t help you. Now go and talk to your silly countrymen
about your fetish, but don't come and attempt to impose such nonsense on
me," and the captain turned aside with a haughty air.

Mundungo was defeated. Muttering and growling he walked away along the
street towards his own residence. The captain set up a loud laugh in
which we could not help joining, while Growler uttered one of his
terrific barks, which made the brave general take to his heels and
scamper away as hard as he could go.

Captain Roderick again burst into a loud laugh. "I have settled the
fellow for the present, but depend upon it, if he can he will do you and
me harm, we must guard against that I have hitherto, since I came among
these people, kept the upper hand, partly by my independent bearing, and
partly owing to the fears they entertain of Growler; who, on several
occasions, has given me timely warning when Mundungo and his supporters
have attempted to murder me, which they have still a strong desire to
do. Although I have obtained your liberty, I cannot answer for your
safety. If they fail to shoot you with their arrows, or to spear you,
they may try the effects of poison, and against that you must be
specially on your guard. Fortunately, they are no great adepts in the
art, but it will be safer to take only such food as it cannot be mixed
with, such as eggs, birds, and plantains, and fruit, and joints of
meat."

We thanked Captain Roderick for his advice, which we promised to follow
as long as we remained in the place.

"But," continued Charley, "as you may suppose, we are very anxious to
get away as soon as possible. We believe that if we could obtain a
good-sized canoe, we could easily navigate her down the river."

"You may depend upon it, gentlemen, that I will do what I can to
persuade the king to allow you to go, and I have no wish to have any one
interfering with my proceedings here, which you probably might be
tempted to do were you to remain."

"But we have no wish to interfere with you, Captain Roderick," said
Charley; "we are grateful for the service you have already rendered us,
and should be very glad if you would accompany us down the river, for I
am very sure you will soon get tired of living among these savages."

"I shall never return to civilised life, at all events in my own land,"
answered Captain Roderick gloomily. "Do not mention the subject to me
again. I will help you more on my own account than on yours, f