etting that they had taken their departure. I now told Natty
I was sure our friends had come to the village, and after stopping a few
days had proceeded to the south. The chief seemed to understand that
Natty was ill, and he and his wives did their best to arrange a
comfortable bed for him with mats placed over dried grass strewed on the
ground. I hoped that after a day's rest he would be able again to set
forward, as I wished to lose no time in following our friends. I spoke
of my intention to Natty.

"Can you think of doing so without first trying to find Leo?" he said.
"Perhaps our new friends here will assist us."

"If you were better able to undergo the fatigue I would," I said; "but I
wish first to place you in safety."

"Oh, do not think of that," he answered, "leave me here. The people
seem so friendly, that I am sure they will take care of me; and though I
wish very much indeed to go with you, I am sure I should only be an
impediment to your progress."

I immediately set to work to try and make the chief understand that two
of our party were in captivity somewhere in the east or south-east, and
that I wished to go in search of them. I was nearly sure that he
understood me, and with some hopes of setting off next day I lay down to
get a sounder sleep than I might possibly enjoy for many days to come.

The next morning, when I again entered on the subject, he appeared to be
unwilling to accede to my wishes. I was indeed not sorry to rest
another day and night, hoping that in the meantime something might occur
to assist my project. I remembered the account Stanley had given of the
idol like a crocodile which he had seen. Curiosity prompted me to
search for it as I walked about the village. The chief divined my
object, and, taking my arm, led me into a hut, where on the ground lay a
number of fragments of plaster, wicker-work, and hair. On these he
stamped, and then turned away with a contemptuous glance, touching his
ears and eyes, and then shaking his head, as much as to say that the
idol could neither hear nor see. From several other signs he made, I
came to the conclusion that Timbo had carried out his project, and at
all events succeeded in showing the blacks the falsity of their wretched
faith. I had hopes, too, that he had also planted the germs of a purer
one in their minds. It was on that and other accounts very vexatious
being so utterly unable to exchange ideas with them. One thing was