"The chap appears to be in a stew about something, from the way he glances over his shoulder." They sailed down towards the lonely paddler, who was soon alongside -- thanks to an extraordinary agility.

He appeared to be greatly pleased at the meeting, grinned continuously, and at once prepared to get aboard the Okapi.
Mr.Hume, however, kept him off with a "not so fast" and a hand against his breast.
"Talk to him, Muata.

Ask him what he wants, who he is, and all the rest." Muata stepped into the canoe, caught up the paddle, and sat down to palaver.

A line was made fast to the canoe, and it drifted astern of the Okapi, which kept on her course.
The canoe-man's grin faded away, and his eyes rolled as Muata ordered him to sit.

He seemed to be a river tribesman, with only a loin-cloth on.
"Don't eat him, chief," sang out Compton; for Muata had a very ugly look on his face as he eyed the stranger.
The man himself seemed to think there was cause for this plea on his behalf, for, to the amazement of all, he responded in broken English-- "Oh yeh-es, he eatee me.