ray in the east Captain Montenay called his men together, and all
left the camp. Mr. Wallace and the boys had decided to accompany him for
a mile or two in order to see him off safely.

The party started toward the northeast, in which direction the forest
extended and dipped down into heavier jungle and lower ground. After
two miles they came to a small stream, and here the farewells were said.
Montenay shook hands all around, with no display of emotion.

"If ye're no seein' me again," he said to Mr. Wallace, while the porters
were fording the stream, "ye'll deliver the letter I gave ye last
night?"

"I will," answered Mr. Wallace soberly. "And what's more, I'll ship the
boys home and come back for you. So long, old man!"

"So long. Good luck to ye," and Montenay was caught up between two of
his men and carried across the shallow stream. On the opposite bank he
turned and waved, the three gave him a hearty cheer, and with his little
band he was lost in the heavy foliage.

CHAPTER XI

MVITA SAVES BURT'S LIFE

For three days after the departure of Captain Mac there was little
hunting done. Silent and morose as he often was, the absent explorer
more than made up for this in his moments of gayety. His was a strong
personality, moreover, and his absence could not but make itself felt
keenly.

There was plenty to occupy the boys, however. A number of heads and
skins had to be prepared and packed. Then there was the native village
to visit, and this was a source of never-ending delight. The chief,
whose name was Mvita, gave a great feast in honor of the hunters--to
which the hunters donated the greater share of the viands--and the
moving-picture outfit came into play with brilliant effect.

Mr. Wallace took out the boys on a two-days' trip after animal pictures,
also. By utilizing the natives of Mvita's village and also the Bantu
porters as beaters, a bloodless hunt was held. In this the animals were
surrounded and forced to pass before a white-ant hill on which Burt was
posted with the camera. Excellent pictures of various antelope, zebra,
an old and toothless lion, and an infuriated rhino were obtained. In
this way a week was passed, and finally Mr. Wallace announced that on
the morrow they would hold another real elephant hunt, as Mvita reported
a herd of the giant beasts three miles to the north.

As they were leaving camp at dawn, a number of the villagers hastened
up, headed by their chief. With anxio