lthough grieved at the loss of his
horses, both which he had received as presents, he was quite happy in
having discovered the party whom he believed to have wilfully destroyed
his property.

The hunters directed Congo to inform him that the horse had been shot by
mistake,--that they very much regretted the circumstance; and were quite
ready and willing to make ample compensation for the damage he had
sustained.

This the black chief declared was all he required, and the hunters were
invited to accompany him to his village, where they could talk over the
terms of compensation.

All started up the river, but the behaviour and methodical division of
their escort convinced the hunters that they were considered as
captives.

"This is very unfortunate," said Hendrik. "We shall have to part with
something we can ill spare. They will not be satisfied with trifles,
and perhaps will want our horses in exchange for those killed."

"They shall not have them then," rejoined Willem, with an air of
determination, forgetting at the moment that he was a prisoner, and the
horses already in possession of their captors.

About a mile from the place where the Africans had come upon them, they
reached a small collection of huts, from which issued a large number of
women and children. It was evidently the kraal of their captors.

The leader of the party lost no time in proceeding to business. He was
anxious to have his claim settled; so also were Groot Willem and
Hendrik. Congo was again called to act as interpreter.

The black chief desired him to inform his masters, that the horses he
had lost were of immense value. They had been given to him by an
esteemed friend, a Portuguese slave-merchant; and he declared that, in
his opinion, they were the best horses in the world. No others could
replace them.

"Very well," said Groot Willem, when this communication had been made;
"ask him what he expects us to pay."

"All this ceremony is not for nothing," remarked Hendrik, while Congo
was again talking to the chief. "We shall have some trouble in getting
off from this fellow unless we surrender everything we've got."

"He mustn't be too greedy," replied Willem, "or he will get nothing at
all. We have performed a silly action, and expect to pay for it."

"Those are brave words," answered Hendrik, "but I don't think we have
power to act up to them. It will be they who will dictate terms; and
what can we do?"

The chief, bef