mselves objects of awed veneration from the pigmies. They met Mbopo,
and Burt took him out to the sacred hut. Here he described the fight
with Pongo in detail, not mentioning when it occurred and purposely
leaving the dwarf rather confused. There could be no such doubt about
the struggle itself, however, and Mbopo nodded understandingly.

They then left the ivory zareba while Mbopo made a cast around the place
for the lion's trail. Burt accompanied him, and Mbopo soon uttered a
shout of excitement. Running to his side, Burt saw the beaten spot in
the tall grass where the lion must have alighted from his last leap over
the ivory zareba after having been wounded. There was a speck or two
of dried blood in evidence, and Mbopo found more blood farther on, as
well as a clearly defined trail. The excited pigmy was for following it
up at once, but Burt held him back. By dint of much patience he made
Mbopo understand that Critch, whom the pigmies called "Mwanzi," or
"Red-head," must accompany them, as well as some warriors. Burt had had
one experience with a wounded lion and he intended to take no chances
this time.

The two returned to the village where Mbopo shouted forth his news, and
Burt was instantly the center of an excited mob. He pushed through them,
however, and found Critch with breakfast ready. Over the meal they
discussed the matter of the lion, and decided to start out at once.

"Mebbe they'll go without waitin' for us," suggested Burt, glancing at
the chattering crowd of warriors around the young chief. Critch shook
his head.

"Not much. They ain't got the nerve. They'll do whatever we tell 'em,
but they won't leave us out o' the game, take it from me."

As soon as they had finished, the boys joined Mbopo. Their first object
was a search for weapons. Critch suggested taking two of the spears,
whose blades were over a foot long and keen as a razor, but Burt
objected.

"We don't know how to use them," he said. "Let's see; didn't Cap'n Mac
say something about trade-guns?"

"Mebbe he did," assented Critch, "but I haven't seen any sign of guns
around here. Let's ask Mbopo."

They tried to make the young chief understand, but without success.
Thereupon the boys took matters into their own hands, and began a search
among the largest huts. This was presently rewarded by the finding of an
old Snider, wrapped in tarpaulin. There were three cartridges in the
magazine, but no more. These were displayed to Mbopo, but