"Considering that our rifles and cartridges are alike, I don’t see how you’re going to judge. Anyway, you take first shot." John fired. A flock of birds rose with a great clatter of wings into the air, and the group of natives yelled and flung themselves face downward into the grass, whereupon Coja began to taunt them with cowardice. A shot from Mr. Halliday followed; then each fired again, and Mr. Halliday, turning round, declared that the devil was killed, and walked towards the post. Coja, now thoroughly reassured, ran after him, the natives following at a distance. "All four shots in the mouth; the honours are easy," said Mr. Halliday. "You’re a better shot than I thought you, John. We’d better pull the thing up, hadn’t we?" But they found the post so firmly fixed that they could neither pull it up nor push it over. It was evidently a case for digging. Having no implements with them they were obliged to leave it standing; but Mr. Halliday showed the admiring natives the bullet marks in the mouth, and, slapping the top of the head, assured them that the devil would do no more harm. He then gave the chief another strip of cloth and a handful of beads in reward for his services, and the party returned to the river, where the happy result of the expedition was announced to the main body of the villagers, from whom the proceedings had been hidden by the contour of the ground. The chief wished Mr. Halliday to feast with him, and afterwards witness a war-dance, and when the invitation was declined, he insisted on his white friend accepting a small pied goat. "The pioneer of our stock, John," said Mr. Halliday. "But the chief must take charge of it until we come up to settle. I don’t suppose we shall see it again." But in this he was mistaken, for when he came some weeks later to enter into occupation of his estate, the goat was brought to him with every mark of respect by a deputation of the villagers. CHAPTER THE FIFTH--Juma takes to the Bush