10 AFRICAN ADVENTURE STORIES 



to his rifle, and made for the ford of a sjtream 

 that he had crossed when entering the village. 

 He realised that his only hope of escape from 

 the country would be to travel south toward the 

 Zambesi, some five hundred miles away. Draw- 

 ing near the ford, the outcast was warned of 

 danger by hearing voices; the crafty old chief 

 had planned his attack well. Knowing that the 

 ford was the most likely route his victims would 

 take, should any succeed in escaping the first 

 attack, he had placed warriors to watch it and 

 cut down those who came that way. 



S. turned and walked along the bank in the 

 opposite direction until he came to a deep pool. 

 Here he took off his clothes, made them and his 

 rifle into a bundle, fastened it to his head, and 

 swam the stream. While dressing he looked 

 back toward camp. The fires had been re- 

 kindled, and, amid the din of voices, he saw the 

 savages running hither and thither as they 

 fought for possession of the spoils. 



Travelling southward all night, he came to a 

 stream early in the morning and, after crossing 

 it, lay down to rest and sleep. Suddenly he was 

 awakened by voices and, looking up, saw two 

 blacks on the opposite side of the river. Both 



