Jubilation now reigned supreme in our palm-leaf hut; the fatted calf (in
the shape of a parrot of gorgeous plumage) was killed--and devoured by
the patient with something approaching to relish--and my reputation as a
great medicine-man was thenceforth fully established.

From this time Smellie began to slowly mend, thanks as much, probably,
to Daphne's tireless nursing and assiduous care as to the relentless
perseverance with which I administered my new medicine; and in little
more than a week he was able, with assistance, to totter into the open
air and sit for half an hour or so under the shadow of a rough awning of
thatch which Daphne and I had with some difficulty contrived to rig up
for him.

Our little black friend still continued to devote herself wholly to
Smellie, waiting upon him hand and foot, watching beside him night and
day, fanning him with a palm-leaf, or feeding him on delicious fruit
whilst he lay awake under his rude shelter drawing in fresh life and
renewed health at every inspiration of the delicious, perfume-laden air,
and snatching brief intervals of rest only whilst he slept. In
consequence of this arrangement the furnishing of the larder devolved
wholly upon me, and I soon acquired a considerable amount of skill in
bringing down my game, principally birds, either by a dexterous cast of
my club, or by means of a long reed tube, like an exaggerated pea-
shooter, from which I puffed little reed darts to a great distance with
considerable force.

About a fortnight after Smellie had exhibited the first symptoms of
improvement I went out foraging as usual, and, having secured the
necessary supplies, was within a quarter of a mile of our hut, on my
return journey, when I suddenly discovered a negro stealing cautiously
along from tree to tree before me. His actions were so suspicious that
my curiosity was aroused, and, placing myself in ambush behind the
nearest tree, I resolved to watch him. He was making straight for our
hut, dodging from tree to tree, and lurking behind each until he had
apparently satisfied himself that the coast ahead was perfectly clear.
Such excessive caution on the stranger's part, coupled with the fact
that he carried four broad-pointed spears, seemed to me to indicate a
purpose the direct reverse of friendly, and I came to the conclusion
that it would be well to shorten the distance between him and myself a
trifle, if possible. This, however, was not by any means easy