SIBENGA'S ENVOYS
For the next few weeks the chums were kept busily employed in getting accustomed to their new surroundings. Armed with remarkably accurate maps—relics of German occupation and characteristic of the military thoroughness with which the cartographers worked—they explored the rocky valley of the Rubera, a small and swiftly flowing river that maintained a full head of water even in the dry season.
They visited the neighbouring kraals, climbed the rugged mountains that separated Kilembonga from the forest-covered basin of the Upper Nile and the untrodden wastes drained by the mysterious Congo.
They shot wildebeeste for food and crocodiles and vultures because they were enemies to man. Lions and rhinoceri they did not encounter, and perhaps it was as well in the earlier stages in their careers as sportsmen.
Their belongings had arrived safely, although the ox-waggon had been delayed for three days by a thunderstorm that had converted the rough road into an impassable morass, and they now had their own rifles and a fair amount of ammunition.
The life was strenuous, adventurous in a small degree, and healthy, and within a few days of Tiny's arrival at Kilembonga the irritating cough had practically disappeared.
One morning, when Colin and Tiny were up early with the intention of riding over to a native kraal to hire additional labourers, the lads were rather surprised to find six fully armed natives squatting on the ground dust outside the entrance gate of the stockade.
The men were attired similarly to the Matabele and Zulus. Each wore a head-ring, leopard-skin kaross, and loin cloth, while round ankles and wrists they sported rings bristling with feathers. Each carried a cow-hide shield, knobkerrie, stabbing-spear, and a sheaf of throwing assegais. Upon seeing Colin and Tiny the men sprang to their feet, their leader making "konza" or salutation.
"See what they want, Tenpenny Nail," ordered Colin, who knew that the Kruman had a smattering of the local dialects.
Tenpenny Nail, who never forgot that he had been a full corporal in a crack Haussa regiment, went up to the natives in a determined and authoritative manner, and a heated interview resulted.