thanks when we
offered to aid him in the defence of his village.

We now deemed this a fitting moment to tell the king boldly of our
having assisted in the escape of Okandaga from his village, and beg his
forgiveness. He granted this at once, but strongly advised us to keep
our secret quiet, and leave it to him to account to his warriors for the
reappearance of the runaway maiden when retaken. Of course we could
make no objection to this, so after thanking him we entered upon a
discussion of the best method of frustrating the slave-dealer's designs.

"Tell the king," said Jack, addressing himself to our guide, "that if he
will make me commander-in-chief of his forces, I will show him how white
warriors manage to circumvent their enemies."

"I would like much," said Peterkin, laughing, "to know how Mak will
translate the word `circumvent.' Your style is rather flowery, Jack,
for such an interpreter; and upon my word, now I think of it, your
presumption is considerable. How do you know that _I_ do not wish to be
commander-in-chief myself?"

"I shall make over the command to you with all my heart, if you wish
it," said Jack, smiling blandly.

"Nay, I'll none of it. However suited I may be to the work, the work is
not suited to me, so I resign in your favour."

"Well, then," said Jack, "since you decline to accept the chief command,
I'll make you my second. Mak shall be my _aide-de-camp_; you and Ralph
shall be generals of divisions."

"I thank you much, my honoured and honourable generalissimo; but perhaps
before being thus liberal of your favours, it were well to ascertain
that your own services are accepted."

"That is soon done.--What says the king, Mak?"

"Hims say that him's delighted to git you, an' you may doos how you
like."

"That's plain and explicit. You see, Peterkin, that I'm fairly
installed; so you and I will take a short walk together, and hold a
consultation as to our plans in the approaching campaign, while Ralph
arranges our hut and makes things comfortable."

"A glorious campaign, truly, to serve in an army of baboons, led by a
white gorilla! I would deem it almost comical, did I not see too sure a
probability of bloodshed before its conclusion," remarked Peterkin.

"That you shall not see, if I can prevent it; and it is for the purpose
of consulting you on that point, and claiming your services in an old
and appropriate character, that I drag you along with me now," said
Jack, as