rry
him on."

"I say, Ralph," whispered Jack faintly, "do look to my wounds and see
that they are all tightly bound up. I can't afford to lose another drop
of blood. It's almost all drained away, I believe."

While I examined my friend's wounds and readjusted the bandages, my
companions cut down two poles. These we laid on the ground parallel to
each other and about two feet apart, and across them laid our three
coats, which we fastened in a rough fashion by means of some strong
cords which I fortunately happened to have with me. On this rude litter
we laid our companion, and raised him on our shoulders. Peterkin and I
walked in rear, each supporting one of the poles; while Makarooroo,
being the stoutest of the three, supported the entire weight of the
other ends on his broad shoulders. Jack bore the moving better than we
had expected, so that we entertained sanguine hopes that no bones were
broken, but that loss of blood was all he had to suffer from.

Thus slowly and with much difficulty we bore our wounded comrade to the
camp.

CHAPTER NINE.

I DISCOVER A CURIOUS INSECT, AND PETERKIN TAKES A STRANGE FLIGHT.

It happened most fortunately at this time that we were within a short
day's journey of a native village, to which, after mature consideration,
we determined to convey Jack, and remain there until he should be
sufficiently recovered to permit of our resuming our journey. Hitherto
we had studiously avoided the villages that lay in our route, feeling
indisposed to encounter unnecessarily the risk of being inhospitably
received--perhaps even robbed of our goods, if nothing worse should
befall us. There was, however, no other alternative now; for Jack's
wounds were very severe, and the amount of blood lost by him was so
great that he was as weak as a child. Happily, no bones were broken, so
we felt sanguine that by careful nursing for a few weeks we should get
him set firmly upon his legs again.

On the following morning we set forth on our journey, and towards
evening reached the village, which was situated on the banks of a small
stream, in the midst of a beautiful country composed of mingled plain
and woodland.

It chanced that the chief of this village was connected by marriage with
King Jambai--a most fortunate circumstance for us, as it ensured our
being hospitably received. The chief came out to meet us riding on the
shoulders of a slave, who, although a much smaller man than his master,