erds of S'kobi in
consequence.

For the greater part of a month Bosambo was a welcome visitor, and at
the end of that time he made his preparations to depart.

Carriers and herdsmen drove or portered his reward back to the Ochori
country, marching one day ahead of the main body.

The M'gimi were summoned for the march at dawn, but at dawn Bosambo
found himself alone on the plateau, save for the few Ochori headmen who
had accompanied him on his journey.

"Lord," said S'kobi, "my fine soldiers do not go with you, for I have
seen how wise is Sandi who is my father and my mother."

Bosambo choked, and as was usual in moments of intense emotion, found
refuge in English.

"Dam' nigger!" he said wrathfully, "I bring um army, I feed um, I keep
um proper--you pinch um! Black t'ief! Pig! You bad feller! I speak you
bad for N'poloyani--him fine feller."

"Lord," said the uncomprehending king, "I see that you are like Sandi
for you speak his tongue. He also said 'Dam' very loudly. I think it is
the word white folk say when they are happy."

Bosambo met Bones hurrying to the scene of the fighting, and told his
tale.

"Lord," said he in conclusion, "what was I to do, for you told nothing
of the ways of N'poloyani when his army was stolen from him. Tell me
now, Tibbetti, what this man would have done."

But Bones shook his head severely.

"This I cannot tell you, Bosambo," he said, "for if I do you will tell
others, and my lord N'poloyani will never forgive me."

CHAPTER X

THE WATERS OF MADNESS

Unexpected things happen in the Territories which Mr. Commissioner
Sanders rules. As for example: Bones had gone down to the beach to "take
the mail." This usually meant no more than receiving a mail-bag wildly
flung from a dancing surf-boat. On this occasion Bones was surprised to
discover that the boat had beached and had landed, not only the mail,
but a stranger with his baggage.

He was a clean-shaven, plump man, in spotless white, and he greeted
Bones with a friendly nod. "Morning!" he said. "I've got your mail."

Bones extended his hand and took the bag without evidence of any
particular enthusiasm.

"Sanders about?" asked the stranger.

"Mr. Sanders is in residence, sir," said Bones, ponderously polite.

The other laughed. "Show the way," he said briskly.

Bones looked at the new-comer from the ventilator of his pith helmet to
the soles of his pipe-clayed shoes. "Excuse me, dear old sir," he said,
"ha