e means of
causing the death of a single human being, if we could prevent it.

"What _is_ to be done?" said Peterkin, looking at Jack in despair.

"I don't know," replied Jack. "It's very awkward. It will never do to
go all the way back to the village with these stupid fellows, and we
cannot tell them our real reason for going on; for, in the first place,
they would perhaps not believe us, or, in the second place, they might
offer to join us."

"Fight," said Makarooroo in a low tone, grinding his teeth together and
clutching his rifle.

I felt deep sympathy with the poor fellow, for I knew well that in
disposition he was naturally the reverse of quarrelsome, and that his
present state of mind was the consequence of anxiety for the deliverance
of his faithful bride.

"No, no," replied Jack quickly; "we shall not fight."

"Suppose we bolt!" whispered Peterkin, brightening up as the idea
occurred to him--"regularly run away!"

We seized at the idea instantly. We were all of us hard of muscle and
strong of wind now, and we knew that we could outstrip the savages.

"We'll do it!" said Jack hastily. "Let us scatter, too, so as to
perplex them at the outset."

"Capital! Then here goes. I'm off," cried Peterkin.

"Stay!" said Jack.

"Why?" demanded Peterkin.

"Because we must appoint a place of rendezvous if we would hope to meet
again."

"True; I forgot that."

"D'you all see yonder blue mountain-peak?"

"Let us meet there. If we miss each other at the base, let us proceed
to the summit and wait. Away!"

As Jack uttered the last word we all turned right about and fled like
the wind. The savages instantly set up a hideous yell, and darted after
us; but we made for the thick woods, and scattering in all directions,
as had been previously arranged, speedily threw them off the scent, and
finally made our escape.

For the first time since landing on the continent of Africa, I now found
myself totally alone in the wild forest. After separating from my
companions, I ran at my utmost speed in the direction of a dense jungle,
where I purposed taking shelter until the natives should pass by, and
then come out and pursue my way leisurely. But I was prevented from
adopting this course in consequence of two very fleet negroes
discovering my intention, and, by taking a short cut, frustrating it. I
was compelled, therefore, to keep in the more open part of the forest,
and trust simply to speed and endurance