to
the village, and to leave these bad men, it will please me also."

"And if we attack these men," asked Muata, after a pause, "what plan
have you made for us?"

The boatman was relieved. His eyes brightened again. "See, we would
land beyond that point ahead, and in the dark steal upon the
robbers."

"We are too few," said Muata, after turning the matter over. "Now,
if you could bring some of your friends to help, it might be done."

"I am alone, and you are great warriors. Your name has gone abroad."

"How? You know us, then?"

"All white men are the same in battle," said the other, quickly.

"Think over my words--that some men are wanted. There must be men to
guard our canoe, others to watch for the return of the robbers from
across the river. You must get men, otherwise we do nothing."

The canoe-man pondered, then he clapped his hand over his mouth.

"Yoh! The fear of death confused me, and drove from my thought that
my brother is near with warriors protecting the gardens."

"Good, then. Go to your brother. Bring him and his warriors to the
point you spoke of, light a fire there to guide us, and in the dark
we will join you."

Muata hauled on the rope, boarded the Okapi, and set the canoe
adrift.

"Do as I have said--gather the men quickly, light a fire, guide us
to the hiding-place, and in the morning we will share the riches.
Hurry!"

"And is that the word of the white chief also?" asked the man,
suspiciously.

"Did not the white chief leave this palaver to me? Go! for there is
no time to waste."

The paddle flashed as the man sped for the shore near the point he
had referred to, which was several miles above the spot where he had
been taken in tow.

"Well?" said Mr. Hume, glancing at the chief, "He goes to collect
men to meet us this night."

"So."

"Wow! There are bad men--robbers--to be attacked, and much ivory to
be taken."

"We want no ivory, nor quarrels either."

"But I gave my word we would help him. It is a good thing to fall
upon robbers."

"If there is to be a shindy, I'm in for it," said Compton.

"Who are the robbers?"

Muata laughed, and snapped his fingers. "You saw the man in the
canoe?"

Mr. Hume nodded, and looked after the paddler with knit brows.

"And you?"--to Compton.

"I have eyes, chief."

"And you?"

"I saw him first," said Venning.

"And he was a stranger?"

"Of course."

Muata laughed. "White men know many things, but not all. Haw! Who
ar