It had been pressed down so far that it could not easily rise again.

He felt that he must make himself believe in the relief which had come to them, and, turning sharply, he called out to Cheditafa: "Man, since you have been in this part of the country, have you ever seen or heard of any wild beasts here?
Are there any jaguars or pumas ?" The African shook his head.

"No, no," said he, "no wild beasts.

Everybody sleep out of doors.

No think of beasts--no snakes." The captain dropped his gun upon the ground.