s party running down the
bank to assist their companions.

The cries and screams of the drowning woman threw the women and children
then in the stream into a panic, and so confused the men leading and
assisting them, that they staggered and allowed themselves to recede
downwards, step by step, which soon took them into deep water, and the
men themselves had to begin straggling for their lives, while the poor
women and children were carried down, far beyond aid, by the impetuous
current, uttering their drowning cries, which were heard far above all,
until they ceased to struggle, and were silenced by the watery grave
they had found.

Casema's voice was heard commanding that every two warriors should lead
a woman between them, and while the shouts and the screams of the
terrified females announced that this course had begun to be tried,
Simba nudged Moto as a sign to be ready, and to seize the bows and
arrows of the two men who had gone down the bank, while he himself would
snatch the spear of the warrior who was still standing by as a sentry
over them. Moto conveyed the intimation to Kalulu and the other three
to hold themselves ready, and hinted back to Simba to begin.

Quick as a lightning's flash, Simba rose, and snatching the spear on
which the warrior leaned, lifted him high in the air, and tossed him
head-foremost into the river before he could utter a cry. Meantime,
Moto had collected the three bows, and three quivers full of arrows; and
each, taking hold of one another by the hand, ran from the bank before a
single alarm could be given.

Our friends were far out on the plain before a chorus of shrill cries
for help announced that another calamity had taken place at that awful
ford; and were it only for being relieved from witnessing the many more
calamities that must take place before all those living could reach the
hither bank, they conceived that they had just cause to congratulate
themselves.

Once clear out of sound of the disastrous ford, Moto suggested that they
should strike to the north-west, lest, by going too far to the north,
they might fall across more of the predatory Wazavila, a suggestion that
Simba thought prudent and thoughtful.

Kalulu breathing free again, after his escape a second time from
slavery, felt light as air, and was for the moment as happily disposed
as he could well be, while Selim and Abdullah felt in their hearts an
overflowing gratitude to Allah for his protection and d