"I believe he has had something on his mind for days past," said
Venning; "and yesterday I saw him arguing with the headmen."
"Yet he never opposed our going. I have never seen him like that before. Hang it all, I can't bear to think we have left him looking so down;" and Compton banged the lever over.
They went on in silence for a mile, still thinking over Muata, when the Angoni, who was on watch, cried out—
"Congela!"
"What do you see?"
The man pointed a black finger at the river, and on it they saw two black spots. The man's teeth gleamed in a smile and his black eyes sparkled.
They stood up to look, and then Mr. Hume motioned to the boys.
"Let her have it," he said; and they made those levers smoke in the slots, for they saw in those black spots the long face of the jackal and the head of Muata!
They were helped dripping on board, the chief with nothing else than his Ghoorka blade.
Mr. Hume waited for an explanation, and the chief gave it in his calm way, without a smile.