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David and his sister both expressed a wish to visit the Bakeles. "I am not quite certain that that would be wise," observed Stanley. "At present they look upon us as a party of warriors who may be gone to-morrow; but if they see young people, they will think we have come to settle, and may perhaps be disposed to try and get rid of us." Kate was very glad to hear that we had let the chimpanzee go.
He had first begun to threaten us with the vengeance of his people should we oppose their progress; but on Chickango telling him that a large number of Bakeles were in the neighbourhood, and that, should his people venture to come that way, they would speedily be driven back and destroyed, he had become alarmed, and so, in spite of his boasting, afraid of being captured, had taken to flight.
Our further boating for the day was, of course, put an end to; and having concealed the canoes in the thick brushwood which grew down to the river's bank, we proceeded homewards, with the exception of Timbo, who hastened off to the Bakeles village. Senhor Silva looked very grave when he heard what had occurred.
We drew him out, however, and to our satisfaction found that he was still breathing. Chickango said that he belonged to the Bakeles, and was probably a chief hunter among them. As, however, we were much nearer our own abode than their village, Stanley and I agreed to carry him with us, somewhat, I fancied, to Chickango's astonishment. "Oh! he black fellow, he die; what use carry?" he remarked.
Our new friends now invited us to visit them at their village, which was situated on the summit of a hill about four or five miles off, but so surrounded by woods that we had not seen it. From their wild looks and manners, we were not sorry when at length they took their departure. Timbo called them Bakeles, and gave no very flattering description of them.
De Pangwes come, and stay hid in de night close to de village, and just before de sun get up, de sun dat is so bright and good, make de trees grow, and cheer de heart of man, dey steal out wid de sharp sword and de spear, and de moment de Bakeles open de gate, rush in and kill all de women, children, and old men; and some stay outside and kill dose dat run away, and catch de young men and knock dem down, and tie deir hands, and take away to de slave-dealers.
If you wish to aid us, you must come with them and plenty of ammunition, and you may then make the Pangwes turn aside to some other district." I need not further describe our interview, but it ended in a most satisfactory manner, the Bakeles promising to be our friends, and to help us should we require their aid. Having concluded our visit, we took our leave, and commenced our return homewards.
At length, when somewhat calmed, Timbo, who had been unable himself to understand what was said, learned from him that the stranger was one of a band of Pangwes who were advancing towards the territory of the Bakeles. He had come, apparently unaware that there were inhabitants so near.
At length Senhor Silva understood him to say that, on looking towards the Bakeles village, he had seen smoke ascending that it grew thicker and thicker, and then flames burst forth, and he was convinced the whole village was on fire. "Depend upon it, the Pangwes have done this," he observed; "and, flushed with their victory, they will very soon march to attack us.
Our visit to the Bakeles village excited great interest; but when I came to describe our adventure with the elephants, I saw Kate and Bella's colour go. "Oh, Andrew!" exclaimed Kate, "how dreadful it would have been had the elephants reached you! How providential it was that Stanley and Senhor Silva arrived in time to save your life!"
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