he knew; so after a few moments' thought he made a sign for the chief
man of the party to advance, which he did cautiously, and with his
weapon held ready to strike.

Seeing his suspicion, Ali smiled, and threw himself on the floor, where,
resting on one elbow, he began to appeal to the man to let him go, but
only to find his words listened to in solemn silence.

The young chief then began to offer him bribes, one after the other,
making the man's eyes glisten when he promised him his double gun; but
directly after the man made a negative sign, merely told him to finish
his meal, and returned to the outer room.

What was he to do? The more he thought of the suspicions that had
entered his mind, the more certain did he become that he was right; and
his sufferings became terrible, as in imagination he saw a treacherous
attack made upon those he esteemed as friends, and the whole party put
to death.

Could he not escape? It would not take him so very long to make his way
to the river, where, if he could not seize upon a boat, he might swim
down to the island, risking the crocodiles; though, somewhat unnerved by
his late adventure, he felt a shudder run through him at the
recollection of the grip of the loathsome beast.

Yes, he must get away, he said. He must elude the vigilance of the
people who watched him, and by some means escape. Once in the
jungle-path, with anything like a start, he did not feel much fear.

The hunt was to be on the next day but one, and that would give him
ample time to devise some plan. He would require all his strength, so
he must eat; and though the act went against him, he set to and ate of
the food provided, then leaned back and half-closed his eyes, knowing
full well that his every act was still watched by those who had made him
a prisoner.

What should he do?

Bribery with the chief of the party was evidently useless, for though he
had promised any price the man liked to name, he would not listen;
though that was no cause for surprise, since if the man helped the young
chief to escape, his own life would be forfeit, unless he could escape
from the country.

But there were his followers, he might be able to win one of them to his
side, could he get at him, and that could only be achieved by throwing
the leader to some extent off his guard.

Even if he could enlist the sympathy of one of the others, Ali felt in
no wise sure of success. Better, he thought, to trust to himself