and might, unscrupulous, and quick with their
spears--proceeded the next morning for Katalambula's village, the
Kwikuru of Ututa, while the discontented of the tribe of Meroeni
hastened, by day and by night, to make ready their men for the great and
momentous struggle. Tifum had with him as bearers several of the
boy-slaves which were captured at Kwikuru of Urori, and who had endured
the fatigues of the march with Selim and Abdullah; and among these was
found the little negro boy Niani, who had so mysteriously disappeared
from our view and our knowledge. These were not in bonds now; they had
come to be entrusted by their new masters for their docility and
weakness; and Niani had come to be quite a favourite with Tifum, who
recognised the little fellow's shrewdness and deftness of hands.

Ferodia, as he drew near Kwikuru, left the larger number of his
warriors, and all the slaves and servants behind; and, taking with him
only the choice hundred warriors, advanced upon the capital of the
Watuta, and made his appearance before the gates, where, coming in the
guise of friendship to congratulate the new King, he was heartily
received, and admitted to the great square.

Kalulu was disposed at first, when he was informed of Ferodia's arrival,
to be resentful, and his mind was crowded with suspicious thoughts; but
Ferodia's excessive courtesy and amiability, the warmth of his greeting
and congratulations, soon disarmed the mind of the ingenuous youth, and,
as well as he was able, he replied kindly, and tendered the
hospitalities of the village.

To Tifum's greeting Kalulu gave a cold and haughty nod; but Tifum was a
diplomat of the first water, and, as needs must when needs drive, Tifum
excelled Tifum's self in deceptive cordiality and genuflective
graciosities. He was smiling and chatting now with Kalulu, and anon
with Selim, who he declared had wonderfully improved; that he was now
but a little less handsome and but a little shorter in height than
Kalulu the new King, who was sure, by-and-by, to become a greater King
than his grandfather Loralamba.

He went up also to Simba, who had so bruised his body some time ago, and
so purred and fondled that giant that Simba's repugnance became so
strong that he told him to desist, that Arabs were not accustomed to
carry their greetings with strangers in such a familiar way. But
nothing could upset Wicked Tifum's equanimity and plans; he roared with
laughter, and slapped his thi