"Loosen them!" cried Royce. "Don't hurt him."
Kulana stared.
"Him hurt massa," he protested. "Him fit for kill all same."
"No; that's not our way," said Royce firmly. "We've got him, and we'll keep him safe. I hope this is the end of our troubles."
The Hausas, grumbling sullenly, carried Goruba into the passage next to Royce's room, and laid him against the wall. It was then found that his right wrist was sprained.
"He must have struck it against the wall when he missed me and smashed his knife," thought Royce. "That accounts for his feebler grip."
To the further disgust of his men, he bound a wet rag tightly round Goruba's wrist.
"Now for a good night's rest for once," he thought. "We shall not be attacked to-night, at any rate."