ful, and must see how I can reward you," said Sayd to the
young pagazi.

As meat was much wanted at the camp, the party immediately commenced
cutting up the elephant, while messengers were despatched to summon
carriers to convey the flesh and tusks. As soon as it was sent off the
hunters continued the chase. Ned shot a zebra, which raised him in the
estimation of his companions. A giraffe was also seen, and creeping up
to it among the long grass the party surrounded it. Before it could
escape a bullet from Sayd's gun wounded it in the shoulder, when spears
and javelins thrust at it from every side soon ended its life. There
was great rejoicing when this meat was brought into camp, and the Arabs
and their followers feasting luxuriously forgot their toils and
sufferings.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

Again the caravan was on the move. For many days they marched on with
varied fortunes, sometimes meeting a friendly reception at the villages
they passed, but more frequently being refused admittance, and having to
purchase provisions at a high cost, or to pay tribute to the petty
chiefs, many of whom, possessing fire-arms, were too formidable to
offend. Abdullah declared that they had had enough of fighting, and
could not afford to lose more men in unnecessary battles. Hitherto but
a small quantity of ivory had been procured, the villagers having
disposed of all they possessed to other traders. At this the chiefs
were evidently greatly disappointed, and frequent consultations were
held among them.

Sayd did not tell Ned the result, but he seemed dissatisfied, and more
than once expressed a wish that he had not undertaken the expedition.
"But then you would not have found me, and I should not have discovered
Chando, so that I am very thankful you came," answered Ned.

Some days after this he observed that they advanced with even more
caution than before. Scouts were sent out, who from time to time
brought back the intelligence they had obtained.

At length one evening the caravan halted on the confines of a wood
through which they had passed. As Ned looked ahead he could
distinguish, as the sun set, a large scattered village below them,
surrounded by fields and fruit-bearing trees, situated on the borders of
a shining lake, a picturesque circle of hills beyond. It was a smiling
scene, and spoke of abundance and contentment. Sayd appeared more
unhappy than before. Ned again asked him what was about to be done.