at not a shot was to be fired till
he issued the word of command. We were standing in expectation of
receiving it, when Timbo shouted out, "See! see! some horsemen come dis
way!" We looked towards the west--the direction in which he pointed--
where, under a cloud of dust, a herd of buffaloes were seen scampering
across the plain, with several horsemen in close pursuit. On they came
directly towards our black enemies, who did not perceive them till they
were within a distance of four or five hundred yards. The herd of
buffaloes dashed madly forward into the very midst of the blacks, whom
they scattered in every direction. Numbers were knocked over. The
rest, taken by surprise, attempted to escape by flight. Instantly
Stanley threw himself upon his horse and galloped forward, shouting to
the hunters. The buffaloes meantime continued their charge wherever
they saw the negroes assembled, and in a few minutes swept half round
the circle, raising the siege in the most effectual manner. Stanley's
shouts soon attracted the attention of the hunters. A few words from
him explained the state of affairs, and together they charged towards
the remainder of the black army, who had hitherto stood their ground.
The latter, without even stopping to draw their bows, took to flight
towards the north, still followed, in the most extraordinary manner, by
the buffaloes, who rushed in and out among them, urged on by the shouts
and cries of the hunters in the rear. In a few minutes not a black was
to be seen, except those who had been knocked over by the infuriated
animals. All this time the only shots fired had been at the buffaloes,
three of whom lay dead on the ground. At length the herd, after
pursuing the blacks for a considerable distance, turned off to the east,
leaving us possessors of the field.

As we were hurrying out to welcome the strangers, we saw Stanley warmly
shaking hands with them, when what was my surprise as they rode up to
recognise the Messrs. Rowley and Terence O'Brien!

"We will tell you all about it," said the latter, as we warmly shook
hands. "But don't you know him?" and he pointed to the fourth horseman.

I could scarcely believe my eyes, when my friend, the worthy first mate
of the _Osprey_--whom I thought had long been numbered with the dead--
jumped off his steed and took me by the hand.

"I have not a very long yarn to spin," he said, "though it is a somewhat
wonderful one. When I was washed of