man or child was
momentarily struggling for life in the muddy waste, never to rise again.
And as the day rapidly passed away, and no signs of the river were yet
seen, the anxiety of the Wazavila became evident. But a little after
sunset, as the dying day was being rapidly exchanged for night, the head
of the caravan arrived at the ford of the Bungwa, which river, as was
expected, was emptying an immense volume of water to spread out and
inundate the plain.

Two or three warriors cautiously ventured into the stream to ascertain
its depth and force. As soon as they got in it was evident, by the
effort they made to keep their feet, and by its depth, which rose up to
the tops of their shoulders at times, that the crossing of the river
would be attended with appalling loss of human life.

Our party were close to the bank when this experiment was made, watching
it with intense interest, and as soon as the warriors had safely
crossed, Moto asked a warrior to cut the bonds which bound his hands
behind his back, that he might have a chance to save his life. As this
was but fair, the warrior complied with his request, and released his
hands, as well as those of his companions, and then generously severed
the thongs which bound the party neck to neck.

Simba led the way into the water; and, being tall and strong, he took
Selim by one hand, and Abdullah by the other, into the raging flood.
Moto took Niani, Kalulu, lightly touching his lee shoulder, was able to
avail himself of Moto as a breakwater, and at the same time assist him
with Niani. When Simba reached the middle of the river the feet of both
Arab boys were swept from under them, and the same happened to little
Niani, while Kalulu could with difficulty keep his feet--so strong was
the flood.

It was a long and anxious task, even for Simba and Moto; but they
finally emerged on the bank in the darkness, and sat down, apparently
worn out.

Closely following Simba's party were about twenty of the warriors, each
leading a woman or a child by the hand; but the first of these warriors
happened to be unfortunate, for the woman he led, feeling herself unable
to resist the flood, uttered a terrible cry of alarm, and sprang
forward, and, being swept against the almost submerged head of the
warrior, carried him down with the rapid current. The warrior dived to
release himself from the woman, and swam bravely for the shore--two of
the warriors on the shore alongside of Simba'