anything under heaven he wants to? A locomotive, an automobile, a flying
machine are miracles, but no less--and no greater--than ordinary matches.
Once admit the ability to transcend natural laws, once admit the
possibility of miracles, why be surprised at anything? If a white man
chose to appear thus in an unknown country, why not? If he chose again to
vanish into thin air, again why not? Only the fierce-looking savage
carrying the rifle rolled his eyes uneasily.

But at this precise moment a diversion on the opposite side of the line
attracted attention enough. A galvanic shiver ran down the string of
porters, succeeded at once by a crashing of loads cast hastily to the
ground. With unanimity the bearers swarmed across the little open space
toward and to either side of Kingozi and his attendant. Reaching the
fringe of flat-topped trees they sprang into the low branches, heedless of
the long thorns, and scrambled aloft until at least partially concealed. A
few of the bolder members lurked behind the trunks, but held themselves
ready for an instant ascent. From a hundred throats arose a confused cry
of "_Faru! Faru!_"

Not joining this first flight remained only the _askaris_, the eight men
bearing the hammock, and the tall Nubian. Of these the _askaris_ were far
ahead and to the rear; the hammock bearers were decidedly panicky; only
the Nubian seemed cool and self-possessed. The occupant of the hammock
thrust out a foot to descend.

But before this could be accomplished a rhinoceros burst fully into view
across the open space. His tail was up, he was snorting loudly, and he
headed straight for the hammock. That was large, moving, and directly in
his line of vision. The sight was too much for the bearers. With a howl
they dropped the pole and streaked it to join their brothers in the thorn