ey would be on their guard, and, having the
'legs' of us by reason of their canoes, and the advantage by reason
of their numbers, they would push on, and arrive at the hiding-place
before us. If they do not suspect our presence, they will take
matters easy, and give us time."

"But what of Muata's mother?"

"That is the chief's matter," said Muata.

"And what of the Okapi?" asked Venning. "This is my word. You will
go back in the morning," said the chief, "marching quickly; and when
you have found the shining canoe, you will move fast up the river to
the place where the first little river from the forest joins it on
the right bank. There you will find me."

"And if we don't find you?"

"Haw! What Muata says, that he will do."

"And how are we to find our way back through the woods?"

Muata drummed his fingers against the stretched skin of his cheek,
making a hollow noise.

"Behold," he said, "there is your guide."

They looked around in the dark, but could see no one.

"Do not look hard, for he is afraid of the white man's eyes."

"If we knew what we were expected to look at," said Compton, "we'd
know where we were; but--oh----"

He broke off, and stared at a little figure that barely reached up
to Muata's waist.

"A pigmy, by Jenkins!"

"By Jove! yes."

Mr. Hume unhooked a steel chain from his belt, with a knife
attached, and offered it to the little man, who, at a word from
Muata, grabbed at it, and, after a minute inspection, hung it round
his neck. Muata said a few more words to the new guide, then,
lifting his hand, gave the farewell salutation to his friends, and
disappeared with the silent river-man. The little man, taking one
end of the rope, led them away from the camp of the cannibals, and
after a brief rest, without the comfort of a fire, they were early
on the march; but it was not until the sun was well out that they
saw what manner of man their new guide was. A strange monkey-figure
--very black, with wrinkled skin about the elbows, thin arms, knobby
knees, a bulging stomach, and round bright eyes! He carried a little
bow, a sheaf of tiny arrows, and wore the glittering chain and knife
round his neck. He took the "upper road," and was very like a monkey
in the ease and agility with which he manoeuvred the branches.
Presently he was joined by two companions, who appeared apparently
from the tree-tops--one was black, the other lighter in colour, and
of vast pigmy stature, reaching a heig