made, we took
our guns, and in the course of a few minutes had shot as many birds as
we required for our supper and breakfast.

On returning to our camp we saw, to our surprise, Pullingo seated on the
ground opposite another black, on whose knees his hands rested, while
they gazed into each other's faces. They were talking earnestly
together, as if they had matters of the greatest importance to
communicate. As we drew near enough to distinguish the features of the
stranger black, we recognised our old acquaintance, Pullingo's son,
Quaquagmagu. So deeply were they engaged, they did not even perceive
our approach; and as we had no wish to disturb them, we retired to a
distance to wait till they had finished their conversation. Finding,
however, that we might wait till midnight, and as we wished to get our
pigeons plucked and roasted, we once more drew near. At length
perceiving us, they sprang to their feet; when Pullingo exclaimed,
"Son--Quaquagmagu--me, me!"

"Of course we recollect him," said Mudge, shaking him by the hand. I
did the same, apparently much to the young man's satisfaction.

"And what brought your son here?" inquired Mudge, as if he knew that it
would be useless to put the question to Quaquagmagu.

"All, all," answered Pullingo, shaking his head; and he poured forth a
torrent of words which we could not understand.

At length, however, we made out, chiefly by signs, that something was
wrong at home--either that his children were ill, or that his wife had
run away; at all events, that he wished to return northward. This was
to us a serious announcement, as we had greatly depended on his
assistance for traversing the country. It had, however, been tolerably
evident that he had got tired of acting as our guide; indeed, few of the
wild natives can ever be depended upon for associating with the whites
for any length of time. Only the younger men, who get gradually
habituated to civilised customs, will ever remain faithful to the duties
they undertake. Pullingo was no exception to the rule.

"Will it be necessary for us to turn back?" I asked.

"Certainly not," answered Mudge; "we can make our way very well without
him, and as it is important for the sake of your mother and sister that
we should undertake the journey, I say, by all means let us push on."

"I am perfectly ready to do so," I answered; "indeed, I very much doubt
whether Pullingo knows anything about the mountains, and I suspect