A fat, unwholesome--looking creature, half native, half Belgian, waddled across the open space towards the hut in which the two strangers had been housed.

He was followed at a little distance by two sturdy natives bearing a steaming pot which they carried on a pole between them.

Trent set down his revolver and rose to his feet.
"What news, Oom Sam ?" he asked.

"Has the English officer been heard of?
He must be close up now." "No news," the little man grunted.

"The King, he send some of his own supper to the white men.