Part 10 (2/2)

Mali-ya-bwana and the other fourteen of Kingozi's safari who were now present brought their loads up and began to pile them under Kingozi's direction.

”Quickly!” called Kingozi in brisk, cheerful tones. ”The water is not far, but the day is nearly gone. We must march quickly, even without loads.”

The import of the command began to reach the other porters. This white man did not intend to camp here then--where there was no water! He did not mean to make them march with loads! He knew! He was a great lord, and wise, as Mali-ya-bwana had said! One or two arose wearily and stiffly, and dragged their loads to the pile. Others followed.

Kingozi's men helped the weakest. Kingozi himself worked hard, arranging the loads, covering them with tarpaulins, weighting the edges.

His intention reached also the Leopard Woman. She watched proceedings without comment for some time. Then she saw something that raised her objection.

”I shall want that box,” she announced. ”Leave that one out. And that is my tent being brought up now.”

Apparently Kingozi did not hear her. He bestowed the box in a s.p.a.ce left for it, and piled the two tent loads atop. The Leopard Woman arose and glided to his side.

”That box----” she began.

”I heard you,” replied Kingozi politely, ”but it will really be impossible to carry anything at all.”

”That box is indispensable to me,” she insisted haughtily.

”You have no men strong enough to carry a load: and mine will need all the strength they have left before they get in.”

He went on arranging the loads under the tarpaulins.

”Those loads are my tent,” she said, as Kingozi turned away.

”We cannot take them.”

Her eyes flashed. She whirled with the evident intention of issuing her commands direct. Kingozi's weary, slow indifference fell from him. In one bound he faced her, his chin thrust forward. His blue eyes had focussed into a cold, level stare.

”Don't dare interfere!” he ordered. ”If you attempt it, I shall order you restrained--physically. Understand? I do not know how far you intend to travel--or where; but if you value your future authority and prestige with your own men, do not make yourself a spectacle before them.”

”You would not dare!” she panted.

The tenseness relaxed. Kingozi became again the slow-moving, slouching, indifferent figure of his everyday habit.

”Oh, I can dare almost anything--when I have to. You do not seem to understand. You have come a cropper--a bad one. Left to yourselves you are all going to die here. If I am to help you to your feet, I must do it without interference. I think we shall get through: but I am not at all certain. Go and sit down and save your strength.”

”I hate you!” she flashed. ”I'd rather die here than accept your help!

I command you to leave me!”

”Bless you!” said Kingozi, as though this were a new thought. ”I wasn't thinking especially of _you_; I am sorry for your boys.”

Mali-ya-bwana, under his directions, had undone the loads containing the lanterns. Everything seemed now ready for the start. All of Kingozi's safari had arrived except Cazi Moto and five men.

”Have you any water left?” Kingozi asked the Leopard Woman.

She stared straight ahead of her, refusing to answer. Unperturbed, Kingozi turned to the Nubian.

<script>