us face Mvita implored the honor of
bearing the guns of one of the white men. John refused him, wishing to
save the usual gifts and emoluments of the office. Burt, however,
interrupted with a laugh.

"Let him carry our guns, uncle! We've never been waited on by a real
king before, an' it's somethin' to boast of. He won't steal 'em, will
he?"

"I guess not," laughed Mr. Wallace, nodding to Mvita. With evident
delight the chief took Burt's heavy elephant-gun. He was clad in long
flowing red cotton robes, doubtless his insignia of office, but when
John suggested that he remove them for the journey he refused
indignantly. He could speak a little French, but very little.

"Are we going to spend all day?" inquired Critch, as the camp was left
behind and the red spears of dawn shot up in the east.

"Can't tell," replied Mr. Wallace. "The elephants were reported as being
three miles north yesterday. By this time they may be twenty miles away,
or they may remain in the same place for a week at a time, until their
food is exhausted. However, we ought to strike something before noon."

"Say," broke out Burt suddenly, "remember what Cap'n Mac said last night
about his scrap with that Arab trader? Do you think he was giving it to
us straight?"

"Of course," answered his uncle decidedly. "Why?"

"Well," responded Burt doubtfully, "it looked a whole lot like downright
piracy to me, that's all. It might ha' happened five hundred years ago,
but it's hard to realize--"

"Look here," broke in Mr. Wallace, "you've got to remember, Burt, that
Montenay has spent practically all his life exploring. He has his bad
points, like all of us, but he has his share of good ones also. I myself
don't blame him a bit. That Arab, Yusuf ben Salir, was a slave dealer
and pirate himself. Besides, it was a matter of personal revenge with
Mac. He's just done a tremendously brave thing in setting out for the
pigmy land alone,--well, he's a strange character."

"Think we'll meet him?" asked Critch in a low voice. "Or rather, will he
meet us?"

"I'm afraid not," replied Mr. Wallace. "He has only one chance in a
thousand of making it. Hello! Look at that ant hill--the sunny side!"

Following his finger, the boys saw a huge snake stretched out, warming
himself in the hot sun. All three were at the head of the beaters, and
Mvita, the only gunbearer who noticed the snake, brought up his heavy
gun rapidly. Mr. Wallace waved him back, however, drawing his