nd? Not for slaves or ivory alone.
No. In these lakes and rivers there is gold."

"What!" exclaimed the explorer sharply. Then, more slowly, "I shouldn't
wonder if you're right, Doctor. I'd like to take a little trip with a
washing-pan up through there! If that is so, as it well might be,
there'd be some rich pickings for the taking. However, we're here for
elephant first and last, and I'm not inclined to linger with this
outfit."

This excited the boys hugely, but both realized that on this expedition
there would be small opportunity for any gold-hunting, even if the
supposition should prove to be true. The sight of that big python and
the giant buffalo had been a good indication of what they might expect
if they lingered long hereabouts, and the fate of Mowbray's expedition
was vivid in their minds still.

The day passed with no exciting feature, as all kept close to the slow
advance of the cattle and wagon. The Masai spread out fearlessly enough,
and brought in enough game for the party. That terrific battle with the
herd of buffalo had made great inroads on their stock of ammunition, and
the explorer cautioned them not to waste a shot in useless hunting.

No sign of the expected lake appeared during the afternoon, and in the
evening they camped in a little valley between two kopjes, beside a
waterhole that welled out and sank again almost immediately into the
thirsty earth.

"We'll need those traps here, I guess," declared Charlie when the
outspanning was going on. "Prob'ly every one of these water-holes is
pretty well frequented by animals, so we can look out for visitors.
Who's on guard to-night?"

"You are," chuckled Jack; "You and your friend Amir Ali. So mind you
don't go asleep on duty, Chuck! I'd hate to wake up in the morning and
find one of your moccasins left around to remember you by."

"Never you mind about me," retorted Charlie. "I never woke up the whole
camp by letting go an elephant gun at a jackal."

This reminder of an earlier episode in the trip silenced Jack for the
time being, but Charlie had no intention of letting himself be caught
napping on duty. His watch lasted till midnight, when Amir would relieve
him, and as there was no moon the boys got in a plentiful supply of wood
for the fire. While the Indians were setting out the traps as usual, von
Hofe departed to inspect the injured men, and Charlie seized the
opportunity.

"Say, General, what about that ivory cache of Mowbray's? Th