lcome.

"What are you here for?" asked John hurriedly.

"The tribes are coming this way."

"I have just learned from one of our runners that they went far to the
north of you, and assumed that the intention was to attack us."

"The Professor should be warned at once," was Sutoto's response.

"I have instructed that to be done," answered John.

The scenes around the Cataract were intensely interesting to him. He
wandered around with the boys, and asked questions on every conceivable
subject. Blakely had given him one of the guns, and he was taken to the
workshop and told how they were made. These things so fascinated him
that, hungry as he was, he could hardly be induced to take time for his
meals.

The boys admired him immensely, and together they acted like boys. The
water wheel; the sawmill; the two stones which served as the gristmill;
the grindstones; the lathes; and the little foundry were entrancing.

When the boys took him to the blacksmith shop, and he saw the forge, and
the numerous spear heads which John had turned out, as well as the
bolos, his eyes showed the intense delight the sight afforded him.

The next morning one of the runners appeared and stated that the tribes
were still waiting, and also imparted the further information that
Blakely and his party were at a safe distance, and unknown to the
hostiles.

It was obvious now that they were awaiting the arrival of the two scouts
who had been captured before advancing. Several scouts and runners were
again sent forward, with instructions to return with information the
moment an advance was made.

When Blakely reached the vicinity of their confederated enemies, he
thought it wise to keep in the background, and was at a loss to account
for the delay during the entire day, but before evening one of the
Berees, who had been sent by John, arrived in camp.

"I have just come from the white man's village, and they know that the
tribes are moving in that direction."

[Illustration: "_Meantime John consulted Muro and Uraso, and the three
picked out the most trustworthy scouts_"
[See p. 35]]

"How did they discover it?"

"We captured two spies and have them as captives."

This information suggested the cause of the delay. He immediately called
a runner, and indited the following letter: "I am keeping on the watch,
and am not afraid to attack the whole of them, if need be. If the guns
you