"That's just the way I feel," agreed Lathrop, "and anyhow he seems
to be a pretty decent sort. He saved your life, that's one thing
sure."

"I guess I'll never make a mighty hunter," said Billy dolefully,
"there was a chance to make real Bwana Tumbo shot and I missed it."

The savage stalked along in front of them for some distance till
they suddenly emerged on a small clearing by a river bank, in which
a rough native camp had been pitched. The tents of grass occupied
by the hunters being of a peculiar conical shape, like the pointed
caps that used to be labeled "Dunce."

Much excitement was created by the arrival of the two boys and their
companion, and the hunters crowded round the chums while their guide
explained with a wealth of gesture the incident of the killing of
the lioness, and also the fact that the boys were very hungry.

Several of the men instantly filled wooden bowls with something from
a pot that simmered over the fires and the bowls were thrust before
the two ravenous boys. As there were no forks of course the boys
used their fingers. But this did not interfere with their appetite
and after they had put away two bowls apiece the savages' opinion of
them evidently rose considerably. Among the West African natives a
big eater is esteemed as a mighty man. Lathrop was considerably
embarrassed, however, while he satisfied his hunger by the attention
the hunters bestowed on his red hair. Several of them came up
behind him and rubbed their hands in it as if they imagined it
possessed some sort of medicinal value. Had any one at home dared