him, and I
shall hear no more of him or them either. It is not good. No, I will
not quarrel with the English. But they live far off. They will know
nothing of these men where they are, or what may have become of them.
If I keep them prisoners, or if I put them to death"--the eyes of the
savage emitted a fierce light as he spoke--"if I put them to death," he
repeated slowly, "who will tell the English of it?"

"It will certainly be discovered," said De Walden. "It is known that
they have landed on the sea-coast at no great distance from here, and
that they are wandering about in these regions. One of them is the son
of a great sea warrior; the others are his friends and companions. The
great Chief of the English will send out soldiers to search for them.
He will learn from many whither they have been taken; and if harm has
been done them, he will exact heavy punishment."

Chuma shook his head, but he evidently was much moved by the
missionary's words. He conferred apart with some of his counsellors,
and an animated debate, to all appearance, ensued. At length he turned
away from them, and again addressed De Walden.

"See," he said, "this is the way of it. One of the whites, whomsoever
they may choose, goes alone to the great village of the whites, and Kama
goes with him as guide; but the white man leaves the fire-tube here
behind him, which he will not need, for Kama finds food on the way. The
others--they too stay behind here in the village till Kama returns, and
tells me what he has seen and heard--does this please you?"

"I will report to them what you have said," returned De Walden, "and
bring you their answer."

He stepped up to the place where the four travellers were resting
themselves on a heap of skins, and reported to them Chuma's proposal.
"On the whole," he added, "I should advise you to accept it. I know how
suspicious these Bechuanas are. Never practising anything like truthful
and fair dealing themselves, they are incapable of believing that any
one else can do so. If you refuse, your refusal will be imputed to some
sinister designs which you are secretly cherishing; and Chuma is fully
capable of relieving himself from all immediate anxiety by putting the
whole party to death."

"I quite see that," said Lavie. "The only alternative is attempting to
escape, and the chances are greatly against our succeeding in that. In
any case," he mentally added, "such a step would bring ruin and dea