ars a prisoner among the blacks. Until he had recovered from the
effect of his unlucky wound we could not travel far, and our flight when
we rescued my father must necessarily be swift.

It was terribly anxious work waiting day after day, but the doctor's
advice was good--that we must be content to exist without news for fear,
in sending scouts about the village at night, we should alarm the enemy.

"Better let them think there is no one at hand," said the doctor, "and
our task will be the easier."

So for a whole fortnight we waited, passing our time watching the bright
scaled fish glance down the clear stream, or come up it in shoals; lying
gazing at the brightly plumed birds that came and shrieked and climbed
about the trees above our heads; while now and then we made cautious
excursions into the open country in the direction opposite to the
village, and fortunately without once encountering an enemy, but adding
largely to our store of food, thanks to the bows and arrows of our
friends.

At last, one evening, after quietly talking to us sometime about the
sufferings of himself and my father, Mr Francis declared himself strong
enough to accompany our retreat.

"The interest and excitement will keep me up," he said; "and you must
not wait longer for me. Besides, I shall get stronger every day, and--"

He looked from me to the doctor and then back, and passed his hand
across his forehead as if to clear away a mist, while, when he began to
speak again, it was not in English, and he burst into tears.

"Lie down and sleep," the doctor said firmly; and, obedient as a child,
the patient let his head sink upon the rough couch he occupied and
closed his eyes.

"It is as if as his body grew strong his mental powers weakened," said
the doctor to me as soon as we were out of hearing; "but we must wait
and see."

Then we set to and once more talked over our plans, arranging that we
would make our attempt next night, and after studying the compass and
the position we occupied we came to the decision that we had better work
round to the far side of the village, post Mr Francis and two of the
blacks there, with our baggage, which was principally food; then make
our venture, join them if successful, and go on in retreat at once.

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE.

HOW WE TOOK A LAST LOOK ROUND, AND FOUND IT WAS TIME TO GO.

That next evening seemed as it would never come, and I lay tossing
feverishly from side to side vainly tr