AFRICAN CAMP FIRES 



saw something dark pop up in sight and then down 

 again. We shouted to some of the savage Wakamba 

 to go investigate. They closed in from all sides, 

 their long spears poised to strike. At the last mo- 

 ment out darted, not an animal, but a badly fright- 

 ened old man armed with bow and arrow. He 

 dashed out under the upraised spears, clasped one 

 of the men around the knees, and implored protec- 

 tion. Our savages, their spears ready, glanced over 

 their shoulders for instruction. They would have 

 liked nothing better than to have spitted the poor 

 old fellow. 



We galloped down as fast as possible to the rescue. 

 With reluctance our spearmen drew back, releasing 

 their prize. We picked up his scattered bows and 

 arrows, restored them to him, and uttered many 

 reassurances. He was so badly frightened that he 

 could not stand for the trembling of his knees. 

 Undoubtedly he thought that war had broken out 

 and that he was the first of its unconscious victims. 

 After calming him down, we told him what we were 

 doing, and offered to shoot him meat if he cared to 

 accompany us. He accepted the offer with joy. 

 So pleased, and relieved, was he that he slipped 

 about like a young and nimble goat. His hunting 

 companion, who all this time had stood atop a hill 

 at a safe distance, viewed these performances with 



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