ese drunken
fellows," cried Harry.

"Into the bush then behind us," answered Charley.

Harry and I followed him as he sprung round our leafy bower; but we had
not gone many yards when we found ourselves in the presence of a dozen
or more savages. The light of the fire falling upon us, revealed to
them that we were white men, and instead of knocking us over with their
clubs, they leaped forward and grasped our arms. We literally had not a
moment to defend ourselves--indeed, from the number of our enemies, we
could scarcely have hoped to have fought our way through them. If we
had done so without food, and with only a limited supply of ammunition,
we could not have made our way far through the country. What became of
the king and his courtiers, whether they escaped or were knocked on the
head, we could not tell. We were at once unceremoniously hurried off by
our captors, who seemed to consider us rich prizes. As we were led off
we witnessed a horrible scene. One of our unfortunate companions had
been struck down, but still breathed; when, a number of the savages
rushing towards him, some seized his arms and legs, and others, drawing
their long knives, plunged them in his body, taking care apparently to
avoid wounding any vital part.

Several women who appeared on the scene were encouraging the men in
their atrocious proceedings. The cries of the poor wretch reached our
ears for some time afterwards, till, becoming fainter and fainter, they
altogether ceased, and we were thankful to believe that his sufferings
were over. They did not, however, deprive us of our rifles, nor were we
in any way ill-treated, except that we were compelled to hurry on at a
much faster rate than we liked. After travelling for several miles we
saw lights ahead, and found that we were approaching the camp of the
people who had captured us. Our guards uttered loud shouts, and a
number of people came forth from a collection of leafy huts, which, it
was evident from their slight structure, were mere temporary erections.
The principal person of the crowd was a savage-looking fellow, about as
ugly as King Quagomolo, and dressed much in the same fashion. His
majesty, although so ugly, did not appear to have any evil intentions
regarding us, but was evidently satisfied at having got us into his
power. He invited us to join him at his camp-fire, and at once ordered
some of his slaves to bring us food, of which we thought it prudent to
parta