wn on a
stone, holding the rein, while I examined the ruins in the
neighbourhood. Though I searched carefully in every direction, not a
trace of any sort could I discover. Everything they had must have been
destroyed or carried off by them I trusted that the latter was the case.

"It is of no use, Natty," I said at last. "Here they are not, and we
must go in search of them."

"What do you think, Andrew?" said Natty. "Perhaps they have gone to
Kabomba, where the people know the captain and Timbo, and would, I am
sure, receive them kindly."

"I trust you are right, Natty," I said; "and we will set off there
immediately."

Without loss of time we descended the hill. I had spent so much time,
however, in examining the ruins, that we could get but a little distance
before it grew dark. I made our camp as usual, and had only finished a
hut sufficient to hold Natty before darkness overtook us. I made up a
good fire, also, and hoped by tethering the zebra close to the hut, that
no wild beast would injure him during the night. There was little fear
of my fire going out, for my anxiety concerning our friends kept me
awake. Over and over again I thought of all sorts of accidents which
might have happened. We had but little food remaining, and all but my
last charge of powder was expended. Still, my anxiety about our friends
prevented me thinking of our own condition.

We travelled on all next day, and I began to fear that we must have
passed the village. Just, however, as the sun was about to set, his
rays lighted up the tops of some huts in the distance. We made towards
them, though still doubtful whether they were those of Kabomba or not.
Perhaps the inhabitants had themselves attacked and destroyed our
friends. I had often heard of the treachery of the natives, and these
might be as bad as others.

"Still, we must hazard everything for the sake of ascertaining the
truth." I said to Natty.

"Oh yes, yes," he answered. "I do not fear them; and after all, Andrew,
they can but kill us; and if they have killed our friends, were it not
wrong, I should almost wish that they would kill us."

As we got nearer to the side of the village I had no longer any doubt
that it was the one Stanley had visited. That we might not take the
inhabitants by surprise, as I drew near I shouted out, and presently
several people appeared at the chief entrance. As soon as they saw us
they came running forward. Among them was an