ll, master. I have come to save you, for
I have heard Tifum swear that to-morrow you shall die with Kalulu.
Hush! I have my knife. I shall cut your bonds, and those of your
friends, and we shall all go away far." So saying Niani released his
hand, and with his knife parted the hark rope that fastened the iron
collar, and in a second Selim felt his neck free from the ignominious
chain.

Niani crept to Abdullah, and performed the same kindness for him upon
the express condition that he should lie still until the hint was given
to rise. From Abdullah Niani crept to Simba, and told that wondering
giant who he was, and why he was there. Simba understood at once, and
slightly turned over that Niani might cut the bonds which confined his
hands behind his back, and raised his head that he might be released
from the collar. Moto's turn came next, and in a short time he was also
free. Each head was now touched, and they at once rose and followed
Niani past the sleeping forms, by the fires, and past the open huts
confidently, but still quietly, until they came behind the fatal tree at
whose base lay the ashes of poor old Soltali.

"Now, Master Selim, speak, what is to be done?" asked little Niani in a
low voice.

"Let Simba and Moto answer; but we must not go without Kalulu, for
rather than go without him I will go back and die with him."

"I don't intend to go either without him," said Abdullah. "I would
count it a deed worthy of paradise to die with him, and by his side.
Here, give me the knife, I will go and cut his bonds."

"No, no, master," said Simba, "I want to go back for a particular
purpose, besides rescuing Kalulu. Thou, Moto, stay here, and if any
alarm is made, then do thou run east, and in the morning turn south.
Here, Niani, come with me. Give me that knife."

They both disappeared on the other side of the tree, and Simba, crawling
on his hands and knees, followed by Niani, made towards where Kalulu lay
stretched in anguish of body and mind. When he had advanced
sufficiently near, Simba whispered the boy's name with a
warning--"Hush!"

Simba was presently close to Kalulu; and, after informing him of his
purpose, soon freed him from his painful position, and Kalulu sat up,
though feeling almost too sore and cramped to move.

Simba waited patiently for the first feeling of numbness to wear away,
then whispered to him:

"Kalulu, dost thou remember Soltali's words? Soltali said that Tifum's
head