t, and returned with a
knapsack. "Yes," he said in a sorrowful tone, "dis Massa Leo's." I
recognised it indeed as the one Leo had with him. Fatigue alone could
have made him throw it aside; and perhaps, hoping soon to reach the
Europeans of whom he had heard, he would no longer encumber himself with
it. Securing it to the ox's back, we went on still more eagerly,
looking carefully about on every side. I expected every moment to
overtake Leo. We went on for another mile or more, when to my dismay we
found his rifle on the ground. That he certainly would not have thrown
away unless greatly overcome by fatigue. Still, perhaps, he might have
had no powder, and found it a useless encumbrance. I, however, dreaded
that, weak as he must have been before he would quit his knapsack and
rifle, he might have fallen an easy victim to some beast of prey.
Though we looked anxiously about, we could see nothing of him.
Presently Mango, who had gone ahead of me, began running very fast. I
pushed on to overtake him, when I saw, lying on the ground, a human
form, by the side of which Mango had thrown himself. Could it be Leo?
I urged the ox into a gallop, and did not stop till I reached the spot.
My worst apprehensions were fulfilled. There lay Leo extended on the
grass.

"Is he dead?" I exclaimed, in a faltering voice.

"Hope not, massa," answered Mango, looking up; "he 'till breathes."

The words somewhat relieved my fears, and throwing myself from the ox, I
knelt down by his side. My first care was to pour some water down his
throat, then to bathe his temples; to treat him, indeed, as I had Natty
under similar circumstances. I cannot express my thankfulness when I
saw him at length open his eyes. He gazed at me with a look of
surprise, but he was still too weak to speak. He pointed to his lips,
and I gave him more water. It was necessary to get him at once into the
shade, for, exposed to the hot sun, it was scarcely possible that he
could regain his strength. Mango accordingly lifted him up on the ox's
back, and I supporting him in my arms, he urged the animal on towards a
wood we saw in the distance. Leo was still too weak to speak, but he
recognised me, and a grateful look lighted up his eyes as he gazed at my
face. As I thought he might understand me, I briefly narrated some of
my adventures in search of him, of course not telling him my anxiety
about his sisters and brothers. How thankful I felt that I had co