assa-Narok greatly delighted Stas, for
he could be certain that no danger threatened Nell on account of the
war. He determined also to start with the little maid without delay for
Luela, all the more because before the termination of the war they
could not think of a further journey for which not only the aid of the
Wahimas but that of the Samburus was necessary.

Accustomed to quick decisions, he already knew how he should act. To
free Fumba, to rout the Samburus but not to permit a too bloody
revenge, and afterwards to command peace and reconcile the
belligerents, appeared to him an imperative matter not only for himself
but also most beneficial for the negroes. "Thus it should be and thus
it shall be!" he said to himself in his soul, and in the meantime,
desiring to comfort the young negro for whom he felt sorry, he
announced that he did not refuse aid.

"How far is Luela from here?" he asked.

"A half day's journey."

"Listen, then! we will convey the 'bibi' there at once, after which I
shall ride on the King and drive away the Samburus from your father's
boma. You shall ride with me and shall fight with them."

"Kali will kill them with the rifle!"

And passing at once from despair to joy, he began to leap, laugh, and
thank Stas with as much ardor as though the victory was already
achieved. But further outbursts of gratitude and mirth were interrupted
by the arrival of the warriors, whom he had gathered together during
his scouting expedition and whom he commanded to appear before the
white master. They numbered about three hundred; they were armed with
shields of hippopotamus leather, with javelins and knives. Their heads
were dressed with feathers, baboon manes, and ferns. At the sight of an
elephant in the service of a man, at the sight of the white faces,
Saba, and the horses, they were seized by the same fear and the same
amazement which had possessed the negroes in those villages through
which the children previously passed. But Kali warned them in advance
that they would behold the "Good Mzimu" and the mighty master "who
kills lions, who killed a wobo, whom the elephant fears, who crushes
rocks, lets loose fiery snakes," etc. So, instead of running away, they
stood in a long row in silence, full of admiration, with the whites of
their eyes glistening, uncertain whether they should kneel or fall on
their faces. But at the same time they were full of faith that if these
extraordinary beings would help t