Then he returned to the ledge, and spent the afternoon with the two boys making rockets, using stout reeds as cases.  In the dark these were fired off with great and awe-inspiring’ effect on the villagers, who scuttled into their huts, and remained hid for the rest of the night, convinced that the “strong medicine” would indeed find them out if they did not obey this strange new law.

“I think I have fixed them for a time,” said the Hunter, grimly, as he described his new feat as a lawmaker.  “For three days we should have liberty to fully inspect the side of the valley above the pool.”

In the morning, at sunrise, the entire clan started out promptly to their allotted tasks, and Mr. Hume inspected each gang.  The women and children went to the far end of the valley, where the reeds grew, and the wise woman was appointed inspector.

“What is this new law, O great one?” she asked quietly, having been much subdued by the fiery rockets.

“You made the law, mother, that all should work, and I have honoured it.  See that you honour it also.”

“Yebo, great one.  We women do not complain.  It is a joy to us to see the men work also.  Maybe in time,” she added significantly, “the great one will do his turn also.”

“Each in his turn, mother.”

He went on up to the gorge, where Venning was on duty, remained a few minutes inspecting the work of wall-building, which should have been done before for defence, then appointed one of the headmen as overseer, and went on with Venning to the river outlet, where Compton was in charge.  An overseer was appointed there, and Compton went on a tour of inspection from gang to gang, while the other two made a close investigation of the cliff for an entrance to the caves.  The two following days they each in turn acted as general inspector of the works, while the two disengaged made a close inspection of the cliff; but at the end of the third day they had no success to report.

“The only thing to do now,” said Mr. Hume, “is to visit the pool, and make a close examination of the walls.”

“We could not examine the wall without swimming in the pool,” said Venning, “and before I do that I am prepared to stay here a very long time.”

“I cannot say I relish the idea myself, but I see no other way out of the mess.  We must have the Okapi before the full moon.  I will take a look at the pool alone to-morrow.”

CHAPTER XX

THE SECRET WAY

But when day dawned the vice-chief was summoned to hear a message from Muata, who had reported that Hassan had discovered the dark river leading up to the tabooed pool, and was sending up a strong fleet of canoes, while still more canoes were gathering on the other river by which he had made his first attack.  His orders were that a body of picked men were to join him to take part in an attack on the first body of the enemy.  Mr. Hume was fully occupied in carrying out these instructions, but on the chiefs mother suggesting that the chosen band should be accompanied by the Young Lion, he emphatically declined to allow this.