CHAPTER IX 



A FREE FIGHT 



My people were very quiet that evening over the camp 

 fires, the only one who seemed to be talking was the 

 mutinous Kalakese. This fact was not lost on me as I 

 sat smoking over my own fire, and before turning into 

 my hut I ordered two boys to sit on guard outside and 

 arouse me on the slightest suspicion of trouble. As 

 usual I had the Winchester by my bed ready for emer- 

 gencies, and slept soundly for some hours. My camp 

 was situated half a mile from the village amidst fairly 

 thick bush and grass. In the early hours before day- 

 break, I was awakened by Kongozi, one of the guard, 

 who was in a great state of excitement. Kalakese and 

 another boy were missing. Hastily dressing I sent word 

 down to the chief of the village that I wished to see him 

 at once. In a short time a grizzly-faced, shrunken old 

 man appeared with several of his followers. They 

 saluted gravely and listened intently as I told the chief 

 that two of my boys were at large, and offered him four 

 hands of cloth if his people could recapture them, which 

 he promised to do. I thought it necessary to emphasize 

 the fact that they were not to use any arrows or in any 

 way to injure the deserters. Dismissing them and 

 leaving Salem and half a dozen boys in camp I set out 

 for a likely elephant haunt about five miles off. Three 

 young villagers who were armed with the customary 

 bow and arrow acted as guides, and in a short time we 



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