the place, and they passed
straight through the straggling collection of beehive-like, circular,
grass-thatched huts, until they reached the large _kotla_, or enclosure,
in the centre of the town, where Tapinyani's own residence stood.
Skirting the tall fence of posts and brushwood, they passed by an open
entrance into the smooth enclosure of red sand, and then, as they reined
in their nags, a curious, and to them intensely interesting scene met
their gaze.

Just in front of the chief's hut was gathered a collection of natives,
some nearly naked--save for the middle patch of hide common to Kalahari
folk--others clothed about the shoulders in cloaks or karosses of skin--
pelts of the hartebeest, and other animals. In the centre of his
headmen and councillors--for such they were--seated on a low wagon-chair
of rude make, the gift of some wandering trader, was Tapinyani himself,
a spare, middle-aged native of Bechuana type, clad in a handsome kaross
of the red African lynx. In his hands Tapinyani held a sheet of large
foolscap paper, concerning which he seemed to be closely questioning the
tall white man standing at his side. This white man, a huge,
broad-shouldered, heavily-built person, somewhat fleshy of figure,
notable for his florid face and huge black beard, was none other than
Puff-adder Brown himself. Bulking in size and stature far above the
slim-built Bakalahari people around him, the man stood there in his
flannel shirt-sleeves, his great black sunburnt arms bared to the
blazing sunshine and crossed upon his chest, his heavy face shadowed by
a huge broad-brimmed felt hat, easily dominating the simple assemblage
of desert folk. Near to his elbow, in trade clothes, stood his
wagon-driver, a dissipated-looking Basuto.

"By George! we're just in time," said Lane, as he dismounted with
alacrity from his horse, and turned the bridle rein over its head.
"Come on, you fellows!"

His companions needed no second word to dismount, and in another second
or two they were marching side by side with Lane across the _kotla_ to
Tapinyani. Each man carried a sporting rifle, into which, in view of
emergency, a cartridge had already been thrust. They were quickly
across the forty paces of red sand, and now stood before the astonished
group.

"Greeting! Tapinyani," said Lane, speaking in Sechuana to the chief, as
he moved up near to him. "I hope all is well with you and your people.
What do you do here with this man,"