egro
idols, and never were treated worse in consequence; indeed, I believe
that they would have despised us if we had done so, for though they may
fancy that their idols have something to do with them, they believe that
they have no power over the white men.

There was great rejoicing in the village on the arrival of the flesh of
the giraffe, the greater portion of which was consumed long before the
night was over. While seated with the chief, I again asked him to let
us go, and he seemed to intimate that he would do so the following
morning. While we were at supper, Natty proposed that we should hide as
much food as would last us for the following day. "A good idea," I
observed. The pockets of our shooting-jackets were capacious. Whenever
the chief was looking another way, we contrived to slip in large pieces
of meat and cassava cake, besides pieces of plantain. They made
somewhat of a mess in our pockets, but we could not be particular. As
the chief consumed double as much as we hid away he was not surprised at
the rapid disappearance of the food, and had not observed our manoeuvre.

Natty and I lay down to rest, hoping that before another sunset we might
be far on our way homewards.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

OUR ESCAPE AND JOURNEY THROUGH THE WILDERNESS.

I awoke just as day broke, and roused up Natty.

"Where are we?" he exclaimed. "Oh, I was dreaming, and so happy!"

"We have realities before us," I remarked. "Are you prepared for
starting?"

"Yes, yes," he whispered; "by all means. Probably the people, after
their debauch, will sleep soundly, and we may get some way before we are
overtaken."

We put on our jackets, which we had placed at our sides, having slept
covered up with mats provided for us. We then cautiously pushed open
the reed-formed door, and stood looking out up and down the street of
the village. The stars were still twinkling overhead, though gradually
growing dimmer as the grey light of morning advanced. I carefully
marked the course we were to take, and observing all the doors closed,
we now sallied forth, and crept cautiously along towards the end of the
street which opened out in the direction of our home. Every moment we
expected to be pursued. If we were, we agreed to put a bold face on the
matter, and to claim the right of departing. Fortunately the
inhabitants, from having sat up the greater part of the night eating,
were sound asleep, and we hoped that our night wo