he rose, and, making a bow to the king, left the hut.

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

PREPARATIONS FOR WAR, AND PECULIAR DRILL.

The plan which Jack and Peterkin concocted, while I was engaged in
making the interior of our old residence as comfortable as possible, was
as follows:--

Scouts were, in the first place, to be sent out that night all over the
country, to ascertain the whereabouts of the enemy. Then, when the
enemy should be discovered, they were to send back one of their number
to report; while the remainder should remain to dog their steps, if need
be, in order to ascertain whether Mbango and Okandaga were in their
possession, and if so, where they were kept--whether in the midst of the
warriors or in their rear.

This settled, the remainder of the warriors of the village were to be
collected together, and a speech to be made to them by Jack, who should
explain to them that they were to be divided into two bands: all who
carried guns to be under the immediate charge of Jack himself; the
others, carrying bows and spears, to be placed under me. Peterkin was
to act a peculiar part, which will appear in the course of narration.

Having partaken of a hearty supper, we assembled the scouts, and having,
through Makarooroo, given them their instructions, sent them away just
as the shades of night began to fall. We next caused a huge bonfire to
be kindled, and round this all the men of the village assembled, to the
extent of several hundreds. The king soon appeared, and mounting the
trunk of a fallen tree, made a long speech to his warriors, telling them
of the danger that threatened them, in such vivid and lively terms that
the greater part of them began to exhibit expressions of considerable
uneasiness on their countenances. He then told them of the trouble that
we had taken, in order to give them timely warning--whereat they cast
upon us looks of gratitude; and after that introduced Jack to them as
their commander-in-chief, saying, that as a white man led the enemy,
nothing could be better than that a white man should lead them to meet
the enemy--whereat the sable warriors gave a shout of satisfaction and
approval.

Having been thus introduced, Jack mounted the trunk of the fallen tree,
and Makarooroo got up beside him to interpret. He began, like a wise
diplomatist, by complimenting King Jambai, and spoke at some length on
courage in general, and on the bravery of King Jambai's warriors in
particular; whic