Part 19 (1/2)
”Us also, O chief!”
The canoes ca in Already some of the crews had landed near the fire; but others were co the banks for safety, or, lish, in a joyous whisper ”Muata and his jackal What luck!”
”S-sh!+”
A canoe went by some distance out, after it another, and as they swept into the darkness, a third announced its presence, co more slowly and closer in While it was nearly opposite the hiding the howl of the jackal rose fro a startled exclamation from the two boys by its suddenness
”What devil's noise is that?” sang out a voice they recognized as that of the Belgian officer
A sharp order was given, the paddles ceased, and the canoe, loo and black on the water, drifted towards the Okapi
”I have heard that cry before,” said a rasping voice ”Be ready with your weapons Allah the merciful may yet deliver those we seek”
”What would they be doing here inshore?” asked the Belgian
”They would be here because it is here they would not expect us to search I think I see soleam”
In the water by the shore there was a faint splash, and again the jackal whined
Mr Hu hi
”Surely,” said the Belgian, ”it is souard the place till daylight?”
”I will have them now,” said Hassan, with fury
”They will not look on another sun;” and he gave the order to his men to kill when they closed in ”It is they who let free the thief of the forest--the dog Muata”
”You lie, O woman stealer; Muata freed himself;” and out of the water, out of the blackness, ca, ”Muata is here, by your side, man-thief”
The Arab fired, and the flash froed rifle flamed into the water, into which he peered with features convulsed
”Kill him!” he yelled
”Muata!” cried the paddlers ”Haw! To the shore, to the shore, or we perish!+ The water-wolf, he!”
”Yavuma!” cried the voice from the water; and the canoe heeled over as the chief rose under the sharp bow ”Yavuma!”--he wrenched a paddle from one of the men and hurled it at the Arab The crank craft rolled as some of the excited men in the stem tried to use their spears ”Yavuma!”--this time with a triumphant whoop, and the canoe turned over!
With a couple of powerful strokes the swireat one,” he cried, ”Muata is come to work and to watch--to be your shi+eld and your spear”
Mr Hu hand and pulled the chief on board
Muata gave a low cry, and with a frightened whihted on the deck Then the Okapi slid out silently into the river
”By Jenkins!” gasped Venning