of the savages. A fight appeared
imminent. Should Sayd or Sambroko fire, the next instant the blacks
would be upon them, and the rest of the party, having only their axes or
knives, could offer but a feeble resistance. The intruders held their
ground in spite of the warning shouts of Sayd and Sambroko. Ned,
unwilling to die without attempting to strike a blow, was crawling
towards the arms to possess himself of a musket, when one of the savages
raised his spear to dart at him. At that instant a shout was heard
proceeding from the forest, out of which Ned saw a person rushing
without weapons in his hands. The black who was about to hurl the spear
hesitated, and the next instant Ned recognised Chando, who, coming
forward, turned round and addressed his countrymen, for they were of his
tribe, signing also to Sayd and Sambroko to lower their weapons. The
savages, who just before appeared bent on the destruction of the
travellers, now advanced, uttering expressions of good-will and welcome.
Seeing peace established, Chando knelt down by Ned's side, pouring out
expressions of joy at having found him, and inquiring anxiously the
cause of his being unable to walk. Sayd replied, and then eagerly asked
how he himself happened to arrive at so fortunate a moment. As Sayd
listened to the account Chando was giving him his countenance expressed
deep concern.

"What has happened?" asked Ned, when the black at length ceased.

"What I am not surprised to hear," answered Sayd. "Abdullah had
proceeded but three days' journey with his newly-captured slaves, and
some sixty tusks or more which he had obtained, when a large force of
negroes, who were lying in ambush, burst out on the caravan. The Arabs
and some of their followers fought bravely, and, with a portion of their
slaves and pagazis, escaped to a height where their enemies dared not
follow them; but the remainder of the carriers threw down their loads
and tried to escape through the forest. Some were killed, but Chando,
with a few others, got free, and came on in this direction, till they
fell in with a hunting-party of his own tribe, from whom he learned that
an attack was to be made on a small caravan, which he at once
conjectured was ours. Hastening on, he arrived just in time to prevent
a fight, which would probably have ended in our destruction."

Chando nodded his head and smiled as Sayd was speaking. He appeared to
have another matter, to speak about which he