nds laughed, and the outer circle,
the entire caravan, smiled sympathetically.

Moto had commenced his story thus: "One day, when I was in the caravan
of Kisesa--(Abdullah bin Nasib--you know Kisesa is a great friend of my
master Amer, and if Kisesa liked to have me accompany him, Master Amer
would never say `No.' It is in his caravan as fundi I finished my
education as a hunter)--travelling through Ukonongo, I--"

"Have you been to Ukonongo, Moto?" asked Selim.

"Oh, yes, and much farther. Well, I was saying, I--"

"But, Moto," broke in Selim again, "Ukonongo is the best country for
shooting, is it not?"

"At certain seasons only. In the dry season, yes. Then all kinds of
game travel to the neighbourhood of the Cow River, and shooting is
plenty then, but for elephants give me Kawendi. I was just going to
say, I--"

"But, Moto," broke in a naked youngster called Niani, or the Monkey
[Niani is a Kisawahili term for monkey], a nephew of Moto, "are there
lions in Kawendi? because--"

But he was not permitted to finish, as Moto sprang up furious, with his
kurbash (a hippopotamus-hide whip) in hand. Niani noticed the movement,
and with the activity of his namesake, took a flying leap over the fire,
and alighted in a huge dish half full of rice that was slowly simmering
over some hot embers. There was a loud shriek, and clots of hot rice
splashed in all directions, several falling on the nude shoulders of the
group, which started them all to their feet. Then Selim laughed
heartily at the catastrophe. Simba followed, then Moto stayed his hand
and laughed, and the laugh was taken by all, and this was the cause of
that which startled the camp and drew our attention.

"That is what some people get for interrupting a good story," said Moto,
sententiously addressing unfortunate Niani, who was rubbing his scalded
feet and moaning piteously in a low tone; but the words were said as
more of a hint to Selim.

"Well, go on, Moto; I will not disturb you another time," said Selim.

"Ah, I did not mean you, dear master," replied Moto. "You may disturb
me as often as you like."

"Well, well, go on with your story, and let it be a good one," urged
Selim.

"All right, master. Well, I had just said that I was in the caravan of
Kisesa, travelling through Ukonongo, when that little monkey Niani
interrupted me, and so got--"

"No, no, Moto, it was I that interrupted you; but go on with your story,
and never mind poor N