“Thank you,” said the hunter, quietly.  “If the plan is to succeed, it must work to-night.  I do not fear these people here, but I must say I fear the Arabs who are expected this evening.”

“I understand that you will choose two of those Arabs as boatmen?”

“The Belgians have arranged that, Compton, not I. Have you any suggestions to offer?”

“I think, sir, that we should get all our things stored in the boat to-day,” said Venning.

“Eight; and then?”

“And then,” said Venning, his face all alight with ardour—­“and then—­why, sir, then you shoot one of the hippos over there on that little island.  Shoot two; and while all the people in the village are cutting them up for a great feed, we could free Muata undetected.”

“That is not so bad,” said Compton, judiciously.

“Not at all,” said Mr. Hume.  “But when Muata is free, what is to become of him—­suppose, that is, he can get away unobserved?”

“I have it,” said Compton.  “The Zanzibar spy suggested it.  Let Muata wait for us up the river, and we will pick him up.”

Mr. Hume stroked his beard for some moments in silence.

“We’ll, try that plan,” he said finally; “but don’t show any excitement.  The native, remember, is a very keen observer.  Now pull the boat in.”

CHAPTER VI

THE FLIGHT

In the afternoon the village hummed with excitement.  The word had gone round that the new white man who had shot the crocodile would give a feast, and the people squatted in rows on the bank watching a couple of their stalwart fellows preparing a canoe for an expedition after the river-horse.  When Mr. Hume appeared with his Express in company with the Belgian officers, who were indifferent sportsmen, the people saluted him with a feeling of gratitude for favours to come in the shape of fat meat.

“Good luck,” said the junior officer, “but I back the animals; they are very wary and very fierce.”

“What is the betting?” cried the hunter.

“Oh no, my friend!” exclaimed the senior.  “Keep your money for to-night; and don’t drown yourself.  We must have one game, you know.”

“Very well.  By the way, Compton?”

“Yes, sir.”

“You and Venning may as well amuse yourselves by getting the stores on board in case we leave to-morrow.”

“That depends on how the game goes,” replied the officer.  “If you win, we must keep you for a return match.”

“That is only fair.  But I may lose; so, my lads, go on with the packing.”

The boat went off up the river hugging the banks, and the whole village sat down to watch the stalk, all but a few who went to and fro between Venning at the house and Compton in the boat, carrying the stores.  The two officers turned in, with mats drawn, to enjoy their siesta, and the guards on duty sought the shade of the trees by the bank to watch the hunt.