330 



THROUGH JUNGLE AND DESERT chap. 



lying dead upon the ground without apparent wound 

 in his body was undoubtedly what changed their 

 intentions from war to peace. Upon examination, 

 we found that they had time and again plunged their 

 spears into the body of the animal, to test whether 

 he was dead or sleeping. When I pointed out the 

 hole made by my bullet, they evinced every indica- 

 tion of surprise. 



Finally, after many protestations on our part, we 

 managed to persuade the three horsemen to dis- 

 mount ; but not until I had taken from the soil a 

 stone, and spat upon it. This seemed to convince 

 them of my friendly intention, and the older man of 

 the three did likewise. After this exchange of pledges 

 of brotherly love, they seemed much more at ease. I 

 endeavoured to get them to visit my camp, but this 

 they seemed extremely loath to do. After urging 

 them to take a message to their chiefs, to the effect 

 that I would wait for them at Seran, if they had any- 

 thing to say to me, I was forced to be content to see 

 them rejoin their men, and start on the return trip 

 to Rendile. 



To watch their movements I sent some of my 

 men, who returned after dark, and said that the party 

 never for a moment turned from their course, but 

 marched with all rapidity towards their home. My 

 spies reported that there were some thirty horsemen 

 in the party, and that all of them were fully armed. 

 I suppose that the young man we had asked to 

 apprise Lokomogul of our departure neglected to do 

 so until after we had set out ; when, finding we had 

 left, some of the more courageous decided not to 



