all kinds as they
dared; some I saw charged thus to within a few inches of the muzzle, and
the owners seemed actually afraid to put them to their shoulders, as
well they might be, for the recoil was tremendous, and had the powder
been good their guns must have been blown to pieces and themselves
killed.

On our return to the village we found the people on the eve of one of
those terrible outbursts of superstitious passion which rarely if ever
pass away without some wretched human creature perishing under the hands
of murderers.

"There is something wrong with the fetishman, I think," remarked Jack,
as we disembarked at the landing. "He seems excited. Do you know what
it can be at, Makarooroo?"

"Jack," interposed Peterkin, "I have changed his name to Mak, so you and
Ralph will please to remember that.--Mak, my boy, what's wrong with your
doctor?"

The negro looked very grave and shook his head as he replied, "Don'
know, massa. Him's be goin' to rizz de peepil wid him norrible doin's.
Dere will be death in the camp mos' bery quick--p'raps dis night."

"That is terrible," said I. "Are you sure of what you say?"

"Sartin sure," replied the negro, with another shake of the head.

"Then, Mak," said Jack, "it behoves us to look to ourselves. You look
like an honest fellow, and I believe we may trust you. We cannot expect
you to help us to fight against your own kith and kin, but I do expect
that you will assist us to escape if any foul play is intended.
Whatever betides, it is as well that you should know that white men are
not easily conquered. Our guns are good--they never miss fire. We will
sell our lives dearly, you may depend on it."

"Ay," added Peterkin, "it is well that you should know that; moreover,
it is well that the rascally niggers of your tribe should know it too;
so you can take occasion to give them a hint that we shall keep
ourselves prepared for them, with my compliments."

"De mans ob my peepil," replied the negro, with some dignity of manner,
"be not wuss dan oder mans. But dem is bad enuff. But you no hab need
for be fraid. Dey no touch de white mans. Dem bery much glad you com'
here. If any bodies be killed it be black mans or 'oomans."

We felt somewhat relieved on hearing this, for, to say truth, we knew
well enough that three men, no matter how well-armed or resolute they
might be, could not hope to defend themselves against a whole tribe of
savages in their own country. Nev