s--if playing it could be called. He then took up a horn,
from which he shook a quantity of black powder in the air, and regarded
it gravely as it fell. It was sad to think that human beings could be
deceived by so gross an imposture, but yet it was very evident that all
the people present watched the proceedings with the utmost awe and
respect. After a dead silence the people again shouted out, though what
they said it was impossible to understand, but I shall never forget the
alarmed looks Aboh and Shimbo exchanged. At length the shouting ceased,
when the doctor began to shriek, making his voice sound like the
croaking of a whole flock of birds of prey about to descend on a dead
carcase. Then he stopped, and slowly pronounced several names.

If ever black man turned white, Aboh and Shimbo did on that occasion.
Poor fellows, they understood the meaning of what was said better than
we did. Again the people shouted and shrieked in the most savage
manner, indeed, no words can describe the hideous noise they made.

"Go back to the house, go back," cried Aboh.

We followed his advice, but ere we could reach our dwelling the crowd
had rushed towards us. Unfortunately we had come out without our arms.
The infuriated blacks did not attempt to touch us, but before we could
prevent it, they had seized Shimbo and dragged him off, although we
succeeded, by knocking down with our fists those who came near us, in
hauling Aboh into the house. We at once shut the door, seized our
rifles, and stood prepared for a desperate resistance. Contrary to our
expectations, the mob, having got possession of one of our followers,
retreated with him up the street. Scarcely had they gone than we heard
a knocking at the door, and finding that there was only one person
present we opened it, and Prince Kendo entered.

"Ah, white men, save my wife," he exclaimed, "the doctor has accused her
of bewitching the queen, and should her majesty die, nothing will save
my poor Iguma, her head will to a certainty be cut off."

We all at once exclaimed that we would endeavour to save her, if he
could point out the best way we could do so.

"Shall we go to the king and ask her life?"

Aboh shook his head, and declared that it would be utterly useless.
"The king was bound to kill her with his own hand if the doctor accused
her of causing the queen's death."

"The queen is not dead yet," said Harry.

"No, but she may die to-night, for she is much