asked the king in a
trembling voice.

"They are some men and women in your own kingdom, and not far off from
this," answered the doctor in a deep bass voice which could be heard
outside the hut, where a number of persons were collected.

There was a general howl of alarm, for no one could tell who would be
fixed on. The king, on hearing this, announced that the persons
implicated must drink the poisoned water, usually given on such
occasions. So we learned from Aboh, who had crept into the hut and
squatted down beside us.

"We must try to defeat the old rascal," whispered Charley. "Show us
where the poison is to be concocted?"

The doctor had now a drum brought him by an attendant, on which he began
to beat vehemently, when the king again sank down on his couch. We on
this quietly made our exit, and, led by Aboh, entered another hut,
where, by the light of a single torch, some old women were concocting
the mysterious beverage. We watched them until they had finished, when,
leaving the bowl covered up by a piece of matting, they crept out one by
one, holding up their hands, taking long, slow strides, and looking
truly like witches themselves, and, as Harry observed, "Very bad
specimens too."

As soon as they were gone, finding a jug of pure water near at hand,
Charley poured out the mixture into a corner, and filled up the bowl
again with the harmless liquid. Fortunately, we found a basketful of
what was evidently colouring matter, and having mixed some of it in the
water, we covered the bowl up again and left the hut. We then went back
to our hut. Finding that the king, in spite of the lateness of the
hour, was ready to receive us, taking our two black friends, Aboh to act
as interpreter, we carried with us the leopard skin, some venison, and
three strings of beads of various colours. His majesty was a tall,
ungainly looking man, with as hideous a countenance as can well be
imagined. His appearance was not improved by the glare of the
torchlight and the terror under which he was suffering. Having
presented the leopard skin and venison, Charley, who acted as spokesman,
threw the string of beads round his neck.

"Tell him," he said to Aboh, "that those are powerful charms, and will
quickly restore him to health."

After a short palaver we begged leave to retire, assuring his majesty
that he would be quite well in the morning, and that we were very sure
that none of his subjects had bewitched him, as w