The only question was how to make the necessary execution most awe-inspiring and exemplary.

The moment was well chosen, and served to strengthen, for the time being, the waning authority of these two Englishmen thus thrown upon their own resources in the heart of Africa.
The position was not a pleasant one.

For three months the Plateau had been surrounded by hostile tribes, who made desultory raids from time to time.

These, the little force on the summit was able to repulse; but a combined attack from, say, two sides at once would certainly have been successful.

Meredith had no reason to suppose that his appeal for help had reached Msala, infested as the intervening forests were by cannibal tribes.