ad stood the journey well.

I was much interested by Jack's account of the zebra and the rhinoceros,
specimens of both of which animals I had seen in menageries, and felt
disposed to change places with him on the march; but reflecting that he
was much more likely than I successfully to hunt anything he might
pursue, I made up my mind to remain by the canoe.

Thus we travelled for several days without anything particular
occurring, and at length arrived at a native village which lay on the
banks of a noble stream.

Here Makarooroo introduced us to Mbango the chief, a fine-looking and
good-natured negro, who received us most hospitably, supplied us with
food, and urged us to remain and hunt with his people. This, however,
we declined to do, telling our entertainer that we had come to his
country for the purpose of shooting that wonderful animal the gorilla,
but assuring him that we would come back without fail if we should be
spared. We further assured him on this head by proposing to leave in
his charge a woman for whom we had a great respect and love, and whom we
made him promise faithfully to take care of till we returned.

Peterkin, who soon gave them a specimen of his powers as a marksman, and
contrived in other ways to fill the minds of the chief and his people
with a very exalted idea of his powers both of body and intellect,
endeavoured to make assurance doubly sure by working on their
superstitious fears.

"Tell Mbango," said he to our guide, "that though we be small in numbers
we are very powerful; that we can do deeds" (here he became awfully
solemn and mysterious) "such as no black man ever conceived of; and that
if a hair of the head of Okandaga is hurt, we will on our return--"

Instead of completing the sentence, Peterkin started up, threw himself
into violent contortions, rolled his eyes in a fearful manner, and, in
short, gave the chief and his people to understand that something quite
indescribable and unutterably terrible would be the result of their
playing us false.

"Send for Njamie," said Mbango to one of his retainers.

Njamie, who was the chief's principal wife, soon appeared. She led a
sturdy little boy by the hand. He was her only son, and a very fine
little fellow, despite the blackness of his skin and his almost total
want of clothing.

To this woman Mbango gave Okandaga in charge, directing her in our
presence how to care for her, and assuring her of the most terrible
punishmen