Ask of those mudfish there for news of the man who stood behind them to slay Muata, who had the gun aimed to shoot when Muata leapt into the water.

Ask them, and they will lie." "What manner of man was this ?" "One of those who hound me in the canoe--even one of the man-hunters who seized my mother." Mr.Hume looked at the boys.

"Did either of you see an Arab on board?
Muata says a man was about to fire at him when he sprang overboard." "I thought he fell," said Compton.

"I saw no one with a gun." "Nor I," said Venning; "but the Arab may have gone below." Mr.Hume hailed the captain.

"My man said an attempt was made on his life.