"Save Massa Chally, sah—oh yes!" replied John, trying to look cheerful.
The other man was too much terrified of solitude to raise any objection, though he was inwardly trembling at the thought of meeting the Tubus.
"What can we do with these provisions?" said Royce, indicating the calabashes which the frightened carriers had dropped. "We ought not to leave them for the birds; they may come in handy some day."
John suggested that they should be carried into the bush, and covered up as well as possible with the material of the dismantled zariba. This plan seemed to be the only one possible, and the three spent half an hour in stowing the calabashes under a thick layer of thorn branches.
Then, providing themselves with enough food for a couple of days, they set off on the trail of the raiders. There was no difficulty in following it. The soil was sandy, and the horses had left unmistakable traces.
"Keep your eyes open, John," said Royce. "We must see the Tubus before they see us."
"Savvy all same, sah," said John. "Berry good eyes, sah—oh yes!"
CHAPTER VII
THE PYTHON
Royce and the two negroes marched steadily on, stopping only for brief intervals of rest. The track led northwards towards the River Yo and the Tubus' country beyond.