evidently considered of the
greatest importance. He at once communicated it to Sayd.

"What does he say?" asked Ned.

"That his mother is alive and one of the most important people in
Kamwawi. That her brother is the chief, which is a fortunate
circumstance, as he undertakes that we shall be received in a friendly
way and escorted by his people as far as the influence of their tribe
extends."

The two parties encamped together, the hunters bringing in an ample
supply of venison and elephant flesh. The next morning they proceeded
towards Kamwawi. Ned had now no longer any difficulty in obtaining
pagazis, each of Chando's friends wishing to have the honour of carrying
him. In two days they reached Kamwawi. Messengers having gone ahead to
announce their coming, the gates were thrown open, and the villagers
streamed forth to welcome them, headed by their chief; near him walked a
woman, superior in appearance to the other females of the party. No
sooner did Chando see her than he rushed forward and threw himself at
her feet. She lifted him up, embraced him, bursting into tears. She
was his mother--Masika. At length, when released from her arms, the
chief welcomed him in almost as affectionate a manner.

The whole party were then received in the usual native fashion, and
Sayd, without hesitation, accepted the chief's invitation to remain at
the village as long as he might desire.

Great was Masika's astonishment at hearing that her husband was alive,
though she hesitated about accepting Ned's offer to take her and Chando
to England. She bestowed, however, every care on her white guest, and
contributed much by her skill to restore him to health.

Whenever she and her son could get Sayd to interpret for them, they
would come and sit by Ned's couch, listening eagerly to the accounts he
gave them of Baraka, as well as to the adventures he himself had met
with.

"Wonderful, wonderful!" exclaimed Masika. "Chando says he must
accompany the young master, and I will go also. I will find my husband
and bring him back; he will be a great man here. He has become so wise,
so good!"

Masika at last made up her mind to undertake the expedition, and
occupied herself in making such preparations as she considered
necessary. It was some time, however, before Ned recovered the use of
his feet, and could walk about without pain. The fever, too, had left
him very weak. He was thankful for the rest he obtained. Sayd now