o had been forgotten, for he was quietly snoozing
in his usual corner of Jack's hut. Leo and Natty had already left the
fort, when they discovered that he was not with them. "Chico, Chico!"
they both cried out, and hearing his name called, he ran out, and sprang
up upon Jack's shoulder, who had already got as much as he could well
carry. Nothing, however, would shake Master Chico off. I could not
help thinking even at that moment of Sinbad the Sailor, and the Old Man
of the Sea. "Well, I suppose if you will not walk, I must carry you,"
exclaimed Jack; and away he went after the rest, Chico glancing about
him with a look of surprise at the sudden exodus of his friends.

As soon as they were gone, I closed the gates and climbed out of a
window in the back of the fort. This I did, that should the Pangwes
arrive, they might not discover the flight of our party, and might spend
some time in making preparations for the attack. I then ascended the
hill, with my telescope, which I had retained, but could see no one
moving in any of the open places I could command. In the distance,
however, I observed dense clouds of smoke and bright flames ascending
above the forest, which I was sure must proceed from the village we had
visited. What was the fate of the unfortunate inhabitants? I knew too
well the way that negro warriors are accustomed to treat those they
conquer, and I could not help picturing to myself the horrid spectacle
of women and children murdered, and those who had escaped slaughter
carried off to be sold as slaves to the cruel dealers in human flesh,
and, more than that, in the hearts and souls of their fellow-creatures.
I looked at my watch. I calculated how long it would take my friends to
reach the canoes. I was thankful when I felt sure they must have had
time to get on board, and thus to be in comparative safety. Time went
slowly on. I kept looking at my watch, but still Timbo did not appear.
The hour had nearly passed.

At length, with great regret. I descended the rock, and took my way
towards the river. I had just passed the Castle, when I caught sight of
two figures moving towards me among the trees below. They might be
scouts of the enemy. I hesitated what to do. Concealing myself behind
some brushwood, I lifted my glass to examine them. Great was my
satisfaction when I saw that one of them was Timbo; the other was a
negro whom he was assisting along, and who appeared to be wounded. I
h