second gazing at the boys, as much astonished, it seemed, at them as
they were at him.

Billy, seeing that the best plan was to be pacific, threw down his
rifle and cried:

"Seesenab," (peace); the word be recollected hearing the big Krooman
use the day that he attempted to take his unlucky photographs.

"Seesenah--white boys," replied the other, the latter words in fair
English and in a deep guttural tone, coming forward with the head of
his other spear held downward in token of peace. "From where come
the white boys--what do they in our land?" was his next question.

"We are lost," explained Billy, "and we are also, blamed hungry," he
added, in a burst of confidence.

The savage smiled and rubbed his stomach.

"That's the idea," cried the irrepressible reporter. "Heap--empty--
savee?"

The man leant over the dead lioness and, using his spear-point as a
skinning knife, rapidly stripped her of her hide. Then, swinging
the pelt over his shoulder he motioned to the boys to follow him.

"I don't know where the dickens he means to take us," confided Billy
to Lathrop as they obediently trailed along behind, "but so long as
we get something to eat I'm so hungry that I don't care if we get
eaten the next minute."