I gave up Ndova, and was returning to the camp with a sad heart, when all at once I heard a rustling of branches over my head and then a chuckle. It was Ndova. I called him, and soon after he was on my shoulders grinning. I said: "Ndova, you won't catch me again letting you entirely free in the forest. After this you will be tied to a cord when you go out with me." But I had no cord with me then, so I had to leave him to himself. He did not run away, however, and we reached the camp together.
When the men returned in the evening I told them how afraid I had been that we had lost Ndova.
"Yes," they said; "hereafter he must be tied and always led by a rope."
CHAPTER XXIV
WE COME TO THE END OF OUR PROVISIONS—ANTELOPE SKIN BOILED FURNISHES US A REPAST—NDOVA DECOYS MONKEYS AND WE SOON GET FOOD ENOUGH—ALAPAI FINDS FRUITS AND NUTS ALSO
One day when Andekko had been hunting by himself, he returned with such a forlorn appearance that we knew he had found nothing. He had been absent about three hours.
"Poor Andekko!" I said to Rogala; "look at his ribs, and how they stick out, and the numerous scars left from the wounds he has received fighting wild animals are more conspicuous than ever."
He was indeed a sight. The dear old fellow seemed to know that I was talking of him, as he had heard his name, and was looking at me and wagging his tail all the time I was speaking. I fancied he was saying to me: "Let us leave this place. It is no good. There is no game here. Can't you see how thin I am?"