es,
therefore, with as much venison as we could carry, we sallied boldly
forth, and were soon face to face with our late hosts. Their look of
astonishment when they saw us and the meat we carried was very great.
By the expression of their countenances, however, we saw that they were
not offended. As far as we could understand, the chief only reproached
us for going away without bidding him farewell. I felt myself somewhat
embarrassed, for I could not help seeing that he had intended to let us
go as he promised. We showed that we had enough meat for ourselves, and
presented him with the larger portion. Having done this, we led him and
his companions to the spot where the cheetah and the remainder of the
deer lay. His companions quickly cut up the cheetah as we had done the
deer, and divided the flesh among them. We then pointed in the
direction we wished to go, and the chief taking my hand, and his son
Natty's, we proceeded onwards in the most friendly way. At length my
conductor came to a full stop, and, looking me in the face, seemed again
to be reproaching me for having left his village by stealth. I tried,
as before, to explain that we were in a hurry to reach our friends; and
as he had detained us longer than we wished, we were afraid he might
still keep us prisoners. Whether I was right in my conjectures as to
his meaning, I am not quite certain. He, at all events, showed that he
was friendly disposed towards us.

He now signified that he could go no further, and, pointing ahead,
intimated that we should find enemies in our path if we went direct. He
then, pointing to the left, advised us, as I understood him, to make a
circuit so as to avoid the danger. Having satisfied himself that we
clearly understood his advice, he and his son warmly shook our hands,
their followers imitating their example. Such a shaking of hands I had
never before gone through. I observed as I turned away that there was
an expression of sorrow in their countenances, which arose partly,
perhaps, from parting with us, and partly from the dangers which they
apprehended we should have to encounter.

We now took our way to the south-west, skirting the edge of the forest,
which appeared to extend towards the lake. We had not gone far, when,
turning round, I saw the young chief stopping and gazing at us. When he
found that he was observed, leaving his party, he darted after us, and
once more took our hands, pressing them warmly, i