“This parchment tells us how to leave this strange country, when once it is entered,” said Mr. Graham, “but it does not tell how to find the secret door which is to admit us.”
“The sailor found it,” said Enola, “and it seems to me that we ought to.”
“Well, we will never know until we get to the point where we may expect to find it,” said Mr. Graham. “How far is it, Sedai, to this mountain, through which we will have to go to find the strange country?”
“About three hundred miles,” said Sedai, “through a country not difficult to travel, and among natives not usually hostile.”
“Can you be ready to start to-morrow?” asked Mr. Graham of Sedai.
“I can,” said Sedai.
“Then be at Bagamayo to-morrow at daybreak, ready to start.”
“I will be there,” answered Sedai, and with this he left.
That day a Mr. Bruce called on Mr. Graham, making a request to accompany the expedition, and Mr. Graham, having looked up his reference and found that he was a Scotchman of first-class standing both socially and financially, he consented to his accompanying them. Later in the day the party crossed over to Bagamayo, so as to be there for an early start in the morning.
Early on the following morning the caravan was drawn up and carefully inspected by Mr. Bruce, Mr. Graham, Harry and Enola. Twenty donkeys and one hundred carriers, with one cart, were to transport the goods of barter. A double relay of six carriers was detailed to carry each of the sedan chairs of Mrs. Graham and Nellie, after having learned that the country through which they would pass would be open, and the tribes not hostile had decided to accompany the caravan. They were desirous of seeing the strange land and people. Mr. Graham, Mr. Bruce and Harry had procured horses from an Arab in Bagamayo, and when the caravan was drawn up it made an imposing sight, and one well calculated to inspire hostile tribes with a wholesome fear.