nger than they wished.

"Tell him I insist upon their letting you go immediately, and if they do
so, I am prepared to make them a present; but that if not, I shall fight
my way out of the place on the back of my wonderful steed there"--
pointing to the zebra--"and very likely return and burn their village to
the ground."

"Bery good," said Mango; and he began to interpret my address, adding, I
suspect, not a few threats and boastings of his own.

The effect, at all events, was to make the old chief and his attendants
treat me with great civility. His wives hurried off to prepare a
banquet, and I was allowed to proceed through the village with Mango as
my guide. I led the zebra all the time, for the little animal showed a
great disinclination to leave me, or to go nearer the blacks than he
could help; indeed, when any of them drew near, as was his usual custom,
he struck out with his heels right and left at them, or, if they
appeared in front, he ran forward and tried to bite them. He, however,
appeared to recognise Mango, and though he would not allow him to touch
his head, yet he showed no hostility when he came near.

By the time the banquet--which consisted of a variety of dishes of the
meat of several wild animals--was over, it was almost dark. I had no
doubt my attendants would camp out in the neighbourhood of the village,
and I therefore told the chief that I would take my departure,
accompanied by Mango, and camp with them, to be ready to start on the
following morning. I found, however, that he had no intention of
letting me go so easily, and insisted that I must pass the night in his
village. Seeing how matters stood, I said that I had no objection to do
this, but that I must have a house to myself, where my zebra would
obtain accommodation, as I could not be parted from the animal; and that
I wanted Mango also to attend on me. There is an old saying, "There is
nothing like asking for a thing one wants," and I found the advantage of
so doing; for my request, after the chief had consulted his wives, was
granted. This arrangement being made, I told Mango to inform the chief
that I required a supply of green grass for my animal. This also was
brought me before night. I asked Mango whether he thought the chief
intended to detain us. He did not think so; but expressed himself ready
to try and get out of the village during the night, if I thought it
advisable. I discovered, on further questioning him,