“TROUBLOUS TIMES.” 
1G7 
gather firewood from around to make blazing watch- 
fires. The savages meanwhile disposed themselves 
sullenly in a circle round the little camp. Darkness 
fell. One by one the simple-minded enemy sank to 
sleep, confident that their prey feared the night as 
they themselves did, and would neither attack nor 
attempt to flee before the dawn. But Kiongwe kept 
all his men awake, made the watch-fires blaze, then at 
midnight, when his foes were snoring with sweet 
unanimity, he gave a stealthy word of command, the 
men rose silently, hoisted their burthens on their heads, 
clutched their guns, and one by one leaving the 
encampment, picked their way like cautious cats amid 
the sleeping forms of the besiegers. So, whether 
observed or not, they walked out into the darkness 
unopposed, and if any of the enemy slept not, and 
saw them go, his tongue was tied, and he dared not 
give the warning to his comrades, for—who could tell ? 
—perhaps, after all, they were not men but ghosts, 
and none may fight with spirits in the enshrouding 
night. 
Kiongwe and his men stumbled along perseveringly 
for several hours, and then, having put a good distance 
between themselves and their possible pursuers, lay 
down to rest and wait for the dawn, for the last part 
of their journey offered many obstacles in the darkness 
to burdened men. I should have told you, in proper 
sequence, that soon after nightfall Kiongwe had 
detached from the camp two lithe, active men, relieved 
them of their burdens, and enjoined them to elude the 
enemy and make their way speedily to my settlement, 
warn me of the state of affairs, and ask for advice and 
assistance. Accordingly, as I was leisurely undressing 
that night, at about eleven o’clock, having sat up un- 
