ht brought him to his feet.

"Yes," he said, nervously, "we must get away from here at once. Do you
know the trail to the north?"

The head-man did, and he lost no time in getting the safari upon the
march.

It was noon when a tired and sweat-covered runner overtook the trudging
little column. The man was greeted with shouts of welcome from his
fellows, to whom he imparted all that he knew and guessed of the
actions of their master, so that the entire safari was aware of matters
before Baynes, who marched close to the head of the column, was reached
and acquainted with the facts and the imaginings of the black boy whom
Malbihn had deserted in the clearing the night before.

When the Hon. Morison had listened to all that the boy had to say and
realized that the trader had used him as a tool whereby he himself
might get Meriem into his possession, his blood ran hot with rage and
he trembled with apprehension for the girl's safety.

That another contemplated no worse a deed than he had contemplated in
no way palliated the hideousness of the other's offense. At first it
did not occur to him that he would have wronged Meriem no less than he
believed "Hanson" contemplated wronging her. Now his rage was more the
rage of a man beaten at his own game and robbed of the prize that he
had thought already his.

"Do you know where your master has gone?" he asked the black.

"Yes, Bwana," replied the boy. "He has gone to the other camp beside
the big afi that flows far toward the setting sun.

"Can you take me to him?" demanded Baynes.

The boy nodded affirmatively. Here he saw a method of revenging
himself upon his hated Bwana and at the same time of escaping the wrath
of the Big Bwana whom all were positive would first follow after the
northerly safari.

"Can you and I, alone, reach his camp?" asked the Hon. Morison.

"Yes, Bwana," assured the black.

Baynes turned toward the head-man. He was conversant with "Hanson's"
plans now. He understood why he had wished to move the northern camp
as far as possible toward the northern boundary of the Big Bwana's
country--it would give him far more time to make his escape toward the
West Coast while the Big Bwana was chasing the northern contingent.
Well, he would utilize the man's plans to his own end. He, too, must
keep out of the clutches of his host.

"You may take the men north as fast as possible," he said to the
head-man. "I shall return and attempt to lead the