals, and when -I look round, behold! they are no more. I call: no answer; I call -again: silence that can be felt. You could hear a pin drop. In the -charming words of the handsome but afflicted Lord Byron-- - - 'What next befell me then and there - I know not well--I never knew:' - -but when I came to myself, to quote from same sublime poem-- - - 'I had not strength to stir, nor strive, - But felt that I was still alive,' - -for, below, leeches suck my vital fluid; above, black men have me in -grip as firm as metropolitan bobby. They propel me, sir, with indignity -to reverse of the medal, to this identical spot. - - 'First came the loss of light, and air, - And then of darkness too:' - -in other words, I, Said Mohammed, failed B.A. of Calcutta University, am -consigned to ignominious horizontal extension on floor of beastly hovel. -I suffer in silence, - - 'Nor call the gods with vulgar spite - To vindicate my hapless right.' - ---Allow me to offer you another fritter, sir." - -"Thanks. What next? Fire away!" - -"After horrid night, sir, over which I draw veil of decency, I am -transported into light of day. Hail, smiling morn! I purchase freedom -by generous offer to teach fair sex a thing or two. Casting pearls -before swine, sir; pains thrown away. But I earn my salt, and the rest -is blank page, clean slate, until I hear the tramp of armed men, and -behold, the grand finale!" - -"I am glad things have ended so well," said John. "And I must say, -khansaman, it was very handsome and plucky of you to undertake a search -for me." - -The Bengali bowed deprecatingly; then he said-- - -"But alas! sir, the web of our life is mingled yarn, both good and evil -together, as says sweet swan of Avon. There is fly in ointment; gilt is -off ginger-bread. Coja, very good chap, has left sublunary sphere. 'He -will awake no more, oh, never more!' to quote the words of Percy Bysshe -Shelley, also failed B.A. We ne'er shall look upon his like again. Who -would not weep for---- By gum! This knocks me silly all of a heap! -There he is!" - -"Yes," said John, laughing, "and you can exchange notes while I take a -look round." - - - - -CHAPTER THE TWENTY-THIRD--The Ivory - - -John reckoned that his escape from the fort would probably have been -discovered about the same time as he was entering the village. The -enemy would almost certainly suppose that his flight had been southward, -towards the farm. Several hours might be wasted in pursuing in that -direction; even if they hit upon his trail at once, it would be four or -five hours before they could reach him. His course, then, must be to -take advantage of this respite to prepare the safari for the struggle -that could scarcely be avoided when they came to close quarters. - -Issuing from the village with Ferrier, he made his way to the cultivated -fields, which, lying on the sheltered slopes of the hill, were more -fertile than might have been expected at such a height above sea-level. -Much of the harvesting had been done: he had already noticed that the -shambas were filled to overflowing with muhindi and pumpkins. But the -banana-trees were weighed down with huge clusters of ripening fruit, and -acres of the soil were covered with beans and sweet potatoes. He could -provision the safari for the whole of the homeward journey, and yet make -a scarcely sensible inroad upon the resources of the people. He had no -scruples in taking as much as he needed, or rather as much as the men -could carry; by all the rules of war it would be letting the village off -lightly. Accordingly he lost no time in setting the men to get as much -of the native produce together as would furnish full loads for the men -who were not already burdened. This would inevitably diminish their -marching power; but on the other hand they must carry plenty of food -with them if they meant to reach home. - -While the men were engaged in this task, an idea occurred to Ferrier. - -"I say, John, why not go down the river on rafts?" he said. "We should -get along much faster, and be less likely to meet Juma, who is sure to -know a short cut, and won't stick to the river as we did." - -"A jolly good notion! Wait a bit, though. What about the rapids? They -nearly did for me, and loaded rafts would stand a worse chance than I -did, wouldn't they?" - -"That's where I come in, old chap. I've shot the rapids on the St. -Lawrence; these rapids aren't a patch on the Roches Fendues. I didn't -do it by myself, of course; an old fellow named Baptiste Le Sueur -managed the pole; but I saw it all, and I bet I could navigate those -little affairs by the fort." - -"I'll be hanged if we don't try it, then. We can make a better job of -it than Bill and I did. By the way, where is the old fellow? I haven't -seen him since we came into the village." - -"Nor have I. He won't be far off. Let us set about it at once. Two -large rafts, I think: it'll take some time to cut enough timber." - -"We needn't wait for that. We'll dismantle some of the huts. The -natives can easily build new ones when we are gone, and I'd like to give -them a little trouble after all they have given us." - -"Capital! Come on then. The sooner we get them done the better." - -Returning to the village, they set all the men to work who were not -engaged in the fields. In a short time a large number of poles from the -huts lay on the ground ready to be lashed together, and a quantity of -bast being found, there was no lack of material for the lashings. Those -of the men who had been porters and were expert in manipulating ropes -were entrusted with this work, the two white men superintending them and -making sure that the knots were firm. - -The first raft, capable of supporting half the party in addition to half -the stores, had just been completed when Bill ran into the village in a -state of great excitement. In such a condition he seemed to lose almost -all power of expression, and it was some time before John, even with -Coja's assistance, could make out what was the matter with him. -Presently, however, he gathered that Bill had gone alone to the spot, a -few miles away, where the ivory had been buried by the Arabs when -fleeing from the "bad men." It was situated on a wooded knoll washed by -the river. Scarcely had he reached the place when his extraordinarily -keen sense of hearing apprised him that a number of men were fording the -river, though he was not able at first to see them, owing to the trees. -Immediately on hearing their approach, he swarmed up a tree--the same in -which he had taken shelter years before--and from this coign of vantage -he spied a large body of negroes gathered on the further bank. In a -little while he saw, moving up the knoll, the party who had previously -crossed: they were Swahilis, and their leader was the man whom he had -already recognized as a member of the Arab safari. All carried spades -or other implements. - -And then, helpless in the tree, the old man had had the agony to see the -Swahilis dig up the ivory which had lain so long concealed: his ivory, -the recovery of which had been his dream for years, a dream for whose -realization he had counted on the assistance of the white men. The tusks -had been laid only a foot or two below the surface, so that it was no -great labour to unearth them. When they were all dug up, the men began -to carry them down to the river, each tusk requiring four men. The -intention was, Bill supposed, to transport them to the evacuated fort. -He seized the opportunity when their backs were turned to slip down from -his perch and run to the village: would not the wasungu even now strike -a blow for him? - -This was a staggering piece of news. The knoll was up-stream; there was -not much doubt that downstream the warriors whose village had been -captured were marching up in pursuit of the safari. Probably they had -already been met by fugitives from the village and informed of what had -happened. It struck John that Juma and the chief might have fallen out, -and that the Swahili had made a rapid dash northward to possess himself -of the treasure while the "bad men" were absent from the neighbourhood. -However that might be, there was no question but that both the Swahilis -and the villagers were dangerous enemies, and would join forces to crush -the little band who had defied and routed them. - -"We're in the tightest place we have ever been in yet," said John. -"They've got us between them. What on earth are we to do?" - -"Slip away, west or east?" suggested Ferrier. - -"Hopeless! Loaded as we should be, we couldn't escape them. It's too -late to get on to the river now. This one raft won't hold us all. We -are done at last!" - -They looked at each other in speechless anxiety. The men had ceased -work on the second raft; they all knew what had occurred, and gazed at -their white leaders with troubled countenances. - -"There's one desperate chance," said Ferrier at length. "Juma is -nearest. Deal with him before the others come up." - -John stared at him for a moment with brightening eyes. Then he sprang -up. - -"Right!" he cried. "It's the one chance. But we can't risk it without -knowing a little of the ground. I'll go out with Bill and have a look -at it, if you'll stay and keep a look-out for the down-stream lot." - -The two set off at once. Bill led the way rapidly round the village and -further up the hill until they reached the summit. From this point the -ground fell away to the plain, and rather less than a mile away John -descried the knoll of which Bill had spoken, the peninsula from which it -rose jutting out into the river. It was densely covered with -vegetation, and on the other side of the stream there was a similar -screen. Only a short reach of the river was visible, but here he saw -negroes wading waist-deep. They were crossing, however, not to the far -side, but from it. Juma had thought it better to bring his porters to -the ivory than the reverse. Apparently none of it had yet been -transported from bank to bank; but it was all laid in readiness. - -Bill gazed at the scene with an expression of mingled grief and rage. -Suddenly he stretched forth his hand, pointing towards the trees on the -near side of the river. At first John could not see anything but the -dense mass of foliage; but presently he discerned two negroes standing -motionless at the foot of the knoll. Clearly Juma had posted them as -scouts to give warning of any movement from the village. So many years -had passed since the defeat of his safari that the likelihood of the -people suspecting his search for the treasure was small, especially -since they were obviously unaware of its location. But with the -remembrance of their hostility in his mind he was evidently uneasy. - -John's guess at the course of events was very near the mark. Ever since -the defeat of the Arabs, Juma, the sole survivor of their hapless -safari, had lived for nothing else than the recovery of the ivory, which -would make him a millionaire according to the native standard of wealth. -But the store lay in the enemy's country; he had the best of reasons for -knowing how formidable they were, and what his fate would be if he was -discovered by them when removing the ivory. He had recognized that -there was little chance of obtaining possession of it unless he came -with sufficient force to repel attack. Its transport would demand a -large number of porters, and a still larger number of armed men to -protect them. It had therefore been the work of his life to organize -such a party. For this he had become a porter himself, to avail himself -of opportunities of stealthy pilfering. For this he had established -himself in the island fort, hoping to seize an occasion when the -villagers were absent on a raid or a hunting expedition to make a dash -up the river and achieve the aim of his ambition. - -The unexpected series of events that culminated in the capture of the -fort had interposed a check at the very moment when he saw success -within his grasp. But his cunning mind conceived the scheme which he -had carried out: to form an alliance with the very tribe with whom he -had expected to come into conflict. He seized upon the presence of the -white men as a rational basis for their alliance, intending, when the -white men and their safari had been annihilated, to turn his arms -against his allies, and having overthrown them, to secure the prize he -had so long coveted. - -Again he was baulked by the prolonged resistance of the white men. But -it happened that the combined force of natives which he had gathered -about him ran short of food. In this circumstance he saw his -opportunity. On the morning after John had left the fort, Juma set off -with his own contingent before the escape had been discovered, -ostensibly to go hunting for game. He took with him almost all the men -who had rifles, and a large party to carry the game he promised to -shoot. Striking at first to the west, he turned sharply northward, and -pushed on with all speed towards the knoll where the hoard of ivory lay -concealed. Had he secured it, his whilom enemies, his present allies, -would have seen him no more. He would have taken the shortest route to -the coast, to dispose of the ivory at one of the ports. His approach -was hidden from the people in the village by the hill rising behind it, -and being quite unaware that the village was now held by the white men, -he felt that he had nothing to fear except chance discovery by some one -who might happen to stray up the hill. To provide against this he had -posted the two scouts whom John saw at the base of the knoll. - -John perceived in a moment that the work of transporting the ivory -across the river gave him an opportunity of taking the enemy at a -disadvantage. Running back to the top of the hill, careful not to come -within sight of the scouts, he reached a point whence he could overlook -the village and where he was himself in full view from it. The moment -he arrived there he knew that he had been seen, for Ferrier waved his -hand above his head. John immediately semaphored with his arms, asking -Ferrier to bring out all the men except a few left to guard the village, -and to join him on the hill-top. In ten minutes they were with him. -Then, descending the western slope of the hill, invisible to the enemy, -they worked their way through the belt of trees on the river-bank until -they arrived within a furlong of the ford. Juma's porters were -staggering down the knoll under their loads--great tusks from six to -nine feet long. To advance further without being discovered was -impossible: the two scouts were full in the path. - -John gathered his party just within the belt of trees, and in a whisper -told them what to do. Then, at his word, they dashed after him from -cover, yelling at the top of their voices, the askaris firing their -rifles as they ran, and reloading. There was little chance of the shots -taking effect, but John reckoned on them to demoralize the enemy. The -result surpassed his anticipations. The scouts stood for a moment as if -rooted to the ground with amazement; then they flung down their rifles -and fled like hares to the spot where Juma was indicating the ford. At -the same instant the porters dropped their loads with a yell of fright, -and made for the river, into which they cast themselves, careless of its -depth, and of the crocodiles that might be lurking expectant of a -victim. Juma had his arm in a sling: the other Swahilis raised their -rifles, and fired, each one wild ineffectual shot, at the advancing -company. Then, utterly confounded by this amazing attack from an enemy -whom they supposed to be far away, they rushed in a body to the river, -sped by a volley of bullets and arrows. Half wading, half swimming, -they gained the further bank, and by the time John and his men came to -the ford, they had disappeared with all their men into the undergrowth. - -Bill ran from one tusk to another, frantic with joy. But John was too -much concerned with the serious work that lay before him to trouble -himself for the present with the ivory, however valuable it might be. He -saw at once that he must remove all his men from the village to the -knoll if the plan of floating down the river was to be successfully -initiated. After their fright, Juma and his men might for a time be -disregarded; but the war-party of villagers could not now be far away, -and the interval before their arrival might be all too short. The knoll -not only formed a good defensible position, but it was the most -convenient spot for the launching of the rafts, and the timber upon it -offered material for the second raft yet to be constructed. Keeping -part of his men to hack branches from the trees with their knives, he -asked Ferrier to return with the rest to the village and bring over the -hill the first raft and all the stores. - -"Get the women to help," he said. "Promise that we'll do no more harm -to the village if they'll work for us. They'll be glad enough to get -rid of us, no doubt. I'd go myself, Charley, only my back is bothering -me again, confound it." - -Ferrier hurried off. In little more than half-an-hour he reappeared on -the shoulder of the hill, followed by a long line of the men of the -safari and the women of the village, carrying the loads of provisions, -the impedimenta of the camp, and the raft, a cumbersome object which -required twenty men to carry it. As they descended the slope, shots -were fired at them from the trees bordering the river, but manifestly at -so long a range that they were little likely to do any harm. They -reached the knoll in safety; the baggage was piled up a short distance -from the bank to form a sort of rampart: and then the whole party, -including a crowd of women who were impressed to fetch and carry, worked -rapidly at the construction of the raft. - -"There'll be mighty little protection if they fire at us on the way -down," said John gloomily. - -"Yes," replied Ferrier, "we haven't got enough baggage to screen us. But -look here! Why not make a sort of fence to go all round?" - -"The very thing! The men are so used to making bomas that it won't give -them any trouble." - -While the second raft was being finished, the men who were not engaged -upon it were set to weave a light framework of canes, rushes, and -slender branches, about three feet high, and strong enough to be -impenetrable by spears or arrows. As portions of this were completed, -they were lashed to the edges of the first raft. Fore and aft the -framework was raised to the height of six feet, and a hole was cut in it -through which a pole might be thrust, to ward off rocks or other -obstructions as the raft floated downstream, and to steer the unwieldy -craft. - -At midday a good deal of the work still remained to be done. The sun -beat down mercilessly upon the workers, and John, eager as he was to -finish, ordered a rest and a meal. The negroes threw themselves on the -grass, and appeared to feel no discomfort from the heat; but the white -men were glad to seek the shade of the trees crowning the knoll, where -Said Mohammed served their dinner. - -The order had just been given to resume work when they saw a vast crowd -of dusky warriors pouring over the brow of the hill. - -"Here they come!" said John, starting up; "and by the look of them, and -their yells, we're in for a tight little scrimmage." - -Ferrier laughed. - -"Not unless they're prepared to attack us over the bodies of their -wives," he said. "They can't shoot at us without hitting them." - -"Of course not. I hadn't thought of that. But they're so mad that they -may be ready to sacrifice their nearest and dearest. We must prevent -the women from running away. It's shameful coercion, but we can't help -it." - -The furious villagers halted within a short distance of the knoll, and -one or two let fly arrows at the busy workers behind their rampart of -baggage. A wild shriek arose from the terrified women, though none had -been hit; and John, running among them, told them sternly that their -only safety lay in remaining at their work. To give point to his -warning, and at the same time to daunt the warriors, he lifted his rifle -and fired towards the dense mob, taking care to aim above their heads. -The result was a general stampede. The men had already learnt the power -of the wasungu's weapons, and being exposed on the bare hillside they -recognized their disadvantage. They retreated up the hill to a position -of security, and stood there in impotent wrath, watching their womenkind -toiling for the hated enemy. - -The work went on without pause until the rafts were finished. The next -thing was to launch them. The river swept round the knoll in a -half-circle, and John decided to have the rafts carried to the water on -the side remote from the village and out of sight of the warriors, any -interference being guarded against by leaving his askaris with loaded -rifles at the baggage. When the rafts were launched and moored to -prevent their being carried down by the current, the ivory was conveyed -to them. One side of each had been left undefended by the framework -until the loading was finished. The tusks having been stowed on one -raft, half-a-dozen men were set to lash on the framework while the -stores and the rest of the baggage were carried to the second raft. It -was clear that Bill had by no means exaggerated the value of the ivory. -There were twenty-three tusks, varying in weight and size, but scaling -in all at least half a ton. John did not know the market value of -ivory, but so large a quantity would probably fetch several hundreds of -pounds. - -By the time the loads were stacked round the rafts, close against the -framework, it was drawing towards evening. - -"I'm afraid we shall have to wait until morning before we start," said -John. "It will be very risky to navigate these clumsy things in the -darkness. They lie very heavy in the water, and I shouldn't be -surprised if they founder before we've gone far." - -"We must chance that," said Ferrier. "I think we had better start at -once. There are no rapids in this part of the river; our real trouble -will begin when we come above the pool. If we stay here till the -morning, we may be set upon before we are well away, whereas by starting -now we shall be past the village by the time it is dark, and when they -see us fairly off they may chuck up the sponge." - -"All right. Is there anything else to be done?" - -"We'll rope the rafts together, but we must be ready to cut the hawser -if there's any need. I'll go in the first raft, of course. Perhaps -Coja had better come with me to try his hand at steering, if you don't -mind taking Said Mohammed. Your raft ought to come along in the wake of -mine without any difficulty; but have your pole ready to push off if we -strike a shoal." - -"What's the rate of the current, do you think?" - -"Three to four miles an hour, at a guess. Better let the women go now." - -John withdrew the askaris who had been keeping guard, and the women, on -being told that they might go, fled away up the hill like a flock of -sheep. All the men of the safari then took their places on the rafts; -these were roped together; the framework was lashed on the unprotected -sides; the mooring ropes were released, and the strange overladen craft, -sinking so low that the logs were covered with water, took the current -and began to float down. Luckily the bales of provisions had been -placed above the ammunition boxes and other baggage, which would not -suffer from a wetting. - -The actual start was hidden from the enemy by the projecting knoll; but -as the rafts swept round the curve their appearance was hailed with loud -shouts from the hill-top, where the women had now joined the warriors. -The left bank was here too precipitous and too densely wooded to permit -the enemy to approach near enough to do any damage; and as the voyagers -came into the straight reach that ran by the foot of the hill on which -the village was perched, they saw the yelling horde rush over the brow. - -"Going to meet us on the level," shouted Ferrier from his place behind -the breastwork of the foremost raft. "Keep the men crouching behind the -palisade." - - - - -CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FOURTH--Ferrier takes the Lead - - -The river varied in breadth at this part of its course from sixty to -eighty yards. The steersmen, Coja in the first, Said Mohammed in the -second, kept the rafts in midstream, and they glided on the full current -with a steadiness that augured well for the voyage. In less than -half-an-hour they were level with the village. Then a shot rang out -from the right bank. Clearly Juma had been on the watch. The shot fell -short, and the sound of it caused great consternation among the -villagers, who had taken up a position a few hundred yards down-stream -on a stretch of treeless land on the left bank, raised a few feet above -the level of the river. They had evidently been as yet unaware of the -proximity of their allies. But their apprehension was immediately -changed to wild excitement as they saw Juma, accompanied by his band, -appear on a similar eminence on the opposite bank. They shouted with -delight, leaping, brandishing spears, little suspecting the trick which -the Swahilis had played on them. - -As the rafts approached, they were assailed with showers of arrows from -both sides, mingled with rifle shots from the right bank. Ferrier and -John ordered their men to lie flat on their faces, for those on the -starboard side were exposed to the fire from the right bank, those on -the port side to that from the left. The two white men themselves, and -their two steersmen, could not find shelter in the same way, being bound -to stand erect in order to keep the rafts in midstream. As the missiles -flew around him, John felt that this was a vastly unpleasant way of -running the gauntlet. He instinctively pressed his body close to the -framework; and whether it was due to the growing darkness, or to the -inability of the enemy to hit a moving target, he escaped unhurt. The -immediate danger was past when the banks of the river fell away to the -level of the stream. Both parties of the enemy still fired, running -along in time with the rafts; but their missiles now flew over the top -of the breastwork. Ferrier thought it worth risking a volley from his -own men. He ordered them to kneel, rest their rifles on the palisade, -and take good aim at the Swahilis. Their skill or luck was superior, -for when the volley flashed forth, a yell told that one at least of the -bullets had got home. Immediately afterwards John ordered his askaris -to fire among the negroes on the left bank; but these were somewhat -remoter from the river, and he could not learn that any of the shots -took effect. - -[Illustration: "John ordered his askaris to fire among the negroes on -the left bank."] - -Night had now sunk upon the land. The moon would rise late, and for -several hours the voyage must be continued in darkness. John called to -Ferrier to ask whether he had not better run into the bank and wait -until there was a little light upon the course. - -"I can see well enough at present," was the reply. "Besides, those -beggars are keeping it up." - -His expectation that the pursuit would be abandoned as soon as it became -dark was not borne out. It was obvious from the shouts that were heard -on either side from time to time that the enemy had screwed their -resolution to an uncommon pitch. Their dread of the darkness was no -less, but their savage resentment and vindictive desire for revenge was -more. John was able to account for their pertinacity when he remembered -what lay before him. The rapids! If he, on his light raft, had barely -escaped with his life, how much less was the chance that two heavy-laden -rafts would survive the battering they must receive! If they were not -wrecked and broken up before they reached the pool, they would then -become exposed to a terrific attack. He dared not think of what the -fate of the safari would be if they were cast into the river and thrown -upon the mercy of the enemy. Did they come safe through the first -series of rapids and cross the pool, there was the second series beyond, -sweeping through the gorge, from the heights of which the enemy could -pour down upon them not merely a hail of bullets and arrows, but an -avalanche of rocks which could not fail to send the rafts to the bottom. -Great as were the perils which had beset him since he quitted the farm, -he recognized with a momentary sinking of heart that they were trifles -compared with those that were to come. He felt that his confidence -would be greater if he could be beside Ferrier on the first raft. Their -comradeship during the past few months had brought them very close -together. He wished that they could talk things over quietly; whereas -now they were separated by forty feet of rope, and anything either had -to say must be uttered in a bawl. - -As the darkness thickened the navigation became increasingly difficult. -Sometimes, when long stretches of the river were banked by woods, it was -pitch dark, and whatever obstacles might have occurred in the course, it -would have been impossible to avoid them. Ferrier did his best to keep -his raft in midstream, for he knew that crocodiles lurked on the banks; -hippos might be sleeping in the shallows; and heavy as the raft was, he -had little doubt that a heave of a hippo's huge body, a swish from a -crocodile's terrible tail, would cause it to capsize, or at least break -a gap in the breastwork. - -At one such gloomy patch the raft ran ashore upon a mud-bank projecting -into the stream. Before Ferrier could pole it off, the second raft, -borne on by the current, collided with it; there was a shock, John's -raft spun round, and rocked so violently that the men yelled with -fright. The attaching rope, however, pulled it up with a jerk, which -had the effect of hauling the first raft off the bank. Their positions -were now reversed; Said Mohammed was foremost down-stream, Ferrier last. -It was obviously impossible that the voyage could be continued thus. -John and Ferrier ran each to the forward end of his own raft. - -"Run her ashore again," shouted Ferrier, "and let me swing clear." - -John obeyed. He would not have shirked the task of leading, but -Ferrier's experience might make all the difference between success and -failure, and it was certainly not a time to run any avoidable risks. -Some minutes passed before he managed to strike the bank, and then the -raft crashed against the projecting stem of a tree with a violence that -threw John on to his back. Up in an instant, he clutched a branch just -in time to prevent the raft from drifting away, and held on until -Ferrier had passed in mid-stream, and the vessels had regained their -former order. During this interlude nothing was heard of the enemy. The -banks of the river were fortunately too steep and too densely wooded to -allow their access. - -For a little while all went well. Where the banks were low and free -from tall trees the level rays of the rising moon threw a faint light -upon the water, enabling Ferrier to use his pole with more confidence. -But on entering a narrower reach where the trees came down to the -water's edge, the sudden passage from comparative light to absolute -darkness prevented him from seeing a rocky ledge jutting out from the -right bank. The raft scraped it for a few feet, then stuck fast. The -second raft, coming directly in its wake, did not this time sweep by, -but bumped the first, and both were now end to end on the rock. The -most energetic work with the poles failing to dislodge them, John said-- - -"Let's have a rest. There's no sign of the enemy, and I'm desperately -hungry." - -"That's all very well," replied Ferrier, "but the longer we delay the -worse off we shall be presently. It gives the enemy time to get ahead -of us, and they'll be waiting for us at the pool. I rather fancy -they've already outstripped us by cutting across country; the river -winds a good deal." - -"All the same, we shan't be any the better off for being famished when -we meet them. Besides, I want to talk to you; we haven't settled what -we're going to do." - -"Very well; we'll have a tuck-in. What's the time? My match-box is -empty." - -John struck a match. His watch had stopped. - -"The spring must have broken when I toppled over," he said. "Isn't -yours going?" - -"It hasn't been going for a couple of days. We can't tell how far we've -come. How is our direction?" - -"We're pointing north-west," replied John, after a glance at his -compass. "There must be a big curve here. I fancy we must have just -about got to the place where Bill and I launched our raft. If so, it -will be getting light by the time we reach the pool. What do you think -of doing then?" - -"That depends on the look of things when we get there. How long are the -rapids?" - -"About half-a-mile, I should think." - -"Any rocks?" - -"Upon my word I don't know. I was too anxious about holding on to -notice. But judging from the battering we got I should say plenty." - -"Then the safest course would be to unload the rafts when we get to the -head of the rapids and make a portage--carry the things along the bank -until we come to the pool. We can't do that if the enemy are in force. -We shall simply have to shoot the rapids and take our chance." - -"I'm sorry for us. If my little raft was nearly smashed, what condition -will these clumsy things be in when we get through!" - -"Well, I can only do my best. Left to themselves they'd be smashed up -in no time, but if I can manage to steer clear of the rocks we may get -through. It won't be safe to go roped together, though. You had better -moor yours while I take down the first; then I'll go ashore and come -back for you." - -"Rather dangerous, that, if the enemy are about." - -"Perhaps. But I'm inclined to think they'll wait for us lower down. In -that case I should be back before they could catch me. But really it's -not much good settling on anything until we see how the land lies. The -most important thing will be to take care we are not caught in the -rapids before we know it. If we are, we can only let ourselves go and -trust to luck." - -After a delay of nearly an hour, during which the whole party made a -meal of the fruits they had brought with them, they strove again to pole -the rafts off the rock. The task was an impossible one while the -vessels were so heavily laden. Accordingly the breastwork was removed -from the shoreward side of each, and a portion of the goods was conveyed -to the bank. Thus lightened, the rafts were got off by vigorous poling, -and allowed to drift a few yards down-stream until they came once more -into the moonlight. Then they were run into the bank and moored while -the stores were fetched and the breastwork replaced. This took up a -considerable time, and it could no longer be doubted that the enemy, -unless they had halted, must arrive at the pool long before the rafts. - -As the moon rose higher in the sky the voyage became easier, and it was -continued without incident until there were signs that day was breaking. -Feeling sure that the rapids could not be far ahead, Ferrier steered -into the right bank, followed by John. - -"I must take a look round before we go any farther," said Ferrier. "I -don't hear anything of the enemy; perhaps they are behind us after all." - -He set off alone, making his way cautiously among the trees. It seemed -hours before he returned, in almost broad daylight. - -"We're in for it," he said as he came up. "We're within six hundred -yards of the rapids. I went on round the curve until I got a view of -the pool. The fort is manned. Juma must have got well ahead of us and -crossed the river somewhere. But I don't think the others have arrived -on the scene yet." - -"Have they left nobody on the right bank?" - -"Nobody at all. They're very poor tacticians. I suppose they rely on -our being smashed up in the rapids, and think they'll have us at their -mercy. They ought to have held both banks. It gives us a chance. We -may have time for a portage, but only to the pool. We can't hope to get -past the second rapids on land; but as we shall be hidden from the enemy -until we actually come to the pool, there ought to be time to load up -again there before they can get round to us." - -"What then?" - -"We shall have to shoot the second rapids in the rafts just as we are. -Can't stop for another portage. From my recollection as we came up past -the gorge, they're much longer and swifter than the first, besides being -straighter and less rocky. I had a good look at the first as I went -down the bank. There's a nasty bit about half-way through: a narrow -channel between two irregular lines of sunken rocks. But it's no worse -than the Long Saut on the St. Lawrence; not so bad, indeed; and I'm -going to run through all right. The only doubt I have is whether we can -get to the second rapids before the enemy occupy the bluff above the -gorge." - -"If we can't----!" - -"We shall have the pleasure of being targets for at least ten minutes -for bullets and arrows and stones. But we must just go through with it -now; there's no retreat for us. Now we'll unload my raft and send the -men along with the ivory. When we've given them time to get half-way to -the pool, I'll go down with the raft." - -"Alone?" - -"Yes. It won't do for you to come, and leave the men, in case they're -attacked; and I don't think any of them would be much help to me. Coja -and two or three of the askaris can escort the convoy. We must make 'em -understand they are to wait for me when they get to the pool; unless, -indeed, I'm there first: the current is pretty swift." - -"There's bush enough to hide them, but you're bound to be spotted from -the fort as soon as you get to the end of the rapids." - -"It will take Juma a long time to get round with his men." - -"But they can swim it!" - -"They won't! They can't attack us when swimming, and they'll be afraid -of getting their heads broken against the raft." - -During this conversation the men had already begun the work of unloading -the first raft. The breastwork on the right-hand side was removed, and -the ivory conveyed tusk by tusk to the bank. Enough was left at the -rear to balance Ferrier's weight at the forward end. When all was -ready, the men set off with their loads, Coja and two askaris with -rifles going ahead. - -"Get your raft unloaded while I'm gone, old chap," said Ferrier. "In -fact, the men had better start with it straight away; if Juma has the -sense to come round at once to meet us it'll be a very near thing to get -loaded up again." - -"All right. I'll go with them myself and leave a couple of men to guard -the raft." - -"On second thoughts I think you had better go after the first lot at -once. Everything depends on their keeping under cover until I arrive -with the raft, and you know how rash they are. Go and keep an eye on -them. I'll see to the unloading here and send the men after you." - -Accordingly John hurried in the track of the ivory-carriers, whom he -overtook by the time they reached the head of the rapids. Leading them -carefully through the wood, where they would be invisible to any of the -enemy who might be moving along on the other side of the river, he came -opposite to the point where the rapids entered the pool. There he -ordered them to set down their loads, and sent Bill back to guide the -second party over the same course. - -Ferrier had resolved not to begin his adventurous voyage until all the -men were gathered under John at the head of the pool. The actual -passage of the rapids would take but a minute or two, and the time -necessary for reloading the first raft would be halved if the whole -party were employed in the work. The second convoy having arrived, John -left them safely under cover while he retraced his steps for a short -distance to a spot where he could witness his friend's performance. He -held his breath and felt his skin creep as the raft came into view, -shooting down at a furious rate to what appeared certain destruction. -Ferrier had removed the upper part of the framework, and stood with pole -in hand, bending low, his whole attention fixed on his task. Now he -prodded to the right, now to the left: at one moment the raft swerved, -having evidently scraped a rock, and he almost lost his balance; but -recovering himself instantly, he dexterously slipped his pole over in -the direction to which the raft had been driven, and came again into -mid-current. John feared lest he should be carried far into the pool, -beyond the spot where the loads were laid; but when the raft came into -smooth water, and its momentum was checked, Ferrier flung a rope to the -shore, and the craft, uninjured except for some chips at the edges, was -hauled in. - -"Splendid!" said John. "It would be a stunning sport if----" - -But before he could complete the sentence Ferrier was running hard -up-stream. There was a shout from the fort; the raft had been -discovered; the second raft was still to be brought down. John -instantly set the men to load up the first raft. Every movement was -visible to the men in the fort. There were loud shouts; a few shots -were fired; but the range was too long for inefficient marksmen. To -John's consternation and alarm there came an echo to these shouts from -up-stream. The warriors from the village were evidently within striking -distance. Had they discovered Ferrier? Urging the men to hasten with -the work of loading, he ran along the bank to see whether the second -raft was on the way. Yes; it was sweeping down like the first, and on -the opposite bank a crowd of yelling negroes rushed along, dodging the -trees, and trying to keep pace. Ferrier paid no attention to them, his -whole energy absorbed in his task. John sent a warning shot among the -enemy, and they darted out of sight. The raft leapt and dashed and -jolted down, and in little more than a minute after it passed John it -lay moored beside the other at the shore of the pool. - -The men having not yet finished the loading of the first raft, Ferrier -had leisure to observe what the enemy were about. The warriors from the -village, who had marched along the left bank of the river, were rushing -round the northern shore of the pool towards the causeway. It was -impossible to see what they would do when they reached it, and, to judge -by the uproar in the fort, there was more excitement than cool -calculation among Juma's party. But by the time the rafts were loaded, -the breastworks replaced, and the ropes attached, the enemy's intention -became clear. Before the rafts were loosed from their moorings and -poled into the gentle current of the pool, a large number of negroes, -with one or two Swahilis, emerged into view from behind the intervening -island, and were seen hastening along the path which led from the -causeway up the bluff. - -"They've got a good start of us," Ferrier called from the leading raft. -"We must run the gauntlet." - -But now that the critical moment had arrived, John was setting his wits -to work. In all the encounters with the enemy hitherto, success had -been gained by the exercise of superior intelligence rather than -superior force. Was there not a chance of outwitting them even now at -the eleventh hour? Could they not be withdrawn from their threatening -position above the gorge? An idea suggested itself: to let the rafts -drift on until they came opposite the fort, and then to change their -direction and pole them across the pool as if with the intention of -landing on the western shore of the island and storming the fort. If -the ruse succeeded, the enemy would rush back and swarm within the walls -again. - -John imparted his scheme to Ferrier in a few hurried sentences. - -"It's worth trying," said Ferrier, "but can we get back into the current -in time?" - -"Yes; it begins to flow swifter, as you know, opposite the island. If -only the men are drawn back into the fort, we shall have time to come -back into the current and make straight for the rapids, and then they -may run their hardest but won't overtake us." - -"Well, you pole back first, so as not to change our order. They surely -won't be such idiots!" - -The rafts passed slowly along, hailed with derisive yells from the few -men left in the fort, and by a shower of arrows, which flew harmlessly -over the breastworks, the men having all lain down as before. Then -suddenly they ceased to move; but in a few moments started ponderously -in the reverse direction. John and Ferrier had exchanged places with -their two steersmen, and while they poled on the bottom in the manner of -punters, Coja and Said Mohammed thrust their poles into the water at an -angle which would bring the rafts round to the western end of the -island. It was exceedingly hard work to force the heavy vessels against -the current, slight though that was; but they did move slowly, away from -the gorge, and that was enough for the defenders of the fort. Alarmed at -the prospect of having to repel an assault from the wasungu, they -shouted vociferously to their fellows on the shore to return and help -them. - -"It's working!" cried John in delight. "I only wish we could see round -the island. We shall have to guess when it's time to be off." - -But there was little chance of their being left in ignorance of the -enemy's movements. The din was tremendous, far and near. Soon the -uproar within the fort increased, and men were seen swarming on to the -edges of the western wall, some scrambling over and running down the -slope to meet the expected attack. The situation of the rafts was too -close to be pleasant to their occupants. Arrows flew over and between -them, some sticking in the meshes of the breastwork. The men flat on -the decks of the rafts were out of harm's way; but the two white men and -their assistants were partly exposed to the flying missiles, since they -could not manage the clumsy rafts unless they stood nearly upright. For -some minutes they cruised along the shore, as if seeking a convenient -landing-place, until they were screened from the enemy by the fringe of -trees. At last, having allowed sufficient time for the greater part of -the enemy's force to regain the fort, or at least the causeway, John and -Ferrier again changed places with Said Mohammed and Coja, and began to -pole vigorously in the opposite direction. Being hidden by the trees, -the rafts, helped by the current, had gained some speed before the -change of direction was perceived. Even then the meaning of it did not -at once strike the enemy. Those who had come down to the shore ran back -to the fort; those within manned the southern and eastern parts of the -wall, anticipating an assault at the spot where it had been partially -demolished. But the rafts were increasing their distance from the -island; they were also increasing their speed; and as they were now -heading straight for the mouth of the gorge Juma at last recognized how -he had been duped. - -The voyagers were now in full view of the causeway. It was covered with -men returning at a run to the fort. But Juma, the moment he saw his -mistake, hastened to the gate and shouted to the men to right-about and -make for the gorge. The causeway was too long for his words to be heard -distinctly at the shore end, and there was a minute's confusion among -the negroes before they grasped what was intended--a precious minute to -the voyagers, for at the end of it the rafts were swept into the full -current. When the men on the causeway, yelling with rage, at last set -off to run back to the shore, John saw with a leaping heart that they -were too late. A few of the enemy who had not yet reached the causeway -when the retirement was countermanded, rushed along the shore and came -level with the rafts as these began the descent of the rapids. But they -had to run uphill: the speed of the current was at least fifteen miles -an hour; before they could gain the summit of the bluff the rafts would -be a mile or more downstream. - -As John's raft was swept along in the wake of Ferrier's, he wondered -whether the rafts, when they reached the end of the rapids, would be in -splinters, and the men battered corpses. When he had shot the upper -rapids with Bill, the darkness had concealed the full extent of his -peril; but now in broad daylight it was brought alarmingly home to him. -Ferrier's raft was swinging before him, and John heard his shouts as he -instructed Coja how to move his pole for steering. John stuck to his -post, almost at his wit's end, but trying desperately to follow in -Ferrier's wake, and shouting instructions to Said Mohammed, who steered -accordingly. - -All at once he saw with terror a large rock almost in midstream, over -which the water swirled and dashed with clouds of spray. He felt that -nothing could avert disaster. Ferrier was safely past; John, grasping -his pole, cried to the Bengali to steer to the right. The rock seemed -to approach him with terrible speed; in a moment the raft would surely -be dashed against it and shivered to splinters. But the force of the -current, and a timely thrust of the pole--how he made it in time John -could never understand--carried the raft clear of the barrier. John's -shove was indeed more vigorous than was necessary, for it swung the -stern of the raft partly across the current, and caused it to scrape the -edge of the rock, with a jar that sent John and the Indian headlong -among the men who lay on the deck. There was a howl of dismay, and John -sprang up, expecting to find himself whirling to destruction. But to -his unspeakable relief he saw that the perilous voyage was over. The -raft had shot clear of the gorge, and was floating with almost oily -smoothness on the river below the escarpment. - - - - -CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FIFTH--The Fight in the Swamp - - -"By George!" cried John, breathless, as he poled his raft up to -Ferrier's, "I don't think I could have faced it if I had known what to -expect." - -"You did famously," said Ferrier, laughing. "I was afraid you'd come a -cropper on that rock. How are your men? Mine are positively sea-sick." - -"I didn't give them a thought. They'll be all right now, at any rate. -Coja stuck to his job gamely, and so did Said Mohammed. We'll have to -do something for them when we get home." - -"Do you think we have seen the last of Juma's lot now?" - -"Surely they'll have had enough of it by this time?" - -"But if your guess is correct, the fellow has missed the aim of his life -in losing the ivory. If I were in his place I'd certainly have another -try. The current is getting slower and slower; they could easily -outstrip us on the bank." - -"That might be awkward for us. We don't know anything about the river a -few miles down-stream. There may be more rapids. And look: d'you see -men coming over the bluff behind us?" - -"Yes, swarming like ants. Evidently they mean to chase us, and they'll -catch us in an hour at this rate. We had better try punting." - -The rate of the current here was probably not more than two or two and a -half miles an hour. Vigorous poling increased the speed of the rafts -slightly, but they were too heavy to move above a walking pace. A bend -in the river hid the pursuers from view. When next seen they were -considerably nearer. - -"We could get on faster if the men walked," said Ferrier. "Let us land -them on the right bank. The enemy appear to be all on the left, and we -can take them in again if they come to too close quarters." - -The suggestion seemed a good one, and was quickly put in effect. The -men, who had had a fright and thorough drenching, were glad enough to -stretch their legs on dry land again, and the rafts, relieved of their -weight, responded more readily to the sturdy thrusts of the poles. Again -the enemy were hidden, but catching sight of them presently through the -trees, John cried-- - -"I say, they are cutting off to their left. The river makes another -bend, I suppose, and they're going to post themselves before we arrive." - -"I only hope the bank isn't high," said Ferrier. "If it is they can -fire down on us, and the mischief is, we can't reply and attend to the -rafts as well. Hadn't we better chuck the ivory into the river and take -our own things and make a bolt for it?" - -"Not I," said John. "I don't like the idea of skedaddling at all, and -I'm not going to lose the ivory now. That would bring Juma out on top, -and he could crow over us after all." - -"There's a good deal of obstinacy in you, John," said Ferrier, smiling. -"We shall have to fight, and I shouldn't be surprised if our hottest -time is yet to come." - -They went steadily down the river, the men keeping pace with them as -closely as possible, though the nature of the ground caused them -sometimes to leave the bank and march at a considerable distance from -it. For nearly two hours, as they guessed, they did not catch a single -glimpse of the enemy, and hoped that they had tired of the pursuit. But -presently they had reason to suspect that they were not to be allowed to -escape so easily. The river spread out into a kind of swamp, apparently -almost half-a-mile in breadth. About half that distance ahead it was -studded with small wooded islands, and Ferrier, who was still leading, -was puzzled as to which of the channels into which the stream was -divided was the safest to attempt. The enemy were not in sight, but -from somewhere ahead came the sound of chopping wood. - -"What are they up to?" said John. - -"Can't tell. Making a boma perhaps. Don't you think we had better take -the men on board before we get fairly into the swamp? If the enemy are -hidden on those islands we had better have them with us." - -John hailed the marching men, who came at his call and were soon -ensconced on the rafts again. They punted along, looking ahead warily -for signs of the enemy. The current became more and more sluggish, and -there was at times scarcely enough water to float the rafts, now again -weighted by their passengers. Ferrier scanned the river in search of a -practicable channel. In the channels on the left he saw mud-banks -rising just above the surface. A wider channel to the right, about -twenty yards broad, gave the best promise of a safe passage, and towards -this he steered. While still some distance from it, however, he saw -some figures emerge from the wooded island on the left, wade hurriedly -across, and enter a similar wood on the right bank of the river, both -the island and the bank being here slightly above the level of the -water. The greater number of the waders were negroes, but among them -were the white-clad forms of Swahilis. - -"This is nasty," said John. "We can't go back." - -"Nor forward either, except at a snail's pace," said Ferrier. "Confound -it! We're stuck again. Look out, John: I'm on a mud-bank. Pull up till -I'm free." - -By dint of energetic poling he managed to get his raft clear. John -avoided the obstacle by slightly changing his course. - -"All we can do," he said, "is to push on as fast as we can and trust to -the breastwork. The worst of it is, the men can't defend themselves -without exposing their heads to the enemy's fire." - -"Yes they can, if they make loopholes," replied Ferrier. "Set 'em to -cut some; we were idiots not to do it before." - -The rafts were still about eighty yards from the island. Their course -was checked while the men hastily cut loopholes in the breastwork on -each side, at which they posted themselves with their weapons; then the -white men drove the rafts forward as swiftly as the shallow water -permitted. The enemy had again totally disappeared. But just as -Ferrier's raft entered the channel between the island and the bank, -there was a shout, and a boom of logs was drawn rapidly across, -completely blocking the passage. The sound of chopping was explained. - -The moment he saw the obstruction, Ferrier strove to increase the speed -of the raft, in the hope of breaking through. There was a jolt and a -crash, but the boom held, and instantly with ferocious yells the enemy -on both sides let fly a shower of arrows mingled with a few rifle-shots -at the occupants of the raft. These, kneeling at the breastworks, -replied as well as they could through the loopholes; but they suffered -two disadvantages: while they were exposed to the missiles of the enemy -behind them, and on a higher level, the enemy themselves were concealed -among the trees and brushwood. Cries of pain proclaimed that several -had been hit, and Ferrier, turning for a moment to seize his rifle, -received an arrow in his right shoulder. In an instant he wrenched it -out: there was no time to think of wounds. - -Meanwhile John had poled his raft somewhat to the left of the other, to -try in his turn to break through the boom. Like Ferrier, he failed. The -rafts were now ranged alongside, and John's men became exposed to the -deadly hail from the island. - -"We must either cut the boom or run for it," he said, gaining what -shelter he could from the breastwork. - -"Impossible!" returned Ferrier. "We've no axes. Knives are no good. -The logs are three deep. Any one who tried to cut the lashings would be -killed, to a certainty." - -"I'll try and rush the island, then. You keep the others at bay." - -"I'll do my best." - -John ordered his men to lie down, and rapidly explained to them what he -meant to do. Then, with a few vigorous thrusts of his pole, he drove -the raft against the bank. As it touched, a bullet passed through his -helmet. He dropped his pole, seized a rifle with his left hand and a -revolver with his right, and calling to the men, leapt over the -breastwork on to the island. The men followed him with a yell, all but -Said Mohammed, whom he had ordered to remain and prevent the raft from -drifting away. - -As they swarmed up the bank, they were met by a shower of missiles. Two -or three men fell; an arrow grazed John's cheek; but the suddenness of -the attack had taken the enemy by surprise. Those who had rifles had no -time to reload before their assailants were among them. Discharging his -revolver at the nearest man, John dashed straight forward, smiting left -and right with his clubbed rifle, the men hacking with their knives and -jabbing with their spears. The enemy had thought rather of obtaining -good cover from which to attack than of sustaining a hand-to-hand fight. -John's men, emboldened by his example, followed close upon his heels. -For a few moments a fierce scrimmage raged among the trees. Then the -enemy gave way, turned tail, and, rushing across the narrow island, -splashed through the shallow water that separated it from the next. -Here they stood and faced about, as if to show fight again; but when -they saw John and his little band springing after them they lost heart -and fled, racing over the second island and the channel dividing it from -the left bank of the river, and never halting until they gained firm -ground a hundred yards away. - -Meanwhile John had become aware by the uproar behind him that a fierce -conflict was in progress there. He could not delay to see whether the -enemy he had put to flight would return, but rushed back to the -assistance of Ferrier. What he saw filled him with alarm and dismay. -The main body of the enemy, several hundreds strong, and led by Juma -himself, had swarmed out from the trees and shrubs among which they had -been concealed, and after discharging their weapons, were wading through -the river to attack Ferrier's raft. The channel was black with them, -yelling, brandishing spears and rifles, a few still shooting their -arrows as they plunged through the water. Some had run along the boom, -and at the moment when John returned were trying to leap over the -breastwork on to the raft. Some had come round on the other side and -were attempting to tear down the breastwork. Ferrier was laying about -him doughtily with his clubbed rifle; Coja at the further end of the -raft was doing the same; and the rest of the men were darting here and -there, striking the heads of the negroes in the river, or prodding with -their spears at those on the boom. - -But the numbers of the enemy were so overwhelming that John feared that -nothing could now save the day. Said Mohammed in his agitation had -allowed his raft to drift away from the island into the stream, and a -rush was immediately made towards it. John sprang on to the boom, and -ran with all speed to Ferrier's help, his men close behind. Catching a -big negro by the throat, he hurled him off the boom into the water, -jumped the breastwork, and came to Ferrier's side just as he staggered -and fell with a spear wound in the thigh. The arrival of John's party -checked the assault for a moment, but meanwhile the enemy had clambered -into his raft, overthrowing Said Mohammed, and the current brought it -once more against the boom. The little party was now surrounded. One -after another fell. Two men, a Swahili and a negro, had at last broken -through the defence and gained a footing on Ferrier's raft. John felled -the Swahili with a sledge-hammer blow of his rifle; the negro was killed -with a thrust from Bill's knife. But while these first invaders were -thus disposed of, others had forced their way on to the raft, and before -John could recover himself, a spear was driven through his arm and he -was hustled to the deck. - -There was a yell of triumph from the enemy. But all at once, above the -uproar there came the sharp crackle of rifles, followed by a ringing -cheer. Juma, who was at that moment in the act of springing from the -boom into the raft, halted for a second, and turned to discover the -origin of these new sounds. He saw, on the right bank of the river, not -two hundred yards away, a party of mounted white men, riding at a gallop -towards him. For an instant he hesitated. While his back was towards -the raft, Bill, with an agility amazing in a man of his years, leapt the -breastwork, knife in hand, and hurled himself upon the Swahili. Both -together, they fell into the river. Juma was undermost. For an instant -they disappeared beneath the surface. Bill never relaxed his grip. -When they emerged, he plunged his knife up to the haft in the Swahili's -throat; then flung his enemy from him. Juma was dead. So he expiated -the cruelties and tyrannies of many years, at the hands of a member of -the tribe which had suffered most wrong. - -While this tragedy was being enacted, the riders came to the brink of -the stream, and ten rifles sped their bullets among the swarm of black -men. Again the air rang with a British cheer. With screams of pain, -yells of consternation and affright, the enemy broke and fled, some -towards the island, some scrambling up-stream, those who were in the -rafts plunging into the water and swimming in all directions. And John, -rising to his feet, beheld his father and Mr. Gillespie, and eight men -whom he did not recognize, and waving his rifle aloft with his uninjured -arm, he answered cheer with cheer. - - - - -CHAPTER THE TWENTY-SIXTH--Back to the Farm - - -One morning, about a month after the fight in the swamp, John was -sitting at the table in his bungalow, a paper outspread before him, a -pencil in his hand, and Said Mohammed standing at his elbow. - -"We must have it all first-rate, you know," he said. - -"Quite up to dick, sir; you may rely on me." - -"Well now, _hors d'oeuvres_--I think we might do without that." - -"With respect, sir, _hors d'oeuvres_ is _sine qua non_--correct card, -sir, foundation of the _comme il faut_." - -"All right, then; stick down sardines: we've got a tin. Now -_potage_--why the dickens don't you put it in English, khansaman?" - -"The English tongue, sir, is great and glorious instrument, but too -gross for refinements of culinary art. Soup!--listen to it--soup! -disgusting monosyllable, sir, resembling hiccough. Contrast with the -delicate vocables of French." - -"Well, what shall the _potage_ be?" - -"Clear, sir, for the ladies, _consomme a la Wanderobbo_." - -"What on earth is that?" - -"I beg you, sir, not to insist on answer," said the Bengali gravely. -"Thick, for masculine gender: Scotch broth, concession to prejudices of -great nation." - -"That's all right. What's next? _Poissons_! That looks fishy. Take -care you don't drop an _s_. What fish can we do?" - -"Coja hooked quantity of finny tribe which, with due sauce, may pass for -trout." - -"Now for _entrees_." - -"The partridges you shot yesterday, sir, are in prime condition. I -suggest _perdrix a la Swahili_. For _releve_ I propose----" - -"I say, we'll drop that. Let's come to a good honest roast. Shoulder -of lamb, say--but we can't manage mint sauce. There's no vinegar." - -"With respect, sir, in intelligent anticipation I provide for that. I -put quantity of Bill's honey in ferment, and made acidulous liquid -passable imitation of vinegar; pious fraud." - -"Plenty of vegetables, of course." - -"_Croquettes de pomme de terre, choux-fleurs a la Lulu, topinambours a -la creme_." - -"Look here, I can't spell that crack-jaw. What, in plain English, are -_topinambours_?" - -"In vulgar tongue, sir, Jerusalem artichokes; but you will agree that -final syllable of artichokes is ominous and forbidding, especially to -ladies." - -"Well, I've had enough of it. Finish the menu yourself. I've no doubt -everything will be all right." - -John went out and strolled round the farm. It presented a different -appearance: four or five new wooden huts, neatly thatched, erected for -the accommodation of the visitors expected, stood near the bungalow. -John was at present the only white man on the farm, Mr. Halliday having -returned to Nairobi with the rest of the rescue-party to make some -purchases, and Ferrier to meet his sister and get attention to his -wounded thigh. The evening before, a messenger had come in advance, to -announce that the visitors would arrive next day: Mr. Halliday was -returning with Mrs. Burtenshaw, her family, and the Ferriers. Said -Mohammed was determined "to do credit to the establishment," as he put -it; he would show the guests "that the resources of civilization were -not dead letter in African wilds." - -As the day drew on, John became restless. He had the floor of the -bungalow scrubbed twice; set Lulu to scour the pans in the dairy for the -third time; and got Coja to cut his hair. He was in some agitation of -mind as to what he should wear. He looked out a white shirt, collar, -and tie, and a suit of clothes he had not worn since he left England. -His unaccustomed fingers struggled with his collar-stud until he was in -despair, and when he had knotted his tie he found that he had no clips, -and the wretched thing threatened to ride up to his chin. - -He was standing at the door of the bungalow, thus arrayed, and feeling -ridiculously got up, when he saw Ferrier galloping up on a pony. - -"Hallo, old chap!" shouted his friend. "The others are about -half-an-hour behind. Thought I would ride ahead and prepare you. What -have you been doing to yourself?" - -"What do you mean?" - -"Well, don't mind what I say, but you look a bit of a guy, you know. -Your coat's too tight, and your waistcoat too short: are they the things -you wore at school? Your tie's wriggling round to your ear; and your -trousers display a good deal of ankle--d'you know that you've got on odd -socks?" - -"Hang it all, Charley, what shall I do? I've got nothing else but khaki -and drill, and I can't show up in those." - -"Don't see why. The women won't expect to find Bond Street fashions -here, and if you'll take my tip you'll tumble out of those things as -soon as possible, and rig up in your usual toggery." - -"You really think they won't mind?" - -"Of course not. Hurry up; you'll just have time." - -John dashed off with a feeling of unutterable relief. He pitched his -tie and collar into a corner, crushed his suit into a drawer, regardless -of creases, and in ten minutes reappeared in flannel shirt and clean -white drill, feeling at ease. - -In less than half-an-hour the party arrived, six in all, Mr. Gillespie -having accompanied them. Their safari was still some miles in the rear. - -"How d'you do, John?" said the elder lady, as he helped her to dismount. -"I am Mrs. Burtenshaw--still!" - -John felt himself blushing. - -"I know you as Cousin Sylvia, ma'am," he said. - -"We'll be great friends, I'm sure. You know Joe and Poll; this is -Helen. Hilda, come and be introduced to my long-lost nephew. Regard me -as your favourite aunt, my dear boy. Tell me," she whispered, "is that -fat smiling gentleman in white your failed B.A.?" - -"That's he: cook, khansaman, and major-domo. Said Mohammed, escort the -ladies to their rooms." - -The Bengali approached, bowing to each in turn. - -"Esteemed madam and misses," he said, "deign to direct your footsteps to -humble abode, or, as William Cowper beautifully says, your lodge in vast -wilderness, with boundless contiguity of shade." - -The ladies preserved an admirable composure, and retired to the huts -assigned to them. - -"Now, John," said Mrs. Burtenshaw, when they reappeared, "you must show -us round this wonderful farm of yours. It looks very tidy, I must say. -But where are your sheep? I thought you had hundreds, and there aren't -fifty in that pen." - -"They're out at grass, cousin; you'll see them come in by and by. There -really isn't much to see, you know. Cabbages and artichokes--'m; -_topinambours_ is the name for ladies, says my cook--they're just the -same, here and at home. If you'd come a few months later, now, I might -have shown you some zebras. I'm going to try and tame some." - -"Ah yes! I remember you threatened to meet your father on a striped -charger, to match his striped trousers.... Who's that funny-looking -little object?" - -"That's Bill, scout and huntsman, and a millionaire, as things are -reckoned here. Come and see his ivory." - -"You're a very rash and headstrong boy. The idea of going miles and -miles after a set of thieves! I wonder you're alive. A pretty settler, -indeed!" - -"Well, cousin, I dare say I shall settle down now, with father to keep -me in order. You see, we couldn't have felt secure if----" - -"Don't tell me! You're just a madcap; if you were my son I should be in -constant terror lest you were brought home one day a mangled corpse." - -"Look, mother," said Helen, "isn't it a pretty sight?" - -The lambs were coming home, a great flock, covering the hollow between -two gentle slopes. Their bleatings, heard faintly at first, became a -deafening noise as they neared the farm. The observers noticed how they -quickened their pace as they approached. Within the pen the ewes moved -restlessly about, bleating calls to their young. When the lambs entered -through the gate, they leapt forward frisking with delight, darted into -the open pen, and sprang this way and that, each seeking its own dam. - -"Charming!" said Mrs. Burtenshaw. "What a pity sheep are so silly! Now -take us to your dairy." - - ---- - -Said Mohammed's cookery won general applause. - -"I envy you, Halliday," said Mr. Gillespie. "He's worth his fifty -rupees a month, isn't he?" - -"You don't have a dinner like this every day, I'm sure, John--French -menu and all," said Mrs. Burtenshaw. "I should like the recipe for that -_consomme a la Wanderobbo_." - -"What is _a la Wanderobbo_?" asked Helen. - -"I don't know," replied John. "That little old man you saw just now is -one of the Wanderobbo tribe." - -"Good gracious! I hope he had nothing to do with the soup. He -looked--well, not scrupulously clean." - -"No, no," said John, laughing. "He had no more to do with the soup than -Lulu had with the cauliflowers--unless she cut them. Talking of Bill, -Mr. Gillespie, what are we to do about his ivory? It has been his dream -for years to recover it, but when we got back he made me a present of -it." - -"Just like a man," said Mrs. Burtenshaw. "You'll struggle all your life -and wear yourselves out for some ridiculous thing, and when you get it -don't know what to do with it." - -"It's what you do that counts, not what you get," remarked Mr. Halliday: -"or as our failed B.A. said when we met him first, it is work that -ennobles. But about the ivory?" - -"Well," said Mr. Gillespie judicially, "I'm not sure but it belongs to -the Government." - -"I don't see that," said Joe Browne. "The Government did nothing for -it. Didn't do anything for you, either. I'd stick to it if I were you, -John. What will it fetch?" - -"Five or six hundred pounds, I should think," said Mr. Gillespie. - -"I wish it were mine," said Oliver. "Mother keeps me plaguey short." - -"I'd thought of a scheme that would be pretty fair all round," said -John. "Bill was the owner, and he gave it to me. He wants to stay on -the farm. Well, I propose to build him a new hut and set him up with -new weapons: that will make him comfortable for life. Then old -Sobersides has been very decent. His men behaved like bricks, and we -certainly couldn't have got it without their help. We might give them -some bushels of beads and loads of wire and blankets and other things -they value. They may seem trumpery to us, but they're untold wealth to -the natives." - -"And then?" said Mrs. Burtenshaw. - -"Well, perhaps Charley and I might share the rest." - -"Nonsense!" said Ferrier. "It's yours." - -"And we'll share it. We shared everything else. Don't be selfish, -Charley." - -Everybody laughed, and it was ultimately settled that the ivory should -be sent to Nairobi, where Mr. Gillespie promised to get the best -possible price for it. - -Here Said Mohammed came in with coffee. When he had handed round the -cups he lingered. - -"Don't wait, khansaman," said John. "We'll manage now. Every one was -delighted with your dinner." - -"I am repaid a thousandfold, sir. Not to intrude, sir, I have trifling -communication to make." - -"What is it?" - -"Native chief, sir, did me honour to request I would convey thanks of -self and co. for immense and colossal benefits conferred." - -"Oh, that's all right. He thanked me himself, long ago." - -"_Festina lente_, sir. Reflecting on said petition, I deemed the circs. -worthy of more formal commemoration than perfunctory acknowledgement. -Wherefore and accordingly I scorn delights and live laborious days in -inditing few lines pat to the occasion, which with august permission I -will now proceed to chuck off chest." - -The two girls made suspicious use of their handkerchiefs; Joe Browne -kicked Ferrier under the table; and Oliver, choking over his coffee, -accused Mr. Halliday of smoking very strong cigars. John and the elder -members of the party preserved their gravity, though it was in a -curiously constrained tone that John asked the Bengali to favour the -company. With a smile of gratification Said Mohammed unrolled a scroll -of paper, and, looking round to make sure that every one was attending, -began in his high-pitched voice-- - - Hear me tell a moving story, chronicled in lofty rhyme, - Redolent of stripling's glory, monument to end of time. - Idol of my veneration, you I celebrate in song; - Ornament of British nation, you I crack up, hot and strong. - - To begin at the beginning: When one day, at usual pace, - Our oblate spheroid was spinning through an awful lot of space, - You, an up-to-date Orion, Enfield rifle in your hand, - Did for most obnoxious lion, holy terror in the land. - - Next, predaceous gang, Swahilis--Juma, if you please, and Co.,-- - Prowling, slippery as eel is, on the rampage to and fro, - Depredated native village, spreading woe and dire alarm, - Then for more important pillage fell like ton of bricks on farm. - - Faithful servant, Said Mohammed, feeling anything but bold, - Like a bleating orphan lamb hid, sniffing wolves within the - fold; - While despoilers collared rifles, ammunition, shell and shot; - Item, sundry piffling trifles which the poet has forgot. - - Minions of a base levanter, villains of the deepest dye,-- - You are after them instanter, lightning flashing from your eye; - Swoop upon them in their slumbers, catch them fairly on the hop, - Though inferior in numbers, smite them hip and thigh and crop. - - Terrified by dire disaster, they make hurry-scurry flight. - Yoicks! our whipper-in goes faster, helter-skelter day and - night, - Till dark citadel is sighted, wall-encircled, likewise moat. - Is prodigious effort blighted? Not at all: we simply gloat. - - Roberts' grit and Caesar's clear eye--honestly, you have them - both. - 'Fas est ab hoste doceri,' august Roman general quoth: - Taking leaf from book of Juma, you perpended ruse de guerre, - And with dodgy slimness you manoeuvred brigands from their lair. - - Penned within restricted compass, you repel the fierce attack, - Calm amid most awful rumpus: things are looking very black. - Lo! in thickest of the slaughter, one sees chance of chipping - in, - And with can of boiling water stems the tide and scores a win. - - Threat of famine, grisly spectre, makes us look a little blue; - But our commonwealth's protector, launching forth in bark canoe, - Quits the precincts of the island, marches at a spanking pace, - Up-hill, down-hill, swamp and dry land, perfect Nimrod in the - chase. - - Hippopotamus stupendous to your prowess falls a prey. - Ministers of grace defend us! you are spirited away. - Lo! proverbially fickle, Fortune knocks you from your perch, - Leaves you in a pretty pickle, or, as you may say, the lurch. - - Meditating in your prison, through the darkling stilly night, - Ere red Phoebus has arisen you have perpetrated flight: - Swift rejoin the little party by Swahili sore oppressed; - Juma then is in the cart, he gets a bullet in the chest. - - Pardon slight inaccuracy, due to exigence of rhyme; - Frenzied poet, going pace, imagines only the sublime. - Be pedestrian and pedantic when you're patronizing prose, - Spur your Pegasus quite frantic when a poem you compose. - - To return from this diversion, and to make long story short, - After enemy's dispersion you evacuated fort; - Made a bee-line for the village, situated on a hill, - Scooped the products of their tillage, bloodless coup, - resistance nil. - - Expediting preparations for strategic move in rear, - 'Mid poor females' ululations, most distressing to the ear-- - What makes all your pulses throb? oh! what sets all your nerves - athrill? - 'Tis shikari Wanderobbo, or, to use his alias, Bill. - - Pale with rage and indignation (metaphorically pale), - Billy tells of spoliation, thieves his property assail. - Tartar like the bold Cambuscan (Chaucer left his tale - half-told), - Juma digs up every tusk and Bill is absolutely sold. - - Now behold you on your mettle; now momentous hour has struck, - You in most pugnacious fettle sally forth to try your luck; - Meet marauders by the river, fall on them like bolt from blue, - Crying 'Stand and eke deliver, or I'll run you through and - through!' - - (Note: that speech, correct in diction, is not quite correct in - fact; - 'Tis a literary fiction, managed with consummate tact. - So the other classic writers, Livy and Thucydides, - Decorate the lips of fighters with sublime apostrophes.) - - Though the words were never uttered, pish! it matters not a jot; - Like March hares the scoundrels scuttered, dropping burdens on - the spot; - After years of patient waiting, Bill regains his ownest own, - And with ecstasy gyrating, bellows till he's fairly blown. - - You with prescient acumen see that all is not O.K.; - You alas! have very few men, Juma has a vast array; - Yet while danger round you thickens, lo! you neither quail nor - quake; - Though you wonder how the dickens you are going to take the - cake. - - To omit progressive stages, which would take up too much time, - Occupy a dozen pages and exhaust a lot of rhyme-- - After navigating torrent where the crocodiles disport, - You were spied by foe abhorrent, lurking watchful in the fort. - - How you diddled them just proper, how you did the Johnnies - brown, - And how many came a cropper as the rafts were floating down: - This perchance a future Milton, seeking an heroic theme, - May compose splendacious lilt on, in the groves of Academe. - - And perchance some future Hallam, with display of prosy pomp, - Will relate in distant Balham scrumptious battle in the swamp; - And describe the villain Juma, in penultimate despair, - Meeting Bill upon the boom and getting his quietus there. - - Now the hurly-burly's over, not a cloud bedims the sky; - You are jolly well in clover, and the bloom is on the rye; - 'Tempus fugit': I must stow it---end my palpitating lay, - Ever faithful cook and poet, Said Mohammed, failed B.A. - -There was a burst of applause as the Bengali concluded. - -"Capital!" cried Mr. Halliday. - -"Wonderful!" exclaimed the girls together, clapping their hands. - -"Absolutely unique, by Jove!" added Oliver. - -"You're sure of immortality now, John," said Joe. - -"I wouldn't wonder if it's good enough for _Punch_," said Mr. Gillespie. - -"Such laudation warms the cockles of my heart, ladies and gentlemen," -declared Said Mohammed, beaming. "But the poem is not destined to be -squandered on _profanum vulgus:_ it is strictly for private -consumption." - -"Have some copies printed, Mr. Mohammed," said Mrs. Burtenshaw. "I'll -pay the bill." - -"Your esteemed order, madam, shall be punctually attended to. And now, -with excuses, I beg to be allowed to retire to my own place--to return -to my muttons, as it were: or in other words, to wash the dishes." - -And with profound salaams he withdrew. - - ---- - -By the last advices from Nairobi I learn that the Hallidays' farm in -Kenya is exceedingly prosperous. Mr. Halliday received his lease, and -was recently mentioned in a Government report as one of the most -enterprising and successful settlers in British East Africa. Mrs. -Burtenshaw regards this testimonial as unfair, since Mr. Halliday is -only a figurehead, and John does the work; but, as Mr. Gillespie says, -nobody cares a pin for what appears in a Government report. - -There are two other farms adjoining Alloway, one owned by Charles -Ferrier, the other by the two Brownes. It is rumoured that, as lions -and other wild-fowl have now disappeared from the vicinity, two of the -three farms will soon be graced by the presence of ladies; but there -seems to be some speculation at tea-tables in Nairobi as to whether -Hilda Ferrier will become Mrs. Joseph Browne or Mrs. David Halliday. -Knowing John, I should say that there is no doubt about the matter. Mr. -Gillespie advises Helen Browne to change her name to Ferrier at the same -time: he is a firm believer in economy. Said Mohammed is anxiously -awaiting definite information, for he says that he cannot set to work on -his nuptial ode in honour of the occasion until he knows which is which; -then he will show us all what's what. My own opinion is that he will be -so busy in erecting a wedding-cake of suitable proportions as to have no -leisure to build the lofty rhyme. Meanwhile he has learnt Spenser's -"Epithalamium" by heart, and is convinced that, with due inspiration, he -will knock it into a cocked hat. - - - - - THE END - - - - - - HERBERT STRANG - - _Complete List of Stories_ - - -ADVENTURES OF DICK TREVANION, THE -ADVENTURES OF HARRY ROCHESTER, THE -A GENTLEMAN AT ARMS -A HERO OF LIEGE -AIR PATROL, THE -AIR SCOUT, THE -BARCLAY OF THE GUIDES -BLUE RAIDER, THE -BOYS OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE -BRIGHT IDEAS -BROWN OF MOUKDEN -BURTON OF THE FLYING CORPS -CARRY ON -CRUISE OF THE GYRO-CAR, THE -FIGHTING WITH FRENCH -FLYING BOAT, THE -FRANK FORESTER -HUMPHREY BOLD -JACK HARDY -KING OF THE AIR -KOBO -LONG TRAIL, THE -LORD OF THE SEAS -MOTOR SCOUT, THE -NO MAN'S ISLAND -OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN, THE -ONE OF CLIVE'S HEROES -PALM TREE ISLAND -ROB THE RANGER -ROUND THE WORLD IN SEVEN DAYS -SAMBA -SETTLERS AND SCOUTS -SULTAN JIM -SWIFT AND SURE -THROUGH THE ENEMY'S LINES -TOM BURNABY -TOM WILLOUGHBY'S SCOUTS -WINNING HIS NAME -WITH DRAKE ON THE SPANISH MAIN -WITH HAIG ON THE SOMME - - - - - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SETTLERS AND SCOUTS *** - - - - -A Word from Project Gutenberg - - -We will update this book if we find any errors. - -This book can be found under: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/39161 - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission -and without paying copyright royalties. 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