A TIME OF TERRIBLE SUSPENSE 



385 



expectation, gazing at the moving crowds, the numbers of 

 which were ever on the increase. Presently they seemed to 

 mass themselves together in a shallow ravine some 2,000 paces 

 from us, then they divided into two parts, one making for the 

 thicket on the south, the other surrounding us. Then the 

 darkness hid them from our sight. I felt sure our guest had 

 had something to do with it all ; he had given notice perhaps 

 of the division of the caravan, and it had been decided to 

 attack the little remnant left at Ndoro. 



IN ANXIOUS EXPECTATION. 



Although our camp had a good fence, it was spread over 

 too wide a surface for us to hope to be able to defend it against 

 such overwhelming odds, I therefore hastily sent my men 

 outside, dividing them into detachments, so as to distribute their 

 strength until we saw where the attack was to be made, when 

 we could concentrate them easily. I myself remained with 

 Qualla, Kimemeta, and a few Somal at the spot from which we 

 had first seen the approach of the enemy. Again and again 

 VOL. I. C C 



