He could sense the stir of interest in

"Then you must keep _Bwana_ Nyele and these two _shenzis_ close in camp, hidden where their safari cannot find them. And after two weeks you must send two men to M'tela's to find me, and to tell me where you are hidden. Now is all that understood? You, Simba, tell me what you are to do." "Mali-ya-bwana, myself, six men and these _shenzis_ travel to where the safari of _Bwana_ Nyele marches. When we are near that safari we tie up the two _shenzis_. Then we get _Bwana_ Nyele and tie him up in a secret camp. Then after two weeks we send two men to tell the _bwana_ where we are. But, _bwana_, how do we get _Bwana_ Nyele?" "That I will tell you soon. One thing you forgot: you must reach the _Duyche_ before he gets into M'tela's country. This means travel night and day-- fast travel. Can this be done?" "We shall pick good men, _bwana_, runners of the Wakamba. We shall do our best." "Good. Each man four days' _potio_, and what biltong he can use. Simba, take my small rifle and fifty cartridges. Take some snuff, beads, and wire--only a little--to trade for _potio_ if you meet with other people. Understood?" "Yes, _bwana_." "Cazi Moto," he directed, "bring me the small box of wood from my _sandoko_." He slid the cover off this box when it was delivered into his hands, fumbled a moment, and held up an object. "What is this?" he asked. "It is a bone, _bwana_." "Yes, it is a bone; but it is more. It is a magic. With this you will take _Bwana_ Nyele." He could sense the stir of interest in the three men before him. "Listen carefully. This is what you must do. When you have come near to this safari, you must follow it until it has put down its loads and is just about to make camp. Not a rest period on the road; not after camp is made--just at the moment when the men begin to untie the loads, when they begin to pitch the tents. That is the magic time. Understand?" "Yes, _bwana_," they chorused breathlessly. "Simba must be ready. He must take off his clothes, and he must oil his body and paint it, and put on the ornaments of a _shenzi_ of this country. For that purpose he must take with him the necklace, the armlets, anklets, and belt that I traded for with the _shenzis_, and which Cazi Moto will get from my tent. Do you know the style of painting of these _shenzis_ of the plains, Simba?"