CHAPTER XVI

SIBENGA'S ENVOYS

FOR the next few weeks the chums were kept busily employed in getting accustomed to their new surroundings. Armed with remarkably accurate maps--relics of German occupation and characteristic of the military thoroughness with which the cartographers worked--they explored the rocky valley of the Rubera, a small and swiftly flowing river that maintained a full head of water even in the dry season.

They visited the neighbouring kraals, climbed the rugged mountains that separated Kilembonga from the forest-covered basin of the Upper Nile and the untrodden wastes drained by the mysterious Congo.

They shot _wildebeeste_ for food and crocodiles and vultures because they were enemies to man. Lions and rhinoceri they did not encounter, and perhaps it was as well in the earlier stages in their careers as sportsmen.

Their belongings had arrived safely, although the ox-waggon had been delayed for three days by a thunderstorm that had converted the rough road into an impassable morass, and they now had their own rifles and a fair amount of ammunition.

The life was strenuous, adventurous in a small degree, and healthy, and within a few days of Tiny's arrival at Kilembonga the irritating cough had practically disappeared.

One morning, when Colin and Tiny were up early with the intention of riding over to a native kraal to hire additional labourers, the lads were rather surprised to find six fully armed natives squatting on the ground dust outside the entrance gate of the stockade.

The men were attired similarly to the Matabele and Zulus. Each wore a head-ring, leopard-skin kaross, and loin cloth, while round ankles and wrists they sported rings bristling with feathers. Each carried a cow-hide shield, knobkerrie, stabbing-spear, and a sheaf of throwing assegais. Upon seeing Colin and Tiny the men sprang to their feet, their leader making "konza" or salutation.

"See what they want, Tenpenny Nail," ordered Colin, who knew that the Kruman had a smattering of the local dialects.

Tenpenny Nail, who never forgot that he had been a full corporal in a crack Haussa regiment, went up to the natives in a determined and authoritative manner, and a heated interview resulted.

Presently he reported to his master that the men were from Sibenga's Kraal, and had been sent to ask for the return of the four horses lent by the chief to Colonel Narfield on the memorable journey from Tabora.

"That's knocked our early morning excursion on the head, Tiny," declared Colin. "We'll have to inform Colonel Narfield, although I know for certain the horses were returned."

"Keep 'em long time wait, Massa Sinclair," suggested Tenpenny Nail. "If you gib de word I put 'em in clink one-time sharp."

Colin knew that Colonel Narfield was still asleep and that he was recovering from a slight attack of intermittent malaria. Also the lad had been long enough in East Africa to know that one way to impress the natives was to keep them waiting.

"Tell them to stop where they are, Tenpenny Nail," he ordered. "When the Great One thinks fit he will receive Sibenga's people."

The two chums and their Kruman servants went outside the stockade. The door was secured in order to keep the light-fingered natives from pilfering. Then, having seen their horses stabled, they went into the house and knocked at the door of Colonel Narfield's room.

"Some roguery here," decided Herbert Narfield, when Colin had explained the reason for the deputation's presence without. "The horses were sent back the morning following, and Sibenga's men who came with us were given presents to take to their master. Right-o, Colin; I'll see the beggars. Tell Blue Fly and Tenpenny Nail to admit them after they've left their arms outside the gate."

Leaving Colonel Narfield to complete his toilet, the two chums gave the necessary instructions to the Krumen.

A hotly-worded encounter ensued; the deputation being reluctant to be deprived of their weapons, while Tenpenny Nail was equally emphatic that they must do so. Neither side being disposed to give in, the Kruman told them in barrack-room English to clear out and shut the gate in their faces.

Sibenga's deputation were now on the horns of a dilemma. They dare not return to their chief without having delivered his message, and the door was shut to them unless they laid aside their arms.

At last, considerably chastened, they shouted to the Haussa to open to them, and that they would leave their spears and shields on the ground outside the stockade.

"Does Sibenga dare to suggest that I am a thief and have stolen his horses?" demanded Colonel Narfield sternly.

"Are there no thieves amongst the white men?" asked the leader of the deputation, answering one question by another. "Only one moon ago a white man who has a tree for a leg stole three oxen from Elyaui Kraal."

"Then perhaps he stole Sibenga's horses," suggested Colonel Narfield. "And the men who came here with the animals; have they returned?"

"Great One, they have not," was the reply. Herbert Narfield looked grave at the information. He could only conclude that the men had bolted, taking with them the presents he had sent to Sibenga.

"The chief Sibenga ordered us to make sure," declared the spokesman pointedly, after the Colonel had expressed his surprise in words.

"So that was why you came armed? If your master does not want to lose six more men he had better not send them here with assegais and shields, for they will be instantly struck down with the white man's magic. Nevertheless, not because Sibenga says you must, but because I am willing to allow it, a search may be made here for the missing horses."

The deputation, shepherded by Tinned Salmon, Colonel Narfield's personal servant, made a tour of the outbuildings, but to their obvious disappointment, no animals that resembled the horses from Sibenga's Kraal were to be found.

Colonel Narfield, Colin, and Tiny met the natives outside his laboratory, which the latter also showed a desire to explore.

"Now, Mouth of Sibenga," said the Colonel, addressing the head of the deputation. "You see I have spoken the word. Before you depart you, too, might like a gift."

He displayed a silvered steel concave mirror set in an ornamental copper frame--a tawdry article that finds a ready sale amongst savages. The headman's features broke into a grin of childish anticipation.

"Very well," continued Colonel Narfield. "You can have it if you can take it out of this bowl of water."

So saying, he placed the mirror in water and stood aside. With every sign of eagerness the native plunged his hand into the water, only to withdraw it with a yell of pain and surprise.

"Hau! It is bewitched!" exclaimed the headman. "This is the White Man's Magic."

"What! Are you afraid?" asked the Englishman, mockingly. "Are there no followers of Sibenga who will try?"

After a considerable amount of hesitation a second native plunged his hand into the water. He withdrew his hand quicker than he had inserted it, and began running round in circles, yelling in terror.

"You call yourselves warriors?" cried Colonel Narfield scornfully. "You have hearts like chickens. Will no one else try?"

A third native began very gingerly to touch the surface of the water. Nothing happening, he summoned up courage and dipped his hand until the water was almost up to his wrist, and his finger tips were within two inches of the coveted mirror. Then he, too, gave a yell and abandoned the attempt.

"Now," continued Herbert Narfield, "you see something of the White Man's Magic. Even your greatest witch-doctors are unable to fight it. If any man comes to my kraal with evil intent he will be struck down with the same magic as three of you have felt .... Colin, you've that swastika on you, haven't you?" he added. "Bring it out and touch the water with it."

Sinclair did so. At the sight of the amulet the superstitious delegates were visibly impressed. Still more so were they when Colin unconcernedly drew the looking glass from the bowl of water and immediately replaced it.

"Now try again," invited Colonel Narfield, addressing the headman. "We have quelled the magic spirit of the water. You will be no longer in peril. Take out the gift." It was quite a long time before the native could master sufficient courage to renew the attempt. Trembling in every limb, he cautiously dipped his finger in the innocuous liquid and quickly withdrew it. Satisfying himself that so far the Great One's word was truth, he thrust in his hand and triumphantly obtained possession of the mirror.

"Hau!" he exclaimed. "The magic is eaten up. There is no longer anything to be feared. Perhaps, O Great One," he added darkly, "the magic that surrounds your kraal may likewise be dispersed. See, I place my hand in the water again. It--oh! oh! oh!"

Literally beside himself with fear, the headman took to his heels, ran across the courtyard, and disappeared through the gate of the stockade.

His panic was infectious, his companions also bolting in terror. Outside the fence they stopped only to recover their weapons, and then at a terrific pace they disappeared along the rough track leading to Sibenga's Kraal.

"Another example of 'Electricity in the Service of Man,'" remarked Herbert Narfield as he proceeded to disconnect the wires attached to the jar of water and a powerful battery. "So the old lab. at Stockmere proved a sound thing, eh, Colin? But I am afraid," he added gravely, "we haven't heard the last of Sibenga and his missing horses. We'll have to keep our weather eye lifting, or some night the old reprobate will ply his people with stiff doses of native beer and send them down to Kilembonga to do a bit of Bolshevik work."

"Fighting?" asked Tiny.

"Hardly--perhaps, though. At any rate they'll probably try to fire the buildings and stampede the cattle. Just at present they've got the wind up pretty badly."

"By Jove!" exclaimed Colin, looking along the track. "There is a weird-looking fellow coming this way. What mischief is he up to?"