August 25.--I departed from Kooma, accompanied by two shepherds who
were going towards Sibidooloo. The road was very steep and rocky,
and as my horse had hurt his feet much in coming from Bammakoo, he
travelled slowly and with great difficulty, for in many places the
ascent was so sharp, and the declivities so great, that if he had
made one false step he must inevitably have been dashed to pieces.
The shepherds being anxious to proceed, gave themselves little
trouble about me or my horse, and kept walking on at a considerable
distance. It was about eleven o'clock, as I stopped to drink a
little water at a rivulet (my companions being near a quarter of a
mile before me), that I heard some people calling to each other, and
presently a loud screaming, as from a person in great distress. I
immediately conjectured that a lion had taken one of the shepherds,
and mounted my horse to have a better view of what had happened.
The noise, however, ceased, and I rode slowly towards the place from
whence I thought it had proceeded, calling out, but without
receiving any answer. In a little time, however, I perceived one of
the shepherds lying among the long grass near the road, and though I
could see no blood upon him, I concluded he was dead. But when I
came close to him, he whispered to me to stop, telling me that a
party of armed men had seized upon his companion, and shot two
arrows at himself as he was making his escape. I stopped to
consider what course to take, and looking round, saw at a little
distance a man sitting upon the stump of a tree. I distinguished
also the heads of six or seven more, sitting among the grass, with
muskets in their hands. I had now no hopes of escaping, and
therefore determined to ride forward towards them. As I approached
them, I was in hopes they were elephant-hunters; and by way of
opening the conversation inquired if they had shot anything, but