proposed that after the
long march they should rest that day and strengthen themselves with
meat; but Simba and Kalulu were for prosecuting the journey until they
should get a sight of the Lake Liemba, and after hearing Kalulu's
reasons Selim concurred in the proposition, though Abdullah and Niani
sided with Moto, pleading their fatigue.

They rested until noon, however, and by this time Niani and Abdullah
felt so strengthened with the meat they had eaten and digested, that
they declared themselves strong enough to march a month longer, which
statement was received with pleasure by all.

The same champaign spread out on either side of them as they continued
their journey, as beautiful as when it first was revealed to them, and
in the far distance they saw herds upon herds of buffalo, giraffe, and
antelope feasting on the rich grass.

Here and there, to vary the monotony, rose a clump of mimosa, or a tall
tamarind, or a silk-cotton tree, or a group of stately palmyra, adding
grace and beauty to the picture, and now and then they passed a low
thicket of brush and thorn.

Above, over their heads, soared the kite and the bustard, the vulture
and the hawk, searching with keen eyes for prey, while the smaller birds
made the groves and the thickets and the lordly trees merry with their
chirping song.

There was such repose and tranquillity, and a feeling of perfect
security in the scene, that the Arab boys wished it would last until it
was replaced by the happier scenes of Zanzibar. Poor youths! well they
might wish it, after the disagreeabilities of travel they had
encountered in all shapes during their short stay in Africa. But to
make even this pleasant view one of horror, to transform its peaceful
aspect into one ominous and fatal to them, it needed but fifty warriors
of Ferodia to make their appearance before them, and how quickly were it
all changed, and to make even the jungle and treeless plain a paradise
compared to it!

Kalulu ventured a remark that evening, as they were comfortably
collected around the camp-fire, that he did not think such a beautiful
and rich country could be without inhabitants somewhere in the
neighbourhood. At least, said he, he had always found it so, and he
thought that on the morrow, or the next day, they must see signs of
cultivation and population, as they must be rapidly nearing the lake.

The next morning, after they had journeyed a few hours, Simba, who was
in advance, cried