David was unwilling to leave the boys, and we therefore consented to remain till the following day. They were then somewhat better, but when we proposed going their father entreated that we would remain. David explained that he was wanted at home, that one of our party was sick, and that if Igubo would follow his directions the boys would probably recover. "Dat's de bery t'ing dey will not do," said Timbo. "He say, if you go, de boys go too. We make carriage and take dem." "The best thing, probably, that can be done," said David; and we accordingly agreed to let the boys be brought with us. The litters were soon constructed, and were by David's advice covered over thickly with branches of trees, so as completely to shade them from the heat of the sun. Eight stout fellows undertook to carry them, and all things being ready, we bade farewell to the chief, who, however, seemed rather angry at our departure. "He no good man," said Timbo, as we came away. "Better go dan stay. I find out he take elephant's tusks and de meat de oder day, but he no tell us, lest we ask to have dem again." We considered it wise not to say anything about the elephant's tusks, and, glad to get out of the village, we proceeded homewards. "Whom have you brought?" exclaimed Leo, when he saw us arrive. When we told him, he and Natty expressed themselves well pleased at having some companions. "We will look after them," said Leo. "And I will teach them to read," exclaimed Natty. "I hope they will not want to be going away, though. We must nurse them in the meantime, and try and get them well." "Poor little fellows," said the ever kind Kate, when she saw them. "We will do all we can for them, though they look very ill." The eyes and cheeks of the young negroes were sadly sunk, for fever makes the same ravages in their frames as it does in those of white people. The father, though he saw his boys in safe keeping, still seemed unwilling to leave them. He had done what was quite contrary to the customs of his people, and he told Timbo he was afraid, if he was long absent, that the rest of his family might be ill-treated. He accordingly, after looking affectionately at them, and expressing his thanks to us all, but to David especially, took his departure. I should have said that we brought away the presents made to us, which proved a welcome addition to our bill of fare. CHAPTER NINE. A FLIGHT FOR LIFE. "When are we to see the _Giraffe_ and _Gazelle_ launched, and to have our promised excursion on the river?" asked Kate, the evening after Igubo had left us. "Oh do, Stanley!" cried Bella. "It is cruel to keep us so long shut up like captive princesses in your Castle, and as the natives are friendly and you can avoid the hippopotami, there can be no danger." "The _Gazelle_ is not yet launched," answered Stanley; "but as soon as she is in the water you can come and see her."