Muata turned round and pointed to the otter on his chest.
"You don't mean to say," said Venning, indignantly, "that you are going to let him swim ashore? Why, the bank is miles away, and the crocodiles are in between."
Muata's glance fell on the jackal, and he spoke to it. The animal whined, then crouched.
"A favour, my father," he said. "If the beast followed me, he would be food for the crocodiles. Place him on land when you reach the bank, for the sake of good hunting."
"I will do so."
The chief took another long glance around, then drew himself up for the dive.
"Stop," said Mr. Hume.
Muata looked round.
"Your shield is our shield. So be it. We will not ask you to lead us to your hiding-place. Is that so, Compton?"
"When he leads us," said Compton, nodding his head, "it will be at his own will."