These artless, cruel, innocent and murderous savages made their guests royally welcome, when the latter visited the camp. They entertained the strangers with songs, dances and dramatic performances, and presented them with a supply of edible roots some of which proved exceedingly good eating.
Stephanus soon ascertained from Kanu that Gideon’s wagon had passed but a few days previously. It was evident that Gideon meant to cross the dune-tract at its junction with the mountain range that skirts the river gorge, and then make for the eastward.
Kanu accompanied them when they returned to the wagon, and then he and Elsie had a long talk, relating to each other their respective adventures since they had last met. Elsie was struck by an idea.
“Kanu,—will you do something for me?”
“Anything that young mistress asks of me.”
“Well,—I want you to go after the other wagon, steal all the oxen and horses and bring them to me.”
“Yes,—that can easily be done.”
“Mind,—you are not to kill or harm anyone, but just to bring the cattle and horses to me.”
“Yes, I understand.”
In the cool of the evening a start was made. The oxen, refreshed by their drink, stepped out briskly. Thus, long before daylight came again they had succeeded in passing through the heavy sand. The ground now immediately before them was easy to travel over.